Subject: Re: transitional forms
Author: Matt Moore
Date: Jun 23, 2002, 8:56 AM
Post ID: 1710481491
Hey Jeff,
You have a frankenGuzzi too? What is it? (details!)
Mine is a '73 Eldo. Frame and engine #'s don't match. I think the engine is
newer. The 5spd trans, I am told, is from a T bike. One of the previous
owners cut the spine of the frame and lowered it about 3" where it meets the
rear loops. He replaced the stock tank with a H-D tank fron a mid 70's model
with flames. When I bought it, I knew nothing about Guzzi's and didn't know
it was not a stock tank. The overall effect looked cool (at the time).
When I took apart the engine, the cylinders were almost wore through at
the top, they were .005" over the largest spec and there was a discoloration
to the lining. So, I have purchased Nikasil cylynders and piston sets
($ouch$, but I think it'll be worth it).
Now I am slowly putting it back together. I need to repaint all the
sheetmetal. I am going to use the frame I have for now, then purchase a
stocker down the road. My engine is completely reassembled and I am now
going to be going through the transmission and updating it.
Matt Moore on Mid-MI
'73 Eldo-mostly
'71 Honda Trail70
----- Original Message -----
From: "jeff m" <jef-@frob.org>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 12:12 AM
Subject: transitional forms
(ed. note, a transitional form is an organism with genetic characteristics that bridge the differences between two related organisms (e.g. the 'missing link' between man and apes). most scientists believe transitional forms to be proof of evolution 2. forgive the editor if he rambles, much single malt has been consumed this night. 3. I don't usually talk about myself in the 3rd person :)) *********************************************************************** woke up at O'dark thirty this morning, hollowed out my dodge caravan and headed towards eastern washington state. Five hours later I had a new-to-me Guzzi Ambo loaded in the back of the caravan and was heading home (thanks again Blair for the great bike!!!). I got what I consider to be a transitional form between the V700 and the 750 Ambassador. It has a Dec 1968 build date and one of the elusive engine serial numbers that start with "A". 750 block, 750 jugs (and unlike frankenguzzi, they have good chrome!!!!). It is a right side shift, has V700 style sidecovers, has a V700 tank with the funky gascap, |
| a v700 taillight mount. Fork top plate must be V700, too as it doesn't impact the tank. VIN is stamped in the headstock, as well as engraved on a (very odd) VIN plate riveted to the headstock. Other than that it is all ambo..Remarkably, all the pieces (save tool boxes) are there and in relatively good condition for it's age. It even has stock, unbutchered wiring. I'm going to have quite a bit of fun putting this fella back together. Got it home and started stripping it down. This thing has odd intake manifolds, unlike frankenguzzi's manifolds which fit flush to the head, the new bike has strange notched sleeves that protude maybe 1.5 inches |
| the head when they are mounted. I'm guessing a V700 carryover, as I couldn't find them on my parts blowup or schematic either. ah, well. wish me luck. --j |