Bikes and bits and stuff

Some of you will recall my post on the Aprilia Europa 125 I built up for GMan for his 16th birthday.Part 1 and Part 11

Above photo taken just before we o loaded it up to take to the shop

And some of you will recall the Aprilia RS 250 (basket case) I bought some time ago to rebuild. Refer here:- RS 250, and More RS 250

The above photo excludes all the loose bits and pieces....

So, GMans bike served him well. We had some problems with it, but overall it was a great bike for him. However, since he has his car driving license, (and a car) he does not ride it anymore. And we have not been successful at selling it.
The RS 250, well, I'm not sure I'm ever going to have the time, and / or patience to rebuild it. Apart from which, even though they run well when they do, they are also finiky (LUI) and can cost quite a bit to keep going.
SO, last week I stop off at a new bike shop I've noticed on the way to work. Had a chat to the owner, and told him about the above 2 bikes. He seemed keen on the 125, and said he'd look at the 250. Then I walked around his shop, and noticed two very old, but ok, Honda XR 200's. I mentiond that these would be great for the boys to play with on the farm. He offered a straight swap! I asked his lakey to start them, and they started first kick! He rode ona around. Engine sounds great, even if it's old, and the body work is a bit crappy.

Done. Saturday I loaded the two bikes onto a trailer, went down to the bike shop, as soon as he saw the 125 he said, Done! He unloaded the trailer, and got his guy to load up the two 200's.

Above is the "cleaner" one of the two, also starts easier and runs ok. Will need some tuning, but we leaving the rest as is.
This one looks a bit more abused, and we have not got it to start yet, but it's a basic machine and we will get it sorted soon.

So, while I'm at the bike shop doing the swap, I get a call from a mate who says someone at their school, (he's the maintenance manager of a larny private school) has two old bikes parked for years in one of the garages. He's been asked to move them as the school needs the space. So he's looking for offers. If I had the cash flow, I'd probably take them, but then maybe it's just as well I don't. Anyway, I went and had a look at them, and took these pics.

Ducati 500 sport.

Moto Guzzi

Now, the number plates are still yellow "T" registrations, and the licenses indicate they were last renewed circa 1991..... I decided to discuss them with the guy at the bike shop where i did my deal. He's keen, and said he'd give me a finders fee. So I have put him in touch with the current owner. Maybe he'll get them real cheap.

So, that's the news on the bikes.

Salagatle!