Hi Thomas
I know nothing about cars but recently sold my Nimbus Type c, so I know a bit about those. There’s very little comparison between a Nimbus and a Scott. The Danish machine is designed to provide basic, reliable transport. The Scott is a purer, sporting machine and follows a different path entirely. You would need to spend some time getting the Scott to a state of grace whereby you might only need routine maintenance thereafter, but it could take a while!
You may well need to repair the radiator.
The clutch is a bit of an acquired taste.
The chains need to be regularly lubricated and adjusted, far more often than on an inferior bike.
For it to idle in traffic is a bonus rather than a expectation.
I’ve owned several and currently run a pre-war, girder forked, rigid model, three speed and hand change. I would suggest that the 500cc motor is less stressed and therefore more reliable than the 600, although others may well differ with that opinion. The post war bikes had Dowty forks which I found to be tedious and leaky. Three speed is good. Modern oils reduce smoking, aid starting and performance and help reliability. Later bikes had distributor ignitions ( like the Nimbus), I’m unconvinced they’re better than the magneto on my preferred choice, but they do eliminate the magneto chain, of course. The Birmngham Scotts are undoubtedly the most refined versions, with swinging arm suspension, but the dullest to ride.
As a sporting machine there’s little to compare with a Scott. It’s quicker and faster than my cammy Velocette and my Norton International and is a brilliant experience to ride. But expect much more shed time than with the Nimbus. Scotts are the only bike I’ve ever owned that approach the fabled 1:1 ratio of riding and workshop time!
I don’t know where you are, but you’d be welcome to come and ride my TT Replica. I’m in West London.
I would go for a pre-war girder forked three speeder, it’s a lighter machine more in keeping with the original ethos than the post war bikes. This is just my opinion, of course.
Best
Paul
