Subject: RE: How to identify a loopframe (button starter)
Author: Clifton L. Smith
Date: Mar 9, 2004, 2:52 PM
Post ID: 1716256849
You wrote: So what's the difference between an Ambassador and a
Special? And, do you mean that you have a kick starter instead of
electric (push button)?
Some Loops have a starter position on the key switch (ignition
switch) just like on most cars. My bike has the key starter and not a
button. I understand that Guzzi never made a "kick-starter" motorcycle.
There is no difference between a V7-Special and an Ambassador,
other than decals. The Special was the non-US version of the Ambassador.
I don't know how mine ended up in US.
-----Original Message-----
From: Les Lampman [mailto:le-@lampman.us]
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 4:05 PM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: RE: How to identify a loopframe
Hi Clif (or Clifton if you prefer),
Thanks for the info; I'm learning! :-)
So what's the difference between an Ambassador and a Special?
And, do you
mean that you have a kick starter instead of electric (push
button)?
Inquiring minds...
The Ambo I've purchased is ready-to-run; while I'm a fair
mechanic (in
real-life a partner in a boat dealership and a Honda outboard
mechanic) I
didn't want a project of any sort since I have no 'extra' time in
the summer
('tis the season) and I ride to get time away. Also, I didn't
want my first
introduction to Guzzis to be trying to put something together or
to sort
something out that I had never seen before.
The fellow that I'm purchasing the Ambo from has been sorting it
out and by
all accounts it's working pretty darn well. My first inclination
was to
jump on a plane and ride it the 2400 miles home (he felt it
wouldn't have
any trouble doing that) but common sense (and lack of time)
prevailed and
I'm letting Fast Forward handle the shipment (and monetarily I
couldn't do
it myself for what they're charging). Of course, being a 32
year-old bike I
realize it's going to need TLC but I'll have a chance to learn
the bike as I
learn to maintain it.
Les Lampman
Whidbey Island, WA
'72 Ambassador (almost)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clifton L. Smith [mailto:Clif-@Earnhart2.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 11:10 AM
> To: Loopfram-@topica.com
> Subject: RE: How to identify a loopframe
>
> Les,
> There seems to be an overlap period in which various
changes were
> gradually introduced between the two models (V7 and
Ambo/Special).
> First, the 750cc displacement appeared and then
gradually new
> carbs, tank, side covers, bars, and push-button starter. My
1970
> V7-Special seems to have all of the changes except the
push-button
> starter, but I have seen an original 1969 750 Ambo with the
"V7" style
> tank and side covers.
> My manual, which covers both 750 and 700 models, lists
the
> wheelbase as slightly longer in the 750cc. I am not sure
whether this
> change was introduced concurrently with the displacement or was
also
> gradual, but it seems that Ambo production became standardize
by 1971.
> So your 1972 should be the "final" late-model version of the
Ambo. (I
> welcome corrections.)
> Enjoy your new bike. They handle great for their size
and
> vintage, much preferable to the Detroit iron of the day. Is it
a
> turn-key, will you need to sort it, clean it, or build from
> half-scratch?
> CS in TN