VIN curiosity

[oldbike54]

OK you smart guys , we have a curious situation , a 2004 EVT , but the VIN # comes back as a Bassa. Are we missing something ? Don't want to post the # , but a PM response would be fine .

 Dusty

[Zoom Zoom]

Any chance there are some pictures of the bike? Random thoughts: 1. The DMV messed up. 2. Someone put together a motorcycle.

By '04, the EV's had different wheels than the older EV/Bassa line. Both were tubeless, although I have seen late build Bassa's with steel (tube) wheels or non adjustable front forks as Guzzi ran out of parts and began building the Special Sport.

John Henry

[Cam3512]

I met a new-to-Guzzi guy at the MD rally last year with a nice, low mileage, pearl white Bassa.  He told me his VIN has it listed as an EV.  Pretty sure he's a member here.  Coincidence?

[rocker59]

Explain "VIN comes back as Bassa".

Do you mean the DMV is wanting to list it as a Bassa?  Or, are you using some internet search engine?

DMVs are notorious for not having correct Guzzi model lists available, and just apply whatever is closest.

You don't have to give the entire VIN.  Digits 4 through 8 are the model identifier.  Post them up and others can compare.

The 10th digit is the year code.  Post it if you want confirmation of that, too.

[oldbike54]

 I will get back to you Mike .

 Dusty

[RayB]

My '01 EV doesn't look like the '01s shown in the workshop manual. It looks like a 2000. VIN says Luigi put it together in2001. It was always registered as a 2001.
Go figure.

[rocker59]

My '01 EV doesn't look like the '01s shown in the workshop manual. It looks like a 2000. VIN says Luigi put it together in2001. It was always registered as a 2001.
Go figure.

"Model Year" is in the VIN.  Look at your 10th digit.

Y =   2000
1 =   2001
 
And while you're looking, note Digits 4 through 8 and let us know what they are on your EV

[cloudbase]

I've got a V65SP, but the Republic of Texas insists it's a Lario.

[oldbike54]

"Model Year" is in the VIN.  Look at your 10th digit.

Y =   2000
1 =   2001
 
And while you're looking, note Digits 4 through 8 and let us know what they are on your EV

 Character or digit Brother Mike ?

 Dusty

[rocker59]

I will get back to you Mike .

 Dusty

Dusty,

If it's a 2004, it can't be a Bassa.  They were made 99/00.

If it's a 2004, the 10th digit of the VIN will be a 4.


If it's a Bassa, the tenth digit should be one of the following:

X =   1999
Y =   2000

[rocker59]

Character or digit Brother Mike ?

 Dusty

LOL.  10th space.  They use letters and numbers in places 1-10

[oldbike54]

Dusty,

If it's a 2004, it can't be a Bassa.  They were made 99/00.

If it's a 2004, the 10th digit of the VIN will be a 4.


If it's a Bassa, the tenth digit should be one of the following:

X =   1999


Y =   2000

 The 10th character is a 4 indicating of course it is an '04 model . Yes , my understanding was the Bassa was only a '99-'00 model , all very confusing . Still waiting on the owner to indicate where the Bassa thing is popping up .

 Dusty

[rocker59]

 The 10th character is a 4 indicating of course it is an '04 model . Yes , my understanding was the Bassa was only a '99-'00 model , all very confusing . Still waiting on the owner to indicate where the Bassa thing is popping up .

 Dusty

My guess is his local DMV randomly picked "Bassa" off thier list when it was titled.

Now he's looking at his paperwork and confused/concerned.

Since it's an 04, it pretty much has to be an EV-T with the PI engine.

I don't have them, so it would be nice if one of our members with an 04 EV-T would post up the VIN Digits 4 through 8 from thier bike.

I think delrod has an 04 EV-T.   He could confirm with his VIN.

[oldbike54]

 Oh I'm convinced it is an '04 EVT , and yes Doug's is an '04 , I think . Just another oddity , at least it doesn't come back as a Moto Morini  Don't laugh , it has happened .

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

Many DMVs are totally clueless when it comes to Guzzis. Trust me.

[Guzzistajohn]

The seven digit vin on my CX always tweeks everybody's gourd at the dmv and inspection station. It's a mogu to them

[oldbike54]

The seven digit vin on my CX always tweeks everybody's gourd at the dmv and inspection station. It's a mogu to them

 When first registering the beater /5 , the title came back as a car  Several calls later we convinced the DMV in Oklahoma that "yes in fact , BMW was building MC's in 1972" . The state employee actually argued with us , "are you sure it isn't a car?" 

 Dusty

[rocker59]

Many DMVs are totally clueless when it comes to Guzzis. Trust me.

My 04 Nero Corsa was a "Rosso Corsa" with the revenue office and a "Coppa Italia" with my insurance agent.

Neither had "Nero Corsa" as an option on thier lists.

[PJPR01]

To reveal a bit of the mystery:

The Vin # belongs to a bike I just bought.  I decided to pick up the 2004 Blue California EV from Craigslist down in Corpus Christi this weekend.  Bike is in great shape it appears and will be reviewed from top to bottom by MPH shortly, at present, it's keeping my Norge company in the garage.   

