After Villiers went out of business, the motorcycle manufacturers that depended on their engines were forced to look elsewhere. The British firm of Cotton (out of Gloucester, England) decided to go with a Minarelli-built 170cc to power their trails bike for 1968.
At first it was simply called the Cotton 170, but when the model was updated in 1971 with a significantly smaller frame (which helped bring down weight from 205 lb to 175 lb) the bike was renamed the Cavalier. The Minarelli motor was good for 13 horsepower pushed through a 4-speed transmission. For more information, check out the Cotton Owner’s Club.
The seller of this example (VIN: TM72881) says it starts, runs, and is rideable, though the “clutch plates are stuck.” It’s been in storage for twenty years and it comes with a clean title – I hope someone brings this back to good shape! Here’s motivation as to what it could look like when it’s done!
Find this Cotton for sale in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania with bidding up to $610 and the reserve already met here on eBay.