Which Model

[Paul the Destroyer]

Right then here's the first stupid question

I have a '75 Strada, how do I find out which model it is (i.e. "K" etc)

All abuse welcomed

[Emmohaswheelsagain]

Hi Paul,

You are right this could be a stupid question.
There may not be a correct answer as all bike changed from when they rolled out of the factory.
Even if they are still original the factory used parts that were available at the time and some did vary to some degree.
You can also have 1/2/3/4 years between when the bike was manufactured and when it was eventually registered.
I purchased a 500 Strada in 1981 and the bike was manufactured 4 years previously.
One of the best places to start is the Dutch club site. They have a time line on the model from 1973 to 1983 including photo's.
Your bike looks more like a 77, mag wheels, colour, switch gear etc suggest this however you can match your frame number. Again have a look on the Dutch site again this should help.
if you send us a pm I have photo's of my 77 Strada as well as a previous 75 Strada and 78 Sport.
Also have a look at the event section on this forum. Dave Mason's 75 Strada was on our stand at the Newark Show and there is a link to the you tube clip.
I hope you enjoy the bike.

Paul

[MarkB]

Hi Paul, as Paul says, the frame number is the first thing to investigate. Looking at the photo of your bike it seems to have the alloy intake manifolds, suggesting an early model, rather than the later ones which had rubber manifolds. It looks as though someone has upgraded to cast wheels at some point in the past as I'm sure a '75 bike would have wire wheels and drum brakes (as my '75 Strada does, although it wasn't registered until late 1976.) Your chainguard and front mudguard are also from later than 1975.

Have fun with the fettling. Mark.

[boris tarpit]

. . Just noticed that the ignition switch is further forward than it should be for a '75, it should be back near the side panel . . . . I should check whether the engine plate with the frame number on it has been tampered with . . . .

[Paul the Destroyer]

Aha

Thanks for that

I've had a quick squint the Dutch site and apparently I have an A3 it seems.

[EVguru]

Definitely pre 'K' since that designation came in with the change in frame to kinked downtubes.

I had someone bring me a bike they thought was 1978. The replacement stator from NLM wouldn't fit because the engine was an early one with the narrow flywheel. My guess was that a ritten off bike had donated quite a few parts to a later frame.

Something similar is likely to have happened here.