Old Bill Castaways...

[MacP]

This has cropped up I think in the past, however I was talking to a mate about him getting an ex-police bike (Pan or BMer)

I haven't got any experience of them apart from the usual sorry officer... or trying to get a Police Pan onto its centre stand at a bike safe day (feck it weighed a ton) but anyone gone down this route?

He says its worth it as they are well maintained but are they? Surely they're a bit thrashed following the attention of the boys in blue?

Opinions please...

[Chad]

FUNNY i was thinking if it was poss to buy one of those off road bikes the army use blimy i dont even know what they are

need a project to thrash around on the plains and not worry about

[squirrelciv]

Chad, there's a guy on ebay selling one. I think its a MT350. Got all the ammo packs and everything, all in commando green. think, You could ride around on it and no one would know you were there

[Chad]

cool im gonna have a nose and try to hide the monitor from mrs chad if she find out my cunning plan im a deadun

[MacP]

The ex military bikes are Harleys but not as you know them. I think they are Armstrongs made under licence or something - I'm sure someone can confirm...MT350and MT500's still used today it seems

So thats ex military but what about ex old bill...

[jvaughan]

The ex military bikes are Harleys but not as you know them. I think they are Armstrongs made under licence or something - I'm sure someone can confirm...MT350and MT500's still used today it seems

correct. all th eones I have seen are swines to start and keep breaking down !..
was talking to one squaddy who was thinkin gof putting side panniers on his DR400Z instead!

[Chad]

The ex military bikes are Harleys but not as you know them. I think they are Armstrongs made under licence or something - I'm sure someone can confirm...MT350and MT500's still used today it seems

correct. all th eones I have seen are swines to start and keep breaking down !..
was talking to one squaddy who was thinkin gof putting side panniers on his DR400Z instead!

im watching a couple of xt600 but would much prefera dommi

[JB1]

Hi guys.
I have experience of both bikes. Used to race the harley bikes on enduros for the army. Very heavy so bottom out very easily. Majority of them aren't maintained very well as they are a low priority in the army vehicle world. Also you're only allowed to work on them if you have a bike licence, and not alot of guys can maintain bikes anyway. I've seen the engine oil filled with coolant before. The oil reservoir is in the frame and filled just behind the handlebars.
I also owned an ex police pan before my @. It was an s reg and as you say was maintained as per hondas instructions. However, depending on which constabulary owned them, depends on the bits that go wrong, i.e, met police have a lot of clutch and gearbox work. Mine looked ok when bought from auction but had 2 yrs of problems ranging from electrics to starter motor and 2 alloy unions for the cooling system crack. Having been down that road, I wouldn't do it again. However, I would consider buying an ex ambulance bike, or even better, an ex military bike. Same spec as police bikes, but not ridden as hard and serviced by honda. Lastly, if you want to convert the single seat to double, breakers know the bits are sought after, and so charge alot for twin seats, rear pegs and handrails. Any more advice wanted, more than happy to help

[YEN_POWELL]

Ex Driving Standards Agency Pan Europeans come up occasionally from this company www.witham-sv.com

I've seen them at the BMF and they also get other surplus bikes too. They sell tanks as well if you've got a big garage.

[YEN_POWELL]

Ex Driving Standards Agency Pan Europeans come up occasionally from this company www.witham-sv.com

I've seen them at the BMF and they also get other surplus bikes too. They sell tanks as well if you've got a big garage.

http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=593&Overide=1

They've only got a BMs from the DSA at the moment. £3500, 10 available