Classic Bikes

[Demonz]

I have been thinking of buying one of late as I rarely get out on the roads and just want something I can potter about on now and again and put in the garage to ride when I am old and grey, wheel out on a sunner day to clean ect.

I like the classic shapes of the older style bikes. My favs although some are still modern in the classic standard are the Norton Commandos, Triumph Thruxton and Royal Enfields.

Does anyone know much about these - what to avoid, pitfalls and money traps?

[startrek.steve]

I have been thinking of buying one of late as I rarely get out on the roads and just want something I can potter about on now and again and put in the garage to ride when I am old and grey, wheel out on a sunner day to clean ect.

I like the classic shapes of the older style bikes. My favs although some are still modern in the classic standard are the Norton Commandos, Triumph Thruxton and Royal Enfields.

Does anyone know much about these - what to avoid, pitfalls and money traps?
I used to have a 1965 Triumph Thunderbird, lovely looking, beautiful sound, but quite oily and very unreliable, used to destroy bulbs with the vibration! my girlfriend liked it though, 80mph was her favourite frequency!
Steve

[punyXpress]

[quote=TuonoGrant;1657692]I have been thinking of buying one of late as I rarely get out on the roads and just want something I can potter about on now and again and put in the garage to ride when I am old and grey, wheel out on a sunner day to clean ect.

I'm old & grey & have had 5 years fun on my SV650 naked ( the bike, not me!! ) & I hope to have many more.
Never mind cleaning it - just get astride & ride it! :D:D

[rictus01]

Had a Commando (fastback), lovely bike, tends to loose bolts if you don't go around it tightening them constantly, brakes aren't wonderful and performance is "of it's age" shall we say, although all polished up (yes to takes a fair bit of that) it looked stunning.

Royal Enfield, I've re-built some of the early 90's imports as they really were badly built, however since then they have re-invested in new tooling and they aren't that bad these days, a bit "plodding" but good fun to ride ( you really wouldn't want one to go at todays pace :eek:), the Electra range is a nice engine.

Triumph Thurxton, this is really a different ball park altogether, it looks old but isn't, classic looks & performace, but with out the maintinance involved, chassis, brakes and suspension are all limited, but this is part of the whole "riding classics" thing.

So if you're after a true classic the Norton is the one to go for, although, maintinance,spares, and "tinkering time" all count against.
Or the Enfield, once again needing more maintinance, although spares are easily available and cheap, but a fairly sedate pace is the most you'll want to do.

The triumph is a fairly maintinance free bike compared to the other two, as it's fairly new as well you don't have to worry about spares and you can buy various bit's of "blight" forr it straight from the Triumph catalog.

Cheers Mark.

[Grinch]

Mmmh old bikes... If I ever see one going dirt cheap I'll nab it.

[Biker Biggles]

How much do you want to spend?The Norton Commando range are expensive as are Triumph Bonnys,but you can get a 70s Triumph Tiger(single carb Bonny)for much less.
Ever thought about a Rickman framed Jap engine bike?

[tigersaw]

Any old british twin with straight through pipes :)

[wyrdness]

On looks alone, I love the BSA A65.

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bsa03112101.jpg

[stewie]

Looks interesting http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/October/13-19/oct1608-mcn-speaks-with-norton-boss/

[Grinch]

This was going to get sorted in 2006 and early 2008 but had trouble with backing... so I think I will wait quietly first. As the bike they are going to release, the Commando 961 has been bumping round for a little while.

[Demonz]

Mark I am pleased you recommended the Norton - I dont know to much about them so will need to do a little more research on what to look for or out for.

Something like this looks pretty and not overly expensive - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120317240704

The benefit being they would hold their value well and may draw more interest again if they manage to resurect the brand.

[Pimp Cat]

Classic bikes are awsome! my old man has loads of them, 3 1920 ish Velocettes, 4 nortons, 2 dukatti 750's to name a few! and a load more in bits waiting to be put back together!

[Interceptor]

On looks alone, I love the BSA A65.

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bsa03112101.jpg
I had a Black & chrome '69 A65 Thunderbolt, (single carb - The Lightening had twin carb's), used it to commute summer & winter about 12 years ago, it was great, quite reliable and VERY economical on juice, the only time it let me down I had to shove it a way (usual electrical stuff)....... you don't want to be pushing British Steel very far... the only bit of plastic on the bike was the modern battery..I felt like a jelly for about 2 day's, not sure I'd have another now , enjoyed riding it loads though!!....;)

[Durbs]

Why not look at the current Triumph range? Stuff like the new Scrambler, Thruxton and bonneville look mint. Last couple of bike shows i've been too i've sat on them and genuinely fancied them.

I also like the latest Royal Enfield bikes, real nice. All the joy but none of the boring maintenence ****.

[STRAMASHER]

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/stramasher/P1020504.jpg



Looks good.

Sounds better.


(I with Durbs, maintenance just eats into riding time. Mines a new type Thruxton (was there an old?) and then get modding.........)

[Demonz]

Yep - all great models and the Thruxton was the main one that sparked my interest after seeing it up at the Birmingham bike show last year all dressed up in Ohlins etc.

I dont mind the maintenance side so much and I wont be doing so many miles so reliability isnt a priority.

The main thing that puts me off owning the modern classic is the depreciation - besides the authenticity - which I guess would be like riding a Hyosung instead of an SV :)

So many to choose from...