Buying former Eldorado police. Questions....

[Tom H]

Cam, that's sweet!!!

Tom

[Cam3512]

Cam, that's sweet!!!

Tom

Thanks Tom.  My 3rd loop in 20 years.  This one is special, '71 Ambo.  Older restoration by BJ Swartz. 

[shelbygt]

Found this info on the This Old Tractor website...  This confirms what you guys have been saying. Looks like what we have is an 850GT California. I'm cool with this. I already have an Eldorado. Looks like fenders should be chrome. Wonder if they're the same as the Eldorado; only in chrome?

Matching numbers: 850 GT models (not imported to the USA) do not have matching frame and engine numbers. Eldorado and 850 California Police motorcycles (imported to the USA) have matching frame numbers and engine numbers.
Frame and Engine Numbers

From Ralf Brinkmann:

The leading two letters of the serial number on frame and engine block reflect the Guzzi model:

VS 00AA to VS 99SS: V7 700
VM 00AA to VM 25EP: V7 Special
VP 00AA to VP 58WH: 850 GT
VP 11111 to VP 16230: 850 GT California

[Gooze]

Cam3512:

Where did you get your rear crash bar?

I've had trouble finding one that truly fits.

I see your unique upper attachment is the same as mine.

[Cam3512]

Cam3512:

Where did you get your rear crash bar?

I've had trouble finding one that truly fits.

I see your unique upper attachment is the same as mine.

MG Cycle sells them.

[Gooze]

Well, cam, there's a difference from the mg cycle one vs. mine.  I know because I tried.  I was confirmed by mg cycle that the rear crash bar they have differs in the upper attachment.  We compared photos from nonpolice vs. Police.

[Cam3512]

Well, cam, there's a difference from the mg cycle one vs. mine.  I know because I tried.  I was confirmed by mg cycle that the rear crash bar they have differs in the upper attachment.  We compared photos from nonpolice vs. Police.

The difference in the above photo appears to be the BOTTOM mounting point.  Top is a bolt that goes into the reinforced gusset on the police bike frame.  Civilian loops don't have rear crash bars.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This how the MG Cycle rear crashbars mount:



Not the same as original police rear crashbars. The one MG Cycle sells are often referred to as "European" crashbars.

[Cam3512]

As usual you are correct Charlie.  I didn't notice the "bend" in that photo.  I thought I found the straight police bars.  Do they not repro them anymore?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

As usual you are correct Charlie.  I didn't notice the "bend" in that photo.  I thought I found the straight police bars.  Do they not repro them anymore?

I haven't looked for police crashbars, so don't know for sure that they're not available, but a quick check online is coming up empty. At one time MG had both types available, but I think their source was Stucchi. Since Stucchi reorganized into LGC Srl, it seems they've been concentrating more on accessories for later model bikes. Maybe eventually they'll do more police rear crashbars.

[Gooze]

Yep, the authentic police rear crash bars are not currently available from anywhere (other than possibly on ebay and such luck).  I have taken my time to look for them.  The MG Cycle looked first promising, but luckily Rick and I did enough home work at the time of my ordering, and found out about the difference.

MG Cycle attempted to source "the vertical type Police rear crash bars" around that time, but ended up getting the "curved 850GT style" instead. They had seen (apparently) only one place to make the authentic police style, but until they make more, the only thing to do is to keep looking.  Used on Ebay or such.  That's why my asking.  I thought there's more to it.

Anyhow, MG Cycle deleted the rear crash bars from my order at the 11th moment.  Thanks for reinforcing my own conclusions w/ MG Cycle.  Kinda cool to have an authentic police bike but at times some simple things get complicated . . .

[Cam3512]

Almose 20 years ago I needed a pair of rear crash bars for my first police Eldo.  I walked into a small Guzzi shop in NJ (long gone), and he had an NOS pair hanging on the wall.  Still wrapped in paper.

Have you called MG Classics or Harpers?

[canuck750]

Mine does...

That is a beautiful Police bike Cam!

Jim