'68 Wards Mojave with Triumph 650 Engine

[amecks]

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

[goodfellow]

Welcome -- that's a fine project. Good luck and please post some pics of your progress.

[amecks]

Cycle Magazine - Feb '69 - Benelli Scorcher 650

[amecks]

And here's the finished motorcycle - Wards Mojave, Triumph 650, Cagiva forks,swingarm and wheels with disc brakes.

[amecks]

I have found some Wards Master Quality tools to add to the toolkit for this motorcycle.  Will post photos later...

[goodfellow]

Excellent work. That bike turned out beautiful. Congrats on a job well done.

[jabberwoki]

My goodness thats beautiful.
Reminds me of me fav vintage bike Ducati 900 ss

[bmwrd0]

Dead sexy!

[amecks]

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.

[skfarmer]

that's a great looking vintage bike!

[Heiny57]

Really nice job. I didn't know Wards sold bikes.

[Uncle Buck]

Absolutely stunning!