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  History
from my ownership in the year 2008:
This Guzzi was based out of the Malibu CHP substation, and purchased at
highway
patrol auction at the end of 1976.
The CHP had put a little over 40,000 miles on it.
It was in perfect condition except for a broken choke control.
They removed the siren and radio and police gear, but the siren mount is still
there. Stock front disk brake, upgraded electrics, rear drive, and all
other police edition upgrades for the latter part of 1974. This one had
all there was to have in a police edition motorcycle. I have the police
saddle bags, owners manual and Police model owners manual addition section.
 It
was repainted in the late '80's and the solo seat was traded off for a more
comfortable 2-up saddle that is a more comfortable ride. It had repair or
replace work done on the clutch, valves, cables and carbs all around 45,000
miles. Currently has 61,000 miles on the bike. Less than 20,000
civilian miles in 30 years.
The Eldorado throttle cruise control double set screws are even working
properly.
 The
bike was ridden regularly for several years around the Sacramento hills, a
fantastic area to ride a motorcycle in. I still have the original
windscreen and the original police saddle bags.
 Although
ridden for several years, it was parked in the garage in Sacramento from '90
till 01 - parked for another 11 years. After getting a family half raised
the owner finally decided to get her running again.
The Eldorado was garage kept all it's life and it shows.
No rust except those poorly chromed crash bars up front (a regular occurrence
on forward crash bars on the loop frames).
 After
'01 it was only ridden occasionally for a couple years until the owner purchased
a newer Guzzi SPIII.
After that the Eldorado sat again in the garage collecting dust - but not rust
;) In fact the owner said he was very much a fair weather rider and
the Eldorado was never purposely ridden in the rain.
 This
Eldorado is a solid strong motorcycle and ran without issues or problems and is
said to have Never left the rider stranded - not once. (I had a '71
Ambassador that had this kind of karma.) I was told the bike has Never
been down - although kids bicycles in the garage have left some nasty scratches
on the front fender, which have been touched up and look pretty good now.
I inspected and road tested the bike and found it to be extremely fit and in
excellent condition. The choke lever appears to be the only thing which is
broken and the old rubber ignition boot is torn. Nothing feels sloppy or
worn out, Everything else is working, all the switches, buttons, levers,
Everything is fine - Steering head, wheels, drive action,
transmission are all tight and fluid in movement. Man, this 5 speed
transmission is really the ultimate smooth shifter - after 1st gear.
 You
might notice the missing little tool box in some pics. It is not missing.
It was inside one of the saddle bags. Apparently when the bike was
purchased the ignition key was broken off in the ignition. The new owner
had to get a new ignition & key. He never had a good set of keys and never
had a key to unlock that little tool box! He had to cut the bolts off the
tool box to remove it. Curiously, he never got a new lock for the little
box, and never tried to put it back on - in 30 years. I was able to find a
lock w/key and have re-attached the tool box.
There you have it. A little history of this 1974 Moto
Guzzi Eldorado Police motorcycle. It is a very spirited "Vintage"
motorcycle.
 When
the original owner was helping me load it in my pickup truck he seemed
nervous. He said, "it has never ridden in the back of a pickup
truck". Wow, I was impressed - guess it really never stranded him -
ever. When I got it home I checked the fluids, replaced all the
gasoline with new fuel, and stole my garden tractor battery for it.
I proceeded to pull the plugs to shoot a little oil in the cylinders and
turn the engine but, I broke a spark plug and had to go buy a new pair.
Then I lubed each cylinder, rolled the engine a few times, put the new
plugs in and pushed the button.
 _Push
the button and GO! This baby fired right up - no choke or
anything! Without the choke at 40 degrees it did sputter and spit
some, but still, she started right up! I was not really surprised,
because these Guzzi's have a reputation. I was so happy with it that
in the morning I went to the local Guzzi breakfast on it and have put
about 100 + miles on it and loved the ride. I have not even cleaned
the motorcycle. It is dirty from setting in a garage for 8 years and
a little dirtier from my 100 mile ride.
