History of the Marque: Ambassador
Article on Ambassador History
See also DMW, who bought the factory in the early
1960s. Ambassadors were fitted with Villiers
engines.
Sun Jan 06 2008
michael.easton<at>atkinsglobal.com
Information
Ambassador Sidecar
Does anybody have any information on the 1955 Ambassador Sidecar model
or the Surrey Rambler sidecar that these bikes were fitted with?
I own about eight Ambassadors, mainly Supremes and Embassys dating
from the early 1950's and have just acquired the Sidecar model, but without
the chair.
I have quite a bit of information relating to Ambassador motorcycles
and can help with general queries if I'm able. It is ususally possible
to date and identify the various models from the bike's frame number.
Please be aware that spare parts, particularly cycle parts are now very
hard to find. Villiers engine parts on the other hand, are more plentiful.
There is no specific owners club for Ambassadors, although the bikes
are catered for by the British Two Stroke Club. The man who probably knows
more about Ambassador motorcycles than anyone else, with nearly fifty years
experience of the marque is Fred Hibbert, 75 Victoria Park Road, Buxton,
Derbyshire, England, SK17 7PF. Fred is not contactable by email.
Please email me if youcan help with the Sidecar. I would be particularly
interested to know if any others exist, especially in Australia/NZ.
Finally, just to point out that I do not have any bikes or spares for
sale.
Michael Easton
Michael was kind enough to send us an historical
article on the history of Ambassador motorcycles: Ambassador
History
Wed Oct 31 2007
leslie.walker<at>tiscali.co.uk
Finding year of manufactur from chassis No
Ambassador chassis No S961103
Could you please supply me with the year and model from the chassis
No S961103. This is for the DVLA.The motorcycle was built with the Petter
diesel engine by E.Dorsett in 1982 the DVLA are using this as year of manufacture.I
know the Ambassador was built from 1946 -64.If possible could you please
confirm this in writing for me to send to the DVLA as proof of manufacture.
Leslie Walker
Sheffield
Sun Sep 23 2007
kinamann1<at>hotmail.com
Ambassador Motorcycles
Three Star Special
As the index tells,the last ones were equipped with fibreglass bodies.
I encl.a picture of my -64 with squaretubed frame,must be one of the last
ones? Norway
Sat Jun 23 2007
mcook<at>fsmail.net
clubs
dmw/ambassador
could you please let know if there are any clubs in the uk for these
motorcycles
uk in general
Numerous
classic clubs listed here:
http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/Classic_Motorcycles/Classic_Clubs/
Tue Jun 19 2007
sbu5970500<at>aol.com
Ambassador worth ??
1950 Ambassador
I may take on an Ambassador restoration,the bike is in baskets, don't
know if it's complete,what should I expect to pay?
Thanks,Gregg
Orlando Florida
Try this page for help with motorcycle
valuations. Ed.
Mon Jun 18 2007
billio<at>talktalk.net
Ambassador Popular Battery?
1954 Ambassador Popular
Can any body tell me what dry cell battery was fitted to my Popular,
please?
I have recently acquired the bike and it came without a battery.
Does anyone have a picture of a battery carrier?
Many thanks,
Bill.
Kent
There may be some information on our page about
Classic
Motorcycle Electrics.
Sun Jun 10 2007
gha43422<at>bingpond.net.au
Ambassador
Hi, I'm trying to find out what model Ambassador I have, and any information
as to what the original model would have had on it????? The front forks
are unsusual as the telescopic tube extend through the yoke and attach
to a cantalever at the top.
Australia
Can you supply the frame number, this may help
identify the machine.
.......
Sat Jun 23 2007
ken.elliott3<at>btopenworld.com
Sunday June 10th
Ambassador
Our Australian friend who posted a query on the above
date has a 1950 series 5, the only model fitted with those curious forks,
see my own posting. Ken Elliott
uk
.......
Mon Jul 02 2007
gha43422<at>bingpond.net.au
Ambassador
1950's Serise 5
I have found a number on the frame which seams to be the only one that
looks like it is the frame # but the first number is unreadable but may
be able to match wat I have...
Frame # ?1092306.
