Footboard comparison - early vs. late Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Created: 2008 November 19

Updated: 2014 September 12

My Dad brought these footboards to me, both sets.

Early prototype set on the left, Later mass-produced set on the right. — Early prototype set on the left, Later mass-produced set on the right.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Here is what I *think* I know about them:

The set on the right is an original Moto Guzzi footboard set as was commonly mass-produced and fit to the Eldorado police versions. It is complete except:
- It is missing a couple clevis pins (easily sourced)
- It is missing one of the longer engine/transmission mounting bolts (it only has one - easy to replace with an appropriate length of rod properly threaded on both ends.)
- It has a later model brake lever that has the added heel rest nub. A great improvement, but not original.
The set on the left is an original Moto Guzzi footboard set as was fitted to the very early V700 and Ambassador police versions. It was a prototype made in California and then shipped to the factory in Italy for mass-production. It is complete except:
- It is missing a couple clevis pins (easily sourced)
- It is missing one of the two footboards
- It is missing the pivoting mechanism for the shifter (I'll bet it was as simple as adapting the original shift shaft)
- The brake pedal is obviously missing the heel rest nub and has been generally *altered*.
- It is missing both of the longer engine/transmission mounting bolts/threaded rods
- It is missing the fasteners that secure the footboards to the rails

In looking at the Police Supplement to the 850 Spare Parts Catalog (no date on the one I have), I discovered that the Eldorado spare parts catalog shows the shape of the footboard and rails to be very similar to the earlier version shown here. It has holes in the footboard and shows fasteners for securing the mat to the footboard. It also clearly shows the cut-out in the left side frame rail. — In looking at the Police Supplement to the 850 Spare Parts Catalog (no date on the one I have), I discovered that the Eldorado spare parts catalog shows the shape of the footboard and rails to be very similar to the earlier version shown here. It has holes in the footboard and shows fasteners for securing the mat to the footboard. It also clearly shows the cut-out in the left side frame rail.
Photo courtesy of Moto Guzzi.
In looking at the Police Supplement to the 850 Spare Parts Catalog (no date on the one I have), I discovered that the Eldorado spare parts catalog shows the shape of the footboard and rails to be very similar to the earlier version shown here. It has holes in the footboard and shows fasteners for securing the mat to the footboard. It also clearly shows the cut-out in the left side frame rail.
Photo courtesy of Moto Guzzi.
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In looking at the Police Supplement to the 750 Spare Parts Catalog (dated October 1970), I discovered that the Eldorado spare parts catalog shows the shape of the footboard to be very similar to the earlier version shown here. But, the rails are clearly the shape of the later footboards (thanks to Charley Cole for identifying this difference). — In looking at the Police Supplement to the 750 Spare Parts Catalog (dated October 1970), I discovered that the Eldorado spare parts catalog shows the shape of the footboard to be very similar to the earlier version shown here. But, the rails are clearly the shape of the later footboards (thanks to Charley Cole for identifying this difference).
Photo courtesy of Moto Guzzi.
In looking at the Police Supplement to the 750 Spare Parts Catalog (dated October 1970), I discovered that the Eldorado spare parts catalog shows the shape of the footboard to be very similar to the earlier version shown here. But, the rails are clearly the shape of the later footboards (thanks to Charley Cole for identifying this difference).
Photo courtesy of Moto Guzzi.
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A closer look at the later, Eldorado set. — A closer look at the later, Eldorado set.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A closer look at the later, Eldorado set.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A closer look at the earlier, V700/Ambassador set. — A closer look at the earlier, V700/Ambassador set.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A closer look at the earlier, V700/Ambassador set.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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Yet another closer look at the earlier, V700/Ambassador set. — Yet another closer look at the earlier, V700/Ambassador set.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Yet another closer look at the earlier, V700/Ambassador set.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A side-by-side comparison of the brake side. The earlier set is nearer the camera. Notice the overall shape of the rail is a bit different. Note also the brake pedals are different. I think the original pedal on the earlier set was cut off and this replacement welded in place. The heal rest on the earlier set was also cut off and the pivot welded on lower. In other words, the early brake pedal has been butchered pretty severely...for reasons unknown. While I don't think the early and later brake pedals were 100% identical, this early version is in poor shape. — A side-by-side comparison of the brake side. The earlier set is nearer the camera. Notice the overall shape of the rail is a bit different. Note also the brake pedals are different. I think the original pedal on the earlier set was cut off and this replacement welded in place. The heal rest on the earlier set was also cut off and the pivot welded on lower. In other words, the early brake pedal has been butchered pretty severely...for reasons unknown. While I don't think the early and later brake pedals were 100% identical, this early version is in poor shape.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A side-by-side comparison of the brake side. The earlier set is nearer the camera. Notice the overall shape of the rail is a bit different. Note also the brake pedals are different. I think the original pedal on the earlier set was cut off and this replacement welded in place. The heal rest on the earlier set was also cut off and the pivot welded on lower. In other words, the early brake pedal has been butchered pretty severely...for reasons unknown. While I don't think the early and later brake pedals were 100% identical, this early version is in poor shape.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A side-by-side comparison of the rear end of the brake side. The earlier set is on the left. The earlier set has a nicer finish to it than the later set, what with the angled cut, etc. — A side-by-side comparison of the rear end of the brake side. The earlier set is on the left. The earlier set has a nicer finish to it than the later set, what with the angled cut, etc.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A side-by-side comparison of the rear end of the brake side. The earlier set is on the left. The earlier set has a nicer finish to it than the later set, what with the angled cut, etc.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A side-by-side comparison of the shift side. The earlier set is nearer the camera. Notice the overall shape of the rail is a bit different. The shift pedals appear slightly different, but I think this is due to someone heating up the early version and bending it somewhat (as the chrome is discolored). The shift pivoting mechanisms are also different. The earlier side also has a nice cut away in the rail. — A side-by-side comparison of the shift side. The earlier set is nearer the camera. Notice the overall shape of the rail is a bit different. The shift pedals appear slightly different, but I think this is due to someone heating up the early version and bending it somewhat (as the chrome is discolored). The shift pivoting mechanisms are also different. The earlier side also has a nice cut away in the rail.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A side-by-side comparison of the shift side. The earlier set is nearer the camera. Notice the overall shape of the rail is a bit different. The shift pedals appear slightly different, but I think this is due to someone heating up the early version and bending it somewhat (as the chrome is discolored). The shift pivoting mechanisms are also different. The earlier side also has a nice cut away in the rail.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A better look at the shift levers. — A better look at the shift levers.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A better look at the shift levers.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A better view of the cut-away in the earlier version. — A better view of the cut-away in the earlier version.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A better view of the cut-away in the earlier version.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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This is what I think the cut-away is for. — This is what I think the cut-away is for.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
