Author Topic: Buying former Eldorado police. Questions.... (Read 10040 times)

shelbygt · « **on:** April 27, 2016, 08:37:20 PM »

Have a Eldorado former police bike bought. Frame stamped VP 11xxx. Titled as 74, bit no disk brake front. Is engine supposed to match frame? My73 Eldorado civilian has a later Vin. Is something different about police bikes?

Hahnda · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:07:14 PM »

Are you sure its VP11xxx? Is is a US bike? Maybe an 850GT?

shelbygt · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:16:00 PM »

That's what's stamped in frame. Title matches frame. Was told formerly Detroit police?

Hahnda · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:16:58 PM »

Have any pictures?

shelbygt · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:19:09 PM »

I do but need to figure out how to post.

Hahnda · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:28:37 PM »

Right here you can add a picture.

shelbygt · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:37:17 PM »

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:39:06 PM »

Quote from: shelbygt on April 27, 2016, 09:19:09 PM

I do but need to figure out how to post.

right below the type field in reply "add image to post" click it and drag your pic from your desk top.

Hahnda · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:42:12 PM »

Ah, its not a frame tag number. What is the engine number?

JoeW · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2016, 09:57:26 PM »

As far as I know, late 60s and early 70s Guzzis were titled using the frame numbers, they were stamped into the steering head tube and the engine numbers didn't match. The numbers all tended to begin with a 10xxx or 11xxxx At some point in 71 or 72, the powers that be decided to add a frame tag for bikes coming to the USA and it was also decided to use the engine number as the official VIN and the numbers on the tag matched. I can see by your photo that the rivets that held the frame tag are still in the head stock. This bike may have been retitled, back when that was easier, because of a missing title. Does the title match the frame or the motor?

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2016, 11:13:40 PM »

Quote from: JoeW on April 27, 2016, 09:57:26 PM

As far as I know, late 60s and early 70s Guzzis were titled using the frame numbers, they were stamped into the steering head tube and the engine numbers didn't match. The numbers all tended to begin with a 10xxx or 11xxxx At some point in 71 or 72, the powers that be decided to add a frame tag for bikes coming to the USA and it was also decided to use the engine number as the official VIN and the numbers on the tag matched. I can see by your photo that the rivets that held the frame tag are still in the head stock. This bike may have been retitled, back when that was easier, because of a missing title. Does the title match the frame or the motor?

My '69 Ambo has a frame tag, so it was earlier than '71 or '72.

shelbygt · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2016, 11:27:51 PM »

Frame matches title. Engine starts with 60XXX. So are we thinking this is a 70 or 71 frame that somehow over the course of 40 plus years was retitled as a 74? Engine seems later model?

Hahnda · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2016, 11:32:13 PM »

Engine number puts it as a mid '73 build and possibly titled as a '74. That's if the engine is original to the frame.

shelbygt · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2016, 11:36:47 PM »

But the frame number would allude to it being built earlier, maybe 70 or 71?

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2016, 06:20:38 AM »

Its a Guzzi don't get caught up in the numbers. The frame could have been build in 1968 and not used until 1974.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:33:56 AM »

Does it have a 4LS front drum brake? My first Eldo was a mid year '73 that had one.

JoeW · « **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2016, 08:14:46 AM »

It's possible that the frame has been changed. Loop police frames have a few differences that can distinguish them from civilian. Like all things Guzzi, this is not true in all cases. The most obvious is the siren mount tab on the left passenger peg loop however, by 74 however, these were gone due to the use of an electric siren. The frame gusset just above the tool box should be reinforced with an extra steel plate, it should also be drilled for rear crash bars. And, there shouldn't be a side stand tab welded to the left lower frame rail.

shelbygt · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2016, 01:05:50 PM »

Yeah I'm not gonna get worked up about numbers matching, curious more than anything. I have this thing rigged for fun. I'll get it home and get more details. The frame stamps seem to verify that it was police and it has police goodies. After all these years who knows? It received a custom paint job along the way.

JoeW · « **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2016, 01:35:36 PM »

Is this the bike out of Peoria IL?

Hahnda · « **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2016, 01:46:52 PM »

While it would be kind of rare in the US those numbers seem to point towards an 850GT.

twhitaker · « **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2016, 02:01:52 PM »

IIRC, Guzzi also made an 850 California in '73 and or '74.

shelbygt · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2016, 06:52:59 PM »

Quote from: JoeW on April 28, 2016, 01:35:36 PM

Is this the bike out of Peoria IL?

Yes it is. Does that help?

LaMojo · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:49:52 PM »

If it is any help, my '72 ex police Eldo engine and frame numbers are identical as shown on the manufactures tag. The engine number is bracketed by * but preceded by VP as stamped on the engine block.

JoeW · « **Reply #23 on:** April 28, 2016, 07:57:13 PM »

Quote from: shelbygt on April 28, 2016, 06:52:59 PM

Yes it is. Does that help?

I looked at that bike about a little over a year ago when it was for sale in Chicago. Then I contacted the seller that you bought it from. I have a picture he sent me of the "60s" painted gas tank and it has a flip up cap. That tank indicates that it's a 74, 850GT. It jives with the police dash and running boards. The bike should have had chrome fenders.

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 29, 2016, 05:41:51 AM »

I think 99% of Loops that are f/s are billed as "police" models and the sly sellers also thrown in a comment or two about Cycle Garden.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #25 on:** April 29, 2016, 07:54:30 AM »

Mark showed me one time that a police frame will have a stamped stiffener on the rear fender mount.

shelbygt · « **Reply #26 on:** April 29, 2016, 04:40:52 PM »

Guy seems like a straight shooter. Probably repeating what he was told when he bought it. I'm okay with an 850 GT, too. Like I said, I have this whole thing rigged for fun. I wouldn't get worked up either way.

rodekyll · « **Reply #27 on:** April 29, 2016, 05:32:38 PM »

Another tell for a police model is the location of the ignition key. The true police models I've seen have it on the left side, below the seat. Civi models are generally in the speedo bezel or dash pod, depending on if it has a tach or not. Does it have the solo seat/radio box and pursuit lights?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #28 on:** April 29, 2016, 05:50:34 PM »

Quote

Does it have the solo seat/radio box and pursuit lights?

Those are kinda valuable..

Cam3512 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 29, 2016, 06:41:33 PM »

Mine does...

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Author Topic: Buying former Eldorado police. Questions.... (Read 10040 times)

LaMojo