A 2001 California Special with under 20 miles.

[homebrew]

I've got one.

It's a long story, but the tldr version is that I bought a white Moto Guzzi California Special in 2001 and put it in winterized, climate-controlled storage.  For 13 years.  It was stored right -- inside, constant temperature and humidity, gas and oil drained, battery removed.

It's time to do something with it.  OK, it's a decade past time to do something with it, but here we are. 

Option one is to sell the thing.  I'm aware that the market for old Californias is small and that in general 2001 is too old to be a contemporary bike and too new to be an antique.  But is there a premium for what is basically new old stock?  Like the headline says, under 20 miles, and after basic prep work (probably including some new seals) and new tires she'll be first-day quality.  I'm seeing the market for these things at ~$4000 or so in good shape, but what do think the market for this one might be?  My local (east coast) dealer suggested I stick a 6-handle on it and see if the right buyer turns up.

Option two is of course to ride it come next spring.  I'd love to do that.  Money is tight and I could use the sale proceeds but if I can muddle through I'm aware that I'll never be able to buy a bike this good in this condition for anywhere near what I'd have to sell it for. 

I welcome any thoughts on this conundrum.

[fotoguzzi]

tubeless or steel rims is my first thought.. I sold a perfect Bassa with mileage for $3500.. guy stole it at that price but I had to search hard to find him..
they are really good bikes, a shame more non guzzi riders don't recognize that..
finding the right buyer is the key.. might need to try Ebay and still may not find a buyer..
oh, welcome to the board.. 

[rocker59]

If you want top dollar, get it up and running with no issues. I'd think the low miles will help you get a premium over a well used example, but only if it's turn - key for the buyer.

$5k tops. And only if it has the tubeless wheels.

If no tubeless, and if you don't prep it, then maybe $4k.

[homebrew]

I have to ask , why was it stored for 13 years ? If it's too personal , no need to answer .

   Dusty

Yeah, I'm gonna hold back on those details.  Looooong story. 

As to the rims, I'm not even sure.  I'll check tomorrow but for now here's a camera-phone pic: http://imgur.com/PCmkuKQ 

I definitely intend to prep it and sell it with a good MG mechanic's blessing. 

[LongRanger]

I know nothing about this bike but those rims gotta have tubes...

[rocker59]

Based on your photo, those are the chromed steel tube - type wheels. 2001 was a transitional year for those bikes. They lost adjustable suspension and tubeless wheels during the production run for model year 2001.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Pretty bike, I've always liked that color. Is this one of the bikes with the cracked triple tree recall?

[DucatiSSsp]

Location?

[cruzziguzzi]

I guess, were I to not keep it, I'd get it running well and address any/every leak. Then, If I hadn't changed my mind, I'd find the buyer that wants a "time capsule" chance to revisit a missed opportunity on a discontinued though exceptionally rewarding platform.

Gonna be some time and money to not make any of the usual mis-steps in getting a long un-used unit on the road again.

[Semper-guzzi]

It sure looks pretty tho doesn't it?

[homebrew]

Location?

I'm a little paranoid about online privacy but of course this is important.  Let's put it in a rough rectangle bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Harrisburg, PA, and Richmond, VA.

Also, I'm researching the issue but it appears the bike may never have been titled.

[luthier]

I think you'll now need to tell the story of how you actually came to have this bike and why you stored it till now.

Sorry but the way you've set this up is starting to sound very suspicious.

[Cam3512]

I'm a little paranoid about online privacy but of course this is important.  Let's put it in a rough rectangle bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Harrisburg, PA, and Richmond, VA.

Also, I'm researching the issue but it appears the bike may never have been titled.

And this thread ( and our assistance) comes to a grinding halt....

[homebrew]

I think you'll now need to tell the story of how you actually came to have this bike and why you stored it till now.

Sorry but the way you've set this up is starting to sound very suspicious.

Bought it new.  Got injured between purchase and delivery, so never got my license.  The dealer (now out of business) was kind enough to stow it at Cycle Therapy in NYC -- they'll tell you it was there if you know the area -- I'm south of there now; moving was the impetus to finally do something about it.   I didn't learn of the title problem until I started the process of doing something -- I thought I must have lost the title, and I went to get a duplicate from NYS who said they never heard of the bike.  I do have a Xerox of a Certificate of Origin that shows MGUSA delivering the thing to New Jersey, so I've emailed MGUSA on the subject. 

