Guzzi Ambo Barn Find

[Pfestus1]

A friend of mine, not far from  Roanoke VA has a 1973 Guzzi basket case that he'd sure like to find a home for. I took some pics of it and will post them. He reportedly took the bike apart for restoration several years ago, but has never managed to get the project going. He said he bought new Nikasil jugs and pistons which are included. He also said the only thing missing is the rear swing arm and drive shaft. Let me know of any interest. He mentioned maybe $1000, but wasn't fixed on that price.















anna gif

[Dave Swanson]

Oh man!  My favorite color combo and it would fill in the gap on my Loops :)  It would slot in nicely between my V700 and Eldo. 

Please don't tell me he has a title for it, or I may be in trouble.   

[Perazzimx14]

You can get valid registration from VT is easy and fairly inexpensive. Take the valid registration to your DMV and if you state issues titles they will convert the valid registration in you name to title in you name at the DMV.


I did this for the SP1000 last year. From the time I mailed the paperwork and check within 11 days I had a valid registration. Next day walked into PennDOT and got a clean clear title in my name.

Hopefully the seller is very flexible on price. There's probably $10,000 worth of work (parts and labor and not touching the cosmetics)needing to be done to have a $5,000 to $7,000 bike when done.


Also I believe this is and Eldo not an Ambo

[Cam3512]

If he's got the Gilardonis, that's a smokin deal!  Charlie's probably already heading in that direction in his van.

That looks to be a '73 Eldorado

[bodine99]

Still amazes me why folks take apart complete motorcycles. Hope someone here rescues it and gets it back running and in the wind.

[Dave Swanson]

I always spread my expenditures on a restoration over such a long period that I have no recollection as to how much I spent.   

Roanoke is 800 miles from me.  I don't think I am up for another 1600 mile non stop trip to pick up a bike.  I did that last year for a Griso.  The memory still lingers. 

[guzzisteve]

New cyl's & pistons are over $800 so add the bike to it, then 100 for nice swingarm. Adds up quick if your not a cheap ass. Tell him to go $2K for it, more than fair. One reason I still have my 700's & don't list them for sale, you mostly get lowball BS.

[Pfestus1]

I am pretty sure he has the title. I could call him later today to check. And he is flexible on the price. I think he exact words were something like "..it would be nice to get $1000, but there is a lot of work to do on it. "
Maybe it is an Eldorado. I wouldn't know the difference. I am only a few weeks into my own Guzzi ownership. Always have had Beemers.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If he's got the Gilardonis, that's a smokin deal!  Charlie's probably already heading in that direction in his van.

That looks to be a '73 Eldorado

Agreed, but I ain't going anywhere, not right now.

[giusto]

A friend of mine, not far from  Roanoke VA has a 1973 Guzzi basket case that he'd sure like to find a home for. I took some pics of it and will post them. He reportedly took the bike apart for restoration several years ago, but has never managed to get the project going. He said he bought new Nikasil jugs and pistons which are included. He also said the only thing missing is the rear swing arm and drive shaft. Let me know of any interest. He mentioned maybe $1000, but wasn't fixed on that price.















anna gif

I am interested. Ill send a PM thanks for the post and welcome

[Lannis]

I always spread my expenditures on a restoration over such a long period that I have no recollection as to how much I spent.   

Roanoke is 800 miles from me.  I don't think I am up for another 1600 mile non stop trip to pick up a bike.  I did that last year for a Griso.  The memory still lingers.

I'm about 60 miles from it, and have room to store it.

If giusto doesn't want it, and you want it long term, I could get it for you until you're out this way sometime ....

Lannis

[Vagrant]

I'm remembering 1973 as that red.

[giusto]

I'm about 60 miles from it, and have room to store it.

If giusto doesn't want it, and you want it long term, I could get it for you until you're out this way sometime ....

Lannis

Thank guys keep in touch. I have spoken to owner and are in process of purchase. Not finalized as he is sending a bit more information but we're 90% there. Should know by tomorrow. 

[brider]

Red and white '73 Eldo was my first Guzzi ever, bought used @ 20k+ miles, it was sitting in the basement of a house I was renting in St. Louie in '93, so I bought it from the owner for $1k, got it running, and rode it for 2 yrs without even knowing about the chrome cyls. Ran perfectly. Didn't know then how rare the red/white was
 Sounds like a good project if the rest of it is there.

[Furbo]

That'll be EZ.

Get a large bore shot gun, stuff it fulla $20's, keep shooting til it's done!

[giusto]

An update


Stalled. Verted visited the location of the Ambo barn find.

Current information is: there are a lot more parts missing than originally indicated, the new Piston/cylinders are actually used chrome bores and used pistons. Many concerns about what is present and what is not, no shocks, no seat, bars, no upper triple tree, no gear linkage, brake linkage.

Sounds like a box of parts ...which could still be a bike and not worth 1000 to me

[Perazzimx14]

I always like how these "complete" bike in a box are not always that compete.

