St Landrew and Hamster's very own threaddy weaddy.

[St Landrew]

I suppose the 500cc category is the classic motorbike engine size, so we can't leave it out. All the big British and European makers after WWII had classic 500cc machines. Some were sports bikes, some were potterers or tourers. Names trip off the tongue very quickly; BSA 500cc Gold Star [they made a good 350cc version of it too], Racing 500cc Manx Norton [which also came in a 350cc version] Racing AJS/Matchless 500cc, which actually came in a more famous 350cc version - the AJS 350cc 7R. The Velocette Venom Clubman [Now go and Google them]. These were all singles, and Triumph had their 500 Speed Twin and latterly the Daytona. Peculiarly, I didn't really like the class, as the bikes were neither big, nor small. You expected them to be fast, and they were. But they seemed to take a lot of trouble being so. On smaller bikes you expected that, but not by the time you reached 500cc. At least, I didn't. Of Jap bikes, one standout was the famous Kawasaki Mach III, a 2-stroke which had phenomenal performance. But if you used it full on, you got 23mpg..! And from a 500c bike too, when you should really be getting 50mpg, at the very least. Oh yeah, and there's the Yamaha XT500. I rode one a couple of times and it was utterly brilliant. But I had no money at the time, so I couldn't buy one. I would have if I'd had the dosh:

It's still probably the perfect bike for just buzzing around, doing the everyday stuff. Being light, and a big single, it had tons of effortless grunt to get ahead of traffic, plus you could have fun off-road. One day, I'd still like to get one, if a decent one is still around, or its modern equivalent, if there is one made.

As it happens, I only had one 500cc bike back then, and that was a fairly low mileage Suzuki GSX500E. I think it was originally a European import, but it had an MPH speedo/odometer. It went well, but I thought it was crap. It handled OKish, but it didn't want to stay in tune; made too much mechanical noise for my liking, and to get going quickly you had to buzz it really hard. It put me off Suzukis, probably for life. It put me off the 500cc class, and it almost put me off bikes entirely. Come to think of it, I wonder what I ever saw in it. It's undoubtedly pretty, so that's probably it. Here's a pic:

I include it, I suppose, to show you that I don't drool over every bike that has ever been made, or I've owned. At the moment I can't think of anything else. Modern day manufacturers have brought about the 600cc class, due to Superstock racing, and from next season, Moto2, MotoGP's smaller brother. But that's another story.

 

An honourable mention must go to Honda's 400cc Four. And although that should go in with my favourite 350s, I forgot about it, and so tacked it on here.

Edited 26 October, 2009 by St Landrew

[tpbury]

I thought you were going to skip th 500s and collapse together in an exhausted, sweaty mass of superbikes?

[Rattlehead]

What a borefest.

[saint_stevo]

What a borefest.

 

Agreed. But ST L is a mod so he does as he pleases

[Rattlehead]

He's gone power crazy.

[St Landrew]

He's gone power crazy.

 

Why don't you have your own thread..?

[Ponty]

I've got a 125 in the garage if that helps. Two actually, although the missus owns one of them.

[saint francis]

I'm 'watching' a Honda C90 on ebay, a blue one. I want it but have to justify its purchase financially. It'll probably save cash in the long run with its excellent MPG, but the initial outlay plus equipment and CBT all seems a bit frivolous. That's right; frivolous. A Honda C90. Certainly a design classic, mind you.

[St Landrew]

A Honda C90. Certainly a design classic, mind you.

 

Agreed. No seriously.

 

Forgot to mention my Honda CX500. Ol' Le Timm, who has since emigrated to Australia, sold me it. It turned out to be the bike that rekindled my love of motorcycles. I've sold it on now, but it was a lovely old banger - 25+ years old. Here's a pic:

Reviewers at the time thought it a great bike, but really ugly. I agree it was a great bike. So did thousands of couriers. The engines last for many hundreds of thousands of miles. But I also thought it was pretty. Handled nice, and had perfectly adequate power. Respect to anyone who appreciates one. A proper motorcycle.

Edited 27 October, 2009 by St Landrew
better pic of my CX

[Redbul]

I'm going to jump on and post a pic of one of my bikes that I think is my favourite of all the bikes I've had. It was built like a tank, never went wrong and was pretty quick in a straight line. Not the best handling bike (long wheel base, twin rear shocks) but it was comfy on long journeys.

 

[hamster]

Agreed. No seriously.

 

Forgot to mention my Honda CX500. Ol' Le Timm, who has since emigrated to Australia, sold me it. It turned out to be the bike that rekindled my love of motorcycles. I've sold it on now, but it was a lovely old banger - 25+ years old. Here's a pic:

Reviewers at the time thought it a great bike, but really ugly. I agree it was a great bike. So did thousands of couriers. The engines last for many hundreds of thousands of miles. But I also thought it was pretty. Handled nice, and had perfectly adequate power. Respect to anyone who appreciates one. A proper motorcycle.

 

Darn it, I was saving a CX500 Sport oc that I founs for the mid range!

 

This one:

 

I know I'm a bit obvious with my choices due to the limited time that I was a 'biker' so apologies for that.

 

A lot of bikes that I wanted were from that old book I mentioned, but the ones I actually rode (mostly pillion) obviously made me so jealous that I never let it go.

