SM Motorbike thread

[BennyD]

Beeza650, I do like the A65 it’s a nice Brit twin. I’ve only got 2 old Brits now, a 1962 BSA C15 and a 1950 something Triton in lots of bits. Tbh, I’m more into old *** bikes and have been for many years. I’m currently restoring a couple of Suzuki 750s, a 1977 GS and a 1977 GT. I’ve also got a Kawasaki GPz550A and a Mk 2 Yam R1.

 

[Vince2]

Beeza650, I do like the A65 it’s a nice Brit twin. I’ve only got 2 old Brits now, a 1962 BSA C15 and a 1950 something Triton in lots of bits. Tbh, I’m more into old *** bikes and have been for many years. I’m currently restoring a couple of Suzuki 750s, a 1977 GS and a 1977 GT. I’ve also got a Kawasaki GPz550A and a Mk 2 Yam R1.

Nice selection of bikes.
Restored a GT750K (1973) about 7/8 years ago. Really smooth ride, definitely a GT. Also did 3 70‘s kawasaki 750 H2’s. Love the simplicity of 2 strokes. Only have a 1976 GT500 now.

 

[FIFTY]

I am thinking (again) to do my full bike test

I did the theory in December 2018 but never bothered booking the training and test... I'll have to do the theory again

 

[midlifecrisis]

I am thinking (again) to do my full bike test

I did the theory in December 2018 but never bothered booking the training and test... I'll have to do the theory again

Dooooooo ittttt!

 

[FIFTY]

Dooooooo ittttt!

I am not too keen on 2 wheels on tarmac but greenlaning is really appealing to me

 

[philw696]

I am not too keen on 2 wheels on tarmac but greenlaning is really appealing to me

Best Times I have had have been on a mud plugger Enduro riding with good mates all over the UK Spain and New Zealand.
Best Challenges exercise and laughs.
Probably the cheapest Motorsport to compete in.
Only ended up having a Helicopter ride once in over 45 years of riding.

 

[Hawk13]

I am not too keen on 2 wheels on tarmac but greenlaning is really appealing to me

Go for it. Find your local TRF group and make friends

 

[FIFTY]

Yes it sounds great... when I was 16 I had a little 50cc geared scambler that I used to tear around fire roads with my school friends who had similar mopeds and it was some of my best momories from around that time... But I really hated riding it on roads

Few years ago I got it into my head that I could commute into London on a motorbike to avoid traffic in a car and not have to take the train/tube. After spending a few months working in London I thought better of it!

 

[beeza650]

I've just joined the forum and am doing my research into a buying a 4.7 Granturisimo when I w as pointed to this thread so here are some pictures
First off, my Triumph Tiger 1050, I bought this new in 2009 and have used it for a 3 month tour to Bulgaria and another shorter trip around Czech and neighbouring countries.
The panniers are always loaded with camping gear ready to sneak out for a weekend. I often hanker after the latest and greatest adventure tourers but this one does all I want and the cost to change is nuts. I do, however, need to upgrade the rear shock as it wallows badly when cranked over and loaded.



Next is one of my 1969 BSA A65 Thunderbolts. I've got two, the other has had the whole of the SRM catalogue thrown at it by the previous owner. 800cc bore kit, larger valves, gas flowed, crank baring conversion + balanced, upgraded oil pump etc. The dyno printouts show it having 66 RWHP. It's definitely faster than its brakes! The one on the picture will be for sale once i've fettled it a bit more.



There's also another another twin but this time a 1973 Laverda SF 750 (or SF1 as they're sometimes known). I'm just putting the engine back together after a crank rebuild and a new valve and guide.
I've fitted a rack for a set of period Krauser panniers and have some nearly new carbs for it. I intend to use this for going to events like the Festival of 1000 bikes and stuff. I've also got a solo seat that looks the part. A fair bit of work needed to make it proper nice. Brakes to be re-lined, spokes, seat recover, possibly a respray to the sort of yellowy greeny gold colour i think it was originally.



I'll start another thread with "bikes I'd like" since once the other BSA gone there'll be space for one or two more in the garage

 

[Hawk13]

After spending a few months working in London I thought better of it!

I can understand that ..... but I love riding in London and commuted on a motorbike for many years.

I am old school ... always ride with open pipes and assume that everyone is trying to kill me

 

[Hawk13]

I've just joined the forum and am doing my research into a buying a 4.7 Granturisimo when I w as pointed to this thread so here are some pictures
First off, my Triumph Tiger 1050, I bought this new in 2009 and have used it for a 3 month tour to Bulgaria and another shorter trip around Czech and neighbouring countries.
The panniers are always loaded with camping gear ready to sneak out for a weekend. I often hanker after the latest and greatest adventure tourers but this one does all I want and the cost to change is nuts. I do, however, need to upgrade the rear shock as it wallows badly when cranked over and loaded.

View attachment 90793

Next is one of my 1969 BSA A65 Thunderbolts. I've got two, the other has had the whole of the SRM catalogue thrown at it by the previous owner. 800cc bore kit, larger valves, gas flowed, crank baring conversion + balanced, upgraded oil pump etc. The dyno printouts show it having 66 RWHP. It's definitely faster than its brakes! The one on the picture will be for sale once i've fettled it a bit more.

