Author Topic: 1994 Moto Guzzi California  (Read 1621 times)

Offline cbevis

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1994 Moto Guzzi California
« on: June 23, 2022, 08:23:03 AM »
Hi there!

I have an opportunity to purchase this '94 California 1100i




Sellers description says it "needs a computer and eventually new tires, otherwise very mechanically sound."  It's a good-looking bike, and I've always wanted one in my fleet of other vehicles, but i'm not sure the need for a new ECU...so I asked a couple of follow-up questions. 

The relevant answers: "Well there was an electrical issue when it was running that would cause it to cut out intermittently. It is my brother in laws bike. He feels very confident that it's electrical and he is thinking it's the main computer on board. That's the extent I know on that. I do know the bike cranks over fine and sounds good. Will need new fuel and a battery at a minimum before it will fire up."

I don't know much about Moto Guzzi's, but I do know in other vehicular arenas that electrical gremlins are often diagnosed incorrectly as 'bad ECU.'  So I thought I'd go to a more learned ground to pose the question.  Bad ECU?  Or more likely a bad voltage regulator or relay somewhere?

Offline yogidozer

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2022, 08:36:34 AM »
Looks nice!
Before you but a new 'puter, check all connections and relays.
Also, unplug relays, then replug them. could be corrosion on the connections.
911 Kiwiroy for suggestions

Offline Ncdan

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2022, 08:39:05 AM »
Great color scheme!

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2022, 08:48:58 AM »
Before you but a new 'puter, check all connections and relays. Also, unplug relays, then replug them. could be corrosion on the connections.
Always sound advice.  You'd think the owner, an alleged mechanic, would know to check that too but....well...anyth ing to sell a 'thing' on Marketplace, right?
911 Kiwiroy for suggestions
Roger that...
Great color scheme!
Right?!  Such a classy looking bike....

Wildguzzi.com

Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2022, 08:48:58 AM »

Offline guzzisteve

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2022, 09:22:57 AM »
If it's both cutting out, most likely a cam wheel sensor. That one has 2 of them, one on flywheel pick up.
But you don't know till you work on it. Value would be $1500-2000
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Offline Murray

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2022, 09:27:48 AM »
From memory the P8 ECU's were pretty reliable, it's far more likely to be a failing sensor poor connection or dead battery. However on a 28 year old motorcycle anything is possible.

Online nc43bsa

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2022, 09:46:13 AM »
Is it common for people to remove a front brake on those models?
1990 MilleGT

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2022, 09:52:49 AM »
Could be as simple as the side stand safety switch.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2022, 09:56:53 AM »
I’ve seen the ad f/s in St Paul..
Did you know there is a local Guzzi club? This weekend is the yearly rally up in Grand Marais.
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Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2022, 09:58:58 AM »
If it's both cutting out, most likely a cam wheel sensor. That one has 2 of them, one on flywheel pick up.
But you don't know till you work on it. Value would be $1500-2000
the crank sensor in the bell housing can get covered with swarf, easy to pull out and check.

The price is right!
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2022, 10:00:12 AM »
If it's both cutting out, most likely a cam wheel sensor. That one has 2 of them, one on flywheel pick up. But you don't know till you work on it.
Right on...thanks! 

Value would be $1500-2000
They're asking $1500 or the best offer.  If I can get a sense of what's wrong, and if the parts aren't ridiculously expensive...I figured i'd throw a $1200 offer their way.

From memory the P8 ECU's were pretty reliable, it's far more likely to be a failing sensor poor connection or dead battery
Ok. Ok. There seems to be a running theme here of "probably not ECU."

From memory the P8 ECU's were pretty reliable, it's far more likely to be a failing sensor poor connection or dead battery. However on a 28 year old motorcycle anything is possible.
lol...fair point. 

Is it common for people to remove a front brake on those models?
Unknown.  The front brake on this one is there though...on the left side.



Could be as simple as the side stand safety switch.
I've heard those can simply be bypassed?

I’ve seen the ad f/s in St Paul. Did you know there is a local Guzzi club? This weekend is the yearly rally up in Grand Marais.
No kidding?  I was not aware of that!  If I end up with one, i'll have to join!  Probably a more fun crown than the Volvo groups I'm in now...

