TEST FANTIC 125
A forward action kick-start is a Fantic trademark.
The 240 model frame happily accommodates either the 125cc or 212cc engines.
What is It?
CARLO RAMELLA: This factory prepared ‘works’ Fantic 125 found its way after its working life into the private hands of riders in the Piedmont region in Italy near where I am based, and it was used by different owners in clubman trials competitions. Eventually, it was acquired by my nephew Rodolfo who has used it, as had many young boys of his age before him, just for fun. After some time he asked me if I could sell it for him. I went and viewed the Fantic and did not realise that it was an ex-Diego Bosis machine and the significance of it. I advertised it for sale, and two teenagers came to view it, but we could not agree on the price otherwise this Fantic might have been lost forever....or even worse dismantled for spare parts! One day my good friend and ex-trials rider Pippo Bartorilla visited me and I showed him the Fantic: “I am very interested in purchasing it” he said “as it’s a very special trials machine” — I was not interested in keeping it, so we quickly agreed on the price and I sold it to him. After some months he came to me with this machine all perfectly cleaned up with new many new parts and he said to me: “This Fantic is an ex-works machine of Diego Bosis; I recognised it because during those years I was often riding with Fabrizio Cerchio who was the Fantic Team sports trainer, and I have seen this machine several times.
switching to 125 for competition use due do the age limit. At this point, I explained I wanted it back, and it duly came back to my collection, and so I was very happy, to say the least. From time to time I use it for an ‘Old Trial Competition’ or mountain trips, just for fun, because it’s so light and easy to ride over any terrain with a good power delivery despite the fact it’s ‘only’ a 125cc. This machine now joins its other Fantic brothers as I have one of the prototypes Jaime Subira Fantic 300 ex-works models and an ex-works Renato Chiaberto Fantic 300. Yes, I love my three Fantic machines!
Paint markings on the wheel hubs remind you that it tasted international action.
I Want it Back
CR: I could not believe that I am such a serious collector of trials machines and did not realise what it was… Pippo showed me some details confirming this is ex-Bosis machine like the special brake pedal, foot-rests, Mikuni carburettor, a ‘super soft’ clutch action, special mudguards and number plate holder, all relevant to this Bosis machine. The give-away I should have spotted was the 240 model frame as Bosis was training using a 240 engine before
CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2018 • ISSUE 24
The test team.
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