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Messages - Sparrow1
16
« on: October 07, 2017, 08:43:21 PM »
Yes, indeed Steff,
We were treated rather shabily by the Japanese. Ironic, that the Americans Didn't really look after them. Although we stripped the jap bikes to enhance their Brit bikes - particularly the brakes! This was the demise of many of Brit spec Jap bikes in the 60's sadly.
We can now spit in their eye (the Japs) with a wink and many of us can hold our head high looking after these bikes. Also ironic that the US bikes are now chasing us now in the UK looking for lots TLC in the last 10 years!! 😏
Nige.
17
« on: October 07, 2017, 03:10:30 PM »
I think you've got it right Julie. I wonder what he sold it for.. I must admit I was tempted but the lack of bids... I'm not an expert on these as Trigg knows! I just was't sure..
Ash, interesting. Oops, Bombers agin!! Soreeee.. My Bomber is one of the first 50 imported as it so happens.
But, interestingly, I actually have a mint General export UK spec K1( they were generally named the K1) manufacturedi in '69, reg in 70 as confirmed on the VIN and V5. Yes, it actually has the forward lifting seat, with it's support bar! Cute.. I believe these 450 GE export UK specs are very rare now - rarer than the UK bombers.
Thanks for the heads up, very interesting.
Nige.
18
« on: October 07, 2017, 02:14:35 PM »
Indeed Ash,
There was a time, not so long ago, that bike would of recieved several bids - really odd it had NONE!?! Would love to know why, as I never stop learning with these bikes, to hear if it had any major/expensive faults. There are a lot of K0's out there now. When I had brought mine, only 4 years ago, they were quite rare and seemed sought after (and still should be in my opinion.) Maybe it will show up one day. Pity it's bit been locked away for so long. Someone has certainly not realised ther investment (if that was the intention) on this occasion.
I Thought that, based on the poor photos, as Julie observed, it would of sold for around £7000 min.
How many did they import? 200? Less? 50?
Nige.
19
« on: October 07, 2017, 10:12:58 AM »
Well,
It seems to have disappeared off EBay?
Has it sold and I wonder what for? A shrewd restorer/ collector perhaps? 😉 It needed quite a pot to get it up to fine fickle though or just ride it of course..
Nige.
20
« on: October 06, 2017, 05:58:31 PM »
Trigg,
What I didn't say, was that I also let a spare brand new set of 300 pipes go with the K0 that I had snapped up from Slivers when they came up for £2000 2 years ago. Doh! How d'you spell PRATT...😏😡
Now there's an investment in a particular market! 😳
A confused Nige.
21
« on: October 06, 2017, 08:12:45 AM »
What a confusing market we are in with regard to what appears to be a stagnation/slow down on the sale of some Classic bikes (Brit and Jap) from my recent observations. Asking prices on EBay and C n Classic etc and the time to sell are rarely being achieved and taking a very long time, if at all.
I'm looking to purchase another 750 to join my K3, possibly a K1/K2 (even that UK K0?? And that's not moving at that price either??) and wondering what's going on? Surely it's not just the time of year? In the words of a local Classic bike dealer, "the time of year makes little difference, it's the price and condition - we go through troughs and crests". I wonder what we are in - I'm a little nervous on paying top money in what maybe a more realistic market? The no of US imports coming in and look at the number of K0's and K1's hitting the UK - some absolute rubbish but some look ok and therefore must be be influencing the UK market?
At last, some owners/dealers are accepting low prices which now allow for realistic engine investigation and bike restoration, particularly on US bikes which, as Trigger speaks with authority, confirms these engine are often in poor condition compared to UK ones.
Hmmm, what to do.. Is that UK KO really going to sell for less than £6000?!?
Wondered what other members' experiences are over the last 3/4 months?
Nige.
22
« on: October 01, 2017, 04:56:00 PM »
Mike!
Great to hear from you and hope your trusty 750 is still going strong! I have been out of it for a while, 750 less, the K0 had to go sadly.. but have had a decent K3 over the last year now anyway. She's a happy bike and chats to the 450's in the garage - Er, along with the Truimph 650's. No overhead cams to found on those, although i'm pushing my luck on this forum now indeed!!😉
Very good to hear from you and really look forward to meeting you and (your friends?) again in June!
Happy memories Julie (love the photos - oooozing with pride me!) and love reading your posts and love your dry wit dealing with these hairy bikers! 😊
I hope you could consider coming on down again with Trig? I'm sure we'll put something on as well as the the Sammy Jap day also. A good Forest run the next day and breaking out of it's boundaries and into a pub? Surely You both can't refuse that!🍺🍾
James, understood, Mum's the word.. Love the CL 450 but saving up for the bigger bike!😉
Nige.
