Transporting a Stratos

Hi all,

I'd like to get something to put the Stratos in, to take across the UK & (maybe) Europe. Trips up to Scotland/ Wales, when it needs servicing etc. Such journeys would be all the more enjoyable - & reduce miles on the car - were I to have something to sling it in..

Trailering isn't an option (I've an EV). I was wondering if anyone used a low loader of some sort, like one of those Vauxhall/ Fiat/ Peugeot things you see at track days etc. I don't particularly want to spend stupid amounts of wedge on it - given that it's going to sit there for large amounts of time doing nothing - but it would be dead useful to have.

Any thoughts, anyone?

Thanks in advance,
Hedge

When I was building mine and transporting it around for paint, rolling road sessions etc. I Used to rent one of these small transporters it was great. Dead easy to load the car, easy to drive and made life much easier than towing.

The guy I used got rid of his and I did contemplate buying one and renting it out but all a bit complex. If I had the space and needed a transport solution I'd have one over a trailer any day.

As with everything vehicle related, prices seem high at the minute if you want one that looks like it won't fall apart.

This kind of thing Andrew?:
Renault transporter

Cool! Like that

Possibly, Chris, though the Stratos is (I think) a wee bit wider than the car going on the ramps in the pic (a Westie/ Crate/ MK Indy thing), so I'm not sure if it'll fit.

Maybe I'll give LB a call...

Thank you.

Hedge
QUOTE=ProtoTipo;66225]This kind of thing Andrew?:
Renault transporter[/QUOTE]

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Originally Posted by hedge

Possibly, Chris, though the Stratos is (I think) a wee bit wider than the car going on the ramps in the pic (a Westie/ Crate/ MK Indy thing), so I'm not sure if it'll fit.

Maybe I'll give LB a call...

Thank you.

Hedge
QUOTE=ProtoTipo;66225]This kind of thing Andrew?:
Renault transporter

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[/QUOTE]

I bet group 4 arches dont help

Like this - no connection to seller
Attachment 22847

What's the point of trailering a car that puts a huge smile on your face when you drive it? Okay, if you're contemplating the type of use that might result in damage then getting it home post prang means a transporter is useful but didn't we build these cars to be driven? It's not like they're totally impractical like a GT40, some of you even have aircon I believe!

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Originally Posted by Guy Mayers

What's the point of trailering a car that puts a huge smile on your face when you drive it? Okay, if you're contemplating the type of use that might result in damage then getting it home post prang means a transporter is useful but didn't we build these cars to be driven? It's not like they're totally impractical like a GT40, some of you even have aircon I believe!

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Don't forget the power steering and central locking Guy:)

And I believe Craig is working on electric windows now. ,,,,or maybe I dreamed that :)

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Originally Posted by Normb666

And I believe Craig is working on electric windows now. ,,,,or maybe I dreamed that :)

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it was actually Chris Smith with his Hawk that pioneered electric windows I think, he also had AC.
And he did many thousands of miles across Europe in the car as well.

Think that'd actually be a step too far for me. I'd be terrified of not being able to get them to close once opened.... now electric seats and an umbrella in the door aperture - now yer talking!

I take your point, Guy, but say I want to do the Western Isles of Scotland (which I am fond of doing). That's 9 hours & over 400 miles from me, of properly dull roads. Anglesey: 5 hours & 300 miles. Even LB towers is a 7 hour round trip from here (all these numbers are without taking into account any stops). I might occasionally also want to take my partner along with me &/or the dog (a Great Dane).

So.........see what I'm saying? Driving isn't an option for these kind of trips. That said, my car won't be no garage queen; I'll put plenty of miles under it.

Cheers,
Hedge

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guy Mayers

What's the point of trailering a car that puts a huge smile on your face when you drive it? Okay, if you're contemplating the type of use that might result in damage then getting it home post prang means a transporter is useful but didn't we build these cars to be driven? It's not like they're totally impractical like a GT40, some of you even have aircon I believe!

