flipflops

My BF bought a beautiful used Basso bike this weekend. It definitely needs a little TLC. It looks like it's steel-- paint job is mostly yellow with Basso in green on the down tube and cross bar with a green fork. Anyone have any idea approx how old she might be? If there's any info that would help identify the year, let me know and I'll post it. I'm just curious. . .

cs1

How about some pics of the bike and the components. You can sometimes judge the age by the component group on the bike. Good luck and get those pics up.

Tim

masiman

There may be a serial number on the bike too. Typically on the bottom bracket. Sticker "weenies" can estimate date also. It's not an exact science establishing bike pedigree .

I almost bought a used Basso years ago. It was a little too big for me though. I almost caved into the pleadings of the older rider to buy his bike. Glad I did not. They had some very fine bikes. I hope you can get some pics up. Try posting in the Classic and Vintage forum also.

flipflops

I'll get some pics up tonite and see if i can find a serial number. Thx.
BTW-- Someone at some point replaced some of the components-- It just feels wrong to have such a beautiful italian bike with shimano brakes and stuff-- nothing against shimanos-- i have shimano components on my road and my commuter.

HillRider

Depending on it's age, it's quite possible it was originally Shimano equipped. Not all Italian bikes were Campy.

flipflops

Hey All,
No pics yet but I do have a serial number-- 9004409. I sent an email to Basso to see what they have to say about it-- I'm not holding my breath waiting for an answer, though.

jemoryl

I have a couple recent Basso frames and the first two digits of the serial number indicate the year; yours would appear to be a 1990, which sounds about right. Basso has responded to email that I have sent regarding my frames, so maybe they can tell you what model you have. They are great frames, IMO.

As far as components go, most of the Bassos sold in the US were sold as bare frames, so the build is likely the choice of a shop or previous owner.

thomson

Here is an article I wrote for a local newsletter, perhaps it will help. Check out all your Shimano components as you said some have been repleaced.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
When were your Shimano components manufactured? Most of them have a 2 alphabetic character date “code”. It is usually located on the non-visible part, e.g. inside of the crank(arm), frame side of the front derailleur, etc. It is stamped away from the model number. Just two letters by themselves. Sometimes enclosed in a circle.

So, once you have the code, what does it mean?
The first letter is the year The second letter is the month
1976 = A A = January
1977 = B B = February
1978 = C C = March
1979 = D D = April
1980 = E E = May
1981 = F F = June
1982 = G G = July
1983 = H H = August
1984 = I I = September
1985 = J J = October
1986 = K K = November
1987 = L L = December
1988 = M
1989 = N
1990 = O
1991 = P
1992 = Q
1993 = R
1994 = S
1995 = T
1996 = U
1997 = V
1998 = W
1999 = X
2000 = Y
2001 = Z
2002 = A
2003 = B
2004 = C
2005 = D
2006 = E
etc.

flipflops

Thanks for the help! We've dated the bike and the components. Here're a couple of pics of the bike. I'll post more once we're finished fixing her up.

bassobike1.JPG

BassoBike2.JPG