 

The CX above is a bit diffrent though as my friend bought a CX like yours, like the majority, I didn't qute take to it but iirc they revealed themselves to be bulletproof tourers that were really comfy and reliable. A very sensible bike. Then came the CX500 Sport and I was smitten, I used to think that if I could pass my teast and get one of those lovelies I would be the envy of all serious bikers. maybe a bit deluded in that but the wheels are better, the seat is better and the styling was moving towards the 'euro' style that I admired so much in BM's.

 

I'd still have one today, and in white to make car drivers think it might be a police bike coming up behind and move out of my way.

 

Is it fair to now make the leap to 750's (and under if you like *XJ's)

 

* see i do know a little bit about bikes.

[hamster]

I'm going to jump on and post a pic of one of my bikes that I think is my favourite of all the bikes I've had. It was built like a tank, never went wrong and was pretty quick in a straight line. Not the best handling bike (long wheel base, twin rear shocks) but it was comfy on long journeys.

 

 

Wilkommen.

 

Is that a GSX1100? Woweeee. The sort of monster that would wake up the neighbours, and break your leg if you dropped it. I like.

 

You may continue....for now.

[St Landrew]

They ended up making the CX650 Turbo. Yep, a mass production turbo-charged motorcycle. The reason being that the engine was so bullet proof as you describe, hamster, it required very little modification to do it. A good low mileage one is very rare, and worth a very large amount of dosh. Looks a bit like your selection above. Here's a link to the spec, and a pic. Note the power output for the early 1980's That's phenomenal for a 650 back then. Quite respectable now too, for a sports tourer. I bet it went like sh!t off a shovel.

 

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cx_650_turbo_1983.php

[hamster]

They ended up making the CX650 Turbo. Yep, a mass production turbo-charged motorcycle. The reason being that the engine was so bullet proof as you describe, hamster, it required very little modification to do it. A good low mileage one is very rare, and worth a very large amount of dosh. Looks a bit like your selection above. Here's a link to the spec, and a pic. Note the power output for the early 1980's That's phenomenal for a 650 back then. Quite respectable now too, for a sports tourer. I bet it went like sh!t off a shovel.

 

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cx_650_turbo_1983.php

 

I'm guessing that 100bhp is quite a high power to weight ratio then? Certainly sounds like a lot for a 650.

 

Question - CX650 or a Moto Guzzi 650? If they cost the same and not allowed to choose for the marque as that would be too predictable. Purely on spec, comfort and build and of course POWER

Edited 27 October, 2009 by hamster

[hamster]

I thought you were going to skip th 500s and collapse together in an exhausted, sweaty mass of superbikes?

 

 

..and waxed cotton.

 

A side note which ties in with the 'southampton remebered' thread. There was an army surplus store at the bottom of Bevois Valley, that is wear I got my 'biker's leathers - Ex German Army jackboots and a pair of German Air Force grey leather gauntlets. I must have looked a right plum but golly they were warm and made to last. Went well with the handlebar muffs on the CB200 I can tell you.

[St Landrew]

I'm guessing that 100bhp is quite a high power to weight ratio then? Certainly sounds like a lot or a 650.

 

Question - CX650 or a Moto Guzzi 650? If they cost the same and not allowed to choose for the marque as that would be too predictable. Purely on spec, comfort and build and of course POWER

 

The question isn't the clearest I've ever come across, hamster, but I'm assuming you're talking about which is better, leaing out all the desire of badge, and such, yes..?

 

Hmm, well the Guzzi does have a very desirable power delivery, so I'm told, as I've never ridden one. But they do have an Achilles heel, which is they used to grind away their crankshaft main bearings or big ends. I can't remember exactly which set of bearings, but they definitely did have a reputation for doing either at some pretty lowish mileages. Not the sort of thing you want really. I've always liked having to NOT tinker with bikes, They should be designed well enough to not p!ss oil everywhere and just be serviced every so often.

 

Yes, that 650 did have a very good power to weight ratio. Today's normally aspirated sport 600cc bikes still have better though. They often produce 120+ BHP and weigh probably 50lbs or more less than the CX650..

[Redbul]

Wilkommen.

 

Is that a GSX1100? Woweeee. The sort of monster that would wake up the neighbours, and break your leg if you dropped it. I like.

 

You may continue....for now.

 

Alas no, it was the 750. Had a go on the 1100 but it felt a little too cumbersome; I like a bike to feel sure footed but also to have a bit maneuverability, ie, when you hang your arse off it it actually goes round a corner and doesn't keep on in a straight line!!!!

 

But it was loud....

[Redbul]

Back in the old days when you could ride a 250 on L plates I had one of these....

 

 

A Suzuki T-250 Hustler. It made a strange whooping noise when I opened it up 'cos it had K&N air-filters on it and blipping it a bit usually also prompted a huge cloud of blue/white smoke from the exhaust if I'd been doing too much riding around town; 2 stroke engine see, used to get a bit of oil build up in the pots. A quick thrash out on the old A33 to Hockley Lights used to sort that out!!!!

 

Had a custom paint job on it though. Mine wasn't blue.

[hamster]

Back in the old days when you could ride a 250 on L plates I had one of these....

 

 

A Suzuki T-250 Hustler. It made a strange whooping noise when I opened it up 'cos it had K&N air-filters on it and blipping it a bit usually also prompted a huge cloud of blue/white smoke from the exhaust if I'd been doing too much riding around town; 2 stroke engine see, used to get a bit of oil build up in the pots. A quick thrash out on the old A33 to Hockley Lights used to sort that out!!!!

