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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 07:04:56 AM

Title: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 07:04:56 AM
Yesterday, I just picked up a 2009 Calvin in white with 4000 miles.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/16154286673_3ac4c8a6b9.jpg)

Questions:
1) Will the tubeless wheels from a 1998 EV bolt on?
    answer - no <= wrong, answer: rear is a direct bolt on
2) Will the Corbin solo saddle for the Jackal and Stone work?: http://corbin.com/motoguzzi/jackal.shtml

3) I like the bar bend, but they are too far forward, does anyone make bar backs for the 30mm (at the clamps) bars?
    answer - likely, no, but spacers under the stock risers will get 'er done
4) Or should I fit 7/8" risers to the upper triple and go with some pull back buckhorns from?: http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/ImportHandlebars78.html
    answer - no answer possible to "should". could => yes
5) Should the saddle bag crash bars have left marks on the saddlebags (I doubt it), does it mean they are bent? can the bags be fit without the guards?
    answer - no, but some do. as far as fitment w/o guards - inconclusive
6) The clutch rattles when cold and the lever is pulled in (sounds like a dry clutch ducati), but is otherwise normal. Concerns?
    answer - one vote for no concern
7) Replace the crossover with a Harpers H style?
    answer - lots of opinions on exhaust, intake and computer mods
8) replacement windscreens (just plastic, not hardware)
    answer - rifle (rifle 19.5 is 1" taller and 1" wider than stock)
9) cruise controls...
    answer - throttlemeister
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: dilligaf on March 10, 2015, 07:18:24 AM
Nice looking motorcycle.  :BEER:
Matt
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 08:15:07 AM
tnx...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Caffeineo on March 10, 2015, 08:57:01 AM
Beautiful bike.  ;-T
I put the Harpers H on my Bassa and really like the way it sounds.
There is a thread on here about putting EV wheels on a CalVin. I think some spacers are needed and it is very doable.
Have you tried rotating the bars back? I really did not like the bars on my Bassa until I rotated them back. Now they are much better.
My clutch kinda makes a lot of noise and works just fine. Only about 15K miles on it but I believe the noise in normal.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 09:14:40 AM
the ev wheel threads are confusing to me. it appears there were some intermediate years where offset rear drive flanges and long rear drive spacers made mixing and matching parts more problematic. I'm wondering if going back to 1998, the wheels and their splines, etc would be more similar.

The grips are at about a perfect angle for my wrists, I'd hate to rotate them, they are just too far forward (and low). Also, seeing whereas the grips feel low, rotating down further would be untenable. Rotating them up from their current position might actually move the grips further back, they are that low. The whole ergos on this bike are messed up. I feel like I'm crowding the tank, my feet feel too far forward on the boards, and my torso to thigh angle is too acute (I'm 5'9" with short legs and long torso/arms). If I had bars with more pullback, it would cure a host of issues, improve the leg angle, foot position, etc.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Tom Hansen on March 10, 2015, 09:17:51 AM
Good looking bike!  I had been looking at this one as well as another identical bike in Florida.  I just bought mine from another board member and am going to pick it up later this month, so I can't help you at all.

I just wanted to congratulate you and brag about how beautiful our new bikes are!!
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 10, 2015, 09:18:20 AM
Or maybe raise the seat. That helped the the leg angle a lot for my on my EV.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: harrytief on March 10, 2015, 09:36:03 AM
Hi Mike
Congratulations on the calvin in white...like a young bride at her wedding.
I mounted '03 EV wheels on my calvin and did a write up that you can find in the archives. The swap is straight forward at the front for all years of EV wheels. You will need to trim the "Y" shaped fender brackets/spacers that ride on the front axle and serve the dual function of attaching the fender braces and centering the front wheel. I cannot recall (age related memory degradation) the new dimension but I noted it in my report. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll pull the wheel to measure. The rear is more problematic as you need both the rear brake caliper carrier and the inner bearing spacer from the EV. The calvin spacer can be trimmed to fit the Ev rear wheel the issue being the gap between the wheel hub and the rear drive outer flange. Measure that gap and trim accordingly. I bought a EV rear spacer keeping the calvin's as spare. The EV rear caliper caliper is necessary as the calvin's will wont fit up without machining. Both front and rear axles from the calvin should fit.
I used stone bars as replacements for the calvin's beach bars and the bike was instantly more responsive and comfortable. Go figure. Looked better too.
I used the two part crossover from Todd and liked the sound and quality but find that cross pipes over time will separate from each other and the bike will backfire until you discover the problem.
The PacificoAero/H&H fairing is the very best wind and buffet solution for the calvin. I know as I've tried them all and can sell you the larger rifle screen and lowers along with the pop vents installed in the screen. Sits on a shelf.
You will be very happy with the calvin if you also:
Replace the rear shocks with something that controls rebound and compression.
Add Matris adjustable fork cartridges.
Drop the triple clamps 20 to 25mm.
Mount the stickiest tires you can find ( stay with bias ply).
Ride alot.
Damn the snow.
Be safe
Harry


Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 09:39:43 AM
Or maybe raise the seat. That helped the the leg angle a lot for my on my EV.


yes that would probably help, but I have short legs, and like to be able to flat foot...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: harrytief on March 10, 2015, 09:42:53 AM
My post above should read that the EV rear caliper carrier is also necessary.
Harry
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 09:43:21 AM
I mounted '03 EV wheels on my calvin and did a write up that you can find in the archives. The swap is straight forward at the front for all years of EV wheels. You will need to trim the "Y" shaped fender brackets/spacers that ride on the front axle and serve the dual function of attaching the fender braces and centering the front wheel. I cannot recall (age related memory degradation) the new dimension but I noted it in my report. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll pull the wheel to measure. The rear is more problematic as you need both the rear brake caliper carrier and the inner bearing spacer from the EV. The calvin spacer can be trimmed to fit the Ev rear wheel the issue being the gap between the wheel hub and the rear drive outer flange. Measure that gap and trim accordingly. I bought a EV rear spacer keeping the calvin's as spare. The EV rear caliper caliper is necessary as the calvin's will wont fit up without machining. Both front and rear axles from the calvin should fit.
...

this: "inner bearing spacer from the EV"

you mean the spacer pressed into the rear drive unit, not the spacer that sits between the two wheel bearings, right?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: harrytief on March 10, 2015, 10:20:20 AM
Memory alert!
Mike I can't recall without reading my posts of that time which spacer caused the gap problem. I do remember thinking that unless the gap caused a wheel offset issue it was only an aesthetic problem. I also remember that the calvin inner hub spacer was longer than the EV's (by about 15mm?). If your EV wheels already have the inner hub spacer and bearings then try fitting them up and see if a gap at the hub/rear drive flange appears. You will also see that the calvin rear caliper carrier will not fit up.  As I type, I seem to recall that I did need to shorten the spacer pressed into the rear drive by the amount of the gap. I wonder if Vigara can also initiate memory loss.
I do not recall there being any other fitment issues that discouraged me from doing the wheel swap.
Let me know what you find.
Harry
PS
I have a earlier aluminum EV rear wheel that I may never get around to using. Excellent, near new condition.
Oh yes, one more thing. You will see that the large spring circlip holding the splined plate in the rear wheel is held in its groove by a single clip unlike earlier tonti rear wheels. There were internet reports of EV rear wheels failing when the large circilp enlarged its groove and slipped out. I added several additional of the smaller clips following a post by Greg Field on here. Greg sent them to me while at MI.
Harry
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 10:56:40 AM
a purely aestetic gap between the wheel flange and the rear drive unit doesn't concern me. All I want is full engagement of the wheel to rear drive splines. PM me with a price for your early EV rear wheel...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on March 10, 2015, 12:37:38 PM
Rifle offers replacement windshields at a variety of widths/heights for +-$160. A couple of 1/2" drive, 18mm sockets between your handlebar clamp and the upper triple clamp will bring your bars up and back. It's an inexpensive technique for evaluating comfort while deciding on a more permanent fix (my solution was to use California Stone bars). I had a seat made that raised the seating surface 3/4". It made the bike far more comfy and I can still flatfoot at stops (I'm 5'10" with a 31" inseam). If it's not already done, adjust your shifter so you can fit your foot under it to improve comfort even more. There's a second adjustment for this underneath the transmission...just trace the linkage.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Arizona Wayne on March 10, 2015, 01:03:17 PM
Mike, did you buy that bike from Wes Stephens(looks like his)?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 10, 2015, 02:01:25 PM
The chrome guards around the saddlebags rubbed against the bags on mine too.  Pretty sure most do that, and don't think you can remove them.  I tried bending them down a bit, but they still didn't totally clear the bags.  One side was worse than the other.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 02:04:13 PM
Mike, did you buy that bike from Wes Stephens(looks like his)?

Tom from Beaverdam Va...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 02:07:50 PM
The chrome guards around the saddlebags rubbed against the bags on mine too.  Pretty sure most do that, and don't think you can remove them.  I tried bending them down a bit, but they still didn't totally clear the bags.  One side was worse than the other.

tnx
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 10, 2015, 02:14:08 PM
BTW  Mike, best thing you can do is have Todd @ GuzziTech reflash the ECU to eliminate the closed loop/O2 sensor. 

I found the combo of H-pipe crossover, open air box and stock pipes to work best with the reflash.  I tried everything, to include  a Power Commander, Mistral pipes, black magic, etc.   YMMV
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: PeteS on March 10, 2015, 02:29:12 PM
One option for the bars are Rox Risers. They can be rotated horizontal to move the bars back. They also come ridged and anti vibe style. Well made product.

http://www.revzilla.com/rox-risers

For windshields the best I have ever sat behind was the Swanee. Not the best looking but near zero turbulence. I think Harpers sells a copy. Avoid any of the flat police style shields They mount so far forward it makes it a turbulence machine.

Pete
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: CalVin2007 on March 10, 2015, 02:45:23 PM
  Mike-

     I have these bars on my CalVin:  http://www.bikebandit.com/aftermarket-parts/motorcycle-control-and-brake/handlebars-universal/bikemaster-nighthawk-handlebars

     They are 7/8" so I used risers from a Jackal to replace the CalVin 30mm stuff. The bars sit up and back just the right amount for me to be comfortable...be advised they do flex a bit more than the Fat Bars did, and it also takes more effort to turn at low speeds and when moving the bike in the garage. No cable changes were necessary, just some minor routing tweaks in the upper triple clamp area.

   I have a Windjammer on mine and it's great for nice smooth air, but before that I did use a National Cycle Plexistar II with very good results. FAR better than the stock screen but requires modding the aux light mounts. A Plexi III would be even better.

  Terry

     
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on March 10, 2015, 03:03:53 PM
Be aware that 1 1/8" bars are 28mm...Guzzi bars are 30mm.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Greg Field on March 10, 2015, 04:19:46 PM
When I worked at Moto Intl. we fitted a Calvin with tubeless wheels.

