classic motorcycle forum

Well, it now lives in my garage. Doesn't look to be too molested though the seller's use of Nylocs here and there will need rectifying, as will the crazy angle of the rear carrier/basket. There's no lighting coil in the mag-dyno and the lights aren't wired up, plus the light switch is seized solid. The clutch has been relined by Villiers Services but will need further attention as it feels strangely spongy and it drags.
Got most of a spare engine with it, plus a box of about 200 Villiers carbs.
Pleased...so far.

I enjoyed them too and not much hassle for me, but sadly Brittany Ferries charge like a wounded rhino.
Staying and eating in France wasn't cheap either, though having the Gendarmes blocking the routes so you didn't have to stop for other traffic was novel..

This one wasn't, it was  small plastic component.
Only DiYers would ever use a NOS capacitor; pro rebuilders wouldn't want the risk of early failure, which is bound to happen with a NOS capacitor 50+ years old.

I intend to go and see the bike early next week, and thanks partly to the enthusiasm shown on here I may (all being well) end up getting it.
The story goes that the old boy who has it now got it when his old mate (who was a long term owner) partially stripped it and then passed on...seems to be a sadly familiar tale.
The throttle control is a new one on me but I'll give it a whirl. I have a Chief with hand change, foot clutch and grip A/R, and had some hand-change bikes in the past so if they could do it back in 1931 I'm sure I can too...
Supposedly comes with "loads" of engine parts too, so it'll be interesting to see what they might be.

If it's as good as you say and with a steel bathtub it's a very good price.

Nicely Art Deco.
I struggled to find a French bike over 250 when I was looking about ten years ago, but that looks nice.
I was told they didn't like selling their larger classic stock abroad as there weren't that many left.

Or maybe not. It appears that he's had loss of Internet for the last couple of days. Spoke to the old boy on the phone and he confirmed it's a fully functional oily rag bike and has been used on various runs.
So, the old tricky subject; what would be a fair price in the UK for this bike..any suggestions? Sadly it's devalued price-wise by being a '31 which makes it post-vintage rather than vintage.

Honda used to have a policy that no older part would go unsupplied,

I've heard that but it isn't true. CB450 Black Bomber swinging arm spindles and bearings being a case in point. Rear brake shoes were also unobtainable at that time, but they can always be relined.