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2022, 10:01:32 AM »
the crank sensor in the bell housing can get covered with swarf, easy to pull out and check.

The price is right!

Not that a Moto Guzzi forum would have bias, lol...but it certainly sounds as if I should at least toss out an offer.

Offline tris

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2022, 10:13:02 AM »
Unknown.  The front brake on this one is there though...on the left side.



Curious that as it definitely came with 2 discs

I wonder if its an iffy way of de-linking the brakes?
Originally the foot pedal worked one front disk and the rear, and the lever the other front disc, but I can't remember which way around

There's also something strange with the exhaust. Are both silencers with the bike somewhere?

I really liked my 95, in the same "fastest colours"  :wink:
« Last Edit: June 23, 2022, 10:18:04 AM by tris »
2017 V9 Roamer
2005 Breva 1100 (non ABS) "Bruno" - now sold
1995 Cali 1100 - carby   "Dino" -now sold
1993 TW125 "POS" - Resting

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2022, 10:17:23 AM »
Curious that as it definitely came with 2 discs

I wonder if its an iffy way of de-linking the brakes?
Originally the foot pedal worked one front disk and the rear, and the lever the other front disc, but I can't remember which way around

I really liked my 95, in the same "fastest colours"  :wink:

oh wow, ok...that is interesting.  You can even see where the bolt holes for a second rotor are in that picture.  And i'm now seeing tabs on the lower stanchion for a caliper too...

Well then...cause for an even lower offer...

I'd be currious to hear opinions as to whether of not that would be a concern?  As it's an 1100, i would think the extra stopping power would be preferable...

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2022, 10:24:44 AM »
speaking of...is there a good place to source these parts, or is it a lot like trying to find parts for old-ass European cars...?

Offline Wayne Orwig

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #15 on: June 23, 2022, 11:00:49 AM »
That absolutely came with two disks, in an integrated brake configuration. That is very odd to rip out a disk.

The ECU thing is likely to just be a relay or sidestand switch.

I put over 130,000 miles on my 1994.
Scientist have discovered that people will believe anything, if you first say "Scientists have discovered...."

Offline kidsmoke

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #16 on: June 23, 2022, 11:19:35 AM »
oh wow, ok...that is interesting.  You can even see where the bolt holes for a second rotor are in that picture.  And i'm now seeing tabs on the lower stanchion for a caliper too...

Well then...cause for an even lower offer...

I'd be curious to hear opinions as to whether of not that would be a concern?  As it's an 1100, i would think the extra stopping power would be preferable...

Later iterations of this machine did come from the factory with only a single disc, (V11 Cali Jackal, Stone)and with all the necessary tabs etc to go double, so you can certainly be a safe rider with one disc. But more is betterer, and the real issue is why didn't it retain them? Perhaps damage, and a quick fix was a salvaged front end off a single disc cousin? You'd think the time would be taken to transfer braking components.

All three of my "integrated braking" Guzzis use the Left front combined with the rear disc, with the right front being the standalone front brake. My 4th is a Jackal, which gets by fine with one disc, but I am changing it up this winter. Because. 

Still 12 hunnit may be fair if she's otherwise fit and a good runner.

pic not presenting for me. Must be the workplace firewall...I assume she's a beaut...
'79 G5
'93 1000S
'00 Jackal
'09 GRiSO

Offline redrider90

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #17 on: June 23, 2022, 11:53:44 AM »
Rear tire is very low. Gotta wonder how long it's been sitting around. Looks like the front brake line runs over to the left side.
It must have been de-linked to do that.
Red 90 Mille GT

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #18 on: June 23, 2022, 12:42:37 PM »
great...thanks to everyone for your thoughts on this, I really appreciate it!