My memory is that it required a post-2002 (US model years) rear wheel. A 98 EV front should fit fine.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 04:42:42 PM
yes, a bastard sized bar if there ever was one...
Cal 14 is 28mm
1.125" is 28.6mm
CalVIn is 30mm

The rox risers look "interesting", but not sure they would fit the 30mm CalVin bars.

maybe just a 1" high, 1" diameter, 1/2" ID aluminum spacer from mcmaster carr?:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#unthreaded-spacers/=w949ul
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Travman on March 10, 2015, 04:54:54 PM
BTW  Mike, best thing you can do is have Todd @ GuzziTech reflash the ECU to eliminate the closed loop/O2 sensor. 

I found the combo of H-pipe crossover, open air box and stock pipes to work best with the reflash.  I tried everything, to include  a Power Commander, Mistral pipes, black magic, etc.   YMMV
Last night we installed a reflashed ECU from Redline (Yorktown, VA) on my friends CalVin. His bike also has the H-pipe, open air box and stock pipes. The bike finally feels like it should. It breathes and revs much more fluidly, much more enjoyable. Luckily, I had ridden a well sorted EV-T a few years back so I knew what was possible.

We also finished installing those 1973 Eldorado valve covers yesterday evening. Thanks for selling those to me.

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/image.jpg3_zpslp2zuwes.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 06:51:23 PM
did you go with metal valve cover adaptors or just the dual use gaskets?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on March 10, 2015, 07:06:54 PM
Those spacers look great (I used the sockets 'cause they were in the toolbox and are chrome). The risers will put the bar clamp in a slightly unfamiliar place (visually, at least), but they will put the grips where you seem to want them. In my case, this didn't work (the bend of those bars put my wrists at a weird angle). Still, it remains an affordable way to make the bike fit you. I've placed a photo below to show the Rifle shield (+4" of height and 2" wider with Vetter Pop Vents), the Stone handlebars, the higher Sargent saddle, and the raised shifter:

(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c229/JamesBagley/2A82F38E-7F34-4551-B4B8-45E39A3DF6D4_1.jpg) (http://s28.photobucket.com/user/JamesBagley/media/2A82F38E-7F34-4551-B4B8-45E39A3DF6D4_1.jpg.html)

Cam...those valve covers look trick!
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: dlapierre on March 10, 2015, 07:27:28 PM
Just to be contrary. I don't know why you would want to change anything until you give it a chance. Mine is exactly the same bike. Colour and all. The only thing I  changed was the windshield...to a lower one because the buffeting of the stock one was bothersome. Oh, and \I went to a bit wider rear tire when I wore the first one out..only because it was a brand I like.
 I'm a hair over 6' tall. I wear a full-face helmet.
I have a stable of bikes and each one feels a bit different to ride. Each one takes a little getting used to. But, the Cali Vintage took nothing to get used to.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 10, 2015, 07:53:40 PM
I know what my body likes, but you are right go slow w/mods.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: stmike on March 10, 2015, 08:02:23 PM
About a month or two after buying my white Calvin I brought it to Todd and had him set up all the fueling for me, including H-pipe, Ferraci open air box, ECU reflash, PC V, and maybe a couple of other things that I don't recall at the moment.  He also adjusted it all on his magic computer.  Bike ran great after that.  Whenever I bring it over to him for its service he always makes sure its still set up the way it should be.  This was a very worthwhile investment.
Congratulations on your new bike (and your good taste!).
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Travman on March 10, 2015, 08:04:36 PM
did you go with metal valve cover adaptors or just the dual use gaskets?
I used the metal adapters from MG Cycles along with the two sets of gaskets.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Bill Hagan on March 10, 2015, 08:56:39 PM
did you go with metal valve cover adaptors or just the dual use gaskets?

I used the metal adapters from MG Cycles along with the two sets of gaskets.


Here's another shot of Travis's nice work.


(http://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/photos/i-bhhgSCm/0/XL/i-bhhgSCm-XL.jpg)


The CalVins are nice machines. 

Bill


Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Travman on March 10, 2015, 09:24:52 PM
The CalVins are nice machines. 

Bill
I'm surprised you noticed the CalVins since they never came in red.  ;D
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 10, 2015, 09:47:47 PM
Travis,

Those valve covers look perfect.  Nice work!

Cam
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: VladTepes on March 11, 2015, 12:41:46 AM
Yesterday, I just picked up a 2009 Calvin in white with 4000 miles.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/16154286673_3ac4c8a6b9.jpg)

Very nice ! Congratulations.

(What's wrong with the wheels that are on it?)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 11, 2015, 05:58:15 AM
Very nice ! Congratulations.

(What's wrong with the wheels that are on it?)

tubes, steel
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 11, 2015, 06:18:48 AM
(http://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/photos/i-bhhgSCm/0/XL/i-bhhgSCm-XL.jpg)

Interesting, my CalVin has a different non-adjustable steering damper that I have never seen on a Guzzi before, it looks like a nice piece. I think I'd rather have that age old leather/friction Paoli unit (same one came on my 1983 Lemans III).

More importantly, my tank rests on the rearmost mounting tab for the damper. So much so that the rubber trim around the gas tank is deformed. I think this weekend, the tank will be coming off....

Any tips on removing the tank, I hear there is a "quick" release which can spew gas...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Jerryd on March 11, 2015, 08:04:13 AM
My '08 has an adjustable damper?

Being that I just got mine  and came from 2 Norge's in the past, I'm wondering if the hose clamp around the oil filter is still a suggested mod? I know there was a lot of covers action about the merits around here when I owned my 98 EV.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 11, 2015, 08:08:24 AM
FWIW, I plan to put a hose clamp on my oil filter once I get the pan off...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: VladTepes on March 11, 2015, 08:56:48 AM
tubes, steel

Excuse my ignorance - are there spoked wheels available for your bike which are suitable for tubeless tyres?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 11, 2015, 09:09:45 AM
pre-calvin version of the 1064cc California (the EV I believe) had aluminum tubeless spoke wheels (late 90's, early 00's). Lighter (than steel I assume), more importantly, they have the ability to run tubeless, which I consider a must for touring. there are some issues fitting them (caliper hanger, axle spacer, etc), but not insurmountable...

the spokes go through the flange, outside the bead seating area:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L7N75hSGtGc/T9DW9W8wdFI/AAAAAAAAC8g/e9yQ5UIw0Uk/s640/P6060446.JPG)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 12, 2015, 12:09:28 PM
Can anyone out there tell me if a solo Stone or Jackal saddle will fit a California Vintage?

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: 190 Octane on March 12, 2015, 12:19:17 PM
Can anyone out there tell me if a solo Stone or Jackal saddle will fit a California Vintage?



It should, I believe they use the same latch, side covers and rear fender.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 12, 2015, 04:08:24 PM
Drop the triple clamps 20 to 25mm.

you mentioned:
Drop the triple clamps 20 to 25mm.

did you loosen the fork top caps and slide the wheel all the way to the top to see if the fender, etc hit anything?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 12, 2015, 04:10:58 PM
Has anyone tried shorter shocks on the CalVin, it seems quite tall. The rear shocks are 14". I was wondering if 13.5" or 13" would work???
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: menzies on March 12, 2015, 04:12:15 PM
Can anyone out there tell me if a solo Stone or Jackal saddle will fit a California Vintage?

I fitted a Calvin seat to my 02 Sport so should work. Good luck


Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: dguzzi on March 12, 2015, 06:49:01 PM
Is the Vintage tank the same as EV 2003-?  I really like that black with white stripes version.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 12, 2015, 07:28:20 PM
I fitted a Calvin seat to my 02 Sport so should work. Good luck

I'd assume your 2002 was closer to a stone/jackal than a calvin, but a point well taken. Thanks
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 12, 2015, 07:29:44 PM
This bike has absurdly tall gearing. I never get above 4th. Has anyone tried a 7:33 rear drive?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 12, 2015, 07:30:35 PM
Is the Vintage tank the same as EV 2003-?  I really like that black with white stripes version.

I really like the chrome knee panels some of tbe ev's had.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 13, 2015, 06:05:13 AM
This bike has absurdly tall gearing. I never get above 4th. Has anyone tried a 7:33 rear drive?

True.  Only time I saw 5th gear was cruising OVER 80mph.  Not that often for me.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Dean Rose on March 13, 2015, 07:52:26 AM
True.  Only time I saw 5th gear was cruising OVER 80mph.  Not that often for me.

Yep, it's the way to go got it in my '02 EV. Down here in SW Virginia we have have a lot of crooked mountain roads to ride.


Dean
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 13, 2015, 08:29:46 AM
I put the 7/33 gears in my 2004 a while back. Makes towing the camper a bit nicer. It means I use fifth gear more often. But then, there was nothing wrong with using fourth IMHO.
Lots of farting with shims, and regearing the odometer.
The main reason I did it was that the pinion splines were wearing. I wouldn't bother otherwise.
I don't believe the quality of the aftermarket 7/33 gears is all that great.

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: harrytief on March 13, 2015, 08:51:07 AM
Hi Mike
I sent you a pm.
Remember that the calvin/ev series run a 17 inch rear wheel with the 18 inch front wheel. I've found that the greatest improvement in handling on my calvin comes from lowering the front and/or raising the rear. The earlier non california series tonti bikes used 18 inch front and rear wheels (also different steering stem and swing arm lengths). My cx100 always seemed a better handling bike than the calvin and is much better still now with longer shocks (13.25 inches vs 12.5inches). On the cx100, I've also lowered the front and reduced the fork offset and that bike seems even more stable at speed and agile in the city. I'm following that combination on the calvin and getting similiar results. I've installed height adjustable shocks at the rear to raise the rear and will continue to lower the front all with GREAT CARE so as not to F@#%CK UP. I'd like to know what the guzzi engineers where thinking when they took a 1970's superbike and turned it into a "cruiser" by lengthening the steering stem and swing arm and decreasing the rear wheel diameter. I wonder how much of that was fashion or butt capacity at the expense of performance.
Harry
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 13, 2015, 10:06:49 AM
I have been asked to compare my old California 1400 Touring and my new California Vintage. Here is a table I am putting together:

criteriaCalVinCal14 Touring
================================================
weightmanagableheavier and more top heavy
transmission5 speed complete with false neutrals    slickest shifting 6 speed imaginable
suspensionadjustable front and rearnon-adjustable
luggage rack   stock   additional accessory
ground clearance      fantasticnot good
ride height   too tall   too tall as well but by less
saddle      don't know yet, crowned which doesn't bode well   sadistic piece of crap
leg room      not goodfantastic
windshieldtoo shorttoo tall
leg shieldsyesno
fuel injection      some pinging and rough running, not FBWfantastic, fly by wire
gearing      absurdly tallspot on
electronic bling   what? oh, a cigarette lighter socketall of it, cruise, traction, engine maps, gear indicator, MPG, etc
brakes      great, I like integratednon integrated, radial brembos, front rotors warped
saddlebags   water tight (so I'm told), smaller, sub-par guards/mounts (which are semi-quick detatch)   leak badly, large, great fixed mounts
cost of rear tire       <$100, ample choices and size options$250, limited selection
power      ok once you get revs upa rocket
exhaust crossoverlargefalls off
oil filter   internal   external
clutchcablehydraulic
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 13, 2015, 10:16:10 AM
"exhaust crossover blocks transmission drain" isn't exactly true on the Vintage.
They put a drain plug in the rear cover letting you drain the transmission from the back.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 13, 2015, 10:20:45 AM
"exhaust crossover blocks transmission drain" isn't exactly true on the Vintage.
They put a drain plug in the rear cover letting you drain the transmission from the back.


live and learn... so much for the crossover purchase...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Dean Rose on March 13, 2015, 10:23:07 AM
live and learn... so much for the crossover purchase...


