Wildguzzi.com
General Category => Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only => Topic started by: Dave Swanson on July 15, 2026, 08:55:34 AM
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This is a case of too cheap and too close by.
This 1971 Ambassador popped up for sale about 50 miles from me. It is fairly complete and has a title. The $500 price tag was the straw that broke my will. :boozing:
The tins on this baby make my other Ambo's tins look like NOS. Thread can be found here - https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=125280.0
Matching numbers, missing toolboxes and side covers. The seller was very honest and disclosed that he treated this as a donor bike while restoring his Ambo, therefore I will find bits missing. This disclosure was reflected in the price, but even though it is a helluva a deal IMO.
This Ambo will be more of a challenge compared to the 1970 but should be just as fun. :cheesy:
(https://i.ibb.co/SwJCxWtt/744660864-28749532591313171-1283284375652175824-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SwJCxWtt)
(https://i.ibb.co/5Wvz59Vd/747573284-28747626688170428-8666676528926751704-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5Wvz59Vd)
(https://i.ibb.co/Z63gyXBZ/747549121-28747624598170637-570576823779500436-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Z63gyXBZ)
(https://i.ibb.co/bMfJHKBJ/747505440-28747626334837130-284987178247633658-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bMfJHKBJ)
(https://i.ibb.co/vxrkmsyD/747962301-28747626308170466-6583547866008627943-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vxrkmsyD)
(https://i.ibb.co/Sw5CyDrm/747536728-28747625958170501-6517643065069626411-n.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Sw5CyDrm)
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The rear fender has the original dealer decal. And as a bonus I found both keys with the dealer fob!
(https://i.ibb.co/zHbqNwdX/fender.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zHbqNwdX)
(https://i.ibb.co/fzwB9Nyn/keys.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fzwB9Nyn)
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I might be able make the rear fender into something more presentable.
Before.
(https://i.ibb.co/Vp3b5qx9/fender2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Vp3b5qx9)
After about 30 minutes using medium cut rubbing compound by hand.
(https://i.ibb.co/7ddnvbdJ/fender1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7ddnvbdJ)
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IIRC, Mark Etheridge (or maybe it was someone else?) uses Barkeeper's Friend to remove the rust/stains.
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IIRC, Mark Etheridge (or maybe it was someone else?) uses Barkeeper's Friend to remove the rust/stains.
This is how it looks. Kept going until I ran out of Barkeeper's Friend. Not bad. It will never be a nice fender but depending on the plan for the bike it could be usable.
(https://i.ibb.co/mFrKCDr9/fender6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mFrKCDr9)
(https://i.ibb.co/27Qx3yWY/fender2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/27Qx3yWY)
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As good as I can make it. Unfortunately the front fender is no where near the shape the rear is.
(https://i.ibb.co/VchWVVVD/fender5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VchWVVVD)
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Ya mean to say you haven't got it all assembled and running around the block already!
Stop yer shirkin' and get workin'. :tongue:
Aye, a wee bit more work required, compared to your other one. Good luck. :thumb:
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This is as good as I can make the tank, and it's not too bad.
The chrome panels had such heavy rust that I used a small wire wheel. There was no way the chrome was ever going to shine again anyway.
The painted areas received the Barkeeper's Friend treatment, followed by various abrasive levels of rubbing compound, ending with a coat of carnuba.
(https://i.ibb.co/SDCkqqZm/tank.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SDCkqqZm)
(https://i.ibb.co/ymg16kTx/tank1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ymg16kTx)
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A few weeks back (unlike me) I watched a youtube of a comparison of chrome paint spray. Just saying.
:popcorn:
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A few weeks back (unlike me) I watched a youtube of a comparison of chrome paint spray. Just saying.
:popcorn:
No chrome paint spray will be harmed in the making of this Ambo. :grin:
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The engine and transmission housings are the dirtiest of any I have seen. There's a petrified black coating all over. It was very hard to scrub off.
