'98 EV11

[CLAY]

A guy I know just got one- but it needs work.  Would you folks in the Guzzi department know of a couple good websites or resources, or people to aid him in his restoration?  I'll pass on any links.  Thanks!  

[Pete Roper]

Is MI Ichigan or Minnesota? I can never remember?? If it's Michigan then Larry Klein at GT Motors in Lansing is 'Da Man'.

If you're looking for parts best bets are MG Cycle in (?) Wisconsin, Moto International in Seattle, MPH in Houston or Rosefarm Classics in whereverthehell they are??

98's were a good year any of the 'Issues' they had that year, which were few, will probably of been ironed out by now, (Snapping rockers was one. The factory got a batch that weren't hardened properly and they were prone to snapping but it always happened early @<2000 miles.)  Main things are likely to be perished hoses in the fuel system and the breather system. Other than that they are pretty much unburstable but remember, it IS a 12 year old motorbike so go over it with  fine tooth comb. All fluids and filters should be done and a full tune up with TB ballance and TPS setting is a must.

Pete

[CLAY]

Is MI Ichigan or Minnesota? I can never remember?? If it's Michigan then Larry Klein at GT Motors in Lansing is 'Da Man'.

If you're looking for parts best bets are MG Cycle in (?) Wisconsin, Moto International in Seattle, MPH in Houston or Rosefarm Classics in whereverthehell they are??

98's were a good year any of the 'Issues' they had that year, which were few, will probably of been ironed out by now, (Snapping rockers was one. The factory got a batch that weren't hardened properly and they were prone to snapping but it always happened early @<2000 miles.)  Main things are likely to be perished hoses in the fuel system and the breather system. Other than that they are pretty much unburstable but remember, it IS a 12 year old motorbike so go over it with  fine tooth comb. All fluids and filters should be done and a full tune up with TB ballance and TPS setting is a must.

Pete

I'm in Michigan, but he's in South Carolina...

[Pete Roper]

MPH in Houston. or there's a bloke in Atlanta who's very good if yer interested.

Pete

[Jeff]

Rosefarm Classics in whereverthehell they are??

Woodstock, IL.

[CLAY]

MPH in Houston. or there's a bloke in Atlanta who's very good if yer interested.

Pete

Contact info?  I'll pass it on...

[Pete Roper]

Contact info?  I'll pass it on...

Not sure of Wayne's current email. I only have old ones but if younip over to wildguzzi and sign up you can find a post from him, (I think his current online persona is 'WO') and email him. Also the bloke who poits as 'Guzzisteve' on that board is also a knowledgeable and competent Guzzi mechanic. He works at one of the Atlanta dealers, can't remember which. I no longer participate in Wildguzzi forpersonal reasons.

Pete

[Strom]

98's were a good year any of the 'Issues' they had that year, which were few, will probably of been ironed out by now, (Snapping rockers was one. The factory got a batch that weren't hardened properly and they were prone to snapping but it always happened early @<2000 miles.)  Main things are likely to be perished hoses in the fuel system and the breather system. Other than that they are pretty much unburstable but remember, it IS a 12 year old motorbike so go over it with  fine tooth comb. All fluids and filters should be done and a full tune up with TB ballance and TPS setting is a must.

Pete

Hi Pete  

Right exhaust rocker on my cali snapped at about 50.000km... now the bike (98EV) has 72kkm and now I am thinking about replacing the rest... just in case. Would it be a good idea or just waste of time? I didnt know it was a broader issue until now.

What would you reccommend regarding TB Balancing... I do have vacuum gauges and a screwdriver and not afraid to use them - that much. A friend usually helps me with this stuff, but he is afraid of fine tuning... dont know why. If it starts, its OK for him. I can borrow a computer thingie to hook up to check ECU parameters from him. Do you think I can tackle the job myself? Any decent instructions out there - found a few but they all seemed a bit... complicated.

I did replace the stock H pipe with a straight-throuh one... and set the TPS about 4 degrees to the "rich" side. Mufflers are stock, so is the airbox and filter. Dont have the money for a power commander at the moment...

Non-related: Switched dash light bulbs to LED, installed an alarm and put on a corbin seat, modified the side stand switch so it cuts off the engine only when it is in gear.

Any other useful mods you can think of?

[Strom]

Another thing I remember from back when I was buying mine (used)...

Check the rear wheel... I believe it was a factory recall thingie... something about if the spokes broke, they could do all sorts of nasty things in the hub...
Something about the triple trees or thereabouts as well... there are serial numbers posted somewhere on the interwebz. Google is your friend.

