Description
Update 5/22: The seller would like potential buyers to know that if the bike is paid for, inspected before shipping and found to be misrepresented, he will refund the purchase price 100%.
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1973 Moto Guzzi Custom. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
The Moto Guzzi Ambassador was developed as a successor to the V7, which was initially built to provide a police platform in their home country of Italy. The Berliner brothers (the US importer) convinced MG to bring it to the US in an attempt to snag some cruiser customers away from Harley-Davidson.
The Ambassador (also called the V750) got some upgrades to target the US market, and Americans responded favorably – in 1971, Moto Guzzi set an internal record by producing over 46,400 examples.
For a lot of Americans, this was the start to their love affair with Moto Guzzi. The 757cc motor was good for 60 horsepower (10 more than the V7), and a nearly 6 gallon tank meant you could eat up miles without having to stop often. For more on the Ambassador, check out this story on Motorcycle Classics.
This example is VIN: 58420. The seller has owned the bike seven years and states it was built by Moto Guzzi expert Gregory Bender who describes how the project came about, “I met Jack Chew when I lived in Florida. He was looking for someone to restore his recently acquired Moto Guzzi and contacted me. Later in the process, his son in-law Shawn Lamb became involved as well. Shawn had a vision of the end result he wanted and I worked to achieve that goal for he and Jack. The end result is a lovely machine.”
The seller states, “Since the restoration, the bike has covered approximately 2,000 miles.” However, true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
Per the builder Gregory Bender, “This project started with an assembled basket case in very poor condition. The motorcycle left Mandello del Lario as a V700. Along the way, someone had installed an engine, transmission, and rear drive from an Eldorado.” Gregory has provided the seller some of the notable work performed on the bike:
– Engine disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and reassembled replacing worn components along the way. Good sleeved cylinders were reused; so no chrome issues.
– Transmission and rear drive rebuilt by Charley Cole of Zydeco Racing.
– Paint work by Stephen Hill (tank, fenders, tool boxes, side covers, headlight, fork shrouds, tail light, tail light bracket).
– Power coated frame, swing arm, and associated components. Previous owner, Jack Chew, took care of some of the powder coating and aluminum polish work in Florida. I did the rest using Arizona Powdercoat and a local source I have for polish work.
– A frame from an Eldorado was used in place of the V700 frame.
– A complete front end and numerous other replacement parts were sourced from Mark Etheridge of Moto Guzzi Classics. Forks were completely rebuilt.
– Swing arm and drive line were rebuilt, replacing worn components along the way.
– Bosch starter and original Magneti Marelli generator were completely rebuilt; many new electrical components were fit along with a new Odyssey PC925 battery.
– The entire wiring harness was replaced with new components, including a custom relay solution for the headlight and starter.
– A complete stainless steel exhaust system using Mistral mufflers were fit, sourced from MG Cycle.
– Solo seat, luggage rack, and pillion pad were sourced from Harper’s Moto Guzzi.
– Windshield brackets and spot light brackets sourced from MG Cycle. Spot lights are new quality units sourced from JC Whitney.
– Turn signals are new modern equivalents (Trucklite) of the period Dietz turn signals commonly fit by police departments.
Modifications:
Please see the album up top for detailed photos of the bikes modifications.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli tires with date codes of 1510.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Palm Beach, Florida, this Moto Guzzi is offered on a clean Florida title. Have any Ambassador stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
