71 Ambassador. The wierd stuff

[Fontain25]

Had this bike since 2017. Why does it have this stuff?






They probably do something. If you look close the front brake cam axle houseing has holes to drip a couple drops of oil in? I've tried to get the orange arrow off but it's stuck. What's it for? Just thought I should leave the return spring in place. Any ideas? You guys have a good day.

[pehayes]

Yikes!  Some serious bodge work there.  You might wish to share over on the LoopFrame discussion forum for more practical input.

The Arrow: Perhaps just a walk up reminder to turn the fuel on or off as necessary?  Probably are better, more clandestine ways of training yourself.  BTW, your 'choke' boot is split open and  your throttle boot is lifted off the adjuster.  I'm not too keen on that angle of attack for the throttle cable where it enters the carb top.  Primed for wear.

The Spring:  No reason to pull the brake cable forward.  It is not likely to bump a hot exhaust header from that location.  So, the spring must be pulling the brake arm back.  Why?  The brake mechanism should move quite freely.  I don't recall ever seeing oil feed holes before so I think those are a prior owner mod.  Bad juju.  While good for adding oil, its also a good conduit for adding rain or wash water and some tiny grit for corrosion and sticky action.  The brake plate can be fully disassembled.  The brake cam pivot holes can be polished with a Dremel and likewise the brake cam shafts themselves.  Grease the pivots well and the brakes will function much better.  The spring is just an indicator of failed prior maintenance.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Cal3Me]

as Patrick has mentioned on brake part maintenance also lube your cable too..

[cliffrod]

Given that these things are easily seen, I’ll add that there’s a good chance you’ll find other less-than-ideal details once you start searching.  Nothing to panic about.  It’s pretty normal for an old bike to have such details needing address.  Just do some studying and fix things that need fixing so that it all works as the factory intended.

[guzzisteve]

I thought the arrow was to remind not to have sidecover hit the tank(some do). I would make sure to take front brake apart & fix. I know the holes & not to lube, it's to let it drip out after lubing or dust.
This guy made it his own, but how's the cylinders? Chrome good?

[Fontain25]

Cylinders nikasil . valves fixed , carbs replaced and rebuilt , runs jolly good.
Brakes allnew .Electrics all ok and points and timing set. This aint a fixxer upper , it's a rider.

[matt franklin]

I wonder if the arrow thing was placed there by a riding buddy as a prank.  Maybe dude forgot to open the petcock a lot, so put it there as a reminder?   I'd leave it alone; adds character.

[Fontain25]

 Does anyone know anything about these exhaust "nuts"? They appear to be chrome or something and a standard o.e. nut is brazed onto it - threads are like new - head threads are fine too. "Any" shock adjustment tool fits onto it without budgeing and applies ample force. Safety wire is just because I've had the nuts fall out. Didn't know I had an oil leak until I took pic. In response to post about my cracked throttle cable cover - I don't ride in the rain anymore and it's been several seasons since I bathed it proper - just wipe it off.
  I've done just about anything you can think of to make this bike riding proper. Getting it as a non runner - And Rustoleum Blue had been drunkenly applied along with a pinstripe in red done with a childs paintbrush - the only thing I knew when bought was it had nikasil cylinders. All new cables and major oil seals replaced. Brakes arced in and pivots lubed. Starter and generator rebuilt by local shop. Worth fork springs and newer replacement shocks. About the only thing I did was swap the bodywork from a salvage bike that is black. Not painted by design.

[Frenchfrog]

The nuts are certainly custom...I'd guess that the threads in the head had let go and were redone  along with these nice parts.Looks very nice IMHO