[Lannis]

And this thread ( and our assistance) comes to a grinding halt....

Speaking as a buyer of Moto Guzzis and with no other qualifications, this bike, in order to sell, will need:

1) A title.  
2) To run.   Take it to a reputable Guzzi shop and have them get it running and sign it off.

Without #1, it's a risky parts bike.   Without #2, it's a "project bike".

Lannis

[homebrew]

Yeah, I probably shouldn't even have mentioned the title thing since I'll re-title the thing myself if necessary -- I've got the bill of sale and that copy of the CofO.  I'm under no illusions of the value of a title-less bike.  I mentioned because someone asked via PM.

[rocker59]

Yeah, I probably shouldn't even have mentioned the title thing since I'll re-title the thing myself if necessary -- I've got the bill of sale and that copy of the CofO.  I'm under no illusions of the value of a title-less bike.  I mentioned because someone asked via PM.

If your name is on the MSO, you will need to title it in your name.

Wonder what the penalty will be for not paying sales tax for 13 years !?!?!? :-\

[Aaron D.]

In Massachusetts, no tax is payable until registration.

[Lannis]

In Massachusetts, no tax is payable until registration.

I THINK it's the same in Virginia.   

Although now that I consider it, if this bike were on a dealer's floor, the dealer would be paying an annual tax on it.   If the bike had been bought by a customer and the title transferred, the owner would be paying an annual tax on it.

Knowing state tax departments, there's no way that there is some situation in which NO ONE owes any taxes on the bike for 13 years.

Homebrew, don't mind us ... we don't know you and are doing a mix of (1) Assuming the best and you're a real guy and (2) Assuming the worst.   It's the world of the Internet in which a 6'3" 300 pound Nigerian pro-wrestler-turned-scam-artist pretends to be a 110 pound blonde 5'2" Swedish teenager named Inga and has pictures to prove it ... !   :)

There are people here who would love to have your bike if it's all real ...!

Lannis

[rocker59]

In Massachusetts, no tax is payable until registration.

Here, the clock starts from the sale date noted on the MSO. You have 30 days to register. Beyond 30 days you pay a late penalty. There is a max number, so it doesn't just keep accruing.

[homebrew]

Homebrew, don't mind us ... we don't know you and are doing a mix of (1) Assuming the best and you're a real guy and (2) Assuming the worst.   It's the world of the Internet in which a 6'3" 300 pound Nigerian pro-wrestler-turned-scam-artist pretends to be a 110 pound blonde 5'2" Swedish teenager named Inga and has pictures to prove it ... !   :)

No worries, my friend. I've been on enough message boards to know about the new troll with the unbelievable story.  For my part I'm trying to balance between not looking too much like that guy and establishing my bona fides while still not posting too much personal information on the internet, a mistake I've made before.

It's difficult, since in reality I'm a 6'3" 300-pound Nigerian teenage girl with blond hair named N'Inga. ;-)

As for taxes, I paid my 8.375% to somebody.  I hope it was forwarded to then-governor Pataki but with the title not being in the computer I'm less than optimistic.

[Mark West]

It may be a Cal Special but it has Bassa side covers. Could it possibly be a 2000? Looks to be tube type wheels but couldn't zoom in enough to be sure.

Well. Whatever the case, I think you need to hold onto it for another 10 years or so before you get much value from the super low miles. I think most people are looking to buy these to ride and having no miles is in my opinion actually a negative as there are potential seal issues and maybe just manufacturing issues that would have been taken care of under warranty had they been discovered during normal use.

Another thing about this is that a Cal Special really needs some upgrades. Stock suspension is horrid as is the seat and they benefit greatly from fueling improvements. There are plenty of Tonti Guzzis available that are sorted and nicely equipped for <$4k and one of these with a solid history of maintenance would be more attractive to me than an unknown commodity with no miles.

later on, someone will want it for it's collectible value as opposed to it's riding value and will buy it to look at as opposed to ride. Then it will fetch a premium.

