Calling all California Special/Bassa Owners!

[Atlanta Guzzi]

Yesterday I received a PM from Bernie Thompson, Washougal, WA, who owns a '01 California Special in "giallo sole" or sun yellow.  Wow!  Very sweet bike!!   :D ;D ;)

I'm extremely biased...but I love all the California Special/Bassa models (Pearl White, Black, Sun Yellow, Blue/Silver, and Brown/Tan).  Yes, they all have the plastic chrome and for some folks it's just too much "bling".  But for me and my gang (all owners included)...it's just the way we roll!   :D

After I touched base with Bernie, I started thinking about a general registry for all the different models of Guzzis.  Maybe one already exists??  If you know of a registry somewhere out there please provide a link.

In the meantime, I would like to create a simple site dedicated to the California Special.  So, the first step is to find out who owns what.  If you own a Bassa or California Special please respond to this post and send me a PM.

Also, since we all love pictures...post a photo of what you have.

I'll start.



Robert Lockhart
Atlanta, GA
2001 California Special
Giallo Sole/Sun Yellow

 

[N2-UK]

OK, I'm in

Nigel
Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK.

[Mark West]

2001 Cal Special. Just under 40k miles. Givi windscreen, Wilburs Shocks, Mistral Muffs, PCIII (dynoed), Guzzitech head gaurds and crack-proof H-pipe (replaced the cracked Mistral H-pipe), Jet hot coated head pipes, HB hard bags, Quest II GPS with Ram Mount, Napolean Mirrors, and Universal Vista Cruise. Otherwise basically stock.

[John in PA]

2000 Bassa, Blue/Silver.  "the Blue Goose" 
Old picture, I've tweaked a few things since.  Hepco Becker Liberty bags, Hepco 45L tail trunk, Neds comfort seats, M-G forward controls (soon to go back to stock pegs), Saeng Night Cutters (driving lights)

[Atlanta Guzzi]

Nice bikes guys!!

The pearl white Cali's/Bassas are awesome.

Also, I've never seen a Blue/Silver California Special in person.  Sweet two-tone combo!

Does anyone know how many they made in each color?

[bad Chad]

Black Bart,

It'll work for us.

[Chicago Mark]

They are IMHO, the best 'cruiser' style bike Guzzi ever made. But I am biased having owned a 1999 black one and now a 2000 blue/silver beauty. Mine has EV floorboards, Centauro bars, a Cal2 front crash bar and a few added chrome bits here and there.

Truly a great bike,

Mark


Mark

[CougarCreekMoto]

My new (to me) 2000 California Special in Sun Yellow   --- 5500 miles and counting!

First Guzzi and really like the bike so far , great handling, excellent power and my favorite color!!

The help and guidance I have received on this site has been great!!




Bernie Thompson
Washougal, WA

[rtbickel]

Love to, but how do I post a picture?

[Atlanta Guzzi]

Once again, thanks for posting the photos!!  I've never seen a Cali Special/Bassa that I didn't like! 

If you take time to look at the lines on the Cali Special/Bassa's, you'll see a very graceful and unified approach to design (at least aesthetically).  The headlight is larger than some models and the front and rear fenders blend well together.  The rear fender is actually larger than any of the other Cali models (except for the Cali Special Sport and Titanium, which are Cali Special/Bassas wearing another suit!) and the chrome insert matches the front fender.  The rear tail light is also different than others models of this era and was eventually used on the EV.  Finally, the valve covers, and other bits, are less adorned (not engraved) than on the previous bikes, and Moto Guzzi was still using the silver engine paint.  I admit that I pretty much like all Guzzi's...but I think Mandello was on there game when they designed this model.  The fact that they didn't come from the factory with all the touring gear (although not as practical) is something I actually like.  :)  Visually I've always preferred a cruiser without luggage/windshields/etc.  I must admit that I have bought separately all the gear you would find on an EV..and use it as needed. :D ::)  But I still like the looks of a Cali Special or Bassa striped down, light, and ready for the road.

 

[OregonAl]

This one's for sale, 7800 miles. Pristine condition. PM me if interested. Al

[Atlanta Guzzi]

rtbickel - Oops!  You posted your note while I was typing.  Below is a link to instructions on how to post pictures.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=16183.0

[Rich A]

2000 Bassa w just under 60k miles.



Rich A

[Atlanta Guzzi]

Nice bike and location!!

I always wanted to go to Zion.  At one time I had flight privileges, though Delta Airlines, and used to backpack several of the US National Parks.  Unfortunately, the flight privileges ran out before I got to make the trip.  It must be awesome on a motorcycle!

[John Ulrich]

I was hoping to pickup my Harpers H&H/Swanee today but the body shop is not done painting it.

[John in PA]

None of the "root beer and cream" ones on the board, or was that an EV color (maybe to wash down an HD&M ;D )

[ajhuff]

Mine, 2001:



My two Guzzis, 30 years apart:





Back rest is off now. All stock I believe.

Let me know what info you would like Robert.

-AJ

[guzzisteve]

 SPAM-------- If anyone wants a Coppertone or Rootbeer colored 99 Bassa, Geneva Cycle, Geneva, IL still has a brand new one, call Ellis for the price, rare to find a new 99

[Chet Rugg]

99Bassa dirt brown

[Chet Rugg]

2001 cali special

[John in PA]

99Bassa dirt brown

There ya go!  That's what I was calling "root beer and cream"  I'm thinking they're the scarcest color.

[Atlanta Guzzi]

Very nice bikes!

Chicago Mark - Post a picture of your bike if you have one.

In my neck of the woods I've only seen white and black Cali Special/Bassas.  The total count, over 3 years, is 2 whites and 2 blacks.  Also, I saw a brown/tan when I was riding in North Carolina.

The ones in pearl white are pretty impressive.  I think it's the best "white" I've ever seen on a bike.  The pearl gives the paint depth that you don't find in a typical white paint job.  If you see one in person you'll know what I mean.

So far I've only seen one black Cali Special/Bassa that was in pristine shape (It's a hard color to keep clean. :)).  But, when you see one in great shape...it's pretty sweet!  My first bike was a black bike, so I like the looks of that color on this model.  It makes me wish my first black bike was a Cali Special.  If so, I would still have it!   ;D 

[rtbickel]

The mighty Black Widow

[funhunter63]

This is my first attempt at posting a picture.  If it does not turn out.....we will see.

[timbone]

My y2k bassa, 29083 miles and counting
Cumming GA

[lti_57]

Excelent I have an 99 V11 Bassa and a 01 EV
Here in Spokane,WA.

[Atlanta Guzzi]

The current tally:

Cali Special/Bassas

Pearl White - 6

Black - 3

Blue/Silver - 2

Brown/Tan - 1

Yellow - 2

Cali Special Sports

Red/Black - 1

Copper/Black - 1

[Kent in Upstate NY]

Add another one. 2001 Cal Special It has Harper's floorboards, FBF H-Pipe, LaFranconis, Givi 760 fairing,  a Bill Mayer custom Saddle and an Hepco Becker luggage rack and backrest. Oh yeah, it also has a hose clamp. ;)

[radguzzi]

Is that Former Owners as well...?

[mrverveus]

Thanks for posting these pics!  Beautiful bikes!