Author Topic: Is this a police ambassador? (Read 2474 times)

jguzzi · « **on:** July 17, 2018, 10:49:22 AM »

Recently, I saw different opinions on what constitutes a LAPD Ambassadoror Eldorado on this discussion. I have had the bike pictured since mid 1980s and would like opinions if it is a police version. It is original except for bags and fairing to my knowledge and has the original floorboards, dash, screw on gas cap and ignition switch/key at the rear left where a tool box would normally be. No special lighting except for a fender light at the front and harley style lighting (bullets) on the rear. What do you think?

guzzisteve · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2018, 10:53:46 AM »

It appears that it is.

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2018, 10:59:48 AM »

The long sidestand is a clue, does it sort of lock in position?

Very nice

jguzzi · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:05:38 AM »

Yes, long stand that locks in place (pretty well). I bought this from a place in Muncie Indiana (City Cycle) that carried only Moto Guzzi. It had a sidecar attached which was unsafe at any speed that I removed (American Eagle brand) and sold. I remember they had only one new model (maybe Cali II) and 2-3 used Converts, a t3, etc. It was a shop where the mom was on duty in the day and husband was there at night doing mechanical things after his shift in the local plant. Sad to say it is gone now.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:05:38 AM »

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:12:59 AM »

That's called a Police stand, I can just imagine a cop dropping the bike on it and running after a bad guy.
I was told that the LAPD went to the factory and ordered that stand and the floorboards. If you look many Harleys have an almost identical stand.

Someone who really knows will be along soon.

jguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:38:56 AM »

I appreciate your opinions.....and I forgot to mention that I did install Gilardonis a few years ago because of the advice on this board. The old cylinders did have a slight spec or two where flaking was starting so I am glad I took the advice here.

Rod · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:54:08 AM »

Looks like it. Early police dash with no trip meter and unusual pull switch next to left turn indicator. That's a police tank, but the cap has been replaced. Somebody had fun with decals. Police tanks would have had no logos. I can't see any sign of a siren mounting bracket on the left rear footpeg tube under the key. If you look close you should be able to see if there's anything left after they ground it off before auction. Are the crash bars solid? That's a sure sign. But they could have been replaced. There are some other frame tip-offs that I can't recall. Charlie knows.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2018, 11:57:54 AM »

Does it have the siren bracket on the loop down by the left muffler, or a place where it was ground off? It sure looks like a cop bike to me.
Look at Cycle Garden's web site, they have a comparison there between police and civilian bikes thats an interesting read.
Rick

jguzzi · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2018, 12:49:47 PM »

Interesting comparison and mine seems to have the police requirements except there is no evidence of a siren bracket that I can see (nor a grind mark).

Rod · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2018, 01:23:53 PM »

I'm not 100% sure that a siren bracket is a definitive identifier. It's also possible they did a good job of grinding it off and re-painting. Given the tank and the dash, I'd still say it looks like a police model.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2018, 01:29:19 PM »

Quote from: jguzzi on July 17, 2018, 12:49:47 PM

Interesting comparison and mine seems to have the police requirements except there is no evidence of a siren bracket that I can see (nor a grind mark).

Quote from: Rod on July 17, 2018, 01:23:53 PM

I'm not 100% sure that a siren bracket is a definitive identifier. It's also possible they did a good job of grinding it off and re-painting. Given the tank and the dash, I'd still say it looks like a police model.

It's not - not all police departments used friction sirens.

John A · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2018, 01:34:13 PM »

Ive not seen a police Guzzi with that fairing. They had a simple windshield with three crossbars, one horizontal, two vertical.
doesn't mean there weren't some with a windjammer, just that Ive not seen one.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2018, 02:38:32 PM »

Quote from: John A on July 17, 2018, 01:34:13 PM

Ive not seen a police Guzzi with that fairing. They had a simple windshield with three crossbars, one horizontal, two vertical.
doesn't mean there weren't some with a windjammer, just that Ive not seen one.

Not all p.d. used the "tombstone" windscreens either. jguzzi did write: It is original except for bags and fairing, so he knows that isn't the fairing a p.d. would use.

Markcarovilli · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2018, 03:32:10 PM »

Quote from: bigbikerrick on July 17, 2018, 11:57:54 AM

Does it have the siren bracket on the loop down by the left muffler, or a place where it was ground off? It sure looks like a cop bike to me.
Look at Cycle Garden's web site, they have a comparison there between police and civilian bikes thats an interesting read.
Rick

what does a correct gas cap look like?

Mark

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2018, 04:29:52 PM »

Quote from: Markcarovilli on July 17, 2018, 03:32:10 PM

what does a correct gas cap look like?

Mark

Like the one in his third photo.

Rod · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2018, 05:08:25 PM »

I don't think so, Charlie. As far as I can zoom in the edge looks smooth and bevelled and too short, like a replacement I saw on Greg's site. Actually I'm thinking the police cap looks like this one I picked up on eBay.

Here's one on an old Ambo civilian that has a police tank that I saw at Bill's Old Bike Barn in PA. It has slightly different positioned edge band knurl, vertically. But I think these are both Police caps. That's my hope anyway!

Here's the bike in Bill's museum.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2018, 06:08:20 PM »

Does look to be police. What year is it? Dash looks to be like the 2 previous Eldo’s I’ve owned.