 

Had a custom paint job on it though. Mine wasn't blue.

 

Nice machine, looks like a bike and probably sounded like a decent old Jap 2 stroke too.

 

Hockley lights! The scene of my first encounter witha car's bumper. Was my fault for riding whilst tired. I suddenly realised that the traffic ahead had stopped so I slammed the anchors on ('anchors', another great word). Back wheel locked up and I skidded in a dead straight line gently coming to rest against the car in fronts bumper with a gentle thud. As I was already ****ting myself I just sat there, fet on the pegs ('pegs', another cracking word) and slowly, very slowly the bike and I fell sideways. Noone got hurt, no damage was caused to either bike nor car and I learnt a very valuable lesson.

 

Okey Dokey, my 750?

 

I am duty bound to my old man to include a combination as a way of thanking him/getting him back for all those happy hours squashed in the sidecar of one with my Mum, my 2 sisters, my little brother and our pet dog. Skate Bruv always got to ride pillion. Try to picture it; all seven of us plus Patch the dog off on our summer hols.

 

Dad made a little fold down seat for my little brother that went down after the 2 girls had got in the back, Mum and me had squeezed in the front and the dog was thrown on the shelf at the front. Each of us had a carrier bag of clothes to last the whole holiday as we trundled down the A2 to stay with Nan in Deal. Happy times.

 

I would love to pull up in front of Mum and dad's house tomorrow riding a Ural Cossack 750.

 

You will not convince me that there is a bike on this planet that would put a bigger smile on my face.

 

Over to you.

Edited 28 October, 2009 by hamster

[St Landrew]

Alas no, it was the 750. Had a go on the 1100 but it felt a little too cumbersome; I like a bike to feel sure footed but also to have a bit maneuverability, ie, when you hang your arse off it it actually goes round a corner and doesn't keep on in a straight line!!!!

 

But it was loud....

 

Exactly the way I like 'em. Not super sports, but able to put themselves about a bit.

[St Landrew]

Okey Dokey, my 750?

 

I am duty bound to my old man to include a combination as a way of thanking him/getting him back for all those happy hours squashed in the sidecar of one with my Mum, my 2 sisters, my little brother and our pet dog. Skate Bruv always got to ride pillion. Try to picture it; all seven of us plus Patch the dog off on our summer hols.

 

Dad made a little fold down seat for my little brother that went down after the 2 girls had got in the back, Mum and me had squeezed in the front and the dog was thrown on the shelf at the front. Each of us had a carrier bag of clothes to last the whole holiday as we trundled down the A2 to stay with Nan in Deal. Happy times.

 

I would love to pull up in front of Mum and dad's house tomorrow riding a Ural Cossack 750.

 

You will not convince me that there is a bike on this planet that would put a bigger smile on my face.

 

 

Over to you.

 

 

And here was I thinking you were going to nominate a Panther 650 sloper single. The motorcyclist's combination motorcycle of choice. I think more Panther 650 singles made were attached to sidecars than solo, they were that much of the bike to have. Plenty of them still around as the motors were so understressed.

 

Nice story though, hamster.

[St Landrew]

I remember the 250 Hustler... just. It was the 250 version of the famous T500, which also sold in its millions. Looks pretty much the same too. Very smokey, so not my cup of tea. But I appreciated the get-up-and-go of these bikes. Jap 2-strokes were killing off the British 2-stroke engine manufacturers, i.e. Villiers, etc... and rightly so. They were simply more sophisticated [no manual petroil mixing] and better performing. Although the Villiers 250 Starmaker engine was excellent in a Greeves.

[St Landrew]

By the way, Hamster. You say there is not another bike which would put a bigger smile on your face than a Cossack Ural 650, yes..?

 

Is that a challenge..?

[St Landrew]

Well how about that..?

[hamster]

And here was I thinking you were going to nominate a Panther 650 sloper single. The motorcyclist's combination motorcycle of choice. I think more Panther 650 singles made were attached to sidecars than solo, they were that much of the bike to have. Plenty of them still around as the motors were so understressed.

 

Nice story though, hamster.

 

Now that you mention it, I do recall him talking of having a 'Panther' at some point but it was well before my arrival on the scene. As a kid I just remember that he always had combinations.

 

The only one that I actually do remember was the Ural Cossack though. I googled it and found that 750, I thought Dad's was a 500 though? The reason I remember it so well was the opposing twin cylinders. Passing him the spanners while he fixed it and tinkered about was great fun and taught me the basics of how an engine worked as all the parts were right there in front of you and not tucked away.

 

He used to say it was his 'poor man's BMW', but to me he was the richest man on the street as not many down our street could afford cars even, and anyway, to my young mind cars were just metal boxes. We had real adventures just sitting in the sidecar pretending we were flying to the moon or anywhere our imaginations would take us. Our holidays started the moment Dad stood up from the seat and put all his weight down on that kickstart, it was even better when it didn't fire up first kick as he'd smile at us from beneath his gold and black cork-lined crash helmet and say something like 'just priming it, everyone ready now?" We would cheer, the dog would bark and we were off.