Have attach photo of same.
Garry Harding
Adelaide, Australia.
Any clue's as to what the linkage on the left hand foot peg would have
connected to
Photo of the linkage may give some idea
Adelaide, Australia
.........
Hi, you may have seen from the site that you
have a 1950 Series 5 Ambassador. It was the only year these curious forks
were fitted. Before they had Webbs pressed steel girders, after MP teles.
The series 5 was the first one with a lead acid battery, this was charged
through the standard lighting coils via a rectifier. On mine this was shot,
so I fitted a Jap one from a small 2-stroke. The engine was a Villiers
6E, three speed box. Wheels were 300+19 inch. Do you have all the bits
for it? Are Villiers parts available in Australia? The Series 5 is very
rare here in UK, I only know of one other here. If you need any more info,
please ask. Regards, Ken
Sat May 05 2007
ken.elliott3<at>btopenworld.com
ambassador
1950 series 5
hi i have an ambassador 1950 series 5 for sale if anyone is interested
Hello, attached is a picture of my series 5. I bought it in the early
1980s. It was attached to a home made sidecar, a wooden box body looked
to have been used by a builder or decorator. The sidecar chassis had been
narrowed and shortened to fit the bike, quite a neat job had been done
on it. As you can see, the flywheel mag was missing, but engine was very
good inside. Only had to change the mag side bearing and seal. As you can
see, the series 5 was fitted with tool box, battery box and battery lights.
The rectifier was shot, so changed it for a later Japenese job, also ran
the bike on coil ignition, much more reliable. Took it to a rally in Belgium,
and one in France, this one in a Transit van! Too far to ride, even for
me. The carb had an air slide controlled by a wire to the handlebars, for
cold start, no choke on the air filter. The exhaust was straight thro'
with a butterfly flap controlled by another handlebar lever, to mute it
a bit in built up areas, sounded great when fully open! I think this was
an after sales mod. I replaced it with a pattern Burgess silencer. Ken
Fri Apr 27 2007
acromarty28<at>yahoo.com.au
Ambassador Badges
1949 Series 3 Ambassador
Just wondering if anyone out there has a photo of a tank badge of an
Ambassador only ever seen one, if anyone has any for sale am willing to
buy them. Thanks for any help, Andrew.
Australia
Try this page: http://www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/Parts/Badges_Decals/
Hello, I had a look at Acromartys query. His bike would have looked like
the attached picture. (1954 Popular, following on the basic models, Series
1,2,3,4, but with 8E engine, not 6E), Only difference would be the forks,
his would have the pressed steel Webbs girders.
Ken Elliot.
Fri Mar 02 2007
sadlersstudio
aol
Ambassador Motorcycles
Model 197 ?
I have been offered an Ambassador M/C with girder forks. Did they make
one with girder forks?
Hello, just in case no one has answered your
query, the first Ambassador m/c came in 1947. They were fitted with Webbs
pressed steel girder forks and a Villiers 5E engine. In 1949 same frame,
6E engine. This basic model ran until 1951. In 1950 came two new
models, one had Kaye Dons' own design of telescopic front fork. In 1954
basic model fitted with 8E, still with girder forks. In 1955, all models
fitted with MP teles. Hope this is of help. Any more info, just ask. Ken
ken.elliott3<at>btopenworld.com
Thu Jan 25 2007
luiscastro_ajustadorhotmail
motocicleta Ambassador
Hola a todos en el foro, soy luis castro de Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
y he comprado recientemente una motocicleta Ambassador con motor Villiers
197cc. la cual quiero restaurar, pero desconosco el modelo y año
de la moto, el motor tiene la serie: 544B 540 y no encontre el numero del
cuadro(desconosco donde va) en mucho agradecere cualquier informacion del
modelo o fotos de su estado original, Gracias y saludos
Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
Robotrans: ....have bought a Ambassador motorcycle
recently with Villiers motor 197cc. which I want to recover, but desconosco
the model and año of moto, the motor has the series: 544B
540 and encontre I do not number of cuadro(desconosco where it goes) in
much agradecere any information of the model or photos of its original
state...
hi, just saw your query on ambassador web site. i have a book on villiers
engines, it says your engine number would have been in a Cotton Motorcycle,
type Vulcan, frame number 58225. hope this is a help.
ken.elliott3<at>btopenworld.com
Had another mail from Luis castro, in Spanish, so couldn't understand
it! He sent a picture
of his bike, definitely an Ambassador, with the diamond shaped tank
badge, teles and swing arm, so looks like the book picture of a Statesman
or Popular, about 1958-9. So the book was wrong about his engine number!.
