classic motorcycle forum

Blimey, the poor bloke only wanted some guidance as to it's price/value, and as he said, he never got it.
Nobody (here) made him an offer, and he subsequently sold it elsewhere.

Why the big post-mortem.....does it even matter?

All I can say to the original poster is"do your research before, not after, you've bought it".

The great thing about the 'Net is that there's info and pics on just about any bike ever made, so read all about it, study (really study) any pics you can find and join any groups or clubs who like them.
The Bantam must be one of the most long-lasting classics ever made. Despite the scorn some gave and still give them, there's loads around, and loads of info too, so no need to rush into buying the first one you see.
The downside of the "classic bike scene" (yukk!) is that there's always some pikey willing to dress up old nails as something worthwhile, but then there's always some ar*ehole who watches Easy Rider and takes a hack-saw to a decent bike, too.

I'd avoid dealers if I was you. Look for the enthusiast selling his long-term bike. Maybe not be catalogue-original but at least someone's lavished some care and attention on it, unlike the Pikey build....

£102 at the moment..well worth that, although presumably it will go higher yet.

author=R link=topic=3993.msg14151#msg14151 date=1320710417]
Neat little RE125. It would be interesting to know why these mudguards "aren't right",

Pattern parts and/or poorly fitted and don't follow the lines of the tyres properly, rear number plate sits up at a jaunty angle more suited to a trials bike, and the rear carrier's missing.
As said, the silencer is also wrong, and looks more like a Bantam item modifed.
Used the wrong year paint colour code too.

I've never phoned them to ask questions, daft or otherwise, but if I wanted info, then I would expect any supplier to answer, whether they might consider the question daft or not.

One question I maybe should have phoned and asked, is "why do your new carbs come with a free selection of swarf and casting flash?".
Sending out new carbs world-wide unfit for use as they're full of shit swarf, now that's daft..

I rather doubt they are JBW as they went bust years ago, though a new Amal supplier is on the scene now.
Surrey Cycles or Hitchcocks are the ones to contact for a new carb.

All complete, and has all three ratios too...

I don't know what the rest of the world do, but if he lives in Bucks then he should be aware that cellulose and acrylic paints are NOT compatible and mixing causes no end of problems.
Hammerite is cellulose based and is great for the small home user, but blasting, rubbing down etc is such a chore that for frames etc powder coating is the way to go. There's a firm in Slough who charge £70 + VAT for a frame etc.
I think "R" is referring to stove enamelling which although still available, isn't cheap or common now.