2012 Moto Guzzi California 90
The career of the glorious California
1100 culminates with a prestigious commemorative version
for the 90th anniversary of Moto Guzzi. Built as a
limited edition, the California 90 boasts the most
luxurious accessories every realised on this glorious
model.
After a long and glorious career the California
1100 dedicates a final, precious version to its many
fans which celebrates two important events: the 90
year anniversary of Moto Guzzi and the 40 year anniversary
of the California model. Introduced in 1971, the first
V7 California was built based on the technical specs
of the V7 Special, with the difference of a saddle
which was as comfortable as an armchair to allow the
rider to enjoy the scenery protected from the wind,
protected behind the large windshield which, like
the saddlebags, was standard equipment. This was the
recipe for a successful bike, loved both in Europe
and overseas, where the services of the V7 California
were enlisted by the L.A.P.D. (Los Angeles Police
Department) and later in other American states, besides
becoming the official mount back home for the Cuirassier
in the service of the President of the Italian Republic.
This legendary Italian bike has evolved continuously,
always respecting the original philosophy, in numerous
and esteemed versions developed on subsequent increases
of engine capacity, going from 750 to 850 with the
T model (1973) and then the T3 (1975), famous for
its renowned “integral braking”.
The 1000 engine size (948cc) was reached in 1981
with the new "square head" engine on the
California I, while the public would have to wait
until 1994 for the current 1100 engine size version
(1064 cc), when the California 1100i made its debut,
a model which, decked out in numerous accessories,
accompanies us to the present, thus becoming the most
successful Moto Guzzi California of the more than
50,000 manufactured on the Mandello del Lario assembly
line.
Made with the care and attention of an artisan, the
new Moto Guzzi California 90 introduces a brand new,
two-coloured chromium plated concept called "Anniversario"
which matches the metallic "California"
orange colour and the "Diamante" white.
The first stretches across the lower part of the California
90, while the white dominates the upper part represented
by the top of the tank, the front mudguard and the
saddlebags which are elegantly connected by a black
line. A distinctive element of this new livery is
certainly the logo on the tank, which reproduces the
writing used by Moto Guzzi in the early 1930s, the
years characterised by the legendary Omobono Tenni.
In addition to this, the saddle is hand made from
cowhide and on the steering yoke, right in front of
the rider, there is an identification plate which
certifies the numbered production of this final edition
of the California 1100.
The “Anniversario” graphic has the privilege
of enhancing the beautiful spoked wheels, the steel
mudguards and the supplementary fog lights, elements
which were inherited from the Vintage version along
with the windshield with its stainless steel support
and the typical cow-horn handlebar, besides the characteristic
hard saddlebags with velvet lined interior and the
solid, chromium plated luggage carrier.
The beating heart of the California 90 is the standard
two cylinder, big block engine, the latest evolution
of an engine which was introduced in 1994 and became
famous for its tremendous torque and proverbial reliability.
With a bore and stroke of 92 and 80 mm respectively,
the 1064 cc unit features aluminium alloy cylinders
and pistons with a special wear-resistant graphite
coating. Fuelled by the Weber Marelli IAW electronic
injection system with 40 mm diameter throttle bodies,
it boasts low emissions and a weighty thrust even
at low RPMs which stems from a maximum torque output
of 94 Nm at just 5,000 RPMs, and further capacity
to stretch out to 6,400 RPMs where it puts out its
maximum power of 74 HP.
Just like the engine, the chassis aspects of the
Moto Guzzi California 90 also share the same characteristics
as the Vintage version. The frame is a faultless modular
double cradle with a steering radius of 29° which
ensures stability and precision in turns. Comfort
is guaranteed by quality suspension components. At
the front is a Marzocchi fork with 45 mm stanchions
and 140 mm wheel travel while at the rear there is
a swingarm linked to two shock absorbers, featuring
adjustable spring preload and offering 104 mm of wheel
travel. The braking system boasts the best components
available on the market: it consists of 320 mm dual
front floating disc operated by two precious Brembo
callipers with 4 pistons and a 282 mm rear disc with
Brembo two-piston callipers. It is also characterised
by the famous Moto Guzzi integral braking. Other standout
features are the spoked wheels, with 18 inches at
the front and 17 at the rear to cater for high profile
tyres, providing outstanding agility and superlative
feel.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- 90° V-shaped twin cylinder, four-stroke,
air cooled engine
- Engine capacity 1,064 cc
- MAX Power 54 kW (73.4 hp) at 6,400 rpm
- MAX Torque 94 Nm at 5,000 rpm
- Exhaust system in stainless steel, 2 pipes connected
to 1 expansion chamber, connected to two chromium
plated steel silencers; 3-way catalytic converter
and oxygen sensor.
- 5 speed transmission, permanently meshed gears
with built in flexible coupling
- Cardan shaft final drive, ratio 8/33 = 1:4,125
- Front suspension Marzocchi hydraulic telescopic
fork, Ø 45 mm, adjustable separately
- Rear suspension swingarm, 2 hydraulic shock absorbers,
adjustable hydraulic response
- Front brake dual 320 mm stainless steel floating
discs and Brembo callipers with 4 differently sized
pistons
- Rear brake 282 mm stainless steel fixed disc,
Brembo calliper with 2 parallel pistons. Combined
Moto Guzzi braking system.
- Tyres 110/90 VB 18” (front) – 140/70
VB 17” (rear)
- Max. Length 2.380 mm
- Max width 815 mm
- Height 1,150 mm
- Saddle height 780 mm
- Dry weight 251 Kg
- Tank capacity 19 litres (including 4 litre reserve)
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