Optimist of the century

eBay item 250445606795

My first bike. And he wants three grand for it.

 

The Older Gentleman wrote:

Wotcha.

Ah, but it's a "bule" one, and they are faster than the red ones - hence
it's worth more money.

 

Is the right answer

How's tricks, btw? The MZ went on to a total MZ freak who positively
crooned over it. And it sold for... yes, £300. As I told you, I said to
him that it's the sort of bike tht will always be worth £300 and he
grinned and nodded.

 

They were. Read the ad again - this is a YB100. Basically an enlarged
Fizzie. I had one.

 

In communiqué <1j2u1ca.1syz2ut1ok7lagN%>,

SWMBO had one when she was learning to ride for the second time, having
foolishly misplaced the licence she acquired many years before on a
Honda 125 twin.

It was replaced, after passing her test, by the CB250 which is still
languishing in the garage.

I really must get rid of some bikes.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

So post some details and photo-urls.
Someone might bite.

 

You say that like it's a bad thing?

Bill

Fond memories of ETZ250.

 

I don't think they would be in much demand round here. Not classic
(except by Footman James 15 year rule), as the Morinis aren't for sale ,
just SO Italian bikes. If I could summon up the necessary tuits I would
TOG a couple of them out in bits on Ebay. There's only one apart from
the Voxan that has a current MoT. The Nordwests should go first really,
but ICBA to make the two in to one tidy bike as it would require an
engine swap or a top end rebuild (which is an engine out job). I'll
probably stick them on Ebay as 'winter projects' and sell the complete
set of brand new original early bodywork stored in the loft separately.




--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

The Older Gentleman wrote:

Wotcha.

I still have the ETZ - and seem to have acquired half a garage full of bits,
which will soon be shoved out on eBay. The good old photograph it, list
what's there, 99 pence, no reserve, buyer collects.

The B33 seems to be running happily. Coming up to the first 2000 miles now
and so far I'm pleased with it. Most of my time is being spent on the VW
trike. Changed all the wheel cylinders today, along with the axle oil seals
and the handbrake cable. Yesterday all the foot controls were moved forward
and down. How does it repay me ? The bloody dynamo has just failed.
There again, at a VW show many years back I bought a brand new dynamo and
regulator box "just in case" A job for later in the week I think.

I now have more time to play in the garage . . . . I've finally managed to
get 'em to agree to me working part time. I love it when a plan comes
together ;-)

 

Heh. I do this *all the time*. Which is why I've got boxes of new spare
parts for bikes that will probably never need 'em. But we know, don't
we, what will happen if I decide to sell (for example) the Ducati fuel
warning light sender unit....

 

Hmm, where are you again?

Still need bits[1] for my 251 & I'm going to be venturing south by car
(M6/M40/M4 ish) either later this month or early next.

I did have a lead on a stripped parts bike near here a couple of months
back but SWMBO lost her job & then dropped her Bonnie so the cashflow
went a bit tits up & I missed it.

Bob

[1] a front wheel with intact spokes & a bottom end with 3rd gear. Mebbe
a master cylinder as well.

 

Do tell.
[]

Argh, I always wanted a Nordy and had to pass up on one (cheap, with
spares) last year.

I don't want to know more. Honest.

 

Sure ?


#1 is my old hill climb bike as taken up Prescott in a very respectable
time by Champ. Early inductive ignition model with big bore (604cc) top
end, twin 33CR Keihins, head gas-flowed by TTS. Dyno-tested at 55 BHP.
The problem is that the head joint leaks pressure in to the cooling
system under provocation. I still have the standard barrel and another
spare head tucked away somewhere.

http://www.ps-fisher.demon.co.uk/pickchurs/Nordwest/Nordie1.jpg

#2 is a rat bike I acquired for spares. It was actually taxed and tested
when I bought it. I'm sure it would still run. No tank plastics and
liberally molested with matt black paint. It does, however, have nearly
new standard carb and petrol tank, and a very sonorous Arrows can.


I can't see me wanting to ride a Nordie again. Too high in the seat for
me these days given the dodgy hips. Whereas, though the GFRs are torture
if ridden for more than half an hour, I can at least flat foot on them
once aboard, and they are very light.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Thus spake Pete Fisher () unto the assembled multitudes:

I like the idea of riding a bike up [John] Prescott, and I wouldn't mind
how long it took either.

 

Even Prescott must have _some_ use.

There's that old music hall joke about the chap who murders his wife and
then half-buries her face down in a pile of sand in the back yard...

 

Bob Scott wrote:

Wotcha.

West Bromwich
West Midlands.

Less than three miles from M6-J9 - M5-J1 - M6-J7.
Those three junctions form a triangle, I'm about in the middle.

Hmm. Front wheel = yes. Master cylinder = yes. Bottom end = yes, but I
can't guarantee the gears.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Pete Fisher

<mode=pure_nonchalance>

I expect they'd be ever so cheap, wouldn't they?

</mode>

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - "He's hopeless, but he's honest"

I have already made the greatest contribution to the fight against climate
change that I can make: I have decided not to breed. Now quit bugging me and
go and talk to the Catholics.

 

Ha, so (assuming I can find my copy) I can wave that page at SWMBO &
claim that it's a rare & desirable bike with provenance.

If I was at all interested in buying one, of course.

Which I'm not.

Obviously.

Hey ho, that gives me time to get distracted by other things. Or to sell
all the bits of LC, X7 & CB9.

 

The time to worry is when you have spares for bikes you no longer
own...

 

Champ wrote:

Wotcha.

.... Oh dear. I have spares for bikes I've never owned, and probably never
will. Well, you never know when you may need a cam box cover for an early
Ariel Square Four.