Looking at a '69 Amb - Red Flags?

[neetones]

Hi all.

I've owned many bikes and even a modern Guzzi (V7 850) but I'm looking at a '69 Ambassador that has 36k miles. I doubt the engine has been rebuilt. Apparently it runs fine and starts up well.

What should I look out for? I am looking for a bit of a project, but I don't really want to be rebuilding the short block in the next couple of months.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Hoping to get this project going.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The most important issue will be the chrome-plated bores. You'd need to have the cylinders replated or sleeved. To do the job right, the engine should be disassembled completely so that the sludge trap can be cleaned out and everything else inspected.

[Moparnut72]

There are a lot of threads on this site covering the chrome bore issues.
kk

[Turin]

I did the cylinders on my Ambo and it's as reliable as an anvil. I can't think of any red flags other than what's been mentioned and neglect.

[John A]

Yep, chrome cylinders is the only red flag. Chrome over aluminum eventually flakes off. It is hard and the bits embed into the bearings and grind away. Fix that and they will run forever. I got a hundred and sixty eight thousand miles on my first one when I was a riding fool. I bought that one used in Minnesota and rode it out to California where I was stationed. I found a place that fixed Eldorados for the police who sleeved the cylinders and recut the ring grooves to fit automotive rings . Riding the mountains, it reminded me of an old gravel truck. On the plains it would run a hundred miles an hour for days. It had a decent seat. If I wasn’t so old, I’d get another one!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I bought my early '69 Ambo in '97 with 36k miles on it. Should have replaced the cylinders as soon as I got it, but I didn't know about the issue then. At 54k it was getting pretty tired - on one trip to NC on the BRP, it would get hot enough to smell on long climbs. When I removed the cylinders, the top ring on both sides fell into 3 pieces. Not a lot of chrome missing though. I pulled a rod cap to check condition, finding none buttoned it back up, replaced the cylinders, had the heads rebuilt and ran it. Now at 111k miles it needs the heads rebuilt again.

Issues I had in all of those miles: Original ignition coil cracked and was leaking oil, replaced it with a new Echlin that failed within a week. Replaced that with the Bosch Blue Coil that's still on it. Fuseblock melted where the power wire to the headlight switch connects. Wired in a separate fuse and later added relays for the headlight. Starter button fell apart at ~ 96k miles. Replaced. On the way back from a rally, the generator light started glowing brightly at speed, but was dim at stops. Found that one terminal on the generator was only connected by one thin strand of wire. Crimped on a new terminal and it was good to go.

Still has it's original clutch and u-joint, bottom end of the engine (other than the rod journal inspection) and transmission have never been apart, rear drive was resealed at 98k miles - gears and bearings all looked perfect. Original wiring is looking a bit tattered, but still does the job. Original switches all still work fine.

Best bike I ever owned. Will never sell it.

[Moparnut72]

I had a hard time deciding on one of these and the newly released R75/5. I went with the BMW as it was a bit more sporting, more suitable for a young guy. I put just under 100,000 miles on it with not too many issues. With the amount of mileage I put on it in a short period of time I probably would have had chrome bore issues in no time. I had 32,000 miles on it in the first year and a half that I owned it. It was one of the first ones built, BMW through the dealership was following my progress as kind of a beta tester. I was in the Army with a 7 to 5 job with lots of free time and leave. I lived on that thing. Good days.
kk

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I had a hard time deciding on one of these and the newly released R75/5. I went with the BMW as it was a bit more sporting, more suitable for a young guy. I put just under 100,000 miles on it with not too many issues. With the amount of mileage I put on it in a short period of time I probably would have had chrome bore issues in no time. I had 32,000 miles on it in the first year and a half that I owned it. It was one of the first ones built, BMW through the dealership was following my progress as kind of a beta tester. I was in the Army with a 7 to 5 job with lots of free time and leave. I lived on that thing. Good days.
kk

The chrome bore issues arise from not being used, you would have been fine. I know of an 850-T3 that went 250k miles on it's original chrome bores, never sat for very long obviously.

[Moparnut72]

Nope. It was my only transportation so I rode it daily. I even had a heater for the oil so it would start on really cold mornings.
kk