Cali 14 issues!!

[AH Fan]

so ............ just for kicks anyone out there in the process of finding the best fix for the Cali 14 exhaust cross over failure issue and or the front brake rotor issues that they might want to share?

PM me if needed             

Ciao

[stephenm]

Guzzitech has a replacement crossover. I have installed one. It is beautifully made and strong. Fits perfectly.

Stephen

[mtiberio]

Shim your calipers to center them over the swept area of the rotor. If the pads overhang the inner diameter of the swept area, once worn, they overhanging part of the pad will strike the support webs and simulate a warped feeling. the rotors are not that expensive if you really have warped rotors.  I bought a pair, and found I didn't need them after I discovered the radial caliper centering issue.

[mtiberio]

look here, if you see that the pad is working the web to the floating spool, then you know you need to recenter the caliper over the swept area. It is easy to do. Guzzi made precision caliper shimming washers back in the 70's these were for centering calipers over rotors horizontally. Same washer works for this purpose.

[rocker59]

Guzzitech has a replacement crossover. I have installed one. It is beautifully made and strong. Fits perfectly.

Stephen

http://www.guzzitech.com/store/product/california-1400-gt-rx-h-pipe/

[AH Fan]

Thankyou Gentlemen.

So once calipers shimmed........ can I proceed with existing rotors or are you guys starting out with a new set? ( I have about 5000 miles on these being the second set )
Also...... as far as the GTX crossover is concerned. What makes it so superior over OEM component? Looks like it is more or less the same design   ......... It looks like the problem may lie in the fact the engine is floating and the exhaust system is mounted hard........... just a thought is all.

Ciao             

[rocker59]

I'd imagine the GTx crossover is made with much heavier materials.  But, you could email todd@guzzitech.com and he'll answer pretty quickly.

[toaster404]

If you have the older crossover, listen through a hose to the areas where the crossover attaches while the bike idles.  Can hear the puff puff if there's a leak starting.  The old crossover and pipe area are not impressively thick, saw one that cracked off yesterday in a shop.

[LowRyter]

other than the crossover the 14 seems to be a pretty solid bike.  I wish they had a version with standard riding position. 

[rocker59]

other than the crossover the 14 seems to be a pretty solid bike.  I wish they had a version with standard riding position.

And a full-sized fuel tank !!!

[lucian]

It looks like the problem may lie in the fact the engine is floating and the exhaust system is mounted hard........... just a thought is all.

Ciao             

Hence the two flex couplings, many out there have yet to crack. Mines at 10,000 miles and counting.

[stephenm]

>>Also...... as far as the GTX crossover is concerned. What makes it so superior over OEM component? Looks like it is more or less the    same design<<   

The GT-Rx Crossover is 1.5mm wall thickness.
The welding is even and properly filleted to avoid fatigue focus points.

Stock is 1mm.
The weld runs starts cold and lumpy, with fatigue points apparent.

Stephen

[mtiberio]

Thankyou Gentlemen.

So once calipers shimmed........ can I proceed with existing rotors or are you guys starting out with a new set? ( I have about 5000 miles on these being the second set )
Also...... as far as the GTX crossover is concerned. What makes it so superior over OEM component? Looks like it is more or less the same design   ......... It looks like the problem may lie in the fact the engine is floating and the exhaust system is mounted hard........... just a thought is all.

Ciao             

Just reuse old.

[rtbickel]

Anyone have the part number for the shims?

[AH Fan]

Yes please on the part # for the shims and yes Rocker on the full size fuel tank ........... The old range anxiety really started to set in blasting across parts of Nevada last Sunday!!!!!      Spectacular trip... all 6000 klms of it.
Sent Todd an email....... hopefully he responds.

Thx to all so far for the advise.

Ciao

[Kiwi Dave]

>>Also...... as far as the GTX crossover is concerned. What makes it so superior over OEM component? Looks like it is more or less the    same design<<   

The GT-Rx Crossover is 1.5mm wall thickness.
The welding is even and properly filleted to avoid fatigue focus points.

Stock is 1mm.
The weld runs starts cold and lumpy, with fatigue points apparent.

Stephen

Also, the crossover on the GT-Rx is not clamped, and is allowed to float.  The center pipe is a snug fit on each of the crossover stubs attached to the headers, no exhaust gas can escape.

[toaster404]

And a full-sized fuel tank !!!

The range is an interesting issue.  5.4 gallon with a 1.3 gallon reserve = 6.7.    6.7 x 35 mpg = 235 miles.  subtract a gallon, = 200 miles.  But my fuel light comes on with about 2.9 gallons left = 100 miles.  And that's what I end up with - at 130 miles I don't like the light and put 3.8 gallons in.  I could really without worry ride another hour after the light comes on.  So the range may technically be there.  I don't see room for a fuel cell in the frame, but there's certainly carrying capacity for more fuel.  1.5 gallons in each bag and there would be another 100 miles.

I'm sure mine would do better than 35 to 38 mpg were I in the midwest.  Out here I have good motorcycle roads immediately, with turns.  I live about 2 miles from one of the old Honda Hoot routes, and can't escape without going on it.