...so much for things to check for

[photomd]

Where in SC?

[Pete Roper]

I don't think the 98's were affected by any of the wheel or triple clamp issues, that was 2003/4 hydros I believe. What is worth doing on any Cali this age is going through and replacing the fuel lines and most especially the 'S' shaped breather pipe from the frame to the engine breather that emerges from the bell housing. The hoses and piping used ex-factory is less than brilliant and while the 'S' pipe is pretty much 'Factory Only', (Although I was once told there is a suitable hose off a John Deere tractor that does the job! ) the fuel line cn be replaced with decent Gates stuff.

Pete

[Hunter]

There is a place in Columbia, SC off I-26 near the airport, Big Boys Motorcycles, admittedly a stupid name but whatever appeals to the buying public. They are a new small upstart 2 guys are settting up and for the life of me I can't remember names. I believe it is Joe who is the mechanic. They've dropped a lot of cash on a dyno and software for custom mapping but Joe, rides an older MG Le Mans and has an 1100 Sport. Might be worth a shot or at least a phone call.

They are also a Benelli dealer http://www.bigboysmotorcycles.net/

[Strom]

http://www.internetautoguide.com/23-7-76145/1998-moto-guzzi-california-motorcycle-recall.html
(I didnt know they had the return cable... maybe thats why its not working)

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_recalls/49/1998/moto_guzzi/california_ev/10373.html
(I remember this recall - guys changed the wheels in yurp as well)

There was one more, but cant find it at the moment....

Pete, I know you da man, but I just couldnt help myself  

[Pete Roper]

Nah, I'm just a bloke who had a botched vasectomy 17 years ago and has been paying ever since. Stir in a big dose of insomnia and the after effects of twenty years of riding and crashing motorbikes on and off the track and you'll find someone who posts at all times of the day and night.

On the throttle cable issue? I believe that was with Jackals in about 2,000 I'm pretty sure that 98's weren't in the grouping, (I haven't checked your link.). Likewise I wasn't aware of a whell oroblem around that time but its 13 years ago now and I'm not an infallible fucking oracle.

What I do know is that the '98-99's with the P8 controller are superb bikes on the whole. If I wanted a Cali I'd have one of those or a 2003-4 Hydro that I knew was good.

Pete

[Strom]

Nah, I'm just a bloke who had a botched vasectomy 17 years ago and has been paying ever since. Stir in a big dose of insomnia and the after effects of twenty years of riding and crashing motorbikes on and off the track and you'll find someone who posts at all times of the day and night.

That sucks... im still a fat bastard, I work in IT so insomnia and too much caffeine and cigarettes is a part of the job. I try to avoid crashing bikes tho... but enuff about penis sizes... lets just say I may have a vague idea on what your days/nights are like   The only time I got to interweb is usually at night. When I get home from work I am too tired usually to work on the bikes.. and I really like working on them. Then its too late to use power tools. Then theres the weekends when I gotta sort out stuff around the house. And when im on vacation I am usually too broke to actually go anywhere. Sucks. I gotta get myself in another line of work... or something. Anyway, I was refering to myself with that image

On the throttle cable issue? I believe that was with Jackals in about 2,000 I'm pretty sure that 98's weren't in the grouping, (I haven't checked your link.). Likewise I wasn't aware of a whell oroblem around that time but its 13 years ago now and I'm not an infallible fucking oracle.

About the wheels, they were an issue for 98 calis.. the ones with tubeless rims. Dunno bout the throttle issue, but it did happen once or twice on mine, but I dont have the return cable at all.
...and I thaught you knew all hehe... I do appretiate your advice/sharing of the wisdom tho.  

What I do know is that the '98-99's with the P8 controller are superb bikes on the whole. If I wanted a Cali I'd have one of those or a 2003-4 Hydro that I knew was good.

I can totally agree... it has a few issues, but it is a great bike. Mine is a keeper. I would really really like to get an SP or something similarly big blockish and old... the new bikes just arent as much fun anymore. A guy I know says its coz the EV has a longer swingarm or something. All I know is... when a rode a friends LM1, I had and ear to ear smile for a week. His is a bit modified... feels light as hell, but heavy controls... and vibrations... you just KNOW youre riding a bike and not a two-wheeled multi cylinder pussymobile. Alltho I do have a 79 XS 1100, its just too worthless to sell.

OK, back to the ev for a bit... I have a corbin on mine and the handlebars just feel... weird. Jackal ones are too... low or something. I guess I will have to make my own, or are there any suggestions on what works?