1971 Greeves 169cc Pathfinder

1971 Greeves 169cc Pathfinder
Registration no. BJU 523K
Frame no. 59C388
Engine no. 2690445
'Greeves also have a sturdy little machine capable of putting on a good show, as works riders Scott Ellis and Derek Adsett have demonstrated.' – Bike magazine, autumn 1971 edition.

Norton-Villiers' 1966 decision to supply Villiers engines exclusively to its AJS subsidiary dealt a severe blow to the host of small independent manufacturers hitherto reliant on the Wolverhampton-produced two-strokes. Those that survived turned to Continental suppliers: Cotton and Dot to the Italian Minarelli concern, Greeves to Puch of Austria. Powered by a 169cc Puch two-stroke single, Greeves' Pathfinder trials bike was produced during the early and mid 1970s. Despite excellent handling courtesy of a duplex-loop frame, long-travel Metal Profiles forks, and three-way adjustable Girling dampers, the Pathfinder failed to make its mark in trials. Never intended for such use, the Puch engine lacked the necessary low-down grunt and flexibility; it did however have ample power and a six-speed gearbox, features that made the Pathfinder a far better enduro machine than trials iron.

Acquired by the current vendor on 14th October 2009, this example is offered with old/current V5C documents, an expired MoT (June 2010), spare parts list, and a Dalesman owner's manual.