23
« on: September 29, 2017, 04:45:58 PM »
Didn't know you're a Bomber bloke, although I remember you telling me you had many, many bikes.
It is addictive I agree...🤔
Nige.
24
« on: September 27, 2017, 06:22:23 PM »
Ashimoto, James and MCTID, Trigger, (never knew a video existed on my Bomber!!)😳👍
My apologies for not thanking you all for your Bomber contribution - still looking for an earlyish 750 and have been somewhat distracted. Hard work finding a decent one!
James, you have lovely Bomber, fancy we try to get a couple more together meeting halfway? (I live in Ringwood). I'm running a Jap bike day at Sammy Millers, New Forest on the 2 June 2018 and you and all of you guys are most welcome to join in. Some really lovely Jap stuff on the day, which is now in it's 4th year. Around 60 - 80 bikes attend and the awards are sponsored by the VJMC.
The final tale of that K2 I was looking at was that it turned out to have an earlier K2 engine in it. It was the wrong engine for it's year.
Now, back to trying to find the 'right' 750....🤔
Nige.
25
« on: August 18, 2017, 09:54:10 PM »
Indeed! A pleasure! 🍻
26
« on: August 18, 2017, 04:33:42 PM »
Still trying to upload photos on this thread?! Strange, as My profile photo worked...🤔
So, so put a closure on this, the engine number indeed proved to be a problem with this year and frame no. As Sprinta stated, later confirmed by Trigg, 220/230's are the correct no's for the later K2's and the 204 is from an earlier K2, Circa 1972 and was fitted to the 1974 frame due to common problem then of the chain letting go. The restorer replaced the engine in good faith, keeping it as close to the original frame no, an easy mistake to make many years ago. Now days, engines are repaired if feasible. I've pulled out sadly but my thanks to all contributed to this thread and particularly to Trigger for guiding me through this - preventing an embarrassing resale value in years to come perhaps.
Back to looking and trying to work why the this thread won't accept my IPad photos..hmmm..
Nige.
27
« on: August 17, 2017, 10:42:58 AM »
Baaaaa,
God,
The problems I had with that. 'Seemed' to run ok but then 2nd gear failed, (this is 4 years ago now) went back and they replaced it. (Dublin - gone bust thank God!) got it back and carbs started too go out of tune, as they they do, but the wrong intake rubbers were fitted, letting in air. Difficult to set up with the splitter also. Timing chain couldn't be adjusted anymore, stripped it and found a new timing chain but still with the old tensioner and bits falling off it as sooooo brittle!?! So, that was it, a further strip and a new sleeve then had be fitted into no 4, along with other things the US had done or not done - heart breaking. Some of the problems were probably in the US and some crap stuff (on the cheap) done in Dublin. Learn't my lesson there Trigger.
Sorted it and she went to a new owner at £15,000. Miss her but, after Dream machine had got her hands on her, (fab job! Candy red) she was almost to good to ride. What an adventure that was! You never know what you buy when old and particularly in the States as I said earlier. I still envy those with them these days and saw one down Poole Quay recently, a bit tired but a rare sight there indeed or anywhere these days! Heh Ho.. Still have the photos..
Nige.
28
« on: August 17, 2017, 10:24:16 AM »
Morning Trigger.
Ok, I'll dig one out.
Indeed the Bomber is well and lovely. Wasn't sure if I was allowed to mention a 450 here! 😳
Let you know about this K2. Have now spoken to the restorer - sounds promising.
Nige.
29
« on: August 16, 2017, 10:39:36 PM »
Trigger,
Good to back! I have a lovely K3 and back in the 750 loop once again..👍😊
Indeed, poor words regarding my K3. Yes, of course there was never a K3 and I hear ' pratt' quietly spoken by others. I love the Flake Orange (with a tad more flack in this one!) and wanted the Honda improvements on the engine. With all that the bike is back in UK spec featuring handle bars and UK rear 'subtle' lens and black bracket, along with the front indicators attached in the UK way - subtle changes but as close as I dare go, barring the colour of course. She can be retuned to US spec quite quickly.
My heart lies in a UK K2 and has done so for a while. Hopefully not long now.. Having both of these bikes, in top notch, will make me a happy bunny and very fortunate. Cheers.
Nige.
30
« on: August 16, 2017, 05:26:28 PM »
Ah,
Thanks Bryanj.
And it appears to be a cock up within the DVSA dept. an MOT Inspector wrote the wrong year down.
So the numbers are perfectly reasonable in the UK and to be expected from time to time. Thanks.
Nige.
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