I am gradually rebuilding two 1980 Pantahs. A collection of FPS and OSCAM wheels originally painted gold had deteriorated a bit over the years, so I took them to Steve Turner of TPCS Melksham, Wilts. He has stripped the old paint, crack tested them (no cracks), and powder-coated them gold. They look pretty good, I think. He also has the two frames, swinging arms, centre stands, rear mudguards etc to powder-coat gloss black - may be done next week. TPCS Magnesium and Alloy Refurbishing
Here's some of my collection of Pantah fairings, tanks and seats etc in various stages of preparation, as they are today. At the present rate of progress it will be some weeks before they are all ready to be sprayed ice blue and have proper red and blue vinyl decals fitted (as supplied by Image Works).
I remember that photo when it was published, and the articles you wrote. Jeez I feel old:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
Not too many wrinkles or greys in my case as it happens, Steve. I sold my 750SS to MotoVecchia of Colliers Wood - after lots of miles, touring, racing and commuting I still got back well more than I paid for it. How was I to know what they would be worth 30 years later?
Two Pantah swinging arms, now powder-coated. One standard (round section), the other special (box section).
Yes, it's a 1981 Swan one. Bernie Adey (Spares'N'Repairs) gave it to me. The front part is entirely different on the Pantah from the bevel, and seems quite stiff. The original ones are awfully heavy. Soon after that, triangulated ones (Vincent or Yamaha style) came in, and nobody would buy special twin shocks swinging arms. The component is of its period.
Bernie Adey................that brings back memories, blasting round to Watford every so often.... AL
Hi Pete, Its interesting hearing talk of the 'old' incarnation of Motorcycle Sport. What a marvellously anachronistic publication that was, and nothing like the bland, samey offering that its modern self has become. In the '80s it ploughed its own furrow, with many an article on FFs, MZs, and Italian exotica, and everything was just so well written and different. I was a teenager in the '80s, and probably quite impressionable, so I blame my liking for oddness on reading my dad's old copies of Motorcycle Sport. I often wondered at the time how many copies it sold, and how it could possibly make any money, but its very oddness was what made it so readable and great.
The editor of Motorcycle Sport from 1962 onwards was Cyril J Ayton. Great guy and a good writer, but not of course in the modern style. He wrote some good books as well. I really liked him.
Steady on, Steve. I'm grateful for your opinion (about a component you have never seen, let alone ridden on), which I will certainly take into consideration. But who's building these bikes, you or me? I hope to finish up eventually with three Pantahs, two of them virtually standard 500 & 600 (thus rather heavy) and the third one quite non-standard and lighter. In the meantime I shall make my own decisions what components to use on which bikes, I think. Don't worry, I shall not be asking you to ride them! Best wishes, Pete.
Today I collected my powder coating from Devizes: 5 x wheels in gold, 2 x frames in black, plus centre stands, mudguards, fairing brackets, springs, etc. I'm pleased with them, they look good. The frame tube that Nuttynick welded for me looks just perfect, like new. I can't get the picture uploader to work today, sorry.
I'm pleased! I'd love to see a picture of the tube now it's powder coated, when you can get it uploaded
Alu - Schwinge Ducati Pantah, Motorachse 20 mm, Radachse 17mm, mit DID Kette 520 | eBay Spotted today, wondered if it might be of interest..
