In 1996, Moto Guzzi introduced a special, single-year edition of the California to celebrate Moto Guzzi’s 75th anniversary in business which began in 1921. Guzzi is the oldest European motorcycle manufacturer in business today.
Production of the 75th anniversary edition California was limited to just 750 units. Let’s take a look back to re-examine this special Cali.
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For those looking for a pre-owned Moto Guzzi California, something to be aware of is a recall that involved several 2003 to 2005 models.
Those California 1100 engines were designed with hydraulic tappets. Because of some manufacturing problems, a recall campaign was issued by Moto Guzzi for refitting these engines with new components.
If the present owner is not sure, you should check the VIN number with a dealer to find out if the recall service was performed on the bike.
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One interesting thing about being a Moto Guzzi California motorcycle owner is the reaction you get when you tell people what kind of motorcycle you ride. Of course, there are people that still have never heard of Moto Guzzi, especially in the US, but I’m talking about the ones that have. The reaction is usually interesting and the stories are usually similar. It’s often about the high number of miles a Guzzi has on it.
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I believe that every now and then, just to keep things in perspective, it’s important to look back to the way things used to be. A motorcycle dealer friend once told me that “it is hard to buy a bad motorcycle because they’re all pretty good now”. When I heard that, I paused for a few minutes to try to understand what he meant by that. Having never owned what would be considered now as a vintage motorcycle, I didn’t really get what he was saying.
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As a husband and father, it’s rare for me to be able to ride my Moto Guzzi California for long rides. Any of you that have a young family know what I am talking about.
Let’s face it, I’m lucky to be able to have a motorcycle, and I’m not complaining. When I do go for a pleasure ride, short as it may be, I ride my Moto Guzzi on my favorite back roads of northern Union county North Carolina to make the most out of it.
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If you read Moto Guzzi California maintenance part 1, you learned how to change the oil and oil filter on a late model Guzzi California. Here in part 2, we discuss how to inspect and change the air filter.
This is best performed when your gas tank is empty, so take a nice ride to use up your tank the day before you do this.
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Riders that never owned a Moto Guzzi often ask what’s it like to do routine service on a Moto Guzzi. The usual questions are: How do you change the oil? Where is the oil filter? How easy is it to get to the air filter?
Here in part one of a special series on Moto Guzzi California maintenance, we explain how to change the engine oil and oil filter on a late model Moto Guzzi California that has a V11 (1064cc) engine.
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The Moto Guzzi California Black Eagle edition has been announced for the 2010 model year. This new Cali has a matte black paint scheme, named Aquila Nera, and shares some formerly unique features of the California Vintage.
The often debated retro style tail light from the Vintage now also comes on the Black Eagle edition. I do get a variety of comments about the tail light on my California Vintage. Some say it looks just like it came from an old motorcycle (as intended) and they like it, while others think it looks like it came from a hardware store to fit on a tractor or maybe a boat trailer. Personally, I believe it fits the retro style, but I do wish it had the chrome trim ring that the early Vintage model publicity photos showed.
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In December 2008, I wrote a review of my 2007 Moto Guzzi California Vintage based on the first 1000 miles that I owned it. I’m now at 3000 miles and figured it would be a good time for an update. Before I start, I want to mention that I believe there are no real differences between the model years of this motorcycle, at least through 2009, so this review should be pretty valid for all 4 model years of the Cal Vin. I purchased my 2007 Cali new during the later part of 2008. I don’t ride on any high mileage trips, just because of family and work obligations, so it has actually taken me about a year to accumulate these 3000 miles. I do realize that some folks ride that many miles in just days or weeks.
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Mounting a top case, or trunk, to a Moto Guzzi California is an easy do-it-yourself project, especially if you already have a luggage rack like the California Vintage does. A good top case can not only enhance the look of your motorcycle, but can make it more enjoyable and practical.
I like that the Vintage comes with a luggage rack, but I have not yet seen a back rest that will fit with it unless you make one yourself.
To take care of two things at once, a relatively inexpensive solution is to add a top case that can also serve as a passenger back rest. You could also add a backrest pad onto the top case to make it a little nicer for your passenger if you want. In this article, I’ll show you how I mounted a Givi top case to my 2007 Moto Guzzi California Vintage.
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