Author Topic: 1969 ambo (Read 2257 times)

RHAT · « **on:** March 27, 2021, 10:36:58 PM »

I have assumed caretaker position for this unrestored mostly original I got from an old acquaintance and friend of a friend.
He has never recovered from surgery and his riding days are pretty much over, so, it's been sitting a while. I got it home and went to the store for a new battery and changed the cables to 6mm terminals before darkness overtook me. It shouldn't take much to sort out and bring it back to the world of the living. I hope.

Tom · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2021, 10:41:36 PM »

Congrats!

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2021, 11:17:42 PM »

Nice looking Ambo, I think youre going to love it

oldbike54 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2021, 11:33:25 PM »

Congratulations Richard

Dusty

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2021, 08:59:03 AM »

Nice, but I'm not sure about the "unrestored" part. Hopefully, the original chrome plated cylinder bores have been dealt with, if not that would be the #1 thing on my list.

If you haven't already found it, this is the best source of Loop info. on the web:
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe.html

JJ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2021, 09:01:15 AM »

CONGRATS!!! Always liked the red and chrome color scheme of this model Ambo!!

oldbike54 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2021, 09:05:36 AM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on March 28, 2021, 08:59:03 AM

Nice, but I'm not sure about the "unrestored" part. Hopefully, the original chrome plated cylinder bores have been dealt with, if not that would be the #1 thing on my list.

If you haven't already found it, this is the best source of Loop info. on the web:
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe.html

Charlie , we think the cylinders were done in Nikasil some years back , although I did suggest to Richard that doing magnet test just to be sure is a good idea . Also kinda threw you under the bus by telling him you are a loop guru , so get ready for a barrage of questions

Dusty

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2021, 09:59:42 AM »

Cam3512 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2021, 10:32:59 AM »

Congrats! It has definitely been repainted.

guzziart · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2021, 01:50:03 PM »

Congrats, looks good!

RHAT · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2021, 04:22:18 PM »

Just put 4 miles on it and didn't have to push! I have to do the steering head bushings and fork seals. It tried to kill me. The other issue is that I can't stop the left carburetor from leaking. I have my buddy's bench reserved , so plenty of time to wait for parts.
Main thing is it lives again, and I successfully rode it, so that compensates for spending most of a fabulous riding day wrenching on the floor.

ice cream shop supply crossword

oldbike54 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2021, 05:04:14 PM »

Dusty

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2021, 12:30:51 AM »

Nice

The carb leaking might be gas leaking into the floats, that happened to one of mine.
I think it's the white ones are no good.
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62&products_id=4761
Add says they are new production, perhaps it's fixed?

Tom H · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2021, 12:34:34 AM »

Could also be as simple as the needle has a bit of crud on it, or the tip is worn or the seat could use a little cleaning.

BTW: maybe it's just me, but I always turn off the petcocks when I park the bike.

Tom

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2021, 12:39:24 AM »

Quote from: Tom H on March 29, 2021, 12:34:34 AM

Could also be as simple as the needle has a bit of crud on it, or the tip is worn or the seat could use a little cleaning.

BTW: maybe it's just me, but I always turn off the petcocks when I park the bike.

Tom

True, you will need to pull the float off for either, just give it a shake.

RHAT · « **Reply #15 on:** April 03, 2021, 11:20:14 PM »

Got those steering head bearings out today

John A · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2021, 11:22:53 PM »

Nice looking bike!

oldbike54 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2021, 11:53:53 PM »

Only Guzzi riders buy a bike and immediately disassemble it

Dusty

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2021, 11:58:46 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on March 28, 2021, 09:05:36 AM

Charlie , we think the cylinders were done in Nikasil some years back , although I did suggest to Richard that doing magnet test just to be sure is a good idea . Also kinda threw you under the bus by telling him you are a loop guru , so get ready for a barrage of questions

Dusty

The Nikasil cylinders might have Gilardoni written in raised lettering just above the base on the outside.

RHAT · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2021, 08:00:10 AM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on April 03, 2021, 11:53:53 PM

Only Guzzi riders buy a bike and immediately disassemble it

Dusty

I didn't really want to start by taking the front off, but I had to. It was unridable with grease the consistency of semi-dryed wood puddy. Besides, it needs a good cleaning. I had a hard time finding a matching set of tires for it. Not a lot of choices with the 18's. I finally settled on continentals. It's been a long time since I run continental tires, but I don't remember being unhappy with them.
I ordered a 100/90 for the front. It seems to me tires and batteries cost more these days than they used to. I have a couple of like new 18's if anyone here is brave enough to run 13 years old tires .

RHAT · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2021, 08:32:25 PM »

Ok, I'm stuck. I am trying to put the front end back together on the ambo, but the issue I am having is with the tube being all the way in the bottom of the fork leg, I have no way of pulling it up to the top clap to be able to pinch it in place and install the tube cap.
I have considered screwing a tapered wooden rake handle down a few threads of the tube to use to pull it up to the pinch point, or maybe a rubber expansion freeze plug with a wire tied on.
Am I on the right track? Is there a special tool for this job? I've never seen a front end like this one before.
I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks, Richard

RHAT · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2021, 08:34:12 PM »

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2021, 09:19:36 PM »

I'm guessing you haven't found Greg Bender's website yet. Bookmark it. Most everything you'll ever need to know is there.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_rebuilding.html

Yes, there is a special "puller upper" tool. https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_tube_puller_tool.html
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=331
One can be made from a spare top plug with the hex machined round and a length of rod. Broom handles and all manner of other things have been tried and do work, but I like having the correct tool for the job.

Turin · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2021, 10:12:28 PM »

Sweet looking bike. Congrats!

RHAT · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2021, 10:17:22 PM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on April 26, 2021, 09:19:36 PM

I'm guessing you haven't found Greg Bender's website yet. Bookmark it. Most everything you'll ever need to know is there.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_rebuilding.html

Yes, there is a special "puller upper" tool. https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_fork_tube_puller_tool.html
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=331
One can be made from a spare top plug with the hex machined round and a length of rod. Broom handles and all manner of other things have been tried and do work, but I like having the correct tool for the job.

Thanks Charlie. I've been flipping a lot of pages and thought if I put it on the forum someone would be along and let me know faster than I would figure it out. I do appreciate the right tool for the job, but dang, I hope to only do this job once.

RHAT · « **Reply #25 on:** April 26, 2021, 10:24:13 PM »

I'm going to make that DIY tool.

RHAT · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2021, 06:42:48 PM »

Easiest thing in the world.

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Author Topic: 1969 ambo (Read 2257 times)

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