Being in the same position I feel for you , But finding Barts channel is certainly the next best thing, Sitting alone as an old man in my chair in not so good health in a foreign country where I have no medical help of any nature these videos take me back to happier times.
Thanks Bart. My dad is 71 and we still want to ride together. He was having more and more trouble managing his HD Road King, so we traded our fat and over processed newer bikes in on what he started out riding: Hondas. My dad has a 73 CL350 just like your dad's and I have a 73 CB350 so we can keep up with each other. I love my bike. Points, drum brakes, carb stuff, all of it. I may never go back. Keep up the good work, little brother.
Good follow up, being an mature (72) woman, I have many motorcycles. I started off with the Allstate moped (ya peddles) and my last motor was a HD Dyna S (ya 110 screamin eagle). But as I have gotten order the new bikes have got heavier (or me weaker). Besides the moped Iv'd owned everything in between. I have my fondness of my Triumphs. Last year I bought a 1982 Triumph T140 ES. Pluses - Gearshift on left, brake on right, and kick and electric start = happy and no negatives.
I've been riding old bikes for a long time now (40 years). When I started working on British bikes my dad gifted me his tools from when he was an apprentice working on Sunderland flying boats. He had already given me all the metric and AF tools I needed for working on bikes when I turned 21. A present I use every day to this day but the Whitworth tools are special. When I work on my Velocette I remember him.
Vintage motorcycles have soul and character. Back in '78 I bought a '67 Triumph Bonneville, I owned that bike longer than any other. I still miss it to this day.
Riding vintage motorcycles is why many people enjoy riding retro bikes. After all people still enjoy flying biplanes. It brings them back to a period in time when things were more sane and more relaxed. That's why people still buy Harleys, they are just plain fun. Keep up the good work, I really like your videos.
I have a 1975 royal Enfield bullet 350 and I always revisits the joy of riding it, where I daily run a himalayan. You leave it for 2 years and just fill fuel and charge the battery with two kicks in the kicker and start singing. Electronics are just rectifier and a Dynamo. Brings back a lot of memories from childhood.
I just started my riding journey on a small Piaggio Ciao moped from the late 80s. I'm really new to all of this, but I can really relate to it. The feeling of a raw motorcycle with 2 wheels, an engine and barely any electronics is just something else. Another great thing about these motorcycles is their story. I often wonder how many teens owned my moped, before I got it. Keep up the great vids. Looking forward for another one. 😀
Hello I'm Hervé , french guy and a happy owner of a 1970 Triumph Daytona T100P. My bike was used by the Traffic Police from 1970 to 1979. I purchased my Triumph in the Government Auction Sales where we could find also Police Patrol Cars in make Triumph , Police Range Rover and others like military Land Rover etc... My Triumph original colour from the Police was black & white and chrome. The fuel tank was white , the 2 fenders , headlight , handlebar , crashbars front & rear were chrome plated. And all the rest were in gloss black colour. The engine was painted from the factory in matt silver finish and the cylinder barrel in gloss black finish. The Triumph was fitted with a wind shield , radio comunication system , an aerial at the rear for the radio , 2 chrome spot light from Lucas on the front original BRITAX crashbar. At the rear were 2 leather panier in black colour attached to the rear chrome crashbar. Original number plates , on front fender and the other one quite big at the rear. There was obviously a mono seat for Police use which is still on the bike at present time , and remake only by a new seat cover. Your Triumph is from year 1968 or 1969 as no direction indicators is fitted on yours , pretty cool , make the bike more classic vintage look ! As far I remember , Your fuel tank original colour model was Sky Blue and Cold White and the rest in black with the chrome fenders. Are your exhaust silencers or mufflers from Armours Silencers Co. Ltd UK ?... or from Toga Silencers UK ?... Mine are from Armours and I dont really like the sound , a bit too high. In fact to a personal taste , I like so much the sound produce by the silencers of the 1954 BSA 650 Golden Flash , a very smooth and deep sound with a bit high baffle notes , wonderful sound. I'm planning to put these silencers on my Daytona , it fits very well with a slight modification on the 2 black brackets attached to the frame and the job is done to get that nice sound I found to my taste 😊 its really a beautiful sound. And I will keep my 2 others stainless steel silencers which are polished to mirror finish , well wrap in a good packing just in case if someone want to buy them as they are in imaculate condition. It would be nice to meet you as we share the same passion but we live very far apart... I live in Mauritius Island , a small Island found in the Indian Ocean next to Africa , Madagascar and Reunion Island on the East side... I'm sure you have heared about Ace Cafe London... there we can still see the remaining real rockers and the Ton up boys of those days who were riding these Triumph motorcycles , the Triumph Thunderbird 650 , the Speed Twin 500 etc... A very nice place to visit in London , this famous Ace Cafe 😊 my email is jp.herve.caboche@gmail.com and my phone What's App number is +230 5 817 - 8604. Hope to see with great pleasure a next presentation vdo from your Triumph Daytona. T100R Thanks & Rgds , Hervé
I gave up riding bikes many years ago, so have never owned a new modern bike. All my bikes were British bikes from the 1950's. Drum brakes; cables for brakes; clutch and throttle. Foot brake on Left side; Gear change on Right side; No Indicator lights, so you stuck your arm out to let other road users know which way you were turning. Kick Starter, so you had to know the correct starting technique for your bike, especially if it was a Long-stroke Single, like my BSA 500 cc DBD 34 Gold Star. It had a Valve Lifter, to get the piston over Top-Dead-Center, before you kicked it. You used the valve lifter and kick start, in conjunction with the Ignition Advance-Retard lever, which you used to avoid vicious kick-backs. Those were in the days of Magneto Ignition; not coil and distributor, which had an Auto-advance, which kicked in as the engine speed increased. Servicing bikes back then was easy; none of this modern electronic stuff, which needs a computer to sort out problems. The Gold Star was a long-stroke 'Thumper', with maximum revs of 7,500 RPM; We didn't have any of these modern short-stroke multi-cylinder engines, which rev to 10,000 plus RPM and drink petrol like there's no tomorrow. And who the Hell needs Water-cooling? Not a classic bike; whether American; British; German, or Italian. If I ever buy another bike, it'll be a Classic British Long-stroke Single.
As an old guy who lived through the initial uptick in motorcycling (circa 1962-75), I can say that finding and bringing an old bike to riding shape can be rewarding. I'm talking about garage-sale and barn-find bikes. They're out there, perhaps not in ready shape as 20 years ago. But they are out there still. TH-cam is full of such adventures. A buddy of mine happened to be cruising garage sales one weekend and found a late 1960's Hodaka Ace 100 that would not run. He kicked over the engine. It wasn't seized. He eventually made it run again (making sure he pre-mixed oil with the gas!). Another buddy was given a Honda 150 Dream that had languished under some trees in a backyard. There were rust issues but it was all there. He had a ball disassembling it and showing the bike some love. Within a few weeks part-time, he'd cleaned it up, cleaned out the gas tank's innards, got the seat recovered and made it run again.
I'm a seventy year old rider of vintage bikes that I build and restore. Often, these are bikes which, back then, I could not afford. My first bike needed a few things like a crankshaft and a new head and a transmission rebuild so I would ride a bus to the bike shop and spend my meager wages on parts which, on returning home, I would manage to fit on my bike. I made that trip so often that I was eventually hired as a parts counter guy. I now own and am restoring over 20 vintage bikes and I can say that it never gets old. When I fire up a Triumph or other old bike I get the same thrill as when I was 16 and there aren't a whole lot of things that can do that. Passion is the thing that keeps me young and interested. For that reason alone, I reccommend that anyone get into restoring what ever rings your bell, be it vintage tractors, cars, whatever. You 'll learn the skills, aquire the knowlege and get to meet like minded people. And it's a lot more fun than boringly reliable bikes.
Hey bart I rode those motorcycles in the 60s and had the same passion as you. You really refresh my memories and my spirit. Btw ive had 15 Motorcycles road and scramblers.
