Modern v Classic
Discussion
Hi all, bought a Triumph Sprint ST some years ago to get through the traffic on the daily commute and a few ride outs at weekend. Circumstances have changed, live in a quiet part of the world, no traffic, family (6 month old baby), need to pick up shopping on the way home etc etc and the bike has now done about 400miles in the last year and very few more the year before as it was in storage. Thinking the time has come to either sell, give up the biking for a while and use the car (tax free mini) or sell and buy a "classic" bike that I could use on sunny days. It would need to be something easy to work on (A sort of Cortina GT of the bike world). Anyone else gone this route and what would you recommend as an easy to work on bike with good spares availability, pre 1973.
Regards
Tony H
Regards
Tony H
Hi Tony, I've done this again last year although I have also done it some 15 years back as well. I basicly lost my bottle a couple of years ago when I lost a friend and decided that I had too much riding on it if it all came on top. I promised myself an old classic (I wanted either a BSA 650 Starfire or a Norton) and convinced myself that this was the sensible thing to do. 15 years ago I rebuilt a T140 Triumph and they are simplistic, like the Norton I have now - I dunno why but I like the parallel twins. However, this time around the difference between modern and old is very very noticeable. I got off a CBR before this and the sacrifices you are making are all safety related. Do not fool yourself into thinking that because the bike is 40 years old it will be slower and therefore safer, it is the complete opposite. The Norton is naturally very heavy, the design of the frame and size and width of the central tube beggars belief. The weight distribution still feels top heavy (even though their propaganda of the time states otherwise), it is the 'modern one' with disc brakes although a set of cortina drums would probably pull you up quicker. It doesn't inspire confidence when turning in, and I am even becoming a pussy round the twisties as I do not want to drop this as I know its gonna hurt, both the bike and my wallet 
British bikes in bits are positively agricultural by comparison, infact I found some of the 'engineering' laughable on the Norton
I've done my fair share of crankcase splits and rebuilds on japanese bikes, and in that respect I much prefer rebuilding a Brit, as its a doddle being very simplistic and fun to do with minimal parts to dismantle/assemble. The tolerances, fit and finish are a joke compared to their modern day counterparts. CNC machining and super-high tolerences have a lot to answer for, and those slanty-eyed notso slap-happy jappy chappies had the right machine shop toys when we didn't in the 60's & 70's.
On the road, I find myself choosing my lines much more carefully when purched ontop of the Nort - its not at all flickable like your spoilt with the modern bikes, you are comitted on your line, and you are constantly made aware of the unforgiving frame. The upside is that there are loads of spares available for this and the 60's & 70's Triumph's, but for the older 1950's bikes, parts are now getting scarce.
I've had a load of bikes especially from the 80's and the new bikes are engineering art-forms. The motorcycle industry has got the modern motorcycle to perfection now and the problem for me is I know how good the new ones are and its sort of ruins my expereince of riding an old bike; I know they are chalk and cheese but when I'm riding the Norton I'm always thinking about what modern machine I could be riding. I get most of the bits I require through classic bike meets, or more recently through guys I have met at the Ace Cafe or ride outs to box hill. Riding out is a strange affair as you cannot ride with the ricers for all the obvious reasons, braking being the most prominent one
and the Harleys don't really want an old Brit with them either so its normally me and a mate on his Triumph riding around together which is cool.
This summer I have decided to do the opposite, and buy another flying jap and just bring the old lady out for shows and afternoon tea
Infact if I can get it up the stairs, I might put it in the bedroom with the other old lady where I can look at it 
instead of her every morning and piss her off in the process
British bikes in bits are positively agricultural by comparison, infact I found some of the 'engineering' laughable on the Norton
I've done my fair share of crankcase splits and rebuilds on japanese bikes, and in that respect I much prefer rebuilding a Brit, as its a doddle being very simplistic and fun to do with minimal parts to dismantle/assemble. The tolerances, fit and finish are a joke compared to their modern day counterparts. CNC machining and super-high tolerences have a lot to answer for, and those slanty-eyed notso slap-happy jappy chappies had the right machine shop toys when we didn't in the 60's & 70's. On the road, I find myself choosing my lines much more carefully when purched ontop of the Nort - its not at all flickable like your spoilt with the modern bikes, you are comitted on your line, and you are constantly made aware of the unforgiving frame. The upside is that there are loads of spares available for this and the 60's & 70's Triumph's, but for the older 1950's bikes, parts are now getting scarce.
I've had a load of bikes especially from the 80's and the new bikes are engineering art-forms. The motorcycle industry has got the modern motorcycle to perfection now and the problem for me is I know how good the new ones are and its sort of ruins my expereince of riding an old bike; I know they are chalk and cheese but when I'm riding the Norton I'm always thinking about what modern machine I could be riding. I get most of the bits I require through classic bike meets, or more recently through guys I have met at the Ace Cafe or ride outs to box hill. Riding out is a strange affair as you cannot ride with the ricers for all the obvious reasons, braking being the most prominent one
and the Harleys don't really want an old Brit with them either so its normally me and a mate on his Triumph riding around together which is cool. This summer I have decided to do the opposite, and buy another flying jap and just bring the old lady out for shows and afternoon tea
Infact if I can get it up the stairs, I might put it in the bedroom with the other old lady where I can look at it instead of her every morning and piss her off in the process Thanks Simon, very helpful response.
It's not so much the scary bit (although the faint thought of leaving the bairn fatherless does come into it) but to be honest I've done the "fast" thing and want to enjoy the bike for riding & the bikes sake. Also, living where I do, it has a habit of raining sometime during most days, and also I am (I think) about 200 miles from a Triumph dealer should I need anything. An old bike i can hopefully get bits for via the internet and fit them myself. Thats the sort of info I need, how much is available and which bikes are catered for most. Now bought a couple of "old bike" mags and busy reading through them. Biggest worry is will I just be disappointed with the older bike and yearn for the smooth, comfortable, quick, modern bike. Also reading these mags, everyone seems to be of the "I had one in my 20's and bought another and pass my pipe and slippers brigade" Hard to find an owner under the age of 60. OK so I am 53. Should I just lay up the Sprint for a few years and drag it out when I can enjoy it again? Guess only I can answer that one.
Tony H
It's not so much the scary bit (although the faint thought of leaving the bairn fatherless does come into it) but to be honest I've done the "fast" thing and want to enjoy the bike for riding & the bikes sake. Also, living where I do, it has a habit of raining sometime during most days, and also I am (I think) about 200 miles from a Triumph dealer should I need anything. An old bike i can hopefully get bits for via the internet and fit them myself. Thats the sort of info I need, how much is available and which bikes are catered for most. Now bought a couple of "old bike" mags and busy reading through them. Biggest worry is will I just be disappointed with the older bike and yearn for the smooth, comfortable, quick, modern bike. Also reading these mags, everyone seems to be of the "I had one in my 20's and bought another and pass my pipe and slippers brigade" Hard to find an owner under the age of 60. OK so I am 53. Should I just lay up the Sprint for a few years and drag it out when I can enjoy it again? Guess only I can answer that one.
Tony H
Well I am only 40 and have been riding my 500 BSA for 15+ years.Yes you do have to be aware that these are old machines and treat them with a little symp.I use the bike every day and yes over the years I have had to do some major work but as said before its very easy to work on and most prices for engine bits are fair(thank god for ebay new tyre last week £23).You can update with some modern bits I have 12 volt halogen lights and electronic reg,two way damped front forks,Koni rear shocks,later four spring clutch,cnc machined oil pump and later twin leading shoe front brake(better than early disc's).So a lot can be done to improve these bikes without most of the time ruining the outward appearence.And you are just using them for general hopping about should last a long time.
Thanks BSA 500, interesting about the 12v electrics conversion. My first bike in 2001 was a HondaXL185 (1979 with only 2200miles on clock, bought from a friend who hadn't used it and I sold it a year later 'cos it was too slow on the hills on the dual carriageway on the way to my work and the lights at 6v were absolutely rubbish) Actually wanting to find that old bike and buy it back now as the old chap I bought it from has died. XTN 448T where are you?
