2014 CALIFORNIA TOURING 11,000 mile Maintenance

[GUZZI HEAD]

Bought a 2014 California Touring with 11,000 miles.  Any tips on what I should checkout maintenance wise on this touring bike.  I'm aware of the exhaust crossover cracking flaw.  Appears the valve adjustments are simply enough.  ""No knowledge of 1400 engine any suggestion for a shop manual?""  Thank you fellow Wild Guzzi members!!!

[Utrider]

Welcome aboard the Cali Touring train!  I picked mine up with a little over 18k miles on it, and have almost 25k on it now.  Pete Roper just got a lot of folks attention by letting folks know the swingarm bearings are not greased from the factory, and should be dealt with quickly.  I had a problem with the ignition switch in mine, arcing across a couple of the posts in it.  Took it apart, saw what happened fixed it, no problems since.  I disabled the "push the button, on the fob, to start the thing" on mine, as I had no desire to have a battery malfunction and be stuck.  I also replaced the 200 series tire and replaced it with a 180 to expand the tire selection available and sharpen up the already great handling.

Great bike, tons of grunt and very docile to get along with. 

Enjoy!

[elvisboy77]

Bought a 2014 California Touring with 11,000 miles.  Any tips on what I should checkout maintenance wise on this touring bike.  I'm aware of the exhaust crossover cracking flaw.  Appears the valve adjustments are simply enough.  ""No knowledge of 1400 engine any suggestion for a shop manual?""  Thank you fellow Wild Guzzi members!!!

I think if you just do the basic maintenance as listed in the owner's manual you will get a lot of trouble free miles out of it.  What a great bike, congrats!

[GUZZI HEAD]

This is my second cruiser/touring bike.  Good tips to check out specially suspension pivot points.  Looking forward to the lower seat height with both hips replaced and a knee.  This will be the heaviest bike I have ever owned.  Had a 2013 Yam FJR to tall sold it has summer.

[guzzisteve]

Here's a book---

http://www.guzzitek.org/gb/ma_us_uk/1400/California1400Classic-Touring_042014_Atelier(GB).pdf

[mjptexas]

I think if you just do the basic maintenance as listed in the owner's manual you will get a lot of trouble free miles out of it.  What a great bike, congrats!

 :1:

24,000 miles on my 2014 Custom.  I just follow the maintenance schedule.

[JohninVT]

At 12,500 miles you'll need to remove the rear wheel and change out the gearbox oil.  If you're not familiar with recent Guzzi's be aware that a service icon will come on the dash at 12,500 and must be manually reset to clear.  If you search the forum the topic is covered and the 5 digit code to reset it is listed.

[GUZZI HEAD]

Thanks for lube reminder!  I run Red Line Shock Proof lube in all my Guzzi & BMW differentials and transmissions.  Overkill but will never have a problem because of not enough lube adhesion to gears

.

[GUZZI HEAD]

What weight of oil same as the GRISO 10W60?

[guzzisteve]

Yes, same stuff.

[et18]

lucian pointed out recently to check the rear pads, that's good advice.  I have 9.1 K on mine and the rear pads still have a little life left but way less than the fronts.  I imagine mine will be done well before 11K.  I did the 6K maintenance on mine and had no problems.  The guy that designed the airbox must have been proud of it because he put about a million screws in the cover, but that's not really a problem.  OK, maybe not a million screws, maybe just a thousand.

I notice you list an 82 Virago in your stable, that was my first bike.  It's nice that you have a survivor. 

[oilhed]

Welcome aboard the Cali Touring train! 

I also replaced the 200 series tire and replaced it with a 180 to expand the tire selection available and sharpen up the already great handling.

Is it that easy?  I was considering the Eldo just cuz of the smaller tire.

[lucian]

Congrats on a great bike.  Definitely keep an eye on the rear brake pads  , replace before they are too thin as the pistons can cock in the caliper bores when max extended and leave you with a stuck rear brake. Also, as mentioned, change your final drive lube at rear tire change times as the wheel needs to be removed to access the fill and drain plugs. Another note,  check and drain if necessary, the oil capture clear tube with the rubber plug hanging beneath the center of the bike. It collects oil dispensed from the crankcase to the airbox , if the engine oil level is too high it will show up in the tube frequently. Keep the oil level in the middle of the high and low marks on the dipstick, with the bike upright and level.( dipstick not screwed in) Get yourself the correct cable to connect you bike to your laptop and you can do most all troubleshooting and routine maintenance yourself if you so desire. One more thing I would do is put a little silicone sealant around where the wires  enter both front the and rear wheel speed sensors if you ride in the wet frequently. They can be prone to water intrusion which can leave you without abs , cruise control and speedometer functions. Other than that follow the recommended service intervals and ride.  Enjoy

[Utrider]

Is it that easy?  I was considering the Eldo just cuz of the smaller tire.

Yep, I was out of town with no 200 option available.  The shop suggested a 180/65 with a WHOLE bunch more choices for tires.  The same ones used on heavier Harley's and Goldwings.  Did it and will never go back to the 200.  The 180 handles so much sharper, and lasts a LOT longer.  My other tire, a Metzler 888 lasted about 4200 miles, I have over 6000 on this 180 with a lot of tread still on it.  I would estimate about 12k miles out of it.