Author Topic: California 1400 Merged Threadfest (Read 855309 times)

JohninVT` · « **Reply #240 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:40:33 AM »

Quote from: Kev m on November 04, 2009, 08:10:17 AM

Mark,

I never doubted that you would hope Guzzi would continue to appeal to us (even if broadening their scope).

That said, I think Greg has a point on the Cali name.

I think it is easy for those of us who love the Calis and have gotten used to hearing the name to forget how odd it sounded the first time we heard it.

And definitely being a RIGHT coaster, it was off-putting at first to in any way associate the bike with the "People's Republic of Kalifornia"

:BEER:

Very true. Sometimes folks from other countries don't realize how big and diverse the US is. Even within the US that can be a problem.

jmdaia · « **Reply #241 on:** November 04, 2009, 01:50:56 PM »

never understood the Americanized names of Guzzi - last thing that I would want in an Italian bike - I bought the California because it was the best looking bike somewhat for touring with a reasonable pillion(?) - my wife liked it better than anything that I showed her and I was lucky it was a Guzzi - she like the image too - doesn't ride with me much partly because the only riding I do is commuting

when the Stone came out - remember the comments on that - sounds really fast - ha ha - aluminum that was not - Jackal seemed ok and even a bit international - Nevada?

I guess in the big picture those few years were "few"

Greg Field · « **Reply #242 on:** November 04, 2009, 01:52:34 PM »

Don't forget the Florida, and the unreleased Utah.

casalambretta · « **Reply #243 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:37:50 PM »

Quote from: jmdaia on November 04, 2009, 01:50:56 PM

never understood the Americanized names of Guzzi - last thing that I would want in an Italian bike - I bought the California because it was the best looking bike somewhat for touring with a reasonable pillion(?) - my wife liked it better than anything that I showed her and I was lucky it was a Guzzi - she like the image too - doesn't ride with me much partly because the only riding I do is commuting

when the Stone came out - remember the comments on that - sounds really fast - ha ha - aluminum that was not - Jackal seemed ok and even a bit international - Nevada?

I guess in the big picture those few years were "few"

Because they are considered "cruisers" which, in Italy, are considered "American" style.

What i don't get are all the italian-sounding names on American and Asian cars (Sorento, Sienna, Forenza, Terraza, Venza, etc)

alexM

Kev m · « **Reply #244 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:59:51 PM »

Quote from: Greg Field on November 04, 2009, 01:52:34 PM

Don't forget the Florida, and the unreleased Utah.

That would be the trike and the dual-sidecar (to bring all your wives) models?

PS - got the grips in the mail today GRAZIE!!!!! Damn that's a big instruction manual that comes with em!

RichEV · « **Reply #245 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:54:14 PM »

Hi,
My 99 Cal Ev goes faster than I would prefer to ride it....have a Swannee on it which is great.

I would want a Guzzi in the mode of a Honda Valkyrie Interstate where everything matches from front to back...
l400 or l500 cc should be plenty to do 75 or 80 all day and pass everything including the gas stations.

And, six gallon tank, and outside oil filter....radio, maybe...just a complete bike where it all matches and looks right..

Not that all the combinations of Guzzi, Givi/Hepco Becker bags, windscreens, fairiings etc are not attractive in their own right...l

Just a bike that is relatively complete and matches up....In any event, I had a Wing, I had a Valk, I had a Jackal...the only bike
for me is the California....get on it and don't want to get off it....it is the right size, weight, power, torque, horsepower, et al....

Always feels solid, never drifts in wind or passing a tractor trailer...and inspires confidence in every riding situation.

Rich EV

rocker59 · « **Reply #246 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:11:36 PM »

I guess I don't really see a problem with taking the Cal Vin a few baby steps toward the Road King with the 1400cc engine and a few other upgrades... The Road King, afterall, is a great motorcycle not to mention one of the top sellers in the USA...

Bigger, better bags. Cast wheels. ABS. etc. will be required...

Kev m · « **Reply #247 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:13:56 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on November 04, 2009, 07:11:36 PM

I guess I don't really see a problem with taking the Cal Vin a few baby steps toward the Road King with the 1400cc engine and a few other upgrades... The Road King, afterall, is a great motorcycle not to mention one of the top sellers in the USA...

Bigger, better bags. Cast wheels. ABS. etc. will be required...

