Author Topic: Ambassador VIN question....updated with some pics (Read 4561 times)

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.

dsrdave · « **Reply #1 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.

JoeW · « **Reply #2 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.

Tom · « **Reply #3 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.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #4 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?

Aldo · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2015, 05:36:40 AM »

Quote from: 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?

updated with some pics...

dsrdave · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2015, 05:52:21 AM »

That's a police dash, gas cap and seat.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2015, 06:39:31 AM »

The police frame has a stamped stiffener on the rear loop where the fender mounts.

Aldo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2015, 08:18:39 AM »

Quote from: 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.

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...

Cam3512 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2015, 08:30:57 AM »

Valve covers appear to be later model round fin as well.

John A · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2015, 08:50:51 AM »

That's not a police windshield , kickstand is. Regular Ambassaors had the stubby kickstand. Nice machine!

Arizona Wayne · « **Reply #11 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.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2015, 03:11:42 PM »

Quote from: 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.

That's a 4-shoe front brake setup.

John A · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2015, 06:23:23 PM »

Didn't police bikes have a solo seat?

guzzista · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2015, 06:49:00 PM »

Hey Aldo, hope you get to ride your Loop ( again) one of these days...

Tom · « **Reply #15 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.

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