Well Bart, you've hit on a central spot in my mcycle history. I once owned a BMW R24, my main transportation device through college. Loved it, but it had no power which was good because it also had no brakes. I now own several bikes, all modern, but would love to find an old bmw that wasn't beat to death.
The video thumbnail picture is from my town - Wrocław. Its Jawa 50 moped parked on Więzienna 2 street, near Rynek (city square). Yes I own vintage bike Junak M10 :-).
Today i ride a Thunderbird Commander with 1700cc (104cci). The machine is wonderful - a perfect riding machine - with ABS - fuel injection - and powerful, but sometimes i remember the old times. I came to the conclusion that older (vintage) motorcycles have a other feel. I agree with you: lovely feel - the sound - the character... So you have to dicide - an old bike with a great feeling or a powerful classic style bike with no technical problems. I wish i could have both. You are in luck, you living in the US. You can purcharse a lot of older bikes there because the market is huge. Here in Germany the market for vintage bikes is small and the prices increasing so mutch, it is unbeleavable. For your Triumph i have to pay 12.000US $ or more here. Thank you for sharing your video!
I think you've summed it all up well. I would only add that if one wanted something fairly comparable in look and riding feel to an old classic, but without all that needy drama and endless fettling, go have a test ride on the latest crop of Royal Enfields. If you're OK thumping along under 70 mph or so, just dodging the butterflies on a sunny weekend afternoon, try one of their new 350 "Classics". If you need a bit more "Oompf!" and speed for commuting, fast highways, and so forth, try their 650 twin. Either would also serve well as a "first bike" or one for someone returning to riding after a long hiatus that might also prove a "keeper". If you DO want something more unimpeachably "classic" but without the ever-growing price tag being commanded by some of that old and often pretty worn out iron, and you WANT to tinker with no parts availability or crazy prices issues, then try one if their original pre-unit pre-2007 Bullet "engineering fossils" (basically a '54 design single made well into our millennium), which is what I like to bumble around on most (also having a '57 Zündapp Bella R201 198cc 2-stroke scooter and a '67 Norton 750 N15CS factory hybrid "Desert Sled"--basically a Norton Atlas engine in a Matchless frame). But yeah, if you kinda want the feel and look of yore, go swing your leg over an Enfield...And they're like half the cost of a newfangled Thai-built Triumph Bonnie.
I love old vehicles. Especially from the 60s and 70s. When I drive my 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, it's always great fun. And when people see this old car on the road, they often enjoy it too. And when I ride my 1972 Yamaha XS2 (650), it's pure joy. These vehicles have a character all of their own.
I bought a 1987 single cylinder and have learnt everything that makes a bike runs by disintegrating most of it and remaking all electric wiring and I love it and its history, I have a 2017 Duc though.
My older bro' used to pick me up after school in the UK on his Triumph Bonneville and all the kids would watch us ride away and I felt soOooo cool. I recently bought a 1953 BSA Bantam D1 125cc and love riding it around town and to local Classic Bike rallies where no end of older riders come up for a chat about the bike. I think your equivalent was the Harley Davidson Hummer. My bike is a 2 stroke with a top speed of about 50mph but the smile factor outweighs any negatives regarding owning a 71yr old motorcycle. Great video btw :)
I bought a '22 INT650 the beginning of December. Because I live in NJ and it's been colder than normal, I haven't even put 100 miles on it yet. But I have been getting it ready for the coming riding weather. I bought Motone tank grips, a gun metal gray tank stripe from Hitchcock, and today just ordered pea shooter exhaust pipes. Gonna a look like your Triumph a little! I got the Ventura Blue and it quite resembles my first motorcycle, a 1975 Honda 550 Four Super Sport, and to me, damn near same color. Look at both in like Google images and tell me they aren't close!! Enjoy your videos. Love the variety of rides you showcase. Appreciate the fact you don't have that biker ego and you delve into all brands and all engine displacements. You don't HAVE TO have a small car engine to ride American roads.
You can buy a real vintage bike for thousands of dollars less than a fake new one with the money that you shave you have money to fix in case something goes wrong let's not forget the British bites that you might buy in the 70s was used maybe worn-out maybe War to death but most of the bikes that people look at nowadays have been restored inside and out and are probably better than Factory and they certainly look brand new and you look at the prices and compare them to the new versions of them and are restored Triumph is less than half the price of a new one made in Thailand one thing I've noticed is that a lot of the younger guys who have a rice rocket that goes 190 miles an hour also have some older vintage bike like an old Triumph that they take her with us because the new B you can't do nothing with if you are literate enough to read a repair manual at enough to know which end of a wrench to use you can do practically all of the maintenance on a vintage bike yourself and there are plenty of people who can advise you as to what to do and how to do it on the interweb let's not forget when these bikes for brand new they were meant to be used for everyday transportation to go to school to go to work to go to whatever they had to fire up in the morning when you were ready to leave they had to make it all the way to work and school without breaking down and they did you clean lubricate and adjust as needed and treat the bike and respect it for what it is and you can have your bike four decades I've had my Triumph TR6 my 65 for 45 years I buy tires by the Dozen to get a discount the a b a t e chapter didn't want to make me Road Captain because I rode my TR6 70 miles an hour all day I used to consider a loop or lounge break Okeechobee as a breakfast ride with a hardtail and a good strong solo sheet it's more comfortable than my 99 Sportster I have a 500 Triumph Daytona with the twin carb it keeps up with modern traffic on I-75 no problem because it's only a 500 it does not vibrate like a 650 or 750 Witcher 2 carb she airflowz much better and she rides 80 90 miles an hour in traffic smooth as silk vintage bike well put together can be more reliable than brand new it is amazing the type of products you can get on the aftermarket to improve a seventy-five-year-old British bike of course it excruciate every so crappy in the first place that's why they needed up grading 4 valve heads alloy cylinders belt primary drive stop that wasn't available back in the 60s and when you do it yourself you got a great sense of satisfaction especially in a day and age when a lot of bikers don't know how to put oil in their bike or check the air in their tires which is sad and sorry but that's the way it is today for a lot of them
It's unfortunate that the court feel is not replaced it's really a very cheap part you don't really have to replace them every 6 months but they're not really meant to sit there for 50 years it's a shame that a nice paint job was ruined by a $2 part oh well shit happens
Vintage motorcycles are an acquired taste just like everything changes come with time and patience especially when you are old enough to appreciate something for what it is and not for what it's not is
You make a lot of good points in defense of owning older or vintage machines, with many of your own cautions being repair related. Bike buyer's should really have their new purchase gone through before just hopping on and tearing through the subdivision. The only thing about brakes on an older bike is that being lighter, it doesn't need state-of-the-art, Brembo binders, to stop safely. Even my drum stoppers on my 71' CB-350 K can be too much under certain conditions. Most folks really should look at the retro scene, as many makes are lending old skool looks to modern hardware, and ride better, but still have that vintage mystique, and sadly for most, matte paint. Great job letting the quips about vintage ownership out. Take care.
For your number 3 ("know your bike"), there's also a 3a - "know how weird your bike is, compared to most other bikes". For me (and it's not the only thing that can be weird) shift patterns can be weird. Without going back to the foot clutch-hand shifter bikes (which weren't actually all that long ago, measured in human lifetimes), I've ridden bikes that had the shifter on the RIGHT and rear brake on the LEFT. A lot of "modern classic" bikes had four-speed transmissions, that now have five-speed transmissions, and other "modern classic" bikes had five-speed transmissions, and now have six-speed transmissions. I'm remembering that 1972 Kawasaki 500s had a five speed transmission with neutral on the BOTTOM ("five up" from neutral, rather than "one down/four up" from neutral). And my personal favorite was a Yamaha 70 or 80 scrambler that a girl who was dorking around with us had, in about 1973 or 1974 - we all traded bikes while rat-racing around an undeveloped lot, and her bike was "four up" from neutral, but with a twist. Since all of our bikes were five-speeds, we would wring her bike out through all four gears, shift into non-existent fifth gear - and the rotary transmission shifted back around to neutral, so when one of us made that mistake - and we all did, at least once - you could hear the small two-stroke engine in neutral at full throttle JUST SCREAMING until the rider backed off, and composed themselves. If you never ride a bike older than the 1980s, almost none of that will ever happen again.