Put the H pipe on it and the Harpers Outsider oil filter.


Dean
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 13, 2015, 12:27:03 PM
everything will get prioritized. everything in time...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Rich A on March 13, 2015, 01:04:50 PM
Re 7/33. Speed limits are increasing in some places. Lots of 75 mph posted, 80+ actual, in NM. Higher elsewhere.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/10/80-mph-speed-limit/24694521/


Rich A
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Dean Rose on March 13, 2015, 01:24:29 PM
Re 7/33. Speed limits are increasing in some places. Lots of 75 mph posted, 80+ actual, in NM. Higher elsewhere.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/10/80-mph-speed-limit/24694521/


Rich A


I was doing 114 down through the rice paddies in Arkansas going to the Louisiana rally a few years ago and had more throttle left. And the speed was by my GPS, ask Zoom Zoom. The 7/33 has more than enough top end to it.


Dean
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 13, 2015, 01:45:06 PM
actually it is not uncommon for a bike to have a higher top speed in 4th vs 5th or 5th vs 6th. Just depends on where the HP and Torque curve are relative to aerodynamic drag.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Rich A on March 13, 2015, 02:49:29 PM

I was doing 114 down through the rice paddies in Arkansas going to the Louisiana rally a few years ago and had more throttle left. And the speed was by my GPS, ask Zoom Zoom. The 7/33 has more than enough top end to it.


Dean

I don't doubt that--in fact your top speed may be higher with the 7/33 than my Bassa with the 8/33, I've gone about 105-110 mph but heavily loaded.

My point was that there are places where you can sit in 5th at 80+ for hours on end, and in those circumstances I personally prefer the higher ratio (I have/had other bikes with a 7/33). Some of the slabs in TX have a speed limit of 85 mph.

Rich A
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 14, 2015, 06:54:40 PM
Spent day in garage making CalVin mine. Took off a bunch of weight (Rear x bars, rack, fender shirts, lower frame covers, driving lights, evap canister). Ultimately want to put dietz type directionals in their place. Nothing permanent. Discovered bag mounts dont work w/o the bag guards, so I left then on, and tweaked the fwd strut of the guard so the bag wouldnt make contact. Discovered bags really need a fwd mount to keep from wagging, some day. Good thing I pulled the tank. I found a mouse nest under the tank. Pulled the airbox cover and sure enuf, the mouse had made it all the way in, and had been chewing the aircleaner. Cleaned all that up as best I could. Wish I had kept the used filter I replaced in my 1400 last year. Measured the shocks out at 14 3/16". Spring rate estimated at 102#/156# dual rate per side. Thinking 13" or 13.5" Progressive shocks. Probably 13.5" as my low profile rear tire will get me .8" lower (And 4300 rpm instead of 4000 at 70mph/4th, 81mph/5th). Useing $22 in h/w from mcmaster carr under the risers, I raised the handlebars 1.5", this brought them back some, time will tell if it is enuf. Feels good in the garage (raining), and it moves me back some, giving leg room. Estimated 10mm clearance between the fork brace and lower triple clamp. Held off sliding the tubes up cause I couldnt get a good shot at top pinch bolt, plus I haven't lowered rear yet. Typing this on tablet, so thats enuf 4 now...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: father guzzi obrian on March 14, 2015, 07:10:59 PM
About a month or two after buying my white Calvin I brought it to Todd and had him set up all the fueling for me, including H-pipe, Ferraci open air box, ECU reflash, PC V, and maybe a couple of other things that I don't recall at the moment.  He also adjusted it all on his magic computer.  Bike ran great after that.  Whenever I bring it over to him for its service he always makes sure its still set up the way it should be.  This was a very worthwhile investment.
Congratulations on your new bike (and your good taste!).

Just a question, why would you need a PCV after an ECU reflash?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: father guzzi obrian on March 14, 2015, 07:17:16 PM
I'd assume your 2002 was closer to a stone/jackal than a calvin, but a point well taken. Thanks

The only 02 Sport I know guzzi made was the Cali Special Sport, and it was the same as the titanium and aluminum and the seats were not interchangeable. It seems the stone, jackal and EV seats would be more likely to fit
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: harrytief on March 14, 2015, 11:16:37 PM
Hi Mike
I always love the initial bonding session with a new bike in the garage.
Try lowering the front and riding the calvin before you also lower the rear. You may find you like the stability and handling of the bike with the  front dropped more than the rear. Unless you are concerned about flat footing the bike, the rear does best at OEM shock length. Additionally, as you get to know the bike, you may find the front undersprung. The upgrade there might be a set of stiffer springs which will raise the front requiring you to raise the rear...if you see what I mean.
Past my bedtime.
Harry
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Yukonica on March 14, 2015, 11:53:05 PM
Excuse my ignorance. But, and I'm not a cruiser fanboy,...... but how can anyone own (since 2009) a bike as pretty as that and only put 4k on the clock?
And why can't I find LeMans II stored in a heated garage being sold for $500 as the result of an uncomfortable parting of ways?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: steveford on March 15, 2015, 02:39:44 AM
Mike, PM Cross-tie Walker on this board. (Kevin Karcher) is the guy from Seattle that has the EV wheels on his Cal Vin. They are the later wheels from his 02 EV that he had MI put on. I'm sure he'd give you the low down. Kevin's a great guy, and loves these wheels on his bike.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: grebmrof on March 15, 2015, 05:26:01 AM
Mike, check out the first ad in http://www.mgnoc.com/classifieds.html  for a seat that may fit your CalVin and be to your liking.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 15, 2015, 05:50:54 AM
Just a question, why would you need a PCV after an ECU reflash?

You don't.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: menzies on March 15, 2015, 07:30:13 AM
The only 02 Sport I know guzzi made was the Cali Special Sport, and it was the same as the titanium and aluminum and the seats were not interchangeable. It seems the stone, jackal and EV seats would be more likely to fit

It is an 02 Special Sport. GuzziSteve was good enough to help me fit it, just had to bend the tabs  down a little that are just behind the tank and slide into the front of the seat and the seat latch had to be tweaked a tad, pops right off and on. I like the seat because I can slide back a little further, 33 inseam. Also the side covers look a little askew but does not bother me.

That is a beautiful CalVin, I hope it goes well for you.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: father guzzi obrian on March 15, 2015, 11:03:02 AM
It is an 02 Special Sport. GuzziSteve was good enough to help me fit it, just had to bend the tabs  down a little that are just behind the tank and slide into the front of the seat and the seat latch had to be tweaked a tad, pops right off and on. I like the seat because I can slide back a little further, 33 inseam. Also the side covers look a little askew but does not bother me.

That is a beautiful CalVin, I hope it goes well for you.

Good for you, the SS seat is about as horrid a seat as I have toured on, butt burn sets in after an hour or so and never goes away
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 15, 2015, 04:26:25 PM
Always knew modern tontis had rear frame downtube to battery tray braces. Just learned yesterday they have a crossbrace between the lower rails just behind the sump. For HP or handling?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 15, 2015, 04:28:12 PM
Found out timingsensor is weeping oil. Common to these I hear. Should I try teflon on mounting bolts before I pull it and seal/check o-ring?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 15, 2015, 04:29:25 PM
Found a weep from left fork seal. Special tools required?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: WFORIDER on March 15, 2015, 07:48:23 PM
Congrats Mike on Guzzi Revival I know allot people missed your reviews and insights as a rider and mechanic.

Did the Harley work out for you?

Sunny days are coming and you have a very cool bike that we be the bomb when you are done.

Cheers,

Joe
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 15, 2015, 08:09:17 PM
Found a weep from left fork seal. Special tools required?

Mike,

Try this first.  I just bought a couple to have on hand.  I have no experience with them, yet.

http://sealmate.net

Cam
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 16, 2015, 06:41:56 AM
Congrats Mike on Guzzi Revival I know allot people missed your reviews and insights as a rider and mechanic.

Did the Harley work out for you?

Sunny days are coming and you have a very cool bike that we be the bomb when you are done.

Cheers,

Joe

told my wife when I bought the CalVin that I'd sell the harley, and it would pay for the CalVin and the bathroom renovation we are doing... Now I'm thinking I'll hang onto both for a while, and see which one gets sold...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 16, 2015, 06:43:52 AM
Mike,

Try this first.  I just bought a couple to have on hand.  I have no experience with them, yet.

http://sealmate.net

Cam

so it is nothing more than a specially shaped thin piece of plastic? want to loan me one?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 16, 2015, 08:17:30 AM
so it is nothing more than a specially shaped thin piece of plastic? want to loan me one?

Sure, PM me your mailing address.

Cam
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 16, 2015, 09:48:01 AM
Found out timingsensor is weeping oil. Common to these I hear. Should I try teflon on mounting bolts before I pull it and seal/check o-ring?

What I have found is that the plastic sensor swells and may crack. But mainly, the o-ring will have become rock hard from the heat.
I pull the sensor. Clean and degrease it. Replace the o-ring (be aware of the shims and put them back as they were). I then wipe a layer of RTV sealant around the sensor and bolt it back down. I usually have to repeat this every 3 or 4 years if I want to keep the block totally dry. The last time I was at the dealer, they had a new part number for the o-ring. I wonder if they had switched to a better material.


Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 17, 2015, 07:44:53 AM
Risers I made for my CalVin. Took $22 in parts from McMaster-Carr. Moves the bars up more than back, but the allows me to rotate them down and gain more pull back. Definately helped the cramped feeling I had with my legs by moving my butt back...

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8714/16656294980_c652b44003_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8736/16817787186_720ba89fe0_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Jerryd on March 17, 2015, 09:02:24 AM
Risers I made for my CalVin. Took $22 in parts from McMaster-Carr. Moves the bars up more than back, but the allows me to rotate them down and gain more pull back. Definately helped the cramped feeling I had with my legs by moving my butt back...

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8714/16656294980_c652b44003_b.jpg)

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8736/16817787186_720ba89fe0_b.jpg)

P/N's?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 17, 2015, 09:03:28 AM
1   93320A321   4 Packs   Chrome-plated Steel Unthreaded Spacer, 3/4" Od, 3/4" Length, .406" Id
2   93635A471   2 Packs   316 Stainless Steel Hex Head Cap Screw, M10 Thread, 1.5mm Pitch, 100mm Long, Fully Thrded
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 17, 2015, 09:30:29 AM
Risers I made for my CalVin. Took $22 in parts from McMaster-Carr. Moves the bars up more than back, but the allows me to rotate them down and gain more pull back.

