1961 Moto Parilla Wild Cat
Rare in the UK

Registration No: 294 UYU
Frame No: 700537
Engine No: 700537
CC: 250
MOT: Exempt

• A rare machine, the Wildcat was a “USA-only” product of the Moto Parilla factory, made for the huge off-road and competition market
• The current vendor has done the following restoration as detailed
• All frame parts were powder coated Gloss Black, fork parts were powder coated wrinkle Black as original and fork stanchions hard-chromed
• OE fasteners and fittings were re-plated with dull zinc and all OE chrome work was re-plated to UK standards. The fuel tank was de-rusted and new fuel taps were commissioned
• The seat was repacked and recovered in Italy to ensure the exact stitching methods used were replicated, the wheel rims were replaced with flangeless alloy units and rebuilt using stainless spokes and new tyres fitted
• It has been fitted with a custom-made stainless steel 'silenced' version of the original megaphone exhaust pipe to tame a few of the many decibels produced by what is basically a 'full race' ‘60’s engine tune.

Designed with off-road in mind it had an immensely strong “full-loop” frame, unlike the road bikes, and was fitted with top class Ceriani GP 35mm front forks (with damping adjustment from the saddle) and adjustable Ceriani rear shocks. Completing the high specification was a 7 litre gas tank, steering damper and steel based, leather covered seat. The engine was, at the time, the most powerful 250cc single engine in production with 26bhp claimed. The Wildcat shared the same tune as the road-racing GS 250 model with high compression piston, x1 cam (50/80/80/50 timing) and 28mm Dellorto SSI carburettor and remote SS2 float bowl. Most Wildcats were bought as pure off-roaders with no intention of conforming to any road legalities such as lighting, instruments or silencing. A small number were sold with an optional “Enduro” kit which provided lighting with a headlamp and mounting “ears” at the front and a rear tail light and stop light switch. An extra coil fitted in the CEV 6055 magneto provided “direct” lighting and power for the stop light. This machine is equipped with the lighting kit and optional tacho.

This bike started life in the UK in a batch imported by the UK concessionaire and possibly sold via Comerfords in London. They took about 30 machines in a deal done when the factory was effectively in receivership, but nobody outside the Parilla board knew this! This led to great difficulty in getting any spares for the Wildcats as they were unique models in the range sharing no cycle parts and only major engine components such as crankcases and barrels with other 250 models. Several of those bikes were used as parts “donors” being stripped as required to keep customer bikes going or to repair them after crashes. Some Wildcats were “scrambled” by famous names such as world champion Dave Bickers so one can imagine some damage was caused to the race bikes. This particular bike started out as “New Old Stock” i.e. new and unused, engine, frame and swing arm unit which was bought from an enthusiast in Devon who had many years ago acquired several complete and incomplete Parilla models. Both engine and frame shared the same serial number so it was an obvious move to rebuild the bike to a high standard using the best original components available. It has been subject to a thorough restoration mechanically and cosmetically. Externally it is as near to 100% original as possible. Original gas tank, forks, mudguards and other missing components were located or came from my stock of NOS parts. Replica parts were not used other than the silencer to make it possible to use on the road. Internally, the engine was checked over but being unused needed little work other than replacement of seals.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217