Has anyone got a good knowledge of classic bikes?

[craigs23]

I continue to enjoy bimbling through the countryside at a more sedate pace. It calms me down, gives me time to think, makes me feel great about being on a bike. The adventurous side of my biking has also returned - partly down to me discovering new narrow lanes, partly due to the fact that I'm now riding something a lot less capable then my recent bikes.

I don't require any more 'performance' than my current 125 - a crusing speed of 50mph is fine, but fancy something a little more, 'authentic' really. Something with a bit of chrome, a bit of noise, maybe a bit more character than a learner bike.

I'm not talking about a Harley - don't worry - I still require something that handles, especially the gravel strewn twisty unclassified routes that I'm bimbling down.

I'd been considering an early Honda or somesort of Japanese twin - a CB250, 350 or similar. But fear I might end up caring about it too much and going crazy with the David Silvers catalogue. The relative reliability is a plus though, as is the build quality of those early Jap bikes.

I've also been considering a Royal Enfield. Got everything I'm looking for, but, having no experience with them, I'm unsure of their suitability and reliability on a day to day basis.

I don't worry about a bit of necessary tinkering and maintainence at the weekend, in fact, I'd welcome it.

Maybe an old crosser or scrambler?

As long as it's easy to work on, looks and sounds the part, is comfortable at low speed, is relatively cheap (£1000 to £1500 tops), and reliable, I'd be happy.

Any other recomendations?

[ms51ves3]

An old air cooled Yamaha DT175

Clicky

Or if you're feeling very adventurous a Yamaha DT400 in need of restoration. Don't worry, they only put out 22hp.

Clicky

[Blau Zedong]

Mate of mine is flogging a twin shock DT175. Engine is done and the rest of it is all there and standard. Really just needs pulling apart and painting etc. Ideal tool for pottering around back roads IMHO.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[craigs23]

Hmmm, tempting. Certainly look pretty cool. How much for a decent example? I presume parts are still plentiful? Are they strokers?

[Blau Zedong]

Engine bits are not too much hassle to source, cosmetic bits and exhausts are more of a problem which is why my mate bought it in the first place (all the rare bits are there). They are a bog basic 2T single, my mate tells me it's quite torquey and low revving which is at odds with the later monoshock versions (which are quite snappy). He was up for restoring it and got as far as doing the engine but he's moving out of his current place so needs to slim down his fleet of bikes.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Charlie]

When my Dad was a lot younger (30+ years ago) they use to have a DT175, and rag it around a local sand pit up the road.

He said they could never kill that bike and it was very capable.

I'd get one, sounds just right for you.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[garth]

Bantam! Slow though.

B25?
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[MarJay]

Saw that 'By Any Means' with Charley Boorman again last night. He got to India, so some of it he did on Enfield Bullets.

I have to say they looked pretty damn nice. The ones they used had disc brakes, electric start etc, but still looked like a proper classic brit bike. I bet they would be an absolute hoot to ride!

Although Charleys did break down at the side of the road and spat its oil up into the airbox...

On a slight aside, I'm really enjoying 'by any means'. No one is whinging about the journey, you get to see a bit of actual culture and Charley is actually quite amusing to watch and to listen to. Its far from the Charley Boorman "I'd do anything for a quid!" "I'm crap without Ewan" vehicle that I thought it would be.

LWR: Charley whinges a lot, but it was OK
LWD: Ewan whinges a lot, and they don't see anything real - just them trying to get to the next place

BAM: Charley being happy, not even Russ Malkin has whinged about anything yet! A Surprisingly good watch!

{edit} OOOOh this is purdy!

https://www.royal-enfield.com/images/electra500T.jpg

This is the kind of thing I'd get my missus if she ever does her test:

https://www.royal-enfield.com/electra-lowseat.jpg

I think it was this one that Boorman rode across India:

https://www.oxfordshireroyalenfield.co.uk/images/gallery/electra_gallery/electra_Classic.gif
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Endless Nameless]

There was a guy on the ferry yesterday riding a diesel Enfield- had a look around the bike and OK maybe not a diesel but I really liked the bike- looks like a proper classic but has niceties like a front disc, leccy start and stuff as MarJay said. I'd love one for the sort of riding you're on about, which if I'm honest is my favorite type of riding.

I'd try and find one to have a look at and see what you think of them.

Edit: and as MarJay's just shown, they are particularly lovely in trials trim
____________________
A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[craigs23]

I really like the Enfields - the only drawback is their reliability (was Charlie thrashing the Bullet yesterday)?

I prefer the earlier 65s to the latest Electas - they still have the electric start, 5 speed box and rhs gear change, but I prefer the looks of the toolboxes/airboxes to the later model's more "styled" flanks.

Definately a model I'm considering, they seem reasonable plentiful, there's a shop called Hitchings (or similar) that supply all manner of parts for them - it's just that questionable suitability for daily use...

The DT does fit the bill too. I am after a bike from the 70s or earlier (chrome, wire spoked wheels, etc).

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[craigs23]

Thanks Shaggy, that's very helpful. I haven't joined any Enfield forums yet, so haven't had the chance to speak to actual owners.

My daily trip is 27 miles each way, mostly on A-roads (but have the choice, when in the mood to seek longer, unclassified routes out), mostly bimbling at 55mph or so (even along bypass stretches).

I'm not scared at the odd bit of Sunday morning tinkering - in fact, I'm quite fond of doing a little bit of bike maintenance at the weekend, previously bikes I've had have seen to that interest.