 In
2008 - other comparable Eldorado's & Ambassadors are being sold on Ebay or
elsewhere, being sold from $5 to $8,000 dollars.
(A non-restored '73 Eldorado civilian model with 28,000 miles just
sold on ebay for $7,400 - a '71 Ambo non-restored for $5,900.
A '74 Eldorado civilian restored at Harpers Moto Guzzi for
$18,000)
The '74 LAPD Eldorado Police Edition is the most sought after model
bar none. This particular Eldorado Police Edition would sell for $7 to $9
thousand easy on Ebay. But, I hate doing Ebay and much prefer to sell it
local if possible. I'll RIDE it for a while and enjoy it before selling
it.
 Much
of the rubber is - old (fuel lines, brake lines, other exposed rubber parts),
and should be replaced. The new owner will certainly want to get new brake
lines, fuel lines and the like. BONUS: There is a set of brand new
rear brake shoes in the saddle bags too.
 Perhaps
I shouldn't have bought this bike to start with. I was excited and got
swept up in the chase and the opportunity to own the most sought after Guzzi of
them all.
For years I have been able to buy some really Great motorcycles,
even some other Eldorado's, but not an actual LAPD Cop Shop Motorcycle.
However, If I keep them, I cannot purchase another one. So, I tend to keep
them for a little while and re-sell them so I can have funds to buy the next
one, and the next one, and so on. I tend to have way too many projects,
not enough room, not enough riding time, not enough passion to maintain all my
hobbies and projects. So, I usually do buy - enjoy for a time - and
re-sell.
UPDATE 3/13/08: Waiting 1 week AFTER putting up this
web page I went out and started to give it some love for the first time since
acquiring it. I washed, polished, reconditioned, repaired and replaced a
few little things.
As I was massaging it I think a little Guzzi karma started to ooze out - like
a genie flows forth from Aladdin's lamp. Soon 3 1/2 hours had whiled
away, and standing back to see how it was coming I found an outstanding
Glowing Eldorado ! I was astounded at how brilliant the
chrome shone and the black paint held a deep rich quality and the pinstriping
brightened with just the right amount of flourish. Wow, I was really
impressed. Gotta take all new pictures now! But, why stop there -
- I hauled out the rounded side box and cop kettles (saddle bags), and spent
another couple hours till I had them installed.
I've been smitten by a Guzzi - again.
Had to go for a ride. It was dusk and 42 degrees, but
nice sky. I pulled on the old leathers and guzzi helmet and off I went.
Marvelous, I swear these things run prouder when they are cleaned up and loved
on. Engine ran with stealthy smoothness and my new shock
adjustment had it flowing over the roadway like a Mercedes Benz.
It was perfect time of late evening to test those nice chromed dual spot
running lights. I ran the backroads in a spirited excursion, and really
loved every minute of it. This is such a nice ride.
I keep reminding myself to find someone who does
have some passion for a great vintage machine and sell this rare CHP Eldorado.
That is what I must do - eventually. Perhaps it is you, or someone you
know. These vintage Moto Guzzi's are definitely collectors items that can
be kept running forever. See a good professional presentation of the '74
Eldorado at
Cycle Garden
and learn
Civilian module vs. Police model details.
Update 3/16/08 Pictures of the Cleaned and
polished motorcycle with all the goodies attached:
I will enjoy riding just once in a while it until it sells so that I can also
have fond memories of the best Moto Guzzi ever built. Hum, the Moto
Guzzi National Rally is just down in Malibu CA this year. It would be a
fitting adventure to ride this Eldorado back to it's original CHP stomping
ground.
Well, today 3/21/08 the Eldorado was sold to Jim Knighten.
I was Extremely reluctant to sell it because I know this was probably a Once in
a Lifetime find. But, I don't have much money, I don't have a big garage
or shop, I am a man of very modest means. So, I took LOTS of pictures and
will hang onto my fond memories of this GRAND Moto Guzzi. I'm sure it will
fair well in the hands of Jim Knighten.
1974 Eldorado 850 CHP
Police model Moto Guzzi |
