As I said, I've seen four 4LS Eldos with the 1973 model year listed on their data plates. All built between May (listed as "Maj") and July 1973.
Traditionally, Guzzi make major model changes following the August holiday. This usually means bikes built from September through the following July are considered as a single model year. In this case, those built from Spetember 1973 to July 1974 were for model year 1974. Those from September 1972 to July 1973 for model year 1973, and so on.
The "1/2" thing, of course won't appear on a title, the same way there is no "1/2" on the title of a 1964 Mustang or on a 1986 Nissan Hardbody pickup. Both were mid-year intros, but they are just 1964 or 1986 models on the titles. Same for the 4LS Eldos with 1973 model years listed on their data plates.
Evidence so far submitted on this list suggests that there were 4LS Eldos for both 1973 and 1974. That said, I've never personally seen a 4LS Eldo with a 1974 build date. That, of course, means nothing, since there apparently were some. I say "apparently" because others say they have seen them and because these may have gotten the updated data plates that Berliner told me about. I can see the reason for updating an unsold 1973 model as a 1974 model but can't think of any reason for backdating a 1974 model with a data plate saying it is a 1973 model. That said, I can see a reason someone might swap a 4LS front end on what was a 2LS bike, but I do believe there were real 4LS Eldos sold in 1973.
Another two questions for the list that may shed some light:
1) Does anyone have a 4LS Eldo with a BUILD DATE of September 1973 or later?
2) Does anyone have an Eldo originally equipped with a disc with a BUILD DATE of September or October 1973?
GF
It may ,in fact be titled by the STATE where it was originally sold as a 1973 ,but I believe the Federal ID tag and model year are 1974.If the 4LS brakes were on it when sold.
Tim Youtsey wrote:
My 73 police model has the 4LS brakes. They seem to work quite well. I also like the look. To me they seem to match the vintage look of the Loopframe bike. Yes, titled 73 as well. Tim Youtsey
-----Original Message----- From: Gary Cheek [mailto:kg8-@home.com] Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 3:32 PM To: Loopfram-@topica.com Subject: RE: 4 shoe Front end Eldo/Ambo
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John, The early 1974 model Eldo had a 4LS brake, the later 1974 Eldo came with the disc brake . There is no such thing as a 1973 1/2 Eldo . As you may suspect it is one of those terms erroneously applied that after years of use becomes a "REAL TRUTH" . They are titled as 74s because they are 74s. My Chevy truck was built in October of 1997 , it IS a 1998 truck . My Eldo Civilian was built in Oct 1973 it IS a 1974 and is plainly marked on the Federal ID tag 1974 MODEL YEAR as well as the title. I actually had some Ebay idiot try to tell me all 1974 Eldos had disc brakes and only late 1973 bikes had 4LS brakes ,and that if I knew a certain Guzzi dealer on the West coast I too would be as enlightened. Never mind the fact I helped a local dealer prep a brand new 4LS brake AMAL NEW 1974 model Eldo late in 1973.
Yes ,when set up properly they are excellent stoppers . I prefer them over the disc front for effectiveness AND they look better too (IMHO) . I do have a set here that are going on my 1971 Police model Eldo . At the same time I will be putting a 2LS rear and cush drive from a Guzzi "T" on the bike. Rich Zink wrote:
I'm curious, Do those 4LS frontends actually stop? That would be different. I spend a lot of money on my 'flintstone' brakes that I use on my Ambo ;-)
Rich
---------- From: John Sutton [SMTP:jsutt-@hotmail.com] Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002 12:59 PM To: Loopfram-@topica.com Subject: Re: 4 shoe Front end Eldo/Ambo
Yes, mine is a 4 shoe which origionally was outfitted with Amal carbs. This is why I refer to it as a 73.5 and call the disc brake version a true 74. I don't think Guzzi made changes based on a specific time of year. Also, I have noticed that these 4-shoe/Amal equipped bikes were usually titled as 74's. John S. 73.5 Eldo Civ.