Author Topic: Finally acquired a Guzzi of my very own! 1997 California (Read 7749 times)

xander18 · « **on:** April 19, 2016, 11:19:14 AM »

Guzzis are a family affliction, my dad has like 7 of them. But I had only admired from afar until now. Picked up a 1997 California with <8000 miles in Long Island for a song. It's been waiting for me back in VT for the last month or so, finally had a beautiful weekend for me to go get it and ride it back to MI.

Here are some pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/hFapw

Really excited about the bike, I love it and look forward to putting a lot of miles on it. I'm sure I'll have some maintenance questions as I get it tuned up but I'll comb through Guzziology before I give up and post them here.

elvisboy77 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2016, 11:22:49 AM »

Congrats! Beautiful bike!

twowings · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2016, 11:32:45 AM »

Sweet! enjoy it....

Oh, and another

for a red Quota...

pmillar · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2016, 11:34:39 AM »

Nice! I notice an Italian theme beyond Guzzis running through the family transportation: Fiat 500 at your dad's and the nice Alfa back at your place. (GTV6 from memory?) And what part of MI is home?

xander18 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2016, 11:39:48 AM »

Hey all thanks for the compliments!

twowings, yep my Dad flew to Arkansas for that one, he loves it. Like father like son; we love long trips to buy motorcycles with no guarantee of troublefree arrival.

pmillar, haha yeah we have a weakness for them. That is a rusty crusty but trusty GTV6, it was actually my college beater and yeah that's as bad an idea as it sounds. I'm in Southeast MI, Detroit metro area. Engineer in the auto industry.

bmc5733946 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2016, 11:50:38 AM »

Tell us more about sealing that leaking tire valve with RTV. Those aren't tubeless rims unless converted. Air leaking around a valve stem would indicate a leaking tube, yes?

Brian

oldbike54 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2016, 11:55:19 AM »

Congratulations

Dusty

xander18 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2016, 12:07:29 PM »

Brian,

My thoughts as well. But I'll explain the situation as I dealt with it and perhaps you guys can clear it up.

I loosened the nut on the metal threaded valve stem (threaded all the way down into the rim, I hope you know the type I'm referring to) as much as I could without unthreading it, I didn't want the whole thing to fall into the rim. The valve stem felt totally loose: I could spin it around, push it in and out, wiggle it back and forth. It didn't feel like there was a tube attached to the other end at all. So if there's a tube in there then the stem has totally separated from it, which I think is a pretty unlikely failure. A small crack or tear in the tube at the valve stem seems more likely. Or, as I'm assuming, it was converted to tubeless.

To fix it I just globbed as much silicone sealer as I could around the valve stem with the nut threaded back, tightened the nut down, then let it set up. The tire has now held air for >200 miles and ~24 hours, adding to my suspicion that it's not a failure with a tube.

The tires aren't amazing anyway so I'll buy a new set and examine the stems more closely in the next few weeks. Anyone know if there are whitewalls available for it?!

xander18 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2016, 01:54:09 PM »

Took at look at the tire and they're Metzeler Lasertecs. But they were marked 'tubeless'. Not to say you can't run a tube in a tubeless tire. When I get home I'll try to find PNs for the '97 tube rims and the '98 tubeless ones to see if the bike has been swapped over. Otherwise I'll just have to see when I get new tires on it.

twhitaker · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2016, 02:13:41 PM »

It's next to impossible to find a motorcycle tire that does not say tubeless. My '96 California has tubes inside its tubeless tires.

xander18 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2016, 02:25:16 PM »

twhitaker, exactly I figured that didn't mean much. But it was about the extent of sleuthing I could do at work.

Also the mileage on your 1100i in your signature is very encouraging!

rocker59 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2016, 02:58:05 PM »

Quote from: xander18 on April 19, 2016, 01:54:09 PM

Not to say you can't run a tube in a tubeless tire.

all the OEMs do it.

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2016, 03:10:03 PM »

Congratulations on the bike. Sounds like it's been converted to tubeless but perhaps you need to buy the proper stems. My Brother in NZ Kiwi Kev has the same bike.

tris · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2016, 03:23:45 PM »

Well done I'm sure you'll love it. I certainly loved my 95
.

bmc5733946 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:09:05 PM »

Xander if the spokes go directly to the center of the rim then they are not Guzzi factory tubeless but may have been converted to tubless. There be gremlins there, many opinions and experiences. A proper tubless valve is essential in either case and it doesn't sound like you have one. I would be very leary of trusting things as they are. Close inspection is warranted before further riding.

Please be very careful! We in Michigan don't have so many Guzzi riders that we can spare you.

By the way "All Clubs Day", Stockbridge, MI 5/1/16 come early for breakfast! Look for the other Guzzis on the lawn!

Brian

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:10:23 PM »

ev rim

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:20:38 PM »

As Brian sez:

Quote

Close inspection is warranted before further riding.

Please be very careful! We in Michigan don't have so many Guzzi riders that we can spare you.

