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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Turin on December 12, 2022, 09:11:39 PM

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

Pics :

(https://i.ibb.co/HF2kMQV/California-III-Rennsport-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HF2kMQV)


(https://i.ibb.co/tp6h1ww/California-III-Rennsport-7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tp6h1ww)


(https://i.ibb.co/2cKKsyL/California-III-Rennsport-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2cKKsyL)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: rjamesohio on December 12, 2022, 09:53:10 PM
Well - I own the same machine and find it fulfilling as well!

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

Congrats and I hope the machine is with you for many miles.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Groover on December 13, 2022, 10:25:31 AM
Congrats! Is the the big valve variant? I think they were 1992, but I could be 100% wrong.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 13, 2022, 10:46:34 AM
It is a big valve. Next to the VV* engine case stamping is a RennSport stamp. This is a hot rod. I'm going through the receipts and correspondence letters from the previous owners.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Moparnut72 on December 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM
I always associated RennSport with BMW sidecar racing. Learn something every day.
kk
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: bigbikerrick on December 13, 2022, 12:12:58 PM
Thats an interesting exhaust system on the Cal III. I have never seen that before. Custom made?
Rick
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 13, 2022, 01:22:07 PM
It's a RennSport 2-1-2 with dunstall replica mufflers. You used to see RennSport systems on some guzzi race bikes and some cafe racers.

(https://i.ibb.co/g3hktPm/a-lemans-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g3hktPm)


(https://i.ibb.co/SX4sjpw/Lemans-Racing-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SX4sjpw)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Alfetta on December 13, 2022, 01:31:40 PM
Don't know much on your tuned goose, but i did own 2 Alfa Romeo GTV's like the red one you got in the garage!   and it looks like Fiat hubcaps on the car under the cover, I'm guessing 124 ???

when the Italian bug bites,  it bites hard !
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 13, 2022, 04:12:33 PM
I bought the Alfa from a wildguzzi forum member back in 2007. 82 GTV6 Ballocco with a 3.0 from a Milano Verde. The 124 spider is a '77. The Wifes car.


Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Gusable on December 13, 2022, 05:14:12 PM
I like the cali 3.  Super cool
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: chuck peterson on December 15, 2022, 06:37:02 AM
Intercontinental Beastie…will refuse to quit after 1200 mile days…every day for weeks…your a$$ will hate you while collecting gas receipts in foreign languages. Dawn to dusk days are in your future.

Someone made those unusual carbs work for what modifications, i wonder…who’s carb are those?
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Moparnut72 on December 15, 2022, 08:59:02 AM
They look like Lectrons. Used on Harleys to replace sometimes troublesome Tillotsons.
kk
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 15, 2022, 10:16:34 AM
41mm Mikuni TM Pro-series flatsides from/installed by Rennsport.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Groover on December 15, 2022, 05:47:34 PM
The Rennsport stuff is pretty cool, and impossible to find these days. I let that same exhaust slip away a few years ago, not sure I was completely sold on it at the time but now that I see it installed I have regrets... thanks a lot Turin  :grin:
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: cliffrod on December 15, 2022, 07:28:06 PM
That looks like a bitchin bike that needs to be treated a certain way….  I’m confident you’re up to the task. 

Please post some progress reports as they become available.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 15, 2022, 08:07:00 PM
Progress report... installing one new tire... and done. This bike loves a big hand full of throttle. lots of fun.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: cliffrod on December 15, 2022, 08:21:42 PM
Progress report... installing one new tire... and done. This bike loves a big hand full of throttle. lots of fun.