Here I thought that was something that I came up with.  :D
Though I only used one spacer.

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 17, 2015, 09:37:59 AM
Here I thought that was something that I came up with.  :D
Though I only used one spacer.



well I got the idea from somewhere, I didn't think of it. maybe it was you...  8^))
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Jerryd on March 17, 2015, 10:15:22 AM
1   93320A321   4 Packs   Chrome-plated Steel Unthreaded Spacer, 3/4" Od, 3/4" Length, .406" Id
2   93635A471   2 Packs   316 Stainless Steel Hex Head Cap Screw, M10 Thread, 1.5mm Pitch, 100mm Long, Fully Thrded


Thanks
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 19, 2015, 05:01:05 PM
Got my 13" progressive shocks with 105/150# springs from Harpers today. Stock length is 14 3/16".  Now I'm flatfooted.  Initial 10 mile ride and results are good. Mounting my low profile tires this weekend, will report on those later.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 22, 2015, 01:22:01 PM
130/70 rear tire is a big win, lowers gearing 1/2 way to 7:33 and lowers rear of bike. Now I want to re-calibrate speedo. Anyone know how many teeth on stock speedo gear?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: rocker59 on March 22, 2015, 01:24:34 PM
130/70 rear tire is a big win, lowers gearing 1/2 way to 7:33 and lowers rear of bike. Now I want to re-calibrate speedo. Anyone know how many teeth on stock speedo gear?

Have you checked it with a GPS, yet?  It may be more accurate, now.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 22, 2015, 01:33:07 PM
Got gps speedo app for Iphone. Speedo shows 80 at true 70. Tire should have given me 7% too high. Stock it must have been 5% optimistic. I have an 11 tooth in my spares. If stock is 10, the 11 would get me close.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: rocker59 on March 22, 2015, 01:35:18 PM
Got gps speedo app for Iphone. Speedo shows 80 at true 70. Tire should have given me 7% too high. Stock it must have been 5% optimistic. I have an 11 tooth in my spares. If stock is 10, the 11 would get me close.

Yeah.  I think that'd do it.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 22, 2015, 03:32:42 PM
If...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Greg Field on March 22, 2015, 04:30:03 PM
Got gps speedo app for Iphone. Speedo shows 80 at true 70. Tire should have given me 7% too high. Stock it must have been 5% optimistic. I have an 11 tooth in my spares. If stock is 10, the 11 would get me close.

ITI speedo, right?

If so, here's one way to re-cal those speedos. You can get them pretty much dead-on, if you do it right. Be sure to have that yellow metal cover in place when spinning the speedo.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=17019.0 (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=17019.0)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 22, 2015, 04:40:52 PM
I have an 11 tooth in my spares. If stock is 10, the 11 would get me close.

I need to double check my records. I thing my 2004 was 9 tooth and I went to 10 tooth when I changed to the 7/33 gears. Plus I tweaked it as Greg points out.
I think they stuck with the same speedo gearing since then.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Kiwi Dave on March 23, 2015, 12:13:06 AM
Got my 13" progressive shocks with 105/150# springs from Harpers today. Stock length is 14 3/16".  Now I'm flatfooted.  Initial 10 mile ride and results are good. Mounting my low profile tires this weekend, will report on those later.

Are you gonna cut down your center stand, or just develop strong muscules to use it?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 23, 2015, 08:54:28 AM
I remove the centerstands on all my bikes, too much weight for what? I keep them around the shop for work stands. 1" plank under the rear tire will help lifting...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Jerryd on March 23, 2015, 11:38:19 AM
I remove the centerstands on all my bikes, too much weight for what? I keep them around the shop for work stands. 1" plank under the rear tire will help lifting...

Too much weight from a centerstand?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 23, 2015, 01:04:17 PM
Too much weight from a centerstand?

It all adds up, and yes a centerstand is a lot of unecessary weight.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 23, 2015, 01:07:42 PM
Changed my tires this past weekend. Seems the original Metzlers (2009 bike, tires have date codes of 0508 front and 2008 rear) had Pirelli tubes, and no rim strips to speak of, but just some whiteish tape.

Does that match anyone's experience. Does this sound at all unreasonable or impossible if these are the original tires?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on March 24, 2015, 08:53:31 AM
Sometimes a side stand just isn't good enough...

(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c229/JamesBagley/Photo112.jpg) (http://s28.photobucket.com/user/JamesBagley/media/Photo112.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Wayne Orwig on March 24, 2015, 09:43:18 AM
Yep.

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/worwig/publicshare/IMG_0042.jpg) (http://s235.photobucket.com/user/worwig/media/publicshare/IMG_0042.jpg.html)

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/worwig/publicshare/20130804_162656.jpg) (http://s235.photobucket.com/user/worwig/media/publicshare/20130804_162656.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 24, 2015, 09:46:44 AM
when sh*t gets that effed up, lack of a centerstand is the least of your worries...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on March 24, 2015, 10:12:49 AM
Flats happen...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Jerryd on March 24, 2015, 10:27:11 AM
It all adds up, and yes a centerstand is a lot of unecessary weight.

Compared to some of the extra weight some Guzzi riders are carrying around their waist, a centerstand is negligible :BEER:
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 24, 2015, 12:13:08 PM
Flats happen...

=> tubeless???
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on March 24, 2015, 02:25:06 PM
Small punctures can be repaired with the wheelset in situ (on both tubed and tubeless). However, anything worse (like a gash or a broken spoke) requires wheel removal. When I travel, particularly when I pass through remote locales, I like to be prepared to get out of trouble on my own...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 28, 2015, 06:25:11 PM
I have the same goal, just a different worth factor I apply to the weight of things I bring.

Interesting, today I adjusted the valves, 3 of 4 were loose (I used .004" intake and .006" exhaust). Seems someone had painted not the TDC marks on the flywheel, but the flywheel to case indexing mark. This mark is even earlier than full advance right and consists of an arrow. When the motor is at TDC right ("D"), this arrow points at a small nub on the inside of the bell housing in a line with the center line of the right cylinder. Is is only visable with the tranny off, and exists to allow the flywheel to be indexed properly with no tranny hole to peer through. I always thought it was overkill as the center of the two right side bell housingh studs is a close enough approxomation to the center of the timing hole, that one could index the flywheel to the crank that way (or using the crank at TDC left and "S" TDC mark as well). Since these bikes have non-adjustable timing, I wonder if the valves had been adjusted to the wrong spot? Is the yellow paint on the arrow from the factory?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 28, 2015, 07:31:36 PM
I need more schooling. Why does my FI bike have a choke lever, and what does it do?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on March 28, 2015, 07:53:40 PM
I need more schooling. Why does my FI bike have a choke lever, and what does it do?

It's not a choke.  It's just a "fast idle" lever, same as holding the throttle on.  Lever cable opens the throttle for warm-up. That's it.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 28, 2015, 10:05:08 PM
so if I can't hear it on, then it isn't on? I'm having a tough time figuring out how to set the cable slack. With cable free play set to something reasonable (1mm or 2mm), I need to pull the lever way past the detent for starting, and then it still wont idle while sitting on the detent. If it is just a fast idle, then I should be able to start the bike by holding the throttle open slightly, right? Then I could adjust the cable to let it idle while on the detent.

m
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: makarushka on March 28, 2015, 10:23:17 PM
The adjuster screw for the fast idle is located near the throttle cables cam between the throttle bodies, in the middle of the linkage, accessible from the RIGHT side of the bike. Take the right hand throttle body cover off and look -- you will see the slotted screw like pictured here (from http://www.bikeboy.org/tpssetting.html (http://www.bikeboy.org/tpssetting.html)):

(http://www.bikeboy.org/pics/cali4.jpg)

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 29, 2015, 04:17:16 PM
I picked up a tubeless wire wheel from a 98 EV even though folks say the conversion requires too many new parts to fit a calvin. It was stripped, no cush and no rotor. I pulled the cush drive and rubber from a 70's era tonti compatible Lester Mag, and all the parts fit the 98 EV wheel. The rubber donuts were the right size, the vaned spline plate fit perfect, the giant circlip fit perfect, and even the small circlip retaining tab and mounting screw. Without removing the stock rear wheel from the '09 calvin, I eyeballed the distance from the left side bearing to the rotor mounting flange, and at first blush, it appears to be the same as the 98 EV wheel. There is still plenty to go wrong yet, I know the CalVin has the extended spline piece on the rear drive, but when I had the wheel off last week (should have taken measurements), the dimensions on the spline side of the rear wheel looked "normal". So I read, that the interbearing spacers and rear drive spacers are different, but I wonder if the differences might cancel. Is all the fuss about closing the gap between the wheel hub and the rear drive? cosmetics? The calvin rim did have a bit of a gap filler cast into the hub (would have been located just outside the inner spoke ends in the picture below.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8707/16783236510_65671fc0c3_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on March 29, 2015, 04:57:06 PM
Wanted to be able to lift my guzzi with my parallelogram (Harley) lift. Problms with most guzzis is the oil pan is too far forward of the center of mass, you need a rearward support. I cut a piece of wood to fill the gap between the headers, behind the crossover. It presses up against the centerstand tabs/lower tranny mount. Looks good enough so far...


(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7584/16783570208_59f044f89a_b.jpg)


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8714/16783569958_8784bff76a_b.jpg)

Now for the life of me I couldn't figure out why the right muffler was a good 3/4" or more lower at the end... Sure enough, the muffler hanger brackets are different lengths, and the long one has about 1/2" extra length and is on the right side. It may be off enough that I can re-drill the hole, not just ovalize it. Whats up with this... Common? parts bin swappage? I noticed the left side had an extension with a threaded spool that might have had a center stand stop, but that had no rubber, and came no where near the centerstand on my bike...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 01, 2015, 07:39:24 PM
Figured out why the right muffler was lower than the left. the bracket was slotted, but not at the top at the bottom where the two studs hold it onto the muffler. easy fix...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 01, 2015, 07:46:47 PM
I picked up a tubeless wire wheel from a 98 EV even though folks say the conversion requires too many new parts to fit a calvin. It was stripped, no cush and no rotor. I pulled the cush drive and rubber from a 70's era tonti compatible Lester Mag, and all the parts fit the 98 EV wheel. The rubber donuts were the right size, the vaned spline plate fit perfect, the giant circlip fit perfect, and even the small circlip retaining tab and mounting screw. Without removing the stock rear wheel from the '09 calvin, I eyeballed the distance from the left side bearing to the rotor mounting flange, and at first blush, it appears to be the same as the 98 EV wheel. There is still plenty to go wrong yet, I know the CalVin has the extended spline piece on the rear drive, but when I had the wheel off last week (should have taken measurements), the dimensions on the spline side of the rear wheel looked "normal". So I read, that the interbearing spacers and rear drive spacers are different, but I wonder if the differences might cancel. Is all the fuss about closing the gap between the wheel hub and the rear drive? cosmetics? The calvin rim did have a bit of a gap filler cast into the hub (would have been located just outside the inner spoke ends in the picture below.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8707/16783236510_65671fc0c3_b.jpg)