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I can see the logic there. A friend and I did a week in the Highlands with our (motor)bikes back in '96, but we borrowed a Discovery, hired a small box trailer, and chucked the bikes in there. Great move - did a day on the bikes, a day in the car, etc. Best of both worlds and saved me a month in hospital being straightened out after a week and the thick end of 2k miles on a Ducati 916....ouch, it hurts even thinking about how that'd have gone even now! And a Strat ain't the most cosseting of cars.... no, I reckon if you're gonna transport it, a covered trailer is the way to go. And when you're not using the car, it's covered up and out of sight as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Normb666

I can see the logic there. A friend and I did a week in the Highlands with our (motor)bikes back in '96, but we borrowed a Discovery, hired a small box trailer, and chucked the bikes in there. Great move - did a day on the bikes, a day in the car, etc. Best of both worlds and saved me a month in hospital being straightened out after a week and the thick end of 2k miles on a Ducati 916....ouch, it hurts even thinking about how that'd have gone even now! And a Strat ain't the most cosseting of cars.... no, I reckon if you're gonna transport it, a covered trailer is the way to go. And when you're not using the car, it's covered up and out of sight as well.

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2k on a 916. Yikes. Until v recently I had an SPS 916 (& still have a 998s FE). 2k in a whole year on either is a little daunting!

For the record, as I said I'm not after a trailer (I've an EV as a daily) so it's something along the lines of what Chris suggested - but wider....

Cheers,
Hedge

Can see your point Andrew 400 there and 400 back that's 800 miles round trip and then any mileage you may clock up when there . Also depending on how people insured their car is there mileage limitations if only insured for a couple of thousand miles you could use half you allowance in one trip.

Exactly that, yup. Some of the routes to reach these destinations are crushingly dull, to boot. The one to Scotland, in particular....

Cheers,
Hedge

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Originally Posted by Kenny m

Can see your point Andrew 400 there and 400 back that's 800 miles round trip and then any mileage you may clock up when there . Also depending on how people insured their car is there mileage limitations if only insured for a couple of thousand miles you could use half you allowance in one trip.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by hedge

Exactly that, yup. Some of the routes to reach these destinations are crushingly dull, to boot. The one to Scotland, in particular....

Cheers,
Hedge

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Ahh, but when you arrive, you HAVE arrived. ;)

Sadly Jim, there's always someone in the area that ruins it for everyone else. ;) :) :)

Hedge - yeah, there's something about the 916-line of bikes that's just so special. Not put many miles on mine these last few years but it doesn't matter, it's worth keeping just so I can go in the garage and look at it.
Funnily nuff, having recently moved, I've just been down the local Ducati dealer in Carlisle this afternoon on a bit of a fact-finding visit. Drooled over a luvverly Panigale V4R with all the extras on it...?33.5K but even if I could afford it, I prob wouldn't cos I'd never be able to do it justice. Even assuming I could manage to get on the thing....it's crap getting old!!

Just down road from me.
Sold my KTM 690 SMCR to pay for LB exhaust last summer but missing it. (the KTM)
https://motostradaautomotive.com/pro...rty-replica-2/

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Originally Posted by Guy Mayers

What's the point of trailering a car that puts a huge smile on your face when you drive it? Okay, if you're contemplating the type of use that might result in damage then getting it home post prang means a transporter is useful but didn't we build these cars to be driven? It's not like they're totally impractical like a GT40, some of you even have aircon I believe!

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Here here ,I agree guy I?ve spent 4 years building it and always look forward to a good drive, extra padding for the seats wouldn?t go a miss, tried playing music on the odd drive but that?s a waste of time
you need it that loud to hear it over the engine you end up with a double head ache

Dave

Norm,

I hear you. Getting old is props overrated...

The 998 is basically two-wheeled porn, tbh. It's ridiculously lovely - notwithstanding it has a side stand made of cheese..

These newer R versions that Ducati churn out monotonously regularly leave me a bit cold. Anything north of 150bhp on a bike doesn't really interest me so much/ anymore (if it ever did). I know you only "need" to go as fast as your right wrist twists but, still, all this 200+ bhp shizzle is nonsense to me - on a road.

Cheers,
Hedge

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Normb666

Hedge - yeah, there's something about the 916-line of bikes that's just so special. Not put many miles on mine these last few years but it doesn't matter, it's worth keeping just so I can go in the garage and look at it.
Funnily nuff, having recently moved, I've just been down the local Ducati dealer in Carlisle this afternoon on a bit of a fact-finding visit. Drooled over a luvverly Panigale V4R with all the extras on it...?33.5K but even if I could afford it, I prob wouldn't cos I'd never be able to do it justice. Even assuming I could manage to get on the thing....it's crap getting old!!