 

My Dad likes to write fiction (for fun) and I often tell him that he should write stories about our childhood, growing up in those two houses knocked into one on that army estate in Brompton. Hoenstly SL, it was a fantastic time, and one reason it took me so long to properly settle down this way when we moved to be near Nanny 'Eastleigh' after he'd left the army.

 

To avoid hogging the thread and getting too *cough* emotional *cough* I'm off to put the kettle on.

 

PS

I went back for a reccy 2 years ago with big Bruv and although I'm a bit vertically challenged, it was surprising how much everything had shrunk! I even climbed into one of the gardens and scrumped a couple of apples for old times sake, the same garden that I remember all those years ago knicking a set of combats from the washing line that were never going to fit either of us, so my brother sold them to a classmate. (Don't tell me Dad). This sign meant nothing to us little reprebates (sp):

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/10503422

 

And this is where I first stood and watched Gills reserves play Watford reserves, and got chased by some school mates across 'The Great Lines' just cos I was wearing a hand-knitted black and orange wooly hat that Mum had made for me. Bastards:

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/10503779

It didn't have the executive boxes back in the 70's though.

Edited 29 October, 2009 by hamster

[hamster]

Well how about that..?

 

Took me a minute to see what you were on about as I went straight in to the top link. How the doodah did you do that? (I thought I'd already had my 15 minutes at the Forum match).

[dubai_phil]

Took me a minute to see what you were on about as I went straight in to the top link. How the doodah did you do that? (I thought I'd already had my 15 minutes at the Forum match).

 

The forum match was but a stepping stone on your road to greatness oh mighty Hamster

 

Today your own thread, tomorrow -

 

 

The World

 

 

 

 

sh*t must stop watching Bond

[hamster]

The forum match was but a stepping stone on your road to greatness oh mighty Hamster

 

Today your own thread, tomorrow -

 

 

The World

 

 

 

 

sh*t must stop watching Bond

 

Sweeet of you Gaffer, surely worth a pint next time our paths cross.

[St Landrew]

Bit sorry to have missed this evening's little banter. That was an interesting read hamster, especially as I suddenly realised your Brompton references meant the Medway region, as I lived in Rainham for a year in a converted oasthouse. That was before we moved to Egerton Forstal and I bought my crappy Suzuki from a bloke in Bearsted. My wife used to work in Gillingham Borough Council, and went to Uni in Canterbury. We used to walk on the Great Lines occasionally, and because we both liked Dickens, we'd walk or drive to all the Kent based locations for the storylines.

 

I liked your childhood memories of your Dad kicking over the Cossack. It read like an H.E. Bates snippet. Perhaps it's you who should be writing the stories. BTW, are you sure it wasn't a 650..? Most of them were, I thought.

[hamster]

Bit sorry to have missed this evening's little banter. That was an interesting read hamster, especially as I suddenly realised your Brompton references meant the Medway region, as I lived in Rainham for a year in a converted oasthouse. That was before we moved to Egerton Forstal and I bought my crappy Suzuki from a bloke in Bearsted. My wife used to work in Gillingham Borough Council, and went to Uni in Canterbury. We used to walk on the Great Lines occasionally, and because we both liked Dickens, we'd walk or drive to all the Kent based locations for the storylines.

 

I liked your childhood memories of your Dad kicking over the Cossack. It read like an H.E. Bates snippet. Perhaps it's you who should be writing the stories. BTW, are you sure it wasn't a 650..? Most of them were, I thought.

 

Were you ever brave enough to venture into 'Cat's Eyes' in the woods behind the war memorial? We virtualy lived in there as kids.

 

Far too 'off topic' for this thread, not to mention this forum methinks. Suffice to say, I am beaming reading and writing on the forum over the past few weeks, quite literally just what the doctor ordered.

 

You'll also be acquanted with the Gypsy community of the Medway area, I most certainlly am? mrs h being proper Chatham and the Grand-daughter of a bare-knuckle fighter. I've probably told people this before but the term 'Pikey' comes from the fact that Gypsies would pitch up on major 'turnpikes' genuine traders and fantastically loyal and protective of their 'own'.

 

The major turnpike en-route from the Kent coast to London being an area of Watling Street now known as Luton Arches nowadays. It's at the bottom of Chatham Hill, not far from Ash Tree Lane. If you google 'Ash Tree Lane' you'll quite likely find some old photos of Gypsies parked up for the winter there, they used to pick fruit and hops when the seasons dictated and worked damned hard apparently. Chatham is full of Gypys families, known disaffectionately by ignorant locals a s diidicoi. The term 'come s from Dadica, which is also wher we get the word 'Dad' from, as it was originally an affectionate term for a family elder.

 

Whilst I am on the subject,our Daughter got married a couple of years back and we discovered that if she had wanted, she could have had a proper gypsy marraige at the Wickham Horse Fair due to her lineage! How brilliant would that have been? You say you moved from Medway down to Egerton, that's qute near Horsmondon, another Gypsy 'stronghold and an extremely important traditional horse fair for the community which the police tried to ruin a couple of years back. The locals were up in arms apparently.

[St Landrew]

Blimey hamster. Far too much knowledge for me. Good read though. All of my Kentish experience in Rainham and the Medway seems like a distant fog now. I didn't know about the Cat's Eyes, but we did walk up to the big Memorial occasionally. As I said, mainly we'd walk or drive to Dickens locations, like Gad's Hill House, The Bull [Good House, Nice Beds] in Rochester, The cornerstone of the pub which says Bull Stumps, His Mark, the cemetery where Dickens came upon a whole family's graveset, with the smallest one of a mere baby. He used it in Great Expectations. There was loads of stuff like that.

 

I do remember going to Uni every bloody day on the train. On the opposite side of the platform were the packed London commuters, jostling for position. I remember saying to myself that I would never, ever be a slave to work or career as they obviously were. To me, it was an ugly sight, and I was thankful to be going in the opposite direction in every way.

 

Thankfully, I only caught the train for the first year, and then we moved to Egerton. Full days too, for 4 years. None of this 3-4 day week malarky with endless hours in the student bar. I would get the Suzi out, in the morning, thinking what kind of mood it would be in. Some days it would crackle into life at the first touch of the button, and I'd be off upto Charing Heath, then Charing, along the brilliant Canterbury Road through Challock, Molash and Chilham, and by the time Thannington came along on the Canterbury outskirts, the bike had finally decided it had had enough, and usually gave me notice of it. Many's the time I'd have to jump in the car instead, which made the journey thoroughly boring. Trouble was, I had no time to tinker with the bike. Wish I'd had the Viffer then. You could rocket down a few sections of that stretch to Canterbury. But the best the Suzi could manage without sounding like it might expire at any moment was about 85mph. It was easy 100-130mph territory. Perhaps I should thank the old rattler for keeping me alive, in some respects. There were some lovely sweeping bends which the Suzi would wobble through, but the Viffer would have eaten them for breakfast.

Edited 30 October, 2009 by St Landrew

[St Landrew]

600 and 650cc bikes. I don't know why there are 600cc bikes, in all honesty, unless I'm missing something like a change in taxation class over that capacity. I know why 650cc, as it's the classic 40 cubic inch size. Plus, the classic peak efficiency volume of a internal combustion engine cylinder is around 325cc. In a motorcycle this threw up the classic [it's all classics, this engine size] 650cc parallel twin. In British bikes this meant a 360º parallel twin, with all it's attendant vibration problems. But the engine was compact, torquey and developed good BHP at lower rpm. It was economical, yet you didn't have to wind the engines up to get them to go. It's often a condition of modern bikes that you are endlessly changing gear to get the right power for the given situation. The old bikes had a good spread of easy power and it made them less frenetic to ride. Unfortunately, old British bikes were often badly produced, using build practices that didn't keep up with the designs. Hence, they were unreliable. But the best of these was the iconic Triumph. So cool were they that fictional characters played by Henry Winkler [Fonzie], Brando and McQueen all had to ride them. McQueen did it for real too, and by choice. Remember the Ford Puma advert..? McQueen looks at his Triumph leaning against the wall. No Harleys here. In 650cc form the Triumph was unbeatable, whether it was single or twin carbed. Since the mid 1950's and the T110 [110mph], Triumph were building the fastest 650s. Down the road they added the TR6 and the Bonneville, and the legend was set forever. Here's a 1959 T120 Bonnie:

 

It has an engine and separate gearbox behind [note gearchange on the right, and some say correct side], an arrangement called a pre-unit contruction nowdays, due to Triumph combining the two casings [unit construction] in later years. It was capable of 61mph in first gear and could reach 120mph in top [4th]. Today, amongst motorcylists of a certain age, the engine note through the Burgess silencers is as recognisable as a Merlin engine in a Supermarine Spitfire. It has the similar effect of making the hair stand up on the back of the neck. The Triumph quite possibly qualifies as the most iconic motorcycle ever made. Certainly in the top 3, alongside the big 1000cc Harley and Vincent V-twins.

 

I suppose a little story can illustrate the myth. Just this summer, SunnyFields Organic Farm was having Bike Nights on Thursdays. One week a Triumph 650 Bonneville and younger 750 Trident was there as we rolled up on our VFRs. Later, there were a few of us chatting together near the two bikes as the owners got on them to leave. The Trident was fired up. It made a very nice sound, reminiscent of older bikes. Then the Bonneville owner tickled the Amal carbs, swung the kickstart to compression on one cylinder, and then brought his weight down on it. The bike fired up immediately. It had a beautifully quiet mechanical rustle about it, and the owner blipped the throttle. The throatiness of the Burgess silencers made 8 middle-aged blokes turn 6 to 16 again. We looked at the bike as it rode away, and then we looked at each other. A couple of blokes blew their cheeks out, and a few looked a little red-faced as they ran a hand down the back of their necks. For a moment a piece of machinery had transported them to their childhoods and they'd seen their parents, or uncles and aunts young again or alive again.

 

Of course, other bikes have this effect on people, but no other comes close. Even the Harley people there showed respect. They had just seen the bike.

[hamster]

... the iconic Triumph. .......Henry Winkler [Fonzie]..... Brando....McQueen.

 

The Triumph quite possibly qualifies as the most iconic motorcycle ever made...................other bikes have this effect on people, but no other comes close. Even the Harley people there showed respect. They had just seen the bike.

 

 

I simply could not agree more.

 

As for Harleys, well they are most definitely headturners, but I grew up knowing them as Hell's angel bikes, can't remember when I first saw one in standard form, but to this day, they are to me the ultimate bike to 'chop'. Don't get me wrong I love seeing them, but they are just not for me. I'm no oil painting, but I am not ugly enough to ride one.