Very cool- Twist it hard, man.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: dblue on December 15, 2022, 08:27:19 PM
 I worked on a Charlie Rice Rennsport, Lemans III, in the 90's. It had the same carbs, 1105 cc kit, megacycle cam the same exhaust. roller rockers and steel pushrods.
lightened flywheel. but when he finally got it back, it had so much compression it would not start. I put a couple extra base gasket in it to lower compression. That worked until it got hot and ahigh gear run and it folded both piston crowns in at the same time. Never stamp your trade name in the dome of a lightened piston.
 It will be interesting to see what all was done to the Cali. Obviously  you won't have those kinds of problems.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 16, 2022, 11:24:22 AM
Similar set up, but taken down a notch. The pistons don't have a huge dome( I have a spare set) and it has their mid level cam. It's still a Cali, just "more".
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: jasonsantacruz on December 16, 2022, 11:57:02 AM
So cool ! I just put a pair of Rennsport carbs on my MK3, I really like the throttle now, I have to clean up the pipes, but they are next.
(https://i.ibb.co/R0fRm5J/PXL-20221205-032421101.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R0fRm5J)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 16, 2022, 03:06:36 PM
Do you have the 39mm or the 41mm ? Share a pic. I think the LeMans III is the prettiest of the LeMans series.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: jasonsantacruz on December 16, 2022, 08:40:58 PM
Mine is 36mm but it's a big 36, really an improvement.  Here is my Lemans III and a family picture too!
(https://i.ibb.co/3mK1gzg/PXL-20210313-233343804.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3mK1gzg)

(https://i.ibb.co/2s46qxB/PXL-20211017-230300282.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2s46qxB)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on December 29, 2022, 08:21:14 PM
The Duc went to it's new home on tuesday. So far I'm loving the big Cali. No regrets.
I'm getting used to the funky floorboard foot control set up and the seat is pretty decent once you get used to it. The wide handlebar that Dirk installed is great and I'm on the fence about the batwing fairing. I never thought I'd be so into a bike that's painted salmon red and cream.
Anyone else ever see one of those little yellow AGIP stickers before?

Wide bar
(https://i.ibb.co/x3hCQ97/California-III-Rennsport-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x3hCQ97)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Denis on January 01, 2023, 08:29:14 AM
I've always wanted one of those Lodolas!


Mine is 36mm but it's a big 36, really an improvement.  Here is my Lemans III and a family picture too!
(https://i.ibb.co/3mK1gzg/PXL-20210313-233343804.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3mK1gzg)

(https://i.ibb.co/2s46qxB/PXL-20211017-230300282.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2s46qxB)

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

(https://i.ibb.co/tJ1nZG8/20230306-181127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tJ1nZG8)


(https://i.ibb.co/zxhhDZZ/20230306-181151.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zxhhDZZ)

Love this wide bar.

(https://i.ibb.co/3sJsNsh/20230306-181309.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3sJsNsh)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: kingoffleece on March 06, 2023, 11:43:19 PM
excellent!
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: larrys on March 07, 2023, 08:35:32 AM
The Cal III's, 1000's, 1100's are the best Guzzi deals going these days. Have had mine for 22 years and still like it. Get yours before they become "vintage collectibles" like Loops are now... I remember when Loops were just old bikes and not worth much.
Larry
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Groover on March 07, 2023, 08:51:44 AM
I'm just waiting for Turin to post a video or sound clip of what that one sounds like  :azn:
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on March 11, 2023, 06:56:52 PM
Groover, here you go. neighbor came by to have a peek.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqYfUGBUV8c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqYfUGBUV8c)
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Irishflyer on March 11, 2023, 09:35:47 PM
Sounds and looks great!  I have a 96 1100i that just keeps going.  The style is an acquired taste, but 1100 was enough to tote myself and my gf around Sturgis last year with no issues in the Black Hills.  Im sure a Rennsport would do even better. 
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Groover on March 18, 2023, 07:04:46 PM
That does sound great! Thanks for making the video, and that was fun commentary especially knowing you were referring to us here on the forum!

Revs quickly, does it have a lighten flywheel?

Thanks again.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on March 20, 2023, 09:32:29 PM
Chatty neighbor wanted to talk while I was recording. Ram clutch on the 1105cc Rennsport engine.

Irishflyer, the 1100 sporti is one of the prettiest guzzi's ever made and if I could only have 1 bike, that would be my choice.
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: kingoffleece on March 20, 2023, 11:38:21 PM
Looking forward to seeing the bike.  Hopefully soon!
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: Turin on March 21, 2023, 07:08:06 PM
Yes!
Title: Re: New to me Cal III
Post by: sidecarnutz on March 21, 2023, 09:51:34 PM
Back in the 90's I had a early 80's CX100 Lemans built by Rennsport. It was a dream machine to ride! Pulled like no other Guzzi I ever had until I got my 2001 V11S.
Have fun!