Author Topic: New to me Cal III  (Read 1498 times)

Offline Turin

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New to me Cal III
« on: December 12, 2022, 09:11:39 PM »
Just picked up this Cal III. It was bought new by Mitch Markow of Saint Louis (who sent it to rennsport in 1992) and then sold to Frank Benavides of Clayton MO sometime around 1994. Anyone know either of these guys? The bike is a hoot. Time to make room and I'm selling the Ducati 907.

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« Last Edit: December 12, 2022, 09:12:36 PM by Turin »
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline rjamesohio

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2022, 09:53:10 PM »
Well - I own the same machine and find it fulfilling as well!

They do ALMOST everything well if you're in no hurry. And that's exactly what I like about it.

Congrats and I hope the machine is with you for many miles.
Ron James
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Offline Groover

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2022, 10:25:31 AM »
Congrats! Is the the big valve variant? I think they were 1992, but I could be 100% wrong.
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Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2022, 10:46:34 AM »
It is a big valve. Next to the VV* engine case stamping is a RennSport stamp. This is a hot rod. I'm going through the receipts and correspondence letters from the previous owners.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2022, 10:46:34 AM »

Offline Moparnut72

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM »
I always associated RennSport with BMW sidecar racing. Learn something every day.
kk
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Offline bigbikerrick

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2022, 12:12:58 PM »
Thats an interesting exhaust system on the Cal III. I have never seen that before. Custom made?
Rick
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2022, 01:22:07 PM »
It's a RennSport 2-1-2 with dunstall replica mufflers. You used to see RennSport systems on some guzzi race bikes and some cafe racers.





« Last Edit: December 13, 2022, 01:33:05 PM by Turin »
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Alfetta

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2022, 01:31:40 PM »
Don't know much on your tuned goose, but i did own 2 Alfa Romeo GTV's like the red one you got in the garage!   and it looks like Fiat hubcaps on the car under the cover, I'm guessing 124 ???

when the Italian bug bites,  it bites hard !
Nothing much better than a Tannat from the Salta region.

Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2022, 04:12:33 PM »
I bought the Alfa from a wildguzzi forum member back in 2007. 82 GTV6 Ballocco with a 3.0 from a Milano Verde. The 124 spider is a '77. The Wifes car.


1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Gusable

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2022, 05:14:12 PM »
I like the cali 3.  Super cool
1994 California 1100

Online chuck peterson

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2022, 06:37:02 AM »
Intercontinental Beastie…will refuse to quit after 1200 mile days…every day for weeks…your a$$ will hate you while collecting gas receipts in foreign languages. Dawn to dusk days are in your future.

Someone made those unusual carbs work for what modifications, i wonder…who’s carb are those?
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Offline Moparnut72

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2022, 08:59:02 AM »
They look like Lectrons. Used on Harleys to replace sometimes troublesome Tillotsons.
kk
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Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2022, 10:16:34 AM »
41mm Mikuni TM Pro-series flatsides from/installed by Rennsport.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Groover

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2022, 05:47:34 PM »
The Rennsport stuff is pretty cool, and impossible to find these days. I let that same exhaust slip away a few years ago, not sure I was completely sold on it at the time but now that I see it installed I have regrets... thanks a lot Turin  :grin:
« Last Edit: December 16, 2022, 01:17:16 PM by Groover »
1981 Moto Guzzi V1000G5
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, a
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, b
1980 Piaggio Vespa P200E
1980 Piaggio Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa Grande Moped
1980 Vespa SI Moped
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Online cliffrod

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2022, 07:28:06 PM »
That looks like a bitchin bike that needs to be treated a certain way….  I’m confident you’re up to the task. 

Please post some progress reports as they become available.
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Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2022, 08:07:00 PM »
Progress report... installing one new tire... and done. This bike loves a big hand full of throttle. lots of fun.
« Last Edit: December 15, 2022, 08:09:58 PM by Turin »
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Online cliffrod

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2022, 08:21:42 PM »
Progress report... installing one new tire... and done. This bike loves a big hand full of throttle. lots of fun.

