Moto Guzzi California Classic

Moto Guzzi California 1100
Manufacturer	Moto Guzzi
Also called	California 1100 Injection, California 1100 i, California 1100 F, California 1100 I, 1100 California EV, California 1100 Special, California 75, California Special, California Jackal, California Stone Metal, California EV80, California EV 80, California Special Sport, California Titanum, California Stone Touring, California EV Touring, California Aluminum, California Titanium, California Stone, California EV, California Vintage 1100, California Touring, California Aquila Nera, California Classic, California 90 Anniversary, California Black Eagle, California Vintage, California 1100 EV
Production	2007
Engine	Four stroke, 90° V twin, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder.
Compression ratio	9.8:1
Ignition	Magneti Marelli IAW 15RC electronic digital ignition with inductive spark
Spark Plug	NGK BPR6ES `09
Battery	YUASA YTX20HL-BS `09
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Shaft `09
Frame	Detachable tubular duplex cradle in special high-strengh steel
Suspension	Front: 45mm Marzocchi hydraulic telescopic fork, adjustable separately Rear: swing arm with 2 hydraulic shock absorbers, exstension adjustable
Brakes	Front: 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers Rear: Single 282mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	110/90 VB18
Rear Tire	150/70-VB17
Wheelbase	1560 mm / 61.4 in
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in
Weight	256.0 kg / 564.4 lbs (dry), 276 kg / 608.5 lbs (wet)
Fuel Capacity	19 Liters / 5.0 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, 90° V twin, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder.. The engine featured a 9.8:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Single disc, dry, with mechanical control.

Chassis

It came with a 110/90 VB18 front tire and a 150/70-VB17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers in the front and a Single 282mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 45mm Marzocchi hydraulic telescopic fork, adjustable separately while the rear was equipped with a swing arm with 2 hydraulic shock absorbers, exstension adjustable. The California Classic was fitted with a 19 Liters / 5.0 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 256.0 kg / 564.4 lbs. The wheelbase was 1560 mm / 61.4 in long.

Overview

Moto Guzzi California Classic

Review On my way to return the Breva and pickup a Moto Guzzi California Classic, I noticed a couple of things not found during the 850 Breva test. Firstly, the Breva rider�s seat got uncomfortably hot (it was a very hot day) and secondly it didn't like being stuck in Sydney traffic! I was forced to keep the bike moving and for the first time in my life, I had to lane split! Still, it doesn't change my opinion, I love the Breva. Now, the California, here's a model that's been around for decades and unfortunately it feels like it too! It may well be that after 2 weeks of the Breva I was expecting too much, but, the Cali lacked the crisp and sharp feel I had anticipated. There is plenty of torque from the 1100cc engine, but it somehow feels tired. There was something I was unable to point my finger on about it, I can't really describe it. The exhaust note is just loud enough without being intrusive and I found it very pleasant. Handling is great with ground clearance superb, but, it comes with a trade off, and that being, a cramped rider position for anyone over 5 foot 9 inches tall. At 6 foot, I felt like my knees were up at chest height! And, over a couple of hours it certainly became uncomfortable. For those under the stated height, you may well find the Cali perfect. The style of the bike is attractive and may well be the reason behind its popularity plus that of the old Honda CX500. It has one of the longest side stands I�ve ever seen though. There is a centre stand as well as the side, and this will make owner maintenance easy. Out on the road, I found more neutrals than Mick Doohan has race wins! The answer was to use the heel shifter, and the test bike required me to use it very positively. Mirrors are clear at most speeds and the horn had more than adequate volume. Nice clean shaft drive, plenty of chrome and quality paintwork will give the new owner more time on the road and less time in the shed. Brakes are not outstanding but more than adequate for the task. The footbrake took a little getting used to. I had to physically lift my foot off the footboard to use it! Fuel economy was looking pretty decent, however, unbeknown to me, a hose had parted company with the fuel pump and I found myself rolling silently to a halt not far from the Wyong exit on the Newcastle/Sydney Freeway. JSA were brilliant in getting me and the Cali picked up, but it meant saying farewell to the test at that point. It only took 30 minutes to fix but it wasn't something I could diagnose where I was, out on the freeway. It isn't a heavy bike to push either, I�m moderately fit at 51 years of age and I chose to shuffle it up the closest off-ramp so I could roll it down to a shopping centre for a cooling drink while waiting for said pickup. Even though I'd only spent a few hours with the Cali, I found it easy to read and quickly knew what to expect of it. Did you ever get one of those report cards at school where the teacher wrote �shows potential�? Well, the Cali would get one of those reports and if the factory ever decides to freshen it up (basically unchanged for 20 years), it would be a great cruiser. There�s a lot of cruiser choice out there and at $20,990 RRP for the Cali, you need to shop around. May your lid never skid,

Make Model	Moto Guzzi California Classic
Year	2007
Engine Type	Four stroke, 90° V twin, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder.
Displacement	1064 cc / 64.9 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	92 x 80 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression	9.8:1
Lubrication	Forced lobes, with geared pump and pressure regulator
Exhaust	Steel, 2 tubes connected to an expansion room, that is connected to 2 steel mufflers. Catalyzed with Lambda probe.
Induction	Magneti Marelli IAW alfa-n system Multipoint phased sequential fuel; 2 nozzle holders of 40 mm with injectors Weber IW 031
Ignition	Magneti Marelli IAW 15RC electronic digital ignition with inductive spark
Starting	Electric
Max Power	55 kW / 74 hp @ 6400 rpm
Max Torque	88 Nm / 64.9 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Clutch	Single disc, dry, with mechanical control
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Shaft
Gear Ratio	1st 14/28 = 1 : 2 2st 18/25 = 1 : 1,389 3rd 21/22 = 1 : 1,048 4th 23/20 = 1 : 0,870 5th 28/21 = 1 : 0,750
Frame	Detachable tubular duplex cradle in special high-strengh steel
Front Suspension	45mm Marzocchi hydraulic telescopic fork, adjustable separately
Front Wheel Travel	140 mm / 5.5 in
Rear Suspension	swing arm with 2 hydraulic shock absorbers, exstension adjustable
Rear Wheel Travel	96 mm / 3.8 in
Front Brakes	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 282mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	110/90 VB18
Rear Tire	150/70-VB17
Rake	29.0°
Trail	116 mm / 4.6 in
Dimensions	Height 1389 mm / 54.7 in Length 2380 mm / 93.7 in Width 815 mm / 32.1 in
Wheelbase	1560 mm / 61.4 in
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in
Ground Clearance	190 mm / 7.5 in
Dry Weight	256.0 kg / 564.4 lbs
Wet Weight	276 kg / 608.5 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19 Liters / 5.0 US gal