Subject: First Guzzi Ride & She's Home (long)
Author: Les Lampman
Date: Apr 5, 2004, 6:29 PM
Post ID: 1716482737
Well, it's been an interesting day...
My new-to-me '72 Ambassador arrived in Kent, WA after being shipped from
Detroit by Darrell Dick. On the road at 0900 with my dad riding shotgun to
bring the car home; we arrived at the warehouse (it's a 100 mile trip) just
after 1100...gotta love that Seattle traffic!
After the usual hurry-up-and-wait typical warehouse routine the forklift
plops a large steel container with a door at each end in front of us. Off
come the shipper supplied combo locks and as I swing the doors open I get my
first look at my new ride! It's black so I figure so far they've brought
the right container! :-) When I open the 'front' door I know it's the right
bike; just like the photos.
First impressions...it's in the condition Darrell said it was (that's very
good!) and it's a lot smaller than I thought it would be; which is good at
the moment considering I'm hunched over the bike in a container I can't
stand up in trying to aim it down the little ramp at the end of the
container. We make it!
Now down the loading ramp out of the warehouse to get down from dock level;
I decide to just hop aboard and ride it down. I swing a leg over, about 2'
too high as I'm used to the KLR650! Man this thing is low! And, the center
of gravity is way down there; that's nice.
I roll down to the Yukon where my tools and fuel are waiting. All I've got
to do is hook up the battery cable under the left side cover (darn
thumbscrew thingy is way under the seat!) and pour some fresh fuel in. Turn
on the petcock (thanks for the explanation Darrell), twist the throttle a
couple of time, thumb on the choke, turn the key on and hit the starter
button...waa laa!,,,the engine comes to life almost instantly.
I take a quick trip around the parking lot remembering the shift pattern is
upside down. Clutch is nice, shifter works well and the bike handles at low
speed superbly. I try the switches for the headlight and spot lights; they
work! I motor back to the Yukon to suit up and get on the road.
The first couple of miles is surface traffic and signal lights; what a riot
trying to get used the 'backwards' shift pattern, handling and shift timing.
Then I remembered that I better get my lights on...it's the law in WA. I
finally hit the freeway; what a feeling taking it through the gears as the
torque comes on and the low rpm 'throb' subsides into smoothness. Even the
shocks and forks aren't doing a bad job.
At freeway speeds she's smooth and a rock; I'm a happy camper. Except for
the 3 million cars and trucks sharing I-405 with me! We bail off I-405 at
Woodinville and head for the calmer environs on Highway 9. We stopped in
Arlington at our favorite restaurant and dad quizzes me about everything
regarding the bike; he's 84, sharp as a tack, and rode a Vincent Black
Shadow for years.
We finish the ride/drive up Highway 9 and head out across the Tulip fields
(in full bloom) of Skagit Valley and on to Whidbey Island. After just about
100 miles I swing into our parking lot...success!
Now that I've got the first ride finished I know I love the bike. I also
know I've got to work on the ergonomics; the touring saddle that Darrell so
kindly sent with the bike it a killer for me as it keeps me way too far
forward. I also found the foot pegs are too far back (especially with the
touring seat keeping me forward) and too high; I don't have good knees and
the ride was fairly painful from that standpoint with my feet tucked back
under me. I also found using the heel shifter almost impossible with the
angle I had on my feet due to my riding position. I think a flat seat and
footboards may be the answer to this. I really like the way the bike runs
down the road; just kinda eats up the miles.
I found the tach to be interesting; the needle sure loves to move around a
lot! The speedo is hopeless; I guesstimated my speed on Highway 9 to stay
about 55 (I didn't worry about it on the freeway; I just stayed with
traffic) and nailed it pretty close according to Dad...at the time the
speedometer was indicating 70!
I'm still surprised that the bike is as small as it is; looks bigger in the
photos!
All-in-all a good ride and now I'm a Guzzi owner! I love it!
Les Lampman
Whidbey Island
Washington
'72 Ambassador (here at last!)