Author Topic: Tire for California Vintage? (Read 3602 times)

Tony/CT · « **on:** June 07, 2016, 11:09:09 AM »

Time for tires and I was told by another Cali. owner that the rear tire has to be V rated because the H rated would rub on the swing arm. I never heard this before. Is there any truth to it, as the rear tire I am looking at is H rated. Thanks. Tony

rocker59 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2016, 11:11:32 AM »

It was true on the '98-'01 Californias.

For '02 they widened the swingarm, so no more issues with that.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2016, 01:21:37 PM »

Glad to see you're rippin' through tires on my former Calvin.

Ride on!

vintage53 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2016, 02:00:26 PM »

Hello -

I put Michelin Pilot Activ. on my Calvin. I have about 1,000 miles on mine. Real happy with the handling.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2016, 02:00:26 PM »

vintage53 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2016, 02:05:32 PM »

BTW , Your lucky to have Cam's old bike.
It was a hard decision for me, (do I buy a White or Black one) They both look great.

kidsmoke · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2016, 04:11:49 PM »

Quote from: vintage53 on June 07, 2016, 02:00:26 PM

Hello -

I put Michelin Pilot Activ. on my Calvin. I have about 1,000 miles on mine. Real happy with the handling.

Ditto for My Jackal. 4000 midwest miles and they're holding up wonderfully.

fatbob · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2016, 10:51:56 PM »

Quote from: vintage53 on June 07, 2016, 02:00:26 PM

Hello -

I put Michelin Pilot Activ. on my Calvin. I have about 1,000 miles on mine. Real happy with the handling.

Me too, I like em a lot. Best tires I've put on my EV

Tony/CT · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2016, 06:41:30 AM »

Thanks for the info. I have a Michelin Pilot Active on the rear of the bike now, 11,000 miles. Good tire. I'm experimenting. I've been running Metzeler ME 888's on my EV. The last one cupped. I put a Shinko 712 on the bike, $68.00 and rode the stuffing out of it. 10,000 miles, two up trip to the Great Smokies and back in a variety of weather conditions. it's been a great tire. I've read of the concerns of buying Chineese tires, but they worked really well. I paid $220.00 for the Metzeler! Hmm!! So I just ordered a set of Kendas for the Calvin. Total cost for two tires, $132.00. They got great reviews, so what the heck, I'll try them, and if I don't like them, I will replace them with more expensive tires. My brother in law won't drink a bottle of wine unless it's in the $30.00 to $40.00 price range. I like to pay 10 to 12 bucks! Whatever works for you!! And yes, Cam did a nice job sorting out the Calvin. Those engines are so smooth, that after riding it, I got back on my EV and thought there was something wrong with it. Replaced the plugs, set the valves, replaced all the wires, had the throttle bodies balanced, to no avail. It wasn't the bike. The Calvin, with the dual plug engine is just smoother!!

danedg · « **Reply #8 on:** June 08, 2016, 07:08:27 AM »

Cam3512 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2016, 07:11:28 AM »

Every now and then someone looking to buy a Calvin asks for advice here. Inevitably, some of the misinformed tries to steer them toward the "cheaper" early Californias saying it's basically the same bike. Yea, the frame is the same, but nothing beats the Calvin's asthetics and motor.

Tony/CT · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2016, 07:57:27 AM »

Hey danedg, that's my bike. The Ohio trip I believe, prior to the seat modifications!! Michelin Pilots on for that trip.

Tony/CT · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2016, 08:58:29 AM »

That is the truth Cam! Having both an EV and Vintage, the difference in engine smoothness is evident!

aschem · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2016, 09:58:13 AM »

I replaced my Metzler tires with Kendas and I have no regrets.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2016, 10:03:23 AM »

Shinko tires are South Korean , not Chinese

Dusty

motogoro · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2018, 12:51:20 PM »

gonna bump this topic

Tire time. Something other than BT45's?

Considering Pirelli Sport Demons or Metzler 880s.

Haven't used Michelins since the '90's. Cupped front tires on a Cal III turned me away.

Dual compound for mileage would be nice.

TIA, Steve M in SE WI

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2018, 02:05:13 PM »

Steve.. if you are looking for mileage, pass on the Sport Demons. I'd think the 880s would be fine.

motogoro · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2018, 03:34:33 PM »

Thanks Chuck!

see ya at the WI rally?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2018, 04:11:11 PM »

Quote from: motogoro on July 18, 2018, 03:34:33 PM

Thanks Chuck!

see ya at the WI rally?

Absolutely..

Ncdan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2018, 04:48:00 PM »

Quote from: aschem on June 08, 2016, 09:58:13 AM

I replaced my Metzler tires with Kendas and I have no regrets.

+1 in the Kendra, I went through two of them and put them through hell on the dragons tail. No issues and good milage.

LowRyter · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2018, 10:44:22 PM »

I've gotten good mileage from the 880

motogoro · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2018, 03:39:57 PM »

so, I ordered 880's for the Cal and 888's for Helen's Sporty

it was time for new shoes

thanks!

lazlokovacs · « **Reply #21 on:** July 20, 2018, 04:35:13 AM »

weird.

Not to thread drift, but I've always found the older 2001 calis much smoother and more powerful, and I've known 2 calvins.

I thought it was from guzzi narrowing the intake manifolds when they dual plugged to pass emissions.

???

Quote from: Tony/CT on June 08, 2016, 08:58:29 AM

That is the truth Cam! Having both an EV and Vintage, the difference in engine smoothness is evident!

mtiberio · « **Reply #22 on:** July 20, 2018, 06:27:29 AM »

When I had a CalVin, I went to a 130/70-17 rear. It was perfect. Lowered the seat height, shortened the gearing and had no issues with clearance (obviously).

motogoro · « **Reply #23 on:** July 20, 2018, 02:08:54 PM »

Mike, how did that 130/70 effect the steering?
There's no room to raise the fork tubes on my '08 unless I add bar risers.

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Author Topic: Tire for California Vintage? (Read 3602 times)

Wildguzzi.com

oldbike54