Types of thumper

[fraggle850]

What late seventies to mid eighties thumpers are there beyond trailies, GB/XBRs, FTs and SR/SRXs?

I know that Jawa did a Rotax engined machine, did anyone else put a Rotax single in anything during this period?

I'm trying to think of alternatives for a project and have found that trailies tend to fetch silly money on ebay.

I'd like 500cc, aircooled and kick-start (natch!)

[andy230]

I know that Jawa did a Rotax engined machine, did anyone else put a Rotax single in anything during this period?

I'm trying to think of alternatives for a project

I'd like 500cc, aircooled and kick-start (natch!)

Right then! 

If it were me (and its not), I'd try to find/ build/ rebuild a Harris matchless G80.  That was rotax engined: Plus it was british.  And the guys I've spoken to have said (with a bit of fettle, like all bikes of the era) its pretty good...

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/match03092400.html

Finding one may not be easy or particularly cheap.  But doing up bikes never is, is it?!

Cheers

a

[Andy M]

I'd like 500cc, aircooled and kick-start (natch!)

I always fancied a Rotax engined MZ. Either a Saxon or Silver Star. Unfortunately they are about as common as rocking horse manure. Slightly out on your time frame (mid '90's) but not stupid money when they do come up for sale.

Andy

[Bruce]

Armstrong MT500 used the rotax engine there is also the 350cc version have a butchers at ebay you may find a few on there.

[fraggle850]

Thanks Guys,

I'd considered the Armstrong but they are all going for more than I want to pay. I really am a cheapskate so I guess that rules out a Matchless too.

It's a few years since I bought a bike, my Yammy Tedium's been doing the business for me since before Ebay really took off; I'm amazed at how much bikes are going for on Ebay compared to my local free ads paper.

My only big single to date was an XL500 in an RS250 frame and I loved it. It only cost me £350, wish I'd kept it but it broke and I bought the Tedium and wouldn't have been able to do anything with the thumper for the last 7 years. Hey ho!

Be a shame to get anything made by Harris with what I have in mind (cue evil cackle)

[squirrelciv]

Bit smaller than you asked, but Suzuki GN400 :-?






I'll get my coat.


Though the SP version coulld handle it :-)

[guest27]

Harris who made the Matchless Rotax was Les Harris of Bonniville fame not the Harris Brothers of Harris Brothers fame.  Still a reasonable bike mind.  If you have evil intent on a rotax let me know I would like to compare nores, also If you are intending on knicking the engine out there are a few that turn up as bare engines on evilbay.  There are even leccy start ones - which would have made my life easier - but then would need a bigger battery.

R

[fraggle850]

Bit smaller than you asked, but Suzuki GN400 :-?

Wouldn't dismiss it but there's something about 500cc, however a friend of mine has just turned a GN250 from a tired old custom into a rather unique looking dirtbike. It's got a real 70s scrambler vibe to it...

By the way, loving this site!!! Some great pics.

[fraggle850]

Harris who made the Matchless Rotax was Les Harris of Bonniville fame not the Harris Brothers of Harris Brothers fame.  Still a reasonable bike mind.  If you have evil intent on a rotax let me know I would like to compare nores, also If you are intending on knicking the engine out there are a few that turn up as bare engines on evilbay.  There are even leccy start ones - which would have made my life easier - but then would need a bigger battery.

R

Oh, I'm no great aficionado of the later Brit bike scene...I'll keep 'em peeled a it sounds feasible.

I have evil intent on a big single (if I ever manage to get my hands on one!) were it to be a Rotax then that would be a bonus but I'd settle for something Japanese.

I would like a kick start because I'm a masochist and my rose tinted glasses have shaded out all those memories of being togged up like the Michelin man for the British winter and losing half my body weight in sweat trying to kick a shagged old Honda over in the middle of winter (if it didn't go third kick it was probably time to stop for a roll-up).

I figure that, pushing forty, I've pobably got a few more years of being physically capable of kick-starting a bike and doubt that you'll be able to find them for much longer anyway. Better make the most of it while I can.

[002]

I'd like 500cc, aircooled and kick-start (natch!)

I always fancied a Rotax engined MZ. Either a Saxon or Silver Star. Unfortunately they are about as common as rocking horse manure. Slightly out on your time frame (mid '90's) but not stupid money when they do come up for sale.

Andy

I had the MZ 500 Tour !
Very good bike.500 Rotax,Leccy and Kick starters,Delorto carb and brembo caliper up front.
Great stuff !
One of those bikes I wish I kept........Ho Hum !

Jethro

[hondamichael]

there are loads of bikes using the rotax engine in various cc from 350-650 or so
but there are other thumbers around  one i realy fancy for the future is the
BUELL BLAST  i hear you crying a buell oh god  but read first
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbuell/blast/00blast.html
sadly the buell blast isn`t offically imported to the uk/europe because it`s to low maintanance
The valvetrain utilizes self-adjusting hydraulic lifters ,
belt drive , so no maintance apart from the odd oil change , and that for the price of my honda cbf 250
if they would bring it on the european market they would destroy all motorcycle manufacturers who still try to sell us
vehicles which need every couple of 1000 miles a full service and nearly a engine rebuild if you look at the cost of a service
( i know someone who has  a buell blast and rides it every day all year round  and has covered in the last 3 years around 50000 miles the only thing that needed changing was oil every 5000 miles oil filter change every 10000 and one belt at 45000miles other then that it didn`t see a mechanic )