Topic: Recent eBay Sandcast auction - authentic? How about you sandcast experts?

[markb]

Anyone see these auctions - one's for the frame, one's for the motor?  I wanted to bid on this one.  The serial numbers seem like good numbers but they almost looked hand stamped to me (maybe that's they way they looked back then) and I couldn't see enough detail on key parts like the clutch cover.  I'm not accusing the seller of anything, I just want an opinion.  Someday I'd like to own a sandcast, I have lots of sandcast parts on my early K0 that I could move over but I just wasn't sure on this one.  Seemed like it went for a decent price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250218081301&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250218070156&rd=1

[Aaron J Williams]

The motor numbers are stamped the same way as my sandcast motor so I'm pretty sure it is authentic. Too bad the cut the tails off the frame to fit the fiberglass body

[JLeather]

Do sandcast cases not have the border around the engine numbers like the later ones?

[markb]

I think I could find an old frame and I know a welder that could take of that.  But on the frame number does it look like there are grinding marks around it or just a shadow?  The numbers on my early diecast (build date 12/69) frame and engine look very uniform.  The auction looks like each number was individually stamped.  Sandcast experts, is this the way they were?  Also, was there a tag on the opposite side of the neck like mine?  Is there anything else in the photos that stands out as being obvious sandcast?
Thanks,
Mark

[Aaron J Williams]

Do sandcast cases not have the border around the engine numbers like the later ones?

Mine don't, they look just like the one in the auction. Also, if you look at the picture of the intake spouts you can see the back edge of the oil gallery casting behind the gallery plug is rounded. The die cast case has a definite edge there and the three vertical casting ribs below the gallery plug almost look hand carved, not uniform.

On the frame number does it look like there are grinding marks around it or just a shadow?  The numbers on my early diecast (build date 12/69) frame and engine look very uniform.  The auction looks like each number was individually stamped.  Sandcast experts, is this the way they were?  Also, was there a tag on the opposite side of the neck like mine?  Is there anything else in the photos that stands out as being obvious sandcast?
Thanks,
Mark

Those grinding marks kind of look like bad pixels from a low res camera but you are right, the numbers don't appear to line up exactly. I've never had a sandcast frame so I don't know if that one is truly authentic but it does have the black topped rear shocks like a sandcast should. There are many far more knowledgeable sandcast guys here than me so hopefully they will chime in.

[mgmuellner]

That is the ugliest body kit ever.  Wow 

[736cc]

  It needed just a little work...
Seriously, the hidden problems in that combo would probably ruin your day many times for a few years....

[markb]

Yes that's true but my original K0 has ruined my day several times too.  It's just that it's not that often a guy has a chance to pick up a sandcast in any condition.  I'm thinking the engine may be sandcast but that frame...  I know it doesn't do any good to dwell on this but I would feel better if I knew it wasn't a sandcast frame.  Will some of you sandcast experts weigh in on this one?
Thanks,
Mark

[paxtonpony]

The same dude bought both of them.
Motor - $1200
Frame - $1600
So he paid $2800 for a frame shaped like a pregnant dolphin on crutches and a very questionable motor.  I should e-mail him, I got a whole garage full of crap I'll sell him for three times what it's worth.