Author Topic: New Guzzi Owner - California 1400 (Read 13633 times)

CBJoe · « **on:** March 24, 2015, 05:22:57 PM »

Hello Everyone,

Just joined the world of Moto Guzzi this past Saturday :) My wife and I are celebrating our 10 Year anniversary this year and she surprised me by wanting us to buy a touring capable bike to ride from Indianapolis to Maine and back this June. Who could ask for a better mate ;)

I've always been a vintage / standard bike guy, but somehow this California caught our eyes and we fell in love. I currently also have an '07 Triumph Bonneville, '79 Yamaha XS750, and a soon to be gone '81 Suzuki GS1000g. A guy hauled away 3 CB650's from me on Sunday to make room in the garage. This bike is a new kind of beast to me as I've never had anything but old school carbureted machines. Never had a Computer on a bike before, so I believe that I'm gonna have a bit of a learning curve come the 1st repair :)

Anyhow....here's the Cali. It's a Custom model which I added Saddlebags, HB Rack, and Windshield. Bought the bike from C&D Motorsports (http://www.cdmotorsports.com/) who have been great to work with. I live 2 hours away in another state though. I have a black leather touring seat on order. Still up in the air on the Crash Guards and Sidebag Guards. The bike looks so good without I may leave them off....we'll see. I'm sure I'll be on here asking dumb questions soon enough ::)

Cheers, Joe

bad Chad · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2015, 05:28:52 PM »

Rock on CBjoe! And welcome!! What a cool bike, looks great; and what a lucky guy to have a wife who gets it!!! I predict the more you ride it the more your gonna dig it!

Kev m · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2015, 05:56:06 PM »

1 Cali 1400 (mass) = 3 CB650s (mass).

Sounds about right to me. ;D

CBJoe · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2015, 06:11:38 PM »

Quote from: Kev m on March 24, 2015, 05:56:06 PM

1 Cali 1400 (mass) = 3 CB650s (mass).

Sounds about right to me. ;D

Heh...probably very close to truth

Adk.IBO · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2015, 06:19:05 PM »

Very nice! I rode a 1400 Custom a year ago this past Thanksgiving. It was below 40 degrees with no windshield but it was a nice handling machine. I'm assuming Moto Guzzi windshield and bags. And HB means Hepco Becker rack and backrest? That would be how I would set that bike up! Just right!

Stay safe, John

jbell · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2015, 06:34:10 PM »

Welcome to Wildgoose. You'll find the computers and FI are great, fantastic, completely transparent when they are working and real headbangers when they are not. Fortunately, over the years they have been sorted out very well and will make your moto-life so much easier. Enjoy...........Jac k.

NorthernProducer · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2015, 06:58:56 PM »

Welcome and enjoy the new Cali 1400. Nice Pic's!

lucian · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2015, 07:19:00 PM »

Congrats on the new custom, I know your going to love it. Make sure to give me a heads up on your Maine trip, I am just north of Portland and would be glad to have you stop by. Nice choice on the H and B rack with pillion rest, looks great. Ride safe and keep that traction control turned on at least level two...... Dave

MotoGoosy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2015, 07:58:47 PM »

You wild man, you!!! You're gonna kill yourself on that thing!!! (Heh, heh).

Bill Hagan · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2015, 08:00:57 PM »

Nice machine. Best wishes for miles of smiles.

New England in June?

Going to the Guzi national rally?

Swanzey (Keene), N.H.

http://www.mgnoc.com/pdf/mgnoc_national_rally_2015.pdf

Bill

HDGoose · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2015, 08:07:26 PM »

Neat-o!

mjptexas · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2015, 08:55:50 PM »

Welcome to the fold.

Be forewarned Guzzi ownership a sickness. Soon you'll be clearing space for your next Guzzi.

CBJoe · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2015, 09:04:45 PM »

Quote from: Bill Hagan on March 24, 2015, 08:00:57 PM

Nice machine. Best wishes for miles of smiles.

New England in June?

Going to the Guzi national rally?

