1979 NVT Rambler 175

eBay 'Buy it Now' for £849.00. Sold? in Jan 2013.

 Seller description:  
"1979 Norton Villiers Triumph 175 Rambler. Chassis Number 42. 
This bike was bought by me 2 years back. I spent some time recommissioning it (having been long term laid up) and got it to the stage of rideable/reliable. It was/is ready for an MOT

Numerous MOT's confirm the mileage is accurate (10,000), and the bike needs little other than mild fettling - not having been started since mid summer. It had a new battery then, and several other components. The front mudguard needs readjusting -the weight of my bike cover (it is dry stored) has bent it down slightly.
Its a nice, honest bike. Extremely rare- I haven't been able to find much about it - although i did buy a BSA book(let) which helps a little. Its part of the package."

eBay: 1978 NVT Rambler 125

Dealer Fixed Price, Dec 2012, at £2,995.00

 Seller states:

"Up for sale is a simple stunning 125 scrambler from 1978.

This bike has been lovingly restored back to its former glory and looks amazing.

Spec includes Yamaha 125 engine, Yamaha electrics and switchgear, British frame and forks and the rest of the bits and bobs are Italian.

It all fits together beautifully. Needs to be viewed to fully appreciate the quality."

 

 

 

 

 

 

eBay: NVT Rambler 175

Sold on eBay, Dec 2012, for £510.00

 Ad states:

"Registered Feb 1979.

I've had this in the corner of my store under a sheet now for nearly 20 years. It's never not started. Probably the most reliable bike I've ever had, yet I've only ever ridden it across the fields a few times! Pulls like a train, very comfortable for a bike from the 70's.

Bike is complete all bar the speedo cable and front brake assembly (pictured) which was removed to have the cylinder re-sealed but subsequently had the parts go missing in transit (irritating, to say the least). So it sat ever since, being treated to the occasional kick-over and spray with wd40. Front brake is a hydraulic disc setup, rear brake is a basic drum.

Engine is identical to the lump in the Yamaha DT175 and is stamped 'Made in Japan' as Norton Villiers Triumph in a desperate effort to stay afloat in a competitive market ordered all parts from abroad and were assembled in the UK. From what I can gather most parts are Japanese, all bar the suspension which was Italian. As far as I'm aware this was one of the first mono-shock suspension setups on the market.

Strangely enough there is no model or type listed on the reg docs, only the engine size and manufacturer, date registered, etc. So it's registered as a Norton Villiers Triumph 171cc, but suspect it could be a Rambler...? All I know is that its the only one I've ever seen."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NVT Rambler / BSA Tracker - Sale Price History

1978   NVT Rambler 125   eBay   Nov 2011   Sold for £462.00

1978   NVT Rambler 125   eBay   Jan 2012   Sold for £505.00

1978   NVT Rambler 125   eBay   Dec 2012   Dealer fixed price £2,995.00

c1978  NVT Rambler 175   Bonhams   Oct 2010   Sold for £920

1979 NVT Rambler 175    eBay    Dec 2012    Sold for £510.00

1970 NVT Rambler 175   eBay   Jan 2013    Sold? for £849.00

1980   BSA Tracker 125   eBay   Dec 2012   Sold for £510

1981   BSA Tracker 175/6   eBay   Nov 2011   Sold for £364.00

NVT125 Rambler on Ebay

Listed with 6 days to go at £280 so far, is this part restored 1978 NVT Rambler 125.*** UPDATE *** Sold for £505.

The seller states:

"NVT 125 for spares, repairs or restoration. I bought this 12 year ago in bits and it was stood for 13 years before I got it. So thats 25 years its been stood for. I bought it when i was 16 intending to put it on the road when i was 17, but half way through the restoration i bought a tzr and it never got finished. 

A few month ago i decided to put the rest back together and make some room in my garage. I rebuilt the engine even though it didn't need doing. I though I`d be keeping it for a while so did it thinking it would last the next 10yr without any problems. It's got a rebuilt crank, rebore and piston kit, a new stator and magneto, a brand new tank, and a new throttle cable

There is only 3700 mile on the clock, I don't know if this is correct. There is still the original airbox and 2 stroke bottle, the oil pump needs setting up correctly though. I've only ridden this a couple of times since the engine rebuild so will neded running in. The engine was rebuilt around 11 years ago, there is still a small rattle but this has been there since rebuild. The front brake doesn't work and needs attention. The left fork leg is also quite badly rusty. 

There is a small oil leak from the gear change shaft and is a little play in the shaft but it still engages gears ok. It needs new cables apart from the throttle. The silver panels don't match the tank. I think it's still on the original tyres but these need changing because there cracked from being stood. The chrome has come off the wheels in places so the rims have been painted silver (quite badly) so would advise new rims. 

This bike is probably worth more in bits but i dont like breaking classics. I have a dateing certificate for 1978 so a MOT and a trip to DVLA they would give you a age related plate, cash on collection only, bike is in Preston, Lancashire."

NVT - Riders Handbook - Wiring Diagram

Here's a scan of the wiring Diagram for the NVT Rambler 125.

NVT Poster Brochure

Here's a scan of both sides of an A2 (A4 folded twice) size fold out brochure for the NVT range in late '70's.

Ramblers —something a little different on the street/trail scene. Take another look at the Rambler picture and maybe you will see what we mean. You have probably already noticed the front disc brake but what about the cantilever rear suspension ? Or the rubber headlight? And who else supplies a chrome luggage grid within the basic price of the bike?

NVT took along hard look at the street/trail market before we embarked on our Rambler project. It is a young man’s market - these single cylinder dual purpose devices - but the buyers know their machines through and through ; all in all they’re a pretty discerning bunch. Not all of them ride on the rough but they like to know the bike will do it, if required. They demand looks and performance for town riding plus the specification of a twin cylinder sports machine for that trip into the country. So our brief was to provide all the obvious qualities that the British Companies do best. Things like a frame that, from the very first weld, is designed to handle with a capital ’H'!

Lighter too, and more rigid than the opposition. Next came the general geometry. We chose a compact 52.5" wheelbase, dialled in plenty of suspension movement, and arranged everything else to give a riding position that felt right, for everyone - at least, all those in the 5’ 4" to 5' 10" mould! Oh yes, some of our test riding was done with a slip of a girl on the back, so no worries there...

NVT's policy on outside suppliers is to go to the industry leader in each speciality. For the Rambler we therefore chose engines from the world's most successful manufacturer of off-road motorcycles. We simply fit these engines and forget about them, secure in the knowledge that they are the most proven

product available.

The same policy applies to our forks and brakes. Famous makers both, producing their well-known components especially for us, to our dimensions.

Finally, as you can see, the Rambler is a very appealing marriage of all the best parts one could possibly imagine. A handsome, rugged bike indeed. But don't just take our word for it. Check one out at your NVT Dealer today.

Here's a close up of the naked frame shown on this brochure: