CalStone Back on the Road!

[BrotherJim]

It's been a few months since I found this locally on Craigslist for cheap, prompting me to join the Wildgoose Chase, but I've finally got this '02 CalStone on the road.  Most of its needs were minor but plenty, worst being the alarming hammering sound coming from the left cylinder head, and a leaky fuel tank (surprise!).  As I suspected, the exhaust valve was so out of spec that one could move the pushrod around by hand.  Adjustments all around... hammering eliminated!  I discovered the crack in the underside tunnel of the fuel tank upon removal for paint.  The crack seemed pretty stable and not too wide, so I used a couple of coats of POR-15 on both sides of the crack, reinforcing the outside with some fiberglass mat.  So far, so good.  I got up at the crack of dawn on Sunday to finish the matte clearcoat, and by the end of the day I had all of the painted parts installed except for the tank.  Did that yesterday before the ride.  I had just enough time and a break in the clouds for a satisfying 20-mile loop.  I'm certainly not finished with this machine, but the goal of getting it back on the road has been met.  See where it takes me from here!     

 

[Lannis]

Sounds like a very satisfying outcome, especially finding the source of the engine noise and gas leak.

Hope you get a lot of happy miles riding, and a high miles-ridden to maintenance-required ratio from here on out!

Lannis

[Rich A]

Nicely done!

Rich A

[Sheepdog]

Great job! I always thought the California Stone was a great package. Guzzis must be about the best value in the used big-bike market. .

[BrotherJim]

Thanks fellas.  The only thing I really need to sort out at this time is what seems to me to be a bit of a fast idle.  Otherwise, it runs great.  This is my first bike with FI, so wrapping my head around setting the idle speed, TPS and throttle body balance has been a bit nerve wracking.  There is TONS of info on this on the net, but there is also a lot of inconsistency/disagreement among postings to go along with it.  What I find to be common with this information is that every bike is an individual and there will be some variation in getting them dialed-in.  That, I get!  I'm hoping that my Guzzi neighbor, Chuck, would be willing to help me out with this one. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'm hoping that my Guzzi neighbor, Chuck, would be willing to help me out with this one.

Jim.. I would. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone. There are people that would have me working on their bikes as if it was a full time job. For free, of course.
I'll show you how you can do it yourself. Send me a PM, and we can get together.

[oldbike54]

 

 Dusty

[Matteo]

Like your choice of colors.
Here’s mine

[Guzzi Gal]

:1: That's gotta feel good!

[BrotherJim]

Thanks again for all of the positives, folks.  This has been a much needed small victory for me!

[Zoom Zoom]

Jim, that's pretty cool!

Perhaps I'll get to see it at a rally one of these days. (Hint hint.) Say oh Kentucky or Ohio.

John Henry

[BrotherJim]

Possibly the Kentucky Rally, John, but all I've found on that is that it is in late September.  By then the bike will have earned my trust... or not.    I've got a dirt event that I do with my son on Labor Day, so Zanesville is out.  Then there's the missus...    I've had to give up the Kentucky Kickdown and Mid-Ohio because she thinks I've got too many motorcycle trips planned.  By then she will have either forgotten or made me move out into the garage with all of my two-wheeled friends. 

[blu guzz]

Looking at the list of other bikes, this one should fit right in.  Also, from that list, you must like to tinker, again, a great fit.  I predict you will enjoy this bike, they have a unique handling and feel to them.  If you come to the KY rally, I will be happy to welcome you with a cold beer.

[BrotherJim]