 

Also, they (harleys) are without doubt THE Mid-Life Crisis bike of choice for the comfortably well off bloke, with the added bonus that we all get to ogle his (Mid-life Crisis man's) missuss' arse in brand new black leathers. So long live the Harley I say. You cannot beat a nice firm arse in black bikers leathers imho, here's an example:

 

 

There's a thread on the main board about players that the 'old gits' talk about, well I'd say that the bikes that ALL ' old gits' talk about are ones like the BSA Bantam, the Norton Commando and the king of all bikes, the Triumph Bonneville. It epitomises to me, British engineering at it's very very best. Oh yeah and there's that exhaust note. Best shout of the thread imo, it was just a matter of who was going to mention it first.

 

Before we move on tp the >1,000cc category, are bikes masculine or feminine? I can't make my mind up.

Edited 31 October, 2009 by hamster

[St Landrew]

 

Before we move on tp the >1,000cc category, are bikes masculine or feminine? I can't make my mind up.

 

Some bikes are masculine, some are feminine. Does that answer the question..? Actually, they're bits of metal. What do the latin countries call them..?

 

But here's a question..? When I look at the Viffer, it is undoubtedly a masculine bike. It is red. It is hard; it has muscle, and chunky good looks. Check the Avatar. But when I'm aboard it, it's feminine... oops..!?!

[hamster]

/\

Yep, I suppose they are what they are.

 

Just like Kylie's a woman's woman whilst at the same time a man's woman, and Beck's could be seen as a man's man, and most definitely a woman's man. By the same token i think bikes are what they are depending on who is riding them.

 

Harley's though are most definitely 100% male, I don;t care what anyone says, they are male - 'hogs' says it all.

 

>1000cc eh?

 

Once again I'm limited (and perhaps priviledged) to those that I have ridden on the back of, seen doing doughnuts in the Mucky Duck car park (Mansbridge) or drifted off to sleep whilst reading about in MCN and that trusty old book I had as a nipper.

 

I must give mention to the CB900 (Super Dooper Dream stylee) Honda. My ex-mate would get his up on the back wheel with me holding on for dear life up and down Southampton Road for what seemed like miles. I never felt safer with anyone else, he would throw the thing around like it was a bike half it's size. He actually used to ride a 350LC before that and I have to say that he was by far the fastest and safest biker I have ever known. I know that may sound like a contradiction to some, but he really was a natural bike rider.

 

Styled like the yucky SuperDream I have to chuck it out though. It was more about the rider making a mediocre bike work like a superbike I think.

 

 

From the well thumbed 'Book of Motorcycles' I would pick out ine of these:

 

The totally gorgeous, beautiful, elegant, sexy, fasssst, powerful, Italian, Sportsbike, tourer, orange!!! and best of all imo a brilliant name 'Laverda JOTA 1000 - Triple' Whether you see them being ridden or parked up, you just know that the owner is in love with their bike, just the way it should be (and female too).

 

My choice though? Well I can't fully explain why, but it would be a purple Z9. Nothing overly special to look at perhas, but just powerful enough for someone like myself added to the good reliability and many many bolt on accesories to add that personal touch. I'd settle foe some K'n'Ns and a tiger in the tank and bomb up to the NEC for the bike show, knowing that people would point and take photos of it and ask questions that I would not be able to answer.

 

Over to you. Pictures too please as it's is like pillion porn to me.

Edited 1 November, 2009 by hamster

[St Landrew]

I'll add something a little later about the bigger bikes. Don't forget the 750-800s. Like the Ogri avatar though. Used to read about Him, Kickstart his Dog, Mitzi and Malcolm, in Bike magazine, in the 1970's. Bought the August issue Bike mag, but he wasn't in that, although I read that he's still going somewhere, on his Norvin - now that's a bike and a half.

 

Actually, it's two bike halves really. Shall we leave that [and Tritons] to a specials section..?

[hamster]

I'll add something a little later about the bigger bikes. Don't forget the 750-800s. Like the Ogri avatar though. Used to read about Him, Kickstart his Dog, Mitzi and Malcolm, in Bike magazine, in the 1970's. Bought the August issue Bike mag, but he wasn't in that, although I read that he's still going somewhere, on his Norvin - now that's a bike and a half.

 

Actually, it's two bike halves really. Shall we leave that [and Tritons] to a specials section..?

 

I wish I still had a pic of my Yamakawazuki, you'd have liked that one.

[St Landrew]

I've been sat here trying to think of a 750cc bike that I really like, and the only one I can come up with is a Benelli 750 Sei. Not because it was any good; apparently it wasn't overwhelming to anyone who bought it, but because to see 6 cylinders across the frame in the mid-1970's must have been a real head turner. All the big bike italian manufacturers were trying to outdo each other back then with V-twins or inline 4s, and Benelli had a 650 parallel twin, but then they went mad:

It was usually seen in red, but they also produced it in this beautiful green. It looks like British Racing Green, and what could be better. Considering the proportions of that engine, I think Benelli got it just right. Honda did a 1000cc inline 6 a couple of years later, and it looks way over the top. The Benelli Sei teeters on the edge of being ridiculous, which is how it should be.

