2003 california recalls/problems

[gutzi]

Hello all
Looking at a 2003 California Sport Special.  I know these vintage bikes have a set of problems such as fork, clutch, lifters, and perhaps more.  Does anyone know if these were peculiar to a specific model (EV, Stone, Jackal...).  Or, were these problems identified with a specific year. or vin number?  Trying to narrow down whether this year/model was as problematic as others.  Also, at this point in time, will MG do any of the upgrades that these bikes may require?  I have asked the seller for a Vin number so I hope with that I may be able to talk to a dealer about whether these things have been done.  The current owner does not know.  Thanks for any help in advance.  BTW, anyone got a used cali for sale?  Please let me know and maybe we can chat.

Thanks

[Mark West]

To the best of my knowledge, any recalls for California models effected all variants for that specific year. I have no idea if MG would still cover the recalls. I suspect a lot of newer dealers wouldn't know what to do with a 2003 model.

[Cam3512]

I had a 2003 Stone.  Cam/lifters and lower triple tree were RECALLS.  Single plate clutch was not.

[Aaron D.]

To hear a 2003 bike described as "vintage" is-weird.

[davedel44]

 

I had a 2003 Stone.  Cam/lifters and lower triple tree were RECALLS.  Single plate clutch was not.

:1:

Where are you located?  Get Vin and ask nearest dealer to check if recalls have been done.  Can't imagine owner not knowing if recalls were done they have been well known. 

I own a well sorted 2004 Stone and I absolutely love it.  Amazing how strong it runs. 

Dave
Galveston

[gutzi]

Thanks for the replies thus far.  The current owner purports to be the second owner, so claims to know no history from the original owner.  Just got the vin number so will call a dealer tomorrow.  Do all dealers have the ability to look these recalls up?  Any dealers more friendly about doing this than others?  Anyone had any recent experience with dealers doing these recalls for this year model?  Are the parts even available now?   Thanks for your help!!

[nbags]

i can tell you what guzzi is going to do NOTHING,i have an 02 cali sport with the fork recall never done and with the date that needs to be done,call them direct a couple times they would look into nothing ever happen best thing to do is not to buy a bike with outstading recalls because you will wound up spending a whole bunch on getting it fix.

[Rich M]

My 2003 California Titanium had all the recalls done.. Microcracked triple tree, Cam, Lifters and the Dealer where I had the work completed at, did the clutch to boot....

[chaoselephant23]

Thanks for the replies thus far.  The current owner purports to be the second owner, so claims to know no history from the original owner.  Just got the vin number so will call a dealer tomorrow.  Do all dealers have the ability to look these recalls up?  Any dealers more friendly about doing this than others?  Anyone had any recent experience with dealers doing these recalls for this year model?  Are the parts even available now?   Thanks for your help!!

Whether Guzzi will take care of the recall depends on when the bike was first sold. As far as federal regulation goes as per NHSTA, Guzzi only has to provide recall work up until ten years after original sale of the vehicle. After the ten years are up, they don't have any obligation to perform the work.

I just went through this BS. Have a 2003 Stone Touring Hydro I inherited from my uncle whom purchased the bike in June of 2003. Sat for a long while with a broken clutch waiting for me to get up the courage to tackle, what I would find to be a most excellent starter, project. After I installed the clutch, I tried to get the recall work done in April of 2015. Guzzi denied the recall work on their dime because it was over ten years since the initial sale. Guzzi even denied me access to a free recall parts kit. Instead they wanted me to pay the $1800 list price for the recall parts kit.

Here is what I know of parts availability:

• CAM recall parts kits may still be available. Call MPH Cycles. They were selling them for $125 + shipping!!!
• CAM recall tool kit can be loaned out from WildGuzzi members.
• Not sure of triple tree availability. I know I certainly wouldn't buy a used one 
• All the parts for a dual plate clutch setup are out there. Definitely a project you could do yourself too! Check out how to crab the frame: http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzitech.dk/gb_en_complex-technical_crab-frame.htm

[cookiemech]

I bought an immaculate 2003 Aluminium CSS from a private owner last summer, with only 2869 original miles. He said that he had taken it to the local dealer when he received the recall notice and that it had supposedly been done (he never did any of his own work, so didn't ever have a valve cover off). Turns out that it had NOT been done . . .

Europa Macchina (near Harrisburg, PA) did a splendid job of convincing Piaggio USA to pay for the update. I took the bike to them and they did the work. Absolutely top-notch work, with not a mark on the bike, and it runs superbly.

So yes, parts are still available, and Piaggio MIGHT still pay for it, if you find the right dealer and the stars align . . .

[gutzi]

Thanks.  Anyone in Florida had a good experience with a MG dealer with these upgrades, recently?

[Karl Von]

I bought my 03 from a from the original owner in central Florida who had the recalls done by a dealer in Jacksonville Florida.  I verified this by the vin number.  I foumd out about a half of year later that the cam recall was never done.  The dealer just processed the warranty through guzzi and gave the bike  back to the owner.  I took it to moto nexus outside ashville nc and they took care of it.  The bike runs like a freight train.  Moto nexus is no more but the only dealer in the SE I would recommend is riders hill in north Georgia.  They are a big guzzi dealer and might have some pull with piaggio.

[menzies]

PM sent.

[Cam3512]

Unbelievable (not really) how many dealers "say" they do the recall work but don't.  That's criminal.

[guzzied]

When I was looking for a California, I learned about all the problems the 2003-04 were having and then decided to buy a 2002 EV which to me is a very solid bike. Two plate clutch and old school lifters   I just talked to a gent last night and he just put a new clutch assemble in his low mileage 03 EV, which is big dollars, beautiful bike though!

If you buy a bike and do not know if any of the recalls were done, price it right as these repairs were not cheap.

Mike

[Vasco DG]

Unbelievable (not really) how many dealers "say" they do the recall work but don't.  That's criminal.

Not only criminal but in the case of the bottom yoke recall downright dangerous.

What I can't understand is the thinking? What happens? They find out there's a recall then Cleatus starts the bike and looks at it and tells Virgil "Thar ain't nuttin wrong with this we one! Let's just tek that thar money and spend it on moonshine."

Idiocy!

On the other side of the coin though how long can it realistically be expected that a recall/repair should be carried out at the factory and dealer's expense? Especially if it is being done by a dealer different to the seller? There is NO money in warranty or recall work and let's face it these are now 13-14 year old machines. Have they been serviced on TIME as they should be or simply on mileage? The fact that a 2003 bike only has a few hundred or thousand I'm on it is not an indicator that it has been cared for.

Pete