California Jackal vs Bellagio?

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Hi Guzzi Gang,

I've got a V7 II and looking to upgrade to one of the older Guzzi cruisers. It just so happens that for sale near me is a 2000 Cali Jackal and 2010 Bellagio, both fairly stock, both with about 20K miles.

What is the Guzzi hive mind's view on their:
1) build quality
2) parts availability
3) future collectability
4) any known issues or faults I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance...

[Frenchfrog]

The Bellagio....much more zip and the engine isn't really a "cruiser ". Take both for a really long spin if possible.

[Kev m]

I loved my Jackal (but I also hated it, too many niggling issues).

If conditions are comparable Bellagio all the way. But to be fair I've never even seen a Bellagio IRL cause they were never sold here.

[kingoffleece]

Keep in mind that both bikes IMO will need all the rubber bits changed.  Brake lines, too and possibly master cylinder rebuilds and such.  Those items simply age out.
That said, several years ago I bought a 2001 Jackal and loved it.  Had to sell due to relocation and much smaller space.  Less that a year later, I'm buying it back as it just has to be my bike.  Be careful............ ..

[kingoffleece]

Oh, I also had to renew the entire charging system.  Parts were a bit dear.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Bellagios never came to the US but I spent about 6mos in Spain back in the 2010's and I knew 3 guys with them. They all loved the Bellagio and sang the motor's praises. It's an oversquare short stroker- sounds like it loves to have its neck wrung and excels on the back roads. Unfortunately the Bellagio isn't much lighter than other CARC models- the 850 in it shares the same engine block and overall layout as the 1100/1200 CARC models. The riding/foot position closely mimics the Norge/Sport1200/Breva but the bars are lower than Norge/Breva. The Jackal has a more relaxed cruiser riding position and would be generally more suited to that riding style.

The Jackal has more power, but the CARC bikes are some of the very most reliable Guzzi made and the Bellagio is just a newer bike all around with better suspension, brakes, etc.... Keep the revs up and change the clutch fluid every time you do the trans/final drive fluid... It should give you many happy miles. I dont agree that you would need to replace every piece of rubber on the Bellagio, depending on how they were stored and how regularly they were ridden.  I have an '07 Breva 1100 that got almost no miles the first 8 years of its life but was stored inside a garage. I have put about 23k miles on it over the last 9 years and I havent had to replace any rubber bits due to degradation. It has eaten a couple sets of fork seals, but I am a hefty guy, ride pretty aggressively, and do a lot of 2-up riding on that particular bike.

[Kev m]

Oh, I also had to renew the entire charging system.  Parts were a bit dear.

I documented my Jackal here over the ~8-9 years ~35k miles I had it.

Replaced all hoses/oil lines etc, some gaskets, regulator, starter, tail-light (like everyone else).

This along with shocks and fork seals that leaked in the first year, bodywork and wheels that rusted, and I know I'm forgetting stuff.

The rest of the chassis, the brakes, and most importantly the motor/drive train were stout, probably bulletproof. Everything else around them was going POOF.

[kingoffleece]

We can agree to disagree about the rubber.  It was mentioned as I found several parts degraded from age and use when I got mine, thru no fault of the guy I purchased it from-and it's not the first time.
No harm-no foul for not doing anything-it's the buyers choice.  I prefer to ride knowing that parts which are scheduled for a service life and/or duty cycle have been addressed.

Doesn't mean that's necessary for anyone else-but it's right for me.  10 years of professional SCUBA instruction in almost every environment tends to reinforce the need for routine and preventative maintenance.  Lessons learned have stayed with me.  YMMV, as it should.

[Frenchfrog]

Without checking I can't be sure but as I remember it the power output between the two bikes is similar....it's just all about how it gets there.
The Bellagio loves to be thrashed ( strange that they dressed it up as a cruiser really ) and the Jackal will be the usual longlegged  Guzzi style and a bit lazy in comparison.

[Moparnut72]

The aging of rubber is dependent on various factors. Sunlight is a major problem. Ozone is a big one, prevalent in cities and proximity to electric motors.
kk

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

We can agree to disagree about the rubber.  It was mentioned as I found several parts degraded from age and use when I got mine, thru no fault of the guy I purchased it from-and it's not the first time.
No harm-no foul for not doing anything-it's the buyers choice.  I prefer to ride knowing that parts which are scheduled for a service life and/or duty cycle have been addressed.

Doesn't mean that's necessary for anyone else-but it's right for me.  10 years of professional SCUBA instruction in almost every environment tends to reinforce the need for routine and preventative maintenance.  Lessons learned have stayed with me.  YMMV, as it should.

Not trying to start static.. just diversity of opinion. But isn't a jackal also a bit older than a Bellagio?? YMMV

[La Dolce Guzzi]

I just woke up to see all the replies and advice -- many thanks!

So my take away is the engine and drive train are stout but the ancillaries need some careful evaluation. And the Bellagio is the more sporty of the two while the Jackal is your classic Guzzi cruiser that's tried and tested.

I've read that the Bellagio is a bit of an odd duck in that it has the CARC system bolted onto the Tonti frame, but it somehow seems to work.

Would the Bellagio more of a collector's bike in the future over the Jackal?

[Kev m]

I don't think either of them are destined for "collectors" status.

That said, I would take a Bellagio in a heartbeat and would probably pass on a Jackal.

If I really was interested in another Call it would be a Cal'Vin or Black Eagle.

But I'm very happy with my smallblocks and feel no need to go backwards to a Cali again.

Now let's talk about the V9 Bobber Sport!

[kingoffleece]

Said the Borg: Resistance is futile

[Kev m]

I just woke up to see all the replies and advice -- many thanks!

So my take away is the engine and drive train are stout but the ancillaries need some careful evaluation. And the Bellagio is the more sporty of the two while the Jackal is your classic Guzzi cruiser that's tried and tested.

I've read that the Bellagio is a bit of an odd duck in that it has the CARC system bolted onto the Tonti frame, but it somehow seems to work.

Would the Bellagio more of a collector's bike in the future over the Jackal?

Bellagio love incoming to your PM box....

[Murray]

It's a Guzzi and a cruiser, none of them are likely to ever become particularly collectible.

[bad Chad]

Agree with Murray, I would go with the Bellagio of the two, but each has its strong suits.

[Bulldog9]

I'd love to add a Bellagio to the mix.

On the rubber bits part, my 07 Griso had SS brake and clutch fluid lines, and has not had a single piece of rubber or such replaced except the alternator belt. Love the CARC bikes.

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Hey Kev, I sent you an update re Pete but not sure if it went through. Had a great chat with him about all things Bellagio in Aus! What a Legend.

Bellagio love incoming to your PM box....

[Kev m]

Hey Kev, I sent you an update re Pete but not sure if it went through. Had a great chat with him about all things Bellagio in Aus! What a Legend.

 

[La Dolce Guzzi]

All's well that ends well. I ended up getting that Bellagio and I love it...



 

Many thanks for all pre-purchase guidance and input

[kingoffleece]

That is a real sweetheart.

[pauldaytona]

I know someone who had a beautiful Cali Vintage and traded in on a Bellagio because the vintage was him to heavy, and he loves the Bellagio now. 

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Thanks @pauldaytona and @kingoffleece! Will post more pics and experiences once I get to the other end of our Southern Hemisphere winter.

Make the most of your summer riding days!

[dguzzi]

  Looks like a Hydro EV could fit right in, ----hmmmm