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Is a California jackal a good bike?
- Thread starterGusable
- Start date
The '00-02 (Jackal/Bassa/EV) and '07-12 California 1100 are some of the best Guzzi's made. I still have and love my '00 Jackal with over 165k miles on it; https://www.guzzitech.com/thebikes/ToddsJackal.html
If you can find an '02 non-hydraulic lifter model "Stone" - that is one of the best made of that period. The '07+ Cal Vintage is on par as well.
I would recommend to stay away from the (some) '02-05 1100's with hydraulic lifters (not the Jackal).
If you can find an '02 non-hydraulic lifter model "Stone" - that is one of the best made of that period. The '07+ Cal Vintage is on par as well.
I would recommend to stay away from the (some) '02-05 1100's with hydraulic lifters (not the Jackal).
I had a hydraulic lifter EV. Never gave an issue. In fact, the factory update wasn't done until the bike had over 40K miles. Never any trouble from that engine. However, I did not run the recommended 10W40, but Mobil 1 15W50.
kiwi dave
GT Reference
I think they're a sweet motor too (especially after the conversion). All my three have been sold on, bit of a shame but that's progress.
I believe the final oil spec was 5W40.
Calijackalbob
Cruisin' Guzzisti
I have a 2001 Jackal. It has pushrods activating the rocker arms. After about 100 Jap bikes this is the bike that has turned me into an unrepentant Guzziholic. I never want any other brand bike now. The Jackal has tons of torque, pulls like Arnold Schwarzennegger at 16 and in the words of a riding buddy who rode a 1700cc Harley, the Jackal is a "Rocket" Nice comparison huh? I LOVE mine to bits. I now have a second Guzzi, a Bellagio and want more..........................
Calijackalbob
Cruisin' Guzzisti
This came up after my Jackal video. Freaked me out, The Jackal has so many possibilities for customisation. Wait till you see the JacKatana !
I think I made a big mistake back in 2008 when I bought my 2007 Norge from Speaker's. Sometime in the course of the next year or so he offered me a brand new Jackal that somebody had put a deposit on and never picked up. He said give me the $6000 owed on it and you can have it. I said I already have the Norge why do I want another Guzzi? I've regretted that decision just for not trying it to see how I liked it. I probably wouldn't have lost any money on it even if I hated it and sold it.
My 2001 has been here for ten years, now just over 100K km (62K miles). Only one real failure: the TPS quit a few years ago, easily replaced, as I had learned from this site how to set it up. Not even fork seals...
If you are not a cruiser guy, a recent thread about rear-sets, plus super bike bars and a better seat will get you going in the right direction.
Sintered bronze brake pads will give you plenty without double discs.
If you want to spend some money on a good one, find a Dynojet tuning center, (after installing a Power Commander); there is a lot of power hidden here, basically the difference between "emission fueling" and "optimum fueling".
The Jackal is a stone axe. You'll love it,
If you are not a cruiser guy, a recent thread about rear-sets, plus super bike bars and a better seat will get you going in the right direction.
Sintered bronze brake pads will give you plenty without double discs.
If you want to spend some money on a good one, find a Dynojet tuning center, (after installing a Power Commander); there is a lot of power hidden here, basically the difference between "emission fueling" and "optimum fueling".
The Jackal is a stone axe. You'll love it,
motogeezer
Just got it firing!
My '00 Jackal, sold at 72k miles. Airbox mod, K&N, Power Commander, H crossover, LaFranconi muffs. 13.2 sec. quarter mile @ 101.5 mph. 
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Calijackalbob
Cruisin' Guzzisti
Hi Geezer.
Nice bike. Tell me did you put the Power Commander on and what difference did it make to the bike?
https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/resources/power-commanders-black-box-magic.205/
https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/resources/more-cali-power.15/
Both can be found on the Archive (linked above) with older/un-revised info as first published early last decade.
motogeezer
Just got it firing!
Man, that was about 15 years ago, I don't remember who put it together, but I know it wasn't me!!!
Probably Tony Foster at PSC in Daytona Beach. Sorry !!!
I have had my 2000 Jackal for 11 years. It is as solid as a rock. I have had no problems or issues. It is easy to work on and tune-up; and trust me, I am not a hot shot mechanic. Also you can add accessories and upgrades very easily that customizes it to you and your riding style.
I purchased a 2001 Jackal last year from the original owner, who had bought it back from a guy he sold it to before!
Got it with 42,000 miles. Bike was in great shape-needed the usual consumables tnded to as well as a new stator/rotor/regulator.
The bike had LaFranconie pipes and crossover and ran well enough but started a bit hard and popped a bit. Now, after a real tough WNY winter, I got the bike out the other day for the first time as I was very anxious to see how it would run with the new "brain".
It runs FANTASTIC. Much smoother (which I didn't know it needed as it seemed fine), starts right up, no popping in decel, and pulls like a freight train. Another great job done by GuzziTech.
Got it with 42,000 miles. Bike was in great shape-needed the usual consumables tnded to as well as a new stator/rotor/regulator.
The bike had LaFranconie pipes and crossover and ran well enough but started a bit hard and popped a bit. Now, after a real tough WNY winter, I got the bike out the other day for the first time as I was very anxious to see how it would run with the new "brain".
It runs FANTASTIC. Much smoother (which I didn't know it needed as it seemed fine), starts right up, no popping in decel, and pulls like a freight train. Another great job done by GuzziTech.