The local BMW dealer is no longer a BMW dealer. They now have those gorgeous Italians in stock...Moto Guzzi. So, how good of a sidecar hauler would the Moto Guzzi California Vintage be? Is the listed 74hp and 40ft/lb torque sufficient to maintain 65mph with a passenger in the sidecar? I have a motorvation spyder waiting in the garage.... Hal in CT.
The Cal Vintage is a Tonti frame, and should be just fine. See this thread:
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4032&posts=9
Numbers?
My old SP shares the same Tonti frame as the Cal Vintage. The SP weighs some 550 lbs, vs. about 580 for the Vintage. SP runs stock about 60hp (unsure of torque figure). I'm pulling a Hannigan Classic, weighing approx 200 lbs. Motorvation lists the spyder as weighing some 190 lbs.
Cruising with a passenger (150lbs?) with the SP at around 65-70mph is no problem. I have not attempted any greater speeds.
I think you should go for it.
This subject has prompted me to create an album. For a view of my SP, the album name is:
'79 Moto Guzzi 1000SP / Hannigan Classic
No problem. The running gear of the 'vintage' is the same as my EV11. It'll pull that Spider just fine. I've hooked several Velorex's to Guzzi's. They'll run down the highway at 65 all day long no problem.
We do many Guzzi's and have several in the shop at any given time and have two more do in the were purchased from Moto International in Seattle for us to install sidecars on. Moto International has some really good deals going now on "new" Demo bikes with full warranty. All are discounted at least $4500 Moto International is located in Seattle and will deliver bikes to us to install sidecars.
The Guzzi's work well with sidecars.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
866-638-1793
www/dauntlessmotors.com
Below is a link (I hope) to my album that has pictures of my Spyder (2nd page). Does the Guzzi California vintage need a sub-frame? The frame looks sturdy, and there are places where fabricated brackets or plates could be bolted securely with no overhung loads or bending load worries I think. As a note, does the Spyder have a really upright seating position, or is that only when it is off the bike? Thanks, Hal in CT
http://halkct.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php
No subframe needed for the Tonti Guzzis.
That would depend on what you call a sub frame. Our mounting kit for the bike could be called a sub frame but it is really 4 bolt on mounts. The frames are very strong on these bikes.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
866-638-1793
Jay does, as is usual, make a good point.
For instance, on my application, I have an extensive lower fairing. It blocks what would normally be obvious attachment points.
The front upper mount is actually attached to an extension, which is then bolted to the frame. Only way to get around the fairing, short of cutting it.
The lower rear is mounted similarly, for the same reason.
I have created another album, and photographed the mounting as best as my limited photographic abilities allow:
Guzzi SP / Hannigan Mounting Point Images
Many bikes may not 'need' a subframe but having one is many times not a bad idea anyhow.
Subrames, when designed properly, will allow sidecar mounting points to be to be placed at the optimum position for ease of adjustment of the sidecar. They will also ,in many cases, prevent a fairing from having to be cut to install a given mount.
Supportive strength are not the only advantages to a subframe
I am not sure exactly what the Cal Vintage is but I have 2 articles from Motorcycle Sport(UK mag) on the 850 T3 Cal with Squire(about 200 lbs) Sept 1976 and July 1980 and a third - 1000 SP with Hedingham (May 1996).I also have a diagram of the attachment points from Squire(Watsonian-Squire) for a Tonti Guzzi which came with my Squire ST3.If anyone is interested I can get these scanned.I know our chairs are on the left but the principle is the same.
David
South Africa
Hello David:
I for one would like to see these; especially the 1000SP/Hedingham. Could you perhaps upload them as a file on this site under the "Reference and Educational Links and Material" section?
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/forum-view.asp?forumid=17
Bill I think I don't have authority to upload it so I emailed it to you.Maybe you have better luck.
If you want to email it to me I'll see if I can get it on here.
jhcn92 @ yahoo.com
I have a Texas Standard hack rigged to a 2000 Jackal. I would suggest two mods to the tug: (1) have the 3-trees modified by Steerite and (2) have a 7/33 gearset installed in the rear drive. The latter will make your speedo inaccurate, but you'll have better acceleration, esp from a dead stop.
Guzzis and hacks are a good combo.
Rich
