SUPER STROKERS

Earlier examples with girder forks are typically £500 more – a 1952 rigid / girder James Comet went for just over £2200 recently – but £1500 should secure a solid, well-maintained Captain or Cadet. As a rough rule of thumb you’ll pay £1500 for a mid-1950s 150cc machine, and £2000 for its bigger 197cc brother in an equivalent condition. It’s worth checking the less well known marques, too. Sun, for example, used Villiers engines and an unusual 197cc Wasp was offered for £1500 in February.

Trials bikes and pre-war models cost considerably more, so stick to postwar commuters. It’s definitely worth a bit of research into the evolution of Villiers’ twin and single engines, so you can identify the differences between a 9E, 30C or 12D and pounce on your preferred configuration. Spares are generally plentiful; there’s plenty of expertise in the British Two-stroke Club and the bikes themselves are straightforward to maintain.