Subject: Vintage M/C Days @ Mid-Ohio (long)
Author: Charles Mullendore
Date: Jul 16, 2001, 5:14 PM
Post ID: 1707516258
Hi All,
Returned late last night from VMD. I had a great time this year, even
better than last! I trailered my Honda CB350 Four out behind my Audi
Quattro and my buddy Dan rode his '74 Eldo. Stayed in Mt. Vernon, about
20 miles away. I didn't have to trailer the Honda back - it sold on
Sunday (thanks to Mike Skaggs for letting me park it at his spaces), now
there is more Ambo money!
I found a lot of parts that I either needed or wanted including a set of
Wixom bags and brackets (good chrome on the latches!), a battery
holddown frame, two sets of good passenger grab rails, and a nice
generator belt cover (needs polishing - they were using it under the
sidestand!). Then we found the former dealer with his stock of NOS
parts. Anyone need a brand new Marelli generator? He had one - $200. How
about NOS cylinders? Had two of them. I bought a bunch of stuff, but the
highlights are: two new CEV snuffbox turnsignal switches, a complete set
of locks with keys (toolbox and forklock) and a chrome lockring for the
ignition switch. My buddy Dan got the rear drive splines (on the wheel
and in the drive) that he desperately needs and lots of misc. rubber
bits. Others bought taillight lenses, electric fuel taps (for V7Sports)
and other nearly unobtainable items. The best part? He priced the items
with the last pricelist he had before Guzzi cancelled him as a dealer -
1980! Most prices were about 30-50% of now. The former dealer and his
family were really great folks as well! I think they really enjoyed the
sight of grown men acting like kids in the candy store.
Had an equally great time socializing with all the Guzzi people. Jack
and Joan Arnold had a hospitality tent with free food and drink set up.
Tip Paul (W.PA. Rep) organized a Saturday night feed at Mazza's
Restaurant in Mt. Vernon. About 30 Guzzi folks showed up - much more
than the wait and cook staff was expecting. The service was slow, but it
gave us time to socialize more (and spill water on whoever was
unfortunate to be seated next to us - sorry Kevin!). Dan and I noticed
this year that there was a huge number of people wearing Guzzi
paraphernalia. I think I saw more Guzzi t-shirts and hats than any other
brand except Harley.There was also a lot of nice (and not so nice - more
in a moment) Loopframes. You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a
black Eldo or Ambo! There was also an Ambassador "dual-sport"- basically
an Ambo with a KTM front end, plastic fuel tank, different seat and
other assorted dirtbike bits attached. Very crusty, but the concept was
interesting.Yep, I took pictures. I'll get them posted as soon as I
finish out the roll.
The whole surrounding area is beautiful and has lots of curvy country
roads. Amish buggies were everywhere (along with lots of horse exhaust).
The weather was perfect all weekend. Had such a nice time that I'm going
to try to go back out for the Ohio rally in October.
Cheers from MD,
Charlie