Reunited...

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

On April 1st, I got an email from my friend John F., the gentleman I sold my '71 Ambo "Barney" to back in '08. He is "thinning out his herd" to just one bike (Cal 1400) and wanted to know if I was interested in buying Barney back at an amazingly low price. My initial reaction was yes!!!, but seeing how it was April Fools Day, I thought it was possibly a cruel joke. Several emails more confirmed that was a genuine and very generous offer, which I of course accepted.

John dropped the Ambo off this morning. Looks much the same as when I sold it, except he's added a Harper's solo seat and luggage rack.





I built the bike from boxes of parts and blogged about the whole process:
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/projects_barney_blog.html . With Winter '08/'09 approaching and the house being in dire need of electrical upgrades and a new heating system, I reluctantly sold my two "extra" Ambassadors (Barney and Sophia). I'd put a mere 5k miles on Barney, but made a lot of good memories in that time. Time to make some more...

[Triple Jim]

Excellent, Charlie, have a blast with it!

It looks like I'll never get to buy a vehicle back, since I never sell any.   :D

[fotoguzzi]

Barney is a Beauty!

[smdl]

Congratulations, Charlie!   :bike

[Jim Rich]

Great looking bike.  Congrats.   ;-T

[lucian]

Another good karma story. Lovely bike and I bet that fairing is so nice.

[Chuck in Indiana]

 ;-T :bike

[zedXmick]

Congrats...one sweet ride!

[Lannis]

Always did love that bike, and the concept.   Glad it's in good hands!    Some day, before you get retired good, I'm going to come up there with a handful of cash and respectfully request that you do ME one just like that .... !

Lannis

[Travman]

Looks good. I really like that fairing with those Wixom bags. Now you just need those lowers that cover the front crash bars to complete the touring look.

Let me know if you need any help putting miles on all those bikes. You need to "exercise" these bikes to keep them in shape.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Let me know if you need any help putting miles on all those bikes. You need to "exercise" these bikes to keep them in shape.

My own herd will be thinned a bit soon too. Once the 30 day temp runs out on the Elefant, I'll get serious about selling it. The MZ will return to the guy I bought it from and the XT500 will likely find a new home too. With Barney's return, I plan to take the '69 Ambo off the road for the year and freshen it up some.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Went out for a nice 3 hour/120 mile ride of area backroads yesterday evening. Remember why I liked this bike so much. Some fresh tires, oil change and a few other things and "Barney" will be ready to roll.  :bike