Help please on what Scrambler to buy?

[hoylie]

Hey Eldert

Can I ask what you mean by Mototrans?

Cheers

Martyn

[Jon Pegler]

Hi Martyn,

Mototrans was the name of the manefacturer of Ducati motorcycles built under licence in Barcelona. Mototrans = Spanish Ducati.
There is nothing inherently wrong with Spanish machines. Certainly not the later models. They just have a few differences from their Italian cousins.
One of the advantages is the alloy wheel rims fitted as standard to Spanish Ducatis, unlike the Italian scramblers, which used chromed steel rims.
The rest of the scrambler that John Fallon has for sale is pretty original, apart from the silencer, which is not too dissimilar to an original item.
The forks are Telesco. Standard for a Spanish bike, whereas Italian scramblers were fitted with Marzocchi forks.
It is also fitted with an Amal carburettor, which was also usual for Spanish machines. The Italian models used Dellorto carbs.
Seats are available from Barry Jones at Classic Ducati for £95 new.
Alternatively, they can be easily re-covered.Try Andrew Leighton (0121 359 0514 ). He charges about £45 for a replacement cover or about £100 for a complete re-fit.

Jon

[Ventodue]

Mototrans = Licenced manufacturer of Ducatis, based in Barcelona, Spain (or perhaps I should say, Catalyuna ... ).

Mototrans made:
1. Their own bikes, including some to their own designs, mainly for their home market.
2. Engines for use in Bologna-assembled bikes.
3. Complete bikes for sales in Italy and elsewhere, especially during the period when the Italian factory was being re-built (1972-4, I think).

John Fallon has already identified this as a Spanish-built bike (altho' if you didn't know about Mototrans, you may have missed the connection):

"A lovely unrestored 250 Street scrambler with great patina just in from Spain ..."

(As I said above) many (most?) 250 Scramblers were built in Spain. One of the ways Eldert has identified this as being one is the fact that the clutch adjustment cover does NOT have the words, 'Made in Italy', cast into it. There are other differences too; the forks, the clocks, the carb ...

Mototrans also did their own domestic-market version of the Scrambler, called a Road. I see John has one of these for sale, too.

I hazard that one of the reasons that John may be offering these Spanish bikes is becasue the Italian stuff is getting harder to get/too expensive. But Paddy will correct me if I'm wrong in this.

It's customary for Ducati-purists to decry Mototrans bikes. But there are a few of us - "Good morning, Mr Pegler!" - who don't hold with that view

HTH

Craig

[machten]

Me either! In fact I'd love a late Vento.

I know this fella in Montpellier who has one...

Kev

[Jon Pegler]

Kev,

Cheap Vento for sale on E-bay de.
Touring trim.
Item no.300919354399
Not too close to Oz though.

Jon

[Ventodue]

Not too close to Oz though.

Ha! That minor detail is unlikely to deter Kev, Jon! And I'm sure Eldert would go and get it for him ...

Otherwise, shall we buy it for bits ? I could do with that kickstart lever ...

You seen the nice one that Mr Fallon has up for sale?

[machten]

Ha! That minor detail is unlikely to deter Kev, Jon!

I'm not even game to seek budget approval from the Minister for Finance and Nuclear Warfare. I was subjected to a spending freeze at the last Cabinet meeting.

Saw the one at MiI. Looks very nice (but not cheap!) The ebay one is more my price range!

Kev

[hoylie]

So Im getting close in my hunt for a scrambler and as it satnds there are two that could be for me!

http://www.madeinitalymotorcycles.com/new_page_13.htm

or

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C387774

I appreciate they are at different end of the spectrum in different ways, not only price. What do you think, in my eyes the one Goo has if I could get it for a bit less say £5k making it only an extra £1500 over the 250, though part of me likes the original roughness of the 250 but would £1500 over time do you think bring it to the level of the 350?

Cheers

Martyn

[hoylie]

Hey everyone

I just wanted to say thanks for all your help on the scrambler, managed to find the one i wanted and hopefully should pick it up in a couple of weeks.

Cheers

Martyn

[Nick]

Get a 350, the 250 is nice but a bit underpowered and the 450 is a big, heavy dog (at least the one I rode was). With just a small amount of work, such as a slightly bigger carb, and a few other tweaks the 350 will run really well!