About the Author

John Clay on Moto Guzzi California Vintage during MS Breakaway to the Beach 2011Please visit Moto Guzzi’s international site at www.motoguzzi.it for all official Moto Guzzi company information, but if you want a Guzzi California rider’s perspective, you will get that right here.

My name is John Clay+ and I’m the author of the articles on this site. I’m proud to own and ride a 2007 Moto Guzzi California Vintage.   I created this site to share my experience and admiration of this beautiful motorcycle that I am lucky to have, and also to simply share my passion for the entire California series that Moto Guzzi has made.

People often ask me how I like the California Vintage and if I’ve had any problems with it.  I aim to share my latest experiences in the articles on my home page, but my long term review best summarizes the first 3 years or so.

Because I sometimes get questions about the Givi top case trunk that I installed, I wrote an article about that including a detailed explanation about how I mounted it.

I will continue to add more “how to” articles as I discover and try new parts or accessories for Moto Guzzi California motorcycles.  If you have performed an interesting modification to your Guzzi California that I have not already written about, or if you added an accessory that really helped improve your bike, you are welcome to contact me and let me know about it.  I will consider any photo submissions and stories about modifications for future articles.

MyCaliforniaVintageYou can find me motoring around the Carolinas in the USA, especially near Charlotte, NC and Rock Hill, SC.  I commute to work on my Guzzi as much as weather permits, but I admit I am mostly a “fair weather” rider.

I hope you enjoy your visit here and I hope you will leave comments and questions to help make this a better site for all “Cali” owners past, present and future.

Subscribe and come back often for more Moto Guzzi California motorcycle articles!

Thanks for visiting!

12 Comments

  1. Mike Smith says:

    I own a 2016 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 1400 and i have to say it’s
    the best bike i have ever owned. The only difference with
    my bike and the California is the fat 16″ front tire. It even
    has the California windsheild and seat .
    I have my ABS set up. I have the traction control set up
    and found it very useful when caught in the rain one day.
    Ride by wire throttle with 3 engine map settings is cool.
    Getting ready to ride from Tampa FL to Tail of the dragon
    and beyond. Happy riding!

  2. Cormac says:

    guzzi acting up! Blew two fuses last weekend, when I turn on main beam tacometer/Rev counter fails! any ideas please?

  3. Richard Beckett says:

    Hi John
    I am servicing my 2007 Cali EV and have removed the 14 bolts holding the oil pan onto the engine, but it does not lower. Any ideas why ??.Thanks
    Richard Beckett

  4. Gus says:

    Hi from Columbia SC. I had a Quota about 17 years ago and am looking at getting a California. Great site. Thanks for the article on the hydro bikes.

  5. John says:

    Hi Aurthur, I hear that some Jackal owners have used 130/90-17 instead of 140/80-17 rear tires to avoid tire clearance issues that the Californias had back then with their narrow swingarm. Bridsgestone catalog has BT45V in 130/90-17 size, but please check first with your Moto Guzzi dealer to see if that size is ok, or if actually needed for your bike before you proceed.
    Thanks,
    John

  6. Arthur Eduardo says:

    Good morning John, I am in doubts whether this tire 140/80-17 Tire Bridgestone Battlax BT45V fits the Moto Guzzi California Jackal 2001, could orient myself?

    Arthur Eduardo

  7. Randy Montgomery says:

    I love my 2001 Calif. Special (blue and silver) . The fork seals were shot at less than 20,000 miles and the steering head needed tighented up but otherwise reliable as a rock. Not sure if the new 1400 will look as nice. It seems that the California (in various submodels) is still sold in Italy, Germany and Oz but not UK or North America. Shame
    Can you tell me where to get spotlites with brackets that will attach to the lower threaded holes in my triple tree where the original windshield used to mount? (The stock shield caused buffeting, anyone can have it for $50 + shipping)
    Also I am using a National Cycle windshield but it has a rectangular gap around the instruments which lets air in. Anyone know of a similar windshield with a round hole/less gap?

  8. olivier says:

    bonjour /hello

    devant faire un voyage au USA l année prochaine
    (route 66) nous serions tres heureux de rencontrer
    de guzzistes americain le long de notre periple
    pensez vous que cela soit possible
    salutations guzziste

    to make a trip to the USA next year
    (Road 66) we would very happy to meet
    of American guzzistes along our journey
    do you think it is possible
    greetings guzzista

    MOTO GUZZI INSIDE le site francais de partage entre guzziste
    MOTO GUZZI INSIDE site sharing between French guzziste

  9. Thorsten says:

    Love reading your articles. Here is a pic of my actual California: http://s9.postimage.org/p0nhza95b/SANY0066.jpg

    This is my third one. Started riding Guzzi 1999 – with an California EV. I sold this motorcycle after having 70000km of fun. An i changed the style into a vintage-look.

    Kindest regards and keep on riding safe
    Thorsten
    Germany (not far from cologne)

  10. Rik Guzzimaniac says:

    Hi John
    I rode on the third and last Ride of Respect on Sunday in aid of the fallen heroes of the UK Armed Forces.
    The ride started on an old Airforce base RAF Hullavington on its main runway some miles away from Royal Wootton Bassett.
    The bikes were arranged in groups of 300 to 500 and sent out in Police escorted convoys every 45 minutes, the local people living along route were out in force to wave and cheer us all on showing great support for the cause, which is a show of respect for our Armed Forces.
    The convoy traveled about 15 miles to the town of Royal Wootton Bassett, as soon as we got into main high street the crowds closed in and it there was only room for single file traffic as the people wanted to slap hands as we passed by, all waving flags and cheering.
    For UK people this is very out of character as we are usually very reserved and quiet.
    All in all a very emotional ride and many bikers were parking up and talking about how it felt being part of event.
    Some of the ride out is on you tube and can be found by typing in a search of Ride of Respect 2012.
    And one more thing you wont believe it all happened in brilliant sunshine.
    Ride free Rik Guzzimaniac

  11. John says:

    Rik, Welcome! Using the picture of your bike for that would be an avatar. You can create that on gravatar.com and when you leave comments on my site, other sites or in forums, if they have avatars turned on, then that picture will be tied to your comment via your email address.
    John

  12. Rik Guzzimaniac says:

    Hi John
    I am very new to your site but would like to include picture of my bike (1982 Cali mkII) in my emails as I see alot of others have in top left corner of emails, how do I do that sorry if stupid question not mega techy person.
    Regards Rik