Saddlebags - LAPD

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

Created: 2008 December 08

Updated: 2015 September 25

Information

The smallish rectangular metal saddlebags that are commonly seen on police or policed V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado models were never made (nor offered as an accessory) by Moto Guzzi. Instead, they were manufactured at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department by a metal fabrication shop local to the Los Angeles area (specifically who, I don't know). They are neat little bags and are a very popular addition to a police motorcycle. Here are a few photos of them so you know what to look for.

Left saddlebag. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Forward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Back. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Rearward facing side. A Dietz light would have been mounted on the tab. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Bottom. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Inside lid. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Reinforcement bar for latches. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Latch hook mounted on lid. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Tab on forward facing side. Has square hole for a carriage bolt. Perhaps a mount for an antennae? LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Left saddlebag: Close up of latch with CORBIN logo. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Direct link to image

Left saddlebag: Close up of latch with CORBIN logo. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Direct link to image

Left saddlebag: Close up of latch with CORBIN logo. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Direct link to image

Left saddlebag: View with open lid. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Forward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Back. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Rearward facing side. A Dietz light would have been mounted on the tab. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Top. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Bottom. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up of rearward facing tab. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up of forward facing tab. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up of forward facing tab. Has square hole for a carriage bolt. Perhaps a mount for an antennae? LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: View with open lid. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: View of interior compartments. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up view of long divider spot welded to main box at the forward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up view of short divider on the forward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up view of short divider on the rearward facing side, spot welded to long divider. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up view of long divider spot welded to main box at the rearward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up view of the long compartment on the forward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close-up view of the long compartment on the rearward facing side. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Right saddlebag: Close up of latch with CORBIN logo. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Direct link to image

Right saddlebag: Close up of latch with CORBIN logo. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Direct link to image

Right saddlebag: Close up of latch with CORBIN logo. LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Direct link to image

Saddlebag dimensions

The dimensions of the LAPD saddlebags as used on Police versions of the Moto Guzzi V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado are:

Length: 15 inch
Height: 9 inch
Width: 6.5 inch

Saddlebag latches

To the best of my knowledge, the original latches used were of a CORBIN brand (not the motorcycle seat manufacturer). I believe that McMaster-Carr part number 1590A14 may be a suitable substitute.