Delivered today!

[FastJetBiker]

My MT350 arrived today. I ordered and paid for a ‘full strip and rebuild’ from Dave at D&C Classics in Keighley back in the deepest, darkest day of lockdown earlier in the year. I’m based in the Isle of Man and due to various factors at this end, I’ve not been able to take delivery of the bike until now. This is my second MT350 and I have also had an MT500 in a previous life (in the military) I have to say that I’m extremely impressed by the standard of finish on the bike and am very happy that I opted to pay extra for the full refurb. Also, it’s nice to do business with someone like Dave, good communication from day one and getting what it says on the tin! Unfortunately, I’m not going to get a lot of use out of the bike until (hopefully) early next year, as I’m due into Noble’s Hospital to get my swinging arm bearings replaced due to excess wear! Actually, the hip replacement is more likely due to me jumping out of too many perfectly good aeroplanes! So looking forward to getting out and about on the MT once I’m back on my feet. I live on the IOM TT Course, about 150yds before the Start/Finish and am itching to head off down Glencrutchery Road on my new green slug! CB

[Wirralman]

Congrats on your new bike.

[arceye]

I know how you feel. Been to the TT every year for the last 20 ( apart from foot and mouth ).
Hope it happens next year and well done on your purchase.
Oh and good luck with the hip hop.

[Dunders]

So there's at least 2 MT350s on the Island! I'll look out for you!

Paul

[winnie5]

Think i saw one of you go past Sunday (?). My house is also on the track, but at Greeba, and the bike was heading towards Crosby. I'm in the process of moving over and recently became a resident, although we've had the house for 4 years.
I've got an MT350 with a 560 Aprilia fitted, but not sure if that would present a problem if i register it over here with the wrong engine number. Have you registered your MT?
Do you go off road on it? I've done most of the lanes over here on a lightweight enduro bike, but think they'd be tough on a heavy MT.

[Dunders]

I was out and about on Sunday, and passed Greeba about 10.15 on my way to join the RE rideout.

Mine is registered on the IoM. It's a standard 350 Rotax with the carb/airbox mod, MT500 rear shocks/lowered forks, 16t front sprocket. I don't go off road, but I do enjoy the back roads at a quiet pace (I often go on my Guzzi NF with a friend on his Bantam - very sedate, and very pleasant!).

The Test Centre guys are pretty good with older bikes and mongrels, from what I hear. I've only registered 3 bikes with them and the dealing has been sensible and easy. If you're a member of the VMCC the guys have a lot of experience of registering odd bikes and are very helpful.

[winnie5]

Thanks Dunders

Yes, must have been you go past then. There's certainly loads of back lanes to explore, so guess the MT would be great for that. I'll keep a look out for your Guzzi and a smokey Bantam!!!!
Thanks for the advise about the testing. I bought our old 15 year old VW golf over as a run-about, and registered it over here to save messing around with mot's etc, and was pleasantly surprised it passed.
The roads are so quiet, and generally in very good condition - perfect for biking.

[LeoBlue]

I purchased a bike from the same dealer described as 'Fully serviced & MOT'd'. I found the following: front tyre slow puncture, missing circlip's from front & rear brake pad retention pins, rear brake pads completely worn out, rear disc heavily scored, weld spatter on rear disc that came from the awful repair attempt on the silencer (still full of holes) and caused the wear of the pads, large hole burnt through lower section of rear mudguard where weld attempt was carried out, upper section of rear mudguard fitted incorrectly allowing water to run down back end of bike, all oil filters clogged with debris and oil that looked years old, constant oil leak from damaged seal face on bolt in sump, cabling with visible inner wiring where outer cover had worn through, plus numerous stripped threads. When I spoke to them about the oil filters and oil I was told 'Well at least it had some oil in it'! I suspect that the fact that they do their own MOT's allows them to get away with this. It was too late for me to ask for my money back as I had the bike for 2 years before I started work on it due to a badly broken shoulder shortly after I purchased it. And before anyway cries 'foul' I have photographed & documented everything outlined above.
Caveat Emptor as they say!

[lardmarc]

I purchased a bike from the same dealer described as 'Fully serviced & MOT'd'. I found the following: front tyre slow puncture, missing circlip's from front & rear brake pad retention pins, rear brake pads completely worn out, rear disc heavily scored, weld spatter on rear disc that came from the awful repair attempt on the silencer (still full of holes) and caused the wear of the pads, large hole burnt through lower section of rear mudguard where weld attempt was carried out, upper section of rear mudguard fitted incorrectly allowing water to run down back end of bike, all oil filters clogged with debris and oil that looked years old, constant oil leak from damaged seal face on bolt in sump, cabling with visible inner wiring where outer cover had worn through, plus numerous stripped threads. When I spoke to them about the oil filters and oil I was told 'Well at least it had some oil in it'! I suspect that the fact that they do their own MOT's allows them to get away with this. It was too late for me to ask for my money back as I had the bike for 2 years before I started work on it due to a badly broken shoulder shortly after I purchased it. And before anyway cries 'foul' I have photographed & documented everything outlined above.
Caveat Emptor as they say!

Not the first time I've heard this and it probably won't be the last.

Well done for highlighting it.

[LeoBlue]

Yes, needless to say I am out of pocket having paid well over the odds for what I eventually got. I was stupid enough to trust these people after extensive phone calls prior to purchase to ensure they were trustworthy. My (huge) mistake.