Discussion
Hi,
I am 30 and I regularly get referred to as "a younger guy that's into classic bikes".
A lot of the people I meet are into classic bikes because they were the biked they grew up with and therefore nostalgia is the big driving force. It is different for me, as the bikes I like to play with are twice my age, so I thought I would write a piece about how I got into classics.
https://www.vintageprojects.co.uk/post/old-s-cool-...
Is there anyone else on here that prefers bikes from way before their time?
Cheers,
Christian
I am 30 and I regularly get referred to as "a younger guy that's into classic bikes".
A lot of the people I meet are into classic bikes because they were the biked they grew up with and therefore nostalgia is the big driving force. It is different for me, as the bikes I like to play with are twice my age, so I thought I would write a piece about how I got into classics.
https://www.vintageprojects.co.uk/post/old-s-cool-...
Is there anyone else on here that prefers bikes from way before their time?
Cheers,
Christian
I’m in my 30s and ride mainly 1920s machines. My dad has always had vintage bikes and I grew up with them, gettting carted about in the sidecar of a 1928 v-twin Royal Enfield as a baby.
I use that bike now with my wife in the sidecar and my newest bike is a 1963 Velocette Venom. We have a few others too and a good number of my mates around my age have or rode vintage and classic bikes too.
I know everyone on here moans about hipsters but one thing they have done for biking is to make younger riders realise there’s more to two wheels than race-replica machinery. I’ve always had old bikes on the road since I was 17, but in the late 90s, early 2000s I had modern sports bikes too. I got rid of them as I couldn’t justify the costs of running something so quick on the road and certainly couldn’t justify it now when speeding is being so demonised! Old bikes give me as much pleasure but without the risks to my licence, plus it’s one of the few hobbies that really doesn’t cost you anything much!
I use that bike now with my wife in the sidecar and my newest bike is a 1963 Velocette Venom. We have a few others too and a good number of my mates around my age have or rode vintage and classic bikes too.
I know everyone on here moans about hipsters but one thing they have done for biking is to make younger riders realise there’s more to two wheels than race-replica machinery. I’ve always had old bikes on the road since I was 17, but in the late 90s, early 2000s I had modern sports bikes too. I got rid of them as I couldn’t justify the costs of running something so quick on the road and certainly couldn’t justify it now when speeding is being so demonised! Old bikes give me as much pleasure but without the risks to my licence, plus it’s one of the few hobbies that really doesn’t cost you anything much!
I’m in my mid 30s and most of my bikes are 1960s machines. I have a good few 70s and 80s bikes, too, as well has a couple of modern jobs for distance.
I’m no speed merchant, either - it’s the machinery I enjoy, rather than the speed. The older they are, the more interesting I find them!
Same goes for cars, too - pre-1970 is my bag. Pre-war even better.
I’m no speed merchant, either - it’s the machinery I enjoy, rather than the speed. The older they are, the more interesting I find them!
Same goes for cars, too - pre-1970 is my bag. Pre-war even better.
smcapstick said:
I’m in my mid 30s and most of my bikes are 1960s machines. I have a good few 70s and 80s bikes, too, as well has a couple of modern jobs for distance.
I’m no speed merchant, either - it’s the machinery I enjoy, rather than the speed. The older they are, the more interesting I find them!
Same goes for cars, too - pre-1970 is my bag. Pre-war even better.
That’s my dream too, ideally a proper JAP engined Morgan 3-wheeler I’m no speed merchant, either - it’s the machinery I enjoy, rather than the speed. The older they are, the more interesting I find them!
Same goes for cars, too - pre-1970 is my bag. Pre-war even better.
Sadly don’t have the room (or the funds!) at the moment!
I like the cut of your jib Christian.
I like older bikes, especially the 80s stuff. I’ve never ridden something from that era though and hear nothing but how much bikes have come on and the old ones are a bit crap in the real world which puts me off. I know that’s part of it but not enough to sway me. Power to you though.
I like older bikes, especially the 80s stuff. I’ve never ridden something from that era though and hear nothing but how much bikes have come on and the old ones are a bit crap in the real world which puts me off. I know that’s part of it but not enough to sway me. Power to you though.
I was born in the '60s, but my bikes are from the 1950s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Some of it is about nostalgia for what was about when I was younger, but a lot of it is just about the mechanics and aesthetics of the older stuff. Nobody hankered after an old 500 Ariel when I was a youngster...
I would love some pre-war bikes, have had a pre-war car and they obviously pre-date my existence. Unfortunately they are all becoming a tad expensive which is another point - my playing with old stuff has probably cost me less than nothing over the past couple of decades which is considerably less than when I played with moderns.
As for the desire for a JAP Morgan, oh yes, agree entirely - another three wheeler is definitely on the cards at some point.
I would love some pre-war bikes, have had a pre-war car and they obviously pre-date my existence. Unfortunately they are all becoming a tad expensive which is another point - my playing with old stuff has probably cost me less than nothing over the past couple of decades which is considerably less than when I played with moderns.
As for the desire for a JAP Morgan, oh yes, agree entirely - another three wheeler is definitely on the cards at some point.
Nearly 50 but I have a 50s triumph 80's fzr 600, 90 fireblade and 2000 GS, yes the new bikes are quicker, more powerful, better brakes/tyres/suspension but some times it is about the ride......
