Subject: Re: Loopframe purchase blues. Long.

Author: mike skaggs

Date: Jul 31, 2000, 1:29 PM

Post ID: 1701662129

Well Rich,

At least you were able to back out of the deal! I have bought bikes sight
unseen and the technique that has worked for me is to try and use the list
to locate a fellow Guzzi rider nearby that will inspect the bike for you

some very pointed questions to determine if the seller really knows what
he/she is talking about.

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: Rich Zink <rzi-@co.alameda.ca.us>
To: Looped Group <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Date: Monday, July 31, 2000 12:41 PM
Subject: Loopframe purchase blues. Long.

My apologies as I have been talking like I actually had this bike in
my possession, but it was my excitation getting the better of me. It was

done deal to me. So this weekend I went to pickup my newly purchased '70
Ambo, a 225 mile each way journey. A little background, I put in the

minimum

bid on what looked and sounded like a very nice clean original Ambassador

on

E-Bay. I had talked to the owner on the phone and asked every question of
him that I could. He had also sent me some more good photos to go by. I

also

had a non-motorcycling mechanic friend of mine, who was going up to the
area, go by and take a compression test and look at the bike for a report
and second opinion. Everything seemed right, compression checked out and

his

report was that he thought it looked ok. Auction closed and I was the

bidder. So I made arrangements with the owner, booked a room in the local
motel for Saturday night. My wife, daughter and myself drove up Saturday
morning and checked into the motel. I called and arranged to go pick up

bike. I got there and we exchanged greetings, bike stories and such. We

went

down and pulled the bike out and I gave it the once over. So ok, I was
prepared for fact that I was hoping it looked better than it actually

be. But it did have a nice old patina, stripes worn off here and there

it would clean up ok. Chrome that was described as very good, was

just good (some very good, some so-so). It started right up, fell into a
nice idle and I noticed no smoke or anything. Valves chattered a little
loudly prompting my question about last time adjusted. Owner had it 12

years

and claimed he did all of the work on it, but couldn't remember when the
last time was, they were just noisy he insisted. Ok whatever, So some

small talk and I pay him and start to head out. I noticed a lot of play

the clutch and questioned it. Works great owner responded. I put it in

and the clutch was dragging with the lever pulled in all the way. I

it off and adjusted the play. Adjusted the front brake while I was at it,

as

the lever went all the way to the throttle. Oh well little things to work

on

at home. So I took off again and went about a block before It felt like

tires were a little low on air. So I turned around and headed back to see

if

he had a gauge and compressor. He had a bike pump and the gauges read 18
lbs. front and rear (what's up with that? I thought). I filled the tires

up,

scratching my head wondering what this guy actually did as far as
maintenance goes. He had told me he changed the engine, trans and rear

fluids the day before. A spare transmission (from a wrecked bike) was

to come with the deal. When I looked written on it was '74 Ambassador
4-speed Shifter problem'. Now all of a sudden the bike won't start.

on compression but not on the button. Loose wire somewhere we both figure
and start to diagnose. He finds a loose wire on the starter and

that this must be it. So this person who claims to do his own maintenance
can't find a screwdriver. This doesn't feel good I start thinking. He
borrows one from a neighbor. While he is out I start to really look

at the bike. The 'recent' Metzler on the rear looked about 5 years old

was showing the wear indicator. He claimed there were no dents or dings

the bodywork. The left side cover had a small ding in it and the rear

fender

appeared to have been pushed in at one time, and was flaring out a little

on

the sides and a small crack was appearing. Why if he changed the engine

is the pan covered with old oil? Does he even bother to clean the screen?

He

had just had a new clutch put in he claimed, but there was old oil on the
tranny, rear-end and rear wheel. Was the rear seal replaced while there?

The

right cylinder base gasket is weeping pretty good also. This is not good

think to myself. He had advertised that the carbs were newly rebuilt but
there was gas on both of them and some wet spots on the tranny. I pointed
this out and he said yea, he had the tank off and noticed that the fuel
lines needed replacing. So here I was going to make a 225 mile ride home
with oil poised to get on the rear tire and fuel maybe dripping from the
lines or carb. Maybe I should have brought a truck like I thought about,

but

it was going to be a nice ride home so I thought. Anyway after tightening
the starter wire it still would not start with the button. At this point

wanted out of this deal, something didn't feel right about the whole

Sensing my frustration at the moment the owner (and to his credit)

to take me back to the motel (my wife and daughter had left to go antique
shopping) and give me back my money till he could get starter working

again.

So I went swimming in the pool and the family went out to dinner. When we
got back to the room there was a note that he had called and fixed the
starter. I called him and after some small talk I indicated I was really

longer interested in the bike. He said that he understood and apologized

for

me having to travel and get a room for nothing.
Lessons learned (mostly relearned)
1) Never buy a bike without physically looking it over yourself.
2) Never trust a friend to give an opinion of a bike.
3) Always check everything before leaving. Air in tires comes to mind
here.
4) If something sounds too good to be true, you can bet it is.
5) If someone claims to do their own maintenance, look for their tool
chest and the quality of tools he may use.
6) If your going to pick up a bike that you have not had inspected (by
yourself or a qualified mechanic) and have to bring it back any distance
farther than a town or two, bring a truck.
7) Photos hide a tremendous amount of flaws if taken right.
8) There are people who no matter what otherwise you may think of them
turn out to be honest, respectable folks
Sorry for the rant,
Rich
Back to looking for that loopframe again.
PS How do folks buy bikes on E-bay and have them shipped to them without
ever seeing them in person.

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