good news here, it looks like the 1998 Ev wheel is a direct bolt on to my 2009 CalVin. The rotor fits, the whole thing bolts into the bike, axle spaer is correct, the caliper is centered over the rotor, and the drive spline is fully engaged. The only gotcha is there is a gap between the hub and the rear drive. This is because the CalVin has the extended splice piece on its rear fdrive. Since I used to cut off the flanges from rear drive units when I raced, I can't see having this gap as an issue since the splines as I said are fully engaged.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8708/17003452042_750d22a009_b.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8709/16382473954_11297b920c_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: harrytief on April 02, 2015, 07:36:18 AM
Excellent Mike. Glad it worked out.
Harry
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 02, 2015, 12:20:12 PM
While installing new shocks, and testing my tubeless wire wheel, I had the muffler off and as I reported earlier I could see where the right side muffler bracket had slotted holes at the muffler end. I'll get a picture of the bracket next time I'm into it, but I thought you'd like to see the result of moving the muffler all the way up the slots on the bracket:

compare to my picture from a few posts ago...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7598/16824013030_5037c30be8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rCFsWb)IMG_0970 (https://flic.kr/p/rCFsWb) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on April 02, 2015, 12:30:10 PM
Won't that gap between the hub and rear drive allow all sorts of road scum to get in there?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Howard R on April 02, 2015, 12:55:18 PM
While installing new shocks, and testing my tubeless wire wheel, I had the muffler off and as I reported earlier I could see where the right side muffler bracket had slotted holes at the muffler end. I'll get a picture of the bracket next time I'm into it, but I thought you'd like to see the result of moving the muffler all the way up the slots on the bracket:

compare to my picture from a few posts ago...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7598/16824013030_5037c30be8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rCFsWb)IMG_0970 (https://flic.kr/p/rCFsWb) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr

I'd be curious: are both brackets slotted, or just the one on the right?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 02, 2015, 08:29:44 PM
Road scum in gap?   probably
Left Muffler brkt slotted?   no
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 03, 2015, 12:35:13 PM
I'd be curious: are both brackets slotted, or just the one on the right?

if you zoom into the picture, you can actually see the muffler brackets and where they bolt to the mufflers. you can see that the one on the right extends below the nuts a fair bit. riding high in the slots is what it took to raise the right muffler to the height of the left...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 04, 2015, 06:52:59 PM
Been looking for more legroom on the CalVin, and didn't like the fact that I couldn't get my foot very far under the brake pedal on the right. I tried to shorten the OEM  brake rod and still couldn't get the pedal high enough. Using a piece of Stainless Steel rod and some 6mm Heim Joints and coupling nuts I made a rod just the right length and now I can stick my shoe under the brake lever. I realize this isn't everyones cup of tea, but it works for me.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8718/16415184693_6891362041_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/r1y7vK)IMG_0990 (https://flic.kr/p/r1y7vK) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 04, 2015, 07:01:58 PM
Along the same lines, I raised the front of the shift lever and lowered the rear. On this side I was limited to working with the OEM stuff as the rod had right and left hand threads on each end (to ease adjustment, cudos to moto guzzi) and I couldn't readily replace or modify it. I originally tried to fit a shift lever from an old convert I had, but the pegs were too high up, even thought theyy had the desirable attribute of being tucked fully to the right. I don't care for the forward peg on the CalVin shifter being doglegged outward. I feel it takes away from  (you guessed it) legroom. Right now I'll live with the OEM shifter and rod (although I did shorten the rod up substantially by removing the lock nut), and make do with merely rotating the lever back giving me more leg room up front and providing an easier heel stomp to up shift.

I also used this opportunity to grease everything, and used a bit of beer can shim to tighten up the shifter (only 4k miles no less).

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8727/16412900404_302017463d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/r1mpts)IMG_0991 (https://flic.kr/p/r1mpts) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on April 04, 2015, 09:37:11 PM
There is a secondary shift linkage adjuster under the transmission. If you'd like to retain your locknut, you might give it a try...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 05, 2015, 02:05:54 PM
thanks, I know its there under the seat key bracket. Sort of a moot point however, as today I made a new shift rod out of stainless, and fit a shift lever from an old convert that I had removed the heel section from. In the picture below you can see how the OEM shifter on the CalVin doglegs outward and the older one doesn't. With the forward end being tucked in, and the rearward end being gone, I have a ton of room to move my foot around on the left floorboard.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8770/16422374484_b20324141d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/r2bXME)IMG_0993 (https://flic.kr/p/r2bXME) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 05, 2015, 07:55:26 PM
There is a secondary shift linkage adjuster under the transmission. If you'd like to retain your locknut, you might give it a try...

I did take a peak under the cover, and while I may not adjust the length of the inner linkage (as I believe you are suggesting), I may move the linkage to the outboard hole, which will shorten throw at the expense of making it heavier.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 06, 2015, 03:50:45 PM
like this:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8727/16871200318_2387e8141c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rGRj57)IMG_0996 (https://flic.kr/p/rGRj57) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 06, 2015, 03:55:36 PM
read on another thread that the brackets that bolt to the windshield could be reversed right to left in order to raise it. I figured I'd try it even though I think the severe buffeting CalVins experience is due to air rushing up from below. While I had the brackets in my hand, I noticed that the triangular slots forward of the regular mounting holes could be used to move the windshield back. Since the washers were already big enough, it was easy. It gives you a ton of options, laid back, pushed forward (angle wise), up and down. I opted for down and laid back.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/17058992755_dbf587af4c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rZrNdK)IMG_0994 (https://flic.kr/p/rZrNdK) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8768/16436565904_0d0b82a278_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/r3rGpj)IMG_0995 (https://flic.kr/p/r3rGpj) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/people/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 17, 2015, 07:53:17 AM
Decided I wanted a secondary quick release on my fuel line. I don't like having to mess with the plastic fitting, and I hope this all metal Jiffy-Tite dry break/quick disconnect will be the ticket. Bought just the plug and socket from amazon/racer parts wholesale for $50. had the hose clamps.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8698/16989180908_87d88a959e_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 17, 2015, 08:17:20 AM
While I had the handlebars off (I'm switching to 7/8" risers and handlebars for greater selection and hopefully pullback and comfort), I decided to find out exactly how far up into the triple clamps you can safely move the forks (I'm trying to lower the bike). I had already done it 10mm after hearing some folks say they have been running at 20mm, but I wanted to know for sure, what hits first, and when. The process is simple, with the bike on the centerstand, and a jack under the front of the motor, you remove the top caps from the forks and lowering the bike, slide the sliders all the way up until they "bottom" internally on the fork tubes. If something else hits first (fender/alternator cover/voltage regulator/fork brace/dust scrapers/tripleclamp), you have the tubes too high in the triple clamps. With the front end now fully compressed, you undo the tripleclamp pinch bolts, and lower the triple clamps on the fork tubes, until (as it turns out for my CalVin) the fork brace hits the lower tripleclamp. In this fully compressed and maximally lowered state, there is a tiny gap between the front fender and the alternator cover and voltage regulator (thank you Guzzi for due dilligence) as well as the dust scrapers and the lower triple clamp. At this point you tighten the triple clamp pinch bolts, secure in the knowledge that if you should bottom the forks, you will not smack the fender into something or suffer any more than you would have in stock configuration. Now jack the bike up and reinstall the fork to caps and you are done. I did this and measured what the maximum fork rise allowable is for my CalVin. You can feel free to use my numbers at your own risk, or you can repeat my process... What I found is the top of the fork tubes can be about 15mm above the top of the triple clamp. What is easier to measure is the top of the triple clamp to the flat of the fork top cap below the hex. This distance is 18mm and I show that below... enjoy

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8792/16989405760_033cda2d22_c.jpg)


what it all looks like with the fork guts slid up:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8705/17176928995_2964418a66_c.jpg)


clearance here:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8693/16557018053_d3a4b5af3c_c.jpg)[/url]

clearance here:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8735/17150999656_f483fdd136_c.jpg)

here is where the metal meets first, the fork brace and the lower triple clamp, with a slight gap between the dust scraper and the lower triple clamp:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7713/16554508794_a095f7fae0_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 19, 2015, 01:36:13 PM
finished the conversion to tubeless wheels yesterday. Used a 3.5"x18 rear tubeless spoked wheels from a 1998 EV onthe rear, and on the front I used a mid-70's era Lester Mag I had kicking around. Nice to know if I go on tour that I can use my plug kit on (the vast majority of) flats. As I showed earlier in this thread. The '98 rear rim is a bolt on, with however some small gaposis. That I can live with because the splines are fully engaged.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/17014715710_cc95a79530_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 19, 2015, 01:45:40 PM
The front had an interesting twist. When I examined the OEM front wheel, I assumed that the factory used the same front wire wheel hub that had been using since the first front disc brakes bikes since 1974. Assuming that I figured that the Lester Mag which is machined to those same specs, and is made to use the standard 300mm rotors/bearing carriers and inter bearing spacer, would be able to use the more modern 320mm rotor/bearing carriers and inter bearing spacer. From this picture, you can see it did work.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7703/17200595042_9194e8765b_b.jpg)

what was interesting is the hub of the OEM wheel had the 6 holes at 100mm centers like all the mid-70's wire wheels, but it also had a set of 5 symmetric holes as well. When I saw this, I was a bit concerned, but that concern was unfounded. Seems this hub is used for multiple purposes by possibly other manufacturers. After assembly, the only tweaking I felt I had to do was shim the left caliper 1/2mm inward to center it over the disc. For all I know it was the same way with the OEM wheel.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8744/17176309376_1c64176fc6_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 19, 2015, 05:33:27 PM
Oh, and I forgot another great feature of these wheels. Besides being tubeless, they are 4 pounds lighter than stock. The rear went from 36# down to 32#, and the front went from 32# down to 28#... rotating mass and unsprung weight. incredible benefit for handling and acceleration/braking...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on April 19, 2015, 06:24:10 PM
Really, a mag up front and spoke in the rear???  I know,  I know,  function over form...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 19, 2015, 06:41:08 PM
the spoke in the rear is mostly hidden by bags... I'll keep looking for a matching front, but the deal I found was just for the rear...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on April 19, 2015, 06:53:24 PM
the spoke in the rear is mostly hidden by bags... I'll keep looking for a matching front, but the deal I found was just for the rear...