 

Of course, I can't let the 750-800 bracket go by without mentioning the Viffer. It is easily the best bike I've ever owned, and probably the best bike I've ever ridden. When I bought it I knew nothing about them except they were well thought of. Mine is in very good condition, and the price was laughable. I had to have it. Owning it and having read reviews, it comes as little surprise that I often see phrases like probably the best all-round bike ever made, and such, and the best of these were the 1998 to 2001 bikes. Mine's a 2000 model. Pure chance that I got a real good 'un too. It's torquey, quite poweful, and handles like a dream. You've seen pics, so here's something a bit different. A VFR exactly like mine on a dynamometer.

 

 

Yes, I've left out supersports bikes. But I've got a couple of those to come later. If I can remember.

[St Landrew]

Writing about my bike earlier, I suddenly realised that I hadn't really gone near it in a month. Since then we've had some cold moments, and some ****ty weather. So today, as soon as I could, I took my keys and a couple of tools to the bike, so that I could remove the battery to give it a charge. After all, it had been powering the clock for more than 4 weeks, plus alternators can have a net drain on a battery over time unless their components are in good nick. So I took the cover off the bike, and looked at the display clock. It was an hour fast, of course. The year 2000 electronics aren't that intelligent. But I decided to stick the keys in the ignition to see if the battery would do anything. Not only did it do something, it fired up the bike pronto. I left it ticking over for a few seconds, checking that things were A1. They were.

 

The point I'm making is that, right from their beginning, Japan turned motorbikes from a dirty, greasy, do it your own maintenance style of motorbiking, to a clean fingered, sober and rather civilised pastime. We have a lot to thank them for. As it happens I will maintain my bike for some things that aren't critical. But one day, it'll get quite old and I may not own it. But if I do, I might even delve inside, just like we used to in times past.

[hamster]

Writing about my bike earlier, I suddenly realised that I hadn't really gone near it in a month. Since then we've had some cold moments, and some ****ty weather. So today, as soon as I could, I took my keys and a couple of tools to the bike, so that I could remove the battery to give it a charge. After all, it had been powering the clock for more than 4 weeks, plus alternators can have a net drain on a battery over time unless their components are in good nick. So I took the cover off the bike, and looked at the display clock. It was an hour fast, of course. The year 2000 electronics aren't that intelligent. But I decided to stick the keys in the ignition to see if the battery would do anything. Not only did it do something, it fired up the bike pronto. I left it ticking over for a few seconds, checking that things were A1. They were.

 

The point I'm making is that, right from their beginning, Japan turned motorbikes from a dirty, greasy, do it your own maintenance style of motorbiking, to a clean fingered, sober and rather civilised pastime. We have a lot to thank them for. As it happens I will maintain my bike for some things that aren't critical. But one day, it'll get quite old and I may not own it. But if I do, I might even delve inside, just like we used to in times past.

 

...and end up with at least one 10mm nut left over. Hoping that it's just from a battery strap or the chain guard off we ride into the sunset, but at the back of your mnd from that moment on is that burning worry that it might just have been from the big end or chain tensioner. I once stripped down my little RD80 and ended up with a piston ring left over! I did of course put it back in, but was very tempted to see how it cope without it.

 

 

For my unlimited bike I want to ride on the back of one of those absolutely ridiculous CBX thingies just so tnat I can tell the Grandkids that I did. Actually I lie, I would have to go for a GoldWing, take it across europe ully kitted out with every conceivable extra including a stereo and blast out Steppenwolf as I do so.

 

Born to be Wiiiiiillllld.

 

And why is it, that whenever you see one GoldWing, you see about 20 of the bloody things? One of the few bikes that it is not worth moving over for, they need a whole lane to themselves.

 

 

Obviously I am joking about the GW. can you imagine if I dropped one, people would just walk past never knowing that little old me was under the bloody thing. I'll settle for a Pillion ride on the CBX.

[St Landrew]

What did you think of that cute Benelli 750 six picture, hamster..? I had a litle admire of it, before I posted it, trying to recapture what I thought of it when I first saw it in Bike magazine. Recognise the front mudguard..? That's Moto Guzzi or I'm an NSU Quickly. I'll check:

Looks like I'm a German moped, but having checked I couldn't NOT post this fabulous picture of the 750S3 from the mid 70s's. One of those V-Twins the Italians were trying to outdo each other with. Imagine riding that beast, knowing the mains were being gouged away with each mile. They cured the problem, of course. But mud sticks.

Edited 3 November, 2009 by St Landrew

[hamster]

What did you think of that cute Benelli 750 six picture, hamster..? I had a litle admire of it, before I posted it, trying to recapture what I thought of it when I first saw it in Bike magazine. Recognise the front mudguard..? That's Moto Guzzi or I'm an NSU Quickly. I'll check:

Looks like I'm a German moped, but having checked I couldn't NOT post this fabulous picture of the 750S3 from the mid 70s's. One of those V-Twins the Italians were trying to outdo each other with. Imagine riding that beast, knowing the mains were being gouged away with each mile. They cured the problem, of course. But mud sticks.

 

What a strange question, people might think you've really lost it now SL!! Mudguards! I ask you!

 

Re the Moto Guzzi 'dream'; I worked once with this lad, Eddie his name was, and like me and many other ex-bikres, he had always dreamt of owning one of their famous toureres. He saved up for months, didn;t come out on the beer, even gave up smoking, just to get enough money together to buy his very own Moto Guzzi. He bought one and booked a weeks leave to become acquanted with his new mistress.