My Ambo cop bike is a ‘71, and has this dash...

jguzzi · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2018, 06:38:43 PM »

It is a 1971, vin 18383. What does the VIN mean? Anything about production?

On the gas cap ideas, it was with the bike when I purchased it in the mid-80s. The bottom does not look like the drag specialities replacement. It has 2 bronze or discolored metal tabs which spin over the rubber gasket when turning. I have to lubricate it once a year or so to keep it in good order.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2018, 07:05:51 PM »

Quote from: Rod on July 17, 2018, 05:08:25 PM

I don't think so, Charlie. As far as I can zoom in the edge looks smooth and bevelled and too short, like a replacement I saw on Greg's site. Actually I'm thinking the police cap looks like this one I picked up on eBay.

It's possible, even likely that Guzzi used more than one type of cap.

Quote from: jguzzi on July 17, 2018, 06:38:43 PM

It is a 1971, vin 18383. What does the VIN mean? Anything about production?

The VIN doesn't really mean anything in particular. Cam's is 18410, so maybe that week in Oct. '70 was "US police bike" build week.

Or they could have been part of an order from a US police dept. that was being fulfilled during that period. I don't find yours on the "Loop List", you can add it here:
http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_loop_list.php

jguzzi · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2018, 07:32:41 PM »

Thank you Charlie. I added it to the database.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #20 on:** July 18, 2018, 05:58:35 AM »

Mark at MG Classics showed me a police frame. As nearly as I can remember

there is a stamped stiffener on the rear loop.

Rod · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2018, 07:03:47 AM »

Quote from: Cam3512 on July 17, 2018, 06:08:20 PM

Does look to be police. What year is it? Dash looks to be like the 2 previous Eldo�s I�ve owned.

My Ambo cop bike is a �71, and has this dash...

Wow, that's a really unusual dash. I was trying to match it up to the Dash Variations page on Greg Bender's site, and it doesn't really match up. It looks like the lower hole might have originally been intended for ignition. But those 2 sets of two holes on top are either custom drilled or it's a dash not accounted for in our "dictionary".

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_dash_variations.html

Yeahoo Whoyah · « **Reply #22 on:** July 18, 2018, 05:01:52 PM »

Quote

what constitutes a LAPD Ambassador

Period artist photo as new example. Not LAPD since they specified sprung saddle.
My '71 LAPD Ambo currently

poems by Henry King

Cam3512 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 18, 2018, 05:13:36 PM »

Quote from: Rod on July 18, 2018, 07:03:47 AM

Wow, that's a really unusual dash. I was trying to match it up to the Dash Variations page on Greg Bender's site, and it doesn't really match up. It looks like the lower hole might have originally been intended for ignition. But those 2 sets of two holes on top are either custom drilled or it's a dash not accounted for in our "dictionary".

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_dash_variations.html

The 4 lights up top are on a separate “add on “ piece that’s bolted on. Rare, but I’ve seen a couple on eBay over the years.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2018, 06:18:18 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on July 18, 2018, 05:58:35 AM

Mark at MG Classics showed me a police frame. As nearly as I can remember there is a stamped stiffener on the rear loop.

A couple of indicators:

No mount for the short, "civilian" sidestand on the lower, left frame:

Double thickness of metal where the top of the rear crashbars bolt to the frame:

Remnants of a siren bracket:

These parts are easily changed, but are also correct copsicle bits:

Signal bracket:

Dash:

The lovely mess of a '71 police (supposedly former CHP) Ambo I'm working on. "Make it run", the owner said. I did just that, first time in 30 years that he'd heard it run.

jguzzi · « **Reply #25 on:** July 18, 2018, 08:55:32 PM »

Charlie,

On the dash you showed in your post and on mine, there is a push/pull switch in the upper right of the dash to bring power to the bike after turning on the key in the ignition at the rear left fender. Was this installed to allow police to have an easy access kill switch for pursuits, emergencies, etc? Great to see another one coming to life under your expertise.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #26 on:** July 18, 2018, 09:51:40 PM »

Quote from: jguzzi on July 18, 2018, 08:55:32 PM

Charlie,

On the dash you showed in your post and on mine, there is a push/pull switch in the upper right of the dash to bring power to the bike after turning on the key in the ignition at the rear left fender. Was this installed to allow police to have an easy access kill switch for pursuits, emergencies, etc? Great to see another one coming to life under your expertise.

Yes, the push/pull switch allowed the rider to shut power off to the coil while everything else was still powered up.

Rod · « **Reply #27 on:** July 19, 2018, 06:28:52 AM »

Quote from: Cam3512 on July 18, 2018, 05:13:36 PM

The 4 lights up top are on a separate �add on � piece that�s bolted on. Rare, but I�ve seen a couple on eBay over the years.

Thanks! That's really interesting. Congrats on having a rare gem. May I suggest you send the picture over to Greg Bender so he can add it to his page on dashes.

Gregory Bender · « **Reply #28 on:** July 19, 2018, 09:57:35 AM »

Quote from: Rod on July 19, 2018, 06:28:52 AM

Thanks! That's really interesting. Congrats on having a rare gem. May I suggest you send the picture over to Greg Bender so he can add it to his page on dashes.

Hi Rod,

Responding here (thanks for the email). Yes, Cam's dash is Moto Guzzi part number 13501540. I've got additional photos of the dash (without the separate add-on piece for the lights) here: http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_dash_variations.html

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Gregory Bender

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Author Topic: Is this a police ambassador? (Read 2474 times)

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