Back in Black: Moto Guzzi Two-Wheeler Revisits a Classic Design

Forty years later, that frame is still in production, at least on one bike — the Moto Guzzi California Black Eagle .

So far as a motorcycle that represents an authentic “retro” experience goes, the Black Eagle is essentially perfect. It is a 1970s motorcycle, just updated with necessary emissions gear like fuel-injection and basic modern conveniences like push-button start. That frame is still welded by hand at Moto Guzzi’s 90-year old factory in Mandello del Lario while that distinctive 1,064-cc, 90-degree, across-the-frame V-twin is nearly identical to the 949-cc unit that powered the 1971 original.

Those ’70s specs are both good and bad: good for riders, bad for Guzzi’s parent company Piaggio, which has to shell out more coin to produce the labor-intensive design than it does its flagship, World Championship-winning superbike.

The California hails from a time before the word “cruiser” was dreamed up as a way to market uncompetitive, outdated motorcycles from the 1950s to a gullible public. Ignore for a second the swept-back handlebars and forward foot controls.

What you have here is a relatively powerful, relatively light (for the time), sporting motorcycle from 1971 equipped with modern, adjustable suspension and modern, powerful brakes. Use the light steering to throw it into a corner fast, in defiance of its cruiser label, and you’re rewarded with ability and feedback. Trickle through traffic at low speed and the Black Eagle is both balanced and predictable.

That’s not to say it doesn’t have character. Twist the throttle at a standstill and the bike jerks to the left as torque is transferred through the drive shaft.

The transformation from normal motorcycle to fashion statement occurred some time in the 1980s, when cruiser fashion saw ergonomics akin to a riding lawnmower rather than a horse saddled Western-style, as is en vogue now. That means curiously high floorboards and peculiarly low bars or, together, an inconveniently cramped riding position that compromises both control and comfort.

The end result is a matte black motorcycle that isn’t a retro trying to mimic an authentic experience, but rather that original trying to compete in the modern motorcycle market. If you value character over bling, it might just be the cruiser for you — just be prepared to do some classic-style wrenching, at least to swap out those bars and floor boards.

Moto Guzzi California Vintage long term review | Moto Guzzi ...

I really became hooked by the California Vintage months prior to my buying it.  I’ve got the ’07 and there is no difference between model years, at least nothing noticeable.   I personally prefer and appreciate older-style, lower-tech, mechanical things. This motorcycle has all that and does it with Italian style.

If you look close at my photo above, you’ll notice my tail light is tipping downward because the tail light bracket had failed just the day before the photo was taken,  just as I was finishing up this article.  I had to temporarily secure mine with zip ties and a rag stuffed between it and the rest of the bracket.  Luckily, I’ve carried a bunch of zip ties in my panniers since I was a motorcycle marshal last year, and that helped me get home from work that day.

The picture was taken when I rode to my Guzzi dealer to have him see what happened, but since he’s not a Guzzi dealer any longer, I’m left to fixing it myself, which is fine by me. A downside to being a Guzzi owner in the USA is that dealerships are few and very far between.  This is a concern, but the bike is not difficult to work on if you’re mechanically inclined.  The Moto Guzzi California models generally have very well stood the test of time regarding their reliability and ability to accumulate high mileage , with few exceptions.

Electronics and simplicity:

Electronics on the bike are minimal compared to other types of new motorcycles.  Fuel injection is by Magneti-Marelli and is fed via two Weber throttle bodies, two fine names in motoring and motorsports.  Guzzi California models have been fuel injected for many years, ahead of several other brands.  If you do want to plug in electronic gadgets, there is a 12 volt accessory outlet, but it is located on the left side of the bike and the users manual recommends against riding with things plugged in there.

The 350 Watt charging system is less powerful than most modern touring bikes and it takes quite a bit of rpm to achieve that.  In fact, just keeping the stock 55 Watt auxiliary lights on while riding at lower rpm will indeed drain the battery.  Makes me want to ask why Guzzi chose 55 Watt bulbs as standard, but why ask.  A simple an inexpensive swap to 35 Watt bulbs cured that problem many miles ago for me, and has for many other Cal Vin owners too.

Gauges are analog with black background and bright red needles.  I like them and they continue to work well for me, including the analog trip odometer.  I like having to twist the reset knob to reset it rather than push some touch screen for a digital display – that’s just me.

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