Basket Cases

[Greg Harding]

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE PHOTO and see all the OSSAs

Over the years I have ridden a few different bikes at Conondale, it is always interesting checking the bikes and seeing what is popular and who likes what. After trying my TLR and 213 Alpina, I decided in 2010 to have a go on the more nimble Little Yellow Beastie TY175B. When I turned up, it seemed everyone had Something RED HOT and Throbbing between their legs! HONDA four stroke was certainly the bike of choice that year!

The following year 2011, David Lahey suggested we see how many Bultacos we could round up. So I made a bit of an effort to compete on my M49, I had to borrow a couple of odds and ends to make it happen. Definitely worth the effort as Bultaco have a big following and are quite nice to ride.

2012 came around and I can't remember who came up with the idea, but Kawasaki was suggested and the FrankenKT mission was moved to the top of the list. Parts came from several directions and the Green Japanese Theme came to fruition! During our line them up against the wall and shoot, just after riders briefing a certain Fantic rider kept photobombing with a what about me grin from ear to ear.

This led into the ITALIAN Theme for 2013!

So to summarise, it seems Post Classic bikes are Japanese or Spanish and the minority Italian. The pattern that has emerged is:

2010 Japanese HONDA

2011 Spanish BULTACO

2012 Japanese KAWASAKI

2013 ITALIAN : SWM, ITALJET and FANTIC to be fair to everyone!

Now my thoughts are:

2014 Spanish, so either MONTESA or OSSA? Either suits me as I don't have an OSSA or a MONTESA that go.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ??????????????????????

Hi Everyone,

Here we are 12 months on and time I suppose to decide next year's Theme?

After 2 years of European bikes, most likely Japan's turn again, neither or have had a go (alphabetical order) as I don't mind either way.

Post up your VOTE here:

[David Lahey]

Why do I think "red herring" smells fishy?
I suspect you are launching a cunning plan, and I also think it is more completely worked out than you're letting on.

If I've got a plan Mark, what is the plan then?

[David Lahey]

My latest Basket Case
This is the "before" photo

Hi Everyone,

David, Now that is how I like to see them: RUSTY, CRUSTY AND MOST LIKELY HAS BEEN TRUSTY !

All this talk about Red Herrings and being fishy and now you show us the clutch cover and it is a boothEEL type

A hybrid I think not, Graham would never forgive you

Greg of course I don't want to upset Graham: have another look. That's not a bootheel cover. It's the cover that was used before the bootheel, and maybe most importantly, would be the cover that you would find on a pre-68 5 speed Bultaco motor

[David Lahey]

OK here are some Bultaco clutch covers for ID purposes
Photo with 5 covers:
Starting from the right hand end
4 speed motor cover
first 5 speed motor cover (1967/1968)
same shape cover as first 5 speed motor cover but has access plug for clutch pushrod adjustment, probably needed when the magneto cover changed from worm action to cam action for clutch release
5 speed motor boot heel shape cover (1969 to 1975)
5 speed motor minimalist shape cover (1975 to end of production)

Photo with two covers:
This highlights the difference between the 4 speed motor cover and the 5 speed motor cover

[Bully fanatic]

Having a hybrid Bultaco does not concern me one little bit. Have a look at my Sherpa. A M 199 B frame, highly modified, a M 151 engine with a late ignition case and a late primary case, modified exhaust front pipe and rear pipe, different wheels and forks. Mine even has a modified airbox made out of aluminium. David, the late primary cases did change from the earlier ones. The middle bottom case bolt is the oil drain bolt as well. Are you planning on using an El Bandito engine in your Sherpa maybe David. The MK 2 ones are 360cc. Also some of the early four speed engines have a right hand kickstart as in the previous mentioned engine..

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Just sharing my latest acquisition, a Twin engined RL 250! Some odd bits included. One thing that I have not seen is the magneto cover with a S instead of !

IMGP8277.JPG (147.97 KiB) Viewed 4240 times

Perhaps it is off the first Model?

1418422276834.jpg (148.83 KiB) Viewed 4311 times

Click on the photo and the other parts apear like Magic!
Can't say the same for rolling frame photo that won't load!

[Kombivan]

RL250 good bikes. I remember S's on early suzuki's rather than Suzuki.

[BOGWHEEL]

Bultaco clutch cover collection???? David, why aren't you riding the best brand all the time brother!
Soon as my shoulder heels, I will finish my M116 framed M187 powered M85 look a like.
What other marque can you mix it up as you like.
Not being biased in any way.

[David Lahey]

Bultaco clutch cover collection???? David, why aren't you riding the best brand all the time brother!
Soon as my shoulder heels, I will finish my M116 framed M187 powered M85 look a like.
What other marque can you mix it up as you like.
Not being biased in any way.

What's this about not riding the best brand Terry? Sounds like you have missed seeing me riding the 1968 model Sherpa T

[JC1]

David, did we ever establish what engine is going in the M80 frame?


Greg, Now that's a basket case. Love the chain - definitely a Suzuki tragic!