READER AD: 1965 Moto Parilla 125 Wildcat
Parilla was an Italian manufacturer that churned out some high-quality motorcycles. Many were raced with success and few are left here in the States. You can read more about the high-cam model here on Parilla.org. This one isn’t perfect, but it’s worth saving and appears to all be there. So, if you’re in the market for an interesting project bike, this might be the one to get!
What Makes It Special? This is a very rare motorcycle. What makes it even more unique is that it is very complete. It comes with some very hard to find parts.
Body Condition: The gas tank will need work. It has a small dent on the right side and has rust on the inside. I was stored for a very long time with nothing in the tank. All chrome has corroded, but it is all there.
Mechanical Condition: The engine has not run since 1978 but does kick over freely. The brakes work, but all the cables are original. Transmission function is unknown.
Seller’s Listing: Here on craigslist
- Asking Price: $2,800
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Mileage: 304
- Title Status: Missing
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Comments
Cute little thing, kind of like a Hodaka. Pretty slim market. I was sure this was a “Scotty G” submission. That right shift and left kick start/ back brake, a la Bultaco, will take some getting used to and no air filter on a dirt bike can’t be good.
You’re right, Howard-at first blush it definitely looks like a Hodaka Ace 90/100!!
Never was big on Italian 2 strokes..Usually would be kicking it to start 180 times..Hodaka alot less in price and way more reliable..my 2 cents
This is a 4-stroke bike Steve.
I run the Parilla website mentioned in the story. This 125 is one of the better ones out there. It still has most of the hard to find parts like the front fender, the Catalux tail light, the brush guard, decent factory muffler & heat shield, heel/toe shifter, both toolbox covers (one is usually missing) and it’s a later model because of the clutch cover on the left side. Some parts for this model are out there, but I don’t remember who has the remains of the 125 parts collection that I bought 15 years ago. There are probably about a couple dozen 125 Wildcats out there that are running or can be made to run. The rest are rusty junk.
Fix the tank, repair the seat, find a Dell’orto air filter, get it running and presto! a nice little trail bike to putt around on. It’s not as comfortable on the street. Maybe some sub-45mph riding through neighborhoods. Any Parilla questions? Just contact me through my website. I can bore you to tears on anything Parilla.
I run the Parilla website mentioned in the story. This 125 is one of the better ones out there. It still has most of the hard to find parts like the front fender, the Catalux tail light, the brush guard, decent factory muffler & heat shield, heel/toe shifter, both toolbox covers (one is usually missing) and it’s a later model because of the clutch cover on the left side. Parts for this model are out there, but I don’t remember who has the remains of the 125 parts collection that I bought 15 years ago. There are probably about a couple dozen 125 Wildcats out there that are running or can be made to run. The rest are rusty junk.
Fix the tank, repair the seat, find a Dell’orto air filter, get it running and presto! a nice little trail bike to putt around on. It’s not as comfortable on the street. Maybe some sub-45mph riding through neighborhoods. Any Parilla questions? Just contact me through my website. I can bore you to tears on anything Parilla.
Sorry guys for the double post. Nothing happened when I hit “post comment”, so I did it again. I even reloaded the page a few times and only one posting was there. I come back now and it’s been double posted. Oh well…..
Had a 250? back in 77? pretty bike; silver /black. suede seat. I was 17.traded for what? i don’t recall. pulled cam cover off. stupidest thing i did that day. maybe? set gears in wrong. kicked till i died, flaming red head pipe when she did run. Traded for a 68 mustang cammed up eng. 4speed, slots. felt sorry for the guy who wanted it. not so much. street raced the stang all summer.chicago winter ain’t pretty! Traded for 71 ford LTD! STOOPID. karma bites.
Those high-cam motors were a little finicky to work on and it probably explains why most 175-250cc Parillas found never seem to break the 4,000 mile mark. Lots of ways to mess up a high-cam. The “official” repair book issued by Cosmopolitan Motors (Parilla’s USA distributor”) is not very helpful and has numerous problems.
It’s interesting to see old bikes being restored and sold for lots of money. Dirt bikes for me as I rode a little bit as a child. Loved all the hot dirt bikes coming out in the 70’s now they’re collectable.
Yeah, my first thought was Hodaka, use to get a laugh out of the names they used like road toad and dirt squirt, combat wombat was really odd, drugs???