Anyone know anything about Vintage bikes?

[jonboy22]

As the sun poked his head round the clouds this morning and I inhaled a deep lungfull of carbon monoxide whilst filtering through London traffic at mach 3 on my Gixxer 600, I stopped to pause for a thought.

I boot about during the week like loon, and the weekend comes round, and I'm still a loon.......

I think I want to chill out a bit and enjoy the summer.

Sooo was hoping to rent a classic bike for the weekend to see what bimbling along feels like. Want to get some goggles as well and enjoy eating flies with an open faced helmet. Anyone know where I can do this??

I'm also considering purchasing a Royal Enfield bullet I think it is, anyone know anything about them??

Would appreciate any help or links that you can provide.

cheers

[Whosthedaddy]

The classic look does have a certain appeal compared to the knee down, ragging the nuts off, plastic fantastic sports bikes of today.

What about going to a Triumph or Ducati dealers and test riding one of there classic cafe racers? This may give you a modern day feel for the classics.
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[feef]

bullet? that's not a vintage bike...

that's a classic. Vintage would be like the 1912 Raleigh I was riding the other week, lever throttle control, single back brake operated by the left foor, and a right hand gear shift

Bullets are reliable transport, and you can still get them new for £not-a-lot.

a
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[jonboy22]

[jonboy22]

[feef]

[thx1138]

[TheShaggyDA]

I sold mine a few weeks ago, as I need something that can handle a motorway commute, and I've only room for one bike.

It was a 2004, 500cc electric start model, right hand change. The newer bikes come with a pile of plumbing to get through emissions regulations, this of course was junked from day one. I had a freer-flowing airfilter and exhaust put on, and the front sprocket was upped by 1 tooth, which brought the revs to a more relaxed level for cruising.

Since I had it from new, I had to do the running in for the first 1000 miles. With the above mods, that meant 40mph for the first 300 miles, 50mph for the next, 60 for the remainder. Without the mods it would have been 10mph lower. These bikes NEED to be run in carefully, which is why I opted for a new one rather than second hand.

You have to bear in mind that these bikes are 1950's technology, designed for 1950's roads. 1930's technology, if you consider the Albion gearbox The gearbox is clunky, and has random neutrals between each gear. There is a 5 speed, left hand change option, but I haven't tried one of those so can't comment. These are supposed to be a lot smoother. I also fitted heavier clutch springs, as it slipped with my lardy 18st weight on it.

Once run in, they are more than happy to cruise at 55mph, have a top end of 75-80mph, and will return 70+mpg. I averaged 72mpg.

Maintenance is a must, but servicing is extremely easy. This is not a bike you can get on and ride with no thought to the basics. Spares are cheap and plentiful; Hitchcocks have everything you need. If you have no mechanical sympathy, this is not the bike for you. Get a copy of Pete Snidal's service & maintenance CD, it has lots of info in it.

It's also a bike that you need to keep clean, as the amount of alloy and chrome will soon start looking shabby. I used mine through the winter, and it took a long session to clean back up again afterwards.

There's not much performance wise between the 350cc and the 500cc - the 350 is easier to start and less vibey, the 500 has a bit more torque so if you want to load up with camping gear/pillion this would be the better option.

There's a number of mods you can make relatively easily to improve reliability; lighter rockers, electronic ignition, and for the 500 an uprated oil pump. I didn't bother, but had I kept the bike I might have done as the bike got older. F2 Motorcycles (see below) do this as standard with the new bikes they sell.

The brakes and suspension are adequate for the bike's performance, if you are used to disk brakes, then you will be in for a shock, but there's gobs of engine braking so I quite often wouldn't have to touch the brakes at all when I was out on it. It does wonders for you anticipation skills There is a front disk conversion available though, if you really want to.