Got it.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 26, 2015, 02:19:14 PM
While I liked the look of the front of the CalVin (directionals, running lamps, matching scooped out windshield), there were enough technical deficencies in this package to warrant a rework. The lamps and the signals are far enough behind the windshield that they send light onto the back of the windshield at night, unsat. Running the lamps in the day runs down the battery, also unsat. Putting in weaker bulbs kind of defeats the purpose. And of course the lamps weight a bit and they are on the forks. So the running lamps had to go. Then because of buffeting from wind that I believe comes from below, the windshield will have to be replaced with a full length job once I identify either an undrilled police shield, or a manufacturer that will work with me. Before I do the windshield, I wanted to move the directionals down where the lamps were, using a trucker style turn signal, to mimic the missing lamp look. It took a while to find some alternative directionals that had a 3/8" stud (most all trucker stuff is 1/2" stud). Found some and got them yesterday. Today I removed the OEM directionals, and installed the new ones where the lamps went. Jury is still out, and whether or not they stay depends on my final windshield solution. They were only $5 each from http://www.slclighting.com/ so if they end up on the shelf, my retirement will not be significantly delayed. Had to reuse the 10W bulbs from the OEM directionals as what came in my new directionals was a mismatch to the rear and caused the flasher unit to not flash.

Note roomier floorboards without floating platforms, still not coated with bed liner, good news, vibration is not noticable. Also note I removed the oem crashbar and lower wind shields. Interestingly enough, since removing the leg shields, I am experiencing less buffeting around the face by wind from below. Could the leg shields be directing some of the deflected air up?

New look:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8815/17092288200_1e48fb7131_c.jpg)


caugh mid-flash:


(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8754/17093620579_b05cdb81d5_c.jpg)

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on April 26, 2015, 04:22:49 PM
When I had my Calvin I put NOS police style Dietz turn signals in front and back.  Dual sided up front, and running lights in back.  I needed to replace the flasher with a heavy duty from the auto parts store.  The stocker wouldn't flash the 1157 bulbs.

PIAA 30W superbright bulbs in the spots were about the same brightness as stock 50W.

Personally, I like the crash bars ON and the protection they offered.  I also removed the crappy leg shields.  I replaced the screws into the bars with finishing washers, and swapped left for right so the screws faced rearward.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 26, 2015, 05:44:36 PM
Was thinking of a cali II crash bar. Stout. Hadnt thought about swapping sides on the oem, neat idea. Still think it is a poor design with minimal strength and high damage potential.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 26, 2015, 05:45:29 PM
Where did you attach dietz?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on April 26, 2015, 09:12:06 PM
Where did you attach dietz?

Same place as stock.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on April 30, 2015, 11:49:41 AM
Don't ask me why I bought a touring tonti. I'm probably speaking heresy, but ever since my first tonti, a 76 Convert, gave me sciatica, I realized that the hip to floorboard distance on the touring tonti's was too tight. No problem with loop frames, which is why I built my EldoVert. So I bought this CalVin last month thinking it has been years, well sure enough, I still felt scrunched up. I have had the stock saddle reworked by a local auto upholstery shop, which allowed me to move back. They moved the hump back (much like the factory did with the original Cali II's saddle), better but not so good that I didn't order a Corbin last week. I have changed out the risers, so I can fit 7/8" bars, and I now have some pullbacks, and may pull them back further later with yet another set of risers once the saddle comes in. Another place to look to gain legroom is of course the floorboards. The mounting design doesn't lend it self to lowering unless you are willing to cut and weld. One thing I noticed, is that the CalVin comes with these rubber ball suspended floorboards mats which raise your feet 1/2" or more:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/17321302732_055b131c45_c.jpg)

I could get a set of old style convert boards, but they have to be cut on to fit the CalVins lower frame rails, and finding a primo set could get expensive/tough. So on a whim, I removed the suspended mats from my CalVin and drove around for a while and realized, the extra leg room was real nice, and vibration wasn't a problem. So I got to thinking, I can't glue the fixed mats from the early floorboards on because the CalVin floorboard is to convoluted. So I decided to use some bed liner with suspended rubber bits and paint it on...

while drying, the matrix contracts and more of the rubber bits emerges:

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8712/17135602170_00ee349c1c_c.jpg)


after drying, you get this, needs a little touchup, but this stuff is great, you can paint it over itself...

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8835/17136924519_5a1fc996e4_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 01, 2015, 07:48:35 AM
...
I needed to replace the flasher with a heavy duty from the auto parts store.  The stocker wouldn't flash the 1157 bulbs.
...

any part number or deeper description?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 04, 2015, 05:10:54 PM
So I was adjusting the length of the brake rod to lower the pedal since I ditched the raised floorboard platforms and gained a bunch of legroom, and noticed, hmmmm if I move the brake rod to the lower tab on the lever (the one where the heel nub normally goes) the brake will have longer softer travel. Since the rear brake was too firm and hard to modulate on this bike, this could be perfect. So I have yet to ride it, but the below picture shows the geometry. It also shows the bedliner coating that I did...

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7672/17186180559_4ae2d26924_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on May 04, 2015, 08:21:48 PM
any part number or deeper description?


No number, it's been a few years.  I just remember it being a similar round style "heavy duty" flasher off the shelf.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 06, 2015, 12:51:33 PM
No number, it's been a few years.  I just remember it being a similar round style "heavy duty" flasher off the shelf.

Thanks, I see from the descriptions, they say things like "can handle 6 bulbs" or "can handle 10 bulbs", I'd assume that is heavy duty and could handle the "high wattage" 1157 bulb...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: ccoli on May 07, 2015, 11:58:29 AM
Is the wheel centered properly?  I would figure it is too far to the left. I'm doing the opposite mod. Putting Stone wheel hubs on an EV. Had to get a rear drive to match. Traded with the guy I sold the EVs wheels to.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 07, 2015, 02:20:58 PM
As far as I can tell it is centered. The difference is the CalVin OEM hub has an added flange at it's right outer periphery to close the gaposis. That appears to be the only dimensional difference I can detect. The tire seems centered as before, meaning the rim is laced with the same relation to the hub whether OEM CalVin or 98 EV.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: ccoli on May 07, 2015, 09:07:03 PM
The rear drive is different in that the splines stick out farther than on an EV or most anything else. There is a longer spacer also, the one that pushes into the drive. Places the whole assembly about 1/2" to the left.
Different axle, brake holder and another added spacer by the brake. Only Guzzi would make 6 new parts to install a cheaper wheel.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 08, 2015, 07:28:47 AM
All I can tell you is I used the stock calvin axle, caliper hanger, rear drive, pressed in rear drive spacer. I installed the 98 EV tubeless wire wheel, and it all fit perfect. The wheel is centered relative to the fender and centerline of the bike. The bike does not pull to either side with hands off. Through the gap I can see the splines are fully engaged. The CalVin has the special frame and lower rails that pushes the entire engine and transmission 1/2" to the right, so that the swingarm could be 1/2" to the right (that 1/2" number is approx). With the rear drive moved to the right, and the extended spline coming out of the rear drive (extended to the left), the wheel ends up being centered.

Am I concerned about some small front to rear misalignment (if there is any)? No. When I was racing inorder to get a 4"x18" rear astralite wheel into a notched but narrow short swingarm, I moved the wheel to the right 10mm or .4". My race bike while it would tend to fall to the right if ridden no hands, never wobbled...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: ccoli on May 08, 2015, 01:41:04 PM
That's what I wanted to hear. I am having to do some interesting offset for my sidecar rig and was hoping it isn't a big issue. Have done a bunch of research on how different parts were used to fit the skinny tube type rims
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 13, 2015, 06:45:41 AM
Realized I was never going to be comfortable on the stock saddle as the step up to the passenger section was too far forward and pushed me too far forward. Having done a $350 Sargents saddle rework on a number of bikes with limited success, I figured I'd go the local auto upholstery shop and see what they could do. This cost me $40. The guy made me do the initial carving on the foam, that way I couldn't complain...

He reused the original cover obviously. Sort of reminds me of the rework the factory did on later Cali II's to move their passenger bump back.

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7711/17409726720_3262e00695_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 13, 2015, 07:08:12 AM
Have been thinking alot about how to solve the wind buffeting around my head and helmet. The CalVin comes with an abreviated windscreen in the lower regions and I think that is the cause. This is so it clears the stock directionals and stock running lights. I decided to try a different route up front. Partly because I am a contrarian, but for other technical reasons. The driving lights had to go, one because they suck up too much juice, and two because of weight. I did want to preserve some of that look, and so I decided to replace them with some tractor trailer style lights (this is the contrarian part, most folks go with tiny little turn signals). This allowed me to remove the stock directionals, but made for a large gap below the windscreen. I was going to have a custom windscreen made, or find an undrilled harley style, but after looking at this a bunch. I decided to go with the auxilary wind deflector route. I know some are available from various sources (>>$100), but I didn't want any that mounted on the fork tubes as I have mine moved all they way up to lower the bike, and have no room for attaching them below the lower triple clamp. For $7 in stainless steel angle brackets from mcmaster carr (PN 1556A65) and a $15 piece of lexan from home depot, and some stainless nuts, bolts and washers I had kicking around I did the following. All I can say is it has cured the helmet buffeting...

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5349/17597564615_23b3b88e13_c.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5460/17410003310_f56ea4a255_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8870/17410001640_80c3ef2201_c.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8826/17409726488_2db952670d_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: lazlokovacs on May 13, 2015, 08:30:24 PM
 ;-T on the lowers, looks like a great job and will certainly help with the buffeting, nicely done. looks good too. I made almost the exact same thing but with chicken wire and LOADS of black gaffa tape from the bottom of the screen to the spots a few years ago on my Calvin... it looked absolutely awful but really helped with the buffeting...

then I found a swannee, which doesn't look great but is absolutely the bees knees for countering buffeting at any speed and a useful place for putting stickers of every country that you go through...

nice work
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 14, 2015, 06:49:02 AM
is it the H&H from Harpers?
http://www.harpermoto.com/h-and-h-handlebar-mount-fairing.html
How does it mount?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: lazlokovacs on May 15, 2015, 02:57:02 AM
the H&H from Harpers is a good reproduction of the Swannee, not quite as strong as the original swannees, ie will flex a tiny bit over 90mph. It mounts on the handlebars and upper forks. Excellent functionality....
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on May 15, 2015, 03:57:11 PM
CORBIN arrived. Zero miles...
The seat back for the driver is moved back relative to stock, and it feels firm like Corbin's do. Can't wait...


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8736/17509102120_8bc8bc132e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sFdJ43)IMG_1204 (https://flic.kr/p/sFdJ43) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63194576@N00/), on Flickr

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7730/17694161582_7ed2b42253_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/sXzcMq)IMG_1205 (https://flic.kr/p/sXzcMq) by mtiberio (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63194576@N00/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on June 03, 2015, 03:54:19 PM
$13 ebay "corbin" compatible backrest. No doubt chinese, but it works now that I assembled the mounting post to the pad correctly and added an adjustment stop bolt and locknut.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/482/18244469988_6991978401_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Yeahoo Whoyah on June 03, 2015, 10:52:59 PM
Quote
decided to replace them with some tractor trailer style lights

I like 'em.  Got the LAPD look of an old loop frame Ambassador or El Dorado.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on June 04, 2015, 06:55:28 AM
I like 'em.  Got the LAPD look of an old loop frame Ambassador or El Dorado.

tnx, the bike came with aux lights on those mounts, so I was trying to preserve some of the "look"
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: cwiseman on June 04, 2015, 08:41:49 AM
Am I the only one that finds a stock CalVin to be a beautiful bike. The tube steel wheels give it the vintage look it should have.
So I'm going to refrain from saying more cause momma said if ya can't say anything nice do t say anything at all!

