Well I have decided to get myself a twinshock again, something to work on as a project and to take part in twinshock trials .

Now I am not fussed about what bike I go for, but would prefer early to late 70's.

My question is not realy what is the best bike but what make(s) have the most widely available spares or have the best value for money parts.

Don't want to get into a rebuild to find that parts take months to locate or cost more that it is worth. I don't expect all part to be on the shelf but waiting time within reason. Also are there makes that you can go to several dealers rather that 'oh with that bike you cn only get them from.....'

Any help would be great

I have no problem finding my fantic parts although some did prove difficult. Those parts which i could get, i made. that is very often the only way. Altough Bill Pye seems to be the man for fantic, both streve goode and bob wright in avon can get most parts. And in case you did not know, fantic built and sold 18.000 240s before they stopped. Secondand hand bits are available if you look. Kickstarts and shafts are being remade and I will be having some clutch basket done so watch this space.

i thinks it is similar for most makes, I get all my TY250 parts from John at Trial and TRAIL and SWM parts are also available from SWM MOTO in avon so pick and choose....

I think the parts pricesa re still ok also, I paid 60 euros for a flywheel cover for my gasgas and a remade 200 cover costs about 100 ish so not too bad.

My advice would be a 200/240 fantic first or a TY175/250

Dear oceanvibe

In the last 10 years I have sourced many parts for Yamaha TY175, TY250, Kawasaki KT250, Montesa 348, OSSA MAR, Bultaco M49 and M198. I've had no experience with bikes that became popular after 1978 like SWM, Fantic and Italjet.

Bultaco parts are generally the most abundant but other popular 1970s trials bikes also have their parts suppliers in different parts of the world. There are good suppliers for Montesa parts in the UK and the USA and the same goes for OSSA. Very few genuine parts are available for the Japanese bikes but there are very good reproduction parts available. If you buy a bike that is complete, you can be sure to be able to get it up to competition standard. If it is a popular model, missing parts can usually be sourced from wreckers and on eBay.

My advice is to steer clear of buying any model that was rare in its prime, no matter how cheap it seems, unless you thrive on a challenge.

i've got three later type beamishes here if your interested, i don't want stupid money for them.

cheers

Ben