Subject: engine number
Author: John Prusnek
Date: Jul 20, 2002, 4:13 AM
Post ID: 1710638230
Ian:
I reread the article, thanks. It seems that I've uncovered another of
these series bikes, the guy said that he's had it for a long time and
bought it from the original owner. It's pretty unmolested and in
reasonably nice shape. He really doesn't know what he's got, isn't very
mechanical, just a regular guy with an old bike. I wonder how many more
are out there in the hands of similar owners.
I think you're right about the factory using up parts as they went
along, it was a common practice among a lot of bike manufacturers. I'm
working on a '28 Indian, their motto at the time was 'No model years,
just constant improvement' which is a way of using up old stock as they
went. It occasionally produces the oddball bike.
Now it's my turn to go to Mid-Ohio; just got back from the Wauseon,
OH swap meet, crashed, and am turning around to head south. Busy weekend.
John Prusnek
Ian wrote:
| John, If you go to www.mgnoc.com and go into the old articles you will see an article that I wrote about that very series of bike. I think the article was titled Rare Birds. As of now I only know of four Rare Birds. Charlie has one....Scott Larson had one but I think he just sold it. I have one (A12147) and there is one up in Rochester....Bob Hawkes I think. Basically this bike was the transition bike from the V700 to the Ambassador. Greg Field talks about this series in his book Moto Guzzi Big Twins. It is an extremely rare (and valuable :-)) bike. Regards...Ian |