The Montesa King Scorpion frame arrived. It has some nasty, localized corrosion around the tang slotted into the front of the seat, but that’s probably the area I care about least, since I don’t intend to source a stock seat. Other than that, it is in good shape.
The whole reason for buying this was to help use up my pile of excess parts, so I grabbed my spare set of matching second-generation Suzuki cast wheels (GS1100 19″ tubless front and GS300 16″ rear) for a quick mock-up. I have two different Yamaha swingarms, SR250 (shown) and SRX250, and two different frames to match them with: this and the Benelli 2C. Both swingarms use a 15mm pivot bolt and are similar in width: too wide for the Benelli and just a bit narrower than the width of the Montesa frame. I originally bought the SR250 to use with the Benelli 2C frame before discovering that it would have to be narrowed. The SRX isn’t any narrower, but has tubular cross-pieces, rather than the SR’s stamped sheet steel, so it would be easier for a guy with a lathe to accurately cut and re-attach. As you would expect, neither swingarm is perfect for either frame. the SRX swingarm’s square tubing doesn’t really lend itself to the early ’60s vibe I’m trying to achieve with the Benelli, and the SR250 swingarm’s shock mounts are somewhat wider than the upper Montesa mounting points. The SRX used a monoshock, so not only will the swingarm will need twin shock mounts fabricated, is longer that ideal for either frame.
As for the front end, the 37mm Suzuki forks I put together for the abandoned Aermacchi project bolted right on; the bearing races in the Montesa frame are the correct size and look to be in fine shape. I swapped the 19-inch wheel into the forks, but I really like the 17″ 3-spoke front wheel better, and forks are set up with the fender for it.
I have to admit that I would like to just transfer all the components from the Aermacchi frame over to the Montesa. A disk brake on the back would be extra work, but a worthy upgrade. The Rex KL30 tank I was wanting to use doesn’t fit the frame, while the Benelli Mojave tank is a fine fit.
Of course, if I just use all the stuff from the Aermacchi, that doesn’t actually do anything towards the aim of reducing my stock of excess parts, it just makes one of the toys in my stable more desirable. Fortunately, there’s no pressing need to decide any of this. I am not jumping into a new project at this point. However, if I can bolt up a rolling chassis, that would be easier to move around than shlepping a pile of oddly-shaped parts here or there.
