A Very Ambitious Ambassador Project

[Dave Swanson]

This is a case of too cheap and too close by.

This 1971 Ambassador popped up for sale about 50 miles from me.  It is fairly complete and has a title.  The $500 price tag was the straw that broke my will.   

The tins on this baby make my other Ambo's tins look like NOS. Thread can be found here - https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=125280.0

Matching numbers,  missing toolboxes and side covers.  The seller was very honest and disclosed that he treated this as a donor bike while restoring his Ambo, therefore I will find bits missing.  This disclosure was reflected in the price, but even though it is a helluva a deal IMO.

This Ambo will be more of a challenge compared to the 1970 but should be just as fun.   

[Dave Swanson]

The rear fender has the original dealer decal.  And as a bonus I found both keys with the dealer fob!

[Dave Swanson]

I might be able make the rear fender into something more presentable.

Before.





After about 30 minutes using medium cut rubbing compound by hand.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

IIRC, Mark Etheridge (or maybe it was someone else?) uses Barkeeper's Friend to remove the rust/stains.

[Dave Swanson]

IIRC, Mark Etheridge (or maybe it was someone else?) uses Barkeeper's Friend to remove the rust/stains.

This is how it looks.  Kept going until I ran out of Barkeeper's Friend.  Not bad.  It will never be a nice fender but depending on the plan for the bike it could be usable.

[Dave Swanson]

As good as I can make it.  Unfortunately the front fender is no where near the shape the rear is. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Ya mean to say you haven't got it all assembled and running around the block already!
Stop yer shirkin' and get workin'. 

Aye, a wee bit more work required, compared to your other one. Good luck. 

[Dave Swanson]

This is as good as I can make the tank, and it's not too bad.   

The chrome panels had such heavy rust that I used a small wire wheel.  There was no way the chrome was ever going to shine again anyway. 

The painted areas received the Barkeeper's Friend treatment, followed by various abrasive levels of rubbing compound, ending with a coat of carnuba. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

A few weeks back (unlike me) I watched a youtube of a comparison of chrome paint spray. Just saying.
 

[Dave Swanson]

A few weeks back (unlike me) I watched a youtube of a comparison of chrome paint spray. Just saying.
 

No chrome paint spray will be harmed in the making of this Ambo.   

[Dave Swanson]

The engine and transmission housings are the dirtiest of any I have seen.  There's a petrified black coating all over.  It was very hard to scrub off. 

One major piece done.