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That's quite strong money for what it is (extra stickers & the Foggy association). A mate of mine recently bought a Foggy rep with a genuine 10 miles on it. Quite bizarre.

Cheers,
Hedge

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Originally Posted by hollytree

Just down road from me.
Sold my KTM 690 SMCR to pay for LB exhaust last summer but missing it. (the KTM)
https://motostradaautomotive.com/pro...rty-replica-2/

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I've seen them going for more than that....I know Ducati made them to homologate some chassis mods, but I struggle to see why they go for so much. Same with the Senna versions. But then people will pay well over the odds for the "exclusivity". I mean, mine's a boring old Biposto and worth about ?13K on a good day (one owner, 17K miles, never dropped or wheelied, etc), so is a Foggy Rep really worth twice the price?
Steve: get out there and buy another. Life's too short!

Novice Ducati fancier says;

Is the 998 the last nice looking one, and the 999 is where it all goes wrong?

In the day, yes. Following the 916/996/998 era was never going to be easy, though...

Nowadays, the 999 doesn't look anything like as odd/awkward as it did when launched. And they are sublime to ride - especially in R form (I'm fortunate enough to own a 998s FE & a 999R).

Cheers,
Hedge

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Originally Posted by ProtoTipo

Novice Ducati fancier says;

Is the 998 the last nice looking one, and the 999 is where it all goes wrong?

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Don't forget the often overlooked 748. Rode my 748R to Gibraltar, did a trach day and Jerez and then rode it back...them were the days when I was flexible..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Normb666

I've seen them going for more than that....I know Ducati made them to homologate some chassis mods, but I struggle to see why they go for so much. Same with the Senna versions. But then people will pay well over the odds for the "exclusivity". I mean, mine's a boring old Biposto and worth about ?13K on a good day (one owner, 17K miles, never dropped or wheelied, etc), so is a Foggy Rep really worth twice the price?
Steve: get out there and buy another. Life's too short!

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I fancy an early Guzzi Le Mans, but dont know if my joints will take it.
i think it is also of an era where I could "work" on it as needed. The bike that is, not my joints

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Originally Posted by hollytree

I fancy an early Guzzi Le Mans, but dont know if my joints will take it.

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A solution Steve?

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Originally Posted by ProtoTipo

A solution Steve?

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Chris. Thanks, but it does not float my boat like this.
Mr Chairman, I think this thread is getting off topic!
Attachment 22856

I remember watching them raced in fairly stock spec. at Carnaby Raceway near Bridlington. The rear suspension rising up between gear changes (shaft drive).

Just buy one Steve, and park in the living room. 'Something to look at?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ProtoTipo

I remember watching them raced in fairly stock spec. at Carnaby Raceway near Bridlington. The rear suspension rising up between gear changes (shaft drive).

Just buy one Steve, and park in the living room. 'Something to look at?

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Have you met my wife!!
Chris I told her your suggestion and was told "tell him to keep his ******g opinions to himself - no offence intended"

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Originally Posted by Basher

Here here ,I agree guy I?ve spent 4 years building it and always look forward to a good drive, extra padding for the seats wouldn?t go a miss, tried playing music on the odd drive but that?s a waste of time
you need it that loud to hear it over the engine you end up with a double head ache

Dave

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I bought one of these sets. It takes a connection from my mobile so I can listen to music, get directions from googlemaps and talk to the wife - either in the car or if she is at home and calls me.
So I dont have to reach down for the phone, I bought a bluetooth remote control button and stuck it on the dashboard (about 30mm dia). I can adjust volume and switch tracks etc without taking eyes off road
Attachment 22857
Attachment 22858

Like this one
Attachment 22872

Let me know if you are still looking. I have one that I used for moving my Stratos around.....invaluable. I even drove down to Stoneleigh show one year to rescue another Stratos from the showground. Its still here and not really getting used.

Drop me a message if you want details.

Mark.

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Originally Posted by hollytree

Have you met my wife!!
Chris I told her your suggestion and was told "tell him to keep his ******g opinions to himself - no offence intended"

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Having now met your wife Steve, you'll have noticed I didn't mention having a Guzzi Le Mans in the house.
I thought it best.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ProtoTipo

Having now met your wife Steve, you'll have noticed I didn't mention having a Guzzi Le Mans in the house.
I thought it best.

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Chris. Thanks for keeping the peace

I still think it's a good idea. :D