"Last Loopframe in Paris" (or Hollidaysburg?)

[John in PA]

It's with a pang of regret that the last Loopframe left The Goose Pen, my affectionate term for my Guzzi garage.  It's a labor of love restored by B J Swartz some years ago:  a 1971 Police Ambassador with all the police goodies that came into my possession back in 2002.  I've given it a good home in a climate controlled garage for these past dozen years or so, and it's had plenty of Mandello relatives to keep it company during that time.  Now it's at Charlie M.'s getting a Gilardoni Nikasil jug transplant and a few other tweaks before moving to it's new owner's home. 









At one time I had Eldos in all three factory colors in addition to the Police Ambo.  I used to call them "The Tre Amici"  All gone their separate ways over the last several years.



I wonder if the new 1400 Eldorado has any chance of becoming the classic that these original gems are??  Time will tell...   Arrivederci, amici!!      

[oldbike54]

 Nice place you have John .

  Dusty

[Bob Wegman]

How does that saying go, When one door closes another one opens.  If loopframes could talk I'll bet it would say it was a pleasure to serve you.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've been lucky enough have had 2 of the 3 Eldos and now the Ambassador here in my shop. All very nice examples which is always a welcome change from the more usual "barn finds".

[BillinPA]

It was a real beauty, chin up old buddy. You were a fine caretaker to the flock! I still regret parting with the red eldo, but things change.

[Nick]

That white one is a beauty!!! 

[John in PA]

That white one is a beauty!!! 

You would know, old buddy!   

[Lannis]

End of an era - we knew there was always ONE place on the continent where there was essentially one of every model that Guzzi made ..... and in lovely rideable condition too .... Maybe the bug will bite again!

Lannis

[John in PA]

Hey, I've got a several more sweet rides to part with. This is my year to thin the herd, er, flock.  Gotta quit procrastinating and get them on the classified board.  It's kinda like a 12-Step program...   Hard part is deciding on the keepers. ('09 Stelvio stays for sure!)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A pair of black & white Ambos in front of the shop this afternoon.

[Cam3512]

Well, it so happens I'm the new caretaker of said Ambo.  I realized after I left that we didn't take any pics of the handoff!  I drove straight to Charlie's, then stayed the night in Frederick, MD.  Total of 700 miles during the Ambo purchase.  No worries, I'll take good care of her.  Thanks again John, pleasure dealing with you!

Cam

[BillinPA]

So let's recap. Can bought the police loop. Nick bought the white Eldo , I bought the red ELDO........who bought the black ELDO?

[Lannis]

So let's recap. Can bought the police loop. Nick bought the white Eldo , I bought the red ELDO........who bought the black ELDO?

I don't know, but I still shed a little tear, and regret about 2" of the length of my thighbone, when I think about the beautiful SPIII of John's I had to pass up because no matter how Fay and I sat on the bike, I couldn't get my knees behind the fairing, and there's no point in having a fairing if you're not behind it.   

That bike was like new with very few miles on it and I had the cash in my pocket but couldn't pull the trigger.   It's OK, I guess, I ended up with the Stelvio and it's been good to me, but I wonder who has that bike now and if I've seen it since at a rally ... ?

Lannis

[Cam3512]

At this rate, John is one of the biggest Guzzi dealers on the east coast!

Still some nice ones on the floor, get 'em while they're hot!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

So let's recap. Can bought the police loop. Nick bought the white Eldo , I bought the red ELDO........who bought the black ELDO?

A guy named "Vijay" down in Knoxville, Tennesee.

[John in PA]

I don't know, but I still shed a little tear, and regret about 2" of the length of my thighbone, when I think about the beautiful SPIII of John's I had to pass up because no matter how Fay and I sat on the bike, I couldn't get my knees behind the fairing, and there's no point in having a fairing if you're not behind it.   

That bike was like new with very few miles on it and I had the cash in my pocket but couldn't pull the trigger.   It's OK, I guess, I ended up with the Stelvio and it's been good to me, but I wonder who has that bike now and if I've seen it since at a rally ... ?

Lannis

The SPIII went to a guy in British Columbia about 8(??) years ago.   I can't remember who got the black Eldo.  I actually had 3 black ones.  A noob who went by the handle of MotoRoberto on the loopframe list bought a really low-mileage one I had, Jason Speaker got a black project Eldo from me, but that black Eldo in the picture, I'm not sure who scooped it up.   That was the only black one I rode extensively, and it was a gem (Il Toro Nero").  The white one  ("Angelo") was my pride and joy out of the Loopframe fleet.  BillinPA got "Ruby." 

[John in PA]

A guy named "Vijay" down in Knoxville, Tennesee.

BIngo!! We have a winner!! Forgot all about that guy! I was just re-reading all the correspondence with him.  Man, that was a tough negotiation!!.  But he got a gem of a bike with all original paint(!!) in excellent condition.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I was just re-reading all the correspondence with him. 

I was just doing the same, long "paper trail" helping him buy the bike from you, then covering all of the work I did and problems he had afterwards. Unfortunately, not long after it arrived down there, a co-worker of Vijay's "nicked" the right rear turn signal and broke it. The clutch started slipping, he had a "reputable" shop down there replace the clutch, then the shift return spring broke. Haven't heard anything from him for about 2 years now.