Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: RE: V7 vs Ambassador

Author: Charlie Mullendore

Date: Sep 26, 2003, 8:09 PM

Post ID: 1714666086



The early '69 Ambassadors (serial number begins with an "A", built in
late '68) are nearly identical to the last of the V700s. Mine came with
the old SS1 carbs, small tank, right foot shift, etc. Basically it's the
same bike with 54cc more displacement. As far as I can tell the starter
button, top plate & triple clamp, side reflectors on the fenders and
some different color choices are the only other differences. There's
still no starter relay, electrical equipment is Marelli, the generator
covers are metal, the battery covers don't have louvers and don't cover
the air box, there's knobs on the toolboxes instead of locks, front
brake cable doesn't have a switch and the headlight bucket is the deep
one. Rear brake backing plates on the V700 and early Ambos had the
actuating shaft in a different position (12 o'clock vs. 3), the fuel
line cross bolts to the top of the breather box (sometimes) and the coil
mounts sideways. Of course, all of this is not set in stone as Guzzi
seemingly used whatever parts were on hand at the time to build bikes.
If you don't already have it, buy/beg/borrow/steal Greg Field's
excellent book "Moto Guzzi Big Twins". Every Guzzi owner should have one
- especially Loop owners! Cheers,

Charlie

Mike wrote:
 
May not be as much difference as stated in 1968, true the differences
Charles talks about are valid for a V700 and an Ambassador BUT they did
have
a transisition period where there was little difference besides the
50cc....we have some guys here on the list that own those
bikes...weren't
they the "A" Ambassadors?

EldoMike
www.classicguzzi.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "AJ Huff" <ajh-@earthlink.net>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: V7 vs Ambassador


 Thanks. I knew it had to be more than just 50 cc's . I appreciate you
taking the time to go into so much detail.
 
-AJ

Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2003 03:14:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Charles Peterson <ccpeters-@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: V7 vs Ambassador



I'm thinking of a bunch of differences between
them...I have a V700.

The ignition switch is dead center in the dash,
without a relay...Ambo moved to a right hand button, I
believe...

starter and gen are Marielli, not Bosch...

V700's started with leaky Dellorto SS1 carbs, most
have been changed to Dellorto VHB 29's if they bike
didn't burn to the ground...

the V700 tank is smaller, with very funky
(leaky)original taps way up front...wish they would
work...replaced...

the air cleaner was forward and seperate from the
battery comparment...the ambo side covers came forward
to cover the air cleaner and gained the slots (which
later are imitated on 850T, Convert and G5 side
covers!)

my gen covers are black metal 2 piece. I think ambo
became plastic one piece?

V700 is definitely a 4 speed trans...don't know when
it became a 5 speed...

I believe the steering head/top triple plate was
changed slightly on the ambo to a different rake/trail
to reduce a slight lightness on the V700...

my V700 has right foot shift, left foot brake..a blast
to ride....

the V700 front brake cable was not connected to the
rear brake light...

the V700 headlight was a couple inches longer in the
front...very different look...

can anybody think of others? there is a beautiful V700
on ebay right now...it has the cruddy SS1 carbs, but
that wouldn't stop me from buyinmg it...VHB 29's are
readily available, as are fuel taps...

by the way, I was riding last Sat at a steady
75mph...two harleys steadily chase me down, pass, pull
over and pace me...the 700 just wouldn't have any of
that and stepped it up to 80 and stayed there quite
comfortably, leaving the bro's behind through the big
sweepers of RT8 south in CT....heh..heh..heh...love
driving it...



--- AJ Huff <ajh-@earthlink.net> wrote:
 Hi all,

what is the difference between a 1968 V7 and a 1968
Ambassador?

Thanks.


AJ Huff
Three Rivers, MI

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