Subject: Vintage M/C Days @ Mid-Ohio
Author: John Prusnek
Date: Jul 17, 2001, 12:45 PM
Post ID: 1707526508
Charlie:
We must have crossed paths several times; I was at Jack and Joan's
booth or awhile, had my decals for sale and parked my black Ambo at
their booth, and went to the terribly slow dinner at Mazza's (great
ride!). I was the big guy with the Oilzum t-shirt.
I missed the ex-Guzzi dealer you found, though. Any chance that you
got his name/number? I sure could use a few things for my '69
restoration.
John Prusnek
| 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 |