Footboard shift levers and linkage

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

Updated: 2010 January 11

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Thanks to Joe Jump for encouraging me to go into more detail with the differences in the shift levers. Also thanks to Craig Sheldrick for sending me information about the dog leg differences via e-mail.

For the loop frames, Moto Guzzi used footboard shift levers which attached to the associated linkage via bent rod held in place with a cotter pin. Later models (V1000 I-Convert, V1000 G5, etc) had a solid 6 mm shaft welded to the shift pedal and the associated linkage was held in place with a circlip. Within the shift levers, it seems there were at least a couple of different varieties. Some were straight while others had dog leg bends in them.

Inside view of both shift lever styles. Top shift lever is a later Tonti framed model. Bottom shift lever is from a loop frame.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Inside close up of the loop frame shift lever.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Inside close up of the Tonti frame shift lever.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Outside view of both shift lever styles. Top shift lever is a later Tonti framed model. Bottom shift lever is from a loop frame.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Outside close up of the loop frame shift lever.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Outside close up of the Tonti frame shift lever.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Pegs on the levers are different, too. The loop frame pegs are longer than the later Tonti framed model pegs.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Another view of the pegs without rubbers.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Rubber on the loop frame pegs are hollow all the way through. Rubber on the later Tonti framed model pegs is closed on the end.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

Two different version of loop frame shift levers. Note the dog leg in the top shift lever as well as the standard bent rod.
Photo courtesy of Craig Sheldrick.