Seriously, you've been lucky so far. Obviously those aren't the Guzzi factory tubeless rims. Someone may have done a nice job converting them... or not. You need to find out.

xander18 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:23:57 PM »

Brian, yep my spokes go to the center. I suppose all mysteries will be solved when I pop those tires off. I'll order new ones tonight... maybe a set of Dunlop whitewalls if I can convince myself they won't look tacky. And thanks for the invite, I'll be there!

fotoguzzi living up to his username! :)

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:43:34 PM »

Quote from: xander18 on April 19, 2016, 04:23:57 PM

Brian, yep my spokes go to the center. I suppose all mysteries will be solved when I pop those tires off. I'll order new ones tonight... maybe a set of Dunlop whitewalls if I can convince myself they won't look tacky. And thanks for the invite, I'll be there!

fotoguzzi living up to his username! :)

Sorry, you *could* put whitewalls on it..... but I'd have to kill ya.

xander18 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:54:13 PM »

If I could find a single picture of a California with whitewalls then I would seriously consider it just cause it's a little goofy. But since I can't, I'm just gonna have to assume there's a reason I can't and maybe it's not the best idea...

I think the new Eldo looks kind of sharp with them though.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2016, 06:16:56 PM »

Quote from: xander18 on April 19, 2016, 04:54:13 PM

If I could find a single picture of a California with whitewalls then I would seriously consider it just cause it's a little goofy. But since I can't, I'm just gonna have to assume there's a reason I can't and maybe it's not the best idea... I think the new Eldo looks kind of sharp with them though.

I don't think you can find ww tires in that size.

steelby · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2016, 07:27:37 PM »

...that looks like number one of 7...?

The first love is the greatest.

Quote

Being in love is the happiest two and a half days of your life.

giusto · « **Reply #22 on:** April 19, 2016, 07:31:38 PM »

Quote from: xander18 on April 19, 2016, 11:19:14 AM

Guzzis are a family affliction, my dad has like 7 of them. But I had only admired from afar until now. Picked up a 1997 California with <8000 miles in Long Island for a song. It's been waiting for me back in VT for the last month or so, finally had a beautiful weekend for me to go get it and ride it back to MI.

Here are some pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/hFapw

Really excited about the bike, I love it and look forward to putting a lot of miles on it. I'm sure I'll have some maintenance questions as I get it tuned up but I'll comb through Guzziology before I give up and post them here.

Congrats Very cool...ride that girl up to Traverse City for the Michigan Guzzi Rally on September 9th. It's a great time!!

twhitaker · « **Reply #23 on:** April 20, 2016, 06:09:40 AM »

Quote from: xander18 on April 19, 2016, 02:25:16 PM

twhitaker, exactly I figured that didn't mean much. But it was about the extent of sleuthing I could do at work.

Also the mileage on your 1100i in your signature is very encouraging!

It's just getting broken in.

kidsmoke · « **Reply #24 on:** April 20, 2016, 06:24:18 AM »

Congrats on the new goose Xander18, Enjoy her in good health. Lucked out on the screen too! If you choose to go another route in that regard keep me in mind.

As for tires, Michelin Pilot Activ's have done real well on my California. Seems I've heard others make similar statements.
http://www.revzilla.com/product/michelin-pilot-activ-front-tires

rocker59 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 20, 2016, 08:18:10 AM »

Quote from: xander18 on April 19, 2016, 04:54:13 PM

If I could find a single picture of a California with whitewalls then I would seriously consider

The problem is finding whitewalls in the Guzzi's sizes.

Basically non-existent.

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2016, 08:18:27 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on April 19, 2016, 04:43:34 PM

Sorry, you *could* put whitewalls on it..... but I'd have to kill ya.

:bow

xander18 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 02, 2016, 11:27:48 PM »

I forgot to post an update.

Brought my wheels to the local BMW dealership and told them to pop the tires off. There WAS a tube in there that was so shredded the stem had totally separated from the rest of the tube. Astoundingly, I put 200 miles on a tubed rim and tire with no tube whatsoever. Rim held air with no complaints, didn't drop a psi after I sealed up the valve stem. This should at least encourage anyone considering tubeless converting their California rims.

Since most motorcycle-oriented acquaintances agreed that I've now used up my allotment of tire luck, the bike is currently sitting on a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Activs and matching tubes. Not whitewalls, unfortunately

rodekyll · « **Reply #28 on:** May 03, 2016, 03:08:40 AM »

Quote from: rocker59 on April 20, 2016, 08:18:10 AM

The problem is finding whitewalls in the Guzzi's sizes.

Basically non-existent.

I ran ww on my ambo. I think they were dunlops. It was a long time ago.

Quote from: twhitaker on April 19, 2016, 02:13:41 PM

It's next to impossible to find a motorcycle tire that does not say tubeless. My '96 California has tubes inside its tubeless tires.

I'm having a heck of a time finding the type of tires I want in tubeless. I've got lester mags on the trike and want tubeless sidecar tires. No luck.

News:

Author Topic: Finally acquired a Guzzi of my very own! 1997 California (Read 7749 times)

elvisboy77

twowings

oldbike54