Darmah Wheels

lambretter

I have been offered a 1979 900sd Darmah for £3,320 one owner since new it has a few minor issues though it runs well and has a 12 month mot.
My concern is it has Speedline wheels are they really as bad as they say and what should I replace them with and at what cost I have been told the price of the bike is fixed no offers any one have a view as I have to let him know by lunch time tomorrow
Thanks Phil

Mr.R

I run wire spoked wheels on my '79 900SS, ( the hubs came from a '74 750SS waaay back around
'82) after I had 2 pairs of mag' wheels crack before I fitted them...
The Speedline's were crap when they were new, they're now 30+ year old crap. 😯
I don't now how much wire wheels cost these days?
But I know that they're available and they're what I'd fit.

Steve R

lambretter

Thanks for that Steve though would prefer to keep the cast look. I'm also not up on prices but do you think this would be a good buy it only has 16k on the clock.

lambretter

Photo of the bike

Mr.R

Any Bevel motor can be a complete "Money Pit", the average bigend life back in the day (and I worked as a Ducati mechanic back then) was around 13,500 miles but...
Back then they were mostly thrashed by "Numpties" who knew no better.

Steve R

ducatipaddy

Right............
buy it end off. Its crazy cheap believe me even without wheels !!. Forget spokes simply because the hubs are like gold dust especially rear disk hubs. If you get it drop madeinitaly a line and they might be able to find some wheels ( cant promise). don't ride it on those speedlines unless its a very slow ferry trip TBH..
I watched a total wreck go on ebay last week for £2800 and believe me even i couldn't save that one.

this one is £8k

http://www.northleicestermotorcycles.com/images/sn2902.jpg

griff851

Somebody sent me a link to a place in Europe that was selling new wheels. They weren't cheap but. If you get really stuck contact Gowenlochs here in OZ. They'll have wheels.
The old bevels are generally money pits but if you play the game you can get away with most of it fairly reasonably. Finding somebody that actually knows whats going on and can be bothered is getting harder.
Heaps over here, but all in hiding!

Mr.R

For new spoked wheels you can try (could get them from in the last couple of years for sure) Brancato Engineering, Mdina Italia in the UK and Kamna Racing in Germany.
They ain't cheap but then neither are new cast wheels.

Steve R

851 tricolore

hi Phil
Did you get it??
3300 sounds pretty reasonable; if it's all there and originalish. One owner history should help there.
FPS (same as SSs and MHRs) wheels come up often enough on 'bay- swop straight in, just have to watch for earlier 4 or later 6 bolt discs. Normally not too expensive-You shouldn't have to pay more than 300 to 450 ish for a pair. Campags like the North Leicester bike go for quite a bit more as they have 'race' cred with the name and look like Mikes wheels. If not the same?
A pair of new spoke wheels can be around 2000 and IMO don't look right on a 'Drama'.
If I had had yout opportunity, I would probably almost surely have bought it, then get it into original/useable condition.
all the best
Ian

wgsvintage

Hi Phil,
Congratulations on your new bike. A possible inexpensive cast wheel replacement route you could take would be to round up a set of Oscam's off an Alazzurra. They are relatively easy to find and would drop in. The later '86 Alazzurra Oscam's came in 2.5" and 3.0" widths, which would (IMO) be just about right for your Darmah. Your 4-bolt one piece rotors wouldn't work, as they are 6-bolt wheels, but just about any other upgrade wheel would be as well. The Alazzurra rotors are 260mm diameter, so they wouldn't work. The Oscam's may leave a little bit to be desired on style and lightness, but they could get you on the road easily and cheaply.
Best wishes with it,
Bill

lambretter

851 tricolore wrotehi Phil Did you get it??

Ian yes I did😁

And in the neck once I told the misses😏

851 tricolore

good for you Phil
there's something very special about bevel engines.
had mine for over 20 years- always a thrill to ride, good quality construction, and don't need too much maintenance if it's set up well. Balance the carbs as often as you like, keep an eye on the valve clearances, change the oil every 2000km. Run with air filters to save the bores, (Malossis on mine).
enjoy : ))

851 tricolore

Phil
I blame you entirely for bumping the market.
all the Dramas I see for sale now are in the 5k plus region.
I only want one now because you've got one, no other reason, would prefer a whale tail Darmah SS though- I'd give 5k for that anyone?
silver/blue please.
Ian

851 tricolore

and I've got a spare pair of FPSs now

lambretter

851 tricolore wroteand I've got a spare pair of FPSs now

Have bought a Darmah then or are you breaking the MHR?

hauge

Hi Phil!
I recently bought a pale of parts and there was 2 set of Pantah wheels.
Yours for a "nice price" if you want them.

lambretter

Thomas
Thanks for the offer but I am sorted now managed to get some four bolt wheels from eBay Germany
following a link sent to me by Ian (851 tricolore)
Regards Phil

MitchB

I have a spare set of nice FPS wheels (from a '81 Darmah). What are they worth do you suppose..?

lambretter

MitchB wroteI have a spare set of nice FPS wheels (from a '81 Darmah). What are they worth do you suppose..?

I paid £320 plus shipping but I found they can cost around £550 a pair in the UK. If selling try Bevel Heaven web site.

851 tricolore

lambretter wroteHave bought a Darmah then or are you breaking the MHR?

hi Phil
had a bit of a wheel day today- left my van at my most friendly dealer for new bearings in the future 17" front for the 851, then a very slightly used 16" M59X stuck on the 'old' back wheel for the meantime plus a new rear rubber for the Hawk. Whilst I pulled the DB2 out of the van to go and visit 2 friends in the meantime, who happen to live at opposite ends of one of my favourite roads, couldn't be better.

The FPSs will be spares for the Hailwood unless I find a better use for them . . . they would probably fit nicely on an SB2 😉
Hailwood battery charged up yesterday- start up imminent . . . when I get round to it.

and, this won't interest a lot of you, Wolfgang (dealer friend) just got a GB500 Clubman with 0km ! jealous? me? Brigitte more so when I told her, who was out on her first ride with her Clubman (Clubwoman?) this year.
Great weather too 😄