What OLD bike ?

[pepperami]

No I am not going to buy more bike/crap.
I was just having a browse on teh web and it got me thinking .
What bike would I choose if I was going to buy a pre 1965 bike.

I think that even though Triumphs are not in my exciting list, I would choose a Triumph.
Why? Cos the spares and services you can get for old Trumpets is impressive.
Looking at the adds in the mags and on teh net, I'm guessing there is nothing you can't get sorted out on an old Triumph.

What pre 1965 bike would you choose and why?
EDIT: be realistic
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Polarbear]

I would love -

An Ariel Square, just because of what it is, a ludicrous design.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTT4A3KRfCet4nKYt1uBEkTuiE5HpPHeZkVgRo4v_Fe0CV7iA88

Out of reach moneywise though.

So it would be an old Harley, probably a panhead but even that would be a budget stretch
https://cdn1.mecum.com/auctions/lv0116/lv0116-228050/images/lv0116-228050_1.jpg
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[pompousporcup...]

cool old Harley seconded. Not a fan of the modern stuff though, just stating that out loud...

[M.C]

Nothing, not at the age yet where I feel the need to live in the past

[Suntan Sid]

This one, Matchless G3LC

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_8CAhoUWvU/TWbGQ4MPy2I/AAAAAAAAAB8/DFwfmpp6DrM/s748/026%2B%2528Medium%2529.JPG
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[kgm]

I don't think I could be bothered with something quite the old. 1980 is old enough for me.

That matchleas is cool though

[DRZ4Hunned]

AJS 7R/Porcupine or Matchless G50 as a trophy piece

Although I doubt I'd ride them, so maybe something a little more practical with semi-decent performance, so Triumph Goldstar?
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DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[stinkwheel]

I would have a Vincent Black shadow in the absence of a black lightning. But I don't have £70k+ to spend.

If I wanted a practical pre-65 bike to piss about with I'd have either an Enfield bullet or an ex WD BSA unit single, mostly because of parts availability.
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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.

[davethekwak]

Norton Dominator (99 model)
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ZX6R G2 (1999) & ZX6R F2 (1996). I like ZX6!

[Dr. DaveJPS]

[Teflon-Mike]

For show or go? And if for go, how much every-day 'useful' do it need be?
Just for the (Mostly technical) history:-
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Scott_motorcycle_at_Barber_Vintage_Motorsport_Museum.jpg
Pre World-War-One, Scott. It's possibly the fist 'real' motorcycle, as in it was designed from the ground up to be a motorcycle, rather than a contraption, like Einspur cobbled around a hobby-horse, to prove the engine, or most of the pre WWI veterans, that were bicycles with clip on engines. Angus Scott was a bit of a visionary; and the bike had a water-cooled, twin-cyclinder two-stroke engine, all chain drive with rider selectable (on the move) two-speed, all chain drive transmission, a kick-start and NO pedals.
Gawd-knows how much one would cost, and I could never imagine riding the thing, except in classic parade, perhaps... but as the Grandaddy of 'em all? Got to be top of the list.

For something of the hey-day era and notionally roadable....
https://www.historics.co.uk/media/1081744/ref_299_rickman_matisse_1.jpg
TriBSA-Matisse.. Rickman Matisse 'scrambles' frame; BSA gearbox, Triumph T100 twin engine, and whatever cycle-parts suit.
It's a mongrel... but that's what Metisse means! It's a special of the Cafe era that isn't a bludy Triton, for starters! Has a pretty impressive heritage as a Clubman comper in Scrambles and long-trials, and no scruff on the road; same frame, dressed out with rearsets and clip-ons and with treadd tyres was used in contemprary road-race, and was the basis of the Rickman-Interceptor with the 800 Conny motor in it. BUT as a 'Mongrel' it's a bike wouldn't feel compelled to be particularly 'precocious' about so would't be embarressed to use non authentic Burbage ignition or even Mikuni-Carbs, 12v generator & lighting, modern alloy rims, or shocks etc. Based on the Bonny Motor, and after-market cycle-parts like rims, and handlebars and levers and stuff, it's a bike that could serve as an every-day rider reasonably well, without being worried about the spares support or originality; whilst, has enough 'oomph' to be modern-day useable, and certainly enough handling; as well as 'interesting', and not a cafe-racer, definitely not a Triton, and most certainly not a Brat-Chop-Bobber-Scrambler... but the real-deal!
I could envisage popping to the shops on one; riding out to a pub-meet, even doing a rally, probably having a bit of muddy-wheel fun on the green-lanes with it.. or just having a back-lane blast, on; real do-it-all motorcycle.. classical, technical, practical, usable...... Heck.. could even enter one into a pre-65 scramble or trial! Bike would probably fare better than me, these days!

