Classic bikes... Do you have an urge ?

[weeksy]

Watching everyones favourite motorbike jurno lately and came across these.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314723786728 ... R5r_oOWyYg



At times i have an inkling to own 'bike from my birth year' and i think one of these would be an easy way into the classics market...Something to take and stand around a field drinking cider with another bunch of old duffers.... An easy way in, or a bit of a nightmare...

Of course the desire is a Ducati 250/350 or an MV Agusta... but they're a chunk more change.

[KungFooBob]

I considered a Bantam, but apparently even the 175 has trouble keeping up with modern traffic and I don't want to be a mobile chicane.

I'd also like an A65, because my dad restored one when I was in my early teens (90's).

The bike from year of birth thing, I've already decided on. 1978 T140... Or a Supa5

[v8-powered]

Well I've just been looking at Royal Enfields if that counts?

[Mr. Dazzle]

I've got one, I sometimes wish I didn't

If I hadn't been saddled with an old Triumph I think I'd probably have spent my own money on a Le Mans, I still might!

[DefTrap]

The trouble is the "classics" for most of us on here are bikes of the 70s, 80s, even 90s. Which are a far better prospect than 50s, 60s and before stuff.

I'd have one for retirement tinkering - something I could take to shows and use to crush the soul of anyone who stopped to ask me about it - but I wouldn't expect it to go very far.

[Count Steer]

I always fancied having either a BSA Rocket 3 or a Triumph Trident. However, having had a BSA A7 I know that the correct thing to do whenever I think about it is to have a lie down in a darkened room with a damp towel on my forehead.

[roadster]

I'm pleased to say that I have now faced up to the fact that I have no intention of riding my old bikes or driving my old car. I maintain them in roadworthy condition but essentially I just like the way they look. Modern bikes and cars are far more enjoyable to drive in today's traffic and road conditions. My two machines from the early 1970's, a Honda CT90 and a Triumph Daytona, are fabulous to look at and to very occasionally take for a short ride.

[Mr. Dazzle]

If I could I'd go about it completely the other way like my (rich) old Boss used to do. Pay a man/firm to maintain classic vehicles in a climate controlled storage facility and roll them out and truck 'em to my house when I want to use 'em

[Supermofo]

Already thought about this. 1977 I reckon I'd go for a CB400/4.

[cheb]

I tend towards shonker rather than classic. Either way I prefer them to newer bikes.

[Skub]

It's always been Japanese classics for me. I've long had the notion of a Kawasaki triple,but it was no overnight decision as demo cruelly mentioned in another thread.

Even if they are restored,classics are old bikes and will need more care and attention if the plan is to use them. Using them requires a different mindset too,most are miles away from the performance of a modern bike in every imaginable way. I don't want an immaculate show queen,where I'm scared to pick up a speck of dirt. Clean,tidy and useable is the way for me.

I think if there is something you fancy owning,you should buy it. If you find it's more pain than pleasure,then you can always punt it on.

I don't think I could be bothered with more than one classic,trying to keep a fleet in working order would fry my little brian.

[Dickyboy]

My brother has our dads from his birth year, it's worth a stack of money, 95yrs old & genuinely scary to ride. I'd quite like something Italian from the mid sixties but they're mostly fairly ugly from that era & I couldn't be arsed with the maintenance & drivel from other owners if you take it to a show. It's another level of one make owners club when you reach classic status - probably why I like Morinis because there is no definitive factory standard to get all nitpicky about

[Ditchfinder]

Already thought about this. 1977 I reckon I'd go for a CB400/4.

I used my old mans for 12 months and I couldn't wait to give it him back and ride my GPz305 instead it was that bad.

Those brakes need, daily maintenance and the stars to align to haul you up in any haste.

Although the handling was good the ride was awful and on modern potholed roads would shatter your spine.

The most characterless engine I've experienced, no low down pull, no mid-range surge, no top-end rush

Yes it was pretty but polishing those pipes gets dull very quickly

For me it's 1975 so I'll take an XT500 please

[Dodgy69]

Yes... I'm often looking at 40 yo stuff on ebay. But it ain't cheap. Everything about them will be rubbish compared to what we've got, but still be nice. Plenty of Japanese.

