Difference in Cali models

[Faab]

What are the key differences in California models between the 2, 3 and 1100EV?
Yes, seat and petroltank changed, then carburation changed. But I'm talking about frame and chassis components.

See, I've been dreaming of a Cali ever since I was young. And even when I knew about the Cali, it still took me years to figure out it has been a model I was in love with for so long.
The thing is, I love the styling and straight up seating position of the older models 1 and 2. But would like a bit more reliablility and performance to keep it running in our modern world.
That's why i was wondering what the frame an chassis changes were. Somewhere deep in my heart I want to convert an EV to the look of a Cali2.

That being said, I love the Cali 3 and onwards in styling aswell, but i would prefer the straighter seating position.

Also, I'm 6'2 so seatheigt is no problem for me. Sitting to low and straight requires me to have apehanger-style bars to reduce lowerback fatigue. And apehangers dont match the Cali that well.

[oldbike54]

 Come on fellas , let's talk motorbikes , this is a Guzzi board , right ?

 Dusty

[lti_57]

As far as I know   mostly cosmetic difference
for example the lower frame rail with foot boards  can swap with the lower frame rails for foot pegs.
engines basically the same  Tonti frame the same reare ends other then different gears are the same
I am 6'1" and as much as i love the California bike  i feel like a monkey on a football
But they are dead reliable  sound amazing easy to work on, tons of parts for them

[Rich A]

I think 1100EV vs 2/3: fuel injection, larger engine, 8/33 rear drive.

Rich A

[kidsmoke]

You're looking at a V11 2 valve per cylinder platform all the way til 2012.
-varitions on the theme include single or dual front disc Brembo's
-Tubed or tubeless spoked wheels.
-1000 cc became 1100 cc, and carb'd became fuel injected in the late 90's
-for 2 years (03 - 04?) they offered the 1100 lump with non adjustable hydraulic lifters, that, when sorted, is arguably the best version of that motor (i've heard it said on many occasions, I have no first hand experience)

there are lots of different bags/windscreen/fairing/lighting/handlebar tweaks that occured, but its a simple platform that directly connects itself to the 850T.

The frame stayed the same. I believe there was some modest changes in the swingarm length between the II and III.

Making the 'whale dork' iteration look more like the Cal II, has been done before, and well! Apehangers...I've not seen. Some of the pull back bars I've seen across the line would accomplish the same back/pelvic relationship, for certain.

Last, if youre new to Guzzi and have a sweet spot for THIS platform, you are very fortunate, because hard bagged well sorted bikes can be found quickly, particularly if you don't mind a spartan platform to build upon ($1.5 to 3k). A sorted EV ready to journey might still fetch close to $5k

hope that helps.

[s1120]

I have a 02 stone.. Kinda like a EV but more basic.. The best thing about the stone?  The handle bars. Gives a much more "standard bike" feel to the motorcycle. Im 6'3" tall and other then I would like a little taller seat, it feels good. The EV [and Stone Jackal models] Have nice brakes, and a real beefy, solid front fork. The FI engine is pretty sweet also. 

[brider]

The thing is, I love the styling and straight up seating position of the older models 1 and 2. Somewhere deep in my heart I want to convert an EV to the look of a Cali2.

...i would prefer the straighter seating position.

Also, I'm 6'2 so seatheigt is no problem for me.

Let me be the first to endorse the older Cal 2. I prefer the upright position, also, and I believe an EV drivetrain would almost be a bolt-in. Personal preference: I NEVER, EVER, liked the sunken-saddle looks of the Cal 3 and EV, just looking at that locked-in seating position makes my butt and knees hurt.
 Cal 2s are getting rare these days, don't see many of them on the market that are straight and un-molested.

[rutgery]

I don't know much about the later versions, but the cali 2 has a 35mm front fork, solid brake discs and square vhb carbs (later cali II's use phf carbs).
The first Cali 3 models have roundslide PHF carbs (which according to some have better fuel economy than the vhbs) and floating brake discs which are really nice. The cali 3 also has 40mm front forks. somewhere in the cali 3 run or later around 1990 the frame changed from having straight frame rails to a knink in the frames which makes converting these frames to the older cali 3 look more difficult. Also, the swingarm length increased (and opened up for larger wheels) and wider 2.5'' rims were fitted.

Around the 90's fuel injection was added. somewhere in the run the cali 3 went from points ignition to electrical ignition.

