2002 Moto Guzzi California Engine mods.

[Motoferros]

Hi Everyone, 
My 2002 California Stone engine suddenly locked up while riding last weekend.  The bike has over 100k miles. I suspect the timing chain tensioner broke and wedged between the chain and the housing. I figure that if I am going to do a timing chain, why not go through and freshen up everything. I am wondering if a simular year V11 sport engine internals , heads, cam, pistons, crank,  timing set , clutch and flywheel would work in my block? I know that the engine blocks are slightly different,  so an entire engine swap would require frame modifications.
Has anyone tried it?
Thanks

[Frenchfrog]

The only bit that needs swapping over to fit the V 11 engine is the timing cover.Don't forget to get the V 11 ecu too!

[John Croucher]

V11 heads and pistons will drop own.  I have 13-1 pistons, stock heads.  Had to turn the squish band wider because the combustion chamber is smaller. 

Airbox replaced with oval pods, 2-1 header. Ram aluminum clutch.

2003 engine has hydraulic lifters  cam has a higher duration. I abuse it.  Replace tensioner with the Valtek.

[Motoferros]

Thanks! I was wondering if it was just the timing cover, and ecu.

[Turin]

Fast be Ferraci has Wiseco pistons for your bike. I bought a set last year for my project. I'd get those, a mild cam, have a little headwork done while your'e rebuilding the engine. https://www.ferracci.com/products/piston-kit-moto-guzzi-california-92-mm-code-f27710?_pos=10&_sid=a3b9b9e9a&_ss=r

[John A]

I would get the ten spring clutch from a Sport as well. If your hop up is successful, you’ll need that.

[Motoferros]

Hi All,
I actually have a set of Ferrachi pistons on my shelf. I had them in for a while, and the bike ran good with them, but they were very noisey, and on 100* days here in the Central Valley of California my bike would quickly overheat, and start popping at signal lights. I put the Stock Pistons back in because of those reasons. I have also ported my heads and intake manifold, have it mapped with a Power Commander 3, a Stucci crossover and LaFranconi Competition mufflers. If also has an open airbox. My bike was powerfull enough to slip the 8 spring clutch,  after I added an Ed Milich lightened flywheel,  so I put in some heavier gauge springs. It held good for a while,  but eventually that flywheel was getting a bit to thin to trust, so I contacted Ed and he sold me a light 10 spring clutch.  I fitted that with heavier springs,  and then the bike was solid for a long while, until just recently the clutch started slipping at high rpm high speed, I adjusted it at the transmission clutch lever, it held for a bit longer then started slipping again. Then it seized the rod bearings,  and here I am, looking for more trouble!
I was also considering trying to adapt a multiplate dry clutch from a Ducati,  or Harley. I figured it seems doable, but may have to install a spacer in the bell housing and move the engine forward  bit, or stretch the frame to accommodate it.
I just wish I had more time to play!

[Tkelly]

I admire you for undertaking all that work on a 100000 mile bike when you could find one with low miles for 1500$ these days.Good luck.

[Motoferros]

I have seen some real beautiful bikes like mine, with low miles and cheap. I am tempted. If I had a bigger garage, it would have already happened. Sometimes being sentimental is irrational. I put alot of time into getting my bike to run like it does.
Check out my porting job on the heads.

[Motoferros]

The second image I think shows the charge was a bit rich, judging by the carbon on the intake side, but it appears to burn off clean on the exhaust side. It pulled hard to the rev limiter If I didn't shift soon enough. It felt like it had more in it but the ecu intervened. It sounded amazing,  revealing very quickly with that light 10 spring flywheel.

[fotoguzzi]

I would get the ten spring clutch from a Sport as well. If your hop up is successful, you’ll need that.

i have that! Complete 10 spring clutch pack from a Centauro.. no spline wear..reasonable price.



Didn’t sell on eBay, here’s the text from there,
“ 10 Spring CLUTCH, fits any big twin. From a low mileage Centauro.
Why not build a race bike starting here?
Perfect for hot rodding your big twin, the entire clutch pac is only 7 pounds!
Splines are excellent with hardly any wear showing.
This is a complete clutch pack, fly wheel, two Sureflex friction plates a straight intermediate plate and the pressure plate. I’ll include spring but advise you to buy new springs.”

[Turin]

Sometimes being sentimental is irrational. I put alot of time into getting my bike to run like it does.

Amen. Nothing about motorcycles is rational.