You're probably right for MOST people.

But one of the things that's keeping me from buying another Road King is that the motor is just too damn big.

I should probably just pick up a used 1996-98 1340 with EFI.

Kev

rocker59 · « **Reply #248 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:19:45 PM »

If Guzzi had one model that appealed to "most people", I'd be happy.

That would mean more money for the oddball models that appeal to me! ;)

I just hope the Cal 14 doesn't come out looking like the new Triumph T-bird. :o

rocker59 · « **Reply #249 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:26:31 PM »

Ambassador 14 ??

Hmmm...

jlburgess · « **Reply #250 on:** November 04, 2009, 09:27:39 PM »

I'd guess Evo was a common term used in both languages, probably coincidence. Same as HD started using the "flying eagle" symbol in the 50's, and Guzzi has been using it as an honor to the fallen aviator and co-founder since the 20's

Seagondollar · « **Reply #251 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:36:17 PM »

So Greg - They should call it the Texas? ::)

rocker59 · « **Reply #252 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:42:49 PM »

I bet those PNW guys are partial to "Cascadia"

;)

IceBlue · « **Reply #253 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:32:26 AM »

Quote from: Greg Field on November 04, 2009, 01:52:34 PM

Don't forget the Florida, and the unreleased Utah.

Unreleased Utah ???
Like the unreleased Ippogrifo ???

...which I think would score big time, if it was ever to be launched. This is one cooool bike, with a much better performing 750 engine. Airo heads....

Never heard about a Utah - please do tell :o

Ciao

pete roper · « **Reply #254 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:42:03 AM »

Quote from: iceblue Dk on November 05, 2009, 02:32:26 AM

Like the unreleased Ippogrifo ???

...which I think would score big time, if it was ever to be launched. This is one cooool bike, with a much better performing 750 engine. Airo heads....

Ciao

whoops! forgot the ranting!

That was a real opportunity lost. It came *so* close. A guy I know in Queensland actually has a sales brochure for the Ippogrifo. Then they binned it!

If they were to re-release a similar model, (And I still think it would sell if it could meet emissions regs.) it would probably have to use the CARC and Nuovo six speed rather than the earlier six speed it is shown as having but if they could use the Aero heads I reckon it would be a winner. sh!t! I'd be tempted meself!!!!

Pete

auzziguzzi · « **Reply #255 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:50:29 AM »

Somewhere, I've got an Ippogrifo sales brochure, too. Kept it all these years, I liked it so much. Might be able to lay my hands on it - memory's failing me a bit these days.

rocker59 · « **Reply #256 on:** November 05, 2009, 05:43:58 AM »

For me, one of the really cool things about the Ippogrifo is the rear suspension.

Tack on the CARC and the bike would not be so appealling...

IceBlue · « **Reply #257 on:** November 05, 2009, 07:24:10 AM »

Quote from: pete roper on November 05, 2009, 02:42:03 AM

Quote from: iceblue Dk on November 05, 2009, 02:32:26 AM

Like the unreleased Ippogrifo ???

...which I think would score big time, if it was ever to be launched. This is one cooool bike, with a much better performing 750 engine. Airo heads....

Ciao

whoops! forgot the ranting!

That was a real opportunity lost. It came *so* close. A guy I know in Queensland actually has a sales brochure for the Ippogrifo. Then they binned it!

If they were to re-release a similar model, (And I still think it would sell if it could meet emissions regs.) it would probably have to use the CARC and Nuovo six speed rather than the earlier six speed it is shown as having but if they could use the Aero heads I reckon it would be a winner. sh!t! I'd be tempted meself!!!!

Pete

Daaaang - Pete
That's a small block :o :o :o
Wouldn't be safe in your hands ~; ;D :D ;)

Guzzi would make a smart move to make that the next baby goose launch. That would complete the small block line - that is, if they have no intentions of a small block sporting bike a la Lario.
Ciao

Greg Field · « **Reply #258 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:48:30 AM »

Quote from: Seagondollar on November 04, 2009, 10:36:17 PM

So Greg - They should call it the Texas? ::)

I was thinking New Jersey.

IceBlue · « **Reply #259 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:50:28 AM »

Greg
What was the Utah?

