Classic bikes. (not 56k friendly)

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

After working my way back from Horsham one day I went through the small village of Handcross, this sit's pretty much on top of the A23 in West Sussex. I noticed a small shop with classic bikes in it when passing so went back to check it out, what I found was a shop dealing in classic bikes, and an extremely helpful and friendly shop full of staff who are more than happy to talk about them and seem very passionate about their work.

If you like classic bikes then visit this place. Thumbs Up

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

More, and although the pictures I took weren great they have been made worse by having to reduce the size, sorry. Sad

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Last few of the shop itself.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/shop_01.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/shop_02.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/shop_03.jpg
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Brava210 · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Karma :

That Norton is Gorgeous Very Happy

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Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

Old brit bikes always make me feel a bit sad really. There are precious few bikes that are still affordable enough for the like of me and you to even aspire to own and ride. Instead these bikes are all owned by rich feckers who wouldn't dream of actually riding them less they get dirty or worn. Even the "barn finds" get bought up by old farts with nothing better to do than spend thousands restoring them to mint condition only never to be ridden.

Bikes belong on the roads! (still a pretty cool shop though)
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Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Not quite Nath.

There was an Indian outside being ridden by a very old bloke. Most of the bokes are fairly reasonably priced. Ariel Square Four was up for £7500 and seemed in very good conition to me.

Part's didnt seem to be amazongly expensive and I dont see why one couldnt be run as your only bike. It would merely require a bit more money and alot more time and patience than modern stuff.

I have seen a few people riding in all weathers all year round on them.

Edit: The studded belt was on a very old Norton, the owner had recently imported it from southern australia where he was living. It had a fair few miles on it apprently and is going to be used fairly regularly.
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Zimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

Not quite Nath 2

There are thousands and thousands of old british bikes, owned by ordinary people, and used on the roads all through the summer months at least, and a good many in the winter on nice days too. the vintage motorcycle club must be the biggest UK bike club by a long long way, with thousands of meets and events arranged over the entire country throughout the year.

You can buy a 1960s Norton, triumph or BSA in showroom condition for the price of an average second hand modern bike, a couple of grand gets you a good condition roadworthy example, for five K you get most models in immaculate condition. There are a few that fetch a lot more of course - Vincents and Broughs are worth serious money now - but Norton Dominators, Triumph Bonnys and Gold Stars are within the reach of most of us yet!

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

If you think that 7.5k or five grand is "reasonable money" then you obviously come from different background to me. You can buy a brand new car for 7 grand!

Of course there are people who have old brits and use them regularly, but they are exceptions. I'm sure the vintage motorcycle club does indeed have many meets all around the country, but I'd question how often the memebers of this club ride the bikes when apart from riding to these social events.

I just spent the last 3 months riding my classic honda 18,500miles around Europe. The 30year old bike cost me the total of about £350 to buy and fix up. Now I love old Japs for their reliability, their cheapness and their performance, but I would have loved to have done this trip on a classic brit just for the sheer style and awe they command. But alas I am deprived the opportunity of ever doing these due to all the boring old farts who buy the bikes for obscene amounts of money just to lock them away and never ride them! How can you justify this situation, when these bikes were made to be ridden!
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Zimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

I still don't agree that these bikes are owned by boring old farts that never ride them, I see them being ridden all the time. They're not usually used for the daily commute, but then you wouldn't expect them to be would you? These are 40+ year old machines, loved and kept in absolutely tip top condition by their perfectly ordinary, often working class owners. They tend to be older because they grew up with these bikes and that's why they love them, most youngsters want something faster and requiring less maintenance.
Yes £7K is a lot of money and you could buy a car with that, could you buy a 50 year old car in showroom condition? Not very often! By the same token you can buy a brand new bike for £7K that will be a lot faster, corner and brake better, need less servicing etc. That's not the point at all!
You won't buy a BSA or Norton twin for £350, which is presumeably what you're after, but then you won't buy a good classic british sportscar from the '60s for that money either. You can buy a peugoet 205, but again, that's not the point, is it?

Finally, classic bike ownership costs are pretty well negligible - insurance on my 650 and 750 Nortons fully comp with recovery and 2 named riders is £80 a year for both, no tax as they're registered as historic vehicles, and of course they appreciate in value rather than depreciate, and on a run do around 80mpg. Over say a five year period these savings are likely to more than offset the initial outlay when compared to pretty much any other bike you can think of.

divuk83 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Karma :

NSA guys race classic bikes, some are pretty quick.

https://www.sprinting.org.uk

Pic of a 1000cc Vincent in the Unlimited Vintage Post 1946 class. Bike runs 11 second quarters at about 120mph and wheelies off the line!

https://www.divuk83.net/images/gallery/albums/elvingtonround62006/normal_DSC_0371.jpg

Dave

T1z3R · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Karma :

nice pics there mate of some classy bikes Thumbs Up

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Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

That black silver and black Norton (with the blue spot, not the one with the oil spilling out from the bottom Laughing

) is a thing of beauty Cool

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Bullet · Trackday Trickster Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Karma :

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six · Trackday Trickster Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Karma :

I love the look of the old Triumphs! Very Happy

Want one!

hehe

Nice pics! Very Happy

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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Know quite a few people with older bikes which do get ridden. For most spares are not a problem (the Vincent Owners Club can now supply everything to build a complete new engine from spares, for example). Know a guy who does a good few thousand miles a year on a Vincent Comet with a side car.