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Moto Guzzi California II spare parts-Italo touring between cult and comfort
From coastal highways in California to alpine passes in Europe - hardly a tour of the 1980s combines mechanical character strength and sovereign serenity as that Moto Guzzi California II. Presented in 1981 as the successor to the legendary 850 T3 California, she brought a plus to a displacement, a gentle integral brake system and a luxurious equipment package at that time: large-volume case, high touring disc, wide floorboards and a thick comfort saddle made of saddler leather. Four decades later, the model enjoys cult status-but only carefully maintained bikes convince with the typical sonoren 90-degree V-twin pulse, butter-soft card drive and reliable three-disc brake performance. This is exactly where high quality Moto Guzzi California II spare parts into play: you secure everyday suitability, value preservation and loyalty to the original. This guide leads in nine chapters and around 2,000 words through history, technology, maintenance & weaknesses, paying particular attention to parts availability, material age and sensible upgrades-everything based on practical data from our motorize workshop, which has lifted more than 30 California-II motors on the lifting platform since 2010.
1 | History & models evolution
From 1975 the first California generation-the 850 T3 California-shaped the image of the European Police Cruiser: cardan drive, integral brake (brake + front left slice hydraulically linked), toni double loop frame and a V2 air / oil cooler engine with 844 cm³. The California II Set a displacement step in 1981: 948 cm³ (W = 88 mm, H = 78 mm), power 67 hp at 6 400 min–1, Torque 82 Nm at 4,800 min–1. Frame, swing axis and fork bridges were stiffened; The bench hiked by 15 mm deeper, the wheelbase grew to 1 550 mm-for high speed stability to US interstates.
✓ First series 1981–1982 (frame No. VK100-VK500)-Early cast bikes, Cromodora 3 spokes.
✓ Series 2 (1983–1984)-improved "Linked Brake II", 12 mm main brake cylinder.
✓ Series 3 (1985–1987)-stainless steel exhaust system, contactless Bosch-HKZ ignition, 32 mm dell’orto PHF carburetor.
2 | Motor & drive-spare parts for the 948 cm³ long runner
Guzzis Quer-V-Twin is famous for its flywheel moment and the resulting, gentle axis of rotation along the vehicle length axis. The California-II block has set Nikasil cylinders, stand-up rod-OHV valve operations and a robust 5-speed gear 5-S carc. Oil loss, valve seat wear and fixed tipping blade bearings are typical aging images. The following parts should not be missing in the spare parts portfolio:
✓ Cylinder head 140 mm × 94 mm - OEM GU90254225.
✓ Nikasil running socket Ø 88 mm LA92 GU 11013100-GALNIF coating, 0.02 mm excess.
✓ Oil pump rotor 16/22 teeth - upgrade to high volume (M G Oil Plus).
✓ Card atmosphere GU28223960 - including lubrication nipple, game <0.03 mm.
Maintenance recommendation: 20 W-50 minerals or 15 W-50 HC synthesis every 5,000 km, oil filter GU30153000 inside; Valve game 0.20/0.25 mm every 10,000 km; Ignition 10 ° v. OT static, contactless upgrade (Silent hustle and bustle) recommended. Cardan oil SAE 80 W-90 GL-5 every 10,000 km / 2 years.
3 | Chassis & brakes-comfort meets integral security
The 35 mm marzocchi stable with 180 mm travel offers little damping reserves; Stick-slip increases with oil age. Finish Fork feather kits (ICON Progressive & Motul Factory Line 10 W) Sink brake nods and fit plug-and-play. At the back, a Tonti-TwinShock swing arm with an adjustable spring preload; ICON-364 Setting shock absorbers bring 4-fold stages control.
✓ Fork simmer rings 35 × 47 × 10 (NOK ARI094).
✓ Steering head cone rolls all-balls 22-1005-Konus 25 °.
✓ Brembo P08 saddle seal set Tourmax MSB-401, stainless steel pistons.
✓ Brake discs Ø 300 mm EBC MD602 - floating riveted.
The Integral brake system II Spread 70 % brake pressure on the rear wheel and 30 % on the left front wheel. A Main brake cylinder 12.7 mm (GU14656650) ensures the necessary system pressure. Steel flex lines with a T-piece certified the pressure stability for modern DOT 4 ESP fluids.
