FOUND!

[farmer58za]

Ooh man, I'm at it again. Got a phone call from a friend who said there's a white KTM 400 just like mine ('75) standing in a breakers yard. Complete with side panels, fenders, lights. Missing a back wheel.

Can't wait to leave work early to go and see it.

David (sliding into the pit)

[OhioTed]

Go for it, David.  There is no such thing as "too many bikes".

[farmer58za]

Went and checked it out. Co-incidentally, this bike rolled off the production line one ahead of mine with frame number 54506 84917. Mine is 84918. They must have come over in the same batch

Will go and pull it out of the breakers shed tomorrow

Jackie will flip!

David

[Kip Kern]

David,  Congrats!  What is a "breaker"?

[john durrill]

Kip ,
 Its South African for a salvage yard. David can find things we just dream about at the brakers close to his home chuckle chuckle
John D.

[farmer58za]

It all depends on the day, who serves you (and maybe the weather too) as to whether you'll get a good deal at the local breakers. I've come away with really precious '70's dirtbike stuff at good prices in the past but I get stung once in a while.

There's a small number of collectors here who will buy dirt bike stuff but for the most part, people aren't interested. Some of the better old dirt bikes will have also been exported (to the US) for hard currency. Buyers from the UK have also bought up a lot of bikes with GB Pounds. It's sad really.

Anyway, I think I'll have to get the KTM because eventually it'll be stripped and then it's gone.

David

[OhioTed]

Know what you mean, David.  We used to have a good local mc salvage yard.  However, it became so popular that any time something came in, within a week or so it would look as though ants had been at work on the bike.  Once I saw a complete (except for mag cover) '74 250 mx'er turn up.  I tried to buy the entire bike, but the owner knew better.  He made many times the amount I offered by parting it out.  It was reduced to a bone in no time.

[farmer58za]

Got it - safe at home!
bike is missing rear wheel and kickstart lever. Mostly all there otherwise.
Motor turns and has good compression.

Wife hasn't seen it yet! LOL

David

PS how do I post a pic?