Looking at 91 Fantic Trials Bike

I am kicking around getting a trials bike, but for right now, I can't put a lot of money into one. Money is tight and I can't ride for a long time...

My friend found a 91'Fantic Trials motorcycle 250cc,runs for $750.

Anyone know about this bike?
Can I still get parts for it?
Is it decent for a bike of its time period.

Maybe we can get together when I dig my Beta out from under a load of garage crap, & head up to Wes' place for some extreme trail-ridin - it is not really trials but you get a chance to put in some leg-time -- since they're's no seat on a trial-bike -- it talkes some accordingly getting used to all the stand-up riding..

Are you in the bay area?
Are you going to ride the trials at Donner in a couple weeks?
If you haven't ridden Donner, you should, it's awesome.

It really depends on who is riding it. If you get a bike that's been ridden every weekend by an expert, or worse, a teenager working up to expert, and it doesn't get maintained, it'll be pretty beat in a year or two of use. If the bike's been ridden by a coward like me who doesn't ride anything big and maintains his bikes, it can be in good shape for many years.

Heck, I looked at a '77 Yamaha a couple weeks ago that was pretty clean.
Guy only rode a few trials on it. It was ugly, but that was Yamaha's fault for painting it that color.

Trials is great for cheap riding. The bikes just don't wear out like MXers... its many years between top ends for most people.

Yes. If it's the Kroo with the radiators in the "gas tank", this bike is known for being a bit tall for a trials bike. Also the 250cc version of the Kroo (the most common in the US) was pretty fierce for a trials bike.
It's a great bike for larger riders, and for riding on the loop.

OTOH the 212cc Fantics of that era were quite softly tuned, great for smaller beginners in sections.

This is a 250cc KRoo: http://www.msnusers.com/mgo4/shoebox.msnw? action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=28

The Trials shop (trialsshop.com) has parts.
The guy who was Fantic importer in the US retired, which is too bad 'cause he's really nice.
I think the trials shop picked up all his inventory.

I'd recommend a bike with disc brakes and water cooling, unless you are going to go all the way back to vintage (pre 1980 in the US).
Discs work a lot better and water cooling means no overheating while practicing.

In the past ryan Young's training video is also good worth the $. I taked 1 of his trials schools 2 years ago & particularly learned a ton (add we ridden for like,
ten hours. Equally important at 5 in the afternoon everybody's exhaustyed & Ryan was still looking to ride more...)

Thanks for the info. It is really helpful.
My right hand is still in a splint, so no riding for a long time.
However, if a great deal came buy, I might pick up a trials bike.

FYI: Im up in Marin.