Subject: RE: Ambo takes flight (long)
Author: paul-@comcast.net
Date: Oct 7, 2003, 1:47 PM
Post ID: 1714785678
Looks good Rich. Makes me want to get Daisy done even faster now.
Paul
Midlothian, Va
73 Eldo "Elvira" at a halt in favor of "Daisy"
74 Eldo "Daisy" new project
Richard Arimoto wrote:
It soars, in fact! The 1971 Moto Guzzi Ambassador I've been rebuilding is back on the road again after being in pieces since the mid-90s. And I am happy to say that it is running quite well! Background: I bought the bike on Ebay, and this past April I drove nearly 900 mi (each way) from Carlsbad, NM to Branson, MO to pick it up. The fellow selling it had intended to rebuild it and had started the process but lost interest. The parts were in boxes, somewhat segregated but not labeled. The swingarm was attached to the frame and the steering head assembled, but that was about as far as the reassembly had gotten. The engine and gearbox were assembled, but they needed to be stripped, checked, have some parts replaced (e.g., new Gilardoni cylinders, one big-end bearing set, 4th gear w floating bush, clutch plates, and other stuff I can't remember) and re-assembled. The body parts were painted, but they didn't have the proper decals applied and weren't clear coated (I got some fiberglass sidecovers from MG Classics and shot them with a rattle can) Most of the shiny parts had been re-chromed. The wiring harness was original and NG. The forks needed to be rebuilt. I had some trouble/confusion with the gearbox but ultimately got that straightened out. BJ Schwartz (who I met at the NM Guzzi rally) was an excellent contact. Does grind a bit going into second and does howl a little in fourth at low rpms, but I think those are normal for a 4-speed, and it does shift pretty well. Also had some problems with the generator but eventually got that figured out, too. Turns out that the Bosch system, which is what the bike has, is externally grounded (I'm guessing the Marelli system must be internally grounded although I haven't verified that). The methods for polarizing the two different types of generator are different and of course I did it the wrong way the first time around. This project would not have been practical without the various resources I found on the internet. I had the heads rebuilt by Moto Guzzi Classics (one head needed to have an insert put in for the exhaust nut-this was done by Competition Cycles, recommended by MG Cycle) and I bought parts mainly from MG Cycle but also from Harper's and Moto International. I mentioned in a previous post that I got petcocks that fit � in NPT threads (I had to tap these as the original threads on the tank were stripped) from Storz. I had to buy a used speedo and U-joint, both purchased on EBay. (I could use a better seat --anyone have one for sale?) I posted some pics which you should be able to get to using your web browser. Go to http://www.cemrc.org/~arimoto Click on <Ambo pics> this should give you a list of images which you should be able to view using your browser. A six month project, which was grueling at times, but ultimately satisfying. This was done mainly for the enjoyment/experience of putting a classic old bike back on the road. I'll probably end up selling this bike so I can start a new project. I know I won't make any money on it, but that's okay, the experience was worth it and somebody will have a nice classic motorcycle to enjoy. Rich A |