Yes - I know what you're getting at. Just getting rid of my Speed Triple at the moment and thinking about selling the ancient Bimota I have had for years. I also have lost interest in the speed side and have three children to support and think that the two matters are not unrelated. I run a TVR and live in the country in a county without speed cameras - I hardly use the bikes at all.
The Bimota is old and slow but too cramped. Thinking about a Guzzi now - maybe a California, maybe a V11 if there is a bit of leg room.
L.F.
The Bimota is old and slow but too cramped. Thinking about a Guzzi now - maybe a California, maybe a V11 if there is a bit of leg room.
L.F.
mmmm. speedtriple eh, my latest bike "I wish I had"
is it the older style if so it might be in my price range
but still need to sell my Bandit 600 first.
Wish i lived in the country with no speed cameras
we have been plagued in this area with forest of cameras and 'kin speed bumps everywhere
what a pain
is it the older style if so it might be in my price range
but still need to sell my Bandit 600 first.
Wish i lived in the country with no speed cameras
we have been plagued in this area with forest of cameras and 'kin speed bumps everywhere
what a pain
Right, it's been a few weeks of thought. Dragged the Sprint ST out for its Mot yesterday. It passed but there again it's only done 600 miles in a year. Riding it over (100 miles) to the MoT station it was cold, drizzly and miserable and I thought this is it I'm selling although to be honest, having read a few Classic Bike mags and watching a recent review of the Stafford Show on TV (that Steve Berry gets on my tit) I'm not sure the Classic bike thing is my scene. Not into sitting around at shows polishing every week. Then rode it back (100miles) and the weather picked up and I thought "are you sure?" Anyway it's raining again now and it's back in the garage. That's the trouble up here the weather is so unpredictable.
I used to procrastinate and vascilate rather a lot but I'm not sure I do that so much now.
Tony H
I used to procrastinate and vascilate rather a lot but I'm not sure I do that so much now.
Tony H
well after years of TVRs and other large bikes i finally went and bought a triumph 140v , and they are really crude but lots of fun to ride as long as you dont want to go racing with the other boys , its all character and no plastic and so easy to fix and the value dont go down , just get one .
lockhart flawse said:
Yes - I know what you're getting at. Just getting rid of my Speed Triple at the moment and thinking about selling the ancient Bimota I have had for years. I also have lost interest in the speed side and have three children to support and think that the two matters are not unrelated. I run a TVR and live in the country in a county without speed cameras - I hardly use the bikes at all.
The Bimota is old and slow but too cramped. Thinking about a Guzzi now - maybe a California, maybe a V11 if there is a bit of leg room.
L.F.
i take it that was your bim that i watched on e bay last week ? what was your reserve? The Bimota is old and slow but too cramped. Thinking about a Guzzi now - maybe a California, maybe a V11 if there is a bit of leg room.
L.F.
ssc1 said:
well after years of TVRs and other large bikes i finally went and bought a triumph 140v , and they are really crude but lots of fun to ride as long as you dont want to go racing with the other boys , its all character and no plastic and so easy to fix and the value dont go down , just get one .
Hi had a Chimaera myself.
Still not sure I want to join the old bike club. Old cars yes because I knew them back in the 60's & 70's but I only got into bikes 6 years ago, don't know a good un from a bad un really.
Still seems most "old bike" riders are "OLD bike riders"!
What should I go for and how much? The mags seem to have prices starting from £3500 up over. Is that too high?
well after riding the bike for a few miles now , i'm not quite so sure that its for me , had two chimaeras two wedges and an s series tvr , a cbr600 and an xjr1300 but i fing that the triumph t140v although it looks ok and goes fairly well , it does seem as though the handing is from a different era and the vibration is in a league of its own, perhaps i'm looking for too much from an old brit bike, i wanted character and much more which it just dont have , and i think that you have to take them out on a long run to get a real impression, very nice looking and alloy polishes up very well , but only had it a week and the rear lamp (bulb) has shattered due vibration . perhaps i should lower my sights a bit ............
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