Description
Additional photos of this Cooper 250 MX are available here for your perusal.
This week, we are auctioning off several motorcycles out of a collection that came to us from Iowa – all with no reserve. Each one of the bikes has been on display for roughly ten years and does not currently run, however we quickly went through them to clean them and determine if they can fire up.
This is a Cooper 250 Enduro – the brainchild of Frank Cooper, who was the American distributor for Maico motorcycles. Off-road motorcycling experienced a boom in popularity and Cooper sought to fill a void in the motorcycle marketplace between the less expensive, entry level Japanese motorcycles and the more expensive European motorcycles. Cooper contracted with Isidro Lopez, the owner of a Mexican moped manufacturer named Moto Islo, to build motocross and enduro motorcycles to his specifications. He initially utilized engine parts made in Italy and later bought engines made by Sachs, importing the motorcycles into the United States as Cooper motorcycles beginning in early 1973. Cooper produced a MX model and Enduro model around the 250 motor.
The Cooper 250 Enduro certainly stood out, with a bright lemon yellow fiberglass gas tank, fenders and triangular side-panels. Ground clearance was a reasonable 10 inches, with the seat at a tad over 31 inches. A reasonably comfy extended saddle kept the rider’s butt from protesting too much. A Nippon Seiko speedo went to 100 mph. Dry weight was a claimed 227 pounds, with a wheelbase of 55 inches.
This example is VIN: XU93355, Engine #: 3355.
The odometer shows 291 miles.
It has been on display for roughly 10 years. In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean it up. It does not run. Steve the Professor notes that it needs: a battery, battery box, key, intake boot, carb clean, tank clean, air filter, and side stand.
Modifications:
Aftermarket silencer with Bassani label.
Renthal bar pad.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album for all known cosmetic issues. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on IRC trials tires with date codes of 1711 and 3911.
The sale does not include the pictured stand.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this motorcycle is offered on a Bill of Sale only. We cannot confirm the model year of this bike. Have any Cooper stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
