Cali 1400 - Rear Wheel suspension

[M0T0Geezer]

Anyone know (or theorize) why Guzzi decided to suspend the rear wheel on both sides of the 1400 series (in contrast to the one-sided rear suspension of all the recent 1100 & 1200 series)?

'Geezer

[rocker59]

Because a fork and twin shocks are traditional ?

They could've built the Cal 14 with some version of the CARC.

I'd imagine Galluzzi was trying to employ some traditional cues on a bike benchmarked off a Harley Road King.

[lucian]

I think it is more related to the shear weight of the bike plus the rear tire size and lack of space for a sizable enough mono shock arrangement. Certainly along with more traditional aesthetics.  dave

[Kev m]

I think it is more related to the shear weight of the bike plus the rear tire size and lack of space for a sizable enough mono shock arrangement. Certainly along with more traditional aesthetics.  dave

Maybe the later (space) played a part in design.

But I don't think it was weight.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the K1600 is still a mono-shock at 800# wet right?

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/index.html?content=http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/fascination/specials/3asyride/intro.html&gclid=CjwKEAjws7OwBRCn2Ome5tPP8gESJAAfopWsiprTRIIlqmMkBWMV4Naocuy_-q2ls8YCje7HadR37RoC4EPw_wcB&notrack=1

BMW Motorrad Paralever

So's a Goldwing in the low 900# range:

http://powersports.honda.com/2015/gold-wing/specifications.aspx

Rear Suspension
Pro Arm® single-side swingarm with Pro-Link® single shock with computer-controlled spring preload adjustment with two memory presets; 4.1 inches travel

[lucian]

I stand corrected, would it be more related to the off set required for the large rear tire for a carc arrangement?

[rocker59]

I stand corrected, would it be more related to the off set required for the large rear tire for a carc arrangement?

Ducatis run wide tires on SS swingarms.

[Kev m]

Ducatis run wide tires on SS swingarms.

True, though they are what, half the weight of these things, and run chains both of which allow for more svelte swing arms right?

[segesta]

To follow up what others have said...
It's a California, with styling and functional cues to the old bikes of the 1970s--which had dual shocks. I figure that's where Galluzzi got it from.
The monoshock of Harley Softails is to match the styling cues of postwar hardtail choppers.

I assume the monoshock of the BMW K tourers makes it easier to implement Dynamic ESA etc. ??

[Vasco DG]

My guess is that the choice was mainly cosmetic but there is also the fact that the Cali is a HUGE bike and part of its vast wheelbase is accounted for by its very long swingarm.

While this does offer the mechanical advantage of rendering the moment imposed on the suspension by the pinion trying to climb up and down the crownwheel less of an issue the downside is that if you were to use a single shock rising rate system with a linkage at the front of the swingarm a-la CARC bikes the stresses imposed on the arm would be immense! That would require enormous strength and therefore bulk which, apart from being cosmetically unappealing, would add further weight to an already obese motorbike.