I'm in need of a project, and am looking for a 250 4 stroke either pre-war or just post-war. The C12 looks a likely candidate and there are a couple available. I don't expect sparkling performance but don't want to be overtaken by pushbikes!
I'm also considering a Velo Valiant although I fear that may be too feeble, but anything from the era may be of interest.
If anyone has anything suitable, I want a bike that's complete although maybe in pieces (yes I know the perils) and am very happy with mechanical work.
What are people's experiences of these little machines?
I had a C12, and it's a nicely-made little pre-unit bike, and going for sensible prices these days. Easy to maintain, easy to rebuild and parts are available.
Too long labelled as "grey porridge" by the knobs at Classic Bike etc.
The "C10/11/12 Forum" is the place to go for any advice.
Funnily enough the C12 I rebuilt a decade ago has appeared on Ebay, but too expensive (it's from a dealer) at £2995.
Never had a Valiant (only his little brother the LE) and while nicely made they always seemed slow and fragile to me.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356797416122?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=-oysFKLpTzq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=1eKD8HQxT2O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Cheap enough?
Yes, seen that one although the mudguards look odd and the whole thing looks a bit peculiar. I've seen a dismantled one on FB which may be worth a look: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/446280075028486/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ae61f53d4-0dc6-490e-9dd7-1d9410d15770
A bit overpriced and possibly missing vital parts.
Sounds like the seller could be "difficult" to deal with too. I have a personal rule now in that I only really consider a bike project if it's up together rather than in a million bits (unless it's cheap in which case all bets are off!)
Buyers can afford to be choosy these days.
Yes, I did message him despite what he says and did get a reply saying he was away this week but would be back next week. I need to get the little Yamaha sold first anyway - finishes on ebay tonight, 53 watchers, well over 1,000 views but no bids as yet. I know when I'm trying to buy something I leave it till the last minute so am hoping the same applies to at least one of those.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156875056167
Right purdy li'l thang, ain't she?
Looks ideal for someone on the older side.
Sold the Yam and have jumped in for this C11 - excatly the same as I got for the 250 twin. Looking forward to plenty of spanner twirling....
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0ygAAeSw58Jn9Min/s-l1600.jpg)
Good to see that someone has fitted the bum pad the right way around for a change.
Sucking Grandma's eggs here, but are/have you removed the oil pump to check that it's not seized?
Old Mazak pumps sitting in old engine usually do.
It hasn't arrived yet - later in the week. What's the best way of checking the pump other than trying to run the engine?
I'll probably remove the bum pad (and pillion footrests) as my wife is no longer prepared to put up with the discomfort!
Do NOT try and run the engine! Even kicking it over can strip the drive if the pump has nipped up, let alone kicking it into life.
Strip the pump out and physically check that it rotates relatively easily. There's many threads on this on the C12 forum, which I see you've joined.
Thanks for that. The vendor says it rotates and has compression so presumably has tried it. In the worst case, if the drive has been stripped presumably parts are available?
Available, but not cheap.