you can buy it, if you have the $$. 
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Retro bikes
- Thread starter Wingboy
- Start date
No, not over the top, Nakkers. It's functional. Doesn't work exactly the same as a traditional choke, of course, but it serves essentially the same purpose, to aid cold starts.
Nice Duc, by the way.
Why? The V7 can still keep up with a modern sportsbike. Evidenced....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kTo-MINQ6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R1_bELvJ3c&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Nice bike, though. Got a V7R and it just brings a big, silly grin to my face when I ride it. Luckily, I've got a full face helmet so I don't look so stupid.
Hahha yeah it can keep up with slooooooowww riders ..Not modern sport bikes
I have been reading this thread with some interest and a little smirk. The funny thing is, that as stated in another thread I am the wrong side of 50 and started out on my first bike which was a 1968 BSA 250. My first car was also a 1968 Mini Cooper. Being British I am intimate with Lucas electrics, Girling parts and Smith gauges. I am also intimate with their lack of dependability having spent numerous hours on the side of the road wrapping tinfoil around fuses and coming up with a thousand home remedies to get them home. There was something about the romance of it all though. I own a Scrambler and it is fuel injected. I have put 10,000 trouble free kilometres on this bike and I love it. I don't give a sh*t where it is made as the quality is first rate. It embodies all the positive aspects of my old rides without the maintenance issues. If you look at how many bikes as well as most products are made in Asia including Harley parts why would you be critical of this bike? Do you see people complaining that you shouldn't buy a new Mini Cooper by Beemer because it doesn't have Lucas electrics? Seriously, if you want a Vintage and not a retro feel free to go and buy one. There are always lots of Bonnies, BSA"s and Nortons for sale. I have been there. Hell I may buy one for kicks knowing that It won't get 5 miles up the road. The bonus is at least I would know how to fix it. Notice though....there is a reason these bikes are all sold with a ton of spares! A Classic retro is not a Vintage bike. They are totally different animals. Thank God...thats why I bought one.
As the former owner of a '71 BSA A65T, '73 Triumph Tiger, '95 Triumph Thunderbird, '01 Triumph Tiger and a '64 Vauxhall Envoy, as well as spending countless hours of my youth helping my Dad synch the carbs on his '69 Rover 2000TC... I feel your pain.
handlegrip
Active member
According to many of us bike dudes and dudettes there is so much that should not exist. I think if your going for retro it`s up to you.
About fake carbs, well what about things like fake scoops (no disrespect) on lets say something that is not retro, but something like a v-max.
I like real old fashion dependable classics. But a new retro could perhaps perform better. That is why I like new bikes as well.
I just built a 100 ft. lbs, 115hp. machine last summer, how fast is it, well it`s only as fast as it`s brakes can stop it in extreme conditions.
With more investment I could (perhaps upgrade the brakes, and should) but for some that just like to be reminded of something, well let`s
put it like this. It`s not hurting me and it they get pleasure from it, it`s done it`s job.
About fake carbs, well what about things like fake scoops (no disrespect) on lets say something that is not retro, but something like a v-max.
I like real old fashion dependable classics. But a new retro could perhaps perform better. That is why I like new bikes as well.
I just built a 100 ft. lbs, 115hp. machine last summer, how fast is it, well it`s only as fast as it`s brakes can stop it in extreme conditions.
With more investment I could (perhaps upgrade the brakes, and should) but for some that just like to be reminded of something, well let`s
put it like this. It`s not hurting me and it they get pleasure from it, it`s done it`s job.
The bike above is really cool. XS1100?
Thinking about it, I can definitely see the appeal of 'the real thing'. When finances and space allow, I'd love a Yamaha RD or something else Japanese and '70s/'80s.
I think that you'd need a decent modern bike sharing the garage with the old bike (especially if it's British), otherwise it'd be an awfully short and frustrating summer. And I can definitely see the niche that new-old Triumphs fill.
Thinking about it, I can definitely see the appeal of 'the real thing'. When finances and space allow, I'd love a Yamaha RD or something else Japanese and '70s/'80s.
I think that you'd need a decent modern bike sharing the garage with the old bike (especially if it's British), otherwise it'd be an awfully short and frustrating summer. And I can definitely see the niche that new-old Triumphs fill.
handlegrip
Active member
Hi Honduhmatic. Thanks, That was stress relief, I bought it for parts, it was a 79. I am mainly interested in my 78.
It is more powerful, and handles a lot better, cruises a lot easier. Yea Yamaha progressively worsened that model in North America until they changed it to a FJ1200. The Fj1100 had a bit more problems then the 1200.
But the 78 rocked. As far as the RD you are interested in I had one before they were RD's They were called R5's at the time. 71 R5 350
Instead of read valves they had rotary valves. I was 15 so at the time it really rocked. I saw one last summer and could not believe
how small it was. At the time it was like a God to me now it looks cute. Have fun.
It is more powerful, and handles a lot better, cruises a lot easier. Yea Yamaha progressively worsened that model in North America until they changed it to a FJ1200. The Fj1100 had a bit more problems then the 1200.