Another difference is that the cali 3 doesn't use the older Bosch generator but uses a brushless saprisa generator. I'm not totally sure, but later types may use the Ducati alternator which increases electrical power output. A minor but important difference when wanting to convert a cali 3 to the older look is that the tacho is not a mechanical drive and the cam doesn't have a drive for this. To drive a mechanical tacho, you'll need to swap in an older cam with its distributor cover.

[rutgery]

The cali 3 is available with wire wheels and tubeless cast wheels. The cali 2 I believe still uses the old WM type non tubeless cast wheels. I might be wrong on that regard though

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I don't know much about the later versions, but the cali 2 has a 35mm front fork with short headstock, solid brake discs and square vhb carbs.
The first Cali 3 models have roundslide PHF carbs (which according to some have better fuel economy than the vhbs) a longer swingarm and floating brake discs which are really nice. The cali 3 also starts with a long headstock and bigger 40mm front forks. somewhere in the cali 3 run or later around 1990 the frame changed from having straight frame rails to a knink in the frames which makes converting these frames to the older cali 3 look more difficult. Also, the swingarm length increased (and opened up for larger wheels) and wider 2.5'' rims were fitted.

The Cal II had the long headstock, but did have 35 mm forks. The Cal II was the first with the long swingarm. Late Cal IIs had PHF30s.

[rutgery]

The Cal II had the long headstock, but did have 35 mm forks. The Cal II was the first with the long swingarm. Late Cal IIs had PHF30s.

I didn't know that! I've edited my previous post to make it more accurate, thanks

[bigbikerrick]

I have read a few times, that many people feel the Cal II is the best touring bike Guzzi ever made. I have an 84 Cal II automatic, with the tall headstock Charlie mentions,and the long swingarm. I recently attached a texas ranger sidecar to it ,and think its a great,comfortable bike, and the best sidecar tug I have driven!
Rick.

[kidsmoke]

this is the bike of a member here @Matteo. I saved this photo long ago as inspiration. I think he nailed it. This bike started life as a Jackal, which is a stripped down EV.

[BillinPA]

I have owned all three choices. Loved them all. Favorite for me is the EV. Better brakes, bigger forks, more power.
You can't go wrong with any. Probably an EV is easiest to find.

[bigbikerrick]

this is the bike of a member here @Matteo. I saved this photo long ago as inspiration. I think he nailed it. This bike started life as a Jackal, which is a stripped down EV.

That bike looks just about perfect! Its even got the great tubeless wheels!
Rick.

[Gappy]

  My 1994 California is probably my favorite to take trips on. It came with FI or carbureted. Mine has phf 36 mm pumpers. 40 mm fully adjustable dampanig and rebound forks, nitrious gas shocks ( mine don’t leak, I refurbish them every 10k mi)and dual disk front with linked rear disk brakes make this bike a real sweet ride. The OEM seat SUCKS!  I bought an old Cali 3 seat and modified it to suit my needs, meantime I am having a Neds comfort seat made for it on the original pan. I was so happy to find out that Jimmy is still making them. 5th gear is a little too tall unless you want to ride about 80 mph witch is a little to intense for me anymore. 65-70 mph all day long in 4th, smooth as glass can’t be beat.

[larrys]

I've had my Cali since '01. She's a keeper. I rejetted the carbs, Bitubo internals in the front forks, and Progressive shocks with early EV 11 springs on the back. I re-contoured the front seat and had a local guy reupholster the set. I find it interesting that some guys feel the need to run them at 3500 rpm or better. Mine pulls just fine from 2500 rpm all the way up.
Larry

[kidsmoke]

The other great Californication that I’m aware of is this. Seriously a bike Guzzi should build with the current 850
John Crouchers Aluminum

[Faab]

Oh WOW, I didn't expect this much feedback this quickly

I praise all the knowledge you guys unleashed on me 

I do have a softspot for Guzzi's. Drove a V65 Policia a short while before I started restoring it a few years back. It's because of the V65 I got to know about my dream, the California.
That, and since I do a long roadtrip once a year and plan on going on a weekend more often, the California would have the benefit over the small V65 (which should be finished this summer)
I was also active on the forum some years ago because of the V65, but I remember there not being a lot of response to questions back then. Probably due to too many inactive accounts?

Anyway, I did plenty of research already. Most of what you guys say was already to my understanding. Thanks for confirming 
What I learned is: the upper frame stays the same, only the lower frame differs. Front forks used to be longer on the Cali II, but thinner. Cali III's can have dual front brakes (definite plus).

There is this EV model near where I live (Belgium), which has been built with centerset pegs. Maybe it already had the lower frame rails swapped. I'd still have to combine that with the Cali II tank, seat and rear fender and I should be good to go.

Thank you guys so much for the help. Faab

[Faab]

Let me be the first to endorse the older Cal 2. I prefer the upright position, also, and I believe an EV drivetrain would almost be a bolt-in. Personal preference: I NEVER, EVER, liked the sunken-saddle looks of the Cal 3 and EV, just looking at that locked-in seating position makes my butt and knees hurt.
 Cal 2s are getting rare these days, don't see many of them on the market that are straight and un-molested.

Exactly! Also the reason I'd buy used parts, so to keep the ones that are running, in running order.

[Denis]

Here's my '91 California with the big valve Lemans engine, one of 15 Guzzi sent to the US. I put the California Vintage seat on it last year, and it makes a world of difference over the stock seat.

[Faab]

Here's my '91 California with the big valve Lemans engine, one of 15 Guzzi sent to the US. I put the California Vintage seat on it last year, and it makes a world of difference over the stock seat.

How does the performance differ with the regular California heads?

And is that seat a straight bolt on?

[Denis]

How does the performance differ with the regular California heads?
And is that seat a straight bolt on?

It's a lot faster than the regular California IIIs, which had 30mm carbs and smaller valves. Basically this is a 1000 Lemans engine in an upgraded Cal chassis: 40mm forks, etc.
Note that Guzzi chose to call this one just "California".

To get that seat to fit I had to modify the pan slightly (nothing major) and get a locking latch from one of the later Cals, maybe an EV, and fab up a mounting plate to the frame. Works pretty well! That seat gives you a lot more room to move around that the stock Cal seats of the day.

[rutgery]

Here's my '91 California with the big valve Lemans engine, one of 15 Guzzi sent to the US. I put the California Vintage seat on it last year, and it makes a world of difference over the stock seat.

That's cool! Does it have a medium length swingarm like the LM1000s or a long one like the california models? I always thought the big valve calis were one of the first cali 3's build but I stand corrected! Does it have the swept up tail frame or are the upper frame tubes straight?

[Denis]

That's cool! Does it have a medium length swingarm like the LM1000s or a long one like the california models? I always thought the big valve calis were one of the first cali 3's build but I stand corrected! Does it have the swept up tail frame or are the upper frame tubes straight?

Oh dude, this bike is great! I'm not 100% sure about the swing arm length, honestly, but I'm pretty certain it's whatever was on the normal Calis.
The rear frame tubes are straight. It really is a hot rod!

[Guzzistajohn]

The BEST one is the California Vintage (because it's what I have)  I live in a part of the country that has A BUNCH of crooked ass roads (terrible I know) i run most in 3rd gear and I'm able to exit most curves at 70 to 75 MPH It's a BLAST! The only issue I have is what the hell is 5th gear for?? Many have whined about how the Cal-vin is just sooooooo uncomfortable, I don't get it??

[Denis]

The BEST one is the California Vintage (because it's what I have)  I live in a part of the country that has A BUNCH of crooked ass roads (terrible I know) i run most in 3rd gear and I'm able to exit most curves at 70 to 75 MPH It's a BLAST! The only issue I have is what the hell is 5th gear for?? Many have whined about how the Cal-vin is just sooooooo uncomfortable, I don't get it??

I haven't gotten to try one of those but always wanted to. The black ones are hot!

[Guzzistajohn]

I haven't gotten to try one of those but always wanted to. The black ones are hot!

I'm really enjoying it! The thing is like riding on a rail. Rock solid in the corners and really comes alive up around 4K rpm

[Denis]

I'm really enjoying it! The thing is like riding on a rail. Rock solid in the corners and really comes alive up around 4K rpm

Sounds good! I really like those seats. They are 100 times better than the seats Californias previously came with.

[Furbo]

Had an 84 Call II for years. Full Vetter system and a Russel Mayer Seat. I changed the bars. Never cared for the big rubber guage housing. Other than that, it was a terrific bike.   Then we had kids and suddenly didn't need a touring bike.