This is what I think the cut-away is for.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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Not much difference in the brake rods... — Not much difference in the brake rods...
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Not much difference in the brake rods...
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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...though the later brake rod has a dog-leg in the bracket and the earlier brake rod does not. Notice some empty-headed numb-skull took a bloody hammer and mushroomed the end of the splines on the earlier version (bending the arm in the process). I'll have to chamfer that end and straighten the arm to make things work properly. Not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. But still! — ...though the later brake rod has a dog-leg in the bracket and the earlier brake rod does not. Notice some empty-headed numb-skull took a bloody hammer and mushroomed the end of the splines on the earlier version (bending the arm in the process). I'll have to chamfer that end and straighten the arm to make things work properly. Not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. But still!
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
...though the later brake rod has a dog-leg in the bracket and the earlier brake rod does not. Notice some empty-headed numb-skull took a bloody hammer and mushroomed the end of the splines on the earlier version (bending the arm in the process). I'll have to chamfer that end and straighten the arm to make things work properly. Not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination. But still!
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A look at the earlier footboard. — A look at the earlier footboard.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A look at the earlier footboard.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A close-up of the mounting point for the earlier footboard. — A close-up of the mounting point for the earlier footboard.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A close-up of the mounting point for the earlier footboard.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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Kind of hard to see in this photo, but this is very nicely curved piece on the earlier footboard that prevents the footboard from pivoting down too far. — Kind of hard to see in this photo, but this is very nicely curved piece on the earlier footboard that prevents the footboard from pivoting down too far.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Kind of hard to see in this photo, but this is very nicely curved piece on the earlier footboard that prevents the footboard from pivoting down too far.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A view of the other curved piece. — A view of the other curved piece.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A view of the other curved piece.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A later footboard held up to the earlier rail. Notice that mounts are not even close to being in the same position. — A later footboard held up to the earlier rail. Notice that mounts are not even close to being in the same position.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A later footboard held up to the earlier rail. Notice that mounts are not even close to being in the same position.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A view of the underside of the later footboards. Note the simple bars that prevent the boards from pivoting down too far. — A view of the underside of the later footboards. Note the simple bars that prevent the boards from pivoting down too far.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A view of the underside of the later footboards. Note the simple bars that prevent the boards from pivoting down too far.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A side-by-side comparison of the two boards. The later set is nearer the camera. In addition to the shape difference, notice the holes in the earlier version. I believe the rubber mat was held in place with screws as opposed to adhesive. — A side-by-side comparison of the two boards. The later set is nearer the camera. In addition to the shape difference, notice the holes in the earlier version. I believe the rubber mat was held in place with screws as opposed to adhesive.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A side-by-side comparison of the two boards. The later set is nearer the camera. In addition to the shape difference, notice the holes in the earlier version. I believe the rubber mat was held in place with screws as opposed to adhesive.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A view of the underside of each footboard. The later set is nearer the camera. — A view of the underside of each footboard. The later set is nearer the camera.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A view of the underside of each footboard. The later set is nearer the camera.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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Another view of the underside of each footboard. The later set is nearer the camera. You can see the nice curved pivot stop pretty well on the earlier footboard. — Another view of the underside of each footboard. The later set is nearer the camera. You can see the nice curved pivot stop pretty well on the earlier footboard.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Another view of the underside of each footboard. The later set is nearer the camera. You can see the nice curved pivot stop pretty well on the earlier footboard.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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A final view of both footboards. The later set is nearer the camera. — A final view of both footboards. The later set is nearer the camera.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
A final view of both footboards. The later set is nearer the camera.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
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Right side footboard; early prototype version. — Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
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Right side footboard; early prototype version. — Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
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Right side footboard; early prototype version. — Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
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Right side footboard; early prototype version. — Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
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Right side footboard; early prototype version. — Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
Right side footboard; early prototype version.
Photo courtesy of eBay.
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Early prototype footboards. — Early prototype footboards.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Early prototype footboards.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
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Early prototype footboards. — Early prototype footboards.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Early prototype footboards.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
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Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number. — Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
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Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number. — Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Direct link to image

Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number. — Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Some early prototype footboards were stamped with an identification number.
Photo courtesy of Moe Moore, Cycle Garden.
Direct link to image