My first bike was an OSSA 250. Lots of good memories.OSSA! That's a name from the past! I remember seeing a few OSSA and Montessa dirt bikes out in the desert.
I never raced TT. Went to several races to watch. Great events to view!
What's your (current) dream car?
- Thread starter Romeo Wolf
- Start date
I went to the Mecum auction in Florida in January 2024 and the vintage motorcycle section was amazing -- they had all of the European bikes (Ossa, Bultaco, Maico, Montesa, CZ, Penton). It felt very literally like stepping into "Action Cycle" (our local European bike shop) in Orlando in 1972.
I
EDIT: Found some of the Mecum motorcycle photos:
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Penton bikes were the best. I could never afford one but rode my buddy's 125 Six Day—green tank and that great Sach-DKW engine.
That was a fun bike!
That was a fun bike!
My brother's Penton Six-Days 125 was indestructible -- very fast, extremely reliable, quite good handling, leather strap rattles on tank, and a submarine (had it up to the fuel tank in a water crossing). I think shifter was on the opposite side, but it was a million years ago.
Euro shifting and brakes. I used to switch between Japanese and European bikes out in the desert with my buddies.
I'd tell myself to go slow for the first few yards to avoid running off a cliff or into a tree.
The Bultaco and Montesa are in superb condition! Looks like Koni rear shocks with progressive wound springs on the Bultaco. Pretty trick.
I have a vintage Bultaco mechanics crush cap somewhere around here.
mkane
Lunatic Member
I’ll bet the shocks are Girlings. Konis had adjustable preload with a collar on the bottom. Girling had a c-clip that you put in different grooves. Looks to be a 75 -76 model. Black cases not stock either. It's a 360, 370 came out a year later. Just going by memory, or, a 370 engine in a model 136 frame
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I like the BMW 1600 (or 2002) in the background
. I didn't like those early-style round taillights in period, but now I strongly prefer them to the later rectangular style. My brother had a 1600 BMW he bought cheap, rusted and primered, but that car drove amazingly well. The 1.6 liter 1600 actually felt quite a bit peppier than 2.0 liter 2002's I drove later. Maybe due to the weight difference over the years? I think his 1600 was a 1968 -- all the 2002's I drove in later years had the rectangular taillights (1974 or later).This whole motocross discussion has me looking at CycleTrader.com now -- didn't even know that website existed a few hours ago
. Are there any 2-stroke MX bikes today, or are they all 4-stroke? I'm not sure I'd know what to do with an MX bike that had low-end torque -- that's what used to throw me off when riding the big-bore (500ish CC) 2-strokes back in the day -- the ridiculous torque when rolling on the throttle out of a corner took a lot of getting used to (versus a 250, or 125). My brothers Husky 430 was perfection (in period), but most big bores were almost too much low-end power for me to toss around the track since I spent 99% of time on 250's and 125's.
The Bultaco and Montesa are in superb condition! Looks like Koni rear shocks with progressive wound springs on the Bultaco. Pretty trick.
I have a vintage Bultaco mechanics crush cap somewhere around here.
Literally every bike and mini-bike at the auction was in mint condition. It was really like a time warp, taking you back to whatever bike shop you hung out in as a kid.
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Yeah, you are correct. I forgot about the adjustment ring on the Konis.
That's right, a chrome or black body with red springs. I never could afford them. They were good stuff.
I had two BMWs, a 1600 and a 2002Ti. Both had the round rear lights and the flush front turn indicators. Great cars. The tremendous overall vision from the driver's seat.
I genuinely miss the freedom bikes, especially dirt bikes, give you. I'm thinking of one day buying a used 125 and restoring it... then my wife looks at me.I like the BMW 1600 (or 2002) in the background
This whole motocross discussion has me looking at CycleTrader.com now -- didn't even know that website existed a few hours ago
Literally every bike and mini-bike at the auction was in mint condition. It was really like a time warp, taking you back to whatever bike shop you hung out in as a kid.
Bodhi1
Super Member
Meet the Widow-maker... the Maico 700 Enduro (aka: the ATK 700 "Intimidator") which had a manic 82HP 2-stroke engine and a power to weight ration of 0.335 horsepower/pound!I genuinely miss the freedom bikes, especially dirt bikes, give you. I'm thinking of one day buying a used 125 and restoring it... then my wife looks at me.
I never heard of that bike. Did you ever ride one?
The old Maico 501 was a beast, too. But they broke down a lot. We called them Maico Breako.
That's a sweet-looking bike. What gas did you run?
BTW... I like that 1966(?) light blue VW bug in the background.
Bodhi1
Super Member
No i've never riden that bike. But I got a tandom ride on my friend's Husqvana 250 2-stroke dirt bike & nearly fell off the back when it hit power band!
mkane
Lunatic Member
Regular old etyhl. Pic was taken in 71’
That's a sweet-looking bike. What gas did you run?
BTW... I like that 1966(?) light blue VW bug in the background.