Subject: Project Status
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Nov 22, 2004, 6:47 PM
Post ID: 1717931210
Got some time to kill so I figured I'd post a message about where the 70
Ambo project is at. Got all of the sheet metal off the bike and some
chrome bits (right crash bar, grab rails, front fender stays) and they
are at Mark E's (Moto Guzzi Classics) for restoration. Ripped the tires
off the spare set of wheels, had the wheels checked for true-ness (they
are good) and they now reside at the powder coat shop. Pulled the
exhaust, masked off everything but the cylinders and sprayed them with
high temp black engine paint - nice! Installed the NOS leg shields with
special footpegs and re-installed the exhaust. Installed a cafe fairing
I purchased off of e-bay and installed one of John Prusnek's Moto Guzzi
Emblems smack dab in the middle of the fairing right above the headlight
- oh ho ho! Installed the Hella Bar End blinkers, blinker switch, and
an electronically controlled flasher unit also found on e-bay - nice
Vintage look. Installed a new front brake cable WITH the brake switch
and wired it up (one on the bike did not have the switch). Fabricated a
cheap bracket to hold the trip reset cable up next to the speedo housing
- works. Polished the wheel hubs, speedo housing, valve covers,
exhaust, and all of the chrome bits. Touched up the frame and rusty
looking bolts - nice clean look now. Cleaned and re-charged the K&N
filters, changed all of the oils (engine, trans, rear drive, forks),
torqued the heads (found a bad push rod) and adjusted the valves,
installed new points and condenser - other ignition parts are new (cap,
rotor, wires, plugs, coil).
When the next batch of parts arrive, next up is to change the oil pan
gasket, set up the generator (locating pin was missing) and install a
new gen belt, install new longer stem mirrors, and install right front
crash bar. Last stage is to mount the new tires on the powder coated
wheels when they are finished, install them, adjust the brakes, then
wait for the goods (all of the repainted sheetmetal and remaining chrome
bits) to arrive from Mark E. By then, spring should be right around the
corner and the Ambo should be ready for her maiden cruise and post
maiden voyage adjustments.
Man I love these bikes........all I need to do now is figure out a good
name for her.
Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