Cruise control

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

Created: 2005 June 20

Updated: 2006

I've wanted some type of cruise control or throttle lock for some time, but I wasn't sure what to use that would work. I tried using the Throttle Rocker (see review on this page), but it turned out to be worthless. My Dad uses a twist-assist (the kind that stick into the end of the handlebar), but that wouldn't work with my bar-end mirrors. I finally decided to go with the Sound Off Safety (SOS) Vanda-Cruise and ordered one from a generic motorcycle parts house online.

SOS stopped making the Vanda-Cruise years ago. The replacement is called the Vista-Cruise and is made of plastic instead of chromed metal. You'll probably have a hard time finding a Vanda-Cruise (the parts house I purchase mine from sold me their last...and the package had plenty of shelf wear).

The Vanda-Cruise came in three models: B (3 ¹⁄₂ inch arm), HKY (2 ³⁄₄ inch arm), and ST (2 ¹⁄₂ inch arm). The model I got was the ST and was supposed to be for Suzuki, Triumph, and pre-79 Moto Guzzi motorcycles.

Unfortunately, my 1971 Moto Guzzi Ambassador did not fall within the pre-79 Moto Guzzi category as defined by SOS. What I really needed was the model B with the 3 ¹⁄₂ inch arm (neither the 2 ³⁄₄ inch nor the 2 ¹⁄₂ inch arms are long enough to clear the throttle and clutch lever). But, since it was unlikely that I would be able to find a B model, I decided to make my ST model work. Here is what I did:

• Replaced the ⁸⁄₃₂ inch bolt that connects the 2 ¹⁄₂ inch arm to the throttle collar with a longer bolt. I used a few nuts and washers to align and stiffen things properly.
• Replaced the three ⁸⁄₃₂ inch set screws that connect the throttle collar to the throttle with longer set screws.

That's it! All it took was a quick trip to the hardware store and about 30 minutes of install time.