Swanzey (Keene), N.H.

http://www.mgnoc.com/pdf/mgnoc_national_rally_2015.pdf

Bill

Dang! Talk about bad timing....we're riding through NH around June 7th - 9th. Will be getting home around the time that rally starts :(

cwiseman · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2015, 09:14:37 PM »

The Guzzi rally's are a great time. Last years national in Elkadar was one of my top bike trips! The ride there was good then turned into truly great riding, the rally itself and the people made it very memorable. You'll have to hit one this year, quite a few a days ride away.

Wait till after your trip and you'll be head over heels in love with the bike and smitten for life, enjoy her and hope you have a trip of a lifetime!

WFORIDER · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2015, 11:18:37 PM »

Welcome CBJOE, looking forward to having a another 1400 member to chat with..

Ive done more then most of customizing my Custom 1400 any questions give me shout.

Good times are a coming.

Joe

CBJoe · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2015, 11:19:52 PM »

Quote from: WFORIDER on March 24, 2015, 11:18:37 PM

Welcome CBJOE, looking forward to having a another 1400 member to chat with..

Ive done more then most of customizing my Custom 1400 any questions give me shout.

Good times are a coming.

Joe

Yessir :) The wife and I are testing out our packing for the trip. We did a preliminary run to a state park this past weekend to camp and did pretty well. I got a 40L dry bag this week to make up for a little space.

Heading back for another camping excursion this weekend and also a trip on an Annual ride called the Moonshine Lunch Run to Moonshine, IL :)

lucian · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2015, 08:26:44 AM »

Nice shots Joe, glad your enjoying the new ride already. Still snowing up here, and it's getting old.

segesta · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2015, 08:52:51 AM »

1. I'm digging the Gasolina boots. I got a pair for my wife for Christmas. She cares more that they look great than are functional for motorcycling*, but hey. Fashion.
2. Welcome to the 1400 Custom Club. I love your side bags without the chrome bars. In fact, I didn't know you could do that--I thought they were of 'a piece.'

Keep posting and sharing photos, and welcome to the forum. Lots of really smart and helpful people here. Just don't ask about steel cut oats, or something.

Edit: *ie, Gasolina boots are great for motorcycling--poor phrasing.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2015, 10:43:05 AM »

Good to have another Guzzi Guy in Indiana.. come to the spaghetti feed.. and welcome to WG ;-T

Gootsz · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2015, 10:56:42 AM »

CBJoe

i asked my dealer about the black leather seat and got can't don't see a number. Do you have the part number. i too just git a custom.

Micky

cwiseman · « **Reply #20 on:** April 10, 2015, 07:09:19 PM »

Have them look it up for a 2015 Touring in maroon, they don't have the white stripe.

rocker59 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 11, 2015, 12:11:02 AM »

Quote from: cwiseman on April 10, 2015, 07:09:19 PM

Have them look it up for a 2015 Touring in maroon, they don't have the white stripe.

It has a silver stripe

cwiseman · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2015, 08:45:48 AM »

I must have got a dud, cause mine sure doesn't.

Stormtruck2 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2015, 08:54:54 AM »

Welcome CBJoe, and congratulations on the Custom. Be careful around Craig at C&D Motorsports though. Hang around him too much and you'll end up laughing and riding an so a whole day will be shot. ;) Also he'll make "you an offer you can't refuse" and you'll end up with another new bike. :D I wish I lived closer, as long as it isn't Illinois. ::) I have an 80 CB650 an an 82 CB900 Custom with the 10 seed tanny, fun bike!! Welcome and hope to see you at the Iowa rally!!! Hopefully Craig and Chicken Cock will be there!!

gwb_mg · « **Reply #24 on:** April 11, 2015, 03:42:18 PM »

Quote from: Gootsz on April 10, 2015, 10:56:42 AM

CBJoe

i asked my dealer about the black leather seat and got can't don't see a number. Do you have the part number. i too just git a custom.