One major piece done.
(https://i.ibb.co/Hfcp4jTn/trans.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Hfcp4jTn)
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I'm coming to the end of the evaluation phase for this one. I wanted to evaluate the motor and transmission, before spending any serious $$ on sheetmetal, etc.
I haven't found anything that would turn this into a parts bike. So it will be restored.
The engine case was the gnarliest I have ever seen.
(https://i.ibb.co/svthzTvd/engine.jpg) (https://ibb.co/svthzTvd)
(https://i.ibb.co/fG44ngy5/engine1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fG44ngy5)
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I sent the 2 rear transmission housings off to Patrick Hayes for his fine mods; oring groove for the selector shaft housing, and a new stainless 20mm liner for the throwout bearing.
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The crank is in pretty good shape, but the small end is a few tenth of a thousandth undersize, so I will have that ground to the first undersize. I happen to have a front bearing for the first step also.
The sludge trap cap was reluctant to come out. It was the first one I have stripped out with my impact wrench. I have a limited supply of long drills but lucked out having one just long enough to drill for a large easy out. I have had this big easy out in my drawer for eons, and it finally earned its keep.
(https://i.ibb.co/fVmcqpF6/engine2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fVmcqpF6)
As a testament to how long this bike has been laid fallow, 45 years, the sludge was petrified in the half filled sludge trap. It required an hours work to chip away at the rock hard sludge.
(https://i.ibb.co/DFJzKcV/engine3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DFJzKcV)
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Dave, Dave, he’s the man if Dave can't do it no one can!
Can’t wait to see the end results.
Best wishes
inditx
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The frame is up for final disassembly.
(https://i.ibb.co/5xt7H41R/aug.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5xt7H41R)
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A bit of luck with the bottom end.
As I said earlier the crank was on the stock grind, and looking good except the small end being a tad under spec.
My next door neighbor is in the grinding/machining business and had it ground to the first under for me. When he handed it back - no charge!
I just happened to have a very serviceable first under front bearing in my wish box so, doubly good.
(https://i.ibb.co/CKNw3NZ3/engine6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CKNw3NZ3)
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When this engine was torn down for whatever reason, all sorts of mayhem ensued!
They broke out the flange when prying it off! Luckily I had a stock big end bearing in my wish box also!
(https://i.ibb.co/QFQ2LtTT/engine5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QFQ2LtTT)
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The heads and final drive were dropped off at The Guzzi Doctor today.
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There's no turning back now! The money pit is now open for business.
New cylinder/piston/ring sets. Not manufactured by Gilardoni, but you'd never be able to tell they weren't. High quality, and Nikasil plated bores of course.
(https://i.ibb.co/39GxyzkC/engine9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/39GxyzkC)
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The generator mount had been run with this crack in it for quite some time.
(https://i.ibb.co/8nW6hVk6/engine7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8nW6hVk6)
The crack created this worn section .050 deep in the pattern of the crack.
(https://i.ibb.co/hxkFpnYx/engine8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hxkFpnYx)
My first thought was to have the divot aluminum welded, but the only welder I know that is good enough to pull this off is very unreliable for turnaround times.
Since it would be much easier to add some metal to the base if necessary (and it probably will not be) I decided to give my little Gorton milling machine a chance to earn it's keep.
(https://i.ibb.co/FqVMJ5kW/engine11.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FqVMJ5kW)
The area that supports the generator base is not very generous, therefore it is important that you are working with a good surface.
(https://i.ibb.co/Wp44swcC/engine10.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wp44swcC)
Since I am breaking out the Scrambler Cycle alternator kit I have had on the shelf for many years for this one, the front cradle for the generator height is not a factor.
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There's no turning back now! The money pit is now open for business.
New cylinder/piston/ring sets. Not manufactured by Gilardoni, but you'd never be able to tell they weren't. High quality, and Nikasil plated bores of course.
(https://i.ibb.co/39GxyzkC/engine9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/39GxyzkC)
So they're Stein-Dinse's kits now?