But the 78 rocked. As far as the RD you are interested in I had one before they were RD's They were called R5's at the time. 71 R5 350
Instead of read valves they had rotary valves. I was 15 so at the time it really rocked. I saw one last summer and could not believe
how small it was. At the time it was like a God to me now it looks cute. Have fun.
Ever heard of the Prince of Darkness, aka Lucas brand electrics? Or the old saying "A gentleman does not motor about after dark"? Or the standard light switch on a British motorcyle, with three positions - Dim, Flicker and Off? How about the real meaning behind the acronym BSA... Bastard Stopped Again?
Yeah, old Brit bikes had a few problems. DAMHIK.
All of the guys I know with 'classic' bikes also run a modern bike, so they can actually get out riding on nice days.
My buddy's Triumph Bonneville has started on fire on a ride before from electrical shorts. I heard stories about not having an oil filter (and changing the oil weekly as a result), and having to loosen off the head bolts and drip oil everywhere to test for oil flow to the cylinder head.
I spend enough time working on my modern bike, it definitely sounds like this is a few steps farther. But hey, if it's your cup of tea, good for you! It's hard to think of a prettier bike than a Commando or a Bonnie.
My buddy's Triumph Bonneville has started on fire on a ride before from electrical shorts. I heard stories about not having an oil filter (and changing the oil weekly as a result), and having to loosen off the head bolts and drip oil everywhere to test for oil flow to the cylinder head.
I spend enough time working on my modern bike, it definitely sounds like this is a few steps farther. But hey, if it's your cup of tea, good for you! It's hard to think of a prettier bike than a Commando or a Bonnie.
No...don't get us wrong. There will always be a spot for a nice Commando in my garage. The reality is that they are not close to being reliable when compared to modern bikes. Heck in the old days we considered a car as scrap once it hit a hundred thousand miles. Our current rides are just so reliable that we take it for granted. If you grew up with some of these old beasts and still ride today you would notice the huge difference. The Japanese overcame alot of these issues in the 70's and hence they put the Brits out of business. Heck my electric start bike was so easy I actually felt like I was cheating when I rode it! I agree about keeping a modern ride with a Vintage. Vintage are fun to tinker with and I truly love the romance of them all....it's just that when (not if) they crap out on you and it's a nice day....you can still grab the modern and go for a ride. Throw the tarp back over the vintage and fix it on the first rainy day!!!
I have a good friend that only owns vintage, British from '73 and a 47 American. He rides them regularily, but a regular ride is 8kms from his house to the boat club or a pub. There are rallies for bikes built a hundred years ago and they ride across America (or try) , they have support vans and loads of spares.
I think the romance clouds the real challenge of riding a true vintage bike. The one thing I do miss is (due to my age) is we could actually get most anything, truck, tractor, bike, restarted and get it home with some simple tools. I open the hood of my turbo diesel car and just stare, the good part is I'm just staring because its neat, nothing ever really goes wrong in there.
I think the romance clouds the real challenge of riding a true vintage bike. The one thing I do miss is (due to my age) is we could actually get most anything, truck, tractor, bike, restarted and get it home with some simple tools. I open the hood of my turbo diesel car and just stare, the good part is I'm just staring because its neat, nothing ever really goes wrong in there.
What's you're point?
70's Honda's Kawi's ect didn't have problems?
My Question was "Are ALL British Vintage bikes Unreliable and not daily riders?"
The answers no. It's called Maintenance
98% of the members here wouldn't know an A50 to a A70
T100 to a T140 ect
but just LOVE to add their 0.02$ when it comes to Vintage bikes
God where to even start with this one
Oil changes once a week = BS *owners a retard and doesn't have a clue
Loosen Bolts to check oil flow = BS *see above
Triumph Bonneville fire from electrical shorts?
Maybe the rider needs to check his harness once in a while.
True they are in no way shape or form AS Reliable as Modern bikes
but that doesn't mean with the proper maintenance they aren't reliable or daily riders.
What really gets my goat is the constant comparison (not just here) between Vintage/Classic Brits and 70's Honda 4's ect.
see (especially if it's British) comment as a prime example
meh
That's enough of a rant
If you'll excuse me I have a few head bolts to loosen to check for Oil flow
LOL
dr_sarcasm
Well-known member
Excellent post, full of facts, knowledge and insider looks presented as counterpoints to...oh wait...
El oh el indeed.
So I need to spend years in a shed fixing arcane problems with british bikes to have an opinion on the matter?
Evidently going through that process makes you bitter and gives you thin skin!
Evidently going through that process makes you bitter and gives you thin skin!
Tripletrouble
Well-known member
If you have a vintage bike as it came from the factory you will likely have a few problems. If however you add a dab of loctite where necessary, modern gasket sealants, a few goodies like electronic ignition to replace the worn out points system and away you go. My Commando never lets me down and it has been quite a few places over the years including runs down into the Southern States. Nowadays I do longer rides on my modern bike because it is a lot easier on my body than the old girl. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go and do the daily tappet adjustment and loosen the head bolts. I would look inside the top of the oil tank to check the flow but it is more fun loosening the head bolts and I read it on the internet so it must be true.
yeltoM
Well-known member
:laughing3: AJS...Aw jeezus start!
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