C15 guidance please

[Ian T]

Hi everyone

I'm back again. Following a recent experience with an MZ TS250, which I plumped for rather than a Bantam. I have decided that at present 2 strokes are not quite right for me. So I am looking for a C15 to while my hours away on.

As I may have mentioned in previous posts, I have owned an A65L for many years and loved it but alas I think it would be too heavy for me now, also a Bantam or two many many years ago.

I have been researching and rather fancy the C15, so my questions are if I may.

Are all bits still available, is there any spec or year that should be an avoided and any recommendations you could kindly offer.

Many thanks

Ian

[rhyatt]

loads of spares engines and frame around
ordinary C15 STAR slightly softer compared to the SS80 version (higher CR etc)
both enjoyable
early ones have a distributor (like tiger cubs) later ones have points on the side
I have my own SS80 and my son's C15 STAR

[Tigerfeet]

I'd recommend buying a complete bike, ideally running. I've hunted around for mudguards and other tinware for my project and good stuff is hard to find. (It's all at least 55 years old.) Also there are lots of pattern parts around of dubious quality. It is also the case that buying one someone else has slaved over is always cheaper than doing it yourself - you pay a considerable premium if you want the trials and tribulations of doing your own restoration.

[Stubaker58]

If you can find one with the G engine suffix that is the best engine

[limeyrob]

You have a few options:

Complete bike in usable condition with all the bits, quite a few about.
This gets you on the road and with all the parts it just cleaning and painting or using as is.

A bike with a lot of bits missing - which you can build up into a trials or green lane bike.
This is fun and there's no need to search for hard to get parts, it also saves a bike and adds value as the off - road "specials" often fetch more than original bikes.  This has the added benefit that when its done it will weigh quite a bit less than the std bike.

I got a non runner Matchless that was part off road and part road bike, it could go either way. I opted for off-road, sold the remaining std parts and made trials bike type bits.  Its must be at least 50lb lighter than std.  The chain guard is a good example - I got £100 for it on e-bay and used £10 of ally to make a light weight one.  I fitted a small trials bike lighting set on QD plugs running off a lipo, I get 2 hours of lights on LEDs


 

[Stubaker58]

Hi
The C15G is reckoned to be the best, the engine has a strong bottom end.

[Ian T]

loads of spares engines and frame around
ordinary C15 STAR slightly softer compared to the SS80 version (higher CR etc)
both enjoyable
early ones have a distributor (like tiger cubs) later ones have points on the side
I have my own SS80 and my son's C15 STAR

Thank you
I have seen that there are a few different models but did not know the exact specs.
I think I prefer the look of the later side points rather than the distributor, but apart from looks is there any advantage, disadvantage of either please.
I've just checked and Boyer provide for both and I had a Boyer system in my A65L, not that I am too fused about points, but I think the electronic ignition provides a better service so to speak.
Good to hear there are loads of spares around.
Cheers
Ian

[Ian T]

I'd recommend buying a complete bike, ideally running. I've hunted around for mudguards and other tinware for my project and good stuff is hard to find. (It's all at least 55 years old.) Also there are lots of pattern parts around of dubious quality. It is also the case that buying one someone else has slaved over is always cheaper than doing it yourself - you pay a considerable premium if you want the trials and tribulations of doing your own restoration.

Thanks and I agree it's better to buy a complete bike, mind you there does seem to be a plethora of bitsa's out there now I have started looking.
I also agree that for each restoration I have done the sum of the parts always exceeds the final value, but I suppose it's the journey that is more valuable now.
I have noticed over the years the deterioration of pattern parts, and now I presume with the influx of Chinese copies this will have worsened.
Still I can't wait for the adventure to begin.
Cheers
Ian

[Ian T]

If you can find one with the G engine suffix that is the best engine

Thanks
I will have a little read up on that, very kind.
Cheers
Ian

[Ian T]

You have a few options:

Complete bike in usable condition with all the bits, quite a few about.
This gets you on the road and with all the parts it just cleaning and painting or using as is.

A bike with a lot of bits missing - which you can build up into a trials or green lane bike.
This is fun and there's no need to search for hard to get parts, it also saves a bike and adds value as the off - road "specials" often fetch more than original bikes.  This has the added benefit that when its done it will weigh quite a bit less than the std bike.

I got a non runner Matchless that was part off road and part road bike, it could go either way. I opted for off-road, sold the remaining std parts and made trials bike type bits.  Its must be at least 50lb lighter than std.  The chain guard is a good example - I got £100 for it on e-bay and used £10 of ally to make a light weight one.  I fitted a small trials bike lighting set on QD plugs running off a lipo, I get 2 hours of lights on LEDs


 

Thanks
That's very interesting about the off road option, never consider it before, I will have a look into it and I can see how it saves weight and costs.

Also as mentioned above by rhyatt spares are very plentiful.

I suppose now I will see what comes up, mind you prices do appear to be all over the place, with good old eBay asking the highest but realising the lowest, or so it seems to me.

I have been reading that the British bike market is flat at the moment, but I suppose it goes up and down and if it is depressed then perhaps people are just hanging on rather than selling. Still I'm sure something will turn up soon.

Cheers

Ian

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

If you are a member of the BSAOC you will see in the 'Showroom' section of The Star that there are often some good C15s.  This months magazine has two C15s and two B40s that look quite good.

Dave.

[V500]

I have been reading that the British bike market is flat at the moment, but I suppose it goes up and down and if it is depressed then perhaps people are just hanging on rather than selling.

Without sounding too much like the voice of doom then I would predict "down" from now on.
Too many of us are either giving up on old bikes or off to meet our Maker and that's not going to change anytime soon.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Have a look in the 'For Sale' section of this Forum.  A C15 has just been put on.  No pictures but ask for some.

Dave.

[Ian T]

Hi,

If you are a member of the BSAOC you will see in the 'Showroom' section of The Star that there are often  : o some good C15s.  This months magazine has two C15s and two B40s that look quite good.

Dave.

Thanks Dave

I will go and join up, thought I had last year but it looks like a joined the Bantam Club not the BSAOC. And they let me ride bikes

Cheers
Ian

[Ian T]

I have been reading that the British bike market is flat at the moment, but I suppose it goes up and down and if it is depressed then perhaps people are just hanging on rather than selling.

Without sounding too much like the voice of doom then I would predict "down" from now on.
Too many of us are either giving up on old bikes or off to meet our Maker and that's not going to change anytime soon.

Oh dear, but I think you may be right.

Also these retro or what ever they are called bikes coming out now, two years ago I was looking to get an old Royal Enfield albeit a 500 I ended up getting a new Classic 350 for the same money. Fantastic little bike it was too.

I can see why people will opt for a new bike, warranty and the whole caboodle for similar or less than the cost of an old one.

I've had some fantastic bikes in my time old and new and now just hitting 70 I want to go slow and back to me roots as they say.

Cheers

Ian