Cali EV tuning kit....

[Strom]

Well, I have a 98 EV.
I let myself go a bit and gained some weight, which means, my cali wont pull as nice as before.
Since I am a lazy bastard I would rather suck some more torque/power from my guzzi than loose weight.

So the question for all the experts here (Hi Pete!):
What gives with these kits
http://cgi.ebay.de/Guzzi-California-1100-Jackal-EV-Stone-Tuning-kit-Drehm-/360145590966?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item53da599ab6
for example.
 
How do they work out regarding engine life and happiness, fuel consumption etc...

At the moment I have the bike modified as follows:
- Diched the catalyser H pipe and replaced with straight-thru one
- turned the TPS a bit for a richer mixture (4 degrees more)
- The bike still has stock silencers, airbox and air filter

What would you do next?
Keep in mind, this is a P8 bike... I was looking for a power commander but all I can find are for later models.

So, what would Pete do?  

[Daniel Kalal]

Well, I have a 98 EV....

The latest Cal (vintage) has dual-plug heads (which seems to be the main point of the kit).  Does it put out all that much more?  You might ride one to see how it compares.  Pete  will know more about this sort of thing than I ever will, but I think you're going to find that your EV just wasn't meant to be a [ insert whatever is fast, here] beater.  It's a Guzzi EV.

not that I'm unsympathetic to your quest--it's the sort of road that lots of guzzi riders have gone down; crazy bunch

[Strom]

The latest Cal (vintage) has dual-plug heads (which seems to be the main point of the kit).

I thaught the main point was differently shaped pistons that work better dual-plugged and a higher cam... with some doo-daas that can make the valves close in time...

Pete? Where art thou?  

[Pete Roper]

Much better idea would be to buy Jon Margrave's V11 LeMans donk, TB's, ECU and loom and slip that into the Cali. That'll really make it lift its skirt! Fair bit of work mind but a much more satisfactory way of hopping up a Cali than twin plugging IMHO.

At the end of the day the P8 equipped Calis are a nice thing but they'll never be stupendous as they are limited by the ECU and throttle body size more than anything else.

My advice? Loose the weight you fat bastard! Or buy another bike. The cost of doing the kit upgrde will be prohibitive I'd guess. If you can do the work yourself swapping out the motor and loom for Jon's would be a much better option and you'll end up with a mid eighties HP Cali that will pull tree-stumps out of hard packed clay!!!

Pete

[Strom]

Pete, your idea probabbly makes sense to almost everyone.
Its likely cheaper, better and easier than any tuning kit and fiddling around with the EV engine.

But since I have a guzzi, it can be interpreted as a big clue I am not almost everyone and guzzi being a motorcycle, it sorta eliminates "cheaper", since there are a lot better bikes out there than a goose, better can be eliminated... and easier just means less fun.

OK, now seriously... I would be tempted to consider the idea... only problem is, I will have to check where Jon is from, but I almost doubt its EU. If its not, it wouldnt be economically viable.

BTW, I noticed something weird on a ride yesterday. I had a feeling like my rear tire was going flat.
I was on a familiar road at perfect riding temperature (air, road is still a bit cold) but this was so weird I had to stop only to find the rear tire was OK.
Didnt notice anything unusual since.  

I checked the hub and swingarm for any unwanted movement and its all tight. Any ideas? Besides loosing weight....

[Dean]

only problem is, I will have to check where Jon is from, but I almost doubt its EU. If its not, it wouldnt be economically viable.

Los Angeles


Dean

[Strom]

Shipping + customs would kill me...