Had a '66 Suzuki S-32, 150cc 2-stroke street bike, Shift pattern was 4-down w/neutral at the top. My '67 Suzuki T-20 250 is 1 down & 5 up. All my Hondas have been 1 down & 3 or 4 up. Nothing like a cable-pull single-leading-shoe front brake to make you appreciate front disc brake, lol!. At least the T-20 has Dual-leading-shoes on the front. I believe the CL350 also has dual-leading front shoes as well. It appears your Triumph has single-leading front shoes, but the BSA's of the same vintage had dual-leading front shoes.
Not a mechanic, so I got a 2020 Kawasaki W800 Café. Best purchase I ever made. Also have a Concours for my long travel, inclement weather and groceries. But the W800 is my choice to ride everyday. 20k a year rider and only own bikes, no car. Love the feel of what they can produce new to as close to what old is. Great video!
there is a reason many flying schools use the old cessnas like the 172 etc. I think if you want to learn to ride, I mean to realy ride, a vintage bike is a great place to start.
@@shaunemicheal7362 when I was a kid our neighbor had a bicycle with a motor on the front tire. I remember the logo on the side of it. a rooster kicked back on a bicycle with its feet up on the bars. I think it was called something to do with chicken fat... the more modern kits seem so much more reliable than something clamped to the forks driving the front tire like a gas powered version of the little generator thingys that they had for bicycle headlights then.
I got rid of my old 79 T-140 Triumph after I got a 2001 W-650. Those old brit bikes were money pits. A fresh top end overhaul every 15,000 miles. I prefer pushrods and a single carb. I would like that today, but my W can be idled down to what a single carb Triumph could. The W has an adjustment knob where you can adjust the idle for BOTH CARBS . Kawasaki was just showing off its tech prowess With the bevel drive single overhead cam. I wish it didn't have a computer and throttle position sensor. If I ever get an older Triumph again it would be a 500 single carb. It was us Americans who wanted more and more Power. It was probably the increased power levels that ruined it reliability. The most fun bike I ever had was a 66 TR-6 650. A single carb is far more efficient a lower speeds because air/fuel mixture is constantly moving thru it as opposed to the pull , then stop , flow of two carbs. Only people who ride a V twin can understand and appreciate this concept, especially if they have ridden a twin cylinder machine with 2 carbs. I'm thinking of getting a Suzuki TU- 250 X when my W gets too heavy for my old self. Carbureted. Modern fuel injection is an artificial and unnatural system. It doesn't operate on the laws of thermodynamics , like a Carburetor does ( vacuum/pressure) . The W is the modern version of the old brit bikes. The modern Triumph is water cooled , cam chain drive. I don't think the people who designed it ever spent 5 minutes on an original vintage Triumph. Kawasaki got it right.
The size difference you mention became obvious to me many years ago. In the late 70s, I passed my test here in the UK, on a Honda CB250T Dream (I believe a 400 version was sold in the USA as the Hawk). I parked my 250 next to a T140V 750 Bonneville and was shocked to see that my 250 was physically bigger than the Bonnie and later discovered that the 250 was had a bit heavier dry weight! So I quickly moved my 250 Honda.
Just got a c70 Honda for $80 from the old couple,just need a 2 hours for make it run again,my mom love it so much,she always use it when going to shopping
I have owned a 1970 Norton Commando 750 Roadster since 1973. Two years ago I bought a 1979 Honda CB 750K and fixed up some stuff to get it back to stock. It turned out to be an excellent buy. It runs very nicely and pulls 9500 RPM without any problem. Must have looked at 2000 bikes before I bought this one.
Only problem... this is a golden age for motorcycles with better engines, suspension, brakes, electrics and tires than vintage bikes with many more models and styles to choose from. I remember the bikes I owned 50 or 60 years ago. Sure I enjoyed them, but replace my 1290 SAS... no way.
Very cool video. I am 82 years old and started riding on a friends Pacemaker Whizzer motor bike when I was 8 years old. Rode Cushman motor scooters also. When I was 14, I got my first Harley, A 1942 "45" flat head. I have ridden many different bikes over the years. I rode an 84 Iron Head Sportster for 23 years. I now ride a 99 Harley Softail Custom. The only drawback to the Harley is the weight. I am 6' tall and weigh 160 pounds. But, even with the solid mounted engine it does not vibrate to bad all the way to 75 mph. I have thought about getting a smaller older bike because I dislike all the new ones. But not sure about finding parts for the older bikes. Harleys have parts even for the older ones available. Anyway, great video. I do love the older unsophisticated older bikes.
You speak the truth young man ! I just realized you were in HI....that's where I grew up in the 1970's ! rode a 1960's Yamaha 90cc (can't remember exactly) went everywhere around the country and in the cane field roads
My cousin had a 1972 Triumph 650 bonneville right hand shift. Rode it a couple of times it is in perfect condition. Love the feel of riding it like you said. My brother had a 68 Norton750comando rancheros. Sadly it ended up be coming a basket case. A friend of mine bought it , not sure how complete. Need to contact him and discuss if he might like to sell. Would love to own it.
Still have my 1980 GS850G Suzuki. Comparing it to the BMW F800GS. it rides rougher brakes are heaver and it don't get up and go as well. But when i clime it just feels right even after 42 years of owning it.
I have three old bikes. BSA, Triumph and Ducati. Their average age is 49. I love them all and it's so much fun to surprise a rider on a modern crotch rocket. And they look much cooler, despite the fact you have to be pretty handy with the contents of your toolbox. But that is half the fun, a sense of satisfaction of doing the job yourself, not paying the dealer/stealer £200 to change the bloody oil.
I have a 52 Matchless G80 that I have recently bought and I can't stop looking at it as she is so beautiful.. Blinkin good fun to ride too!.. She will also tick over beautifully at a gentle chuffing pace .. Parts also in the UK are plentiful..
Another point, maybe especially for our Generation (guessing you‘re a Millenial too), is the impact on the environment. It‘s so much better to sorta „recycle“ something that‘s been here all along and would just rust in some barn until you make it run again to enjoy it as much as all the owners of that bike have been for 50 years. Much more ecofriendly than buying a new bike that goes around the world twice on a container before you get it to your house.
Drum brakes work better if fitted with modern EBC ceramic or EBC organic brake shoes (zero fade). Twin Leading Shoe drum brakes will stop a bike as quickly as a disc brake, even locking up the front wheel, though they require expert setting up. To set up a TLS drum brake, loosen the tension on the secondary rod arm. Spin the wheel and wind on the cable adjuster, for the primary, until the primary brake shoe starts to rub the drum, then unwind it a tad to allow the wheel to spin freely again. Wind on the secondary arm rod until the secondary shoe starts to rub the drum. The TLS drum brake is now set up. For 100% wheel locking stoppie potential, ensure that the primary arm is at right angles to the cable, when the shoe contacts the drum and the secondary, ensure that the secondary arm is at right angles to the adjuster rod, when the shoe contacts the drum. For Single Leading Shoe brakes, the arm needs too be at right angles to the cable when the shoes make contact with the drum. TLS drum brakes require skillful recalibrating everytime the shoes are changed, unlike disc brakes, which require minimal brain power to deal with.
Sorry I have a RE interceptor and the only modern features are fuel injection electronic ignition and abs it's cable throttle air cooled and yes you can see through it
Adequate brakes. I have a not-so-new W800 with drum in the rear and a single disc out front. Its weight compels me to modulate my speed according to how quickly I can stop the bike if I need to. My level of awareness is more acute than when I'm riding a 125cc scooter with ABS and discs front and rear. I feel more alive.