The t110 is great looking, goes well, sounds great but jeysus the brakes are shiiite, Fzr was my first big bike and I just love the looks of the thing, fireblade well plenty fast enough for me and a good looker, the GS great for long distances and commuting into London.
Not as young as the OP and the bikes are not as old but I just enjoy riding.
The t110 is great looking, goes well, sounds great but jeysus the brakes are shiiite, Fzr was my first big bike and I just love the looks of the thing, fireblade well plenty fast enough for me and a good looker, the GS great for long distances and commuting into London.
Not as young as the OP and the bikes are not as old but I just enjoy riding.
srob said:
smcapstick said:
I’m in my mid 30s and most of my bikes are 1960s machines. I have a good few 70s and 80s bikes, too, as well has a couple of modern jobs for distance.
I’m no speed merchant, either - it’s the machinery I enjoy, rather than the speed. The older they are, the more interesting I find them!
Same goes for cars, too - pre-1970 is my bag. Pre-war even better.
That’s my dream too, ideally a proper JAP engined Morgan 3-wheeler I’m no speed merchant, either - it’s the machinery I enjoy, rather than the speed. The older they are, the more interesting I find them!
Same goes for cars, too - pre-1970 is my bag. Pre-war even better.
Sadly don’t have the room (or the funds!) at the moment!
If I emptied my bank account I could just about get one... but the children would have to do without nappies, toys or food for the next year or so (n)
kers!! 
spoodler said:
I was born in the '60s, but my bikes are from the 1950s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Some of it is about nostalgia for what was about when I was younger, but a lot of it is just about the mechanics and aesthetics of the older stuff. Nobody hankered after an old 500 Ariel when I was a youngster...
I would love some pre-war bikes, have had a pre-war car and they obviously pre-date my existence. Unfortunately they are all becoming a tad expensive which is another point - my playing with old stuff has probably cost me less than nothing over the past couple of decades which is considerably less than when I played with moderns.
As for the desire for a JAP Morgan, oh yes, agree entirely - another three wheeler is definitely on the cards at some point.
Prewar stuff is still quite affordable but does depend what you want! A flat tank Model 18 Norton will set you back 25 grand but there are 1920s machines out there selling for quite humble sums. I would love some pre-war bikes, have had a pre-war car and they obviously pre-date my existence. Unfortunately they are all becoming a tad expensive which is another point - my playing with old stuff has probably cost me less than nothing over the past couple of decades which is considerably less than when I played with moderns.
As for the desire for a JAP Morgan, oh yes, agree entirely - another three wheeler is definitely on the cards at some point.
Or example, you’d need to spend a couple of grand getting it up and nice though!
I love the look and sound of machines older than me (pre-1965) but I'm not a good enough fettler to run one as a daily or even an occasional weekend machine. I'm trying to work out how to go for the best of both worlds (in my jaundiced, slightly rode-tinted eyes) and get a new Speed Twin.
I'm 40 and have a 1933 BMW R4, beautiful bike that I bought because I had some money around, already had a road bike so wanted something different.
Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
14-7 said:
I'm 40 and have a 1933 BMW R4, beautiful bike that I bought because I had some money around, already had a road bike so wanted something different.
Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
Pics please Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
14-7 said:
I'm 40 and have a 1933 BMW R4, beautiful bike that I bought because I had some money around, already had a road bike so wanted something different.
Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
That is something different! What made you get a BMW from that era? Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
They’re a lovely thing but parts must be quite difficult to come by?
srob said:
14-7 said:
I'm 40 and have a 1933 BMW R4, beautiful bike that I bought because I had some money around, already had a road bike so wanted something different.
Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
That is something different! What made you get a BMW from that era? Fantastic machine and draws far more comments and admiring glances than anything sports bike I've had over the last 20 years.
Far easier to work on as well (although parts can be limited when needed!).
Enjoy classic bikes for what they are.
They’re a lovely thing but parts must be quite difficult to come by?
They never break...
garypotter said:
The t110 is great looking, goes well, sounds great but jeysus the brakes are shiiite.
If you think that brake is shizen, when I built my T110 I put a tiger cub / bsa bantam front brake on, a 5.5" half width single leading shoe brake with a pie tin for a backing plate, you can see it flex when you pull the lever.... It does little to retard progress, although as the shoes are now bedding in properly it's a little better.It's a very light bike though, stripped it down to the nth and hard-tailed it, everything lighter than stock or in the bin. I could pick it clean off the ground and above my head before I put the engine in. It's like a bicycle with 45hp, handles lovely for an old bike! I'll be out on it later.
Currently building a 1952 6T, need an engine to rebuild, anyone know of one going? No cucumber sarnies here, I'll take anything pre unit 650. There's a twin plugged t100 500cc motor on the bay atm I'm tempted by but looks a bit rich, and potentially has a CR of 15:1! Not ideal for a run to a fry up on a Sunday.
I'm 40 and although absolutely not a "hipster" got caught up in the cafe racer / brat bike craze. Mine had to be a SOHC CB750 with kick start (very important). It was made in 1975 and has been a huge money pit! Its the heaviest bike I've ever ridden, but it does have a certain charm about it.
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