The "1200 Ambassador" lives.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've been building this for a customer, starting in March of '21. There have been quite a few delays along the way, but I've finally reached a fairly major milestone. It's fully mocked up, and ran for the first time this afternoon. There's tuning to be done for sure, but that can wait until after it's stripped down, everything made "pretty" and then reassembled for the final time.

I tried to start it for the first time yesterday, but didn't put enough gas in the tank to fill the fuel injection system and run it.  Oops. Once I realized what the problem was, I put in two more gallons and it fired right up.

https://flic.kr/p/2qD5XiZ

'72 Ambassador chassis
'06 Norge engine w/EV sump
V1000 G5 transmission
Mille GT rear drive
850-T rear wheel
Convert swingarm, front wheel, brakes and fork sliders
SP1000 fork internals
Ikon rear shocks
California II front fender
Mistral mufflers
Engine wiring harness by Triking Sportscars (modified Norge harness)
Chassis wiring harness by Gregory Bender and me
Custom airbox and breather boxes created with CAD (cardboard aided design) and made in metal by Curtis Fisk
Frame modifications also done by Curtis Fisk

[jrt]

Sounds great, Charlie.  What are you doing about balancing or return gas on the two sides of the tank...if anything (doesn't really need it, in my opinion)

I really like the interchangeability of parts through the years- I built (and now rebuilding) my Eldo with a similar idea, but not as ambitious.  Mine is a mix of Eldo/Ambo/G5 parts mostly.  No fuel injection. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Sounds great, Charlie.  What are you doing about balancing or return gas on the two sides of the tank...if anything (doesn't really need it, in my opinion)

Nothing. The injection is plumbed the same as a Jackal, so I don't think it'll be an issue.

[Turin]

Really cool! I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Pescatore]

Now that's a real frankenbike.
It's got a nice roar.
Curious to see how the engine is held in a loop frame.

[Tkelly]

Perfect bike for TheBoss?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Now that's a real frankenbike.
It's got a nice roar.
Curious to see how the engine is held in a loop frame.

New motor mounting points were welded to the front down tubes of the frame.

[John A]

Very nice!

[guzzi ride]

Very cool project.

[guzzisteve]

Now you know which retired guy to take your bike to, congrats to the finish(almost).  How many hours in it so far?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Now you know which retired guy to take your bike to, congrats to the finish(almost).  How many hours in it so far?

I'm not retired just yet, will be "semi-retiring" at some point in the next year or two. I haven't been keeping a cumulative total of the hours, but just guessing at least 150 of actually doing something, plus probably that much again (non-billable) thinking, planning, searching, etc.

Some photos from last night. Hanging parts to make sure everything still fits, mounting up some DBs to see if anything needs to be changed.

[JBU]

I'm not retired just yet, will be "semi-retiring" at some point in the next year or two. I haven't been keeping a cumulative total of the hours, but just guessing at least 150 of actually doing something, plus probably that much again (non-billable) thinking, planning, searching, etc.

Some photos from last night. Hanging parts to make sure everything still fits, mounting up some DBs to see if anything needs to be changed.

if you are doing what you love there is no 'retirement'.   

[fotoguzzi]

NICE ! Reminds me of a bulldog or some other kind of Brute.
I hope you’re keeping the tank in that finish as is.

[2WheelsUp]

Congrats Charlie! I remember seeing that bike a couple years ago when I dropped off my engine and gearbox. Happy to see it running. Looking forward to seeing more pics of its progress.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

NICE ! Reminds me of a bulldog or some other kind of Brute.
I hope you’re keeping the tank in that finish as is.

No, the tank and all of the other bodywork will be repainted. The tank had a dent that was deep enough that the area was cut out and a new piece welded in. A fair amount of paint has been removed on the underside around the outlets, where new outlets were welded in. Just too much paint missing and grinding/sanding marks present to leave it.

[glenm64]

That is one sweet ride Charlie. The hard panniers set it right off IMO.

[jrt]

Those card catalogs in the background are very cool...

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Those card catalogs in the background are very cool...

It's actually a bolt bin, built at least 50 years ago by my late father, out of packing crate wood and angle iron. I hope to eventually use it to hold all of my metric hardware as well as the inch hardware.

[Groover]

Very nice, loving the concept, and great execution!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I love this so much and have followed along as your updates have come...  I have a barn-ish Ambo sitting in my garage with crates of spares and a disc front end..... plus a Breva 1100 that I barely ride anymore, but love too much to sell for the $$ they command.  Hoping when this one finally rolls out you'll be ready, willing, and able to do another one! (in 1/5th of the time!)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I love this so much and have followed along as your updates have come...  I have a barn-ish Ambo sitting in my garage with crates of spares and a disc front end..... plus a Breva 1100 that I barely ride anymore, but love too much to sell for the $$ they command.  Hoping when this one finally rolls out you'll be ready, willing, and able to do another one! (in 1/5th of the time!)

I'm not sure I ever want to do another. Extremely time consuming and as a result, quite expensive. As I ease into semi retirement, I plan to cut back on the amount of paying work I do and try to get more of my own projects done.

[bottler]

Very impressive Charlie 👏

[Bulldog9]

I'm not retired just yet, will be "semi-retiring" at some point in the next year or two. I haven't been keeping a cumulative total of the hours, but just guessing at least 150 of actually doing something, plus probably that much again (non-billable) thinking, planning, searching, etc.

Some photos from last night. Hanging parts to make sure everything still fits, mounting up some DBs to see if anything needs to be changed.

Looks great! Good to see another set of DB bags.

[Huzo]

Very nice, loving the concept, and great execution!

That’s exactly what my comment was going to be….

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Looks great! Good to see another set of DB bags.

I have two more Loop sets - green ones that were "smoothed" by Cam3512, and a black pair with a hole rubbed through one.

[Pescatore]

Do I see wine/whiskey barrels in the background?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Do I see wine/whiskey barrels in the background?

That's my woodstove. Bottom barrel is a stainless steel one that had ink in it originally, the top one is just a regular 55 gallon drum.

[Muzz]

Very nice execution Charlie.

[dguzzi]

What is the round silver canister behind the battery?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

What is the round silver canister behind the battery?

Fuel filter with the (blue) pump under it.