Micky

Suggestion, go with the Corbin. I found on my 1400T the stock seat was brutal, am very happy with the Corbin and running 1,000+ miles is no problem; was lucky to get 250 miles on the stock seat without needing to get off. Good luck with it and be sure to hook up with the Guzzi folks in New England, they are a hoot, good people and they have a group on Yahoo. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NEMotoGuzzi/info

Idontwantapickle · « **Reply #25 on:** April 11, 2015, 04:17:45 PM »

Nice bike! Thanks for the pics, amazing how much stuff you can get on a bike!
:bike
Hunter

CBJoe · « **Reply #26 on:** April 12, 2015, 06:06:41 PM »

Quote from: segesta on April 10, 2015, 08:52:51 AM

1. I'm digging the Gasolina boots. I got a pair for my wife for Christmas. She cares more that they look great than are functional for motorcycling*, but hey. Fashion.
2. Welcome to the 1400 Custom Club. I love your side bags without the chrome bars. In fact, I didn't know you could do that--I thought they were of 'a piece.'

Keep posting and sharing photos, and welcome to the forum. Lots of really smart and helpful people here. Just don't ask about steel cut oats, or something.

Edit: *ie, Gasolina boots are great for motorcycling--poor phrasing.

I've only had them a little over a week now, but I can't agree more about the Gasolina boots! They are fantastic. My wife got a similar part but all black with Lugged soles and she's digging them as well. More photo's will come as time goes on. I put 500 Miles on the bike since last week and did some camping and a run to Moonshine, IL this weekend. Will post a couple pics later.

Cheers Joe

CBJoe · « **Reply #27 on:** April 12, 2015, 06:10:16 PM »

Quote from: Stormtruck2 on April 11, 2015, 08:54:54 AM

Welcome CBJoe, and congratulations on the Custom. Be careful around Craig at C&D Motorsports though. Hang around him too much and you'll end up laughing and riding an so a whole day will be shot. ;) Also he'll make "you an offer you can't refuse" and you'll end up with another new bike. :D I wish I lived closer, as long as it isn't Illinois. ::) I have an 80 CB650 an an 82 CB900 Custom with the 10 seed tanny, fun bike!! Welcome and hope to see you at the Iowa rally!!! Hopefully Craig and Chicken Cock will be there!!

When is the Iowa Rally? Craig's a standup guy ;) I could for sure hang around his place all day staring at the collection of bikes and cars.

I'm sad to say that I just sold off all my CB650's to make room for this behemoth :( I had an '80C '81C and 81Std. The '80C was my first bike and it was hard to let them all go, but they were in pieces and I didn't have the gumption to get them built up again. Time to move on to other projects.

Cheers, Joe

CBJoe · « **Reply #28 on:** April 12, 2015, 06:12:03 PM »

Quote from: gwb_mg on April 11, 2015, 03:42:18 PM

Suggestion, go with the Corbin. I found on my 1400T the stock seat was brutal, am very happy with the Corbin and running 1,000+ miles is no problem; was lucky to get 250 miles on the stock seat without needing to get off. Good luck with it and be sure to hook up with the Guzzi folks in New England, they are a hoot, good people and they have a group on Yahoo. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NEMotoGuzzi/info

I've got a touring seat on it now giving it a try. Hell, I put 8 Hours on the guzzi seat this Saturday and survived so hopefully it will be good in the long run.

Can I ask how the Corbin seat fits with the stock grab rail / sissy bar if you have one mounted? I'd love to see a picture if you can post it.

Joe

gwb_mg · « **Reply #29 on:** April 12, 2015, 06:26:34 PM »

Quote from: CBJoe on April 12, 2015, 06:12:03 PM

I've got a touring seat on it now giving it a try. Hell, I put 8 Hours on the guzzi seat this Saturday and survived so hopefully it will be good in the long run.

Can I ask how the Corbin seat fits with the stock grab rail / sissy bar if you have one mounted? I'd love to see a picture if you can post it.

Joe

Just pop the OEM seat off and put the Corbin on, fits perfect. I'll try and get a picture up tomorrow.

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Author Topic: New Guzzi Owner - California 1400 (Read 13633 times)

MotoGoosy

Bill Hagan

WFORIDER