California Vintage possible purchase

[ampm7]

I was looking at a 2008 California Vintage that is for sale in my neck of the woods with 8,300 miles. It is quite clean-a few scratches- and was purchased by the current owner who put only 1,000 miles on her before his wife had medical problems. He had the ECU flash done by GuzziTech otherwise it is stock. I currently have a 1991 Heritage classic and a 1970 Ambassador. My question is:how do you guys that own one like them, what have you done to them, fuel mileage, and any other things that you can think of? Even though the Harley is reliable and rides quite well it has a lot of vibration and it is loud for long trips. The vibes and the loudness wear on you after the first 100 miles. Obviously, the Guzzi is more advanced than the Harley but here in the US you can in an emergency get parts and service for the Harley in numerous places. Not so for the Guzzi. But with a well sorted Guzzi there should be no problem, right? I had a 2002 California EV anniversary model which I had added bags to, flyscreen and probably some other stuff which I sold because I wanted to go to the dark side-four cylinders-so I sold the bike. I do most of all my maintenance except in the rare case when I need an expert. I would like to do some long trips again but the Harley just tears me down over the long haul.





white bike my 2002 EV, the vintage I was looking at and the current Harley

[Kev m]

Not sure what you're asking.

That Cal-Vin has a lot going for it. Very similar to your 02 EV but with a motor that shares components with the B11 (dual plug heads, a little hotter cam, etc.).

You already know the handling and brakes are better than your old EVO Softail. It's lighter and makes a bit more power than the EVO too.

Now if money wasn't an issue I might suggest a look at the new M8 Softails as they are a whole different thing. But the Call-Vin shouldn't beat you up like the Heritage.

[ampm7]

Thanks Kev, money is an issue I hate to say. I just can't afford to plunk down $18,000+ plus on a bike. The new Harley's and Indians would be great if I could afford one of those bikes. Because of my bad back, I have to limit the weight of a bike in order to move it around in the storage area that I have. So, lighter, more maneuverable on the road, better brakes, steering damper, decent mileage, ergonomics, good suspension, great fueling, etc. is on my list and for the price the Cal Vintage is in the ball park...Whether I bite or not.

[Sheepdog]

I bought a Vintage new in ‘07 and it remains my favorite despite some newer and flashier rides. The fuel injection re-flash takes care of it’s second worst issue as stock. The issue that is more pressing, is the improper fuel filter and it’s attendant hoses. If the previous owner had enough snap to do the re-flash, this is likely already done. Rifle offers some nice windshields that are available in widths, heights, and tints. I put a Mistral H-Pipe and Classic mufflers, Ikon Shocks, Hyperpro fork springs, and a Matris steering damper on at 25K miles to resharpen the bike’s abilities. The newer Corbin seats are very comfortable and allow the use of a backrest, but (ironically) cut into passenger space. Be certain to use 35w bulbs in the spotlights, as the stock 55w bulbs will outpace the alternator. Gas mileage in town is 42-43...on the highway at 65-75 mph delivers 46-47 mpg. Mine has taken me from Olympia, WA to Asheville, NC and many destinations in between. I really dig the old girl...

[Kiwi_Roy]

Plus 1 for the Vintage, a great cruiser with tubeless wheels at 8300 miles it's not even run in yet, you can't go wrong.

[Kev m]

Thanks Kev, money is an issue I hate to say. I just can't afford to plunk down $18,000+ plus on a bike. The new Harley's and Indians would be great if I could afford one of those bikes. Because of my bad back, I have to limit the weight of a bike in order to move it around in the storage area that I have. So, lighter, more maneuverable on the road, better brakes, steering damper, decent mileage, ergonomics, good suspension, great fueling, etc. is on my list and for the price the Cal Vintage is in the ball park...Whether I bite or not.

Sure sounds like the Cal-Vin would be a great choice then.

Good luck and have fun!

[fotoguzzi]

Plus 1 for the Vintage, a great cruiser with tubeless wheels at 8300 miles it's not even run in yet, you can't go wrong.

tubeless rims? I don't think so...

