LOT 504

c.1959 ESO 500cc Moto-Crosser Registration no. not registered Frame no. 1688 Engine no. P500 025

Sold for £11,500 inc. premium

Lot 504

c.1959 ESO 500cc Moto-Crosser
Registration no. not registered Frame no. 1688 Engine no. P500 025

The Spring Sale - The International Classic MotorCycle Show|23 April 2022, 10:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

c.1959 ESO 500cc Moto-Crosser
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. 1688
Engine no. P500 025

Founded in 1949, ESO specialised in speedway and other off-road competition motorcycles, and was part of the Jawa-CZ group. ESO is best known for loosening the British JAP engine's stranglehold on the speedway world in the 1960s when the first of these Czechoslovakian machines arrived in the UK. The P500 engine of this early ESO moto-crosser is essentially the same as that of the speedway models, albeit with a revised lubrication system (the speedway engine ran 'total loss') and the addition of a gearbox. The current vendor purchased the machine at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in October 2017 (Lot 318), at which time it was dated as 1964 and described as original and un-restored. The machine had last been started two years previously. Since acquisition it has been stripped and cosmetically restored (it is believed the engine had been rebuilt by a previous owner). Works carried out include new paintwork and chrome; wheels rebuilt with new rims and stainless spokes; engine cases re-polished; carburettor stripped, cleaned and rebuilt; and the engine and gearbox checked over. Following completion the Eso won the 'Best Motocross in Show' award at the 'London Classic Off-Road and Racing Show' in December 2021. This award-winning Eso is offered with a quantity of restoration invoices.
Offered without key

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding

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