Author Topic: Finally got the loop of our dreams with added bonus (Read 2435 times)

vintagehoarder · « **on:** January 21, 2021, 08:31:29 AM »

Kind of long, but if you interested?

We are getting our dream bike finally, a 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 850!!

Around 2008 when Deb and first started collecting old bikes, and she was heavy into the old Honda CX500 transverse twins, we came across our first Moto Guzzi Eldorado at AMA Vintage days, and both were immediately in lust. Through the years we came across several opportunities, but things just never seemed to come together on any of them.

One day making sales calls in Carrollton, KY. I was wearing a Moto Guzzi jacket and standing at a guard shack waiting to get into a plant. A truck driver standing next to me noticed the shirt, and said “Moto Guzzi huh, there this guy up the road that has a barn full of them”. He told me, “he is pretty private so sorry I can’t tell you where”. Well of course I wanted to meet this guy.
Fast forward about a year and I ask a friend in the area Kevin Combs, if he knows of this guy. He said yes that’s Ken Kline and made introductions. Ken was a very private guy, but we hit it off right away. Both Guzzi lovers and both had elderly Mothers we were trying to look after, we had lots in common.

From that Blossomed a great friendship. Dropped in on Ken and his barn full of Guzzi’s on a regular basis, hung out, went on rides together, and Debbie just adored him. He had an amazing collection of bikes, and his pride and joy was a 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 85 , that I drooled over every time I was there. I often joked you’re going to leave me that in the will, right? As I knew he would never sell it.

Ken had some health issues, but overall seemed to be fairing well. A few months back I got word that Ken had died in his sleep, we were devastated, and heart broken. There was no funeral or wake, so I had no idea what happened to his collection. Fast forward to around Christmas and I got a call from his brother Larry in Atlanta who I did not know. He had taken all the bikes there. Some way through the grapevine he learned of my passion for Ken’s favorite bike, and our friendship, and allowed me to purchase the bike.

So, I can’t tell you how precious this bike is to us, not only because it is the one bike Deb and I have been wanting to add to the collection forever, but because it was Ken’s. The opportunity also came at a time when I had a little mad money, so the stars aligned. I can’t help but feel Ken’s hand from above was in there somewhere. I love ya buddy, and I will take as good of care of it as you did and will treasure this bike the rest of our lives. I'd undo it all to still have you here.

Thank you for the introduction Kevin.

I have captioned the pics below;

Deb 2008 AMAVD discovers Eldo's

Kevin and Lucas Combs, Ken and I

Ken's Guzzi Compound

Ken my Guzzi Borther and I

Cam3512 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2021, 08:41:57 AM »

Nice bike, and great story. Those are Wixom bags.

amamet · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2021, 08:45:15 AM »

I see a green loop in the photos. is that the one that was/is on craigslist and ADVrider?

JJ · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2021, 08:47:15 AM »

Good story...nice looking Edlo! CONGRATULATIONS!!

If I were to ever own an Eldo, I would like it to be clean, original, and well maintained, just like that one appears to be!!

Ncdan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2021, 08:50:23 AM »

Nice story. I also hope to find a 70s loop someday.

larrys · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2021, 08:56:35 AM »

She's a purty thang, and its a great story. Congrats!
Larry

GeorgiaGuzzi · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2021, 09:23:27 AM »

Awesome! I’m really glad things worked out for y’all.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2021, 09:29:08 AM »

A great story! And a very nice Eldo with a special history.

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2021, 09:50:12 AM »

Quote from: Cam3512 on January 21, 2021, 08:41:57 AM

Nice bike, and great story. Those are Wixom bags.

Thanks still learning my Guzzi history I thought they were Buco's!

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2021, 09:52:03 AM »

Quote from: amamet on January 21, 2021, 08:45:15 AM

I see a green loop in the photos. is that the one that was/is on craigslist and ADVrider?

Yes beautiful GT

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2021, 10:10:09 AM »

Congrats! Now: chrome bores?

amamet · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2021, 11:28:42 AM »

she's a beauty!

LowRyter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2021, 11:46:46 AM »

Great story. Best to the man's family to your enjoyment of the bike.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2021, 11:53:49 AM »

upload pictures url

Gorgeous bike and cool story! I also have a 73 thats a "keeper".
Rick.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2021, 04:01:06 PM »

You made my day. Good on ya.

brider · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2021, 08:57:11 PM »

Did the Wixom Bros and Guzzi collaborate on their saddlebag shape/mounts and the Loop rear fender? There is NO better/more beautiful set of lines than a Loop with solo saddle to expose the rear fender, and a set of same-color Wixoms. Congrats on that one, Curt! Leave it to Charlie to sully the moment with his "chrome bores?" comment

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2021, 09:24:01 PM »

Quote from: brider on January 21, 2021, 08:57:11 PM

Did the Wixom Bros and Guzzi collaborate on their saddlebag shape/mounts and the Loop rear fender? There is NO better/more beautiful set of lines than a Loop with solo saddle to expose the rear fender, and a set of same-color Wixoms. Congrats on that one, Curt! Leave it to Charlie to sully the moment with his "chrome bores?" comment

Guzzi made saddlebags that looked very much like Wixoms, only a bit smaller, with a handle on top and rubber feet on the bottom. Perhaps Wixom copied them.

temporary image upload

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2021, 07:27:45 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on January 21, 2021, 10:10:09 AM

Congrats! Now: chrome bores?

Looking into that this week??

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2021, 07:29:28 AM »

Quote from: bigbikerrick on January 21, 2021, 11:53:49 AM

upload pictures url

Gorgeous bike and cool story! I also have a 73 thats a "keeper".
Rick.

Thanks, yours is a beauty!

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2021, 07:37:03 AM »

Thanks everyone we're stoked to have it. Took it straight to Cadre's (Cincinnati Moto Guzzi) were my brothers from other mothers Enzo and Dave will go all through it, and get it ready for the spring!! They are not only dealers but avid Guzzi enthusiast. I look forward to learning more about it from the wealth of knowledge assembled here, as I always do every time I visit! Thanks again, like a kid with a new Toy, and this one has a piece of my heart in it.

Love ya Kenny, thanks for looking out for me from above, we'll love and take care of her for you!

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2021, 07:33:19 AM »

She is now safe hands of Cadre Cycles, who will get her all lined out so she is ready for the sping! Can't wait. Thanks for the Photo Carl, I'll be by Wednesday to check her out!

80CX100 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2021, 08:47:12 AM »

VH, What a lovely heartwarming story, tks for sharing.

Wishing you many safe miles

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2021, 08:58:02 AM »

Quote from: 80CX100 on January 25, 2021, 08:47:12 AM

VH, What a lovely heartwarming story, tks for sharing.

Wishing you many safe miles

Thanks!

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Author Topic: Finally got the loop of our dreams with added bonus (Read 2435 times)

GeorgiaGuzzi