ADVICE ON BUYING A JOTA - BOUGHT A MIRAGE

Don't know how old you are in respect to physical condition or what but at a younger sage in life, if I could handle it, would go for a mid 80's Suzuki GSX-R 1100 over a Jota - Sorry Guys ;o(

I loved my 70 Breganzie 750 SF.

Never mounted a Jota but I did ride a Suzuki GSX-R 1100.

Granted the Suzuki is NOT a table top fixer nor has the metal of the Breganzie Jota, but it's Faster and probably handles better !

Suzuki engines do have a tendency to rot Vs Breganzie mills. So ensure you get a good Suzuki Vs a Breganzie Jota.
 
I did with my Breganzie 70 750SF and shot down many a 1300cc Harley Hogs on the roads encompassing the North Shore of Lake Huron.
 
Wow, what a great response to my post, thanks everyone, I didn't expect so many replies so soon.

Plenty of food for thought!

Just to answer some of the points raised in the replies, I'm mid 60's but very fit & quite strong, 6 foot tall, so bike size & weight are not an issue. My modern bike is a BMW R1200GS so I'm used to heavy bikes with a tall centre of gravity. I also have a 74 Commando plus 3 60's/70's Triumphs & have run classics for over 20 years so I'm well aware of the potential pitfalls of owning them. I'm not looking at it as an investment, bikes are for riding!
 
I"d always plump for a 3C now in terms of a 180 triple,lower and more manageable as the years go by  :D and a sublime understated bike to ride .
 
Just put it this way; a Breganzie has a cantankerous soul and would sooner fall over when parked but MAN when you twist the throttle and get her moving - There's really nothing like her ;o)
 
gvhbiker said:
Wow, what a great response to my post, thanks everyone, I didn't expect so many replies so soon.

Plenty of food for thought!

Just to answer some of the points raised in the replies, I'm mid 60's but very fit & quite strong, 6 foot tall, so bike size & weight are not an issue. My modern bike is a BMW R1200GS so I'm used to heavy bikes with a tall centre of gravity. I also have a 74 Commando plus 3 60's/70's Triumphs & have run classics for over 20 years so I'm well aware of the potential pitfalls of owning them. I'm not looking at it as an investment, bikes are for riding!
[/quote I've always found in life you go with you instinct and ignore others views and suggestions, all well intended but floored.
  My first sighting was at Oulton Park and it was covered in road grime but that was me hooked, 3 years later i had one in the garage a 3ce. That was 1979 and i still have her today bloody ace.
Regards Andy 😁
Click to expand...
 
Your in your 60's a Motorcylists and still alive WOW !

I'm 73 and quit riding 2 years ago - been riding 2 wheels since I was 11

Breganzies are true Cafe, rather top end heavy and dangerous, and will Hi-Side in a split second if you don't know what your doing.

Really takes a lot of muscle and balance to race her BUT can be a PUSSY Cat for Touring - Just try to park her - anywhere ;o)

Keep in mind; a 31" seat height and top end heavy. Works for planting rubber on asphalt melting the tires - mostly the rear.

Breganzie are old school machines and deserve a garage and be a taken care of by an old school mechanic whom rides Motorcycles - Period.

Breganzes's are no slouches - They always want to RACE. Twins for sure from my experience as far a Triples are concerned has to be told by my Forum Colleges.

You will get to know every Nut & Bolt in her and FIX her on your Wife's kitchen table - Which is more dangerous - LOL

Don't get me wrong the Breganzie engine, Twin or Triple, is a very reliable and Hi-Revving engine once you have it sealed, built to specs and will you give thousands of miles before another tare down.

Can't say that for a Jap Bike as the their Alu-Mills will rot out.

What really gets me is just how much power them 2 little 2.5" x 2" 4 stroke pistons deliver in a 70 750 SF.
Something similar to riding a Big Single 2 Stroke except with a lot more Torque.
 
LJ-2 said:
I"d always plump for a 3C now in terms of a 180 triple,lower and more manageable as the years go by  :D and a sublime understated bike to ride .
Click to expand...
Agreed, just don't mention the shims again <oops!! :o :o  Hope I got away with it.. :D )
 
Your heart has made the choice, great you want a jota then buy one. Make sure when you're buying, you buy with your head, buy the best one you can afford and enjoy.
 
[/quote I've always found in life you go with you instinct and ignore others views and suggestions, all well intended but floored.
  My first sighting was at Oulton Park and it was covered in road grime but that was me hooked, 3 years later i had one in the garage a 3ce. That was 1979 and i still have her today bloody ace.
Regards Andy 😁
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more, if I was sensible regarding bikes I'd either not have one at all or just have one really boring, reliable, modern Honda.

For me bikes are about adrenalin, feeling alive & having fun.
 
I would agree with you that you should buy with your heart,not your head,don`t worry about what might be more sensible or easier.
That being the case a Jota is the only choice,get anything else and you will still be left wondering what a Jota might have been like.
I guess you are well aware the impact the Jota had here in the UK when it was launched,it`s sheer speed setting the minds of that generation of riders alight,I remember one tester saying a Kawasaki Z1 felt like a lamb in comparison.
Also bear in mind early Jota`s had 10:1 pistons and large diameter collector boxes fitted which would boost power considerably,later or converted bikes probably wouldn`t.
 
My '79 Jota still gives me a tingle when I stand back to look at it. 30+ years of ownership has not dented that excitement..

I like the feeling of it being alive beneath me when I ride. Bucking bronco. Yeee har. Great FUN.  By ironing out the weak spots, you will have a bike that is 'real world' quick. For me, those weak spots were wooden brakes, suspension harshness, ignition advance progression and dialing in the fueling.

Go for it - just make sure it a real one, IF  that is what your heart desires. Otherwise, don't get too hung up on the Jota badge.
 
I think the appeal of the Jota was best summed up by Royce Creasy in Bike magazine back in 1977 -"Er,that`s like the last of the real motorcycles,man".
He was also known for riding his Velocette Venom around Bristol dressed in just a pair of swimming trunks-you don`t get motorcycle journalists like that any more,unfortunately.
 
Geoff, so you want a Jota eh? Good on you mate, they are a great bike, built solid, handle reasonably well, and can be made to handle really well (for a 70's era bike) with the addition of modern suspension components. The RGS models are more refined, the 3C is a beast when given the full-throttle but much more friendly to the rider. The JOTA has no apologies in its vocabulary, its an animal, not for sissy boys but for men with big balls or those who wish they had. The brute power that kicks in around 6600 RPM and onwards is a huge thrill every time you wind it up. The noise, the thrill of acceleration, the pull on your arms trying to rip them from the bars, the engine noise with exhaust note turns you into a hooligan again and again. Sure an R1 goes faster but anyone can ride an R1 fast, riding a JOTA fast is one of life's memorable experiences. Good luck with your search for your JOTA.
 
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