Cal special , Craigslist

[Tennmoto]

[/https://eastnc.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2003-moto-guzzi-california/6716378851.htmlurl]

[radguzzi]

https://eastnc.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2003-moto-guzzi-california/6716378851.html

[John A]

That's a lot of bike for the money!

[MGrego]

Other than the paint and bags, were there any differences between the California Special and the EV ?

[Rich A]

Different fenders, frame covers, sidecovers handlebars, and seat. Maybe more.

[kidsmoke]

not an expert, but don't EV's universally come with tubeless spoke rims? These look like good ol' tubers to me.

[fotoguzzi]

Tube type rims

[rocker59]

Other than the paint and bags, were there any differences between the California Special and the EV ?

Parallel families of the same basic bike.   The '99 Bassa was a follow up "custom" alternative to the '98 California EV.  Lots of detail differences, but built on the same platform.

Bassa featured different seat with lower seat height, different handlebars, different fender and taillight.


'98/'02 EV > '02/'04 EV Touring

'99/'00 Bassa > '01 California Special > '02/'03 California Special Sport

 
Bassa had same tubeless rims and adjustable forks as EV.  Special lost both during the model run in '01. '02/'03 Special Sport did not have tubeless wheels or adjustable suspension.

 

[kingoffleece]

I'd love to get tubeless spoke wheels for my 2001 jackal.

[MGrego]

Parallel families of the same basic bike.   The '99 Bassa was a follow up "custom" alternative to the '98 California EV.  Lots of detail differences, but built on the same platform.

Bassa featured different seat with lower seat height, different handlebars, different fender and taillight.


'98/'02 EV > '02/'04 EV Touring

'99/'00 Bassa > '01 California Special > '02/'03 California Special Sport

 
Bassa had same tubeless rims and adjustable forks as EV.  Special lost both during the model run in '01. '02/'03 Special Sport did not have tubeless wheels or adjustable suspension.

Thanks for the info, I get how it fits in it now --  Looking a little closer I noticed quite a few differences from the EV.  One obvious one I missed was pegs, rather than floorboards on the on the Special Sport !  I like the look of the Special Sports's leather bags too.

[cloudbase]

It's one of those ultra rare ones built with the transverse engine.

[flower_king001]

not an expert, but don't EV's universally come with tubeless spoke rims? These look like good ol' tubers to me.

Hmm, look just like the stock rims on my '98 EV and mine are tubeless

[rocker59]

Hmm, look just like the stock rims on my '98 EV and mine are tubeless

Take a closer look.

[nsmith]

Bassa had same tubeless rims and adjustable forks as EV.  Special lost both during the model run in '01. '02/'03 Special … I have a 2001 Cal. Spl. other than the label on the side cover it is a Bassa. So once again the character of Moto Guzzi shines through.

[rocker59]

Bassa had same tubeless rims and adjustable forks as EV.  Special lost both during the model run in '01. '02/'03 Special … I have a 2001 Cal. Spl. other than the label on the side cover it is a Bassa. So once again the character of Moto Guzzi shines through.

"Bassa" (which is Italian for "low") was a USA name plate.  In Europe the bikes were California Special '99-'01.

I was working at a dealer at the time.  For model year 2001, the brochures showed the 2001 California Special with tubeless wheels and adjustable forks.  Sometime during the production run Guzzi began transitioning over to tube-type wheels and non-adjustable forks.  There were examples of 2001 Specials with both tubeless wheels and adjustable suspension, without the wheels but with the suspension, with the wheels but without the suspension, and finally the last of the 2001 specials had neither tubeless wheels or adjustable forks.  Classic Guzzi.  LOL!

I guess they were trying to decontent the Bassa/Special to keep it priced between the EV and the Jackal in the lineup.

[fotoguzzi]

  One obvious one I missed was pegs, rather than floorboards on the on the Special Sport ! 

by the way, the pegs are  mounted too high, my knees were above pelvis.. not good for all day touring. on my first Bassa I put the EV frame rails an boards on.. NICE!

[rocker59]

by the way, the pegs are  mounted too high, my knees were above pelvis.. not good for all day touring. on my first Bassa I put the EV frame rails an boards on.. NICE!

Yes.  The low seat and high pegs were tough on long days.  For me.  Knees too high.

Several 500 mile days on my Bassa underlined that shortcoming.

[oldbike54]

 The pegs aren't too high , the seat is too low 

 Dusty

[TN Mark]

I exchanged the Bassa foot peg subframes for EV floorboard subframes on both my Bassa’s. It was really a shame when the Cal Special lost tubeless wheels and adjustable forks. Trading the subframes is relatively easy compared to locating tubeless EV wheels and adjustable forks.

This Cal Special could actually be special with a few much needed items. But at that point, financially it would be way upside down. Guess I’ll go ahead and check out the Victory Highball tomorrow as planned.