1929 La Mondiale for sale

NOW SOLD

La Mondiale was a Belgian marque in business from 1923 to 1934 that used a variety of proprietory motors. This particular bike has a rather nice 500cc JAP motor fitted, dates from 1929 and is offered for sale in the Czech Republic. A machine like this is hard to value, this particular one was offered for sale on ebay in the US a bit over a year ago where it didn't find a buyer. The bike then made its way over to Europe in a deal outside of ebay and is now offered on the market again. The seller is looking for around 12,500 euro. It's a rare bike but there's no formula that says rare is equal to strong money. A few months ago the price would have seemed a lot better to a sterling buyer! I'd expect an on the road equivalent British machine like a Cotton with the same motor to be around the £14k mark. As they say, it's all down to supply and demand and just how much you want something. Make your own mind up as to value and speak direct to the seller.

The La Mondiale is unquestionably a very rare bike and any machine fitted with a 500 ohv JAP of the vintage era is instantly desirable. I personally am a big fan of the late twenties and thirties pressed steel framed machines, there's something very Art Deco and stylish about them though the design was seldom used on a sporting mount like this. There's certainly work needs to be done on this example, by the looks of it ideally a full restoration or be it a very straightforward one. I would be surprised if the bike was not supplied with lights from new, the handlebar levers are definitely of a later period and would need to be replaced, there's something wrong looking about the exhausts too but all in these are fairly minor issues. I would guess that the petrol tank panel originally held at least a speedometer and probably a switch for the lights too, replicating this part properly might be a slightly tougher task. I've seen a picture however of a racing La Mondiale which has no lights or speedo and there's a chance that the example in question here was originally built for the track.

The sale is in no way connected to this site, the owner has simply gotten in touch and I've posted up pictures as it is a fascinating bike. If you are interested I can put you in touch with the vendor via his email address. As with anything sold over the internet best to make sure 100% you are happy with the deal and have ideally met the seller and seen the bike in person before parting with any cash. Caveat emptor and all that.

1929 La Mondiale.

Overall not bad looking. Clutch and brake levers are wrong,
the twist grip probably too.

That tank panel may have held a speedo and light switch or it
could just be that this is a race bike.

I'm not 100% on my JAP engine numbers but I think KOZ
denotes a 500cc (K) ohv (O) dry sump (Z) and the next letter is
either a H which means 1931 or  R which is either 1935 or race.
JAP engine numbers have a set pattern but every so often they
seem to throw in a few off the wall variations just so you don't
get complacent.

Gearbox number seems right for a late '28 or '29 Sturmey LS.

Poole Quay Bike Night

The Summer riding season is coming close to an end and with it most bike nights are ending 'til next year. Still a few more Poole Quay nights to go though. I've only made it along a couple of times this year. Here are a few snaps from the last visit.

A different Gold Star. Once derided as an imposter but now
accepted as decent bikes in their own right (though still an
inappropriate use of the Gold Star brand in my eyes!)

Metal flake Lamby.

Ratted Triumph.

An original Continental GT.

q

Fully faired Spada 1.

Lightly customed Valkyrie.

Honda Silver Wing. It takes all types!

This Yoshimura modded Suzi drew a lot of
admiration.

Moto Legendes at Montlhery 2003

Been checking out some old photo albums of late. Here's a trip to Moto Legendes from back in 2003 when it was still held at Montlhery. I made the ride on my 350 Indian Bullet, Dan C on his, Matt on his BMW R90S and Dan B on his MkIV Guzzi Lemans. Dan C is the only one to still have the same bike, all of us look frighteningly youthful!

Memories of the trip are Dan's recalcitrant Guzzi on its maiden voyage on the way out. Lying zonked out in a village square somewhere in France after an overnight ferry with a few too many beers and Dan's Bullet suffering re-curing blocked carb issues on the way home in bleak hedgeless agricultural land in the driving rain. Should have bought that filter at the event Dan - we'll never forget!

Funny how the roadside stoppages often constitute the fondest memories. It's near got to the point of realisation of this fact that I now almost cherish a mechanical stop, though still find it better if it is someone elses bike rather than my own.

I can't remember but I believe Dan C took these pictures so probably deserves the credit - thanks Dan.

Bullets with the Montlhery banking as a backdrop.

13 years ago.... Myself and Dan C.

Right kids, take it as the voice of experience that several pints
and two hours sleep do not mix well with a long days' ride.

My Bullet was only six years old for this trip. I kept hold of it up
until a couple of years ago.

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2016 pt3

The final posting of pictures from the Great Dorset Steam Fair. This time majority bikes but a few tractors throw in for good measure. The motorcycles are all in a marquee so it can be difficult to get full bike pictures, sometimes just the details are good by themselves though....

NUT is a very classy piece of kit. Dismantlable
cast silencer box is an unusual feature.

As is a fully enclosed cast chaincase for the era. 

Regularly ridden ex-WD 1940 bobbed Indian Chief.

A Belgian 'Lady' from 1930. I had neither seen nor heard of
this marque before.

The model is a 'Ladylette'. It's a utility device but with stylish lines.

1937 350cc Norton International.

1958 Scott Swift. The first of five prototypes of what was planned
to be an update of Scott's venerable motor. Road tested by
Motor Cycling magazine's Bernal Osborne in 1958 the bike was
dropped at low speed on the airstrip testing ground in wet weather
and suffered dents to front mudguard and petrol tank which it still
has. The motor was a 500 against the earlier Squirrel's 600, reading
between the lines of the road test it seemed that the new motor was
slightly less flexible though with roughly equal performance.

1935 Scott Squirrel modified for racing.

Gorgeous BSA v-twin. The late twenties fashion
for ultra low seating looks good but makes for an
uncomfortable riding position. This bike has the seat
pillar raised up to ameliorate.

Cute and tiny Austin Seven based tractor.

Fordson with strange tracks, for what exactly I cannot work out.
Perhaps working in marshes?

Health and safety nightmare!

Titan tractor.

This Lanz must be the absolute Rolls Royce of tractors.