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So they're Stein-Dinse's kits now?
It does appear they are sourced from SD
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A quick little 1000 mile round trip to Harper's Moto Guzzi netted some hard to find essentials for this project!
(https://i.ibb.co/9mzxfcqC/harpers15.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9mzxfcqC)
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The tank I brought back with me from Harper's is an great example of original paint. 2 hours of cleaning and careful polishing resulted in this.
(https://i.ibb.co/G3x6mYMd/harpers16.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G3x6mYMd)
With the higher level of patina that the fenders and side covers will retain perhaps the more distressed look of the tank that came with the basket would look more appropriate...
(https://i.ibb.co/Q7LTLpLr/tank1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q7LTLpLr)
I could put the tank just acquired on the 70, which would free up this one to be used on the 71 or put on the shelf.
(https://i.ibb.co/TMgDxFZZ/tank4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TMgDxFZZ)
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AMBO 2 WORK STATEMENT
Engine
Case head stud missing – replaced
Crankshaft – timing side ground to 1st under. Sludge trap cleaned
Small and big end bearings replaced
Rod small end bushings replaced and machined (GD)’
Heads – severely corroded head replaced with good used. Heads rebuilt (GD)
Cylinder, piston, ring, wrist pin sets -Crusty Cycle
Worn camshaft replaced with good used – GD
Pitted cam followers (4) replaced with good used – GD
Pushrods replaced with good used. GD
Rocker shafts replaced with new (4)
Missing engine hardware replaced by GD and Charlie
Generator mount – damaged area machined flat
(https://i.ibb.co/vC2YqXfG/engine13.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vC2YqXfG)
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The bike that had both feet in the grave is starting to crawl out.
(https://i.ibb.co/F4m1Yr5P/engine14.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F4m1Yr5P)
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The timer had the usual divot which I machined out on my lathe.
(https://i.ibb.co/nFDF0RN/engine15.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nFDF0RN)
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The transmission was laying in bits in the bottom of one of the boxes for years, but it wasn't missing anything critical.
A new 4th gear was purchased from Harpers with the updated bronze bushing. One of the shifter forks was severely worn, and good used shifter fork was purchased from The Guzzi Doctor. The layshaft output roller bearing was replaced.
Patrick Hayes modified the pre-selector housing for an o-ring seal. Patrick also machined and installed the stainless sleeve for the throwout system.
It shifts on the bench very nice.
(https://i.ibb.co/fdd0065s/trans1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fdd0065s)
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Always a big step.
(https://i.ibb.co/XfPkjYXn/oct3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XfPkjYXn)
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I am all for patina, but the original front fender was a bit much.
(https://i.ibb.co/5gWd3WwK/747526700-28747626114837152-5270466385340997562-n1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5gWd3WwK)
The fender I got from Harper's is a perfect match for the original rear.
(https://i.ibb.co/nM2gfqTy/oct5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nM2gfqTy)
(https://i.ibb.co/QvXbL7Qs/oct6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QvXbL7Qs)
(https://i.ibb.co/LDZDmkg7/oct7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LDZDmkg7)
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I bought this V700/early Ambo taillight a long time ago, just in case.
(https://i.ibb.co/wZjK7vPK/oct8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wZjK7vPK)
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One of the big ticket items for this bike was the instruments, which were missing from the pile.
Harper's to the rescue.
(https://i.ibb.co/Mk5sz49v/speedo.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Mk5sz49v)
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Nice, the new fender next to the original rear makes a good case for it. Original front was too far gone to leave as is, and now the ends of the bike will actually look like they belong together.
Good call grabbing that V700 style taillight ahead of time too. It's the kind of part that's a pain to find when you suddenly need it. And finding the instruments at Harper's takes care of the big missing piece. Is the speedo/tach set complete with the mounting hardware, or will you be hunting for brackets and cables as well?
Looking forward to seeing it come together.