Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lee Davis on June 30, 2017, 08:04:50 PM

Title: History LAPD loops
Post by: Lee Davis on June 30, 2017, 08:04:50 PM
I have read that Moto Guzzi offered the LAPD two bikes in about 1968-9 for  $1 each, which led to a bonanza of sales in the US. Is this true? I talked to a former LAPD officer while bringing a bike back from LA last year. He said that they rode 750's. Anyone have stories, or links to others? I am curious.... Lee Davis
Title: Re: Hisrory
Post by: Turin on June 30, 2017, 08:12:00 PM
(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLup1mTwTtUQhZAs8NibcHGyqYw52PBRoSJBNmdjLRSh5FVhLo)
Get a copy of this book. It is a great read and dispels a lot of Guzzi myths.
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: dcardo021 on June 30, 2017, 08:42:33 PM
They used a 750 in Dirty Harry

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on June 30, 2017, 08:56:04 PM
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_more_topics_article__the_goose_patrol.html
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: Tom on July 01, 2017, 02:41:50 PM
They used a 750 in Dirty Harry

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Yes, it was a motorcycle.  No, it's not a Moto Guzzi Eldo.  You can't kickstart one.  They used the Triumph for the ending scenes on the ship.  The road scenes are Eldorado bikes.

Greg Field's book is a good read on the history of Moto Guzzi.
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on July 01, 2017, 03:20:34 PM
They used the Triumph for the ending scenes on the ship.  The road scenes are Eldorado bikes.

Ambassadors, not Eldorados. For one scene, they had the camera mounted where the right saddlebag would be. You can plainly read "V750 Ambassador" on the battery cover. A close look at the rest of the Guzzis throughout the movie will show engine cases with just three vertical ribs.

Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: Tom on July 01, 2017, 04:30:34 PM
Ambassadors, not Eldorados. For one scene, they had the camera mounted where the right saddlebag would be. You can plainly read "V750 Ambassador" on the battery cover. A close look at the rest of the Guzzis throughout the movie will show engine cases with just three vertical ribs.

You're right.  The paint is what sticks in the memory most.  The Eldo's were more popular for police work after the brand was approved for their modifying the bikes to CHP specificationsl.  Magnum Force clips attached. 

I should know better, I have a police Ambo that never entered police service in Kent, WA.  White paint w/fairing and steel rainguard lowers.  :laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qR5ZDH0DCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8l7cD_YI4Y
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: fotoguzzi on July 01, 2017, 06:14:25 PM

Greg Field's book is a good read on the history of Moto Guzzi.
on Big Block twins only.
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: davedude on July 03, 2017, 11:10:24 AM
Not quite on topic, but have y'all seen Electric Horseman? They had a ton of mostly tonti (850T?)frame and IIRC, a couple of loops in that show. I dont think they had anything but Guzzis. They trashed a few of them with crash stunts. It was publicity whether good or bad; most folks wouldn't have even noticed anything except that they were police bikes - H-D. I think there were more in that movie than in any other I've seen.
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: Tom on July 03, 2017, 12:41:07 PM
Cheaper to crash Moto Guzzi police bikes than HD police bikes. :shocked:
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: bigbikerrick on July 03, 2017, 02:44:29 PM
You're right.  The paint is what sticks in the memory most.  The Eldo's were more popular for police work after the brand was approved for their modifying the bikes to CHP specificationsl.  Magnum Force clips attached. 

I should know better, I have a police Ambo that never entered police service in Kent, WA.  White paint w/fairing and steel rainguard lowers.  :laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qR5ZDH0DCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8l7cD_YI4Y
those old Dirty Harry flicks are great! 
Eastwood was cool as a cucumber!
Rick
Title: Re: History LAPD loops
Post by: Tom on July 03, 2017, 03:05:40 PM
He's a nice guy in person and quiet.  His screen personalities must be his alter-ego's.  :azn: :wink: