Subject: Re: Digest for Loopfram-@topica.com, issue 798
Author: psabr-@aol.com
Date: May 29, 2002, 8:25 AM
Post ID: 1710338757
Mark,
I'm sure many others, much more authoritative than myself will also respond to this. All the "reference materials" for the production of these bikes is a relative reference. Mine is also listed as a '71 (mfr in late '70) with a single gauge but with the heel/toe shifter. Guzzi had a tendency to use whatever parts they had in the bins when putting together these bikes to there are a lot of variations in the same parts as they were redesigned and made. There were also some bikes that were not titled and licensed until they were sold. i.e. a '70 that sat in the showroom for a few months might be titled as a '71.
As an example, I met a guy from Brownsburg once who had a V700 and a college roommate had a similar bike only a few digits removed from his (like less than 5) but the bikes were completely different in the style of levers etc. that were used on the bikes. Lots of variation, hence very little can actually be construed as "wrong" for these bikes.
What part of Indiana are you in? I'm originally from Indianapolis and know a few Guzzi names in the area if that would help. Also look for an Indiana Rally that is held in Bridgeton (near Rockville) I believe in the late summer or early fall. My parents live just a few miles from Bridgeton on a small farm/commercial Perrenial plant garden.
Looks like you got a real "Diamond in the rough" there.
David Whitmore
Dallas
'71 Ambassorado
the reference material I have found so far says a '71 should have a speedo/tach and a heal/toe shifter. My bike has only a speedometer and does not have a heel/toe shifter. The build date on the frame is July 1970. Is it a '71 or actually a '70 titled as a '71? Thanks, Mark Wolf