Gregory Bender

Handlebar alternative - European Norton Commando Low Bars

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

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Thanks to Al Zinn for sending me this information about fitting European Norton Commando Low Bars. In Al's own words:

Here is a description of the mods made to my 1973 Eldorado.

  1. The bars are European Norton Commando low handlebars (06-4123) sourced from Steadfast Cycles. They give a comfortable, slightly forward stance and are also perfect when riding on the rear pegs at higher speeds.
  2. The switch is a Yamaha dirt bike NOS. It eliminates the unreliable CEV switchgear, combines headlight, horn and turn signals under one hand and still looks period. I had the switch sent directly to you for installation of one of your excellent sub-harnesses. Installaton was a snap.
  3. Because the shorter bars can allow the starter switch to hit and possibly damage the tank, we drilled the boss under the headstock and installed 6 mm bolts to act as stops. This works very well to protect the tank and allows for adjustment should different length bars be installed.

I am very pleased with the end result and recommend them to anyone who wants to give their loop frame Guzzi a more sporting stance and also obtain higher reliability than the standard switchgear.

European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.
European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.

Photo courtesy of Al Zinn.

European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.
European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.

Photo courtesy of Al Zinn.

European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.
European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.

Photo courtesy of Al Zinn.

European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.
European Norton Commando low handlebars fit to Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, 850 California Police models.

Photo courtesy of Al Zinn.