Carabela find,

[Cabmkr]

Can anyone tell me what model of Carabela is this. It has been sitting outside at my brothers shop.





Not that I need another project 

Cheers, Chris

[Doc]

My guess is about a 1973 125cc Rally

[bazza]

good to see one outside and not in a rubbish bin.

[Doc]

As woeful as they reputedly were it is quite rare and mostly complete. I'd say it at least deserves a $2 plastic tarp over it  

[Cabmkr]

I'd say it at least deserves a $2 plastic tarp over it

Ya kinda sad, was going to tell my brother to spray it down and cover it up, even if he wouldnt let it go   

[JC]

Just noticed this one.
Doc's on the money. It could be 100, 125 or 175 - 73 to about 76.
Early ones had no secondary muffler & non-folding footpegs!

[Cabmkr]

Well I got the Carabela home now, and it looks to be a 1975 Rally175, complete but stuck except the stator cover and lights. It has quite and interesting bar on it with a U shaped cross bar.

 





From what I can find it has either a Villa or Minarelli motor.   

[VMX247]

Little ripper.Hope all goes well with the rebuild.
I dont think the Mexicians would have gone for the Villiers,perhaps too close to Europe/italian market amd the Minarelli engine.
cheers A

[bigk]

That's cool.
K

[firko]

Carabelas usually get chucked into that big old bog hole with a sign next to it saying Shitbox but in reality they were pretty well built little bikes. Some used Minarelli motors while others used their own motor which wasn't that bad. Back when Blair Harley was importing them a rider (long forgotten who) brought one to an Amaroo Park meeting and beat a bunch of respected A graders in the 125 class. I remember the bike getting a lot of attention in the pits afterwards but not much of that crossed over into sales unfortunately. I recall Blair heavily discounting them in 1974 just to rid the floor of them. I've mentioned it before but I came close to getting a look (and possible purchase) of a pair of NOS Carabelas (125 and 200) owned by an eccentric collector in Wilcannia but somebody spooked him and he now won't even talk about the bikes...he even denies he has 'em . I blame myself for sending him VMX #36 with my lengthy piece on Carabela. It probably sowed the seed in his head that they're worth a fortune.

Chris's find looks pretty good considering its being out in the elements. At least he's saved it from further indignity

[jimson]

Your engine is a minarelli 125/175 I have a 125 Indian I phoned minarelli back in the early 90s to find out about the engine they said they sold the rights over to carabela a long time back the tooling and all. A good little engine about 16hp standed  jimson

[JC]

Thats neat. Well done.

[Cabmkr]

Carabelas usually get chucked into that big old bog hole with a sign next to it saying Shitbox but in reality they were pretty well built little bikes

The bike seams to be built pretty simply but well and has steering stops like a champion frame and nice forks and triple clams. The fiberglass tank and bodywork are in good shape distpite the age. Dont know what I am going to do with it right now as I have a few other project on the go right now but at least its inside now.

Your engine is a minarelli 125/175 I have a 125 Indian I phoned minarelli back in the early 90s to find out about the engine they said they sold the rights over to carabela a long time back the tooling and all. A good little engine about 16hp standed  jimson

 After just a few minutes of surching found lots of info on the motors on an indian site. This one now may be more easily saved!


Thanks everyone!








Thanks again Gents