Ken
Perhaps not - the engine may have been changed.
Ed.
Mon Dec 18 2006
quigsteveeircom.net
ambassador restoration
1954 197cc
attached pic of my late father's Ambassador
Ireland
Mon Dec 04 2006
lamb.adriangmail
Ambassador Information
Ambassador 1949 Villiers 197cc
I have owned this bike for 10 years now. Until recently it lived under
cloth in storage but I
now have it out fully working and in near mint-condition.
I would be happy to provide any information you require about the bike,
including photos (closeups) etc.
New Zealand
Sun Nov 26 2006
acromartyyahoo.com.au
[bounced]
G'Day
recently purchased a 1949 Ambassador 197cc and would appreciate any
information that anyone could provide me with as i wish to restore it to
its former glory.Would love to get hold of any photos of a bike that has
been restored to factory specs, also any history of the bikes and
company as this is my first restoration and first ambassador thanks to
anyone that can help.
Australia
Wed Nov 15 2006
dean<>bit.net.au
Ambassador model
Hi all,
I just bought this bike to restore, and i believe it's am Ambassador,
but I'm not sure of the model or year. Any help would be appreciated, particularly
a copy of a workshop manual.
Thanks In advance.
Dean.
Tue Oct 24 2006
lam8rettahotmail
ambassador motorcycles
statesman 175 2L 1958
hi i own an 1958 model statesman (quite rare i beleive) anyone else
out there have the same model.
just email me
thanx mick.
uk
Fri Sep 01 2006
don.yoga[at]blueyonder.co.uk
ambassador mk3
hi can you please help ive tryed taping in the villers eng no but dont
get any where the no is ser 4163 any help gratefully recieved
gillingham kent
.........
dont have a picture at the moment but it is a Ambassador MK3 quite
rare the only info i have is from the old style log book eng no SER 4163,
eng size is 197 cc
yours don
Had a look at don yoga query, his engine no. doesn't match
any in the Bacon book. 1948 Mk 3 started Engine No. 809-154, Frame 3058595.
1949 Mk3, eng.809-1450, fra. 3291375. 1950 Mk3 eng. 944-15484, fra. 44503266.
1951 Mk3 eng. 949-27261, fra. 311504711. Could well be fitted with replacement
engine. Ken Elliot.
Sun Jul 02 2006
vcoleexeculink
engine #
hi, i have a villiers motor with the number 94922874 stamped
on yhr mount and b70d5 stamped on thr cyl also
fk2 stampewd on other side of cyl . any help on id would be greatlt
recivied. thanx . i was told it was a francis barnett , but i'm not
sure that is correct.
canada
This page on Villiers
Engine Numbers is the only source I have for such information, but
I don't think the numbers you have supplied will appear here. Ed.
thanx with your info , i found out it's a 1949 ambassador.
the motor is all there , great condition . , has comp.
and looks like it will run . frame is great shape , well painted
, no rust . but missing fenders , lights , front brake cable
.. . any idea what these things are worth ? thanx again for
your time . you helped a great deal.
pep.
Try this page for help with motorcycle
valuations. Ed.
Mon May 15 2006
jmcuradomail.pt
ambassador 197cc
hello.i'm joao curado from portugal and i have an 197cc ambassador
to rebuilt.my email: jmcuradomail.pt
i dont know anithing about my bike.any help nedd.thanks
Fri Mar 10 2006
gerry.greensmithvirgin.net
ambassodor
front end psrts
ealing
Fri Feb 03 2006
herohondaautocarevasco
Knowing villiers
I have a bike looks like the Ambassador its got a villiers engine with
no AAA26878A I need more info on this pls could u help
Goa India
Tue Jan 24 2006
sonneveonline.no
Ambassador Motorcycles
Is there somewhere in Europe an owners club?
