Moto Guzzi California Motorcycles
Moto Guzzi California Motorcycle Owners News, Reviews and More
Moto Guzzi California maintenance part 2
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.
The air filter location on a Moto Guzzi California is not very obvious as you look at the bike. You might expect it to be hiding behind the side covers near the throttle bodies. Another guess could be under the seat somewhere. Actually, to get to the California air filter, you have to remove the gas tank. Yes, the tank. Scared? Don’t be. It’s really not that bad, and by all means, don’t let this stop you from owning a California Guzzi! Now, let’s dig into how to service that air filter.
After every 3000 miles, according to various Moto Guzzi manuals, it is time to inspect the air filter, and to change it after every 6000 miles. These are just a guideline, and as with any vehicle, this depends on your riding conditions. One of my friends in New Hampshire told me that he has been on every virtually every road in New England on his motorcycle, so now he enjoys riding on the unpaved roads just to see where it takes him.
Sounds like fun riding, but I tend to baby my California Vintage and can’t imagine riding on dirt or gravel roads with it. Now if I also had a Stelvio (note I said also, because there is no replacing the Cali) I might be more inclined to get a little dirty. But then I’d have to service the air filter more often, so maybe not. Getting back on subject, let’s get on to how to access the California air filter. Make sure to read, understand and follow safety procedures outlined in Moto Guzzi user and workshop manuals before doing this!
First, remove the seat from the motorcycle. Loosen the screw labeled “A” in the upper photo to the right, along with the large washer labeled “B”.
Next, lift the rear of the gas tank carefully and slowly.
Unplug the breather tube labeled “C”. Place a rag or something to catch fuel under the quick disconnect fitting shown as “D”.
Disconnect the fuel line at the quick disconnect fitting “D” and carefully clean up any gas that may have dripped.
Next, unplug the cables that go to the fuel level sensor and fuel pump. These are shown at “E” in the right photo. Finally, disconnect the tubing shown as “F” which is for fuel vapor. Now you can lift and set the gas tank aside, but keep it in the normal position, just as it would sit on the frame.
Last but not least, unscrew the the two filter housing screws “A” (lower right photo) that are located near where the seat front attaches. Then, remove the single remaining screw (also shown as “A” in lower right photo) from the top center of the intake manifold “B” (lower right photo).
After this procedure, now you have made it all the way to remove and inspect or replace the Moto Guzzi California air filter, shown as “C” in the lower right photo. By the way, if you want to replace it using a K&N Filter, the part number is CG-9002, available from Motorcycle Parts at BikeBandit.com or other parts stores.
This isn’t as easy as it probably should be, but then again, the Moto Guzzi California is a special motorcycle. You either learn and do it yourself, or you pay your friendly Guzzi dealer. As we riders get older, sometimes paying for service is not such a bad idea.
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About John Clay
John Clay is the author of MotoGuzziCalifornia.Com. He and his family reside in North Carolina in the United States. A graduate of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Experienced Rider Course, he enjoys riding and maintaining his Moto Guzzi California Vintage.
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I just finished installing a new fuel pump, and fuel filter in my 2002 California Stone. The most frustrating part of the job was trying to get the fuel tank back in place. Do you have any tips that would make it easier in the future?
Hi, John,
Thank you for your entertaining & informative articles. I, too, am the VERY fortunate owner of a 2007 Cali Vintage. I bought the bike used and am having trouble sourcing the correct Repair / Service Manual(s). Do you know where these may be purchased? Thanks for any info you can give.
David (SkunkMonkey)
Want to get a K&N to compliment my Agostini crossover, nice to see its an afternoon’s work 😉