Camel 501
Posted: 25 Jan 2026 11:16
Camel 501
Imported from France and has NOVA. Encouraged by Tom Farrow who has the view that all 501's need saving as the engine's are by far the best
It had been stood for years but I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs and it runs quite well. All the electric worked much to my amazement and I have got some better plastics for it and one or two other bits.
Needs
New tyres obviously. (I have a new front available)
New rear chain and roller
Fork seals. Forks feel very good though. Plus new gaiters as existing look v dirty. I have some new ones.
Rear shock probably. Damps OK but clearly leaking.
Alternator cover starter motor etc. Motor tests fine but the rest needs redoing. I have the parts.
Rear brake needs rebuild. Both m/cyl and caliper by the looks of it. I may have new caliper.
S/Arm bushes slightly sloppy
Front brake is good!
Centre stand missing.
Side stand needs repairing or replacing
Indicators. All work but all the flexible rubber fixings have gone hard and snapped. I Probably have spare ones
Service and check timing etc. Change cam belt and new air filter (I have both)
The hard bits to get seem OK. Exhausts are solid. Switch gear OK and electrics not molested. Tank is clean and solid. Taps both work. The one with the fuel gauge needs the wire soldered back on. Tank has some marks on R/H side.
I have more pictures and running video but can’t put on Forum as too large. Could send by WhatsApp
Bike located in North Devon. 15 miles from M5 J 27
With the bits I have as listed above £1800 or something very close.
Imported from France and has NOVA. Encouraged by Tom Farrow who has the view that all 501's need saving as the engine's are by far the best
It had been stood for years but I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs and it runs quite well. All the electric worked much to my amazement and I have got some better plastics for it and one or two other bits.
Needs
New tyres obviously. (I have a new front available)
New rear chain and roller
Fork seals. Forks feel very good though. Plus new gaiters as existing look v dirty. I have some new ones.
Rear shock probably. Damps OK but clearly leaking.
Alternator cover starter motor etc. Motor tests fine but the rest needs redoing. I have the parts.
Rear brake needs rebuild. Both m/cyl and caliper by the looks of it. I may have new caliper.
S/Arm bushes slightly sloppy
Front brake is good!
Centre stand missing.
Side stand needs repairing or replacing
Indicators. All work but all the flexible rubber fixings have gone hard and snapped. I Probably have spare ones
Service and check timing etc. Change cam belt and new air filter (I have both)
The hard bits to get seem OK. Exhausts are solid. Switch gear OK and electrics not molested. Tank is clean and solid. Taps both work. The one with the fuel gauge needs the wire soldered back on. Tank has some marks on R/H side.
I have more pictures and running video but can’t put on Forum as too large. Could send by WhatsApp
Bike located in North Devon. 15 miles from M5 J 27
With the bits I have as listed above £1800 or something very close.
- Camel 501 Forum 1.jpg (507.13 KiB) Viewed 139 times
- Camel 501 Forum 2.jpg (504.85 KiB) Viewed 139 times
- Camel 501 Forum 3.jpg (500.78 KiB) Viewed 139 times