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.

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.

On some types of motorcycles, everything is hanging out there in plain site with easy access.  Moto Guzzi motorcycles, in general, are often described as “quirky”.  That description might, at least partially, come from the not-so-obvious locations and methods for servicing oil, oil filter and air filter.

Changing the oil and filter on the Guzzi California is a bit more involved than on some other brands of motorcycles.  This is nothing to be afraid of, but it may scare away some non-mechanical types from doing it themselves.  The issue is that the oil filter is actually located inside the oil pan.  Yes, inside it.

After the first 300-1000 miles, and then every 6000 miles per the owner’s manual, you must change the oil and oil filter.  Before you start, get yourself  a new oil pan gasket and filter.  The engine oil is specified in my 2007 California Vintage user and maintenance book is 3 liters of Agip 4T Racing SAE 10W60.

According to American Agip, 4T Racing is 100% synthetic oil and meets API SG; ACEA A3; JASO MA standards.  Agip describes this four-stroke engine oil as “specially designed for use in highly modified multi-valve engines”.  This may seem a bit extreme for use in the California’s 2 valve pushrod v-twin, but keep in mind that the Guzzi engine is air cooled and has no oil cooler.

In the US, it is practically impossible to find Agip oil in the usual auto parts stores.    You should be able to buy it or an equivalent from your local Guzzi dealer when you buy your new oil pan gasket and oil filter.  If you don’t have a local Guzzi dealer, you can order Moto Guzzi gaskets and filters online from places such as MG Cycle.  Another popular place to order Moto Guzzi parts from is Harper’s.

The photos and the basic technique described here are from the Moto Guzzi California workshop manual.  Thanks to Gregory Bendor for his helpful site.

To change the oil, get a pan to drain the old oil into it.  The same as you would use for your car.  The engine is supposed to be warm (not running) when you do this, to allow the oil to drain more efficiently.

Loosen the dipstick (unscrew).  Loosen the drain plug located at rear wall of the pan.  Remove the drain plug to drain the oil.  Unscrew the 14 socket head cap screws that fasten the oil pan to the engine.  Carefully lower the pan and set it aside.

Inside the oil pan you will see the 3 things.  The oil filter, the mesh screen, and the oil pressure regulator valve.  Don’t touch the valve, but do unscrew the oil filter.  Install your new filter hand tight as you would when you change your car’s oil.

Next, unscrew the mesh screen from the pan.  Set it in a separate clean container and wash it “in a bath of gasoline”.  I generally don’t use gasoline for cleaning parts, but this is what the Moto Guzzi workshop manual and the Moto Guzzi user and maintenance book say to do.

After cleaning the mesh screen, next dry the screen using compressed air, and also use compressed air to blow out any debris in the ports of the oil pan.  It would be wise to wear safety glasses or a face shield for this part to avoid getting oil spray or gas in your eyes.

While you are cleaning, you also need to clean off the gasket surfaces of the engine and the oil pan to prepare it for your new gasket.

Re-install the cleaned mesh screen to the pan.  It is time now to go ahead and install your new oil pan gasket and then re-install your oil pan with the 14 socket head cap screws.  Tighten the screws evenly and gradually in a criss-cross or star pattern to make for a nice even torque and for a better gasket sealing.  Unfortunately, the manuals don’t clearly specify the required torque for the oil pan screws or for the drain plug.

Pour your 3 new liters of oil into the dip stick hole using a funnel.  Tighten the dipstick and your done doing your Moto Guzzi California oil change.