California Vintage

[Laker]

Can't get over how stunning this bike is.  Anybody here have one?

[CPRMan]

Hi, of all the traditional California models, the Vintage (or CalVin) is the one that I just had to own. The simplicity of the black and white makes it stand out from the crowd and gives it a touch of class. Each update of the California honed a beautiful machine into something special, and the CalVin is at the pinnacle. Its simply the best bike I have ever owned.

If you can find one, get it. You wont regret it.

[Laker]

Thanks, that quite the ringing endorsement.  She sure is a beauty.

[kenvil1]

I too was drawn to Moto Guzzi after coming across pictures of the California Vintage online. For a while, there, I was convinced there could be no other motorcycle in the world that could even approach it in terms of style and beauty.

[Kiwi Dave]

I have two as renters.

Can't get over how stunning this bike is.  Anybody here have one?

[radguzzi]

They are gorgeous...

If I sell the Stelvio I will go find a CalVin...

[jim_W]

free image upload



And they go far if you add another fuel tank and some wind protection.

[cwiseman]

Still in love with mine after 8 years! And they are a wolf in sheeps clothing, you can Suprise a lot of people on the right roads.

[CalVin2007]

[Dean Rose]

Long term review


http://www.motoguzzicalifornia.com/2011/06/vintage-long-term-review/

[britman]

I will have to say it is my favorite model also.  Great lines and stance along with a perfect retro look.  I searched for quite awhile for one but never could find the right machine for the right price.  When my pearl white Bassa came along I guess you could say I settled. I have never told her, you know how Italian women get when you piss them off...............

[leafman60]

I also liked the CalVin, much more than its siblings of the time.

[Muley]

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=Moto+Guzzi+90th+anniversary+model&fr=tightropetb&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.ridexperience.metzeler.com%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F10%2FMoto-Guzzi-California-90th-Anniversary-Edition-09.jpg#id=0&iurl=http%3A%2F%2Fuk.ridexperience.metzeler.com%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F10%2FMoto-Guzzi-California-90th-Anniversary-Edition-09.jpg&action=click

Since I can't seem to figure out how to post pictures anymore, maybe this link will work.

I would buy one of these in a second if I could.  I guess this is not a weird color scheme for someone who rides a HD&M EV The only one I ever saw in person, at the now defunct Moto Nexus in Hendersonville, NC, really looks way better than the pictures, and there's nothing wrong with those either!

As for the Vintage, it's a good lookin' bike too.  I rented one a few years back and took it "off road".  Like my own EV, it'll fool you on dirt or gravel roads.  I know the comment alluding to it's handling was intended for pavement, but if you don't mind getting your ride a little dirty then don't hesitate to hit some of the back roads.  There, I really didn't hijack this thread, just added a little color to it

[Ncdan]

Can't get over how stunning this bike is.  Anybody here have one?

Ditto!!

[Laker]

There was a nice CalVin for sale in Kerrville, TX that I thought I may pick up this weekend but it's been sold, unfortunately.  Apparently the buyer flew in from California to check it out in person.  Clearly he was committed.

[Dean Rose]

Muley, That's the bike the Texas Turnip Farmer has.


Dean

[Muley]

Muley, That's the bike the Texas Turnip Farmer has.


Dean

I didn't know that, and I never see a photo on this site of that model.  I  suppose it's just like the Vintage with a different skin.  But back to the subject.  The only thing I could do without on the Vintage is the "skunk" seat, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker with me.  The EV type bikes are still my favorite Guzzis.  They just seem to fit me.

[fotoguzzi]

Since I can't seem to figure out how to post pictures anymore, maybe this link will work.

 

nick name, Root Beer Float..

[NC Steve]

As much as I love the Cal Vintage in black, I've always preferred the bike in white, with its solid black seat and painted fenders, instead of the chromed one on the black bike. An absolutely gorgeous machine!

[Tony/CT]

I have the white one. A supremely nice bike! The engine is smoother than the EV engine. I have an EV also, which I can't part with and there is no doubt about it, the Vintage is smoother. Must be the dual plug set up. Interestingly, my wife prefers to take longer trips on the EV. She likes the back rest on the EV even though the Vintage has the Givi top case added with built in back rest. The bags on the Vintage with the chrome protection bar in front of them push her legs farther forward and we get tangled up more often on the Vintage. She prefers the comfort of the EV seat to the narrower Vintage seat. Both seats have been redone and both are very comfortable. But that Vintage is certainly a beautiful, great handling bike. Sure wish that Moto Guzzi  kept those beautiful tubeless rims from EV and put them on the Vintage instead of the cheaper steel tube type wheels. My favorite bike to ride solo...the Vintage. Two up...the EV.

[EldoMike]

Never rode one...how about those lowers? Hot in summer? Work good in winter?

[Ncdan]

The PO of my 07'calvin didn't ride it much, 5400 miles, and he had all the records. He did have it long enough to have the stock skunk seat redid leaving it hard and flat with the white insert removed. I ordered a seat from A1 cycle and when it came in the White was a little off color, not quite white but a little dingy in color. Are these seats supposed to be bleach white or are some of them a little off white. I cant complain though  the price was only 85 bucks and it was obviously new, as the plastic pan did not have a mark on it where it had been previously mounted.

[Ncdan]

Old windjammer right?

[Kiwi Dave]

As much as I love the Cal Vintage in black, I've always preferred the bike in white, with its solid black seat and painted fenders, instead of the chromed one on the black bike. An absolutely gorgeous machine!

Actually, the fenders on the black Vintage are stainless, not chrome.

[QTreiber]

Never rode one...how about those lowers? Hot in summer? Work good in winter?

They "visually feel" hot in the summer, not sure how much wind they actually block. 

You can take them off in a few minutes.  This also exposes the good-looking cylinders. 

 

[CalVin2007]

Old windjammer right?

    Yep. Works great!

[Sheepdog]

My Vintage is the best bike I've owned is 46 years of riding. Very practical, but with an exotic Latin vibe that speaks to me in a visceral way. I use mine for tripping around town or getting mental health rides out in the country, but it really shines as a tourer. I rode it as far as the Pacific NW from my native Louisiana, with lesser trips to Colorado, Florida, and Alabama. It isn't a rolling BarcaLounger like a Gold Wing, but easily takes on 500-600 mile days. It took a little sorting to make it "just right" for me, but actually very little was changed from stock. Highly recommended!



Lots of information if you search "California Vintage" or "Calvin." Below is a great sample:

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=86026.10

[Sheepdog]

...oh, also about the leg shields:

The shields leave your knees in the breeze. I don't think Guzzi installed them as wind protection as much as splash protection for your lower legs. I've never found them to be hot, even here in South Louisiana. However, along with the heel and toe shifter they keep your cuffs and footwear looking pristine.

[EldoMike]

My Vintage is the best bike I've owned is 46 years of riding. Very practical, but with an exotic Latin vibe that speaks to me in a visceral way. I use mine for tripping around town or getting mental health rides out in the country, but it really shines as a tourer. I rode it as far as the Pacific NW from my native Louisiana, with lesser trips to Colorado, Florida, and Alabama. It isn't a rolling BarcaLounger like a Gold Wing, but easily takes on 500-600 mile days. It took a little sorting to make it "just right" for me, but actually very little was changed from stock. Highly recommended!



That is a good looking bike 
Lots of information if you search "California Vintage" or "Calvin." Below is a great sample:

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=86026.10

[Ncdan]

    Yep. Works great!

Looks great, it would be nice if you could find some of the factory lowers and pant the
Matching black. You would probably have to alter them to get them to work.