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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Aldo on December 11, 2015, 09:45:45 AM

Title: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Aldo on December 11, 2015, 09:45:45 AM
Hi folks, got a friend here in Italy looking at a V7....owner tells him it's a 'leftover' Ambassador made in 71 that never made it to the states. Looks like a police model, with floorboards, 4 shoe front brake, missing left side tool box because of ignition key. Vin starts with a 'VM', which corresponds to a Italian V7 Special. But as far as I know,  Ambassadors just had numbers, no letter designation, right? My friend wants a real US Ambo/Eldo, which command real money here in Italy, but doesn't want to get shortchanged by a 'regular' V7 dressed up to look like and Ambo. His words. Will try to post some pics asap.

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12342428_189647471380499_8029208816804852978_n.jpg?oh=32fe2259aa6db97f69d92bc95beb5b7a&oe=571DEF71)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12342528_189647641380482_2818489941061868865_n.jpg?oh=e7720bcf6d7e2e92905d5c01ab1ed134&oe=57172788)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11205566_189647901380456_9039233686019523006_n.jpg?oh=604b623ea1aa4a1a5600c04e02b1f5b7&oe=57155FE6)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12342383_189648114713768_5796774894030420551_n.jpg?oh=5ea50ad97b4ba0e50a9a2a1e23acf8c6&oe=5720A1C2)
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....
Post by: dsrdave on December 11, 2015, 12:38:22 PM
I have an early '71 Ambo for the US market.  I'm the second owner and I know the first.  No letter prefix, just numbers 16694 on the tag, frame and engine.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....
Post by: JoeW on December 11, 2015, 02:49:50 PM
According to Mick Walker,the VM designates it as a 69-71 V7 750 special. With the ignition switch in place of the left tool box, I would think you'd be correct in thinking it's a police model.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....
Post by: Tom on December 11, 2015, 03:26:24 PM
I have a PD Ambo.  Foot pegs w/steel splash guards and mounted to the engine guards.  Stock.  It was suppose to be a PD a bike in WA. 
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....
Post by: Cam3512 on December 11, 2015, 04:46:37 PM
To my knowledge a '71 Ambo would not have a 4-shoe front brake.  They were found on late Eldos and V7 Sports.  Post a photo?
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....
Post by: Aldo on December 12, 2015, 05:36:40 AM
To my knowledge a '71 Ambo would not have a 4-shoe front brake.  They were found on late Eldos and V7 Sports.  Post a photo?

updated with some pics...
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: dsrdave on December 12, 2015, 05:52:21 AM
That's a police dash, gas cap and seat.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on December 12, 2015, 06:39:31 AM
The police frame has a stamped stiffener on the rear loop where the fender mounts.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Aldo on December 12, 2015, 08:18:39 AM
The police frame has a stamped stiffener on the rear loop where the fender mounts.

Thanks, I just found a photo referencing this and a few other frame differences on G. Benders site. I passed these to my Italian friend. Either way, looks like nice Guzzi, but I told him to factor in a set of Gilardonis if the V7 still has its original chrome cylinder bores...
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Cam3512 on December 12, 2015, 08:30:57 AM
Valve covers appear to be later model round fin as well.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: John A on December 12, 2015, 08:50:51 AM
That's not a police windshield , kickstand is. Regular Ambassaors had the stubby kickstand. Nice machine! :drool:
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Arizona Wayne on December 12, 2015, 01:27:01 PM
I had a `71 Ambassador (757cc) US standard model.  This 1 has the police dash, maybe police handlebar, the front brake looks like the 2 shoe ours had, this 1 has a  police seat?, our ign. was below the tach-speedo on the dash, that windshield mount looks factory, our VIN had no letters in it, just #s, and no floor boards.  This definitely looks like a police model.  Our gas cap was fancier.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Cam3512 on December 12, 2015, 03:11:42 PM
I had a `71 Ambassador (757cc) US standard model.  This 1 has the police dash, maybe police handlebar, the front brake looks like the 2 shoe ours had, this 1 has a  police seat?, our ign. was below the tach-speedo on the dash, that windshield mount looks factory, our VIN had no letters in it, just #s, and no floor boards.  This definitely looks like a police model.  Our gas cap was fancier.

That's a 4-shoe front brake setup.
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: John A on December 12, 2015, 06:23:23 PM
Didn't police bikes have a solo seat?
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: guzzista on December 12, 2015, 06:49:00 PM
Hey Aldo, hope you get to ride your Loop ( again) one of these days...
Title: Re: Ambassador VIN question....***updated with some pics***
Post by: Tom on December 13, 2015, 01:33:25 PM
IIRC PD bikes could be custom ordered with enough stuff on it or taken as is with white and black paint or white and/or black paint.  Seems the dealers would order bikes with anticipation of supplying the local PD and doing the maintenance.  If the bikes were ordered by a large department, the maintenance guys went to Italy for training but highly unlikely because they were easy to work.