East Coaster Advice Request

[Matty]

Hello all,
my name is Matt, I have recently taken on a restoration project which I'm thoroughly looking forward to.
My father has just cleared out his garage and part of the clearance was his 1965 greeves 250 east coaster. I have used the Internet to chech frame No.s and although I can only match the first section, am pretty sure the East coaster is correct.
My father was going to let the bike go for little money so I offered to buy it. He has actually given it to me, which is great as I have pictures of myself and my sister when we were 4 and 6 perched on the back!
I am considering a complete standard restoration, or something a little mor interesting (to me) a cafe racer?
I am fairly certain the only thing non original is the headlight which I gather is a difficult part to find?
I will post up some pics of the bike as is, which looks like it has been hand painted red and black at some point in it's life!
Any help with parts etc will be hugely appreciated, as I'm looking to carry out a complete nut and bolt restoration
(compared to my ducati this bike is the sparcest thing I have ever seen!)
so, I look forward to any help from you chaps, and the forthcomig project!

Cheers

Matt

[Brian Thompson]

Hi Matt, and a warm welcome to the GRA forum!

Great to hear about your bike Matt, a real find! The Eastcoaster is quite a rare model and you may have noticed other relevant posts about it here. We are fortunate to have our very own 'in house' expert on these models (John Wakefield) who I'm sure will be replying to your post soon. I will leave it in John's capable and knowledgable hands to tell you a bit more more about your bike!

You didn't say if you have recently joined the GRA, as well as the forum. If not (and for any other new forum members reading this!), I reckon it will be the best money you spend on the project (and it's only £20, £18 at renewal.) Not only will it give you access to a wealth of information, spares, advice and six issues of one of the very best club magazines 'out there' (and loads more besides!), you will also be able to access the exclusive 'members only' sections of this forum.

We are a relatively small club and as such obviously rely on the support of our membership. I can honestly say that joining up was the single best thing I did when I got my 24TCS Scottish Trials five years ago, and I cannot recommend (and thank!) the GRA enough for all the help, support and encouragement I have received as a result.

Ok, plug over!!!

Good to have you aboard Matt, and hope you enjoy the forum!

Cheers,

Brian. (I own a Duke too! In bits of course!)

[John Wakefield]

East Coaster

Matty, I am the GRA technical specialist for the East Coasters, if you would like to post the frame number I can check it for you on the despatch records.
Perhaps you would send me a personal message with your name & location for the records.
I attach two pics of my East Coaster to give you an idea what it should look like

[Brian Thompson]

Great pics John, she's a beauty!

[Matty]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

John, that is definately the bike I have, although obviously the colour is somewhat different!

Am I right to assume yours was an American model, being black and silver?

I am told by my dad that his bike was originally blue, (he isnt the one responsible for the new paint job btw)

I think my dad may have registered the bike already, so it may be recorded already.....

The frame number is 25 DC 385B, I have matched the first part, but can't seem to match the last? I look forward to confirming exactly what I have.

In some ways, if it's not rare, I may be tempted to carry out the cafe racer conversion a little more.

Cheers

Matt

[John Wakefield]

Matt
Yes I have it registered (presumably with your dad Arther P****e living in Southampton. Reg No HMO 9D. It was supplied new by Blackall Motorcycles of Theale, I think your dad has this info. I think it would have originally been black, hence the letter B in frame number. Although not megga rare, around 50 survive out of around 125 (exact number unknown) built, its a pity to turn it into a cafe racer, good EC's are now very collectable & you will devalue the bike. Best to restore it as original in Black & Silver. Although they were built as a USA model very few made it to the states. Whilst the yanks loved the scramblers & trials bikes they prefered big beefy Triumphs & BSA's for the road.
Perhaps you could let me have your tel number & address off forum by personal message for my records (I have your dads address) if you want a chat my phone number is 01223 843802. The headlamp shells are available from Villiers Services (as are most other spares) & I think Adrian Dickerson may also do them. You will need one with the head light switch mounting hole.

[Matty]

Hey, thats great many thanks.

You are indeed correct with my dads details.

I'm astonished the bike came from Theale, as I work in Basingstoke, and travel through Theale to my flat in Reading every day!

I am after quite alot of parts to be honest, but will probably start with the headlight; then move on to all bearings and bushes, as I plan to strip the bike, and use my work contacts to powder coat the frame etc, and build a rolling chasis etc.

I would be very interested in paint codes, and maybe detailed pictures of the tank etc for painting purposes.

Am I right to say, the bike is the same as yours then?

Looks like im going to restore to original, consider my arm twisted!

[John Wakefield]

Marty
Yes it should look like mine, the only bits on my bike not to original spec are the rear number plate (should be longer) & headlamp rim (should be peaked) but that really is 'rivit counting'. As for parts I suggest as Brian says you join the club and can then advertise for spares in Leading Link (not everyone is on line (yet). Luckily most parts are common to a number of models. Paint code should not be a problem as black is black & the silver panel on the tank is same as for the blue models. Maybe someone has paint code for this. The dealer name was Blackall Stroud Motorcycles of Theale, I presume they have long gone out of business as dont come up on Google. One final thing the original engine number was 353E 1735 (but this may have been changed) more worrying the reg No HMO 9D is not live on DVLA, have you a V5 for the bike?
(Brian, might be a good idear to move thread to 'road bikes').

[Colin Sparrow]

might be a good idear to move thread to 'road bikes'.

That's done, plus more relevant thread title.

[Matty]

One final thing the original engine number was 353E 1735 (but this may have been changed) more worrying the reg No HMO 9D is not live on DVLA, have you a V5 for the bike?
(Brian, might be a good idear to move thread to 'road bikes').

The engine is still original!

As for not being registered, I do have the V5 for the bike.

Registered in my dads name in Dursley.

What may have caused the bike to "disapear"?

[John Wakefield]

What may have caused the bike to "disapear"?
I dont know, I suggest you contact the DVLA to check the number is still on the bike. But before you do:-
a) Is it a current V5C
b) Are you being confused with the old green or buff logbook RF60
c) If you have a V5 what is the exact make. ie should be Greeves but may be recorded as Greeves Sports Twin or similar.
d) Have I searched the correct reg No ie HMO 9D

[Matty]

a) Is it a current V5C
b) Are you being confused with the old green or buff logbook RF60
c) If you have a V5 what is the exact make. ie should be Greeves but may be recorded as Greeves Sports Twin or similar.
d) Have I searched the correct reg No ie HMO 9D

No it is an old style V5.

Not RF60

The make and model on the V5 is correct.

And the reg you searched is correct.

I will get onto the DVLA

[Brian Magee]

Hi Matty

Good luck with your project. I have an East Coaster and am just off the A339 near Greenham Common. It is not in concourse condition and gets used ocassionally and goes to some of the local shows. If you want to see it sometime send me a PM.

Brian.

[Matty]

Thanks Brian,

Im just waiting on the DVLA to see if they are going to play ball with the registration document.

If all goes well then I will begin the strip down ASAP.

I would be very interested in seeing your bike

My uncle has a couple of blue Roadster's, what colour is your bike?

Perhaps I could come over on the duke after the TT some time

[Brian Magee]

Hi Matty

My East Coaster is black as are most of them. I also have a 25DC which is Moorland Blue.

Let me know when you want to call over.

Brian.