[homebrew]

OK.  So titling that thing was more than a minor PITA.  I had to get a writ of mandamus from the court instructing the MVA to issue one.  Which I did. So now I've got a titled 2001 Moto Guzzi California EV, not a special, which inexplicably has Bassa side covers.  Next step, getting this thing on the road.  It turns over but doesn't start, and the gas removal turns out to have been incomplete.  I suspect there's gonna have to be some work done on the injection system and all the hoses will probably have to go.

Is MGUSA always as non-responsive as they've been with me?  I realize that with them only selling a few hundred bikes a year in this country they can't have the infrastructure of a Harley or Kawasaki, but geez.

[rocker59]

OK.  So titling that thing was more than a minor PITA.  I had to get a writ of mandamus from the court instructing the MVA to issue one.  Which I did. So now I've got a titled 2001 Moto Guzzi California EV, not a special, which inexplicably has Bassa side covers.

Did the DMV just title it as an EV, or something?  Your photo does not show an EV.  It shows a Bassa or Special.  

To confirm the Model Year of your motorcycle, look at the 10th digit in the VIN.  If it is a "1", then it is a 2001.  If it is a "Y", then it is a 2000.  An "X" would indicate a 1999.

As mentioned, 2001 was a transition year for the Bassa/Special.  The bikes were always tagged "Special" in other markets.  Only USA got "Bassa".  In 2001 "V11 Bassa" became "California Special" in the USA.  And, the bikes were switched to tube-type wheels and non-adjustable suspension as the model year rolled on.

Is MGUSA always as non-responsive as they've been with me?  I realize that with them only selling a few hundred bikes a year in this country they can't have the infrastructure of a Harley or Kawasaki, but geez.

Piaggio took over Guzzi in 2004.  The USA importer is Piaggio Group Americas (PGA).  

Don't expect any help on any bike built before they took over...

Call HD or Kawasaki and see how much help they'll be on a 15-year-old motorcycle.  I expect it won't be much...

[Bill Hagan]

OK.  So titling that thing was more than a minor PITA.  I had to get a writ of mandamus from the court instructing the MVA to issue one.  Which I did. So now I've got a titled 2001 Moto Guzzi California EV, not a special, which inexplicably has Bassa side covers.  Next step, getting this thing on the road.  It turns over but doesn't start, and the gas removal turns out to have been incomplete.  I suspect there's gonna have to be some work done on the injection system and all the hoses will probably have to go.

Is MGUSA always as non-responsive as they've been with me?  I realize that with them only selling a few hundred bikes a year in this country they can't have the infrastructure of a Harley or Kawasaki, but geez.

Congrats on the win over DMV.

And, yes, IMO and experience, Piaggio is more accurately spelled PITAggio.   ::(

Best wishes on the revival project.

Bill

[Kiwi_Roy]

Next step, getting this thing on the road.  It turns over but doesn't start, and the gas removal turns out to have been incomplete.  I suspect there's gonna have to be some work done on the injection system and all the hoses will probably have to go.

I'd be surprised if it needs much work, it's not like carbs where the gas evaporates
Turn on the key, do you hear the fuel pump run for a second or two?

[homebrew]

It does -- the fuel cock seems to be at least trying to work.  But no gas is getting to the engine.  I suspect gas tank rust and gunk but I won't know until a mechanic gets the thing off and gives it a proper flush.  I'm not experienced enough to go taking that thing off myself -- I don't think I'd be able to snake one of the hoses back to the filter.

[Mark West]

As a former owner of an 01 Cal Special, I'd say the low miles will only have value to someone that wants to collect it and not someone that wants to ride it. For me (who doesn't imagine having a motorcycle to look at) I'd actually see it as lowering the value. The 01's need a lot of help to make them good performers. Suspension, tuning, new/modified seat, etc. I'd prefer a bike with 30k miles with some good mods and maybe hard bags over a stock bike that is basically new.

Having said that, there are people with money that do collect bikes and these are very nice looking bikes. If you don't mind waiting potentially for a really long time, you may very well be able to get $6k if the right person comes along.

[Kev m]

It shouldn't take much to get it running.

Once it IS running, I bet a number of problems (electrical and/or seals/rubber) crop up over the first year or two. Nature of the beast especially from sitting.

That said, darn pretty bike.

[LowRyter]

Best of luck.  I hope you can enjoy it as you originally intended.