When I plug the Vin # into the online search engine, it comes back with the following:

2004 Moto Guzzi V11 Bassa Cruiser
VIN ZGUKDD0054M112342
Make Moto Guzzi Model
V11 Bassa Cruiser Year
2004 Trim
Body Type No data
Engine No data
Manufactured In ITALY
Vehicle Age 12 year(s)

and a bunch of other stuff...

So this leads me to believe that for some reason the Bassa lineage somehow morphed into the California model, or else this search engine is just incorrect...

[rocker59]

The search engine is incorrect.


Bassa began in 1999 and was also available 2000.  It's a USA designation.  Other locales were "California Special".

For 2001, the bike was named "California Special" in The USA.
For 2002, it became "California Special Sport".
For 2003 and 2004, two additional models appeared:  "California Aluminum" and "California Titanium".

Though related, they are separate from the "California EV" line, which appeared before the Bassa in 1998 and was modified through the years into the "California EV-Touring" by the time your bike was made in 2004.

What search engine are you using?

[PJPR01]

Thanks Michael.

This is the one site I have used, haven't found another one yet to use:  https://www.vehiclehistory.com/

At least the Vin # on the Title matches the Vin # on the head column...

Bike manual and bike both say California EV...I'll have to look closer in the documentation to see if it shows Aluminum or Titanium, but I haven't seen that mentioned in anything I have read so far.

[rocker59]

Thanks Michael.

This is the one site I have used, haven't found another one yet to use:  https://www.vehiclehistory.com/

At least the Vin # on the Title matches the Vin # on the head column...

Bike manual and bike both say California EV...I'll have to look closer in the documentation to see if it shows Aluminum or Titanium, but I haven't seen that mentioned in anything I have read so far.

Since your bike is an EV, it will not be an "Aluminum" or "Titanium", which are derivatives of the "Special Sport".

[PJPR01]

Cool...thanks!

Next steps - full inspection

Follow up steps - perhaps some cosmetic modifications while preserving all the original parts...everything is in great shape, full boxes and Corbin seat..all in excellent condition.

[rocker59]

There were three lines of Californias 1998-2005 in The USA:


1) V11 EV / California EV / California EV Touring.  (In 2002 there was an 80th Anniversary California)

2) V11 Bassa / California Special / California Special Sport / California Aluminum / California Titanium.

3) V11 Jackal / California Stone.

[Tom H]

If this is the blue/chrome V11 that had a link here and was about $3500. It's a twin to my EVT though missing the boot guards, the rear top case (if I remember right)  and had a nicer seat. For the price, I would have liked to get it.

Good luck with it!! Nice bike!

Tom

[PJPR01]

Hello Tom...it is indeed!  Can you post up some pics of your bike?  What are the boot guards...something that goes in front of the foot pads?

This one has a very nice set of bags including the top box, plus the Corbin seat. 

Looking forward to having it thoroughly inspected, freshened up on fluids and then will rack up some miles.  Already ordered a new set of handlebar grips as they were a bit weathered from the years, even though it only has less than 11k miles. 

I am interested in a different set of handlebars, a bit flatter, maybe black rather than chrome also to modernize it a bit.  Trying to find a set of lightly smoked front turn signals to remove the orange ones for a little fresher look...and maybe a shorter windscreen as I like a bit more wind.

Have to say it looks great, drives nicely from the short run I did on it and looks like fun.  I'm going to keep all the original parts I take off just to be able to restore it to original if needed.

Thanks!

[Tom H]

Hi Paul,

There are only two handlebars for this bike, I was looking for a set that would come back a bit farther so I sit like my old bikes. A bit more straight up. The bars are a unique size. Flanders does not list the size. MG has the flatter bar listed here:
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=52&products_id=126

The boot guard is a panel that goes from the floorboard and just in front of the engine guard. Looks good, but they crack at their mounts. I bet that's why they are missing on yours.

My bike had 12K when I bought it late last year. Now it's over 14K. Still sorting a few things out. Lot's of great help here since I was new to the ECU and FI stuff.

I bought a shield at Clearview shields, they make a taller shield for the fairing. They also made a stock one and they may be able to cut that one down to what you want. Ask about their blem's, mine was and you could not see the tiny scratch. Well worth the discount.
http://www.clearviewshields.com/shop/moto-guzzi/

Just added a oil pressure gauge and still have the light as well. Might post a pic or two of that latter.

Oil for this bike is either Rotella T6 5W-40 or a 10W60 synthetic depending on who you ask. Went through this myself. Do a search.

Have fun with it!!
Tom

[pauldaytona]

Ok here is guzzi italy info:

ZGUKDD0054M112342
GU9032534US403
CALIF.EV TOUR 2004 US BLU
1M72010100 California 1100 - Old
manufactured 30.06.2003
engine KN14838

 No bassa in there.

[PJPR01]

Excellent info....thanks Tom...have those bookmarked now and will take a look.  Upon first glance I do like that the windscreen seems to angle backwards a bit more than the existing one which is more upright, but will check that a bit more carefully. 

The handlebars look nice also...will see how that compares...so I'm guessing there isn't another one that is flatter (i.e. less of a bend), but perhaps I need to get used to the geometry of the stock one first for a bit and then figure out what I could live with from a flatter perspective.

Paul...thanks for the research on the VIN...that's good news indeed.

[oldbike54]

 Of course some jackhole will ask "what kind of a Honda is that?"   

 Dusty