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200 Series General Forum for the Volvo 240 and 260 cars |
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New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244Views : 2028585 Replies : 4092Users Viewing This Thread : |
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May 15th, 2021, 16:31 | #2551 | |
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May 15th, 2021, 18:52 | #2552 | |
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This bike isn't really a copy of anything, in Royal Enfield's own words: "This is a limited number run done by Enfield inspired by the "Flying Flea" 125cc motorcycle during the second world war" - it is however a fine looking machine, and something of a homage to Airborne Forces (I was in the Airborne in my Army service). One of the chaps that worked for me 35 years ago bought one and sent me a photo - I've been looking out for one since then, and another mate from the paras found this one advertised - so I made an offer and bought it this morn. I don't need another bike (I have a Triumph, a CCM and a Suzuki already), but this one is just so cool. I'll certainly use it for Ride To the Wall (RTTW) - usually in October, and maybe a few other days per year. At the end of the day it is just a really cool looking bike with a few Airborne Forces stickers - and a chap can never have enough guns or motorcycles.
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... another lovely day in paradise. Last edited by Othen; May 15th, 2021 at 18:53. Reason: Spelling error. |
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May 15th, 2021, 20:13 | #2553 | |
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Apparently these bikes were thrown out of aircraft with a parachute and were sturdy enough to survive the landing so GI Joe and/or his UK counterpart could ride off into the sunset and perform espionage on the German installations. Or something like that!
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Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ |
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May 15th, 2021, 20:57 | #2554 | |
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welbike ... I remember seeing a few of them (which had no value at the time) when I was a boy, and again in the Airborne Forces museum. It was a small, light bike with a 100cc (I think) Villiers 2 stroke engine and no gears. It was light enough to land by parachute - if one tried to throw the 500cc Royal Enfield out of an aircraft on a parachute it would land fast enough to dig itself a 6' deep hole!
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... another lovely day in paradise. |
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May 15th, 2021, 21:08 | #2555 |
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I think there might be a slight confusion there, Alan. Wasn't the Wellbike the forerunner of the Brookhouse Corgi, which was a small wheeled machine powered by a Villiers 98cc engine? I seem to recall my primary school teacher having an ex WD one in the '50s. In contrast, the RE Flying Flea was a much more conventional motorcycle, powered, as you said, by a 125cc motor.
Regards, John
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May 15th, 2021, 21:11 | #2556 |
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Sorry, wrote that not having seen your reply to 'L.S.'. J.
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May 15th, 2021, 21:12 | #2557 | |
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Who would have thught though that 70+ years on, these things would become not just sought after but almost revered for their roles? *** EDIT *** Just to add, i've also seen one of those Corgis on Find It, Fix It, Flog It plus many other strange things!
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Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........ Last edited by Laird Scooby; May 15th, 2021 at 21:16. |
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May 15th, 2021, 21:14 | #2558 | |
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:-)
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May 15th, 2021, 21:19 | #2559 | |
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https://www.bike-urious.com/ending-s...liers-welbike/ ... who would have thought.
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May 16th, 2021, 09:06 | #2560 |
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Parachutes have moved on a bit since WWII, as Lightweight Land Rovers were air-dropped from Lockheed C130 Hercules. If the chutes failed to open said Landy became lozenge-shaped and crabbed a bit!
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