And yes do check that the internal hose/pump fault has been addressed.

[Sheepdog]

tubeless rims? I don't think so...

And yes do check that the internal hose/pump fault has been addressed.

Correct. The Vintage has conventional, tube-type spoked wheels with chromed steel rims.

[Ncdan]

I had a CalVin a couple years and after a H-pipe to replace OEM and a custom Beetle map it was a great machine. The only issue I could never overcome was the ridding position. The position of the floorboards jacked up my knees thus putting pressure on my lower back. It’s not going to be the same position as your Harley, which for me personally, is a perfect riding position,

as the cruiser offers.
Unless 740 lbs is to heavy I’d recommend at least looking and test riding the 1400 models. Good luck on whatever you decide on.

[Kev m]

Dan, crap did you ever try having someone build up the seat?!? It sounds like that would have done the trick. Maybe with some risers at worst case scenario.

[Ncdan]

Dan, crap did you ever try having someone build up the seat?!? It sounds like that would have done the trick. Maybe with some risers at worst case scenario.

When I got the CalVin the PO had a rebuilt seat from the Sergeants seat company. It was flat and about 2” taller. Problem with that was it made the seat height to tall and still didn’t fit me. I even tried to figure out a way to lower the boards but that would have been major surgery. Bottom line is it just didn’t fit me well.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Correct. The Vintage has conventional, tube-type spoked wheels with chromed steel rims.

Sorry, I thought I was looking at a tubeless alloy front
https://i.ibb.co/F0DfNCP/guzzi-vintage-1-1.jpg

[Kev m]

When I got the CalVin the PO had a rebuilt seat from the Sergeants seat company. It was flat and about 2” taller. Problem with that was it made the seat height to tall and still didn’t fit me. I even tried to figure out a way to lower the boards but that would have been major surgery. Bottom line is it just didn’t fit me well.

Damn so how did you fit on a FLHP/FLHTP then? I would have thought 2" up on a C-Vin would have been real similar?

[Denis]

I put a Cal Vin seat on my '91 California and it totally changed how that bike feels. If I was going to get another Tonti, it would definitely be a Cal Vin.

[knockerjoe]

I have a 07 CalVin and have owned many Harley’s in the past.
You will find it is much lighter, faster, and will out handle any touring
Harley. Once it is sorted you should enjoy good reliability.
I can’t speak for two up riding.

[ampm7]

The bike has a custom Corbin seat and is about 1"+ lower. My EV did have spoked wheels that could take a tubeless as I remember. The Harley is quite heavy and although they say it is 650lbs it sure feels heavier than the Kawasaki Drifter 1500 that I had as it was supposed to be 660lbs. When I got on the Guzzi I could tell immediately that it was lighter. I do like a lighter bike. The only reason I bought the Harley is because the Drifter was terrible on my back even though I had done everything possible to the suspension even adding springs underneath the Corbin seat. And, I simply cannot mount a higher seat bike otherwise I would have bought a FJR1300 or Concourse 14 for long trips. I have replaced fuel pumps and hoses which are usually in the tank, I would assume that is the case with the Guzzi. Kind of a hassle but one other reason I bought the Harley was they would take a trade-in on Suzuki SV1000s which was an awesome bike with many upgrades but I just had a terrible time mounting it. Once on I was fine. Thanks for all your input.

[LowRyter]

I can compare a test ride of Vintage vs my '98 EV.   Vintage has more power, shifts better than my bike.   I found that it didn't handle quite as well and my legs were a little cramped due to the lower seat.  I am not a fan of tube tires.  The Vintage is perhaps the best looking  Tonti California ever.

[Ncdan]

Damn so how did you fit on a FLHP/FLHTP then? I would have thought 2" up on a C-Vin would have been real similar?

On the FLH your foot position is more forward and your knees are straight, like sitting in a chair position. On my CalVin my knees were at least 2” higher which I could not get comfortable. May not be the same for anyone else but it was for me.