Really good points made👍 ... currently have a '59, '81 and a 2018 bike ... the 2018 is a reliability nightmare 🤣🤣🤣 ... the '59 is very very basic ... the '81 XS400 is a sweet, light, fast and reliable little monster 👍 Interestingly, I bought the 2 vintage bikes for the same as the cost of the 2018 bike ... vintage bikes are a no brainer 😎👍
Yeah, old doesn't always mean cheap. I found an all original with no rust 1975 Honda CB 550 Four, 3300 miles, for $4,900.00 firm. It needs tires and rebuild the carbs plus fluids. The tank has small dents as something fell on it in storage, new battery and the electrics work, but not sure about the brakes and lines. As Tom posted, is it better to buy a new RE INT 650 since the CB550 will be in the same price range to get it road worthy. Or, just hope BSA will send the new Gold Star 650 to the USA.
Wow. I'd definitely walk away from the 550 at that price. Getting new tires, fuel injection, ABS, rear discs ... and you didn't mention the suspension ... Yeah, hard pass from me.
Loving the videos here in the UK 🇬🇧 How about a video about the Intoxication of two stroke classics and how they changed motorcycle world before their demise 🙏👊 Keep up the good work
Currently restoring a 1968 T100R, learning as I go and really enjoying it too. I have all the right tools and some good DYI resources. It will be an extra special bike, more so than any other bike I've owned in the last 33 yrs of riding. And yeah, I am a woman doing this. I don't know why more women don't do this sort of thing, being usually more detail orientated. But bikes are in my blood, I have a pic a neighbor took of me back when I was 11 yrs old, sneaking a sit on my stepdad's 1982 Honda Nighthawk! Just a tomboy at heart! 😁
Dont know if I counts as vintage per say but I started out on 1988 xv250 virago it had the drums breaks stopped slow started slow but my God was it fun and it got a lot of complements I recent got rid of it for a 2007 shadow spirit I love the old motorcycle look but I don't know if I would ever buy a super old bike they look very cool and sound mean rock on man
Old school is totally unparalleled for experience and raw fun !! , can,t beat a Bonnie , or CB750 ,if wanting real class , but for awesome roadholding along with sheer acceleration , the Norton Commando. 850 Interstate, or Roadster , is just the top dog !! , by some considerable margin . margin :-)
The petrol stain on your tank looks like is has run down under the influence of gravity rather than getting under the clear coat (where it would spread by capillary action. So, its on the surface. I know you say you've tried every type of cleaner but you need an abrasive to cut some of the surface off. Try tcut or brasso or a genuine polish (not wax). Try it on a small unobtrusive area first. Hope this helps.
Ethanol contaminated gasoline rapidly destroys cork fuel system seals. If you filled your gas tank with this fuel, that's why your filler cap seal rotted.
Why find and old bike and get it running and have fun? Same reason for old car or or truck, they work. I have been offered some pretty good cash for my old '78 Suzuki GS750E but how would I replace it? IT is very fast and easy to ride. And this bike just never gets any fan fare. Even though it was the bike that the Katana was born from.
Most of the stories that old bikes tell i don't wsnt to hear 😂 Driven carelessly, parked and stored neglectfuly, maintained haphazardly, repaired and restored inappropriately... so much "fun" to be had ....😅 in re craftsmanship: When i lived in England in the early 90s you could get a sticker for your old brit bike that said "all rhe parts falling off this motorcycle are of the highest English craftsmanship " 😅 If you are looking for a hobby get an old bike. If you want something to drive around back and forth to work or for a big trip "to the continent" and drop at the dealer for its maintenance get a new-ish bike. I used to ride a z1000 as a daily back in the 80s (and a GS550 and a CB350 before that) but if i get back in the saddle it will be a retro like the Interceptor or a z900rs .... Great looking bike though and must be a ton of fun driving around the island.
I ride a vintage bike. I really have to take exception to your riding in flip flops. Whatever excuses you make just won't cut it. It's not a matter of speed, it's a matter of PROTECTION.
Can't buy new! Stop think about! Any machine you ride upon will always be sensed different than another! I have ridden machines of even the same year and model and even then I could sense a difference between them. You as a rider upon them is what really matters. Never will there be a prefect machine ever designed only you becoming a perfect rider upon them.
Fucking hate new bikes. When I was doing my motorcycle licence, had to ride a kawasaki re650. And I couldn't handle it like my old Panther M100. I think newer bikes are too top heavy for there ability of leaning down at speed and getting your leg down.
I can't believe your riding your motorcycle with just your sandals on, that's a good way to break a toe or two. where are your gloves and helmet? Fall off that Triumph once and you'll understand what I'm suggesting. Get serious and responsible you have children!!
the price is ridiculous high. it needs maintenance. and you need to know where to buy new oil seals, gasket set , etc. which most out stock 40years ago. why don't buy a new vintage bike? there are some choices now in worldwide. but of course there is a great feeling riding a real old bike. i did own 60's 2t bike 90's 2t bikes they require more knowledge if you don't want to pay more and just drop the bike at your local repair store.
I rode a Triumph TR6 by 1965 for 20 years going back and forth to work. I ran ethanol fuel in it and I had no problems whatsoever. And after 15,000 miles for an engine top end no way I got three times that and then I just re-ring the engine or lap the valves. The only time I have to split the cases was when the camshafts were both worn out from 50 years worth of riding. A great bike then and a great bike now.
Reasons to buy old shit crusted bike! Garbage brakes! Traditional "wobblemaster 1900" pattern frame! No ABS! No helmet! We die like real men! Not zo menzion, it feels fast even when going slow, because its nearly tearing itselc apart with the effort to achieve the "speed"! Sarcasm: OFF Those are reason to NOT buy them. Look up any motorcycle dashcam channel where half the content is produced by one eyed, peg legged US based harley pirates with motto of "Me no wussie! Me need no ABS!" ...and bulky is necessary to be functional. See through frame, uselessly small tank is only good for "showfloor only" bikes. ...and NOPE modern bikes produce waaay more power from same CC. Stronger metal means you can shake same piston faster before it falls apart. Thus more go juice can be pumped through the same volume. Its only matter of gearing if that means more torques, or more speed. (barring some extreme, limited run bikes, which you wont have the money to buy, like honda NC-500)
I wish I could ride again. I can not ride but what I can do is subscribe to your channel and live vicariously though your videos. Thank you so much.
I have a Superhawk, love it to bits and I'm sorry that you can't ride.
Being in the same position I feel for you , But finding Barts channel is certainly the next best thing, Sitting alone as an old man in my chair in not so good health in a foreign country where I have no medical help of any nature these videos take me back to happier times.
That’s what I loved about my XS2, it was raw, stripped down and just loved to rev. A flick of the wrist and you are at 7000.
Thanks Bart. My dad is 71 and we still want to ride together. He was having more and more trouble managing his HD Road King, so we traded our fat and over processed newer bikes in on what he started out riding: Hondas. My dad has a 73 CL350 just like your dad's and I have a 73 CB350 so we can keep up with each other. I love my bike. Points, drum brakes, carb stuff, all of it. I may never go back. Keep up the good work, little brother.
Good follow up, being an mature (72) woman, I have many motorcycles. I started off with the Allstate moped (ya peddles) and my last motor was a HD Dyna S (ya 110 screamin eagle). But as I have gotten order the new bikes have got heavier (or me weaker). Besides the moped Iv'd owned everything in between. I have my fondness of my Triumphs. Last year I bought a 1982 Triumph T140 ES. Pluses - Gearshift on left, brake on right, and kick and electric start = happy and no negatives.
I've been riding old bikes for a long time now (40 years). When I started working on British bikes my dad gifted me his tools from when he was an apprentice working on Sunderland flying boats. He had already given me all the metric and AF tools I needed for working on bikes when I turned 21. A present I use every day to this day but the Whitworth tools are special. When I work on my Velocette I remember him.
Vintage motorcycles have soul and character. Back in '78 I bought a '67 Triumph Bonneville, I owned that bike longer than any other. I still miss it to this day.
Riding vintage motorcycles is why many people enjoy riding retro bikes. After all people still enjoy flying biplanes. It brings them back to a period in time when things were more sane and more relaxed. That's why people still buy Harleys, they are just plain fun. Keep up the good work, I really like your videos.
I have a 1975 royal Enfield bullet 350 and I always revisits the joy of riding it, where I daily run a himalayan. You leave it for 2 years and just fill fuel and charge the battery with two kicks in the kicker and start singing. Electronics are just rectifier and a Dynamo. Brings back a lot of memories from childhood.
I just started my riding journey on a small Piaggio Ciao moped from the late 80s. I'm really new to all of this, but I can really relate to it. The feeling of a raw motorcycle with 2 wheels, an engine and barely any electronics is just something else. Another great thing about these motorcycles is their story. I often wonder how many teens owned my moped, before I got it. Keep up the great vids. Looking forward for another one. 😀
That's how I got into it as well (in the lates 70's) in Huntington Beach, California! I recently purchased a Triumph Bonneville T120 and love it.
I have 17 mopeds, and love them all, they're all different, and simple.
Hello I'm Hervé , french guy and a happy owner of a 1970 Triumph Daytona T100P. My bike was used by the Traffic Police from 1970 to 1979. I purchased my Triumph in the Government Auction Sales where we could find also Police Patrol Cars in make Triumph , Police Range Rover and others like military Land Rover etc... My Triumph original colour from the Police was black & white and chrome. The fuel tank was white , the 2 fenders , headlight , handlebar , crashbars front & rear were chrome plated. And all the rest were in gloss black colour. The engine was painted from the factory in matt silver finish and the cylinder barrel in gloss black finish. The Triumph was fitted with a wind shield , radio comunication system , an aerial at the rear for the radio , 2 chrome spot light from Lucas on the front original BRITAX crashbar. At the rear were 2 leather panier in black colour attached to the rear chrome crashbar. Original number plates , on front fender and the other one quite big at the rear. There was obviously a mono seat for Police use which is still on the bike at present time , and remake only by a new seat cover.
Your Triumph is from year 1968 or 1969 as no direction indicators is fitted on yours , pretty cool , make the bike more classic vintage look ! As far I remember , Your fuel tank original colour model was Sky Blue and Cold White and the rest in black with the chrome fenders.
Are your exhaust silencers or mufflers from Armours Silencers Co. Ltd UK ?... or from Toga Silencers UK ?... Mine are from Armours and I dont really like the sound , a bit too high. In fact to a personal taste , I like so much the sound produce by the silencers of the 1954 BSA 650 Golden Flash , a very smooth and deep sound with a bit high baffle notes , wonderful sound. I'm planning to put these silencers on my Daytona , it fits very well with a slight modification on the 2 black brackets attached to the frame and the job is done to get that nice sound I found to my taste 😊 its really a beautiful sound. And I will keep my 2 others stainless steel silencers which are polished to mirror finish , well wrap in a good packing just in case if someone want to buy them as they are in imaculate condition.
It would be nice to meet you as we share the same passion but we live very far apart... I live in Mauritius Island , a small Island found in the Indian Ocean next to Africa , Madagascar and Reunion Island on the East side... I'm sure you have heared about Ace Cafe London... there we can still see the remaining real rockers and the Ton up boys of those days who were riding these Triumph motorcycles , the Triumph Thunderbird 650 , the Speed Twin 500 etc... A very nice place to visit in London , this famous Ace Cafe 😊 my email is jp.herve.caboche@gmail.com and my phone What's App number is +230 5 817 - 8604.
Hope to see with great pleasure a next presentation vdo from your Triumph Daytona.
T100R
Thanks & Rgds ,
Hervé
I gave up riding bikes many years ago, so have never owned a new modern bike. All my bikes were British bikes from the 1950's. Drum brakes; cables for brakes; clutch and throttle. Foot brake on Left side; Gear change on Right side; No Indicator lights, so you stuck your arm out to let other road users know which way you were turning. Kick Starter, so you had to know the correct starting technique for your bike, especially if it was a Long-stroke Single, like my BSA 500 cc DBD 34 Gold Star. It had a Valve Lifter, to get the piston over Top-Dead-Center, before you kicked it. You used the valve lifter and kick start, in conjunction with the Ignition Advance-Retard lever, which you used to avoid vicious kick-backs. Those were in the days of Magneto Ignition; not coil and distributor, which had an Auto-advance, which kicked in as the engine speed increased. Servicing bikes back then was easy; none of this modern electronic stuff, which needs a computer to sort out problems. The Gold Star was a long-stroke 'Thumper', with maximum revs of 7,500 RPM; We didn't have any of these modern short-stroke multi-cylinder engines, which rev to 10,000 plus RPM and drink petrol like there's no tomorrow. And who the Hell needs Water-cooling? Not a classic bike; whether American; British; German, or Italian. If I ever buy another bike, it'll be a Classic British Long-stroke Single.
Back in the day I wanted a Gold Star but ended up with a BSA Victor 441. Loved that single cylinder had lots of torque.
As an old guy who lived through the initial uptick in motorcycling (circa 1962-75), I can say that finding and bringing an old bike to riding shape can be rewarding. I'm talking about garage-sale and barn-find bikes. They're out there, perhaps not in ready shape as 20 years ago. But they are out there still. TH-cam is full of such adventures.
A buddy of mine happened to be cruising garage sales one weekend and found a late 1960's Hodaka Ace 100 that would not run. He kicked over the engine. It wasn't seized. He eventually made it run again (making sure he pre-mixed oil with the gas!).
Another buddy was given a Honda 150 Dream that had languished under some trees in a backyard. There were rust issues but it was all there. He had a ball disassembling it and showing the bike some love. Within a few weeks part-time, he'd cleaned it up, cleaned out the gas tank's innards, got the seat recovered and made it run again.
I only buy non-running bikes. I completely disassemble them, and learn what makes them tick.
I'm a seventy year old rider of vintage bikes that I build and restore. Often, these are bikes which, back then, I could not afford. My first bike needed a few things like a crankshaft and a new head and a transmission rebuild so I would ride a bus to the bike shop and spend my meager wages on parts which, on returning home, I would manage to fit on my bike. I made that trip so often that I was eventually hired as a parts counter guy. I now own and am restoring over 20 vintage bikes and I can say that it never gets old. When I fire up a Triumph or other old bike I get the same thrill as when I was 16 and there aren't a whole lot of things that can do that. Passion is the thing that keeps me young and interested. For that reason alone, I reccommend that anyone get into restoring what ever rings your bell, be it vintage tractors, cars, whatever. You 'll learn the skills, aquire the knowlege and get to meet like minded people. And it's a lot more fun than boringly reliable bikes.
Hey bart I rode those motorcycles in the 60s and had the same passion as you. You really refresh my memories and my spirit. Btw ive had 15 Motorcycles road and scramblers.
Well Bart, you've hit on a central spot in my mcycle history. I once owned a BMW R24, my main transportation device through college. Loved it, but it had no power which was good because it also had no brakes. I now own several bikes, all modern, but would love to find an old bmw that wasn't beat to death.
The video thumbnail picture is from my town - Wrocław. Its Jawa 50 moped parked on Więzienna 2 street, near Rynek (city square). Yes I own vintage bike Junak M10 :-).
Love your vids Mr Bart, informative and entertaining. No sponsorships or riddled with adds where your not pedaling shit no one needs, well done Bart
Today i ride a Thunderbird Commander with 1700cc (104cci). The machine is wonderful - a perfect riding machine - with ABS - fuel injection - and powerful, but sometimes i remember the old times. I came to the conclusion that older (vintage) motorcycles have a other feel. I agree with you: lovely feel - the sound - the character... So you have to dicide - an old bike with a great feeling or a powerful classic style bike with no technical problems. I wish i could have both. You are in luck, you living in the US. You can purcharse a lot of older bikes there because the market is huge. Here in Germany the market for vintage bikes is small and the prices increasing so mutch, it is unbeleavable. For your Triumph i have to pay 12.000US $ or more here. Thank you for sharing your video!
I think you've summed it all up well. I would only add that if one wanted something fairly comparable in look and riding feel to an old classic, but without all that needy drama and endless fettling, go have a test ride on the latest crop of Royal Enfields. If you're OK thumping along under 70 mph or so, just dodging the butterflies on a sunny weekend afternoon, try one of their new 350 "Classics". If you need a bit more "Oompf!" and speed for commuting, fast highways, and so forth, try their 650 twin. Either would also serve well as a "first bike" or one for someone returning to riding after a long hiatus that might also prove a "keeper". If you DO want something more unimpeachably "classic" but without the ever-growing price tag being commanded by some of that old and often pretty worn out iron, and you WANT to tinker with no parts availability or crazy prices issues, then try one if their original pre-unit pre-2007 Bullet "engineering fossils" (basically a '54 design single made well into our millennium), which is what I like to bumble around on most (also having a '57 Zündapp Bella R201 198cc 2-stroke scooter and a '67 Norton 750 N15CS factory hybrid "Desert Sled"--basically a Norton Atlas engine in a Matchless frame).
But yeah, if you kinda want the feel and look of yore, go swing your leg over an Enfield...And they're like half the cost of a newfangled Thai-built Triumph Bonnie.
Your love for vintage is absolutely 💯
I love old vehicles. Especially from the 60s and 70s. When I drive my 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, it's always great fun. And when people see this old car on the road, they often enjoy it too. And when I ride my 1972 Yamaha XS2 (650), it's pure joy. These vehicles have a character all of their own.
I bought a 1987 single cylinder and have learnt everything that makes a bike runs by disintegrating most of it and remaking all electric wiring and I love it and its history, I have a 2017 Duc though.
My older bro' used to pick me up after school in the UK on his Triumph Bonneville and all the kids would watch us ride away and I felt soOooo cool. I recently bought a 1953 BSA Bantam D1 125cc and love riding it around town and to local Classic Bike rallies where no end of older riders come up for a chat about the bike. I think your equivalent was the Harley Davidson Hummer. My bike is a 2 stroke with a top speed of about 50mph but the smile factor outweighs any negatives regarding owning a 71yr old motorcycle. Great video btw :)
I bought a '22 INT650 the beginning of December. Because I live in NJ and it's been colder than normal, I haven't even put 100 miles on it yet. But I have been getting it ready for the coming riding weather. I bought Motone tank grips, a gun metal gray tank stripe from Hitchcock, and today just ordered pea shooter exhaust pipes. Gonna a look like your Triumph a little! I got the Ventura Blue and it quite resembles my first motorcycle, a 1975 Honda 550 Four Super Sport, and to me, damn near same color. Look at both in like Google images and tell me they aren't close!! Enjoy your videos. Love the variety of rides you showcase. Appreciate the fact you don't have that biker ego and you delve into all brands and all engine displacements. You don't HAVE TO have a small car engine to ride American roads.
Cool ride! What color did you get?
@@bartmotorcycle I know my post a little lengthy, but the color is in there. Ventura blue
You can buy a real vintage bike for thousands of dollars less than a fake new one with the money that you shave you have money to fix in case something goes wrong let's not forget the British bites that you might buy in the 70s was used maybe worn-out maybe War to death but most of the bikes that people look at nowadays have been restored inside and out and are probably better than Factory and they certainly look brand new and you look at the prices and compare them to the new versions of them and are restored Triumph is less than half the price of a new one made in Thailand one thing I've noticed is that a lot of the younger guys who have a rice rocket that goes 190 miles an hour also have some older vintage bike like an old Triumph that they take her with us because the new B you can't do nothing with if you are literate enough to read a repair manual at enough to know which end of a wrench to use you can do practically all of the maintenance on a vintage bike yourself and there are plenty of people who can advise you as to what to do and how to do it on the interweb let's not forget when these bikes for brand new they were meant to be used for everyday transportation to go to school to go to work to go to whatever they had to fire up in the morning when you were ready to leave they had to make it all the way to work and school without breaking down and they did you clean lubricate and adjust as needed and treat the bike and respect it for what it is and you can have your bike four decades I've had my Triumph TR6 my 65 for 45 years I buy tires by the Dozen to get a discount the a b a t e chapter didn't want to make me Road Captain because I rode my TR6 70 miles an hour all day I used to consider a loop or lounge break Okeechobee as a breakfast ride with a hardtail and a good strong solo sheet it's more comfortable than my 99 Sportster I have a 500 Triumph Daytona with the twin carb it keeps up with modern traffic on I-75 no problem because it's only a 500 it does not vibrate like a 650 or 750 Witcher 2 carb she airflowz much better and she rides 80 90 miles an hour in traffic smooth as silk vintage bike well put together can be more reliable than brand new it is amazing the type of products you can get on the aftermarket to improve a seventy-five-year-old British bike of course it excruciate every so crappy in the first place that's why they needed up grading 4 valve heads alloy cylinders belt primary drive stop that wasn't available back in the 60s and when you do it yourself you got a great sense of satisfaction especially in a day and age when a lot of bikers don't know how to put oil in their bike or check the air in their tires which is sad and sorry but that's the way it is today for a lot of them
It's unfortunate that the court feel is not replaced it's really a very cheap part you don't really have to replace them every 6 months but they're not really meant to sit there for 50 years it's a shame that a nice paint job was ruined by a $2 part oh well shit happens
Vintage motorcycles are an acquired taste just like everything changes come with time and patience especially when you are old enough to appreciate something for what it is and not for what it's not is
Love the older British bikes. I had a 1970 T-120 R(Bonneville) and a 1970 BSA Victor 441 single. Hard to beat the looks of the old British bikes.
I'm currently finishing my a1 and bought a 21 year old bike as my first bike and own 1974 Kreidler to ride and I'm hyped
You make a lot of good points in defense of owning older or vintage machines, with many of your own cautions being repair related. Bike buyer's should really have their new purchase gone through before just hopping on and tearing through the subdivision. The only thing about brakes on an older bike is that being lighter, it doesn't need state-of-the-art, Brembo binders, to stop safely. Even my drum stoppers on my 71' CB-350 K can be too much under certain conditions. Most folks really should look at the retro scene, as many makes are lending old skool looks to modern hardware, and ride better, but still have that vintage mystique, and sadly for most, matte paint. Great job letting the quips about vintage ownership out. Take care.
For your number 3 ("know your bike"), there's also a 3a - "know how weird your bike is, compared to most other bikes".
For me (and it's not the only thing that can be weird) shift patterns can be weird. Without going back to the foot clutch-hand shifter bikes (which weren't actually all that long ago, measured in human lifetimes), I've ridden bikes that had the shifter on the RIGHT and rear brake on the LEFT. A lot of "modern classic" bikes had four-speed transmissions, that now have five-speed transmissions, and other "modern classic" bikes had five-speed transmissions, and now have six-speed transmissions. I'm remembering that 1972 Kawasaki 500s had a five speed transmission with neutral on the BOTTOM ("five up" from neutral, rather than "one down/four up" from neutral). And my personal favorite was a Yamaha 70 or 80 scrambler that a girl who was dorking around with us had, in about 1973 or 1974 - we all traded bikes while rat-racing around an undeveloped lot, and her bike was "four up" from neutral, but with a twist.
Since all of our bikes were five-speeds, we would wring her bike out through all four gears, shift into non-existent fifth gear - and the rotary transmission shifted back around to neutral, so when one of us made that mistake - and we all did, at least once - you could hear the small two-stroke engine in neutral at full throttle JUST SCREAMING until the rider backed off, and composed themselves. If you never ride a bike older than the 1980s, almost none of that will ever happen again.
love your channel dude ! Hats off to you kick starting a vintage triumph wearing flip-flops
Had a '66 Suzuki S-32, 150cc 2-stroke street bike, Shift pattern was 4-down w/neutral at the top. My '67 Suzuki T-20 250 is 1 down & 5 up. All my Hondas have been 1 down & 3 or 4 up.
Nothing like a cable-pull single-leading-shoe front brake to make you appreciate front disc brake, lol!. At least the T-20 has Dual-leading-shoes on the front. I believe the CL350 also has dual-leading front shoes as well. It appears your Triumph has single-leading front shoes, but the BSA's of the same vintage had dual-leading front shoes.
Just found your channel yesterday and now I've binge watched all the videos 😊😊
This was a wonderfully spent 17 minutes. Thank you.
Not a mechanic, so I got a 2020 Kawasaki W800 Café. Best purchase I ever made. Also have a Concours for my long travel, inclement weather and groceries. But the W800 is my choice to ride everyday. 20k a year rider and only own bikes, no car. Love the feel of what they can produce new to as close to what old is. Great video!
I must say I really enjoy your videos and channel. Thanks for sharing your insight and knowledge. 👍
I ride a motorized bicycle... ( I know, not the same) but if I'm doing 40 mph, it feels like 80. I love it!
there is a reason many flying schools use the old cessnas like the 172 etc. I think if you want to learn to ride, I mean to realy ride, a vintage bike is a great place to start.
@@lukewarmwater6412 I build the motorized bicycles because they are butt stupid easy to build and cheap too
@@lukewarmwater6412 my first motorcycle was a 1978 Yamaha Enduro 100. I loved my little bike, even if it was a four stroke.
@@shaunemicheal7362 I had a 79' mx 175. wore it out, re built it and wore it out again...wish I still had one! 'gen 1' monoshock, it was a fun bike!
@@shaunemicheal7362 when I was a kid our neighbor had a bicycle with a motor on the front tire. I remember the logo on the side of it. a rooster kicked back on a bicycle with its feet up on the bars. I think it was called something to do with chicken fat... the more modern kits seem so much more reliable than something clamped to the forks driving the front tire like a gas powered version of the little generator thingys that they had for bicycle headlights then.
I got rid of my old 79 T-140 Triumph after I got a 2001 W-650. Those old brit bikes were money pits. A fresh top end overhaul every 15,000 miles. I prefer pushrods and a single carb. I would like that today, but my W can be idled down to what a single carb Triumph could. The W has an adjustment knob where you can adjust the idle for BOTH CARBS . Kawasaki was just showing off its tech prowess With the bevel drive single overhead cam. I wish it didn't have a computer and throttle position sensor. If I ever get an older Triumph again it would be a 500 single carb. It was us Americans who wanted more and more Power. It was probably the increased power levels that ruined it reliability.
The most fun bike I ever had was a 66 TR-6 650. A single carb is far more efficient a lower speeds because air/fuel mixture is constantly moving thru it as opposed to the pull , then stop , flow of two carbs. Only people who ride a V twin can understand and appreciate this concept, especially if they have ridden a twin cylinder machine with 2 carbs. I'm thinking of getting a Suzuki TU- 250 X when my W gets too heavy for my old self. Carbureted.
Modern fuel injection is an artificial and unnatural system. It doesn't operate on the laws of thermodynamics , like a Carburetor does ( vacuum/pressure) . The W is the modern version of the old brit bikes. The modern Triumph is water cooled , cam chain drive. I don't think the people who designed it ever spent 5 minutes on an original vintage Triumph. Kawasaki got it right.
The size difference you mention became obvious to me many years ago. In the late 70s, I passed my test here in the UK, on a Honda CB250T Dream (I believe a 400 version was sold in the USA as the Hawk). I parked my 250 next to a T140V 750 Bonneville and was shocked to see that my 250 was physically bigger than the Bonnie and later discovered that the 250 was had a bit heavier dry weight! So I quickly moved my 250 Honda.
What’s up dawg, it’s the gsxr guy you met yesterday. These videos are fucking amazing!
Just got a c70 Honda for $80 from the old couple,just need a 2 hours for make it run again,my mom love it so much,she always use it when going to shopping
love the video! but I only need one reason. I like them.
Loved my BMW 1966 R 27 . Glad to see it showcased. (250 cc)
I'm 26 and I have a 1981 kz440A and I absolutely love it
Oh man, we just picked up a Honda CB350, not licensed since 85.
Great video and your passion for motorcycles is truly a joy👏🏻
I have owned a 1970 Norton Commando 750 Roadster since 1973. Two years ago I bought a 1979 Honda CB 750K and fixed up some stuff to get it back to stock. It turned out to be an excellent buy. It runs very nicely and pulls 9500 RPM without any problem. Must have looked at 2000 bikes before I bought this one.
Only problem... this is a golden age for motorcycles with better engines, suspension, brakes, electrics and tires than vintage bikes with many more models and styles to choose from. I remember the bikes I owned 50 or 60 years ago. Sure I enjoyed them, but replace my 1290 SAS... no way.
I love motorcycles so much
I wanna own all of them, literally.
Some dream tho.
Very cool video. I am 82 years old and started riding on a friends Pacemaker Whizzer motor bike when I was 8 years old. Rode Cushman motor scooters also. When I was 14, I got my first Harley, A 1942 "45" flat head. I have ridden many different bikes over the years. I rode an 84 Iron Head Sportster for 23 years.
I now ride a 99 Harley Softail Custom. The only drawback to the Harley is the weight. I am 6' tall and weigh 160 pounds. But, even with the solid mounted engine it does not vibrate to bad all the way to 75 mph.
I have thought about getting a smaller older bike because I dislike all the new ones. But not sure about finding parts for the older bikes. Harleys have parts even for the older ones available.
Anyway, great video. I do love the older unsophisticated older bikes.
You speak the truth young man ! I just realized you were in HI....that's where I grew up in the 1970's ! rode a 1960's Yamaha 90cc (can't remember exactly) went everywhere around the country and in the cane field roads
I have BSAs. Love them!
My cousin had a 1972 Triumph 650 bonneville right hand shift. Rode it a couple of times it is in perfect condition. Love the feel of riding it like you said. My brother had a 68 Norton750comando rancheros. Sadly it ended up be coming a basket case. A friend of mine bought it , not sure how complete. Need to contact him and discuss if he might like to sell. Would love to own it.
Still have my 1980 GS850G Suzuki. Comparing it to the BMW F800GS. it rides rougher brakes are heaver and it don't get up and go as well. But when i clime it just feels right even after 42 years of owning it.
I have three old bikes. BSA, Triumph and Ducati. Their average age is 49. I love them all and it's so much fun to surprise a rider on a modern crotch rocket. And they look much cooler, despite the fact you have to be pretty handy with the contents of your toolbox. But that is half the fun, a sense of satisfaction of doing the job yourself, not paying the dealer/stealer £200 to change the bloody oil.
I have a 52 Matchless G80 that I have recently bought and I can't stop looking at it as she is so beautiful..
Blinkin good fun to ride too!..
She will also tick over beautifully at a gentle chuffing pace ..
Parts also in the UK are plentiful..
Another point, maybe especially for our Generation (guessing you‘re a Millenial too), is the impact on the environment. It‘s so much better to sorta „recycle“ something that‘s been here all along and would just rust in some barn until you make it run again to enjoy it as much as all the owners of that bike have been for 50 years.
Much more ecofriendly than buying a new bike that goes around the world twice on a container before you get it to your house.
Drum brakes work better if fitted with modern EBC ceramic or EBC organic brake shoes (zero fade).
Twin Leading Shoe drum brakes will stop a bike as quickly as a disc brake, even locking up the front wheel, though they require expert setting up.
To set up a TLS drum brake, loosen the tension on the secondary rod arm. Spin the wheel and wind on the cable adjuster, for the primary, until the primary brake shoe starts to rub the drum, then unwind it a tad to allow the wheel to spin freely again. Wind on the secondary arm rod until the secondary shoe starts to rub the drum. The TLS drum brake is now set up. For 100% wheel locking stoppie potential, ensure that the primary arm is at right angles to the cable, when the shoe contacts the drum and the secondary, ensure that the secondary arm is at right angles to the adjuster rod, when the shoe contacts the drum.
For Single Leading Shoe brakes, the arm needs too be at right angles to the cable when the shoes make contact with the drum.
TLS drum brakes require skillful recalibrating everytime the shoes are changed, unlike disc brakes, which require minimal brain power to deal with.
Sorry I have a RE interceptor and the only modern features are fuel injection electronic ignition and abs it's cable throttle air cooled and yes you can see through it
Adequate brakes. I have a not-so-new W800 with drum in the rear and a single disc out front. Its weight compels me to modulate my speed according to how quickly I can stop the bike if I need to. My level of awareness is more acute than when I'm riding a 125cc scooter with ABS and discs front and rear. I feel more alive.
dat intro though!!! so cool.
I had Daytona 500 when I was in the navy in the late 60 s i still ride truimphs.That was great time except for Vietnam
You can buff some of the gas stain with paste polishing compounds maybe.
Really good points made👍 ... currently have a '59, '81 and a 2018 bike ... the 2018 is a reliability nightmare 🤣🤣🤣 ... the '59 is very very basic ... the '81 XS400 is a sweet, light, fast and reliable little monster 👍
Interestingly, I bought the 2 vintage bikes for the same as the cost of the 2018 bike ... vintage bikes are a no brainer 😎👍
yep, that angle...right on, ride on!
Mine are a ‘67 Bonnie and a ‘69 360 8sp Husqvarna Sportsman. Great fun. I forgot the Honda trail 70.
Yeah, old doesn't always mean cheap. I found an all original with no rust 1975 Honda CB 550 Four, 3300 miles, for $4,900.00 firm. It needs tires and rebuild the carbs plus fluids. The tank has small dents as something fell on it in storage, new battery and the electrics work, but not sure about the brakes and lines. As Tom posted, is it better to buy a new RE INT 650 since the CB550 will be in the same price range to get it road worthy. Or, just hope BSA will send the new Gold Star 650 to the USA.
Wow. I'd definitely walk away from the 550 at that price. Getting new tires, fuel injection, ABS, rear discs ... and you didn't mention the suspension ... Yeah, hard pass from me.
Loving the videos here in the UK 🇬🇧
How about a video about the Intoxication of two stroke classics and how they changed motorcycle world before their demise 🙏👊
Keep up the good work
Currently restoring a 1968 T100R, learning as I go and really enjoying it too. I have all the right tools and some good DYI resources. It will be an extra special bike, more so than any other bike I've owned in the last 33 yrs of riding. And yeah, I am a woman doing this. I don't know why more women don't do this sort of thing, being usually more detail orientated. But bikes are in my blood, I have a pic a neighbor took of me back when I was 11 yrs old, sneaking a sit on my stepdad's 1982 Honda Nighthawk! Just a tomboy at heart! 😁
Dont know if I counts as vintage per say but I started out on 1988 xv250 virago it had the drums breaks stopped slow started slow but my God was it fun and it got a lot of complements I recent got rid of it for a 2007 shadow spirit I love the old motorcycle look but I don't know if I would ever buy a super old bike they look very cool and sound mean rock on man
My vintage bike of choice would be a CL360
Old school is totally unparalleled for experience and raw fun !! , can,t beat a Bonnie , or CB750 ,if wanting real class , but for awesome roadholding along with sheer acceleration , the Norton Commando. 850 Interstate, or Roadster , is just the top dog !! , by some considerable margin . margin :-)
The petrol stain on your tank looks like is has run down under the influence of gravity rather than getting under the clear coat (where it would spread by capillary action. So, its on the surface. I know you say you've tried every type of cleaner but you need an abrasive to cut some of the surface off. Try tcut or brasso or a genuine polish (not wax). Try it on a small unobtrusive area first. Hope this helps.
I'm loving the scenery. Where is this?
Sure miss my Bultaco Metralla!
Ethanol contaminated gasoline rapidly destroys cork fuel system seals. If you filled your gas tank with this fuel, that's why your filler cap seal rotted.
The Triumph 500 has what is essensially a BSA gearbox. The 650/750 is much better!
nice movie enjoyed watching very much
Is that jawa 23 mustang on thumbnail?love those
Love the intro.
Got all the way to 1:57 before saying triumph this time, wew.
I like those bikes =D
You should make a video about 10 reasons you shouldn't buy an old motorcycle. Or maybe you already did
Why find and old bike and get it running and have fun? Same reason for old car or or truck, they work. I have been offered some pretty good cash for my old '78 Suzuki GS750E but how would I replace it? IT is very fast and easy to ride. And this bike just never gets any fan fare. Even though it was the bike that the Katana was born from.
Most of the stories that old bikes tell i don't wsnt to hear 😂
Driven carelessly, parked and stored neglectfuly, maintained haphazardly, repaired and restored inappropriately... so much "fun" to be had ....😅 in re craftsmanship:
When i lived in England in the early 90s you could get a sticker for your old brit bike that said "all rhe parts falling off this motorcycle are of the highest English craftsmanship " 😅
If you are looking for a hobby get an old bike. If you want something to drive around back and forth to work or for a big trip "to the continent" and drop at the dealer for its maintenance get a new-ish bike.
I used to ride a z1000 as a daily back in the 80s (and a GS550 and a CB350 before that) but if i get back in the saddle it will be a retro like the Interceptor or a z900rs ....
Great looking bike though and must be a ton of fun driving around the island.
6:30 Talks about safety...rides in a T-shirt and jeans with open knees. Nice.
This is nice 🙂
I ride a vintage bike. I really have to take exception to your riding in flip flops. Whatever excuses you make just won't cut it. It's not a matter of speed, it's a matter of PROTECTION.
Where’s the cb500 I wanna see it
What is a vintage bike? How old does it have to be?
Can't buy new! Stop think about! Any machine you ride upon will always be sensed different than another! I have ridden machines of even the same year and model and even then I could sense a difference between them. You as a rider upon them is what really matters. Never will there be a prefect machine ever designed only you becoming a perfect rider upon them.
Tanks are bigger to fit the fuel pump in newer bikes.
Huh so this is what Fluump is up to.
my jawa mustang is a vintgae? i didnt know that.
just when i thought the boomer kneepads couldn't be more scuffed. lmao.
Fucking hate new bikes. When I was doing my motorcycle licence, had to ride a kawasaki re650. And I couldn't handle it like my old Panther M100. I think newer bikes are too top heavy for there ability of leaning down at speed and getting your leg down.
@Whoop!
I can't believe your riding your motorcycle with just your sandals on, that's a good way to break a toe or two. where are your gloves and helmet? Fall off that Triumph once and you'll understand what I'm suggesting. Get serious and responsible you have children!!
Why did you quit rocket league make a video on fluump to just say that you made a new channel
What is weight of 1986 Honda cb750?
the price is ridiculous high. it needs maintenance. and you need to know where to buy new oil seals, gasket set , etc. which most out stock 40years ago. why don't buy a new vintage bike? there are some choices now in worldwide. but of course there is a great feeling riding a real old bike. i did own 60's 2t bike 90's 2t bikes they require more knowledge if you don't want to pay more and just drop the bike at your local repair store.
as long as your country isn't forcing the use of ethanol fuels you'll be fine, if not. Say hello to new fuel lines and carb rebuilds every few months.
I rode a Triumph TR6 by 1965 for 20 years going back and forth to work. I ran ethanol fuel in it and I had no problems whatsoever. And after 15,000 miles for an engine top end no way I got three times that and then I just re-ring the engine or lap the valves. The only time I have to split the cases was when the camshafts were both worn out from 50 years worth of riding. A great bike then and a great bike now.
Reasons to buy old shit crusted bike!
Garbage brakes!
Traditional "wobblemaster 1900" pattern frame!
No ABS!
No helmet!
We die like real men!
Not zo menzion, it feels fast even when going slow, because its nearly tearing itselc apart with the effort to achieve the "speed"!
Sarcasm: OFF
Those are reason to NOT buy them. Look up any motorcycle dashcam channel where half the content is produced by one eyed, peg legged US based harley pirates with motto of "Me no wussie! Me need no ABS!"
...and bulky is necessary to be functional.
See through frame, uselessly small tank is only good for "showfloor only" bikes.
...and NOPE modern bikes produce waaay more power from same CC. Stronger metal means you can shake same piston faster before it falls apart. Thus more go juice can be pumped through the same volume. Its only matter of gearing if that means more torques, or more speed.
(barring some extreme, limited run bikes, which you wont have the money to buy, like honda NC-500)