Need advise please

[Ncdan]

I'm getting ready to get a 98 cal v11 hopefully for my son.  The problem is he is vertically challenged at 5'7" tall. I need to get the bike about 3" lower than stock. I can get 1.5 - 2" by having a factory seat remade. I really don't much care about modifying the suspension but I would if necessary. Any suggestions? Also I need a factory seat that I would trade the Corbin that's on it now for.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[oldbike54]

 Dan , I have a friend who is only 5'4" who rides a '97 Cali , don't think your boy will have any trouble.

 Dusty

[antmanbee]

You can drop the forks an inch. I did that on my Jackal and it handles just fine. With the stock Jackal seat it sits pretty low, feels a lot lower than my Calvin.

[chuck peterson]

Thicker boots.....

[pehayes]

My Regina rides a 98EV.  Quite well I might add.  Pushing up against 100K miles.

1- loosen the fork tube clamps and raise the forks by 20mm.

2-Buy an 80 profile front tire.  We use Bridgestone Battleaxe BT45.  110x80x18 stock is 110x90x18

3-Buy Progressive Suspension shocks which are 1" shorter.  I recall stock is 13 and you need 12.  If you do, read this as the position of the swingarm controls the hydraulic preload of the rear brake.
http://www.guzzipower.com/IntegEVBrakes-Pat_H.html

4-Have the stock seat reconstructed.  The 98 has a huge computer under the seat.  The seat pan has a 90 recess to avoid interference with the computer.  That 90 recess is what digs into your butt.  You need a smaller battery like the Odyssey 680 so that the computer can be moved down into the battery compartment.  After moving the computer, you can cut away the recess in the pan and then reconstruct the foam thinner.  We had ours done by:
https://www.billmayer-saddles.com/

Note:  It will be MUCH more difficult to raise the bike onto the centerstand.  Possible, but wear a lifting belt!

Contact me if you want pics of the seat modification.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[sidecarnutz]

The stock seat on an EV has almost no padding and allows even short people to ride it safely. Your tailbone will kill you for it. But you can ride it. I am only 5' 6" tall and have owned a half dozen Calis.

[pehayes]

With the stock Jackal seat it sits pretty low, feels a lot lower than my Calvin.

The Jackal has the smaller M15 computer under the sidecover.  The seat pan likely does not have the 90 degree recess issue.
The 98EV has the big P8 computer right up under your butt.  Can't find any online pics of the underside of that pan.









Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Ncdan]

Dan , I have a friend who is only 5'4" who rides a '97 Cali , don't think your boy will have any trouble.

 Dusty

Dusty, on my calvin he can just toe touch. He can't push it either direction on flat concrete. It will have to be lowered somehow.

[oldbike54]

Dusty, on my calvin he can just toe touch. He can't push it either direction on flat concrete. It will have to be lowered somehow.

 Isn't the Calvin seat height higher than a '98 Cali ?

 Dusty

[fotoguzzi]

are you stuck on an EV? maybe he should ride something else, Sportster>?

[Sheepdog]

Patrick is right about lowering the Calis. Harpers has Progressive Suspension shocks in lots of lengths. Go with something about 3/4" shorter than stock (any more and you may have the tire into the fender). Raise the fork tubes in the triple clamps the same 3/4". You'll be surprised what a difference this will make...

[Ncdan]

are you stuck on an EV? maybe he should ride something else, Sportster>?

He has a really nice Honda shadow 750 that fits him really well but I think he's a little self conscious when he rides with bigger bikes. Since I have a guzzi I just felt he may be more content. I'm just trying to do something special for my son and if it don't work out someone can get a near mint 98 V11 at a good price.

[Ncdan]

Thicker boots.....

that is on the list

[Ncdan]

Isn't the Calvin seat height higher than a '98 Cali ?

 Dusty

I'm not sure about that dusty but I hope you are right. Another issue is the 98ev does not have the stock seat, it has a Corbin.

[pehayes]

Patrick is right about lowering the Calis. Harpers has Progressive Suspension shocks in lots of lengths. Go with something about 3/4" shorter than stock (any more and you may have the tire into the fender). Raise the fork tubes in the triple clamps the same 3/4". You'll be surprised what a difference this will make...

Oh, thanks, I did for get that item.  Easy enough to disassemble the tail light and turn signals, pull out the entire rear wire loom, and run it along outside the fender.  Just time consuming.  Or, yes, the first big bump will have the tire tear out the loom.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Huzo]

Contact Serena Powis secretary Guzzi Club GB. She rides a Cali EVERYWHERE and she doesn't hold me up at all and handles the bike easily. She's around 5' 7"

[Zoom Zoom]

I'm not sure about that dusty but I hope you are right. Another issue is the 98ev does not have the stock seat, it has a Corbin.

FWIW, the Corbin sits the rider up a couple of inches as well as back a bit compared to the stock seat.

John Henry

[Howlin_Dawg]

Contact me if you want pics of the seat modification.

Sorry to highjack the thread but I'd be interested in seeing the modified seat Patrick, particularly the underside and how it's mounted.

I think Regina mentioned you'd moved the computer to lower the bike when we met.

I'd like to modify my EV seat to fit something more akin to the Cali Vintage (for both aesthetics and comfort) and think I'll have to indulge in some similar seat base modifications to make the style work.