Zundapp Bella 154 Restoration

[Wolf]

I've finally scanned all the old photos and uploaded my story of the time when I restored my old Zundapp scooter - it's on my web site. I won't replicate it here - why should Spankme pay to host all my photos when I have a site to put them on?

Go to http://www.gigahive.com/sites/wolf1066/ then click on "Zundapp Restoration" in the side bar if you're interested.

I'd do things differently if I did it again - powder coat the frame rather than paint it, for a start. Possibly even powder coat the body panels.

[TLDV8]

Awesome story but sad to hear about Tom McCarron.
Rukuhia reminds me of Asplins (sp) garage and playing in WWII aircraft when visiting....That might have been up to 40 years ago

[Dazza]

Cool, I've got nearly a complete one that's alot worse for wear,thanks for the inspiration.

[Wolf]

sad to hear about Tom McCarron.

You knew him, huh. Great guy. He moved to Waihi, took ill and then died.

I used to love visiting his house just to look at the assortment of old vehicles. Fantastic array of bikes from an old Triumph Tigress (the scooterists will know what I'm on about) to BSAs old BMWs. Had a collection of BSA Bantams and had enough parts to build about 3 more by his estimate.

I'm not a car person, but his collection of Armstrong-Siddley Star Sapphires and the other classics he had were a wonder to behold.

Wonderful chap. He smuggled bits of my bike out to his work to spray them with military-grade anti-rust paint and did a hell of a good job on my bike. The rear tool compartment was rusted out so he welded in a new plate, straightened everything up.

I suspect he had a blast working on the old Zundapp - his love of restoring machines was legendary.

RIP, Tom.

[Wolf]

Cool, I've got nearly a complete one that's alot worse for wear,thanks for the inspiration.

No problems, that's what the page is there for - you've read my mechanical (lack of) expertise so if I can do it, anyone can.

So, post some pics of your bike, please.

I didn't do the level of work that ClassicZed did, but then, I wasn't trying to restore it to factory trim (else I'd have to remove the brake light and indicators), I was trying to make it last a few more years with the TLC that I owed it for all the years it served me.

[MSTRS:Me]

.... Triumph Tigress (the scooterists will know what I'm on about) .....

Got my m/c licence on one of them

[Motu]

Ah,good write up man,full of excess detail as usual...excelent! I had two Bella 200's,one black and one white,both 1958 I think.Very similar to the 150,but I seem to remember fold down alloy foot boards for the pillion,three rings on the body,and both of mine had the original tail lamp.I sooooo wanted to restore one and use the other as a hack,but it's over 10 years since I sold them and they would still by untouched,pity as I was really interested in them,such a rugged design.I sold them to that scooter fanatic in Titirangi for a pitance,but at least I knew they were going to someone who knew what they were.

[Wolf]

Yeah, I sold the Puch and the Zundapp together for a pittance as well but it was that or let them rust to death for want of time and funds.

I think I more than got my money's worth out of both of them before they went, though.

[Lippy]

I have a Zundapp Bella - neally finished restoration job but are missing a rear seat.
Can you sugest where I might find one?
Cheers, Lippy

[Wolf]

I have a Zundapp Bella - neally finished restoration job but are missing a rear seat.
Can you sugest where I might find one?
Cheers, Lippy

Sorry, mate, wouldn't have a clue. Had a hard enough job manufacturing parts or finding suitable substitutes (RD350 rear tail lamp, Suzuki switches etc) for mine when I had it.

Sounds like yours is a different year to mine as mine had a single bench seat while yours sounds like independent "tear-drop" seats.

[scootnz]

I get 'Error Initializing Site' trying to look at the zundapp section. Can someone tell me about Tom McCarron? I've been trying to find him but sounds like it's too late.

Awesome story but sad to hear about Tom McCarron.
Rukuhia reminds me of Asplins (sp) garage and playing in WWII aircraft when visiting....That might have been up to 40 years ago

[Wolf]

I get 'Error Initializing Site' trying to look at the zundapp section. Can someone tell me about Tom McCarron? I've been trying to find him but sounds like it's too late.

The site crapped itself and I couldn't modify or add pages (only delete) so I ditched it after several support requests were ignored.

My own site will be back up and running soon once I get the financial burden of shifting house sorted.

Tom, alas, died quite some time ago in Waihi.