Comments on: Moto Guzzi California Rear Wheel Removal

By: Glen

Glen — Fri, 31 May 2019 10:12:05 +0000

Hi, Would it be possible to replace the rims with tubeless ones.
I know they are wider and wondered if they would rub.
2008 CalVin.
Thanks
Glen.

By: John

John — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 17:56:25 +0000

In reply to Bob Hodgson. Bob, I hope you were able to remove the wheel. I imagine maybe if there was no grease left on the splines and if splines had some wear, maybe the wheel would be sticky to try to slide off? John

By: Bob Hodgson

Bob Hodgson — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 15:04:22 +0000

Hi, John, removed everything from my rear wheel,which would normally come free of the drive spline’s but try as may it will not move, can you help!

By: Jim Barron

Jim Barron — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:00:25 +0000

Thanks John for a great writeup! I’ve been doing my own maintenance on Guzzi’s and BMW’s for years and now my 4th and best Cali. I don’t remember that the spacer was fused to the rear brake bracket on any other of my guzzi’s and I’ve changed tires on them all, so I need to get back into my 95 cali’s rear again. I also purchased the BT-45’s this time..but have been a metzeler fan from my beemer days so this will be my first ‘test’ of the bridgestones. I had to reassemble and try another day as I thought I had new tubes in these sizes but did not..so I’ll re-attack this weekend. I don’t know your mileage but wondered why you didn’t consider lubing the rear drive splines where they attach to the rear drive while you were in there..as most guzzisti have want to do? Reading from the guzzi bible by Dave Richardson, I wonder if it’s really necessary every tire change but I do it anyway, and have with all my past beemers and guzzis..haven’t found a dry one yet, all lookin’ good.
Thanks again for the good read and keep the shiny side up!
Jim

By: Bob Hadden

Bob Hadden — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 04:25:12 +0000

Nice job, John. I agree that we should hope and pray that we never have to do that on a dark road 100 miles from nowhere. So far in my 40+ years of riding I’ve only had four or five flats while on a trip and,(knock on wood), they were either discovered in the motel parking lot or somewhere near a town with a bike shop. Once I had ridden over a nail somewhere on a 1,000+ mile ride, but I noticed it the next morning in my own driveway. All of my flats have been on the rear. I check my tires every morning when on a trip. I always carry the same gauge so that I know for sure if my pressure is down, and how much. I also always carry a small air chuck in my tool bag because sometimes gas stations or truck stops don’t have one that will fit in the tight spots we have on bikes. I had a H-D Electra Glide for a few years and it had tubeless tires so I carried a plug kit that got me home one day. Of course the Californias with spokes and tubes aren’t that easy. An AMA membership with the road-side assistance program is a worthy investment. (You may remember my story about the melted fuel line in my gas tank caused by the ethanol blend gas which is becoming more widespread) A tow truck came 50 miles and took me to a motel that night at no charge.
Anyway, good job. Taking the wheel off also gives you a chance to clean and inspect everything else involved in that process,ie; brake pads and rotors, frame, swingarm, and the underneath side of fenders, etc…