Impulse buyer - new/old guy

[mike1948]

Hi folks, I was a Bridgestone fan from way back when you could buy them new.  All models were so well put together, of course the 350 was my pick.  The 200 was never sold in Australia, but somehow I've ended up with one.  claimed as a "Barn Find", but on inspection probably leaned on the outside of the barn.  Imported from the US in 2010, I'll need lots of help and lots of parts to make it good.  I'm not sure of the year etc as the frame and engine numbers have different prefix.
Frame no.  TA1 32039
engine no.  TA2 01217
Don't know if mismatched, or they came like that.  Help would be appreciated.
I'll start working my way through all the posts, then make a list of what I neeed.
Good to be here!
Cheers, Mike

[OldSwartout]

Frame and Serial Number tags didn't match, as the frame numbers were applied before assembly into a finished bike.  As your 200 demonstrates, the early 200's (TA2 code) used leftover 175 (TA! code) frames as they are identical.

Search is your friend here; over the years, nearly every subject has been covered.

[Jeff Bar]

Mike. Happy to have aboard. Jeff Bar

[czmike]

Hi Mike,

Well Done for grabbing the 200!
They are unusual here.

Was that the one from Queensland that was advertised recently?

I am in Melbourne and have a 175 HS that is under renovation.
A mate round the corner has a 175 DT that he is restoring.
The 175's are almost the same bike as Karl said.
I am a member of the VJMC and am in touch with some Bridgestone owners in Oz.

Whereabouts are you please?

I suggest you get manuals for the bike (download from this site) and go get the parts you need quickly.
NOS parts are disappearing fast so you need to do a quick assessment of what you need & order them now!

My name is also Mike and I was born in 1948, which I assume you were too. I am a Guy but I'm not Old (or New)!
Got to ride my CZ 125 to a weekly VJMC gathering now.

Best Regards,
Mike Munday

[mike1948]

Hi Mike, good to hear from you.  Yes it is the one on facebook, turned out to be 20 minutes drive from me.  The cycle parts are pretty complete and in quite fair condition.  Needs mainly engine bits, I'm making up a list.  It's a december 1970 200 bike, so parts might be a bit scarce - we'll see how it goes.
I'm located in Margate, Qld, and yes, from 1948.
Cheers, Mike Crawley.