Description
Having owned a Darmah some 25 years ago, I thought it’s time to have another one and as I like a restoration project, when the opportunity came to acquire this bike, it had to be done. For me it’s the right one with air filters, side and centre stands and of course black with the cool gold stripe and tiger logos…all boxes ticked. It had been unused for some time, was covered in dust, a bit furry and clearly needed a love, so deal done, bike in the workshop and start the job list with a view of doing the usual bare frame rebuild. However, after the initial clean and inspection it soon became apparent the bike was so original, even retaining it’s correct crankcase lead seal, it would be a real shame to make yet another shiny Darmah when it really only needed a bloody good recommission. Any bike can only be original once and I am a user, not a collector of static shiny things. So, whilst I was looking for and thinking of a total restoration project, had to accept that would be bordering criminal on a bike that still retains it’s original paint and the patina of age that’s so easily lost with thoughtless restoration.
The worst thing noted upon inspection was pitting on the front fork stanchions, so the Marzocchi forks were professionally re-chromed, re-ground then built with new seals etc by the brilliant FTR motorcycles who I commend to you should you require this service. Tyres and tubes were replaced as a matter of course and a thorough inspection and clean up of everything undertaken whilst it was all in pieces. Great to have stainless mudguards as they required nothing more than a good clean up with no re-finishing quandaries! Both front and rear master cylinders were overhauled with new pistons & seals, calipers also overhauled as required, oil, filter, plugs and battery replaced, plus a myriad of minor parts from the magnetic dip stick, cush drive rubbers, clutch, chain and sprocket to new correct type handlebar grips getting rid of the nasty ‘90’s foam affairs. The fuel tank has been internally cleaned, new fuel taps and fuel lines added and the carbs rebuilt….. the end result of which is a lovely original Darmah, super silent mechanically which ticks over perfectly when hot & revs and sounds as it should through the original front pipes with replica Conti ‘silencers’. Just brilliant! I’ve now ridden it at 100mph and remember why we love these so much. On a favourite twisty A or B road, 6, 000 + revs in the gears, clutchless changes matching the revs and revelling in the smoothness and sonic impact that can de-louse a dog at 100 yds…. What a joy! What a fantastic bike.
Of course there are always dilemmas with originality, chrome being the worst issue. The front cylinder bevel drive tube’s parchment thin chrome was hanging off in sheets, so this has been painted. Similarly the handlebar chrome is well past it’s sell by date, sure I could have replaced the bars or re-chromed these originals in a heartbeat, but then it would stand out horribly and start on the path of total restoration. There is visible bubbling on the tail piece and side panels, just as you’d expect from a 45 year old Italian bike… call it patina, scruffiness or character, it’s taken a long time to reach this level! It is a dilemma, though I chose the path of preservation not restoration. If you want to have the World’s simplest cosmetic restoration project to re-live the 1980’s and make a bike that has just come out of the showroom, this could be the one for you. Alternatively if you’re looking for a lovely original, thoughtfully built Darmah that wears it’s age with pride and is literally on the button, ready to go, here it is!
I have the V5C in my name, the registration number is short with just two numbers so nicely symmetrical on the plate and there’s a pile of literature to go with it. Hopefully the photos show how good the bike is, though any questions, please ask and I’ll do the best I can to answer and any sensible inspection welcomed. I’d like to think we’re all nice people, genuinely selling a great bike, so please, no scammers, N’er do wells, offers of £££££’s to send it to Nigeria or any other daft ideas. Having given the hard line, I’m here to help, so just shout if I can help
Me, now this is completed, I’ve found the bare bones of another bike that is a total restoration project as it’s all in pieces, but even that will be a rider not a hider when it’s done….
