A guy near me has listed a 73 Ossa Pioneer on Craigslist for $650. I had a 68 230 Pioneer and it was a great bike, but I have heard a lot of comments on the net about them having some reliability issues. Anybody have any experience with them? It looks pretty good, lights are missing. I'm a litttle old for a trail bike, but I would sure like to give it a try again.
I don't know how to link a Craigslist ad but is in the Dallas Craigslist, just search on Ossa, its the only one there.
Wayne
73 Ossa 250 Pioneer
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73 Ossa 250 Pioneer
Luck will beat skill any time you have enough of it!
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I used to vintage race an old ossa pioneer 250 it was a horse . it would pull stumps or tow cars if you wanted it too
Mine was lacking the compression release valve , and at 12.5 to 1 comp ratio by the time I got it started I was almost too tired to ride
and the left hand kick starter took some getting used to.
Cause some mook decided to fix the gas tank inside with fiberglass resin, seems 2 stroke gas eats that stuff and it turn to gum in the carb
other than that they are stout rides
Mine was lacking the compression release valve , and at 12.5 to 1 comp ratio by the time I got it started I was almost too tired to ride
and the left hand kick starter took some getting used to.
Cause some mook decided to fix the gas tank inside with fiberglass resin, seems 2 stroke gas eats that stuff and it turn to gum in the carb
other than that they are stout rides
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- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1976 GT750
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My 68 was way stout as well and I never had a problem with it except learning to kick it. You sorta had to stand on the left side and kick toward the rear wheel. It only had about 24 HP, but it had a LOT of flywheel. With the removable silencer off, it sounded like a Popping Johnny if you were just chuging up hills and stuff. One of my friends bought an Ossa Stiletto the same day I bought the Pioneer. It was there MX bike and was way faster than mine, but did not make a good trail bike becasue it was so peaky. He was kicking himself before too long for buiying it instead of the Pioneer.
I may be too late, but we are in the midst of an ice storm right now, so I have not gone to see it. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse still, so it will be at least Thursday before I can try to see it.
Wayne
I may be too late, but we are in the midst of an ice storm right now, so I have not gone to see it. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse still, so it will be at least Thursday before I can try to see it.
Wayne
Luck will beat skill any time you have enough of it!
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Yep, I wrenched 'em back in the day. The one thing you have to keep in mind is that engine started life as a 175 and they progressively bored and stroked it out to 250....so the big end rod bearing isn't as tough as it should be. It does NOT like high RPMs.
The only other caveat is the lame Motoplat (or Femsa) ignition. Electronics was/were in their infancy in Europe at this point and the learning curve was a little steep for the manufacturers of those devices. Make absolutely sure that there's a nice fat blue spark before handing any money over. Do NOT listen to any stories about "Oh, it just needs a new plug." or "It probably needs the wires sorted out".
Oh....and you WILL need to become an expert at fibreglass repairs.
My .02.....
The only other caveat is the lame Motoplat (or Femsa) ignition. Electronics was/were in their infancy in Europe at this point and the learning curve was a little steep for the manufacturers of those devices. Make absolutely sure that there's a nice fat blue spark before handing any money over. Do NOT listen to any stories about "Oh, it just needs a new plug." or "It probably needs the wires sorted out".
Oh....and you WILL need to become an expert at fibreglass repairs.
My .02.....
GT550A Mint & Original
H2A Semi-Hot Rod Built From A Basket Case
KZ650C2 Mint & Original...mostly
GSF1200SK6 Bandit...My LD Ride
Additional H2 projects In Boxes.....
MBD Sufferer
H2A Semi-Hot Rod Built From A Basket Case
KZ650C2 Mint & Original...mostly
GSF1200SK6 Bandit...My LD Ride
Additional H2 projects In Boxes.....
MBD Sufferer
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- To the on ramp
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:34 pm
- Country: USA
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1976 GT750
- Location: Lavon, Texas