Alternator conversion

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

Created: 2004

Updated: 2024 July 11

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If you are just running stock electrics, you will find the 300 watt loop frame generator to be more than adequate. However, if you start adding lights, heated clothing, etc., you will find that the power supply is not limitless. Loop frame alternator conversions have been around for a long time in various formats. Here are a few examples.

Bob Nolan / Greg Field alternator conversion kit

Greg Field no longer sells this alternator conversion kit.

Buy a wiring harness to specifically fit this alternator

Greg Field and Bob Nolan put a loop frame alternator conversion kit together and have made it available. I have purchased and installed the kit. It is top notch in every respect and very well done. I am very pleased with how it fits and the power output is fantastic, even at idle. I have nothing but good things to say about this kit. Here are some words from Greg Field describing the conversion:

Bob Nolan and I are selling a complete kit to replace the 300w generator on your V700, Ambassador, V7 Special, or Eldorado with a 600w Nippon Denso alternator.

The kit includes a new ND 600-watt alternator, a mounting bracket that replaces the generator bracket, and all wiring necessary to make it integrate with the stock wiring. It all bolts right on and requires no changes of any kind to stock parts, not even the generator-belt cover or stock wiring connectors.

The alternator is brand new and covered by an ND warranty. It has an internal regulator. Two wires are necessary to run it: one to the battery and another that connects to switched power. A third wire is optional and goes to the charging light on your dash.

The bracket is welded of ¹⁄₄ inch steel. It mounts to the two stock mounting bolts to the engine block. We also added a strap that bolts to the front bolt of the distributor. It will be painted. Bob and I will warranty the bracket as follows: If it cracks or breaks within a year, we'll fix or replace it.

The wiring harness consists of two wires and an adaptor connector. One wire carries the generated electricity to the battery. Another short wire connects to switched power at the coil. The adaptor connector allows attachment of the stock wiring for the generator light on your dash.

The alternator conversion kit as created by Bob Nolan and Greg Field. Applicable to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police motorcycles.
Photo courtesy of Greg Field.

Installation notes

Installation is simple and straightforward. The included instructions are great. Do take the time to install studs to secure the bracket to the block (rather than Guzzi's original bolts).

On my maiden voyage I had trouble with the connector to the idiot light coming loose. The first time I thought perhaps I had failed to connect it. The second time I knew something was up and I gave the female spade connector a little squeeze with my pliers from the toolkit. It still wiggled loose. I solved the problem by replacing the adapter with a simple female spade connector - no more disconnects for 1,000 + miles.

Installation instructions for the Bob Nolan / Greg Field alternator conversion kit
Pages: 6

Alternator specifics:

Alternator: Nippondenso 100211-1680
Voltage regulator: Nippondenso 126000-0600
Voltage regulator: Toyota 27700-78301

Kevin Hahn's alternator conversion

Kevin Hahn no longer sells this alternator conversion kit.

Buy a wiring harness to specifically fit this alternator

Thanks to Kevin Hahn of Scrambler Cycle for posting this information on the old Yahoo! Loopframe_Guzzi news group (which has now moved to Groups.io).

Kevin Hahn's (of Scrambler Cycle) alternator conversion. Applicable to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police motorcycles.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Hahn.

Installation instructions for the Kevin Hahn alternator conversion kit
Pages: 6

Kurt Thomas' alternator conversion

Thanks to Kurt Thomas for sharing his conversion with me via e-mail. In Kurt's own words:

Tossing my hat in the ring on the generator to Denso alternator conversion, I have enclosed pictures of my conversion. I used a bandsaw and drum sander to make the adapter from ¹⁄₂ inch aluminum plate. I utilized the 2 top mounting bolts on the front cover. I used flat head cap screws to mount the bracket to reduce the shear loading, locate it more securely, and eliminate belt clearance issues. I made a couple round spacers to position the alternator fore/aft correctly. The triangle ears on the belt cover had to be removed, but other than that, it was bolt on. The nice part about this bracket is that it is inline with the belt tension and substantially reduces the bending moment compared with the stock generator bracket location.

Kurt Thomas' alternator conversion. Applicable to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police motorcycles.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Maynard's alternator conversion

I took these pictures of the alternator conversion Maynard (Neil Hemenway) did on his Eldorado at the Moto Guzzi National Owners Club (MGNOC) 2004 National Rally. I hope they prove useful to those interested in such a transformation.

Neil Hemenway's alternator conversion. Applicable to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police motorcycles.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Alternator replacement

David Washburn needed to replace his alternator (originally a Nippon Denso 100211-1680 from a Field/Nolan kit). He purchased DB Electrical item number 12189. It fit and works perfectly.

DB Electrical item number 12189 fit to a Field/Nolan bracket. Applicable to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police motorcycles.
Photo courtesy of David Washburn.

Alternator details

Buy an alternator wiring harness

Thanks to Paul Linn, Kevin Hahn of Scrambler Cycle, and Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for posting this information on the old Yahoo! Loopframe_Guzzi news group (which has now moved to Groups.io) and sending me some of this information in private e-mails.

If you want to build your own bracket and are wondering which alternator to use, the Nippon Denso 100211-1680 or Nippon Denso 100211-1670 or Nippon Denso 100211-4520 is a great choice. Here are some cross-references: