Author Topic: English Bikes (Read 3683 times)

Swampman · « **on:** January 14, 2009, 01:30:43 PM »

I'm a Harley man, but I really love Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, etc. from the 1960s. The 650s & 500s are my favorites. I had a TR250 for a year or so. Even the new Triumph twins are pretty cool IMO.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:34:41 PM »

I have a couple of harleys now but my first street bike was a 1970 norton commando. I wish I still had it.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:53:18 PM »

The new Triumphs twins are very interesting.

Cheese

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2009, 03:06:25 AM »

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/21july08_triumph2009thunderbird1600.htm

I wish it had been a little more retro/British looking like the others they make. The Scrambler is my favorite.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2009, 03:14:51 AM »

They're going after the Harley copy market.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2009, 03:40:55 AM »

Seems like the Japanese have the Harley knock off market pretty well covered.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2009, 05:52:20 AM »

I've always liked the look of older brit bikes, BSA are some of my favorites, I had an old Enfield but could never get it to stay running long enuff to ride it.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2009, 06:06:21 AM »

I will never forget that Norton add that used to run in the magazines when I was a kid. A really hot, long legged English blonde, barley fitting into a pair of Union Jack hot pants, seductively laying across a jet black Norton Commando. Boy I wanted one so bad.... Really liked the bike, too..

Larry

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2009, 06:10:14 AM »

My brother had a Norton/Matchless 750 Scrambler. It came with dual upswept pipes and trials tires from the factory. It was really a Matchless, but Norton bought Matchless that year and rebadged it with Norton emblems. It would throw rooster tails in the mud 35-40 feet high.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2009, 06:20:03 AM »

I think I mentioned this before, but I came this close <sign for iti biti distance> to getting a Triumph Trident from a friend (quite) some time back. I always liked the old Triumphs. 'sides, if a Triumph was good enough for Marlon Brando to make a movie on, who am I to dis it!?

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:45:40 AM »

And Steve McQueen in The Great Escape!!!!!!!

Spanky · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2009, 01:07:33 PM »

My daily rider is a '74 Bonnie with right side shift and kick only start.
Every time I kick it to life it makes me smile.

I does mark it's territory just a little though.

I love the sound of it too, nothing sounds like a strong running British bike.

I'll post some pics when I get it out of the garage. (springtime)

Spanky

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2009, 01:15:10 PM »

Is that the "oil in frame" 750cc version?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTqMNfg0W1Q

hillbill · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2009, 04:25:54 PM »

ive had three of them in amongst a few hd's. a 69 bonnie hardtail, a 500 bsa bout a 65 model i think and a 77 model 750 oilframe.ill say one thing, if yu can keep a brit bike running day in and day out yu one helluva mechanic.the basic design is good but those amal carbs and the lucas electrics, not to mention the dual points on some of them, will make yu pull out yur hair.the new ones do look interesting tho.what brand carbs are they useing on the new ones?

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2009, 04:33:34 PM »

lucas prince of darkness.

I think the carbs are MIKUNI

Dirt Bag · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2009, 01:08:17 AM »

Hill';
Heard some where that the newest ones ('08s and up) are injected - throttle bodies are made to look like carbs? Don't hold me to it. Couple years ago before we bought the Springer project, I was wanting a Thruxton - not sure why - just thought they looked different. Run up to the closest dealer and had a look at one, and after sitting on it, changed my mind. They seemed to be well made and finished and all, but riding all hunched over like that is for the young guys.
Most everyone said I would never be happy with it after being used to the "Road Sofa", and they were right. Checked out the Rocket 3 also, and it is a huge, wide bike - way more so than it looks in pictures. Always see plenty of used ones for sale.
Still, wouldn't mind picking up an old one to tinker with someday - they had a look and sound all their own, and can be converted over to electronic ignition and aftermarket carbs. The one to have would be a Hurricane, but those are way over my pay grade. Think they only made like 1200 of them?
Have a good one;
D.B.
19 below last night Cheese' - worst is over, and the heat wave's comin'.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:09:36 AM »

Not ridin weather yet, 28 below right now.

Cheese

Spanky · « **Reply #17 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:26:41 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 15, 2009, 01:15:10 PM

Is that the "oil in frame" 750cc version?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTqMNfg0W1Q

Yes, my bike is just like that except it's red and chrome and I have Emgo pipes on it.
I'll post some pics of it when warmer weather comes around.

Spanky

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2009, 02:04:44 AM »

Bought myself a '08 Bonnie. Yes the '09's got EFI and yeah you can't really tell since the "carbs" are the hidden EFI. Love that British style. Just don't care for the "cruiser" style so many prefer. Just personal taste. have toyed with the idea of a Royal Enfield also. ear they too have had to go EFI for emmisions reasons. Urals get my interest too.
the whole Triumph thing must be catchy, there's 2 Bonnies and a Thunderbird in the garage

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2009, 02:12:26 AM »

The EFI does make starting very fast and smooth. I'm bad about forgetting the choke so it's good for me.

giturgun · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2009, 04:37:24 PM »

Early model Turnips had Amel carbs on em . Complete with ticklers on each one and chokes to boot . Flood the thing choke it to death and stomp it to life . Man them was the good old days.
I may have to go by Henry's and borrow the 850 Norton Commando . He got it set up for touring and it will run like a haint.
Would be nice to run up to Kentucky on the old bike just for old times sake.

Went by there today and he had a 1200 and a 1100 Gold wing that looked good . I may have to break down and get another bagger.

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2009, 03:21:53 AM »

I went by the Triumph dealer & sat on the 900 Scrambler yesterday. I bought me a Steve McQueen "Sixty8" Vintage replica T-Shirt.

giturgun · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2009, 05:30:07 AM »

I have sat on some of Steve 's bikes. Adealer in Cincinatty Ohio bought some of his collection when it was sold off. Domni racer was the name of the place. delt in mostly english old stock parts. I really liked going there since it was the only place I have seen Scott flying squirrels , Vincent black shadows and old Royal Enfields sitting in a row.
Tried looking it up but couldn't find it on the web.May be closed now that was in the late 70 early 80 time frame.

mauser98us · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2009, 08:22:40 AM »

coolest thing about brit bikes were that they needed total engine rebuilds by 5000 miles. that is if the Lucas electrics and amal carbs did not sideline you first.

giturgun · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2009, 08:40:46 AM »

Mr Lucas and Amal his twin just kept you warmed up for the rebuild. Just came from Henry's mc . His son was riding a small 250 or so twin with an antique tag on it . I plopped down on his KZ 1300 6 and made motor mouth sounds like a kid.
Was upstairs a couple monthes ago looking for some 77 Goldwing spares. Walked down the british isle and looked at the BSA. Triumph, Norton, and Royal enfields , along with some old r model Yamahas . He has a good collection of old
bikes waiting for the ax.

mauser98us · « **Reply #25 on:** May 09, 2009, 04:18:39 PM »

coolest brit bike of the late sixties was the Royal Enfield TT Interceptor. Looked like itwas doing the ton standing still. Coolest name and the coolest chrome tank with the logo in red.

Swampman · « **Reply #26 on:** May 09, 2009, 04:53:02 PM »

I had a Triumph Trophy 250. There are no better looking bikes than the late 1960s Triumph 500s & 650s.

jiminpa · « **Reply #27 on:** May 21, 2009, 03:27:18 PM »

my first street bike was a 1970 triumph daytona 500,paid 250 for it ,always had a black and blue right calf from the kickstarter.shifter and brake on the wrong sides!!! it liked its gas,but really liked its oil!!it was black and white,the mates called it a skunk!!wish i had it back!!

silver surfer · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2009, 04:14:27 PM »

I've been riding a 2006 Rocket III Classic for the last two years and I just love it. My first street bike is a 1976 Goldwing GL100 (still have it) and I had several street bikes since, but $ for $ nothing has even come close to a Rocket.

Hodr · « **Reply #29 on:** May 29, 2009, 07:30:26 PM »

I remember chasing a Norton Atlas along highway 1 from Tamales bay north about 80 miles. Every time I got close enough to ID the bike, the hippy would laugh and twist the throttle again. Smoke would spray and somehow that longhair and his abandoned looking smoking bike would pull away again. I was riding a Kawasaki set up for Sherriffs use and never managed to catch him. I suppose he pulled into a commune up around Mendocino. This was back in 73(?). I wasn't all that intrested in the way he was riding, I just wanted to know how he did it.

blindhari