But, I wouldn't want to be left stranded at the side of the road whilst trying to get to work....but a CB5 or something, erm, 'more suitable' (?) doesn't really appeal to me. The fact that I'm now using a 125 every day, when I never bought it to commute on (I just enjoy riding it), as opened up avenues of biking I thought I'd forgotten about.

[MarJay]

Eugggh, don't get a fuel injected 2009 model though... look at the exhaust (it has a cat in it...)

https://www.royal-enfield.com/images/Bullet_EFI.jpg
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[monty's double]

[Wil]

Too new, too powerful and too pricey I expect, but if I wanted a "classic" bike to bimble around B roads on, it would be this.

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2004models/2004-TriumphTHRUXTONc.jpg
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'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

[MarJay]

[Wil]

[Dr. DaveJPS]

from the classic enthusiasts pov from what I've heard the Indian enfields only run right once they have been rebuilt and for the money you could get
https://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Classifieds/photos/bsa_1_medium.jpg
https://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Classifieds/listing/1829/BSA_B31_1954_Plunger_frame.html[img][/img]
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"intelligent inattention is preferable to unintelligent tinkering"
www.davejps.com

[Coxyzxr]

My dad would love to answer this, He's got two old red Honda 90's (he loves the tax exemption) that look like mint, rebuilt by himself!!

He's also got a BSA goldstar and loves the old stuff, he's just sold off his Rudge and Sunbeam.

He's always banging on about his goldstar, about how well it cruises at 60/70 and has a real nice handle to it. Whatever you wanna know I could always ask him if you're serious about it. Give me a pm if you're interested.
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[Endless Nameless]

Somehow I suspect a Goldie is a tad overbudget, and also not really ideal for day- to- day riding, gorgeous though they are.

That B31 is lovely and I want it in my life...
____________________
A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[stinkwheel]

If you're going to buy a British unit single, be prepared to have to carry out a low level of constant tinkering with it, especially electrics and do not plan for it to reliably take you anywhere.

In terms of Japanese bikes, in my experience parts for old Hondas are easier and cheaper to obtain than any of the others by a country mile. Kawasaki parts are usually available but can be bloody expensive. Suzukis are highly variable, some models are well supplied with spares, others they are thin on the ground. Yamaha parts are sometimes simply unobtainable.

I'd get a Honda if it were me. Have a look round, they made LOADS of sub 250cc bikes. The trick is to get them second hand while they are still a cheap old second hand bike and before they becone regarded as collectable.

I'll suggest a slight oddity. They are not easy to come by but I reckon you'd like... The GB500.
https://www.wctc.net/~cmakynen/GB500.jpg

Or more modern and readily available there is the Kawasaki W650 which looks more like a Triump-h Bonneville than a Triumph Bonneville does:
https://www.mcnews.com.au/NewBikeCatalogue/2002/Kawasaki/W650/W650%20RHF.JPG
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[thx1138]

last week I covered a few hundred miles on an old Triumph Bonneville.

It didn't exactly break down, it just seemed to need a "good fiddle with" every 50 miles or so.

Fortunately years of riding ratty old MZ's in my youth, prepared me somewhat.

[craigs23]

Thanks for the recomendations everyone.

So far, my thoughts on the shown models:

Royal Enfield Bullets - almost perfect for what I'm looking for, just that element of doubt whether it'll be okay to use daily, in all conditions, etc. I will delve deeper into Hitchcocks' website (thanks Shaggy), I seemed to get stuck at the impressive list of spares and aftermarket items the last time I was there. My knowledge of bike mechanics is improving, but not sure whether I've got the skill to make a quick fix at the roadside if the need arises. Won't be a problem diagnosing a complaint stuck in the garage at home though. They're the right sort of money too. Really like the look of this example:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/bikepics-1165571-full.jpg

Old Hondas - second most likely. I've been brought up on Hondas, had a 400/4 a few years back, but at the moment I'm looking for something 'less refined' than that. Theres a K model CB250 for sale locally, for a pricey £1500, even though it appears in good nick. Fits the bill, as I'm looking for less than 4 cylinders, and it certainly looks the part. Probably more reliable than the Enfield, plus I know for sure I won't have trouble sourcing parts. Any issues can be diagnosed by Dad, he used to tinker/modify with the things when he growing up. Only problem being their 'collectable' prices, plus having to resist the notion to spend too much money restoring one. I've also been considering the CD250s, CB350s (if I'm very lucky), CB72s, etc. They just lack a little charm/character/crapness in comparison to the Enfield though.

W650 - will definately consider one. I actually considered one after my Hornet to slow me down a bit. Wasn't ready at the time though. Prefer them over the newer Bonnies, seem more authentic and look better (kick start too). Maybe a little too big for what I'm looking for, but if one came up locally, I'd be interested to take a look at one. Only other problem is the price - they seem to be around the £2500-£3000 mark, and are pretty rare. Should have the reliability that I'm after though.

New Triumphs - just a bit too good unfortunately. Not keen on the new Bonnie looks wise, Thruxton's too much about the speed and the Scrambler's my favourite looks wise, just a bit too heavy and expensive - and new.

Dad mentioned a BSA 250 scrambler - mentioned one should be more reliable than an Enfield, but I'm at a loss with them at the moment, and wouldn't know where to start in regards to finding an example I'm after, where to source parts. Google naturally has the answers though.

Another note is what to do with the RR. Took a hit with the initial depreciation and it's nice to have the choice of riding such a fine example of modern day technology, but for the past month or so, I've chosen to only ride it a couple of times. And it seems a little pointless, and a little shallow now.

[Charlie]