I've been interested in Moto Guzzi's California line of motorcycles ever since they came out back in the 1970's, but never owned one (until now). They are somewhat akin to the Italian version of Harley's Electra Glide Sport/Road King... a comfortable touring bike only a little lighter and with a bit more emphasis on handling and braking than the Harley. Back in the 70's Guzzi worked with LAPD in designing a 750cc motorcycle to suit the department's requirements and that it did as it won the contract and LAPD moto officers soon were riding Moto Guzzis. Soon after (mid 70's?) Moto Guzzi introduced a commercial version to sell in both the US and Europe called the California. Eventually LAPD went back to Harley but the Moto Guzzi California models continued until 2020 when the final California now sporting a 1400cc, (still) air cooled engine could no longer meet Euro 5 emission restrictions.
Earlier this week I came upon this 2014 California Custom which turned out to be in pretty nice condition, 3,500 miles, with factory matching panniers and windshield and I just couldn't pass it up, I finally have a Moto Guzzi California, the last generation.

Congrats on the score! I love Moto Guzzi's, and I think the reason is they are sooooooooo different from most of the bikes we come in contact with. Truly unique.

Congrats! A great looking (and very distinctive) bike! I had a Honda CX 650 that had a Guzzi-like engine/drivetrain configuration.

Nice!,

Next thing you know, you will have a Quota and a Centauro and a....
Don't ask me how I know this! LOL

Congrats! That's a real head turner.

VERY Nice 'Italian Stallion' there...

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Congrats on the score! I love Moto Guzzi's, and I think the reason is they are sooooooooo different from most of the bikes we come in contact with. Truly unique.

Thanks guys!
The fact Guzzi's are different probably attracts me to them even more. Additionally in the age of water cooled motors I'm drawn to traditional air cooled when it comes to motorcycles. In fact the last 3 I've bought have been air cooled; Guzzi V85TT and this California, and the Honda CB1100.

Pipe yeah the CX series Honda's had their 80 degree, liquid cooled, transverse V-twin, shaft drive which was unique. They also made the ST1100 and 1300 which were transverse 90 degree V4's. Honda's put out a number of unique designs.

Congrats ridewv !!!!
Looks clean and in great condition.

I have always had a soft spot for the Moto Guzzi brand.

Had a Le Mans 2 for several years and now every time I see a Griso come up 4sale I kick the tires until it sells.

That’s a pretty cool bike! Congrats. I’ve felt the urge occasionally to get a moto guzzy. Maybe some day.

That's a sharp looking bike. I always liked the looks of them.

Moto Guzzi is down to 3 models of new bikes in the US now, and the tourer is not one of them. Model line seems to be competing with Triumph.

I had a new 2000 Moto Guzzi California Special that I sold in 2014. It was an awesome bike! I sold it because I was having some physical health problems that made it riskier to ride.

The only negative was that my local dealer, within 30 miles, went of business. Consequently there would be a problem with servicing. Of course it did not need much in the way of service, most of which I could do at home. I put a factory wind screen and factory bags on mine. It looked great!!

You have a nice one there!!!

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
That's a sharp looking bike. I always liked the looks of them.

Moto Guzzi is down to 3 models of new bikes in the US now, and the tourer is not one of them. Model line seems to be competing with Triumph.

Thank you tatortodd, yes basically they're down to just the small block 850 series which includes the V7 series, V85TT, and V9 Bobber and they have to get by with these until their all new platform and motor come later this year, the water cooled V100. Euro 5 emissions led to the end of Guzzi's big blocks.

Sorry you had to sell it, Ogie but your right MG dealers are few and far between.

Stick you might like a V100.

quote:

Originally posted by Motoboy:
Congrats ridewv !!!!
Looks clean and in great condition.

I have always had a soft spot for the Moto Guzzi brand.

Had a Le Mans 2 for several years and now every time I see a Griso come up 4sale I kick the tires until it sells.

I think it's a pretty nice one, I probably paid too much for it though. I had a 2007 Griso 1100 which I shouldn't have sold.




and my first Guzzi way back in 1974

Wow, that pic above could have been me on my '75 Le Mans!! Except for those odd-looking 'mercan bars, that is.

Mine broke the crankshaft while waiting at the lights on Kingston Bridge - that had happend, unbeknownst to me only a minute or so before and the end-thrust bearings had kept it together until I was just ticking over....it cost a fortune to fix - this back was 1998. Until then I'd had over 60K of fun with it.

Those are the stock bars, which had about 2.5" of adjustment, all the way up. Sometimes I lowered them all the way down when I wanted to look like a "racer" but up was easier on the wrists and neck.

What caused the crank to break, did you find out?

Gorgeous bike!

Our closest Moto Guzzi dealer (Daytona Beach) gave up.

Thanks Richard!

Unfortunately the lack of dealerships is an ongoing problem for Guzzi. I'm fortunate to have one about 35 minutes away, and a good one opened last Fall in Tyrone PA (near State College) about 2 hours away.