Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: iansoady on May 24, 2026, 02:00:47 PM
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The torn meniscus in my right knee has stopped me from riding or even starting the little BSA I've rebuilt over the last few months. And I think I'll always be wary of using a kickstart. So it had to go. And going it is to a nice chap from Worcester. As his name is Ian he must be nice! He's picking it up tomorrow. A shae as my wife says it's the most beautiful bike I've ever had. No taste some people.
Not wanting to be bereft of a suitable tiddler, I've just been over to Wrexham to look at a 250 Herald Classic. Would you believe it's only done just over 3,000 (that's three thousand) km in its slightly under 10 years of life. It's in lovely condition apart from some tiny areas of surface rust, started well and sounds good. What's not to like at £1,000?
The little Beesa:
(https://www.iansoady.org.uk/C11/complete/IMG_8213.jpg)
And its replacement:
(https://www.iansoady.org.uk/images/herald.jpg)
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Hi Ian
I agree with your theory that Ians are always nice blokes! I also agree with your wife about the BSA I'm afraid.
The Herald is a great buy and as it is based on a GN250 engine I think you should inherit the honorary title of Mighty Midget for it. It will be interesting to see how it rides and runs so keep us informed.
Another Ian
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Yes, definitely a shame about your BSA having to Ian. However, as one door closes another opens, I think the saying goes
The little 250 herald looks a cracking buy at £1000
Hopefully you get plenty of smiles per miles on it 👍
Having just got back from a 250 mile round trip up to Brampton & back on the little RS250 using only B&C roads, I can definitely vouch for the fun factor 😁👍
Cheers, Michael
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It is a shame letting the BSA go but it is the sensible thing to do. My only reservation about the Herald is why on earth it has done so few miles - some years only a hundred or so. No doubt I will find out in due course.
Ian - do you have any workshop manuals etc for the GN250? I'm assuming the Herald engine will be more or less identical.
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Yes sorry to see the Beezer go but the Herald seems to be an interesting choice.
I personally wouldn't worry about the low mileage, especially if there's a service / MOT history. Lots of reasons why it might genuinely be low.
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There's an interesting facebook page for the heralds, with some fairly knowledgeable people on it. To be honest I'm flying blind to some extent. All will become plain when it arrives in a few weeks' time, hopefully by then I'll be able to ride it!
No service history (not surprising) but full MoT history. Apparently a lot of 2016 Euro 3 models were pre-registered and all have the same AJ66 series as mine. This was as they wouldn't have been saleable from 2017 onwards. so that may explain some of the low mileage.
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As Michael might say "let's hope this HERALDS a new and positive venture for you!
I shall be interested to hear what you make of it.
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It was actually registered on Christmas day 2016 so just before the cut off.
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Hi Ian
I have an online manual which my son downloaded and emailed to me. If you let me have an email address I could try to email it to you. It covers everything, the only difference I'm aware of other than styling is the head on a GN is four valve whereas the Herald is two valve.
Ian
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That would be great Ian, have PM'd you with email address.
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For some reason I'm not allowed a PM. I'll try again later.
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I seem to have managed it now by devious means.
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Hi Ian
I think I've emailed you the manual, if you don't get it please let me know and I will ask my son to sort it out. I look forward to hearing more about the Herald.
Ian
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Thanks Ian, got to it and downloading (slowly.....)
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Hi Ian
Ah good I'm glad it came through. Yes it is a massive file, very comprehensive, but it might not all be relevant to the Herald.
Ian
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I've had a quick look and think it covers most of what I may need ie engine stuff. The running gear on the Herald is pretty conventional (apart from USD forks which are new to me). I wonder whether the wiring will be similar, but only time will tell.
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Hopefully the wiring will be very similar as the GN is a simple bike as is the Herald. I have to say since you took on the Herald I am getting small bike longings again. The Mighty Midget will never be one again, but I saw one advertised for £895 which needed work but I have a spare bike to contribute to the project.
I love riding Sid the Enfield, but there is definitely a joy to be had in the 250 and below class of bikes. Whether I will actually commit any cash or not it is great fun thinking about it.
Ian
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Hopefully the wiring will be very similar as the GN is a simple bike as is the Herald. I have to say since you took on the Herald I am getting small bike longings again. The Mighty Midget will never be one again, but I saw one advertised for £895 which needed work but I have a spare bike to contribute to the project.
I love riding Sid the Enfield, but there is definitely a joy to be had in the 250 and below class of bikes. Whether I will actually commit any cash or not it is great fun thinking about it.
Ian
Go on Ian. To quote the great Arnie in the film predator “do it, do it nooow” (for full effect must be said out loud in an Arnie accent😁)
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There are quaite a few of the Chinese 250s on ebay, and they seem not to sell well. It might be worth looking at them Ian. Sinnis, Mas as well as Herald. The one I bought had been advertised and didn't sell - I could probably have got it for much less than the £1,000 I paid but felt that was a fair price.
I think the first thing I will do is recolour the seat (black) as it's far too hipsterish for me. I've run out of beard wax......
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...and the second is to fit a new chain as this one has some very rusty links and stiff joints (like me hahaha).
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I might just have a look around at some of those Chinese versions. It would be interesting to see if any of the Chinese GN250 spares also fit the Herald etc. Obviously the valves won't fit as there are only two of them instead of four, but I can't see why other bits shouldn't fit. I have often wondered if a Chinese 2 valve head would fit a GN. Not for any other reason other than curiosity.
To continue your theme Michael I can hear The Mighty Midget whispering 'I'll be back.......'
Ian
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To continue your theme Michael I can hear The Mighty Midget whispering 'I'll be back.......'
Ian
😎😁?
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Going back to your first entry. I too have a torn meniscus in my knee but mine is in the Left one....we could make a good one between us. Sorry for the semi hijack 😉
Ian
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Not at all it's good to know I'm not alone. Recovery is very slow and I think it may be a month or two yet till I'm back on a bike. Apparently the older you get the slower..... Very annoying when the sun's shining, less so when it's pouring.......
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While I can't ride I've done a fw tidying up jobs. New DID chain, rear suspension units from a Yam 125 - recommended by people who seem to know a few things - and dyed the seat black. Total cost about £120.....
(https://www.iansoady.org.uk/Herald/black%20seat.jpg)
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Looks so much better with a black seat, I don't like the modern fad for brown seats. If the suspension units from the YBR 125 work well the Herald must be a lovely, light bike. Looking forward to riding impressions, but don't be tempted to rush Ian. I have a permanently torn supraspinatus muscle in my shoulder because I continued lifting weights instead of giving it time to heal. I'm sure you're more sensible than I am!
Ian
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Looks so much better with a black seat,
Ian
Yes. Looks like a nice little machine, especially with a black seat. Enjoy it Ian when you can get out again 👍
Cheers. Michael
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It is light at 130kg or so which is a major reason for going for it. As well as its theoretical value it feels light moving it around which suits me. Knee seems to have improved over the last few days after being pretty static for weeks so am optimistic. No doubt foolishly......
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iv'e been helping my grandson with his Herald classic which he got for £300, bit of a dog with warning lights and various electrical issues. but 3 weeks graft and it's looking really good. passed it's mot with 0 advisories.
i can see me getting something similar in the future