It's definately grinworthy riding it. The exhaust note of a single can't be beaten, and since you're not teararsing about, you do feel more relaxed and you can take in the scenery. The square section tyres might put some people off, but at the speeds you'll be going you won't be trying for kneedown anyway. Avon AMs are a common upgrade to the original equipment SMs.

Two dealers I've personally dealt with, one in Cambridge (Haywards) and one in Banbury (F2 Motorcycles) - both are very helpful, friendly and knowledgable.

Would I have one again? Yes, as long as I had something else as an everyday bike that can put up with a bit of neglect. If you've got any questions about them, I'll be happy to answer
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[mr.z]

I do like the idea of running an old classic but bikes have come a looooooong was in terms of relyability.. propper vintage bikes have to be treated with extreeme care (run one at 75% for long on a run out and your going to have problems..)

https://www.classichondamotorcycles.co.uk/bikes/bikes.asp

Just a thought but have a look here, personally i very much like classic japanese bikes, many perfect for bimbleing and still able to use them as relayable transport...



Another suggestion..

Go for a URLA DNEPR COSSACK similar, they are more or less replicants of the 1940's bmws, will do 60 or so comfortable and are sturdy as a sturdy thing and have piles of carracter..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[TheShaggyDA]

I agree, a Ural would be another candidate - again F2 is the place to go for those. I'm currently watching this on eBay.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[map]

As an alternative you could go for the classic looks but with modern machinery/electrics/etc. I'm thinking Kawasaki W650, although others may fit the bill. I think the W650 was dropped in 2006 but I'm sure they're out there (via MCN site I'd say ballpark £3K, maybe less).

https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Objects/000000B630D01331.jpg

Ok, purist and those dedicated (fanatical ) supporters of genuine older bikes may think it's the spawn of the devil and shun you but from what I've been told it'll do everything you need it for.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[mr.z]

Yeh they go for stupid prices on ebay sometimes, has to be said they wont be any good for motorwaying either though..

I'd love a twowheel drive ural sidecar outfit someday to mess about offroading...

Order of worth geting.. Ural - Dnepr - Chenshing (best to worst build quality) cossacks were a mix of urals and dneprs and anything they could get their hands on it seems.


When you say your watching it do you mean you might get it? can i have a go?
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[TheShaggyDA]

No, I won't be buying that one. It ends in 8 hours, and there's no way I'm getting to Macclesfield today. I won't buy a bike unseen, and if "it will sail through it's MOT" then why didn't they get one for it - it would have pushed the price up considerably.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[thx1138]

[gimpy limp]

the rig outfit (sidecar) on urals/dneprs and their equivalents, is haaaard work to steer and theirs no accelleration in these at mid/top range but they are amazing fun as a second bike. Unless you really have to have the rig outfit I'd just go for the solo - far easier to keep in a straight line, parts can all be bought brand new at fairly decent prices:

https://www.imz-ural.com/downloads/movies.htm

Go for the newer 750cc model every time if you can afford it, the chinese ones you see on ebay and the 650cc urals/dnepers etc need alot of things replacing before their reliable.

Prices:
https://www.uralmotorbikes.info/ural_outfits.htm

This is very useful too - https://www.cossackmotorcycles.com/index.html

https://www.uralmotorbikes.info/images/newdesert15.jpg

https://www.imz-ural.com/gearup/pics/bike02.jpg
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-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
msn addy - [email protected]
https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

[Zimbo]

[DAF]

Good thread

I've been interested in getting a WWII military motorbike as a hobby/ project/ show bike. Something like this would be really cool;

https://www.astory.com/motorcycle/841dc.jpg

It's an Indian Model 841. Does anyone have any experience of bikes that old in terms of restoration, maintenance etc?

Should hopefully see a few military bikes of that era in the forthcoming War & Peace show so looking forward to that event very much.
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2005 Yam Fazer (FZ6-S)

[MikeH]

Those Royal Enfields are built in Indian sweat shops with recycled bean tins mates got one, wouldn't touch a new one with a barge pole.

