350 Forza

[Duccout]

I have a new addition to the family....... A 350 Forza, the bike that I wanted in the first place. Thanks to Jon I have one.

I need a couple of bits for it if anyone has them: a wide case clutch cover and a rocker cover with the valve lifter. The first because I want to ditch the electric start, and the second because I got a shock when trying to kick it over when I found how much compression there is.

Thanks,

Colin

[themoudie]

Aye Colin,

Speak with Graeme from Tassie re. cover. He kindly offered to help me with one for my '74 450MKIII after the clutch spring pillar made a hole in mine. Probably best to contact via PM, details in my "450 clutch pillar" thread: Link_450MKIII_clutch_pillar_thread.

Not sure if a MKIII cover would be direct replacement?

As for compression, you should be able to stand like Eros on the kickstarter, without it turning over!

Good health, Bill

[Duccout]

Thanks Bill. It sure has some compression!

Colin

[blethermaskite]

Colin, I took the valve lifter mechanism off my 74 350mk3 about six weeks after I bought it new in 1974, a racer friend of mine told me if I ever pulled the operating lever when the engine was running "it will break the rocker!"......well with 48 years of hindsight behind me I'm not so sure about that.
As a result of a lifetime with my 350 I now have a pretty dodgy right hip from all that loony compression kickstarting plus god knows how many unexpected kickbacks as Bill says you (I am only 10stone) can stand on the kickstart lever for damn near a minute before it lets go.
So about a year ago I retro fitted the valve lifter again (got the bits off Ebay) and what a difference to the starting agony, now almost as easy as when I was but a lad of 19
Cheers,
George

[George]

Hi Colin, at least you will know what you are buying from Jon and not have all the problems you had with 250.
Why do you want to remove electric start?
I have just started restoration of 350 Road and that has not got a valve lifter, perhaps I should look into this.
Having removed head and barrel i find that piston, rings and bore are in good condition, apart from standing for 25 years, and are within wear limits. Could be that the 28000 kilometers shown on clock are correct.
Good luck with Forza. Are you giving up on Strada

[Duccout]

Hi George(s),

I am not keen on the electric start assembly, it looks horrible and adds weight and complication and I like simplicity, but maybe after finding out how strong the compression is I may have to reconsider! The 250 is so easy to kick over, I never thought about the 350 being any harder.

When I decided to buy a Mototrans single I wanted a Forza, but they are rare in the UK, so I placed a wanted ad on the Milanuncios web site, but just after that a 250 came up for sale here so I thought 'why not', I have two big bikes if I want to go anywhere long distance. Just after I bought the 250 Jon contacted me on Milanuncios telling me that he had a Forza for sale; grrrrr. The trouble is, I couldn't get the desire for a Forza out of my mind; there was no need, the 250 was perfectly adequate, but it was like an itch that I couldn't scratch. The late Barry Sheene used to say: "Don't die wondering."

Your Road sounds like it is in pretty good shape George, it really is pot luck. I don't know what is going to happen with the Strada, I am close to being at a crossroads with bikes; my 900 Desmo which is my main bike is becoming too heavy for me, and the clip-ons and rearsets, while comfy at high speed, are giving me agonies now in the wrists and knees, and although it would be possible to change it, it is a lot of work and the weight would still be a problem. I do not go on long journeys now very often and I have a modern GT1000 Ducati for that, so the 900 may have to reluctantly go, and then I may choose between the 250 and 350, or keep both.


Colin

[George]

Colin I had the same dilemma with my 750 Moto Guzzi. Good to ride but not so good pushing it around and being in stop / start traffic. Tried to convince myself I could manage for about a year. Riding the little Ducati rekindled the pleasure of motorcycling.
It was pointed out to me that an unused motorcycle sitting in the shed is not a motorcycle but an ornament. Guzzi sold this year for someone else to enjoy.

I made alterations to Elite to give comfortable riding position, seat, handlebars, foot pegs, mirrors, indicators etc and now find that a 100 mile journey with a 55mph cruising speed is not a problem. I also added a side stand and found dismounting much easier.
I think I am a little older than you but I see no reason why not to continue riding well into my eighty's. Never give in.

[Duccout]

Well done George, especially in getting over your accident. I know that I am not as competent a rider as I was even a couple of years ago, and a racey riding position does not help. Retirement did not help me in that respect either because I am weaker and I'm struggling to wheel the 900 out of the garage, whereas the 250 feels like a moped. It is sad to reach this realization, but also important to be honest with onesself, it is no use pretending that we are still 20!

Colin

[blethermaskite]

Colin, I sold all my bigger bikes over the last 10 years or so ....750ss (no a belt drive one ) 850 guzzi le mans, manx framed velo thruxton 750 honda 4 etc. I have always come back to my 350mk3 its light (easy to start now), fast, loud and has all the patina of the 48 years of ripping about the country roads of N.Ireland. My 250 desmo is totally restored and is so nice its too good and arguably valuable to ride on the rather congested and cut throat roads today......it is to all intents now a piece of automotive art and I just can't understand why my wife won't let me put it in the front hall . We are all getting on a bit and I would be the first to admit I am not just as sharp on a bike as I used to be.......still love it but I'm slowwer and a lot more cautious .......call it more aware of my own mortality at least some of us recognise our limitations.
Cheers,
George

[DBDBrian]

Well, what can you say, just be thankful we are still able to cock a leg over a motorcycle I suppose. Been riding since 1960 and never thought for one moment I would still be doing so at this point in my life. The two 900 SS's (belt type) have both gone. The Goldstar seems to get heavier every time I move it, fortunately I am still able to fire it up, provided it doesn't act up, but it somehow seems to know when there's an audience. Who knows for how much longer I will be able to deal with it, but I don't think I could bring myself to part with it after the best part of fifty years.
Hopefully the little 200SS Mini Goldstar will provide me with bit more time in the saddle, which I find a joy to ride, and it's as happy as Larry at fifty five / sixty mph. As said, us oldies must take into account we are not as sharp as we were, but then, what's the hurry anyway.
Enjoy your new acquisition Colin. I'm with George, never give in.

PS
George, did your mate Bill get the Mondial running ?