A pair of wild ex-police machines were listed for sale on eBay. They are from the same era but couldn’t be more different.
item 1 of 17
The 1974 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 850 recently offered for sale on eBay is black with white fenders and carries black saddle bags—colors used by the Los Angeles Police Department. At a glance, you might confuse this 1970s machine with the Kawasaki KZ900/KZ1000 bikes used in CHiPS - opens in new window or tab., the hit television show that ran from 1977 to 1983.
Alas, this handsome Italian was not used for filming, but the LAPD had room for some Moto Guzzis in its fleet.
The idea was to give Harley-Davidson - opens in new window or tab. competition for police contracts. Guzzi had strong selling points, like the maintenance-free shaft drive, more responsive handling, and a 200-pound weight advantage. Consider also that the Moto Guzzi Eldorado cost around $2,000 versus Harley’s $2,500 in 1974. That explains why the LAPD - opens in new window or tab. acquired several Moto Guzzis - opens in new window or tab. in the early 1970s.
Got Mirrored Sunglasses?
Ultimately, the European machine didn’t usurp the Harley-Davidsons, which makes a numbers-matching survivor like this one a unique discovery. This Moto Guzzi Eldorado displays just the right amount of patina and still has its factory police kit—featuring an imposing windscreen, floorboards, and auxiliary lighting. A desirable Gilardoni cylinder and piston upgrade are also fitted.
However, before you hop on and do your best Poncherello/Baker impression, a weekend’s toil is needed to get the Guzzi thumping on its two cylinders again. The seller apparently carried out good work, and the bike has been sitting for less than a year. But it still needs some attention to the carburetors and wiring. With that done, you’re just a pair of mirrored sunglasses - opens in new window or tab. away from hitting the street.
Longest-Running H-D Model
From the Great Depression to the 1990s, the Harley-Davidson Servi-Car - opens in new window or tab. served America’s breakdown recovery industry and small auto service shops. That explains the name. Regardless, it’s H-D’s longest-running production model.
Various police forces also used the Servi-Car for traffic and parking enforcement. Parking patrol found it easy to ride slowly around dense cities, issuing tickets to cars who parked illegally or didn’t feed the meter.
However, this customized version which was listed on eBay is unlike the machine that once performed civil duties. As a 1973 model, it would have been fitted with contemporary telescopic front forks and a disc brake. To provide pizzaz, a set of early Springer-style forks - opens in new window or tab. replaces the originals. Drum brakes and cross-ply tires complete the vintage look.
A large box would have spanned the rear axle, leaving just enough room for skinny tires on either side. But on this bike, the practicality of stowage capacity is sacrificed in the name of cool vibes. The original spoked rims made way for a pair of enormous Pirelli P7 tires - opens in new window or tab. wrapped around equally enormous Torq-Thrust-style rims - opens in new window or tab..
The bike’s cool factor doesn’t come at the price of reliability. The carburetor was upgraded, and the motor and transmission were rebuilt. The brakes are fresh. On top of all that, the frame and engine numbers match, which is always a bonus.
So which one would you go for? The patinaed survivor or the custom version of a perennial classic?
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.