going to see a 96 Cali

[philwarner]

The forward clamp on the ujoint boot is not correctly installed. Not a big deal to reposition correctly but it is important to keep water out.

Yes, after the photo was taken I tried to reposition that clamp.  I pried it over with one screwdriver while re-tightening it  with another, but either the top or bottom of the clamp slipped rearward.  I made a note to clean the old grease off the boot and try again later.  I was afraid I might put a hole in the boot if I pried around any more so I left the clamp just snugged up.  Everything needs a good cleaning down there too.

[philwarner]

Most common is 8-33 or 7-33. Likely someone put in a 7-33.
They are a matched set. So if you ONLY got the 8 tooth pinion gear, and did not get the matching 33 tooth ring gear (basically, you need the entire rear drive), you might as well throw the 8 tooth gear away. If someone jammed a 7 tooth pinion into a box set up for an 8-33, it won't last very long, if that can even be done.

Factory is 8-33, many people prefer 7-33.

Looks like someone did a lot of odd modifications on that bike.

The seller of my bike said the PO had changed it to higher gearing and the speedo read 15 mph low.  He got the spare drive gear with the bike.  He also said when he had new tires put on it his mechanic also replaced what he called the "flange" which I took to mean the ring gear.  Time will tell if the gearing is higher or lower than standard, but he was sure it was higher/taller and that the speedo read low.

[philwarner]

Putting this out as a frame of reference for fitment of what is by all accounts a fine fairing. Hope you're able to get the bike sorted!

Thanks for the photo. I saved it for reference.  This fairing has a sticker that says H & H Fairing Model SF Made in USA.  My concern right now is that after lowering it the right mounting bracket on the bars is nearly against the brake reservoir - too close for comfort.

BTW, I discovered today that it is one thing to put the center stand back on the bike and completely another to put the bike on the center stand; I had to roll the back wheel up on a block to get the center stand down.  I have to do the same with my Triumph America with its added center stand, so I carry a couple of 1x4x4 blocks with it.  I do find center stands good for maintenance and I wanted to put the Guzzi on its center stand to sort out the fairing adjustment and get it symmetrical.  I finished and got it covered just before the rain rolled in so the fairing adjustment will have to wait





I need to lower those tall mirrors somehow too so the cover is a better fit

[bodine99]

Got it home and it is definitely not that clean.  There is a large battery under the seat and I didn't see the configuration shown in your photo.  It appears they are not linked just as the PO said.  Here's what is under the right side case.



This appears to be somewhat of a Franken-Guzzi with a lot of non-OEM features like the hydraulic clutch that someone mentioned, and the rear lighting is a bit cobbled up with an up-side-down tail light that shins UP on the license plate rather than down and with the plate and the rear signal lights mounted on thin pieces of sheet aluminum pop rivited together.






I am going through it just enough to make sure things are safe so I can go for a ride and decide if this is too much bike for me or not.  Then there are a number of odd things that will need attention like the hose under the gas tank with the bolt stuck in the end of it.




I did adjust the fairing a bit lower but don't want to get too much into fixes until I see how we get along on the road.  I did find that the neutral light can fib and light up when it is still in gear.  BTW, the spare drive gear he said was the original has 8 teeth on the gear so I am not sure what might be in it now; is there such a thing as a 9 tooth drive gear?

HD tail-light not upside down most HD's have the tag on top of the light.

[Wayne Orwig]

The seller of my bike said the PO had changed it to higher gearing and the speedo read 15 mph low.  He got the spare drive gear with the bike.  He also said when he had new tires put on it his mechanic also replaced what he called the "flange" which I took to mean the ring gear.  Time will tell if the gearing is higher or lower than standard, but he was sure it was higher/taller and that the speedo read low.

If you are doing (per a GPS or such) 71 MPH at 4000 RPM, in fifth, it is a 7/33. If you are about 80 MPH at 4000 RPM, it is 8/33.
The speedo drive gear in the transmission can be changed easily to adjust it. I believe you want a 9 tooth gear. Maybe. They are pricey for what they are.

[philwarner]

Putting this out as a frame of reference for fitment of what is by all accounts a fine fairing. Hope you're able to get the bike sorted!

Do you have any photos of how the mounting hardware is situated on the bars and the front suspension?  My fairing uses four approximately 1/4" diameter rods with 90 degree bends.  The upper rods are much longer than the lowers (which appear to have been cut short) and are longer than needed for this fairing on my Guzzi.  I am toying with the idea of buying a Windjammer from a fellow who says he has the Windjammer mounting hardware for a Guzzi and then mounting the H&H fairing on my Triumph America if it will fit it.  I do need to get the H&H situated on the Guzzi first so I can see over the windshield and decide how I like it and the bike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I made the mounts on the front suspension, but like most quicky projects, it's lost to memory. It was bent to fit 1/8" by 1" wide aluminum, though. Holes drilled as necessary.

[philwarner]

I made the mounts on the front suspension, but like most quicky projects, it's lost to memory. It was bent to fit 1/8" by 1" wide aluminum, though. Holes drilled as necessary.

OK, Thanks, Chuck.  It is still raining here today so I'll have to wait to do some more adjusting.  The fairings in your photo are definitely lower than this one was when I got it so I hope to get it set where I can look over the top of the windshield instead of through it.

[kidsmoke]

Do you have any photos of how the mounting hardware is situated on the bars and the front suspension? 

I'll put in +/- 600 miles with these bikes this coming weekend so I can post a pic or two as soon at Thursday afternoon for you in the event it will help

[philwarner]

One last update for this thread and some impressions now that I have adjusted the H&H fairing and mirrors as best I can and was able to ride about 100 miles over two days.

  My first impression was that the riding position in more ON the bike than IN the bike like my Triumph Cruiser and at first my legs did not like the high knee position and wanted to cramp.  I got more used to it and now find it fairly comfortable but still feel like I am sitting on top of it despite the low custom seat.

  I wore heavy riding boots for the first ride and had trouble finding the down shift and I bent the little driving light that was mounted too close above the shifter; I raised the driving lights and today wore running shoes and found them much easier to shift with, especially since you don't have to up shift with a toe and they gave a better feel for the down shift.

  The PO had said the speedometer read 15 MPH low because his PO had installed higher gearing, but I found that the speedo is wildly optimistic and the tachometer perhaps under stating the RPM.   I am pretty sure it is not going 80 MPH at 2500 RPM in fifth gear, especially when cars are passing me on a 4 lane with a 60 MPH posted speed limit.

   I've missed a few upshifts hitting a neutral between 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and 4th, but am getting more used to what gear the bike wants so it is not lugging, and am more aware of what gear it is in now.  The throttle feels heavy and the small throttle grip at first made matching RPM to gear changes a challenge, but I am getting better at that.  I think I need lighter springs or a better lubed cable or larger diameter grips or all three.

 My biggest surprise is how well this bike handles.  When I started road riding on my 04 Triumph America cruiser after a 25 year period of riding only dirt bikes, I had to learn about counter steer which I was never aware of when I rode a Yamaha 305 Sport in College.  That bike would turn with just a little lean and no conscious effort and the Guzzi is like that:  I just think about a curve and the Guzzi seems to read those thoughts and just does it with no effort or counter steer needed.

  This bike is more of a beast than the Triumph with more vibration and a bigger personality, but it is growing on me and the Triumph will now have competition for my riding time.  I was a bit intimidated by the Guzzi at first but we are becoming friends and like the coming Cowboys/Saints game it may be hard to pick a favorite when the road beckons.