View attachment 90794

There's also another another twin but this time a 1973 Laverda SF 750 (or SF1 as they're sometimes known). I'm just putting the engine back together after a crank rebuild and a new valve and guide.
I've fitted a rack for a set of period Krauser panniers and have some nearly new carbs for it. I intend to use this for going to events like the Festival of 1000 bikes and stuff. I've also got a solo seat that looks the part. A fair bit of work needed to make it proper nice. Brakes re-lined, spokes, seat recover, possibly a respray to the sort of yellowy greeny gold colour i think it was originally.

View attachment 90795

I'll start another thread with "bikes I'd like" since once the other BSA gone there'll be space for a one or two more in the garage

Lovely bikes

 

[FIFTY]

I can understand that ..... but I love riding in London and commuted on a motorbike for many years.

I am old school ... always ride with open pipes and assume that everyone is trying to kill me

They are! Plus the people who want to steal your ride.

If I was within the M25 I might have gone through with it but from Farnborough I decided getting the train and then walking to avoid the tube was enough. On odd days when I had an excuse I would drive in and I would be a lot calmer/ relaxed even with the traffic which is when I realised that commuting on trains isn't for me and quickly sacked in the London job

 

[beeza650]

ok then - now to the bikes I'd like thread.
A 2005 Aprilia RSVr factory.
I've ridden a non-factory one of these and really liked it - the lion graphics and blue anodised wheels are flipping gorgeous.


I'd toyed with the idea of a Honda SP2 and went to view a few - people are asking silly money though i just looked on eBay and saw this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304132098014?hash=item46cfaf87de:g:FCEAAOSwDD1hMk0w hmmmm...the Aprilia is nicer in my view.

There are a number of Brit twins that float my boat but realistically they're all a bit too similar to my BSA to justify it. These include a very early drum brake Norton Commando a later Series 2a Enfield Interceptor.

I would really like a "proper" vintage bike - sort of 30's very early 40's girder forks, rigid backend, big headlight, big capacity. Something like a BSA Empire Star, a Rudge, there are quite a lot of options especially if you look at some of the options from France and beyond.

 

[Marco07]

Hi Beeza650,

you have a few noce bikes there. The Laverda is identical to one I had in 1980 and wish I still had tbh.

The early bikes are lovely things to potter around on so I can wholly recommend them to you. I had a Rudge Whitworth 500 single which was just superb but it made way for something else which I can't actually remember now.

I doubt I'll buy another prewar bike until I can afford something really special. Quite fancy this Coventry Eagle Flying 8 https://www.cosmoclassic.co.uk/BikeSales/CurrentStock but it's a steep ask at the moment.

Hope to see you sometime to talk cars and bikes in person.

 

[BennyD]

I had the non Factory RSV and really loved that bike, I was so sad to see it go. The blue OZs and the gold Ohlins looked, and worked, great and the carbon Akrapovics sounded awesome. Before that I had a black 1050 Sprint which was a really nice all rounder. I had the Triumph sport silencer on it and had the cat gutted which made it sound much better with all kind of pops and bangs on the overrun. Happy days.

 

[beeza650]

I had the non Factory RSV and really loved that bike, I was so sad to see it go. The blue OZs and the gold Ohlins looked, and worked, great and the carbon Akrapovics sounded awesome. Before that I had a black 1050 Sprint which was a really nice all rounder. I had the Triumph sport silencer on it and had the cat gutted which made it sound much better with all kind of pops and bangs on the overrun. Happy days.

Yup - I've got a low mount Remus can on my Tiger so that I can use two full size panniers (not an issue on the Sprint) that's the reason I bought it - the noise it makes is a bonus. I've left the baffle in. I'm all for a bit of exhaust music but there are limits.

If you ever see the factory RSV in the picture come up for sale then do poke me. Writing that post has re-motivated to keep looking at convinced me it's the RSV I want and not an SP2.

 

[D Walker]

I’ve always wanted an Aprillia Tuono.

 

[BennyD]

Yup - I've got a low mount Remus can on my Tiger so that I can use two full size panniers (not an issue on the Sprint) that's the reason I bought it - the noise it makes is a bonus. I've left the baffle in. I'm all for a bit of exhaust music but there are limits.

If you ever see the factory RSV in the picture come up for sale then do poke me. Writing that post has re-motivated to keep looking at convinced me it's the RSV I want and not an SP2.

I agree with your conclusion. IIRC, the SP2 had the fuel capacity of a Chinese mouse’s handbag so was a pita to go anywhere. RSV all the way.

 

[beeza650]

Hi Beeza650,

you have a few noce bikes there. The Laverda is identical to one I had in 1980 and wish I still had tbh.

The early bikes are lovely things to potter around on so I can wholly recommend them to you. I had a Rudge Whitworth 500 single which was just superb but it made way for something else which I can't actually remember now.

I doubt I'll buy another prewar bike until I can afford something really special. Quite fancy this Coventry Eagle Flying 8 but it's a steep ask at the moment.

Hope to see you sometime to talk cars and bikes in person.

Wow £95K....that's Brough territory. It's pretty darn nice though - I'd probably want something with foot operated gear change.


I could maybe tie up £15-20K in a vintage bike but that would be on the proviso that it's never going to drop in value so I'd need to buy privately and shrewdly.
I just don't really have the time to go searching and more importantly researching right now.
Yup - will be good to meet up with and talk about some of these older machines - I know very little about them - but bobbing along at 50mph smelling the roses is my idea of a nice way to spend a few hours on a Sunday
Mind you so is finding a well surfaced, empty, smooth and winding road and giving "it" some beans definitely has its place

 

[zagatoes30]

Do like a twin.
View attachment 90205

Twin air bags