First Four From Guzzi

First four from Guzzi

ROUNDUP

If California's reputation as a lazy, kick-back kinda place has reached Italy. perhaps that explains the name of Moto Guzzi's first 1985 entry, a bike introduced late last year that just might be the ultimate in easy-to-ride touring bikes. It doesn't even have to be shifted. The bike is an update of the I-Convert model sold in the late Seventies, and its 948.8cc V-Twin engine has a two-speed Sachs torque-converter transmission that the company refers to as a "semi-automatic." An inte grated front/rear brake system, an other Guzzi innovation dating back to the Seventies, also is retained; handy for those lazy rides to the beach when operating two brakes is simply too much effort. The bike's name? The California Automatic.

For the shiftier set, the 1000 also is available in a five-speed model, called the California II. This version has most of the same features as the Automatic, including a windshield, saddlebags and a travel trunk. The Automatic will have a suggested re tail price of $5135. and the Califor nia II will sell for $5055.

The rest of Moto Guzzi's early 1985 line-up consists of two sportier machines: The Le Mans is the California II motor wrapped in clas sic Italian sport styling. quarter-fair ing and all, and the Lario is a sport-oriented 643cc V-Twin. Moto Guzzi will announce prices of the Le Mans and the Lario at a later date.