Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: transitional forms

Author: jeff m

Date: Jun 22, 2002, 9:12 PM

Post ID: 1710480074



(ed. note, a transitional form is an organism with genetic
characteristics that bridge the differences between two related
organisms (e.g. the 'missing link' between man and apes).
most scientists believe transitional forms to be proof of evolution

2. forgive the editor if he rambles, much single malt has been consumed
this night.

3. I don't usually talk about myself in the 3rd person :))
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woke up at O'dark thirty this morning, hollowed out my dodge caravan
and headed towards eastern washington state. Five hours later I had a
new-to-me Guzzi Ambo loaded in the back of the caravan and was heading
home (thanks again Blair for the great bike!!!).

I got what I consider to be a transitional form between the V700 and the
750 Ambassador. It has a Dec 1968 build date and one of the elusive
engine serial numbers that start with "A". 750 block, 750 jugs
(and unlike frankenguzzi, they have good chrome!!!!). It is a right side
shift, has V700 style sidecovers, has a V700 tank with the funky gascap, and
a v700 taillight mount. Fork top plate must be V700, too as it
doesn't impact the tank. VIN is stamped in the headstock, as well as
engraved on a (very odd) VIN plate riveted to the headstock. Other
than that it is all ambo..Remarkably, all the pieces (save tool boxes)
are there and in relatively good condition for it's age. It even has
stock, unbutchered wiring. I'm going to have quite a bit of fun putting
this fella back together.

Got it home and started stripping it down. This thing has odd intake
manifolds, unlike frankenguzzi's manifolds which fit flush to the head,
the new bike has strange notched sleeves that protude maybe 1.5 inches into
the head when they are mounted. I'm guessing a V700 carryover, as I
couldn't find them on my parts blowup or schematic either.

ah, well. wish me luck.

--j

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