Subject: RE: Finally legit!
Author: Jeffrey Buick
Date: Jan 16, 2005, 8:05 PM
Post ID: 1718221048
AJ,
Congrats on the new ride! Now this may be a smaller world than once
imagined. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1997
and I too was motivated to buy a Guzzi after seeing what I remember to
be a red/black 850T that was usually parked in front of a guys house on
the east side just off of East Johnson (same bike???). I went to the
engineering school there and I used to ride an all blue 1965 Wards
Riverside (Benelli) that you may have seen on campus. I used to thumb
through Walneck's Bike Trader in class and found two Guzzi Eldo project
bikes with a sidecar that I picked up during my senior year. I've loved
Guzzis ever since and I think that they are the most beautiful bikes of
the era. Good luck with the bike, I'm sure it will treat you well!
Later,
Jeff Buick
Detroit, MI
1972 Eldo LAPD
1974 Eldo LAPD
1974 Eldo Civilian
1972 V7-Sport
AJ Huff wrote:
And I am grinning ear to ear. After a few years of lurking I am finally legit after picking up my 71 Ambo yesterday!!!! (Well it is titled as 72 but it was made in 71 so I'm calling it a 71 since I'm a 71 model year). I'm calling it I-just-turned-30-and-my-wife-left-me-gift-to-myself, 4 years removed. Not only is this my first Guzzi, first Loop, but it is also my first motorcycle. As my story goes, I used to walk to class (University of Wisconsin) and a bike parked in a small lot always stopped me in my tracks. First Guzzi I ever saw. Really don't remember much about it. That bike created the Guzzi lust in me. Well that and there was a hot red head on campus that wore a beat up old leather Guzzi motorcycle jacket, black with white sleeves, large flying eagle on the back and orange Moto Guzzi lettering down the sleeves. Did I mention she was a hot red head? Anyways, on further evaluation, I think that bike was most like an 850T, but I have been looking for a Guzzi ever since. Over time I found I was really drawn to the Loops. Part of it is the stance, but I really think its the gas tank. If I could put a Loop tank on a T3, I think I may like the T3. So after years of coming up short when I had the money and crying on the deals I missed when I didn't have the money, luck finally turned my way. Now I know at least one person will question my wisdom of a 34 year old bike as my first motorcycle. But besides being what I wanted, I have two points. One, how many people in their 50's and 60's are buying their first HD and its also their first bike and Two, back in 1972, there had to be some people buying an Ambo as their first bike. So I think its a moot point. Besides, I'm over 300 pounds with short legs, there may not be a better bike. Yeah, I really was hoping for a 73 or 74 Eldo, but now that this bike is mine, it is definitely my favorite. I wanted black but this bike is white. It's growing on me. It's in great shape, clean, sharp, but not showroom polished. Just the way I want it. Only drawback is it needs a speedo and tach. I think I can handle that. Just had to share in my excitement. Like I said I've been lurking for a while and this is a pretty gosh darn good list. I am hopeful that you will have some patience with my posts and questions being that I am greener than green being this is my first bike and first Guzzi and first Loop all at the same time. Thanks. PS By the way, if you own it you know, but if you don't, this Guzziology book is incredible!! Look!!! A sig line: AJ Huff '71 Ambassador Three Rivers, MI |