Note: This bike is not currently in running condition, therefore there is no cold start video.
Founded by Bert Greeves, the Greeves motorcycle company started when Bert was mowing his lawn and thought of mounting a lawnmower engine to the wheelchair of his disabled cousin to help with mobility. That led to a government contract, and Bert was inspired by his success to start building motorcycles as well. The company was quite successful with exports – at one point Greeves was sending more bikes to the US than it was keeping in its home country.
Following their early years, the Thundersley-based marque doubled down on what they did best: building world-beating, mud-churning off-road competition machines. Enter the Greeves Challenger—introduced in 1964 as the factory’s very first (virtually) all-Greeves scrambler model.
At the heart of the bike was Greeves’ own custom crankcases housing a robust Alpha crankshaft assembly, topped off with a distinctive, generously-finned alloy barrel and cylinder head. Power was sent through an Albion gearbox, all wrapped in Greeves’ trademark chassis design: a rigid cast alloy I-beam frame paired with their iconic “banana”-style leading-link front forks (though starting in late 1965 they could be spec’d with Ceriani telescopic forks. The frame came paired with fiberglass front and rear fenders alongside a signature fiberglass fuel tank.
By late ’65, Greeves turned the dial up further with the upgraded MX2 iteration. The MX2 got a beefed-up duplex primary chain drive and an upgraded, heavy-duty “kidney-shaped” gearbox casing to handle the extra abuse. To top it off, Greeves expanded the lineup beyond the traditional 246cc displacement to include a big-bore 362cc option for riders looking to dominate the open class.
This example is VIN: 24MX654. It is chassis number: 664.
With no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
In preparation for this listing the seller had us perform a safety inspection. We also confirmed the bike has spark and compression at 125PSI.
Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Fail
Transmission Oil Level: Unknown
Transmission Oil Quality: Unknown
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Too tight
Headlight High Beam: N/A
Headlight Low Beam: N/A
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: N/A
Tail Light: N/A
Brake Light (Front Switch): N/A
Brake Light (Rear Switch): N/A
Plate Light: N/A
Horn: N/A
Kill Switch:
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: Drum
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: Drum
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: Pre-2000
Tire Date Code Rear: Pre-2000
Tire % Remaining Front: 70%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 60%
Tire Press. Front: 20 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 22 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: N/A
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: N/A
Running Condition: No crank, no start
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Tires Installed:
Front: 3.50-19
Rear: 100/100-18
Notes:
-Fuel tank has DIY interior liner, it’s failing
-Transmission oil level unknown, needs to be drained and refilled to verify
-Drive chain is too tight
Repairs Performed:
-Spark Verification:
Crank, no spark
-Compression Test:
125 PSI
Repairs Recommended
-Fuel tank liner
-Carb service
-Electrical Diagnostic + Repair – No spark diagnostic
-Gear box oil
-Tires/Tubes
-Chain service/tension
Modifications:
This bike appears to be stock with no modifications.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on a Cheng Shin front tire and a Pirelli Scorpion MX rear tire, which have aged out with date codes of 532, and 2210.
The Greeves Challenger 250 24MX2 project does not have an ignition key. As such no key is included with the sale.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, CA, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Greeves is offered on a Bill Of Sale only.
Have any Challenger 250 24MX2 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