 

He'd only had it for that one week when the boss came into the staff room on the Monday morning to tell us that Eddie wouldn't be in that day. His dream bike had leaked oil all over him and a 1/4 mile stretch of the A258. He had been so excited before picking the beast up that he never really got over the embarassment of buying a duff one, and sad to say he never returned to that job, and no-one ever saw Eddie again. Strange really, as he is the only person I have ever known who has owned one.

 

Come on then SL, what would be your ugly 'beast' bike? The one that announces your arrival more than any other bike. Unaldulerated testosterone-machine?

[St Landrew]

What a strange question, people might think you've really lost it now SL!! Mudguards! I ask you!

 

SL, what would be your ugly 'beast' bike? The one that announces your arrival more than any other bike. Unaldulerated testosterone-machine?

 

I'll save that ugly bike question for later on in the thread. Let's get over the favourite bikes per capacity, first. As regards mudguards... why are you referring to people..? I'm exchanging views with you [and S-i-P is possibly keeping tabs] alone, or so you told me earlier..?.

 

I found something you might like. A picture of a racing Lambretta GP200. I think it's bloody cute:

 

 

Here's the website: http://www.racinglambrettas.com/yourscooters/cutdown.html

[hamster]

I'll save that ugly bike question for later on in the thread. Let's get over the favourite bikes per capacity, first. As regards mudguards... why are you referring to people..? I'm exchanging views with you [and S-i-P is possibly keeping tabs] alone, or so you told me earlier..?.

 

I found something you might like. A picture of a racing Lambretta GP200. I think it's bloody cute:

 

 

Here's the website: http://www.racinglambrettas.com/yourscooters/cutdown.html

 

 

IT'S A SCOOTER :vom:

 

Okay it's a 200, but ffs SL it is not a bike! As I sais previously my biggets ever bike was a measly CB200, but I am a wee bit embarassed by that fact, whereas scotter boy who owned that one above would be considered top dog. Ergo, where scooter's peak, bikes are just starting to get interesting.

 

That thing would be hard pushed to keep up with a narrow boat imho.

 

[St Landrew]

900-1000cc bikes. Quite a few spring to mind. There were many pioneering bikes back then, but the Kwacker Z1 of 1971/72, was the first which really knocked me out. By the time I'd realised how good it really was they'ed softened it into the Z900. I was the teenager with the bike mags back then, underage and unable to ride at all. I think a small picture is appropriate:

It's not my favourite in terms of appearance, as I considered it overtly flashy at the time. For some reason, I still do. It's unbalanced in appearance, but a brilliant bike all the same. I rode a completely buggered and neglected Z1 once, and it still gave clues to how good it had been. I remember actually feeling sorry for the particular bike that it had been so ill-used. I considered buying it, but it was a rat-bike in every sense.

 

Of course I drooled over the Laverda Jota. I never rode one, but I did get to pillion on one. It was a raw motorcycle that harked back to earlier bikes, despite its DOHC engine. I suppose it felt like the epitome of what we wanted the earlier bikes to be. Once the furore was over, Laverda made a 1200 version which didn't do anything to diminish the Jota's reputation.

 

And there's the story of my ride on the [famous] BMW R90S. I came out of The Bellmoor pub, one night, before I'd passed my test and blagged a go, saying that I'd [truthfully] ridden a Suzuki GT750 only days earlier. Fact was, I was a couple of sheets to the wind, but tore off up Hill Lane and back; and found, in my short ride, that I was quite happy to give the Beemer back. I didn't like the rocking couple of the horizontal twin, and the cylinders stuck out a bloody mile. Fact was, it was a bike for the older rider. I might like it better now, but there are more able bikes of the kind made since, IMO.

 

That'll do for now. I know there are other 900 and 1000cc bikes that I dreamed of. The Vincent may be before my time but I appreciate its engineering. I'll leave it for another time.

Edited 4 November, 2009 by St Landrew

[St Landrew]

I thought you were going to skip th 500s and collapse together in an exhausted, sweaty mass of superbikes?

Part 1: Time for that exhausted, sweaty mass of superbikes and childhood dreams of big bikes..! In no particular order:

A 1962 Manx Norton

If I'm including a Manx, I've got to include a Norvin. Here's one from the wrong side

[St Landrew]

Now for a big cruiser. This is the only one I'd really like to have a go on. A standard production motrcycle this, not a special, with a heavily modded engine. The 2.3ltr [yes, bigger than your car engine] Triumph Rocket 3:

I mean... balls to Harley's. If you're going to have effortless cruising, you might as well do it on the torquiest motorbike engine there is. Apparently it is well able to keep up with the fastest superbikes in a straight line. Hanging on might be a challenge.

 

Fancy any of these, so far, hamster..?

[St Landrew]

Since hearing about it, I've been rather interested in how a Monotracer would go. Apparently, they are a bit quick. Quite a lot quicker than your average car, and many sport cars; and economical too. 65mpg is pretty easy for it, and it has proper bike performance. It might even appeal to the committed 4-wheel enthusiast, who would never go near a bike for the obvious reason, as it has a little trick which stops it falling over:

See those slots in the mid-section..? Watch this:

 

And it keeps the rain off. There are other videos, including old fart Clarkson in one, as it resembles a car, so he was interested.