I bought a Moto Guzzi California Vintage

[erskine]

Greetings.
Bought a 2006 model, with 20,000 miles. Looks standard, except maybe for a huge screen-don’t know if the factory fitted such a barn door.
Done about 3500 miles. Ran crap until I had it on a dyno. Enjoying riding it now and it’s a great looking bike. A bit weird though-high first gear and top gear seems like an overdrive-doesn’t have the instant go of my Harley, but I’m riding it better now I’ve done some miles on it.
My first motorcycle was a TS250 back in 1976 which was a great bike, so nearly 50 years later I have another Guzzi. Always regretted not having a Le Mans along the way-chose a Benelli 6 instead.
Looking forward to more riding if “they” allow the sun to shine.

 

[V700Steve]

Welcome, put your numbers in the registry and enjoy the Cali. I never use 5th unless on interstate. Tall rear drive is why. Ride Safe

 

[GTM®]

Bought a 2006 model, with 20,000 miles

Welcome to the GT Forum. Hope you’ll add your info to our Registry below. Guzzis like to rev, very unlike HD. Keep the revs above 3500 RPM. The Vintage was one of the last and best Tonti framed twin plug 2V push-rod engines. They are magical. I can make them fly.
Google will help you with images, as they did come with a “Police” style screen.
The bike is nearly 20 years old, so best to have it gone through by someone who knows Guzzis. Not sure what your “got it on the dyno” comment means. Enjoy.

BB TONTI REGISTRY and pic thread

All, like in the other sections and just for fun. A Registry of Tontis listed below. Post all of your info in this thread, as formatted below, and I'll update the list as we go. Cal Vin: VIN#ZGUKDH0056M111184 - @Hane - City, State? - D.O.P. ? - Pic HERE VIN#ZGUKDH0046M111421 - @erskine -...

www.guzzitech.com

 

[erskine]

Thanks for the replies.
Initially the thing wouldn’t go, wouldn’t rev-open the throttle and it just made a noise-no acceleration. A company tuned it and it’s much better now. You say “keep it above 3500 revs”-it wouldn’t reach that!
For info, the tuner got max 67 bhp at 6600 revs and 58 torque at 5300 revs.

 

[Lannis]

Thanks for the replies.
Initially the thing wouldn’t go, wouldn’t rev-open the throttle and it just made a noise-no acceleration. A company tuned it and it’s much better now. You say “keep it above 3500 revs”-it wouldn’t reach that!
For info, the tuner got max 67 bhp at 6600 revs and 58 torque at 5300 revs.

I'd love to know what the mechanic did to "tune" it. Did he say what he was adjusting?

Whatever it was, sounds like it was a good thing.

Lannis

 

[erskine]

The invoice states “ECU REMAP”.
Whatever, it was a slug before, and it goes a bit now.
The torque curve reflects how it feels, max 58 ft lbs at 5300 revs and 30 at 3000 revs, 35 at 4000 revs, with a steep climb to the max thereafter. Maybe a flatter torque curve is possible.
The guy said they are set up too lean at the factory, but it’s hard to believe the previous owner put up with it as it was for 20,000 miles.

 

[Lannis]

The invoice states “ECU REMAP”.
Whatever, it was a slug before, and it goes a bit now.
The torque curve reflects how it feels, max 58 ft lbs at 5300 revs and 30 at 3000 revs, 35 at 4000 revs, with a steep climb to the max thereafter. Maybe a flatter torque curve is possible.
The guy said they are set up too lean at the factory, but it’s hard to believe the previous owner put up with it as it was for 20,000 miles.

Thanks! I know we can't keep discussing this here on the "Introductions" forum, but maybe we can continue in the proper place. As you say, if it was just an ECU remap, it would have been that way since new....

Lannis