Author Topic: 1969 ambo  (Read 1412 times)

Offline RHAT

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1969 ambo
« on: March 27, 2021, 10:36:58 PM »
I have assumed caretaker position for this unrestored mostly original I got from an old acquaintance and friend of a friend.
 He has never recovered from surgery and his riding days are pretty much over,  so, it's been sitting a while.  I got it home and went to the store for a new battery and changed the cables to 6mm terminals before darkness overtook me.  It shouldn't take much to sort out and bring it back to the world of the living. I hope.








Offline Tom

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2021, 10:41:36 PM »
Congrats!   :thumb:
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2021, 11:17:42 PM »
Nice looking Ambo, I think youre going to love it
Chad (Shadrach) in Asheville NC
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oldbike54

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2021, 11:33:25 PM »
 Congratulations Richard  :thumb:

 Dusty

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2021, 11:33:25 PM »

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2021, 08:59:03 AM »
Nice, but I'm not sure about the "unrestored" part. Hopefully, the original chrome plated cylinder bores have been dealt with, if not that would be the #1 thing on my list.

If you haven't already found it, this is the best source of Loop info. on the web:
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe.html
Charlie

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2021, 09:01:15 AM »
CONGRATS!!! Always liked the red and chrome color scheme of this model Ambo!! :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
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oldbike54

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2021, 09:05:36 AM »
Nice, but I'm not sure about the "unrestored" part. Hopefully, the original chrome plated cylinder bores have been dealt with, if not that would be the #1 thing on my list.

If you haven't already found it, this is the best source of Loop info. on the web:
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe.html

 Charlie , we think the cylinders were done in Nikasil some years back , although I did suggest to Richard that doing magnet test just to be sure is a good idea . Also kinda threw you under the bus by telling him you are a loop guru , so get ready for a barrage of questions  :laugh:

 Dusty

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2021, 09:59:42 AM »
 :thumb:
Charlie

Offline Cam3512

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2021, 10:32:59 AM »
Congrats!  It has definitely been repainted.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2021, 02:39:49 PM by Cam3512 »
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Offline guzziart

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2021, 01:50:03 PM »
Congrats, looks good!
'71 CB350, '72 Eldo, '72 CL350, '81 CB125s, '87 LMIVSE, '91 CT70, '03 V11 Lemans, '08 Wing  ('12 Wee Strom - R.I.P.)

Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2021, 04:22:18 PM »
Just put 4 miles on it and didn't have to push! I have to do the steering head bushings and fork seals. It tried to kill me. The other issue is that I can't stop the left carburetor from leaking. I have my buddy's bench reserved , so plenty of time to wait for parts.
Main thing is it lives again, and I successfully rode it,  so that compensates for spending most of a fabulous riding day wrenching on the floor.



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oldbike54

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2021, 05:04:14 PM »
  :thumb:

 Dusty

Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2021, 12:30:51 AM »
Nice  :thumb:
The carb leaking might be gas leaking into the floats, that happened to one of mine.
I think it's the white ones are no good.
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62&products_id=4761
Add says they are new production, perhaps it's fixed?
« Last Edit: March 29, 2021, 12:36:31 AM by Kiwi_Roy »
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Online Tom H

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2021, 12:34:34 AM »
Could also be as simple as the needle has a bit of crud on it, or the tip is worn or the seat could use a little cleaning.

BTW: maybe it's just me, but I always turn off the petcocks when I park the bike.

Tom
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Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2021, 12:39:24 AM »
Could also be as simple as the needle has a bit of crud on it, or the tip is worn or the seat could use a little cleaning.

BTW: maybe it's just me, but I always turn off the petcocks when I park the bike.

Tom
True, you will need to pull the float off for either, just give it a shake.
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Moto Guzzi - making electricians out of riders since March 15 1921

Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2021, 11:20:14 PM »
Got those steering head bearings out today



Offline John A

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2021, 11:22:53 PM »
Nice looking bike! :thumb:
John
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oldbike54

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #17 on: April 03, 2021, 11:53:53 PM »
 Only Guzzi riders buy a bike and immediately disassemble it  :laugh:

 Dusty

Offline Kiwi_Roy

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #18 on: April 03, 2021, 11:58:46 PM »
Charlie , we think the cylinders were done in Nikasil some years back , although I did suggest to Richard that doing magnet test just to be sure is a good idea . Also kinda threw you under the bus by telling him you are a loop guru , so get ready for a barrage of questions  :laugh:

 Dusty
The Nikasil cylinders might have Gilardoni written in raised lettering just above the base on the outside.
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Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #19 on: April 04, 2021, 08:00:10 AM »
Only Guzzi riders buy a bike and immediately disassemble it  :laugh:

 Dusty
I didn't really want to start by taking the front off,  but I had to.  It was unridable with grease the consistency of semi-dryed wood puddy. Besides,  it needs a good cleaning.  I had a hard time finding a matching set of tires for it.  Not a lot of choices with the 18's. I finally settled on continentals. It's been a long time since I run continental tires,  but I don't remember being unhappy with them.
I ordered a 100/90 for the front.  It seems to me tires and batteries cost more these days than they used to.  I have a couple of like new 18's if anyone here is brave enough to run  13 years old tires .

Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #20 on: April 26, 2021, 08:32:25 PM »
Ok, I'm stuck.  I am trying to put the front end back together on the ambo,  but the issue I am having is with the tube being all the way in the bottom of the fork leg, I have no way of pulling it up to the top clap to be able to pinch it in place and install the tube cap.
I have considered screwing a tapered wooden rake handle down a few threads of the tube to use to pull it up to the pinch point,  or maybe a rubber expansion freeze plug with a wire tied on.
Am I on the right track?  Is there a special tool for this job? I've never seen a front end like this one before. 
I would appreciate any suggestions,  thanks,  Richard

Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #21 on: April 26, 2021, 08:34:12 PM »



Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #22 on: April 26, 2021, 09:19:36 PM »
I'm guessing you haven't found Greg Bender's website yet. Bookmark it. Most everything you'll ever need to know is there.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_rebuilding.html

Yes, there is a special "puller upper" tool. https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_tube_puller_tool.html
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=331
One can be made from a spare top plug with the hex machined round and a length of rod. Broom handles and all manner of other things have been tried and do work, but I like having the correct tool for the job.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2021, 09:21:27 PM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #23 on: April 26, 2021, 10:12:28 PM »
Sweet looking bike. Congrats!
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Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #24 on: April 26, 2021, 10:17:22 PM »
I'm guessing you haven't found Greg Bender's website yet. Bookmark it. Most everything you'll ever need to know is there.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_rebuilding.html

Yes, there is a special "puller upper" tool. https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_tube_puller_tool.html
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=331
One can be made from a spare top plug with the hex machined round and a length of rod. Broom handles and all manner of other things have been tried and do work, but I like having the correct tool for the job.
Thanks Charlie.  I've been flipping a lot of pages and thought if I put it on the forum someone would be along and let me know faster than I would figure it out.  I do appreciate the right tool for the job,  but dang, I hope  to only do this job once.

Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #25 on: April 26, 2021, 10:24:13 PM »
I'm going to make that  DIY tool.

Offline RHAT

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Re: 1969 ambo
« Reply #26 on: April 27, 2021, 06:42:48 PM »
Easiest thing in the world.


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