I went to the bank to apply for a credit card so I can get something resembling a roadworthy bike, had a nice chat with the lady but she could only offer me £1000.- But I picked up my last two bikes for FAR less so I wasn't too bummed.

In the meantime- I've been keeping an eye on a VanVan on Ebay, the 2004 model in Silver with a start price of £1'150.-
The reviews all glow about this, and as it's the most local (short of going to Newcastle and wandering up and down The Hill and hiding in dealerships- and they make me nervous) I sent a few Emails asking on condition of various parts and what's been done to it.

Aparrently it's been Stolen/Recovered- the barrel was smashed and the clock needed repairing.

So it's got a new digital speedo- I just need to add 2000miles to the Odo (it's reading 300miles thus far). Tax till November and doesn't need an MOT till June '07.

I've not actually seen it in person but the Ebay pic looks tidy and the guy's got good feedback. He gave me his number so I called him during my break (6.30pm) and had a bit of a chat.
He works in a 'Bike service centre based in Darlo and it was used as a Works Bike for his partner but she's got a D
Tr125 and want's shot of the VanVan.

He asked if I wanted to make an offer on the spot (not exactly in the spirit of Ebay), and I was half tempted to let the auction run and he was happy to let it if I wanted to.

So I offered his starting price (as a joke), he then mentioned the List Price of £1500.- which I knew was right cos of all the research I'd done.
So I met him halfway... £1300.-
Which co-incidentaly is the combined amount of my new Credit Card and the Cheque that I have recieved for the CG after the accident.... Ain't that strange

So considering I was going to pay nearly £1000.- for a Chinese CG Clone that could prove VERY unreliable, for £300 more I've got a nearly new Suzi... which should prove to be far more reliable

Doesn't look too bad either judging by the pic but I suspect the 'Zorst will need replacing in the not-too distant future but apparently a DR125 pipe fits straight in AND free's the engine a bit. (but I'm hoping it won't take it over the BHP limit).



I just need to find the money for a new helmet now- cos the old one's not going anywhere!!














Oh yeah- It's electric start only.... we'll see how I get on shall we?

Nice looking bike.

I didn't know what they looked like, so had to have a browse on Google.

glad to see you listen to some of my advice
still think you would be better off doing the full DAS course, but then i dont have to travel by bus shudders

you made a good choice-want me to come down & give it a once-over? i could bring your gloves......

nice one
like BD i've no idea what they look like, so had a butchers on google images, found this
proper vanvan clicky

Top choice. A great fun 125 and very practical.

Good one!! glad you sorted that out!!! on the road again.

regarding the helmet... I have 2 helmets that I don´t use anymore, if you want I can give you one, as I need to keep the other one in case I need to take a pillion, they were used for less than a year, they are both Nitro helmets... not top of the range, but it´s a lid and you wont need to spend any money if you are short....it´s blue tho..

Saw one of these yesterday filtering through traffic at about 50mph! Scared the p!ss out of the wife when it went past, think the owner had either replaced the zorst or stuck a nail in it... Looks a laugh though. I remember a piece in a mag that said dual carriageways and other fast routes frequented by big lorries and that were best avoided but that's not what this bike's about is it? With a 7.5l tank you're not going to be going too far but it'll be fun doing it.
Good choice and a good deal done

I think they're dead smart, saw a few in Brighton in the summer. Nice one Ant - have fun

Thanks for all the offers for your spare helmets, I think the helemt thing's pretty much sorted, Woodz gave me a link to the M&P site where they are doing Nitro Helmets with the shelf&Hanger unit for £30.00

So I've just whacked my order in for that- in the blue colour that JP's got, so it'll probably be the same helmet too.
That hanger will be useful too- my Leather 1piece (that's been used once... glad I got my £80's worth out of that ) is too long to fit in my wardobe and I just dump my helmet anywhere I feel like it normally. So it'll be good to have it's own place.





DAS would have been a great option but I needed the transport by the end of this month... by the time it takes me to get anything sorted I'd have got the Theory taken once (assuming I only need one attmept to pass) but no time for the riding parts.
Plus Katy can have the VanVan once I eventually get myself sorted and Das'd up.

That'd be top notch if you could come and check it out with me DP, I think the Zorst might be on it's way out but to was the CG when I got it- I'll shoot a PM over in a bit once I get all the details sorted.

As for my gloves- you gave them back to me at Squires

so i did-its an age thing you know

I honestly wouldn't know- but I'll listen to your voice of experience again