[rocker59]

The range is an interesting issue.  5.4 gallon with a 1.3 gallon reserve = 6.7.    6.7 x 35 mpg = 235 miles.  subtract a gallon, = 200 miles.   

That's not quite right.  5.4 gallons, of which 1.3 is reserve.  5.4 x 35 = 189  (if you're brave).

3.7 - 3.8 gallons consumed is pretty common for Guzzi low fuel lights.  If you're travelling 130 miles, that's 34 mpg.

Round numbers, 35 mpg and using 5-gallons is 175 miles for a critical fuel stop.

I suffered that for nine years with my Nero Corsa.  I don't want another bike with only five usable gallons to return less than 40 mpg and have a range of less than 180 miles.  But that's just me.

Guzzi's competition in the segment, Harley specifically, has gone to 6-gallon tanks, and they return 10mpg better than Guzzi.

It's just a niggle, but I figured with the Stelvio upgrade to 8+ gallons, and the V7 upgrade to 5.8 gallons, all future Guzzis would be seeing bigger tanks and longer ranges.  That would be a nice selling point, especially on a touring motorcycle.  I was disappointed when I saw the specs on the Cal 14, and all the air space they left behind the tank covers...

With the recent incentives on leftovers, I was very close to buying a 2014 Cal 14 Custom.  I really love the power of the engine, and riding the Californias is fun.  I decided I could live with the seating of the Cal 14 Custom with the addition of the Corbin seat, but I just couldn't get past the relatively short range, and 700+ lbs weight wasn't appealing either.  If I'd bought it, I'd have put a hitch on the bike to pull my fridge trailer (and a passenger).  Fuel economy would surely suffer, lowering range even farther.  In the end, I opted for a leftover V7 Special to use as a commuter and light tourer for a few years.  Hopefully my complaints will be addressed on future Californias, or even future Guzzi models.  We'll see.  A bike like the Cal 14 would be awesome with seven or eight gallons capacity.  A 250 mile range on internal fuel would be perfect for the type of riding I would do with the bike, were I to buy a California 1400.

[LowRyter]

if you want good gas mileage, go with a water cooled engine.  Gives good power too. 

[rocker59]

if you want good gas mileage, go with a water cooled engine.  Gives good power too.

Which ones?  There are a lot of them with poor mileage in the 30s.

And, a lot of long-stroke air-cooled big twins with 45-50 mpg.

[Kiwi Dave]

I can vouch for better gas consumption than the figures mentioned here.  On a recent tour of California I would regularly get an average for the tank full of 5.0-5.2 L/100kM (= 45-47 mpg (US) or 54-56 mpg (UK)).  The best average I achieved was 4.5 L/100kM (= 52 mpg (US) or 63 mpg (UK)).  My readings were metric because I had the speedo changed over by Munroe Motors in San Francisco.

Admittedly, these figures were achieved on very hot days, and some were at elevation.  But I was running a motor with the Gt-RX reflashed ECU with a Power Commander and Autotune, as well as exhaust and airbox mods plus I was loaded with panniers and a topbox (and a fat rider!).

This combination has the undeserved reputation of running too rich on many posts I've observed on this forum.  All I can say is that if and when I get it to run correctly, I'll achieve even better gas consumption figures.

[elvisboy77]

Other than riding in areas where there is 175 miles or more between gas stations, I cannot imagine that stopping for gas at that interval is really such an unacceptable inconvenience that I would not buy a bike as awesome as a Cali 1400.  (Shameless admission, I have a 1400 Eldo).

I mean, really!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

arent all the Cali 14 still under warranty? why would you buy a x-over isnt that a warranty issue?

[Zoom Zoom]

Coming home from the finger lakes I got 45.5 on the Eldo 1400. That was GPS miles against fuel reading on the pump. The dash said less.

ZZ

[Cam3512]

arent all the Cali 14 still under warranty? why would you buy a x-over isnt that a warranty issue?

So it wouldn't happen again when the dealer replaces it with another OEM piece?

[AH Fan]

So it wouldn't happen again when the dealer replaces it with another OEM piece?

My thoughts as well at this point ........ 

Ciao

[Zoom Zoom]

My only thought might be that the part would never be improved if people don't submit a claim. If they need to replace enough of them, they'll have to make it better.

Anyway, just a thought.

ZZ

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

So it wouldn't happen again when the dealer replaces it with another OEM piece?

I would submit a claim...  could be a running change to the design once they start seeing claims...  perhaps your replacement would be a better one?  If not, you could always then get the aftermarket one, and save the warranty replacement item??

[Cam3512]

My only thought might be that the part would never be improved if people don't submit a claim. If they need to replace enough of them, they'll have to make it better.

Anyway, just a thought.

ZZ

You guys do realize this is Piaggio Guzzi we're talking about, right?

[father guzzi obrian]

Pete's Cali 1400 had the exhaust crossover break at 12,000 Miles, local dealer fixed it under warranty. Said it was a better design, and installation included hooking everything up loosely and gradually tightening down things with a few taps from a rubber mallet to assure things are in their least stressed position. Seemed to work, this bike has not had issues in a long time.