acmeimportsintl

PARILLA MOTORCYCLE

I purchased this Parilla 250 GS Sr #250359 Special from Bonhams aution house on Jan 8, 2015 (Estimate was $8,000 – 10,000). Previous owner was Fred Mork a well known California collector engaged in restorations and vintage racers. As I understand it Fred bought the bike from a airline mechanic/machinist by the name of George Mann who fabricated many of the parts on the bike. He was obviously very talented in his trade and the bike shows his handiwork. This Parilla sports 35mm Ceriani forks coupled to a modified Japanese race brake with race linings, air scoop, venting holes and brake stay all made by George. Other fabricated parts are the front fender and brackets along with headlight mounts. The rear brake is also modified with an addition of 2 airscoops. The entire bike is stylistically embellished with lightening holes to incude the engine mounts, numerous gussets on the frame, rear drive sprocket and engine mounting bolts which are drilled hollow (these are possibly from aircraft appication). Some of the frame lightening holes were randomly done with the sole purpose of decreasing weight. I have no real provenance as to any racing history but I suspect the bike was involved at some time with a racing background. The bike still has the original Hall Burdette dealership decals on the steering yoke. Hall Burdette was well known for their racing background in the 1960’s and was responsible for the highly successful “Gadget” racer of Daytona Fame and other racers with top riders as the likes of Norris Rancourt, Frank Scurria and Tony Woodman. Parilla racers were hard to beat in their day! When the bike was auctioned off it was said to be in an “unrun state” from when it was purchased by Fred Mork from George Mann. The bike was simply added to Fred’s collection. After I purcased it from the auction house I partially disassembled the engine to dertermine the condition of the internals and exactly what state of engine mods it had if any. The engine looks to have been completey rebuilt with new piston, valves OR could possible be a new late replacement motor as it has no serial numbers on the cases. The cylinder walls have a nice cross hatch and the piston looks new. The engine is a chain drive with an x-1 cam. The clutch is also like new or has been replaced. I attended the 2015 Parilla meet in Colorado armed with many pictures of the bike and was surprised the one person knew of it being built by George Mann. He had no partiular details as to the intent to which the restoration was meant for racing or replica street bike? Unfortunately I was told that George Mann had passed away so no further exact details were available. The Parilla from auction had mid bars and a 34mm Mikuni carb with a ported intake adapter for the Mikuni carb. I sourced out from my parts a 29D Dellorto with correct remote float and installed same along with some clip on bars to restore the Gran Sport look. From the modifications and the 34mm Mikuni I would suspect that George had some performance or possible racing in mind?? Having the fun of dialing in yet another Dellorto (which proved once again to be a challenge) I opted for a new 930 series 30mm Amal carb with the newer circuitry and am happy with the overall performance. Many of the racing Parillas of the 1960’s used Amals in place of the Dellortos. ( I have the complete set up with a rebuilt Dellorto 29D carb and remote float for the purist) The bike runs strong and has a acceptable idle!! Many of the parts on this bike which I believe are original Gran Sport such as the gas tank (Steel), rear set shifter and brake controls, center stand, exhaust system (could possible be Cosmo?) If only the Frame number started with a 260 instead of 250 !!! The bike has full lighting and brake lights and is street legal with current Florida title. The title says it is a 1964 derived from the California title wich also states it is a 1964 Parilla. ( I have a copy of the California Title) An interesting feature is the tachometer (Parilla Smiths round type) is fitted into the headlight nacelle!! This Parilla can be driven on the street or with a little effort be entered and raced in many of the AHMRA type functions. I would have to say that it is probaby more like and updated 250 Gran Sport with more modern (improved) features such a Ceriani Forks and brakes. A very well constructed motorcycle > and a tribute to George Mann!! I have some extra parts and Parilla memrobilia that I would sell also if desired?