Take away the Pre-65 qualification, and it wold HAVE to be two-stroke! And, I'd be spoiled for choice. I still like the idea of an air-cooled 2T dirt-bike of the late 70's early 80's. DT400 mayhaps? Street-Legal KX440? Mmmmmm.... shifting street-wise, RD350YPVS keeps resonating in my head..... and the notion isn't completely out of the question; A late model Valve, isn't too far out of budget, or too ridiculously high-maintenance one couldn't supercede the Seven-Fifty, as all-round road-bike, if it ever decides to schuck its alternator chain or stop passing MOT's with boring routine 'advisory' on the rust on the handlebars! And I would appreciate the lesser weight, I think. Probably easier to get most bits for as well! But I DO rather like the notion of an MZ ISDT replica.... air-cooled, two-stroke, twin-shocks, competition legacy; rugged, reliable, road-able... just! Off-Roadable.. reasonably... could serve all-round duty, and offer a lot of riding from one bike; Later, less sought after example, preferably with cantilever stilt-shocks and less 'classic' styling.
https://www.isdt.eu/mediac/450_0/media/DIR_112001/765ee8017d1e67efffff8073d4355564.jpg
Or effit; if Lingering hasn't horded all the bits, build up a 'replica-replica' from an ETZ motor and the Sammy-Miller brochure!

ONLY issue is all have kick-starts! So can I have a Korean Brolly-Dolly in the top-box to jump up and down on the starter, in a bikini, whilst I helpfully hold the bike up for her and watch jiggly bits bouncing?

But conclusion; Money-No-Object Garage trophy? The Scott. If it HAS to be Pre-65; and every-day useable (ish), AND you gave me the money for it; then the TriBSA-Matisse. Take away the Pre-65 requirement and make me do it on my own dollar, then the MZ-ISDT Replica-Replica... BUT... more likely, I'd say soddit and get a less loved Valve! 'Cos already got too many 'projects'.

Reminds me, though; need to mix some pre-mix for the strimmer! HEY! Don't knock it; you get to do a Bisto-Kids "Catrol Ahhhhhhhhhhh-R" and imagine the TZ's tearing past as you cut the nettles down!
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Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[stinkwheel]

[Major Doss]

Velocette Venom unless the prices have gone loopdy loo.
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Antisocial phucker.

[Robby]

Harley 45. Always on the lookout for a good one.

[pepperami]

[stevo as b4]

Still thinking about this one, it's the hardest question BCF has asked in ages IMO.

I like many others would be choosing based on preferences or reasons other than having direct experience of any of the possible choices.

So far I fancy a Royal Enfield 700 interceptor, for a few reasons. I like wet sumps, and they were made just a few miles up the road. Also I'd want my twin to be different to the popular other people's ones, and if an Enfield could out accelerate a Triumph 650, then it'll do for me.

I have full right to change my mind if I can think of something tastier and possibly Italian.

I wanted to say Kawasaki W1, but it's too new for pre 65, and handles for shit, though I'd love to see a superior made slanty eyed Brit twin!

[stinkwheel]

Oh, I would really like an MZ BK350 too.

Horizontally opposed 2-stroke twin with shaft drive.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=99774
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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.

[hellkat]

Harley WLA 45 flathead like the one in Rocky Horror
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYuD0A6WEAAgK5o.png

Or a Vincent, Black Shadow.

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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I quite liked my '63 AJS M16...

https://www.bikepics.com/pics/2004/08/28/bikepics-202564-full.jpg

...but realistically it would be easier to keep an Enfield on the road. Then again, I've always liked the the simple look of a BMW single :-

https://www.bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/parts/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/R24-8.jpg
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Wonko The Sane]

BSA, more likely a bantam if I were buying

If I'd won the lottery....
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[bypass2]

Ariel arrow/leader racer

[jjdugen]

It would have been the Suzuki T20 'super six' but a year too late.
So, this one.
Still more than usable, as in modern motorway usable. !2volt electrics, lecy starter, actually oil tight, excellent brakes and, just look at it. This was the death of the British industry, not gloating or proud, just what happens when you produce shit and try and compete against perfection.
Its a 1961 -68 CB72 / 77 250 / 305 cc Honda. 180 degree twin, OHC, 24 / 27 BHP @ 10,000 rpm. Probably the first true performance 4 stroke motorcycle from Japan. Only problem, it was the same price as a Bonneville......

(Edit. Can someone embed this please, damned if I can do it! Cheers) Thank you!

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=99777

Open the attached image, copy the address, click edit on your post, add the image address wrapped in img tags, like this:

[pepperami]

[yen_powell]

I think that spares for these old fossils are easier to get than more modern bikes. My mate has a couple of 1950's Brit bikes and seems to be able to get hold of anything he wants with relative ease.

Having ridden an Enfield twin with the foot controls reversed and the gearbox from hell I salute the old bikers of yesteryear who rode the things any distance.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[MarJay]

Velocette thruxton is my pick. No idea how much they cost though.
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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.