Gregory Bender

Starter modification for more power (Bosch)

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

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Thanks to Gerhard Ziesemann for sending me this information via email. In Gerhard's own words:

This is a description of how to build a stronger starter fitting 4-speed transmissions. As You may know I use a 950 cc SP engine on my V7 sidecar combo (VS- type frame) with a 4-speed gearbox. My idea was to use the original SP starter without changing the clutch lever mechanism, combining the cast iron housing of the old V7 starter with the electrical components of the newer starter motor.

In fact, it was much easier to do than I had expected. These are the starters involved in this experiment:

Moto Guzzi model to which the starter was originally fit Bosch part number Nominal power output
V7 700 0 001 157 006 0.5 hp ~ 0.36 kW
1000 SP 0 001 157 016 0.95 hp ~ 0.7 kW

I disassembled both starters as descibed in Starter and solenoid repair (esp. step 1) and carefully inspected them, checked measures and decided to transplant the following components fom the old to the later model, as seen on the right of this picture:

Thanks to the principle of modular design!!! I like it much better than the principle of low-cost production.
Thanks to the principle of modular design!!! I like it much better than the principle of low-cost production.

Photo courtesy of Gerhard Ziesemann.

Assembly was easy following the steps, and afterwards I fixed it in a bench vice for a test run, connected it to a battery and + to terminal 50 and the starter worked perfectly.

This shows the starter completed
This shows the starter completed

Photo courtesy of Gerhard Ziesemann.

Here You see it attached to the bike
Here You see it attached to the bike

Photo courtesy of Gerhard Ziesemann.

The starter moves the engine quickly, even at -5°C, and the rider is quite happy with that. The winter season in Europe may start.