MOTO GUZZI California 850 (1972-1987) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Moto Guzzi California was a cruiser motorcycle manufactured by Moto Guzzi from 1971 as a replacement model for the Moto Guzzi 850 GT and continued production until 2021. The manufacturer produced a version almost continuously from 1971 to 2021.

The bike featured a standard seating position, footboards, hell-and-toe shifter, and linked Brembo brakes, which were discontinued for the Moto Guzzi 1400 models. The first motorcycle was designed with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department Traffic Division to replace their Moto Guzzi V7 fleet.

The Police version featured a left-foot gearshift, a bulletproof Lexan windscreen, a sprung side stand, sirens, a radio, and extra police lights. In addition, the bike had a standing quarter-mile time of under 16 seconds.

In 1972, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Moto Guzzi California 850, a cruiser motorcycle with a strong aesthetic personality, technicality, and great success in all markets. It was sold as the Eldorado 850 in the German and French markets.

The bike was built around a duplex cradle tubular steel frame with a telescopic fork on the front and five-way preload adjustable shock absorbers on the rear, providing optimum suspension performance and handling.

At its core, the 1972 Moto Guzzi California 850 had installed an 844cc four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engine that delivered an output power of 55 hp with maximum strength at 6,100 rpm.