[Rockburner]

Watching everyones favourite motorbike jurno lately and came across these.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314723786728 ... R5r_oOWyYg



At times i have an inkling to own 'bike from my birth year' and i think one of these would be an easy way into the classics market...Something to take and stand around a field drinking cider with another bunch of old duffers.... An easy way in, or a bit of a nightmare...

Of course the desire is a Ducati 250/350 or an MV Agusta... but they're a chunk more change.

It kinda depends on what you want out of the experience.

Classics tend to have lots of little niggly issues when they're running, and require rather more major work rather more frequently than anything built from the 80s onwards.

You also have to be more gentle when working on them, older steel tends to chew up rather more easily, and things like small threads in casings are "just" the thickness of the casing - there's no 'boss' internally to make the thread longer (and stronger).

Then there's the tools (see other threads for that discussion. ).

If all you want to do is stand around in fields looking at pretty bikes, there's nothing stopping you - just go, you don't "have" to have a bike or car to enjoy the ambience.

But if you're set on riding one - I'd recommend something that WILL make at least 60mph with a normal, modern UK male on it, so you're really looking at 350 or higher capacity.

The riding experience is completely different to modern bikes.

All that said - I find it very enjoyable and still ponder trying to get hold of a good Matchless G80 to do up like the one my Dad made up for a friend years ago. This is my Dad's old G3 (350cc single in a heavy frame) and it's still perfectly useable as a "plodding about" bike. I'd happily take it to the Isle of Man again (did the Manx more than once on that bike), but that's because it's got a huge tank - the JAPton with it's tiny tank and "race" setup would be a pain in the arse for a long trip.

[Rockburner]

The bike from year of birth thing, I've already decided on. 1978 T140... Or a Supa5

From this list : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category: ... ed_in_1973

I'd go for either the BMW R90S, or the Laverda 1000.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Buy something you really want to own (not ride, old bikes really are shit compared with new ones), don't buy something just because it's from the year you were born, don't expect to make any money out of it, expect to spend a load of money on it, don't join the owners club for the bike, the people who run owners clubs are tedious, do go to shows with it, do get to know people who are interested in similar bikes.

Classic bikes are a great hobby, but don't let it become a life style.

[Yorick]

I certainly wouldn't want to own/ride a bike more than 10 years old.

But would happily have a silver CBX1000 parked in the garage, to drool over

[mangocrazy]

I'd make a few observations, in no particular order of merit:

1. Jap bikes from the '60s - yes. Brit bikes from the '60s, no. Just ask Mr Dazzle of this parish.

2. Old (Japanese or Italian) from the 70s and 80s can be 'improved' without changing the look of the bike. Suspension and brakes can be greatly improved and made (just about) safe and vaguely 'modern'.

3. If you're any older than mid to late 50s, don't even think about buying a bike from your year of birth. Just don't.

4. Before you commit, research spares availability and special interest forums. You will need plenty of both.

5. If buying a 'classic' Jap bike, buy a full set of JIS head screwdrivers and impact bits. Vessel are a good make.

That'll do for starters.

[Whysub]

I am old enough to have owned some "classics" when they were unloved and cheap (and therefore mostly unreliable). From Btitish 125 two strokes to 500 singles and 650 twins, then onto Kawasaki and Suzuki triples. All were bought and sold for prices that sound ridiculous now.

I still have a 110cc Monet Goyon, which I bought for €200 at a flea market in France, on my way to the UK in a empty van. Thought it would be a nice addition to my garage, as it would take up hardly any room, as it is tiny, and would be simple to get up and running.

Still looks pretty much the same 10 years later, the engine was stripped, it just needed new rings and the carb was unltrasonically cleaned. Parts are easily available too.

It's not worth much, its not rare (just uncommon), and will never get more restoration than a wipe over with an oily rag. Pointless getting rid of nearly 80 years of patina with a coat of paint and shiny wheel rims

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