I would recommend the British
Twostroke Club. Ed.
Sun Dec 25 2005
t.cresswellvirgin.net
AMBASSADOR 197CC 2 STROKE
I HAVE AN AMBASSADOR 197CC 2 STROKE INSTRUCTION BOOK PRINTED MARCH
1952 FOR SALE.PRICE BY NEGOTIATION.(UK BASED)
Sat Nov 05 2005
mean69msyahoo
Identification of Ambassadore?
I have a motorcycle which I believe may be an 1949 Ambassadore. It
has a Villiers 197cc engine. E/No 809-572 Frame
No UD/530. Can you identify it by these no's? Any help would be appreciated.
Alan
Hi, saw your query on Ambassador website. Your engine number is from
1948 Series 3, the frame number should be a row of seven numbers. The first
in the series was 3058595, so yours should look like that, cannot place
the frame number you give with any British built bike. Do you have a picture?
Regards, Ken from england .
........
Thank's for you email regarding my query on my Ambassador. The bike
I have is in rough condition. I have had several email's, some saying it
is a Series 3, dates ranging from 1948 up to 1952, but most saying it is
an Excelsior. Frame no is still unknown. I have attached a couple of picture's
for you. Alan from Australia." PS. I was in England last year, loved it
and your bike museum.
.........
Hello Alan, thanks for your reply, I have a book on British post war
bikes, which covers all those using Villiers engines. It is by a chap named
Roy Bacon, generally accepted to know what he was talking about! Your engine
is definitely one used by Ambassador, as I said. from 1948 series 3, but
it is very difficult to tell much from the pictures without a frame number,
as the different makes all looked much the same! Most Marques only built
the frame, buying in all the other bits and pieces. Your teles are from
a later bike, as Webbs girders were used on Ambassador basic Series bikes
up to 1954, when they were fitted with MP teles, like yours. In 1955 they
were fitted with Plunger rear suspension. So I can only guess you have
a bit of a Hybrid, tho' none the worse for that, as they are great fun
to ride. I enclose a picture of a 1954 Popular, which followed on in the
basic Series type.
December 25, 2002
Hi,
I have an Ambassador Motor cycle Series III. The engine is a Villiers
197cc. I need a lot of parts to restore it. Anybody who can send me pictures
please? It would be much appreciated. -- Charles from Gozo.
-- chagalea at maltanet.net
P.S. I attach an old photo of my bike.
November 10, 2002
Hi; my name is Roberto and I live in Hollywood California, and I have
a Villiers ambassador 1950...
see Villiers
Forum
September 26, 2002
When I was in high school I owned a maroon colored 1957 Ambassador...
see Villiers
Forum
Hi,
Can you help please I am looking for information on a bike for a friend.
It is a 1952 or 53 Ambassador with a 197cc Villiers motor. ...
see Villiers
Forum
January 21, 2002
I appear to be in the same boat you are. I have been given (I do not
have it yet) an Ambassador MC with a Villiers 2T twin. I was looking
for a club in England that might point me in the correct direction to get
a parts book and owner's manual. There is a good section in Roy Bacon's
book on Villiers 2 stroke engined bikes. If you find anything, please
let me know
Thanks
Mike Sullivan -- Mike.Sullivan at rfmacdonald
California
June 26, 2001
... a 1964/65 vintage Ambassador motorcycle and is after...
See British
Motorcycle Forums
February 19, 2001
Denmark 19.02.01
I would like to get in contact with other Ambassador owners from all
over the world. My 197ccm Ambassador from 1948 is not running and not complete,
so I need all the information on spare parts that I can get (what do they
look like and where can I find them). I have been able to find some
information on the Ambassador motorcycle, and would naturally be glad to
help other Ambassador owners. The free information that I could give
is e.g. a copy of my instruction manual and spare part list, or photos
of different parts. Please mail back, if you are interested. Jesper
Rotboell from Denmark -- jr at oersted.dtu.dk
If you have a query about Ambassador motorcycles, or wish to share your
knowledge of these classic English machines, please contact
us!
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