[antmanbee]

On the FLH your foot position is more forward and your knees are straight, like sitting in a chair position. On my CalVin my knees were at least 2” higher which I could not get comfortable. May not be the same for anyone else but it was for me.

Dan, you just need to borrow one of my sportier bikes for a season and then when you get back on a Calvin it will feel like sitting in a chair.

[Ncdan]

Dan, you just need to borrow one of my sportier bikes for a season and then when you get back on a Calvin it will feel like sitting in a chair.

👍thanks Allen, when I ever get the chance to get to Fl we will
Definitely give it a try;)

[ampm7]

You know all the people-especially motorcyclist journalists- freak out about the blip to the right, how quirky Guzzi's are yet, they seem to be fine to me. I have had some bikes and all of them have their idiosyncrasies whether they fit you or not that is the question. Some Harley guys have said to me 'don't your legs get hot being so close to the cylinders'? I've never noticed anything of the kind. But on my Harley, I put Thermotec wrap under the rear heat shield on the header to cut down on the heat that you will get in the seat of your pants during the hotter months. It seems like the CalVin would be a good choice for a long distance cruiser.

 

[guzzisteve]

They will go 200Kmi w/o effort.   This one did by Karl W. It was 1st CalVin sold in USA care of Ace in St Joe. It needed a few things over time but not really bad stuff, drivetrain issues.
Karl's CalVin new in my driveway, on his way to FL.

[fotoguzzi]

Talk about short riders,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6foabj3fh3g

[Guzzistajohn]

Short rides? Shoot, I've done 50-60 mile days with no problem at all-VERY comfortable!

[80CX100]

The only reason I bought the Harley is because the Drifter was terrible on my back even though I had done everything possible to the suspension even adding springs underneath the Corbin seat. .

I'm not sure what it was about the Drifter that bothered your back, but if it was the sitting straight up and feeling every bump or jolt straight up your spine, you may want to try a CalVin out for a good test ride before you jump in.

Out of all my bikes, the CAlVin feels very comfortable, but it's the one bike that can bother my lower/middle back; I settle into it like a fine 2 wheeled comfortable couch, but there have been times where the sitting straight up has sent jolts straight up my spine. I added an airhawk to cushion the seat and rotated the bars forward, and sometimes move my feet back under me, so I get more of a lean/bend/spring to my spine and that's helped a lot.

The CalVin is a very comfortable, competent, relaxing bike to ride, solid and dependable; if I happen to get caught out in a cold rain, the CalVin with the better wind protection and linked brakes is the one I hope to be on fwiw.

Good luck, happy bike shopping 

Kelly

[jim_W]

  I put a lot of miles on My 2009 CalVin and found it quite comfortable.  A lot of 600 to 1000 mile days. I did swap out the windshield for the fairing that Harper's sold. Only issue I ever had on a trip was the throttle position sensor and I replaced it with a Harley part.  Most every Harley dealer stocks it. Great bike. I replaced it with a new Norge but I still miss the CalVin.

While the mileage may be correct I have never seen on of these that has 40 or 50,000 miles on it with the original speedometer. My first odometer quit working at 15,000 miles, second one went over 30,000 before it quit.

 I know there are a lot of low mileage bikes around but the guys I ride with would never have a bike that old with that low of mile count.

[Sheepdog]

I also disliked the "beach bars" on my Vintage. I put on the handlebars from a V1100 Stone and all was well. There is a very slight forward lean that puts more rider weight on the floorboards and the wrist angle is a great deal more neutral. In the bargain, these bars are a little narrower making the mirrors more accessible.

[ampm7]

On the Drifter it has shaft drive but much longer than the CalVin. I just think the geometry really jolted my back and the Harley takes the bumps much better especially with the shock absorbers working in an opposite fashion to the normal shocks on the outside near the seat. Also, the belt drive is much better than the Drifter in terms of "give". I will definitely give the bike a test ride if I decide to purchase.

[grebmrof]

Have a very low mile 2010 CalVin, black, skunk seat thinking of selling.  Located in NE OH, if anyone might be interested contact me via PM. 
Thanks,
Tom