And yes I do understand a few small changes like better seat and taller shield.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on June 04, 2015, 08:53:54 AM
like I said, if I could have found a front wire wheel in tubeles for a reasonable price, it would have gone on. as it is I had the lester mag sitting in my garage, and it fit. The rear is still wire (although now tubeless) and I'll continue to try and find a matching front.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Sheepdog on June 04, 2015, 03:02:30 PM
I don't have a problem with tube-type wheels, either. Tubeless is nice for lighter weight and such, but the ease of flat repair part is really not a whole lot different from one to another. I guess its all about what makes you comfortable...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: cwiseman on June 04, 2015, 07:02:20 PM
I think the Lester mag looks better than the Guzzi tubeless spoked wheels, for some reason those have always looked just a bit wonky to me.
Don't take anything I say about a CalVin to personal, I'm just a diehard lover of a stock one. Beauty over function is my personal choice on this particular bike. Love mine and have fun with yours!
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: john fish on June 04, 2015, 07:31:54 PM
Have been thinking alot about how to solve the wind buffeting around my head and helmet.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5349/17597564615_23b3b88e13_c.jpg)


These work quite well.

(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/productimages/300/0000-national-cycle-plexifairing-3-windshield.jpg)

http://www.classiccruiser.com/webapp.asp?command=new&kb=classiccruiser&problem=106602&question=obj%28845742%29:ord%281%29&varset_reported=National%2520Cycle%2520Fairings&gclid=CKXrtPyl98UCFdgYHwodHFwAhw
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on June 19, 2015, 11:23:45 AM
These work quite well.

(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/productimages/300/0000-national-cycle-plexifairing-3-windshield.jpg)

http://www.classiccruiser.com/webapp.asp?command=new&kb=classiccruiser&problem=106602&question=obj%28845742%29:ord%281%29&varset_reported=National%2520Cycle%2520Fairings&gclid=CKXrtPyl98UCFdgYHwodHFwAhw

Which one?'
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: myway on June 22, 2015, 01:55:53 PM
Cwizeman I'm with you mines all stock the seat is fine for me. but I see that as a very personal thing....

    could we go over the oil filter change mine was serviced by the dealer I've got 1 oil change under my belt. I have the realgaskets silicone pan gasket an I have some oil dripping from the 4 bolts not the pan gasket so did I miss something maybe a little sealer on the threads or what. an this did not show up right away.. I looked on a parts diagram no orings or anything I could see.

    I'm working 13hr shifts got married an bought a new house very busy an my calvin dripping is not what i want to see. Dan
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on June 29, 2015, 07:19:22 AM
hmmm, never had a drip from the 4 internal bolts of a pan. You have a leak and you are using a non-oem oil pan gasket? I'd go back to an OEM pan gasket then.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: john fish on June 29, 2015, 04:35:28 PM
I've got the Plexifairing 2 on the Jackal.  It really does a fantastic job.  Looks like they've moved onto the 3:

http://www.nationalcycle.com/plexifairing-hd.html

Here's a thread on ADVRider about the 3:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302190



Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: myway on June 29, 2015, 05:00:43 PM
ok oil leak from 4 bolts is from not being snug enough I didn't want to over tighten when I put it on it has not leaked until now. an I had not remembered how the gasket worked around those bolts.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on June 30, 2015, 08:27:17 AM
ok oil leak from 4 bolts is from not being snug enough I didn't want to over tighten when I put it on it has not leaked until now. an I had not remembered how the gasket worked around those bolts.

gasket had tabs or extensions that extend inward from periphery in order to seal the areas under the two pairs of long bolts.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: rocker59 on June 30, 2015, 01:21:02 PM
The front had an interesting twist. When I examined the OEM front wheel, I assumed that the factory used the same front wire wheel hub that had been using since the first front disc brakes bikes since 1974. Assuming that I figured that the Lester Mag which is machined to those same specs, and is made to use the standard 300mm rotors/bearing carriers and inter bearing spacer, would be able to use the more modern 320mm rotor/bearing carriers and inter bearing spacer. From this picture, you can see it did work.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7703/17200595042_9194e8765b_b.jpg)

 

That wheel looks great on that bike!
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Cam3512 on June 30, 2015, 07:24:50 PM
http://www.brandsport.com/toy-90033-41020.html

Hey Mike,

This is the bolt that plugs the crossover bung when removing the O2 sensor.

Cam
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on July 03, 2015, 11:15:49 AM
I realize I go on and on about how the CalVin doesn't fit me. One would wonder why I continue to own it... Well I'm getting closer to making it comfortable for me.

I have never liked how the brake pedal intruded into the right floorboard space (and was not far enough forward). If I had it adjusted high enough so I could slip my foot under it, operation of the brake became compromised (high latency, imprecise pressure, etc). Today, I had a buddy who is deft at heat and metal straighten out the brake lever. This moves the pedal inboard (and forward slightly). I haven't riden the bike yet, but garage fitment test are all positive. I can put my foot in a natural place on the floor board, and because the pedal is lower, I can easily pivot my foot on the heel to operate the pedal. My buddy did minimal damage to the chrome as well. win win.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/302/19196975059_291562f679_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on July 06, 2015, 06:47:56 AM
Yes, win win. I drove the bike about 100 miles on 7/4 to the local flat track races. my right foot is now free to use the entire floorboard. As a matter of fact it hits the crashbar before my shin hits the more forward right valve cover. I don't think the left side would benifit from a similar mod to the shifter, as the more rearward left cylinder forces the left leg to splay, and moving the forward end of the shifter inboard would be counter productive. What the shifter could benefit from is having either end bent downward. That way both the forwrd and rearward (downshift and upshift) pegs could be closer to the floorboard requiring less lift of the foot to operate...
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on July 11, 2015, 12:48:20 PM
took my shift lever to my buddy with the torch. we worked some more mojo on it. straightened the dog leg left moving the forward peg inboard, and bent the forward arm downward, allowing me to keep my toe on the floorboard during up shifts and my heel on the board during down shifting. inch by inch I will make this bike fit me...

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/18986610864_e140c4dfe7_b.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/425/19609197995_9e3e1f0a98_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on July 14, 2015, 02:11:16 PM
wanted a backrest to go with the Corbin, but didn't want to spend $200. $13 from ebay. problem is the foam was too thich and pushed me forward. Unzipped the cover, and found the foam could be cut with a hacksaw. Carved it in two front to back, and placed the carved off piece behind the post and wood frame. Zipped the cover back on and it is now perfect...

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/395/19075482243_cb4c27bbac_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: myway on August 11, 2015, 10:34:03 AM
    Hello all  this is about the calvin windshield. I'll just get to the point I think the owners of a calvin will see it an if for them might try it.

I took the top mounting bolts out the one that determine the angle our rake of the windshield, moved the windshield back at the top increasing the angle or getting the top of the windshield closer to my nose and drilled new holes I hade to remove the windshield itself to do this. maybe with a small drill or angle head this would not need to be done.

     I had trouble seeing over my windshield which was my biggest complaint and as a benefit I'm in cleaner an quieter air. now that I have done it I may try some more.  so an option I have not seen anybody talk about before looks very natural. Dan
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: mtiberio on August 24, 2015, 01:06:14 PM
    Hello all  this is about the calvin windshield. I'll just get to the point I think the owners of a calvin will see it an if for them might try it.

I took the top mounting bolts out the one that determine the angle our rake of the windshield, moved the windshield back at the top increasing the angle or getting the top of the windshield closer to my nose and drilled new holes I hade to remove the windshield itself to do this. maybe with a small drill or angle head this would not need to be done.

     I had trouble seeing over my windshield which was my biggest complaint and as a benefit I'm in cleaner an quieter air. now that I have done it I may try some more.  so an option I have not seen anybody talk about before looks very natural. Dan

So you used the lower hole, and redrilled the upper hole shown below?
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/17058992755_dbf587af4c_b.jpg)

How tall are you? I cannot imagine the CalVin screen being thought of as "too tall"
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: geoff in almonte on August 24, 2015, 03:50:02 PM
I replaced the OEM barn door with a California 'Sport' windscreen - I think both Harpers and MG Cycle carry them.  You will need to manufacture brackets for the spotlites - the Sport brackets do not extend beyond the lower triple clamps.

From a performance POV - the screen works really well.  There is no buffeting.  I can ride comfortably with the faceshield open up to 65-70 mph - close the faceshield and I can go as fast as I like - I have topped the ton without any wind related complaints.

FWIW I am 5'8" tall.

The CalVin is new to me (08 model year).  I'm still working thru the PO's misadventures.  I'm not a big fan of the luggage - I mean it looks nice and all, but I dont think they're designed for the more serious tourer - waddaya mean they dont come off?  What a PITA!!

I'm looking for a set of clean, used Lafranconi Competitione mufflers (already got the GuzziTech x-over) - then I can ship the ECU off to Todd for a reflash.

Does anybody know if the HB luggage (and racks) from an earlier Cali/EV are a bolt-up on the CalVin?

Cheers!

G
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on February 11, 2023, 08:00:35 AM
Howdy, all (RIP, Mike). This thread is a useful resource as I slowly get acquainted with my "new" CalVin.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2007-Moto-Guzzi-California-Vintage/Misc-CalVin/i-QQ64bFX/0/2759a356/X5/foxcraft_cb-X5.jpg)

I'm quickly getting used to the high 'boards but still would like some more leg room. I'll start with trying to raise the seat a bit. I've ordered an '01 California Sport solo seat to tinker with.

My bike has the Harper's Outsider, which puts the filter *very* close to the OE crossover muffler. It kinda bugs me, but I don't know if it's an actual problem.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2007-Moto-Guzzi-California-Vintage/Misc-CalVin/i-bfnqzJT/0/5b775d2c/X4/IMG_4424-X4.jpg)

An actual problem is the non-functioning pedal brake light switch. A quick inspection revealed this:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2007-Moto-Guzzi-California-Vintage/Misc-CalVin/i-Wg3VTmH/0/2db944cb/X4/IMG_4426-X4.jpg)

What I don't know is if this setup is OE or some DIY fix. Anybody know?



 
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: guzzisteve on February 11, 2023, 08:30:08 AM
Stock switch. Get an H pipe for exhaust fix on filter.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on February 11, 2023, 05:13:38 PM
Was thinking about the h-pipe already, so definitely will do now.  Will try to find the correct switch too.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on February 11, 2023, 05:35:24 PM
I think this is the switch even though it says Nevada: https://www.harpermoto.com/switch-nevada-32657060.html

A Goodridge switch might be a good alternative:
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=110_146&products_id=1583
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: krglorioso on February 11, 2023, 10:06:51 PM
I believe the CalVin's wheels are the same as were OEM on my two California Stone hydros (how I miss them!) and I converted all four wheels to tubeless for under $40.  Two Camel 3/8" stem tubeless valve stems and about 3 tubes of Shoe Goo from WalMart.  Shoe Goo is the toughest sealant I ever have used.   Note, valley of the wheel rim where the spoke nipples sit must be really clean.  Solvent and hot, soapy water and dry with compressed air, let sit overnight.  My OCD now is prevalent and after the Shoe Goo treatment is done I will overlay the wheel wells with 3-M sealing tape for redundancy's sake.  I hope I remember to poke a hole through the tape at the inner end of the valve stem!

