Looking into buying either a 350 or 450 scrambler and as I have no prior knowledge of bevel singles I was hoping for a bit of a crash course on what's the differences and what I'd need to look for and what sort of prices? I've seen that there are narrow case and wide case but not sure whether one is better than the other. I assume that the main thing would be ensuring the engine has been well sorted rather than bodged although I'm not fully sure how easy that would be or am i best to price in a full service from a bevel specialist? Any bevel specialist in the NE or Yorkshire? I'm used to the bigger twin Dukes but fancy a smaller classic. I had initially wondered about British or even Jap but as my heart is with Ducati it seems to make sense to head down the bevel single route. I'm only looking for a 'scrambler' look rather than the full off road R/T as I don't expect to be riding off road but want a change from cafe racers / sports bikes especially with the state of the roads and my knees/back. Not even sure whether I'll fit on one of these smaller bikes as I'm 6'-1" & 17 stone but it'll probably be easier than getting on a cafe racer!
Sorry paul i dont want to pee on your fireworks but at 6ft 1" you're about 10" over size. Find one and sit on it and make your own mind up......
I did wonder whether they'd be too small. There's one about 50 miles away but probably is worth the ride up if it saves me wasting my money.
I.m 6ft 3" and over 18 stone and i restored this but never got to ride it , poor old shocks could never take it and knees stuck in my elbows quite apart from looking ridicules' .
Try Craig Ridgley of CMR racing, he is south of you in Lincolnshire and specialises in the rebuild and restoration of Ducati singles. He may well some bikes to sell. The Desmo 350s are the fastest!
I had a 250 scrambler many years ago and at 6ft/12 1/2st I fitted fine on it. Thought it was the bollocks back then but would doubtless find it gutless now but it did sound good with the short (empty) silencer. Mine was a narrow case (non desmo) with 6v electrics so lights were dire. As above I think the 350 is probably the best of the bunch.
"I had a 250 scrambler many years ago and at 6ft/12 1/2st I fitted fine on it." At 6ft12 and only half a stone i am surprised you were not blown away on it
That would have been a nice bike to own but i can see how you might have struggled. Italians in the 60's must have been a wee bit smaller than normal sized people now.
I'll give him a ring and see if he has anything for sale - got a mate that lives a few miles away so will give me an excuse to head down there.
That gives me some hope of fitting on the scrambler. I think the springs will need uprating at the very least. I wouldn't be expecting to ride at night so could probably cope with 6v electrics.
Trying to avoid modern stuff. Like the hypermotard but too similar to my KTM 890r. Only thing of interest other than scrambler is a cagiva elefant 900ie but they're like hens teeth.
The 250 might be a bit gutless, and the 450 vibrates a bit. That's why folk reckon the 350 hits the sweet spot. And why 350s are sought after and rarely offered for sale. Personally I went for a 1972 450 Scrambler in yellow, perfect for me. Sorry, not for sale, or not until I croak.
I was thinking a 250 would be a bit small. There's a 350 in m&s but it looks a bit rough. Not seen any 450s for sale in this country & not sure how easy it is to do import bikes from Europe now.
250 350 and 450 widecase bevel singles are all much the same size overall. It is is the engine displacements which vary.