Greg Field · « **Reply #260 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:52:02 AM »

Quote from: pete roper on November 05, 2009, 02:42:03 AM

If they were to re-release a similar model, (And I still think it would sell if it could meet emissions regs.) it would probably have to use the CARC and Nuovo six speed rather than the earlier six speed it is shown as having but if they could use the Aero heads I reckon it would be a winner. sh!t! I'd be tempted meself!!!!

Pete

I'm pretty sure the Ipo had the aero heads. Look at the valve covers. You don't need valve covers like those for heron heads.

Greg Field · « **Reply #261 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:55:07 AM »

Quote from: iceblue Dk on November 05, 2009, 08:50:28 AM

Greg
What was the Utah?

I've got to check to make sure it's OK to say. More later today probably.

danr · « **Reply #262 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:16:00 AM »

Quote from: Greg Field on November 05, 2009, 08:55:07 AM

Quote from: iceblue Dk on November 05, 2009, 08:50:28 AM
Greg
What was the Utah?

I've got to check to make sure it's OK to say. More later today probably.

The suspense is killing us !

Greg Field · « **Reply #263 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:42:00 PM »

Quote from: iceblue Dk on November 05, 2009, 08:50:28 AM

Greg
What was the Utah?

In the late-1980s, Guzzi wanted to get fairly serious about the Paris-Dakar but found that the swingarm pivot on the back of the small-block trans case was not stout enough to take the beating from serious off-road use. As you might imagine, it's fairly dangerous to the rider to have the swingarm pivots break off with the bike at speed.

Guzzi decided the easy way to fix this problem was to design an adapter plate that would allow the big-block 5-speed to be mated to the small-block motor. This was fitted to a new frame that was fairly similar to a big Tonti frame, meaning that the frame carried the swingarm pivots. They used a big-block-type swingarm and rear drive with it. These heavy-duty components worked well enough that Guzzi had producion molds made for the adapter and even cast a big lot of them. Dave R. has one of these plates at home.

The model was going to be brought to production as the Utah but was ultimately canceled. One of the reasons, I think, was because of company turmoil after DeTomasso had a stroke. I'm not too clear on that point, though.

IceBlue · « **Reply #264 on:** November 06, 2009, 02:11:13 AM »

Thanks for the info - this is really interesting.

How about this baby - did it ever make to the race? Yeah yeah - I know the engine wouldn't make it through the race unmodified :-*

Ciao
Brian

pete roper · « **Reply #265 on:** November 06, 2009, 03:21:21 AM »

Quote from: Greg Field on November 05, 2009, 01:42:00 PM

Quote from: iceblue Dk on November 05, 2009, 08:50:28 AM
Greg
What was the Utah?

Guzzi decided the easy way to fix this problem was to design an adapter plate that would allow the big-block 5-speed to be mated to the small-block motor. This was fitted to a new frame that was fairly similar to a big Tonti frame, meaning that the frame carried the swingarm pivots. They used a big-block-type swingarm and rear drive with it. These heavy-duty components worked well enough that Guzzi had producion molds made for the adapter and even cast a big lot of them. Dave R. has one of these plates at home.

Phil D. Has the whole bike ;D Really. I'll get photo's next time I'm in Smellyburn.

Pete

IceBlue · « **Reply #266 on:** November 06, 2009, 03:41:37 AM »

That would be real cool Pete!

Thanks! ;-T

Ciao

Greg Field · « **Reply #267 on:** November 06, 2009, 09:10:49 AM »

Did Phil make it himself, or is it ex-factory?

pete roper · « **Reply #268 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:09:06 PM »

Ex factory Greg, although further consideration overnight makes me think I may of been mis-remembering. I think it uses the smallblock five-speed with a big-block bevel box. It was one of the Dakar bikes, the other one is in the Museum in Mandello. I can't remember how Phil got his grubby little paws on it. I'll pick his brain next time I see him, he has a huge garage full of weirdness and exotica, a lot of it dirt orientated AND he's a smallblock nutter!

Pete

IceBlue · « **Reply #269 on:** November 06, 2009, 03:26:27 PM »

Then he is real good company ;D :D ;)

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Author Topic: *California 1400 Merged Threadfest* (Read 855309 times)

JohninVT`

casalambretta

RichEV

jlburgess

pete roper

danr

pete roper

pete roper

Author Topic: California 1400 Merged Threadfest (Read 855309 times)