Very cool- Twist it hard, man.
1973 V7 Sport  "Now THAT'S a motorcycle!"-  Master Sculptor Giuliano Cecchinelli
1967 V700 Corsa Record
1981 Lemans CX100
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExX3YmQel_Q
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Offline dblue

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #17 on: December 15, 2022, 08:27:19 PM »
 I worked on a Charlie Rice Rennsport, Lemans III, in the 90's. It had the same carbs, 1105 cc kit, megacycle cam the same exhaust. roller rockers and steel pushrods.
lightened flywheel. but when he finally got it back, it had so much compression it would not start. I put a couple extra base gasket in it to lower compression. That worked until it got hot and ahigh gear run and it folded both piston crowns in at the same time. Never stamp your trade name in the dome of a lightened piston.
 It will be interesting to see what all was done to the Cali. Obviously  you won't have those kinds of problems.
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Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #18 on: December 16, 2022, 11:24:22 AM »
Similar set up, but taken down a notch. The pistons don't have a huge dome( I have a spare set) and it has their mid level cam. It's still a Cali, just "more".
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline jasonsantacruz

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #19 on: December 16, 2022, 11:57:02 AM »
So cool ! I just put a pair of Rennsport carbs on my MK3, I really like the throttle now, I have to clean up the pipes, but they are next.


Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #20 on: December 16, 2022, 03:06:36 PM »
Do you have the 39mm or the 41mm ? Share a pic. I think the LeMans III is the prettiest of the LeMans series.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline jasonsantacruz

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #21 on: December 16, 2022, 08:40:58 PM »
Mine is 36mm but it's a big 36, really an improvement.  Here is my Lemans III and a family picture too!




Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #22 on: December 29, 2022, 08:21:14 PM »
The Duc went to it's new home on tuesday. So far I'm loving the big Cali. No regrets.
I'm getting used to the funky floorboard foot control set up and the seat is pretty decent once you get used to it. The wide handlebar that Dirk installed is great and I'm on the fence about the batwing fairing. I never thought I'd be so into a bike that's painted salmon red and cream.
Anyone else ever see one of those little yellow AGIP stickers before?

Wide bar

« Last Edit: December 29, 2022, 08:23:26 PM by Turin »
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Denis

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #23 on: January 01, 2023, 08:29:14 AM »
I've always wanted one of those Lodolas!


Mine is 36mm but it's a big 36, really an improvement.  Here is my Lemans III and a family picture too!




Show me a Le Mans IV and I'll show you a Le Mans 1000.
'87 SPII, '74 Eldorado, '85 LeMans, '91 California, '71 Ducati 450 RT, '41 Indian 841, '40 Indian Model 640-B ex-Canadian Army

Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #24 on: March 06, 2023, 10:26:53 PM »
Got rid of the dunstall replicas and mounted a set of BUB Conti reps.  I never thought I'd be a Cali guy... go team flacid whale penis!






Love this wide bar.


1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline kingoffleece

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #25 on: March 06, 2023, 11:43:19 PM »
excellent!
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Offline larrys

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #26 on: March 07, 2023, 08:35:32 AM »
The Cal III's, 1000's, 1100's are the best Guzzi deals going these days. Have had mine for 22 years and still like it. Get yours before they become "vintage collectibles" like Loops are now... I remember when Loops were just old bikes and not worth much.
Larry
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Offline Groover

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #27 on: March 07, 2023, 08:51:44 AM »
I'm just waiting for Turin to post a video or sound clip of what that one sounds like  :azn:
« Last Edit: March 07, 2023, 08:53:30 AM by Groover »
1981 Moto Guzzi V1000G5
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, a
1987 Moto Guzzi LM1000SE, b
1980 Piaggio Vespa P200E
1980 Piaggio Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa Grande Moped
1980 Vespa SI Moped
http://scooteropolis.com/

Offline Turin

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #28 on: March 11, 2023, 06:56:52 PM »
Groover, here you go. neighbor came by to have a peek.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqYfUGBUV8c
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Irishflyer

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Re: New to me Cal III
« Reply #29 on: March 11, 2023, 09:35:47 PM »
Sounds and looks great!  I have a 96 1100i that just keeps going.  The style is an acquired taste, but 1100 was enough to tote myself and my gf around Sturgis last year with no issues in the Black Hills.  Im sure a Rennsport would do even better. 

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