4 | Electrics-secure 12-volt time capsule modern
Original delivers one Bosch light machine 350 W, a mechanical controller module and a Marelli HKZ ignition with centrifugal power feed. Corrosion at the fuse box and mass points leads to start problems. Our proven upgrades:
- ✓ MOSFET controller SH847AA - 14.4 V constant, protects coal brushes.
- ✓ Silent hustle and bustle HKZ-Digital - Contactless ECU, variable ignition delay, 2 key fields.
- ✓ Li-ion battery 12 V / 8 Ah - Saves 3 kg, subscriber off at 9 V.
5 | Body & attachment - authentic vs. individualized
Original Fiberglass case (Craven) weigh almost 4 kg per side and are coveted rarities. Alternatively, H&B Classic cases deliver 30 l with OEM holder. Fall brackets at the front and rear - chrome -plated or stainless steel - protect valve lids and cylinders in the stand. A contemporary windshield (ISOTTA Touring XL) reduces upper body pressure by 70 % at 120 km/h.
6 | Maintenance plan & practical intervals
| Service point | interval | Spare parts / fluids |
|---|---|---|
| Motor oil + filter | 5,000 km / 12 months | 20 W-50 API SG (1.9 l) + filter GU30153000 |
| Valve game | 10,000 km | 0.20 / 0.25 mm, new valve lid seal GU14023500 |
| Set ignition | 10,000 km | Contacts GU17726850 or electronic HKZ upgrade |
| Cardan oil | 10,000 km | 80 W-90 GL-5, 240 ml |
| brake fluid | 24 months | Dot 4 ESP (low viscosity) |
| Fork oil | 25,000 km | Motul fork Oil 10 W, 260 ml per Holm |
7 | Frequent weaknesses & solutions
✓ Steering angle cracks
Toni framework shows microrises on the steering lock. Disade, tig aftermaking, epoxy zinc sealing.
✓ Rip lever storage
Nadell bearing loose → upgrade to Ina HK0810-2RS, oil bore Ø 1.5 mm.
✓ Cardiac shaft seals
Leck oil on tires = danger. GU90410260 Viton, pressing depth 7 mm.
✓ Brembo P08 piston corrosion
Change stainless steel piston + viton-dich rings, red-rubber grease, brake fluid every 2 j.
8 | Sensible upgrades - without endangering the original charm
- ✓ Electronic HKZ ignition silent hustle and bustle -3 °/1 000 RPM Advance characteristic, improves cold start and consumption.
- ✓ Wilbers 640 spring legs -Tension + preload hydraulic, pleasant solo/passenger change.
- ✓ Guzzilab Speedhut-Acho -Plug-and-play, GPS signal, retention vintage look thanks to Chromring.
- ✓ Hepco & Becker Classic case 35 L -Modern click closure, owner identical to OEM-Wingracks.
- ✓ LED rear light ECE -Low electricity, perfect for lithium battery conversion.
9 | Parts availability & community sources
Moto Guzzi Classic Parts (Piaggio) guarantees core directions, oil pumps, cardan shaft and brake calipers up to at least 2030. Stone dinse (De) and HMB-Guzzi (NL) offer NOS stores, seat covers and powder coatings. In the US forum Wild Guzzi Swap collectors valve lids, cousin windshields and original veglia-achos. For stainless steel exhaust systems Lafranconi A road -fitting replica - 2 dB quieter, 1 kg lighter.
Conclusion - driving California II means slowing down ... with reliable spare parts
The Moto Guzzi California II Is not a retro new edition, but an authentic child of the 1980s: long, low, card-driven and full of mechanical presence. With precisely precise California II spare parts -Whether cylinder head gasket, integral brake piston or LED upgrade-the iconic cruiser feeling is preserved: relaxed straight-running run, sonor of vibrating V-Twin and a drive that requires only a cylinder screw even after 100,000 km. Maintain oil, valves, cardan play and mass points - then accompany your California II on many kilometers towards sunset along the Riviera dei Fiori or Route 66. Ride Slow, Enjoy Long - with the right parts.
Now browse - and your California II treat all parts that she deserves!