I never had a problem with either Stone's wheels holding air. The only problem with holding was 135# me holding up the Stones.  Had to admit to aging process and downsize to a Breva 750.  A nice bike, but no hydro 1100. 

At this point, I have converted the front wheel of my 2021 Royal Enfield 650 to tubeless and am 3/4 done with the rear wheel.  There are internet "how to" videos of this.

 Ralph
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on February 16, 2023, 06:19:52 PM
I think this is the switch even though it says Nevada: https://www.harpermoto.com/switch-nevada-32657060.html

A Goodridge switch might be a good alternative:
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=110_146&products_id=1583

I bought the Goodridge switch from MG Cycle. After soldering it to the good end of the OE cable, I now have a brake light.

Also from MG Cycle I have a h-pipe to install at some point soon. 

From eBay I've ordered '98 EV wheels. I don't like tubes on a big road bike.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on March 11, 2023, 12:43:18 PM
I think this is the switch even though it says Nevada: https://www.harpermoto.com/switch-nevada-32657060.html

A Goodridge switch might be a good alternative:
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=110_146&products_id=1583

I'm trying to figure out why I've lost nearly all brake pressure at the pedal after replacing the switch. First I bought the Goodridge and then the OE switch, thinking it might be different at the master cylinder end (it's not). I've bled the lines at each caliper but I've got a soft, long pedal and nearly no stopping power. Everything was fine before I started messing with the switch.   
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: guzzisteve on March 11, 2023, 05:17:14 PM
If you have a CalVin there is also a bleeder on top of integral splitter which will be top top of system. The rear you have to take off so bleeder faces up. I have even taken wheel off to feed line up in a long strait line to help air go up. Put a wrench between pads, tied in place.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on March 23, 2023, 06:24:08 PM
If you have a CalVin there is also a bleeder on top of integral splitter which will be top top of system. The rear you have to take off so bleeder faces up. I have even taken wheel off to feed line up in a long strait line to help air go up. Put a wrench between pads, tied in place.

Thought I responded to you before, sorry.  Yes, I unbolted the rear caliper and turned it right side up. I got some big fat air bubbles out that way. Brakes are serviceable now; I'll probably try the Tonti "reverse bleed" process with a big syringe at some point to see if I can get them perfect.   

Today I finally installed the Mistral h-pipe and I like the sound. Even better is the Beetle map. The engine now makes power below 4k, and the long gearing is nicely suited. 

Oh, and I removed the windscreen.  All quiet and smooth now.

Tomorrow I hope to install a "new" tubeless EV wheel on the rear. Still searching for a matching front but am less bothered by the remote prospect of having to replace a tube on the front. 

She's a bit shabby looking, and needs a bath, but she's fun and offers way more cornering clearance than my "old" V7 III. We had a great time this afternoon, til the shifter came undone.  :laugh: I bimbled home in 2nd gear. Easy fix. 

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2007-Moto-Guzzi-California-Vintage/Misc-CalVin/i-sVCqH8V/0/0a20d8d7/X5/halfway2-X5.jpg)

Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: lazlokovacs on March 24, 2023, 02:18:21 AM
IIRC you can't reverse bleed the cal vin, the proportioning valve only works in one direction. You can push from the front brake to the splitter but nothing else as I found to my frustration some time ago.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: rocker59 on March 24, 2023, 09:27:45 AM

Does anybody know if the HB luggage (and racks) from an earlier Cali/EV are a bolt-up on the CalVin?

 

You would need to use Jackal/Stone brackets, if I'm not mistaken.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: lazlokovacs on March 24, 2023, 03:04:55 PM
I used brackets from an EV and had to lose the rear rack as well as doing some cutting and maybe some welding.

The bags are worth it though!
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on March 28, 2023, 05:49:15 PM
The four bolts that secure the two rear shocks . . . are they supposed to be puny 8mm's?   
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on March 29, 2023, 01:20:07 PM
Installed the tubeless EV rear wheel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-W3h6Bnw/0/X2/i-W3h6Bnw-X2.jpg)

Mike's photos don't display anymore so I wasn't entirely sure what he meant by there being a gap with this wheel. Now I know:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bTb2ndN/0/X2/i-bTb2ndN-X2.jpg)

Everything assembled fine, in good alignment--the wheel spins freely and the caliper grabs the rotor as it's supposed to.  The gap didn't bother Mike and I'm in no position to doubt him so I guess I'll see how it does.  Assuming it causes no problems, I'm happy to have a tubeless wheel back there. I wouldn't want to have to R&R the rear wheel on the side of the road somewhere.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: lazlokovacs on March 29, 2023, 04:05:48 PM
nice!!
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on April 02, 2023, 01:42:16 PM
I give up. What magic is required to remove the inner spark plugs? I have two sockets that fit the new plugs, one a plug socket and the other a standard deep 16mm socket, but neither grabs the hex of the plug in the head.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: guzzi ride on April 02, 2023, 01:53:15 PM
You might need to thin down the OD of the socket.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on April 02, 2023, 06:10:42 PM
You might need to thin down the OD of the socket.

Don't have those kind of tools, so I ordered a thin-wall socket that is reputed to work. 
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on October 15, 2023, 04:26:18 PM
I bought an OE seat from a member here, and like it better than the Corbin that came with my bike, primarily because it's taller.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2007-Moto-Guzzi-California-Vintage/Misc-CalVin/i-CdB3Xmc/0/64dbe99b/X4/IMG_6092cb-X4.jpg)

So I swapped the Corbin for another seat, a solo Russell Day Long, from another member here. However, it seems the CalVin has a different seat attachment design and the Russell (from an '02 EV) does not come close to meeting the CalVin's latch. This photo is after I removed the four rubber posts that made the gap even larger.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rgJtkv5/0/516355ff/X4/i-rgJtkv5-X4.jpg)

Anyone know if I could just order a different latch setup, or are there more fundamental differences at work here?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on November 07, 2023, 05:34:10 AM
What’s required to change the gearing? Just a “new” 8:33 final drive?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: 80CX100 on November 07, 2023, 04:08:13 PM
     Not sure why,or how badly you want to change gearing,but I'll throw this out there for your consideration.

     Following the recommendations of some of the learned guzzisti on the Tonti 5 speed tranny;

     I now ride my CalVin like a 4 speed & treat 5th,like an od gear;the engine & bike seem to be happier and in a sweeter spot.

     fwiw ymmv
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on November 07, 2023, 05:28:18 PM
     Not sure why,or how badly you want to change gearing,but I'll throw this out there for your consideration.

     Following the recommendations of some of the learned guzzisti on the Tonti 5 speed tranny;

     I now ride my CalVin like a 4 speed & treat 5th,like an od gear;the engine & bike seem to be happier and in a sweeter spot.

     fwiw ymmv

Why? Because the stock gearing is absurdly tall. I treat mine like a 3-speed. I rarely use 4th, and never 5th. Backroads riding, no highways.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: michaell32 on November 07, 2023, 09:44:46 PM
I bought an OE seat from a member here, and like it better than the Corbin that came with my bike, primarily because it's taller.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2007-Moto-Guzzi-California-Vintage/Misc-CalVin/i-CdB3Xmc/0/64dbe99b/X4/IMG_6092cb-X4.jpg)

So I swapped the Corbin for another seat, a solo Russell Day Long, from another member here. However, it seems the CalVin has a different seat attachment design and the Russell (from an '02 EV) does not come close to meeting the CalVin's latch. This photo is after I removed the four rubber posts that made the gap even larger.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rgJtkv5/0/516355ff/X4/i-rgJtkv5-X4.jpg)

Anyone know if I could just order a different latch setup, or are there more fundamental differences at work here?
I have an 03 california ev.  The seat that the bike came with hurts my tailbone after about an hour.  I tried a seat from a 98 california that was taller because of extra padding and ran into the same issue.  I made an bracket out of a stainless steel panel I had laying around that raised the latch.  The seat release cable will not work though because it is too short.  I took off the key release and used a ferrell to make a loop so I can still release the seat.  The loop is tucked behind the side cover.  My guess is the bracket that the latch bolts to changed around 2000 or some of the sub models around the 02/03 era use different brackets.  The taller seat hurt my tailbone just as much as the original so I took it off.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on November 20, 2023, 08:51:46 AM
Stopped by a "local" race track yesterday and filled up the tank with 100 octane unleaded--nearly 3 gallons of it, mixed with the 2+ gallons of 93 that was in there. Not sure of the ethanol content of the track fuel. Regardless, the engine loves the stuff. It's smoother, tractors away from a stop more readily, revs more freely, and definitely never pings. $10/gallon and not a convenient fill-up spot, so I won't make a habit of it, but now I'm dreading going back to the usual swill. Any harm in feeding the engine a steady diet of octane booster?
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: guzzisteve on November 20, 2023, 09:50:50 AM
Yes, booster is OK just don't over do it, can also leave deposits.  I used to use AvGas low lead & 93, it made 100 octane at a 50/50 mix.
Now I use 90 non ethanol and a little DurAlt fuel conditioner.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: LowRyter on November 21, 2023, 10:26:50 AM
     Not sure why,or how badly you want to change gearing,but I'll throw this out there for your consideration.

     Following the recommendations of some of the learned guzzisti on the Tonti 5 speed tranny;

     I now ride my CalVin like a 4 speed & treat 5th,like an od gear;the engine & bike seem to be happier and in a sweeter spot.

     fwiw ymmv

yep
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: vintage53 on November 21, 2023, 11:55:01 AM

Hi
Tubeless wheels look really nice, my only concern would be debris entering the gap on the hub.     I kept mine with Tubes.  And yes, the gearing is long but it's a Highway Cruser when you want it to be.


My 2010 Calvin. 
(https://i.ibb.co/D1pDDyZ/CALVIN-2010.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D1pDDyZ)
   
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on February 11, 2024, 02:27:12 PM
What do I have to do to keep the shift linkage assembled? I've tried locking washers, locking nuts, Locktite, second keeper nuts, even the OE-correct Belleville washer. Everything vibrates loose. It's fallen apart once, leaving me stuck in 2nd gear. Now I have to check it before every ride, and it always needs tightening. What's the problem?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7hnh85B/0/5053d4d8/X5/i-7hnh85B-X5.jpg)
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: Matteo on February 13, 2024, 03:50:37 PM
Drill a small hole through a corner of the nut and safety wire it.
Title: Re: Calvin brain trust, please school me
Post by: HarveyMushman on February 13, 2024, 05:58:15 PM
Drill a small hole through a corner of the nut and safety wire it.

An option, certainly (as soon as I buy the equipment and learn how to use it).