Cagiva Elefant 750cc, Lucky Strike

[phazed]

About 15 years after I sold my 750cc beauty, (which I regret) I am seriously hankering after a replacement.

Such a brilliant all round stunning bike. I like big, (not BMW big ) trailies.

Unlike so many others these are quite lightish, good torque and fair power.

What it lacks in modern day performance it makes up with charisma in spades.

So the question is as they are thin on the ground, what’s lurking in people’s garages?

[James_0541]

Motorad Konnection in Malton have one in stock.

https://www.motorradkonnection.com/products/900-el...

[mrdelazouch]

James_0541 said:

Motorad Konnection in Malton have one in stock.

https://www.motorradkonnection.com/products/900-el...

Pretty steep price for non runner.

[mrdelazouch]

phazed said:

About 15 years after I sold my 750cc beauty, (which I regret) I am seriously hankering after a replacement.

Such a brilliant all round stunning bike. I like big, (not BMW big ) trailies.

Unlike so many others these are quite lightish, good torque and fair power.

What it lacks in modern day performance it makes up with charisma in spades.

So the question is as they are thin on the ground, what s lurking in people s garages?

There are a couple of interesting options on the continent

https://www.carandclassic.com/la/C2199803
https://www.carandclassic.com/la/C2050662
https://www.carandclassic.com/la/C2050721

[NITO]

Love the Elefants!

[JaseB]

Just picked a very tidy 2000 Gran Canyon 900, 17k miles with a fresh mot for £1600, epic fun.

Obviously nowhere near as cool as a Lucky Explorer though...

Edited by JaseB on Monday 28th September 11:48

[James_0541]

mrdelazouch said:

Pretty steep price for non runner.

Depends on a persons level of want...one owner from new, UK spec bike and in that condition. It may be a non-runner for the simplist of reasons, or it may be a nightmare behind the panels.

A look costs nothing and at least a better understanding of the symptoms will be known.

[phazed]

JaseB said:

Just picked a very tidy 2000 Gran Canyon 900, 17k miles with a fresh mot for £1600, epic fun.

Obviously nowhere near as cool as a Lucky Explorer though...

Edited by JaseB on Monday 28th September 11:48

Nothing wrong with that bike, but the lucky strike has charisma and that sadly is what you have to pay for.

[phazed]

Actually, on holiday in northern Spain around the mountains and have been for four weeks. I have seen thousands of adventure bikes. Barely one sports bike amongst the whole lot!

I think that is where I have got a yearning for another Cagiva!

[mrdelazouch]

James_0541 said:

Depends on a persons level of want...one owner from new, UK spec bike and in that condition. It may be a non-runner for the simplist of reasons, or it may be a nightmare behind the panels.

A look costs nothing and at least a better understanding of the symptoms will be known.

Very true, it might be a nice example that require a little bit of work. However the bike trader that can't be bothered to check what's wrong with the bike that they are selling is a bit of a red flag for me.

[James_0541]

mrdelazouch said:

Very true, it might be a nice example that require a little bit of work. However the bike trader that can't be bothered to check what's wrong with the bike that they are selling is a bit of a red flag for me.

I happen to know the shop in question, and they are incredibly busy. Given the level of effort that's put into their bikes I wouldn't be too concerned, I think it is a genuine 'we just don't have the time to look at it'.

Folk have paid more for less on eBay.

[NITO]

mrdelazouch said:

Pretty steep price for non runner.

That's very cheap imho. As a runner it would be worth 12-15k all day long (if it were a genuine 900ie). That said, it may be a replica of a 900ie, the front forks don't look like the stock Marzocchis, the mudguards are both non stock and the engine is also not like the oem one, which should be black with gold topped heads and the clutch master looks different too.

Edited by NITO on Monday 28th September 17:02

[FNG]

NITO said:

Love the Elefants!

Now I’ve seen that these are a thing, I want one very much.

But sadly it needs to look exactly like this or it just won’t do.

They’re not 5 grand like this though are they. Nowhere near. I just know it

[phazed]

There’s a great looking one in France but I’m coming back to Blighty by ferry from Santander.

On that note, how easy is it to register a French bike over here?

[phazed]

NITO said:

mrdelazouch said:

Pretty steep price for non runner.

That's very cheap imho. As a runner it would be worth 12-15k all day long (if it were a genuine 900ie). That said, it may be a replica of a 900ie, the front forks don't look like the stock Marzocchis, the mudguards are both non stock and the engine is also not like the oem one, which should be black with gold topped heads and the clutch master looks different too.

Edited by NITO on Monday 28th September 17:02

That is good to know as that was a possibility…

I would prefer the 750 as this has a reputedly smoother engine. Mine certainly was.