California II front tire size question.

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks I have been running the same size Shinko tour master on the front of my Cali II as on my  73 Eldorado, 110-80-18.
  I recently mounted up a 100-80-18 on the front of my Eldo, and have been pleased with the way the bike steers,and handles with the slightly smaller tire.
My question is has any one tried that smaller sized front tire on a Cal II? How did it work out? My Cali II has always had a "heavier" feeling to the front end/steering. I am wondering if switching to the slightly smaller front tire will make it steer/handle quicker, like it did to the eldo, or is it not recommended on the heavier Cal II?
  Any opinions, and suggestions much appreciated.
Rick.

[Daniel Kalal]

...Any opinions, and suggestions much appreciated

I cannot speak to your question as to the smaller tire on a Cal2, but I do have lots of experience with both the bikes you've mentioned, which leads me to ask...   Are you running 40psi in the Cal2 front tire?

[hidn45]

I've run both the 100 & the 110 on the front of our Cali II, & yes, the smaller tire is a little "quicker".  I went to the bigger tire when we were doing a lot more touring, but I think that ship has sailed, & I may go back to the 100 next time.

That can also be confirmed by the previous owner of our particular Cali - he told me the bigger tire would slow the steering down some, & he was right.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I prefer a 100/90 on Tontis, but a 110/90 on Loops.

[Peter949]

I tried the 100 size front tire on my 84 Cali II, and the steering was

 too quick for me. After it wore out I went back to the 110 size.   Also on this thread, 40 PSI on the front tire for a Cali II was mentioned ??

[hidn45]

Oh, yes - whatzzis on 40 PSI in the front?  (I had forgotten to ask...)

Peter - that's a fine looking machine you've got there, lovely color.

[Mike Craven]

There was a thread a few years ago about Cali II front tyre size.  The 120's seem slow (too much precession torque required).  So this is a very interesting thread and 'hidn45' may go back to the 100 while Peter949 thinks it may be too quick.  I have the highest respect for the Guzzi designers and test riders because this is another case where after dithering and testing I'll probably go back to a 110 tyre (I have the 120 now).  Wish I had the resources to put three sizes on three wheels and take 'em all to a rally for a bunch of folks to do test riding.
Mike

[bigbikerrick]

I cannot speak to your question as to the smaller tire on a Cal2, but I do have lots of experience with both the bikes you've mentioned, which leads me to ask...   Are you running 40psi in the Cal2 front tire?

I currently run about 32-35 psi in the front tire on my cal II. Is it advisable to run 40 psi?
  The only bike that I run higher pressures in the front tire is my Lemans IV with the 16" "fat" front tire, where I run 37-40 psi for best handling.
  I never had thought about trying higher pressures in the Cal II, but thats a good idea to try.
Thanks
Rick.

[Daniel Kalal]

I currently run about 32-35 psi in the front tire on my cal II. Is it advisable to run 40 psi?

Yes; the Cal2 is interesting in that Guzzi gave it the same rim and tire size, front and rear.  I'd recommend 40 psi in both. For sure, 32 psi in the front will feel heavy.

[oldbike54]

Yes; the Cal2 is interesting in that Guzzi gave it the same rim and tire size, front and rear.  I'd recommend 40 psi in both. For sure, 32 psi in the front will feel heavy.

 This .

 Dusty

[brider]

Yes; the Cal2 is interesting in that Guzzi gave it the same rim and tire size, front and rear.  I'd recommend 40 psi in both. For sure, 32 psi in the front will feel heavy.

I ran a 120 in the front for YEARS because that's what the manual said, but went to 110/90 last time based on the consensus of this board. WAAAAY quicker and lighter steering.

 I don't know about that 40 PSI, though, as a way to quicken-up steering. Seems kinda high to me, I would prefer a little suppleness and compliance (and comfort) in my front tire rather than skippiness of a too-hard tire. What's the owner's manual say? What's the tire sidewall say? A Cal 2 won't likely be travelling at high enough constant speeds to warrant a higher pressure, nor will the front tire be loaded enough.

[bigbikerrick]

Well I guess I am going to experiment a bit, and try higher pressures in the front of my Cal II.
Rick.

[Tom]

You'll like running a higher front tire air pressure.  I run 40lbs. in almost all bikes.  The sidewalls will have less flex.