Offline tris

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #19 on: June 23, 2022, 02:35:27 PM »
Seems to be also missing exhausts and foot boards,  still that keeps driving the price down  :wink:

Whereabouts are you?
If europe try https://www.rebootguzzispares.com/ for used parts
2017 V9 Roamer
2005 Breva 1100 (non ABS) "Bruno" - now sold
1995 Cali 1100 - carby   "Dino" -now sold
1993 TW125 "POS" - Resting

Offline Tom

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #20 on: June 23, 2022, 02:50:38 PM »
Some Bosch parts fit.  Definitely check the sensors for "swarf".  If you find that it's the ecu, the low cost option would be to retro fit to points/condensor igntion.  I don't that it's the ecu.
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #21 on: June 23, 2022, 03:05:51 PM »
Seems to be also missing exhausts and foot boards,  still that keeps driving the price down  :wink:

Whereabouts are you?
If europe try https://www.rebootguzzispares.com/ for used parts

oh those are included in a box...allegedly it's all "common mods to remove." 

...smh...

Offline guzzisteve

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #22 on: June 23, 2022, 04:28:10 PM »
oh those are included in a box...allegedly it's all "common mods to remove." 

...smh...
No pegs on it either.
"Pray through Carlo & your bike shall be healed"
Location: Planet Earth

Offline yogidozer

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #23 on: June 23, 2022, 04:39:11 PM »
No pegs on it either.
allegedly it's all "common mods to remove. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Offline cbevis

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #24 on: June 23, 2022, 04:56:15 PM »
No pegs on it either.
Those mIgHt be in the box....lol?

allegedly it's all "common mods to remove. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
lol...

i'm going to go see the thing next weekend if it's still around.  I'm not desperate for the bike.  It's been on Marketplace for a few weeks...might be primed for a lowball offer...

Offline Kiwi Dave

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #25 on: June 23, 2022, 05:00:03 PM »
I owned at least one of these, purchased new.

The second disc would have been removed as a crude method of de-linking the front and rear braking system.  It never bothered me, except when riding a single front disc model (no integrated brakes), where stomping on the brake pedal would invariably lock up the rear wheel.   Almost impossible to achieve with linked brakes.

Can't find any photos, but here's a later version with the same linked brakes, that I purchased eighteen years ago in Los Angeles, and it now resides with me in Auckland, NZ.





« Last Edit: June 23, 2022, 05:02:46 PM by Kiwi Dave »

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #26 on: June 23, 2022, 05:37:26 PM »
I had a 95 1100i.. it needed a clutch around 40k miles and you don’t have a way to test drive so I would be really low balling him. They don’t always need a clutch that early. It’s not too hard to change out but pretty time consuming. Figure a day to tear down and another to get it back together.
And do mufflers come with it, don’t see them in the box.

Here’s another local Guzzi. Maybe he would go down some in price? This one looks rideable now.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/mcy/d/saint-paul-2000-moto-guzzi-jackal/7493161292.html
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline yogidozer

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #27 on: June 23, 2022, 05:44:43 PM »
I had a 95 1100i.. it needed a clutch around 40k miles and you don’t have a way to test drive so I would be really low balling him. They don’t always need a clutch that early. It’s not too hard to change out but pretty time consuming. Figure a day to tear down and another to get it back together.
And do mufflers come with it, don’t see them in the box.

Here’s another local Guzzi. Maybe he would go down some in price? This one looks rideable now.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/mcy/d/saint-paul-2000-moto-guzzi-jackal/7493161292.html
That one looks much better. New tires, pretty low miles, windscreen, seat possibly redone? Both rotors up front, nice fishtail mufflers

Offline sdcr

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #28 on: June 23, 2022, 05:54:42 PM »
i'm going to go see the thing next weekend if it's still around.  I'm not desperate for the bike.  It's been on Marketplace for a few weeks...might be primed for a lowball offer...

Since it is currently in “ non runner” status, IMHO, any offer should be considered. Remember, your buying an unknown quantity at this point. Could cost $50. to get it back on the road, or, $5000.
John
2000 BMW R1100 RS
1983 BMW R100
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Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: 1994 Moto Guzzi California
« Reply #29 on: June 23, 2022, 06:40:28 PM »
That one looks much better. New tires, pretty low miles, windscreen, seat possibly redone? Both rotors up front, nice fishtail mufflers
nope, Jackal came with only one front brake.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

 

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