Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: RE: Police bikes

Author: Kevin Graf

Date: May 14, 2002, 10:59 AM

Post ID: 1710254083


No rhyme or reason huh? Well, I can see that but seems as though there is a
constant, the V. I might guess for "Vtwin", "90 degree V twin", something
along them lines. It might make sense if the second letter stood for some
other extra or change, of course I wouldn't be surprised if the letter
designation disappeared after a certain amount of models were produced. Who
knows, the second letter might even be the first letter of the Italian
version of the word. So unless one knew Italian and could figure out a
change significant enough to mark in the VIN on the different models at the
different times, we'll be pretty much lost..

Who wants to learn italian and take on the project to prove me wrong? Ian?

Kev


-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Field [mailto:seen-@mac.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 12:50 PM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: Police bikes


"VP" is just an engine-series code, that's all. In general, Ambos don't
have a prefix code (except for some of the first-series).

The V7 Sports from the same era have the engine code VK. Why? Different
cam and crank and bore, so they needed a code to differentiate, I
suppose. Does the fact that VK alphabetically precedes VP significant?
Apparently not because the later 850 T has the earlier engine code VC.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2002, at 05:23 AM, Kevin Graf wrote:

 That's possible, the VP might of started with the Eldo. The waffle
pattern
is a Eldo. They needed the added reinforcement on the case. If the VP
does
not signify a police model it would be interesting to find out what it
means
then. They might not of found it necessary to mark the police models
until
the orders started coming in. I could see that happening more with the
birth
of the Eldo.

Kev


-----Original Message-----
From: Ross [mailto:ariel-@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 8:14 PM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: Police bikes


I have owned two LAPD Ambassadors (black and whites), which did not
have a
prefix, perhaps only the Eldo? Right now I'm looking at a Cycle Guide
Mag
from '73 showing the Rose Parade Ad. It appears to be an Ambo as there
is no
additional reinforcement to the case, or did some of the first Eldo's
have
the same case?. The mufflers are torpedoes, the levers hard to tell,
may be
grooved, may be not. Interestingly, the tool box is white, while both
Ambos
of mine have had black tool boxes.
Regards,
Ross
on 5/13/02 15:46, Greg Field at seen-@mac.com wrote:

 If there is a code on police bikes, I'm not aware of it.

The VP is used as a prefix on both police and civilian Eldorados (or is
it Eldoradoes?).

Usually, it is stamped pn both the engines and data plates.

GF

On Monday, May 13, 2002, at 12:57 PM, Alan Dunphy wrote:

 Kev,
There is, It is "VP" and it is only on the builders plate on the
steering head, not on the engine. The number will look like
this...."VP*061467*".

Alan
'74 Eldorado LAPD Wixomized
MGNOC 4352

Alan R. Dunphy
adun-@midmaine.com
21 West ST.
Pittsfield, ME 04967-1426


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Graf" <kgr-@midwestpension.com>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 9:38 AM
Subject: RE: Police bikes


 Thought I read somewhere that police bikes had a letter in front of
the
VIN. A V maybe?

Kev

--
K. Ross Raymond
Arizona USA
'71 LAPD Ambassador
'69 Triumph T100S
Norton hopeful
1998 Ariel (my daughter, after the Sq.4, not the mermaid)

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