Subject: Matching #s
Author: Greg Field
Date: Dec 23, 2001, 10:42 AM
Post ID: 1709222061
Hunter:
You're right, matching #s usually make a difference in car and
motorcycle values, but they may not for many loopframe Guzzis in the
US.
Here's why: The data plate affixed to the steering head usually lists
both the frame and engine numbers, which usually are the same #, but
not always, but the frame # is usually not stamped on the frame and
blank plates were and still are available.
For example, I had a 1973 civilian Eldo. I bought the disc-brake
front end, frame, and engine block from a parted-out 1974 police
Eldo. I had the frame powdercoated and swapped into it my 1973 motor
and a bunch of other parts. Then I affixed the data plate from my
1973. Voila! The numbers match, even though it was a 1973 engine in a
1974 frame. I could also rebuild the 1974 motor, put it in my old
1973 frame, and attach the 1974 data plate. Voila!, my 1973 is now a
1974.
Or, I could buy a blank plate, stamp the numbers from any engine I
had laying about, stamp a matching number in the "frame #" space on
the plate and have a matching #s machine. If you're going to do this,
do it right and use the Italian form for the month names (e.g. "Maj"
for the month of May).
How, then, can the numbers mean anything to the value?
Someone brought up the 850 GTs brought into the US after the Eldos
were all sold. One source for that info was my book, and it brings up
a good point: Those bikes would have had a frame number stamped on
them, as was done for non-US markets, and then may have had the US
data plate added to them.
These were leftover, unsold European models, which may mean they had
1973 or even 1972 build dates. If they were given data plates, what
was listed for the build date?
If the real date, you could have data plates listing a 1972 build
date with a 1974 or 1975 model year and engne and frame numbers way
out of sequence for 1974 or 1975 bikes.
Anyone know someone with one of these? I'd like to ask about these
issues, in case I ever get to update my book.
Thanks,
Greg Field
| Hey Folks, There will be confusion. But fortunately we have Ian to keep up with the serial #s! I am sure he has found a pattern by now. The Guzzis I have owned have been in strict numerical order by build date. I am curious as to when the frame # and the engine # were no longer matching as built. I don't recall any loops but I have seen Tonti frame bikes that came fron the factory with mismatched numbers. That will be a sticky point as those bikes pick up in value. I have always tried to keep the numbers together as down the road it will matter! Check out the old car market. A Pontiac GTO without the right engine in it loses out on value. It will come to that one day for the Guzzi. I already look for matching numbers. That's not to say that it is not worth getting the stuff together to get one on the road if the numbers don't match. I'm all for keeping as many on the road as possible as riding them is what it's all about! It will just affect the value at some point. I'm not a sticky beak number checkin' no ridin' bike collector. Mine have oil and gas and a valid plate! I once asked a fellow (as I sat on his V 7 Sport which was roped off from the public and did not smell at all of fuel) "When is a motorcycle not a motorcycle?" Answer:"When it's a piece of furniture." Hunter Who's ready for some egg nog? At 03:52 PM 12/21/2001 -0800, you wrote:
Catchy Sig Line not available at this time. |