[larrys]

Parts just wander off on their own... I bought a 1970 Ambassador with a blown motor in 1983 for $150. Took the engine apart enough to learn that the PO had run the engine out of oil, and that there was one spun rod bearing and the cam and lifters were toast. It sat around for eight years and two moves before I found the bottom of a V7 engine and put it back together. Lost a few parts, the header pipes being the biggest.
Be well,
Larry

[Lannis]

An update


Stalled. Verted visited the location of the Ambo barn find.

Current information is: there are a lot more parts missing than originally indicated, the new Piston/cylinders are actually used chrome bores and used pistons. Many concerns about what is present and what is not, no shocks, no seat, bars, no upper triple tree, no gear linkage, brake linkage.

Sounds like a box of parts ...which could still be a bike and not worth 1000 to me

In the original post, apparently the guy said that "He had BOUGHT NEW Nikasil cylinders and pistons" and they were included.   And that the only parts missing were the swingarm and drive shaft.

The difference between what you found, and what he said, is NOT a mistake or a typo or even ignorance!

Lannis

[cliffrod]

Things are rarely how they seem, whether it's loose pieces or a whole bike.  Buy enough bikes & parts, especially without enough due diligence, and you will learn that you can get screwed by anyone anywhere.  Lots of sellers have no clue what they're talking about, which is why they're selling cheap.  Others know but are comfortable leaving out significant details until after money changes hands.  Never assume anything, even when it seems ok to do so, or you will get burned.

[Pfestus1]

In the original post, apparently the guy said that "He had BOUGHT NEW Nikasil cylinders and pistons" and they were included.   And that the only parts missing were the swingarm and drive shaft.

The difference between what you found, and what he said, is NOT a mistake or a typo or even ignorance!

Lannis

I'm the original poster. I sure did not mean to mislead anyone, and I don't believe the owner of the basket Guzzi is trying to mislead us either. I just knew that the Guzzi was in his warehouse, and that he had expressed the desire to pass it on so I thought I'd post about it here. I'll likely see the owner sometime this week (he is my quarantine beer supplier) and I'll ask him about what Verted said and see how he responds.

If some is interested, maybe consider it just a pile of parts and make an offer accordingly. 

Hank Pfister
V85TT

[giusto]

In the original post, apparently the guy said that "He had BOUGHT NEW Nikasil cylinders and pistons" and they were included.   And that the only parts missing were the swingarm and drive shaft.

The difference between what you found, and what he said, is NOT a mistake or a typo or even ignorance!

Lannis

Thanks Lannis Agreed

Even when on phone with owner, he seemed distracted , not in depth at all when asked about what was available....I asked for additional photos which were not provided...I asked, this comes with brand new cylinders and pistons? answer yes...still in box ? yes....could you please send a photo, will do. Not received.

I believe Pfestus is just doing a friend or acquaintance a favor and is an honest man. I was told that he started the restoration and lost interest. Lost some parts when stored at some mechanics garage now closed.
 This is not an entire bike minus swing arm and drive shaft.

[Lannis]

I'm the original poster. I sure did not mean to mislead anyone, and I don't believe the owner of the basket Guzzi is trying to mislead us either.

Hank Pfister
V85TT

Hank -

When I said "the guy", I was referring to the seller, not to you.   We always appreciate a pointer or link to Guzzis whole or in bits.

I was commenting to the apparent disparity between what you were told and what the actual situation was once someone seriously started inquiring.   It's not unusual for that to happen.   Not your fault. 

It can also happen the other way ... someone wants to get rid of Dad's old bike, advertises "a rusty project" for a low price, and it turns out to be a complete, running BSA Rocket III with perfect tinware covered in dust and straw that fires up with some fresh fuel and a battery.     

Come to think of it, that second situation doesn't happen as often as the first .... !

Lannis

[Pfestus1]

I made a trip to the brewery where this old Guzzi is stored to get my weekly supply of beer. I asked Joe about the additional missing parts and he acknowledge that it apparently is missing more than he initially thought. He also said that he apparently has a pile of parts and not a complete motorcycle. He indicated he would still like to find a home for the parts and will entertain any offers especially for someone to pick it all up and get it out of his way.

[Furbo]

Parts just wander off on their own... I bought a 1970 Ambassador with a blown motor in 1983 for $150. Took the engine apart enough to learn that the PO had run the engine out of oil, and that there was one spun rod bearing and the cam and lifters were toast. It sat around for eight years and two moves before I found the bottom of a V7 engine and put it back together. Lost a few parts, the header pipes being the biggest.
Be well,
Larry

I cannot believe you wouldn't have that sitting around man! I think I hauled off 1000 lbs of stuff outta your stash without even making a dent!

[Cam3512]

SOLD.

 

[SIR REAL ED]

Damn.  I'm about an hour away.  I was gonna offer him 8 rolls of toilet paper for it.

[Cam3512]

Damn.  I'm about an hour away.  I was gonna offer him 8 rolls of toilet paper for it.

Too late, I offered him 10 rolls.

[giusto]

I'm glad someone got it at a reasonable price and was able to see it while purchasing

[SIR REAL ED]

Too late, I offered him 10 rolls.

I'm told some people have more money than brains.

My brother told me that once, to which I replied "You say that like it's a bad thing."