Author Topic: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance  (Read 6282 times)

Offline janguzzi

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Maybe my slideshow Moto Guzzi California 1100 (e.g. Vintage) – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance is useful for some of you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PToj-E4tIXg
Kind Regards
Jan, Schuby (near the Danish Border), Germany
www.janguzzi.de
-1992-2002: 1000S, 2nd Series
-2002-2004: V11 Le Mans "Grigio Titanium"
-2004-2011: V11 Le Mans "Rosso Corsa" & 2008-2011: 950S
-2018-2021: California Vintage
-2011: Griso 8V & 2023: V85 TT "Giallo Mojave"

Offline larrys

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Re: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2019, 08:54:25 AM »
When I bought my Cal in '01 I called Harper's service department to get the valve clearances. A nice gentleman told me a snug .004" and .006" would do it. I use a 3" long adjustable end wrench for the adjuster. YMMV.
Larry
'13 Monster 1100 EVO
'95 Cal 1100
'68 Bonneville

MGNOC 7248

Offline janguzzi

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Re: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2019, 09:10:44 AM »
.004 inch => 0.10 mm
.006 inch => 0.15 mm
So that´s corret.

Older Guzzis (built until the mid 90s) had
0.22 & 0.22 mm or
0.22 & 0.25 mm

The 1100/III California models will also run with these old settings but the default is 0.10 & 0.15 mm.
A lot of older Guzzi owners still tend to use the old settings but for me this is wrong.
Kind Regards
Jan, Schuby (near the Danish Border), Germany
www.janguzzi.de
-1992-2002: 1000S, 2nd Series
-2002-2004: V11 Le Mans "Grigio Titanium"
-2004-2011: V11 Le Mans "Rosso Corsa" & 2008-2011: 950S
-2018-2021: California Vintage
-2011: Griso 8V & 2023: V85 TT "Giallo Mojave"

Offline dxhall

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Re: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2019, 09:16:26 AM »

The Guzzi valve adjustment tool is a worthwhile investment.  Here it is:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=guzzi+valve+adjuster&_sacat=0

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2019, 09:36:49 AM »
The Guzzi valve adjustment tool is a worthwhile investment.  Here it is:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=guzzi+valve+adjuster&_sacat=0

Only works on engines with 11 mm locknuts, which IIRC started with the square-fins.
Charlie

Offline LowRyter

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Re: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2019, 09:47:51 AM »
Sometimes I can turn the adjuster with my fingers.  But I just secure the adjuster with needle nose pliers while I tighten the lock nut with a wrench.   I've never encountered the valves as loose as the ones in the video for either of my Guzzi.  I can't recall ever having to adjust all 4 valves either, usually just a couple.  I can't recall that they've ever been tight.  That's 80k miles since '07 on two V11 bikes.
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Offline Dilliw

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Re: Moto Guzzi California 1100 – Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearance
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2019, 12:14:20 PM »
Hmmm, never even check the adjustment on my EV  :evil:
George Westbury
Austin, TX

 

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