If you want retro feel you can't go far wrong with a good old Brit thats still made here:

https://www.webbikeworld.com/triumph-motorcycles/triumph-scrambler/triumph-scrambler.jpg
https://www.webbikeworld.com/triumph-motorcycles/triumph-scrambler/triumph-scrambler-left.jpg
https://www.webbikeworld.com/triumph-motorcycles/triumph-scrambler/triumph-scramber-rear.jpg

The twin-cylinder Scrambler adds a new twist to the Modern Classics range. A fresh take on Triumph’s past, the Scrambler is a redefinition of the bikes made famous by 50’s thrill-seekers such as Steve McQueen into a contemporary urban context.

A ‘do anything, go anywhere’ kind of bike, inspired in part by the relaxed culture of sunny California and in part by the stylishness of southern European scooter aficionados, the Scrambler has been specifically developed for a particular group of riders currently underserved in the market.

While diverse in their demographics and riding experience these riders share the view that motorcycling is great fun, socially acceptable and a liberating experience. Crucially though, they aren’t interested in riding fast and are not motivated by performance or other benchmark figures.

As a result these riders desire a bike that’s easy and un-intimidating to ride, with or without a passenger, in the rough and smooth parts of town or out and about on a longer jaunt. Added to this is a wish for the bike’s design to make a distinctive, personal statement that appeals to and is understood by both their biking and non-biking peers. Enter the Scrambler.

Very few motorcycles can claim to be unique but the Scrambler, thanks to authentic styling cues such as the flat seat, small headlight, knobby tires and upswept pipes, is certainly one of them. Only Triumph, with the brand’s strength and sense of its own history, could credibly produce such a machine, creating a whole new niche of motorcycle in the process.
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Busa Junkie

[jonboy22]

[finpos]

I just want to add this:

You can never truely appreciate life until you've ridden a heavy bike with cable operated front drum brakes.

finpos.

[veeeffarr]

Well I'm riding a light bike with a CO front drum and I have to start I'm starting to BUY my underwear in brown now as I can just let them dry and wear them again after a journey!

[gimpy limp]

that's nothing, you want to try drum brakes with a sidecar attached and the owner sitting in it any slight camber in the road at 30 or above is terrifying if your not expecting it. I went to put my foot down on the floor once or twice
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-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
msn addy - [email protected]
https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

[Nath]

I would love an old brit, but pretty much anything bigger than a bsa bantam will fetch big money, and most of the bikes on eBay are restored minters.

Classic Japanese bikes are a far more affordable option. Certain 60s models fetch big money (eg the 125cc honda CB92), however pretty much anything from the 1970s can be had for little money if you don't want a minter. SOHC Honda fours are very reliable bikes and don't fetch a lot of money on eBay unless they are in totally original condition. I'm currently in the middle of a tour of Europe on my 1976 550/4, and after almost 7000miles it's still running strong.
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Hard livin', hard luck.

[gimpy limp]

[Nath]

eh up

The bike is doing great. It burns a little oil, and occasionally drops onto 3 cylinders in heavy rain, but otherwise it hasn't let me down. All i've had go wrong is a broken throttle cable. Unfortunately I've only got about 2000miles left in my tyres so I'm gonna have figure out where will be easiest and cheapest to buy some more.

Norway was great, but the weather turned bad and then I got a fuckin massive speeding fine which made it hard for me to enjoy those mountain roads any longer, so I headed south through finland. I'm now in Poland, and am using the internet for only the second time in 3 weeks. The speeding fine doesn't seem to have appeared on my credit card statement yet, so I'm preying that the police took pitty on me and ripped it up after I rode away. However more than likely it's just taking its time to come through For going 12mph over the speed limit they fined me 400 fucking quid. Bunch of robbing bastards

Did you get your engine sorted in the end? I would be interested to hear if you fixed the problem that was causing it to stutter at high speed.
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Hard livin', hard luck.