A Rare Bird "A" Series Moto Guzzi 1 of only 5 Known to Exist

Note:

This motorbike needs to go to another steward who will lovingly understand the history and rarity of this model. I have spent over $28,000 to ensure that this motorbike will continued to be revered by many other enthusiast to come. I am willing to sacrifice a good portion of my investment to the right byer to ensure that this motorbike will last for many lifetimes to come.

I have High Resolution versions of these photos in "Photo Bucket" If you are truly interested, will send you the passcode

History:

This is a very rare Moto Guzzi Ambassador. First because it is an "A" series in which only "5"are know toexist. In the text below there is an article from the official Moto Guzzi Club which goes into detail about how "Rare" the "A" series Moto Guzziare.

Equally interesting is the heritage of this specific Moto Guzzi. It is an official "Knights Templar" parade bike. The front lights oscillate and yes there is the correct S&M Siren. Their are many more unique items that came with this bike, nd I have listed them below"The Knights Templars"are the highest Masonic rank of the York Rite. This bike is owned by a "Nights Templar" and one of two "Knight Templar"motor bikesstill in existence.

Condition:

This Moto Guzzi has been completely restored to its original condition.Three of the finest shops in California spent many hours brining this bike back to life.It was in very good condition before the restoration with only 16,000 miles on it. So almost all original parts were cleaned and refitted except for internal seals and such. This motorbike has it's "Original Black Paint and Chrome". Only the Wixom Bags wererepainted with the original "Templar Cross"Yes, hemetal and frame have a patina small nicks and such, nd all three shops voted to keep it as such. It tells the history of its use.

The three "Expert Shops" are:

Cycle Garden- New stainless steel spokes polished wheels, estored siren and many of the exterior items (too many to list). All restored to original condition.

Moto Guzzi Classics- Complete restoration of: Engine,Transmission, arbonators, lutch and remaining mechanical items all restored to original condition.

GregBender- Complete new electrical system with all original period wires and connecters (know one is more knowledgeable then him for electrical).

Please note that everything has been pulled apart and resealed and recondition to original spec. This bike is accentually a fully restored motorbike with exceptions. Again these are: original paint on frame and all sheet metal. Note everything was re-chromed. Allot was left as original which tells the history of this bike. Some patina and surface rust of exhaust pipes headers and other original parts. I did not want to make a perfect motorbike and rune its history.

Rare Parts:

The "A" series Ambassador was the first in it's series. This is a transition bike between the V700 to the Ambassador model. Moto Guzzi used many of the V700 sheet metal and elongated headlight bucket during this transition. the "A" series had a few rare parts that have never been seen or used on any other model. They Are:

European windshield made for European market only. There is not another one in existence.

Long floor boards which were an option but rarely fitted. (chromed and polished)

Frontkickstand that coordinates with the long boards. For European market only. I have never seen another

European shifting. Not so rare, owever this model is European shifting just to be clearer

S&M Siren. This was not original to this model and retrofitted later. Completely restored and properly fitted. Over $2,000 dollars invested in this one item. Please do not ask if I will sell it separately because I wont; it goes with the bike.

Engine Case:

During the restoration process, slight fissure was noticed on the original engine case. I was to take it to a shop to have it pressure tested and meanwhile used a temporary case to finish the restoration. The pressure test passed and the slight fissure was quite normal for these early casting. The pressure test was not done in time and so the temporary case is now fitted. You will receive the original case with this purchase and can switch-out the case to the original one. I was too carful, nd now ended up with another engine case on the motorbike. I just wanted to be sure that everything was ok. The pressure test took longer than anticipated and that's where we are. All proved to be ok.

A Rare Bird Official Article from the Moto Guzzi Owners Club:

Although much could be written of my experiences over the past few years, his article is concerned with what I have learned about my "Rare Bird," a 1969 "preproduction" Ambassador one with the letter "A" preceding the 5-digit serial number. Called Moto Guzzi the "A-series" Ambassador.

I first became intrigued with the history of my bike while visiting a local shop. The owner, ore interested in Ducatis than Guzzis, till had considerable knowledge of the latter. He mentioned that he had a book of Guzzi serial numbers. Looking into it, was surprised that the letter "A" did not prefix any of the Ambassadors. Knowing that my bike was indeed a complete Ambo, ince the same serial number was stamped into the steering head and the engine case, began to ask questions.

I inquired as to the origin of and the reasons behind the "A" in the serial number. Through the Moto Guzzi Correspondents List (MGCL), n Internet mailing list with over 800 members around the world, rought speculation. Apparently the "A" was the company's way if identifying this series as "Ambassador." My inquiries also lead to four other Ambo owners with the rare "A" in front of the five-digit serial number. We discovered that all of these serial numbers are in the 12xxx range. Bikes with serial numbers 13xxx and above lack the "A," and no others are in existence with serial numbers 10xxx or 11xxx.

The first Ambassadors were introduced in 1969, fter the company felt they needed to increase the power in their very successful 700cc V700 model, ntroduced in 1967. The new series was basically a V700 with bigger cylinders, ut little else. Bore was increased from 80mm to 83mm while the stroke remained the same. The heads remained the same, ith the smaller valves being operated by one spring (as opposed to larger valves operated by two springs found in the later Ambassadors). In fact, uch remained similar to the earlier model. Right side shifter, ank, ingle speedometer housing, attery side covers, aillight assembly, nd headlight bucket were all the same as components on the V700. It is speculated that the company was using up existing supplies as they tooled up for the new civilian Ambassador series, practice that is still common in many companies today.

"The first Ambassadors were V7's, hich were simply bored out versions of the V7 to 750cc. They have many of the same cycle parts as the V7 and really are mostly the same. Not many were made; they are rare. I have no access to frame numbers, tc. but I believe you have one of these."

So what does this all mean to the world of Guzzi enthusiasts at large? Some may think that this "pre-production Ambassador" is merely a V700, ith the components of that model and the engine and name of the Ambassador. However, his series is unique and very rare. It is neither a V700 nor a true Ambassador, nd the company felt the need to identify this version with the "A", f only to distinguish it from the other two. At first look, ne may not be able to tell the difference between these similar machines, ut with only 5 "A-series" Ambassadors known to exist at this time, t truly is a "Rare Bird."