First - Great job on setting upthis website!!!
About 8 years ago bought a '68 Montgomery Wards Riverside Mojave. These were built for Wards by Benelli Italy. It was in fair condition, but I was unsure whether to restore it, or put a Triumph engine in it - I had seen magazine photos of at least 3 Mojaves with Triumph 500 or 650 engines (also I had a friend in N.J. who used a Honda 450 twin engine). While researching the bike I found a copy of Cycle Magazine Feb 1969, which had on the cover a photo of a Benelli Scorcher - essentially the same as the Mojave but with a Benelli 650 twin engine. This bike never made it into poduction. This article made up my mind. I picked up a '72 Triumph engine and started work. But the other bikes I had seen used the original running gear, that is, the forks, rear suspension and wheels. I bought a donor bike for the suspension - an '85 Cagiva Allazurra - which provided first rate suspension with spoked cast alloy rims and disc brakes. I will spare you the build details but will mention that I had several friends who were instrumental in helping with parts, advice and welding.
Starting point -'68 Wards Mojave
(https://i.postimg.cc/g2H59GTh/Wards-Riverside-Mojave-260-006.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Welcome -- that's a fine project. Good luck and please post some pics of your progress.
Cycle Magazine - Feb '69 - Benelli Scorcher 650
(https://i.postimg.cc/K887zFYB/Benelli-650-Scorcher-Cycle-Cover.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLgZHbrV)
And here's the finished motorcycle - Wards Mojave, Triumph 650, Cagiva forks,swingarm and wheels with disc brakes.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqYQ4XGM/20231025-132800.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sM8mJHDY)
I have found some Wards Master Quality tools to add to the toolkit for this motorcycle. Will post photos later...
Excellent work. That bike turned out beautiful. Congrats on a job well done.
My goodness thats beautiful.
Reminds me of me fav vintage bike Ducati 900 ss
Dead sexy!
Thanks to all. Always loved the look of the Ducati 900SS.
Having some difficulty understanding how to post photos here.
Al
I fixed the photos with the help of postimages.org - now the pics are full size. Easy.
that's a great looking vintage bike!
Really nice job. I didn't know Wards sold bikes.
Absolutely stunning!