Background Refer to the description of the original Moto Guzzi harness and dashboard discussion. Much progress in vehicle electrical systems has been made in the past twenty-five years since our Moto Guzzi California 1100i was manufactured. Electronic circuit boards now make it possible to consolidate component form factors while, at the...
Continue reading...Kriss Motors
Chassis
Background The early Morgan 3-wheelers were all very light and relatively simple machines. The steel that supports the suspension and body is surprisingly sparse: basically two parallel bars in an “H” ladder frame with a few attachments to hold up the mudguards and stabilize the wheels. The aluminum skin is primarily...
Continue reading...Throttle body
Background Refer also to the electronic fuel injection post. The throttle body blends fuel, air, and electric spark which is then delivered to combustion chambers in each cylinder. The unit is a complex casting — very difficult to replace — and Moto Guzzi has never made individual replacement parts available. Injector...
Continue reading...Legalities
Background Three-wheeled vehicles — often referred to as trikes, autocycles, or cyclecars — exist in a murky and evolving world of local, state, and federal laws combined with complex registration and title regulations. Drivers of these vehicles are subject to a different set of state legal requirements involving driver license endorsements...
Continue reading...Rear brake flange
Background The aluminum rear brake flange is vulnerable when exposed to excessive heat caused by braking pad friction on the brake disc. See also the rear wheel discussion. If the brake disc gets hot enough, energy transferred to the disc carrier will heat up the aluminum flange. Aluminum’s coefficient of expansion...
Continue reading...Drive train
Background The extended length of the cyclecar requires a corresponding expansion segment in the primary drive shaft. In addition, to implement reverse functionality a new reversing gearbox assembly must inserted between the original gearbox output and the U-joint input in the swing arm. The gear shift mechanism must also be completely...
Continue reading...Swing arm
Background Refer to rear drive overview discussion. The swing arm contains a large carrier bearing for the U-joint coupler and two smaller taper bearings for the pivot pins that rotate the arm (and hence its “swing” name). Taper bearings After unscrewing the pins, the two taper bearings can be easily pulled...
Continue reading...Rear wheel
Background Refer to rear drive overview discussion. Note that cosmetic restoration is not emphasized since the rear wheel will be entirely hidden under the chassis of the cyclecar. Both wheel bearings will be replaced. Disassembly The front cush plate is held in place with a large snap ring and small positioning...
Continue reading...Dashboard
Background While the exterior body contours of the 1928 Morgan Super Sport Aero will be closely copied in our updated cyclecar, the cockpit is an entirely different matter. Much has evolved in nearly one hundred years of automotive technology, so the dash and controls in the cockpit will need an extensive...
Continue reading...Engine exterior
Background After all the preliminaries followed by the removal of the rear wheel, swing arm and transmission, harness, and lower rails on the frame, it is, theoretically, an easy operation to remove the front and rear engine mounting bolts to lift the entire chassis over the engine. The theory doesn’t contemplate...
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