I do love bikes not just the fj.
Dreams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYrtxF4yRwI#)
Excellent! :good2:
I'm with you,man that is an awesome compilation :good2:
Thank you Scotty, I really enjoined that.... :drinks:
Great stuff, thanks...
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 22, 2012, 08:06:55 PM
Thank you Scotty, I really enjoined that.... :drinks:
+1
Harvy
I just copied it.
But I enjoyed it.
That was well worth the watch!
The Triumphs were my favorite.
They have a wonderful heritage, and I'm proud to be an owner!
Thanks,
Leon
Awesome!
Thanks for sharing.............I have always wanted, and still do, a Commando............maybe someday.
Here's a link to an article written in 1980 by Peter Egan. (http://davestestsandarticles.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/4/5/4845046/cycle_world_november_1980_1967_triumph_bonneville.pdf)
it's about a 1967 Triumph and a resto then a road trip.
Thanks for sharing, copied link and sent to a friend in NZ who gave up modding a cafe racer . . .
might give your mate some interest back in his cafe racer, , like cafe style bikes if done right
Quote from: Firehawk068 on October 22, 2012, 11:59:26 PM
Awesome!
Thanks for sharing.............I have always wanted, and still do, a Commando............maybe someday.
Its your choice, but although the Commando was good in its day, that day has passed. The FJ is a better bike in every way. Faster, Quicker, Better Handling, Smoother, More RELIABLE, easier to work on, easier to start, faster to stop, etc, etc, etc.
I owned a '71 750 Commando for 12 years. If I had a new '71 Commando and my 21yr old FJ to choose which I'd ride up to Bellingen (the Aus FJRally 1,000miles away) tomorrow, I'd pick the FJ and expect to make it home on time.
Arnie
I've only got that far to travel :shok: :morning2:, not including the yatch trip on the pool to make it to vic :biggrin:
Quote from: Arnie on October 23, 2012, 08:31:38 AM
Quote from: Firehawk068 on October 22, 2012, 11:59:26 PM
Awesome!
Thanks for sharing.............I have always wanted, and still do, a Commando............maybe someday.
Its your choice, but although the Commando was good in its day, that day has passed. The FJ is a better bike in every way. Faster, Quicker, Better Handling, Smoother, More RELIABLE, easier to work on, easier to start, faster to stop, etc, etc, etc.
I owned a '71 750 Commando for 12 years. If I had a new '71 Commando and my 21yr old FJ to choose which I'd ride up to Bellingen (the Aus FJRally 1,000miles away) tomorrow, I'd pick the FJ and expect to make it home on time.
Arnie
I would never give up the FJ for it.............I do have a small thing for vintage British bikes......I'm just saying I'd want one to mess around with
[quote author=Firehawk068 link=topic=7726.msg69985
I would never give up the FJ for it.............I do have a small thing for vintage British bikes......I'm just saying I'd want one to mess around with
[/quote]
Well, if you ever realize your dream, be sure to contact me. I'll give you a list of what can or will go wrong forcing you to "mess around" with it. :-)
Arnie
Quote from: Klavdy on October 23, 2012, 01:25:01 AM
Here's a link to an article written in 1980 by Peter Egan. (http://davestestsandarticles.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/4/5/4845046/cycle_world_november_1980_1967_triumph_bonneville.pdf)
it's about a 1967 Triumph and a resto then a road trip.
thanks for sharing that Klavdy....the first thing I do when I pick up my new Road & Track mag every month is to read Peter Egan's latest writings...I've never read anyone who can expose or project the "soul" of a mechanical machine like Peter can...plus he's a racer, mechanic and guitar player...hard to top that....also, I sure do miss this guy, did you ever read the great Gordon Jennings?
Quote from: Firehawk068 on October 23, 2012, 11:42:50 PM
I would never give up the FJ for it.............I do have a small thing for vintage British bikes......I'm just saying I'd want one to mess around with
This was my first road bike as a licenced rider, circa 1971, a 1958 BSA 650 Golden Flash. I would love to have one in the garage now as a project/rally bike but anyone who has fond memories of riding something similar for transport or fun, ie. arrive at your planned destination within day of your ETA, if at all, and with clean hands, has the lost the plot.
Even in the early 70's these things were like something out of the Ark, the Japs had just unleashed the modern motorbike on the world and these relics aged about 40 years overnight.
The fact is this bike was only 13 years old at the time, much newer than the FJ when I got it!! but it seemed as outdated then as it does now.
Like I said, I would kill to have one in the garage now and with modern technology you could restore one to way better than new and might even manage to make it reliable and oil tight.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8118512427_0fb21b12d1_c.jpg)
The Triumphs and BSA and Nortons share alot in design.
My 1960 Triumph was bought new by my dad and was the first motorcycle I ever rode with him.
I used to sit in front of him and hang onto the package rack mounted to the tank.
This is an all original example...paint, seat, and in this picture, tires.
I have since replaced the 50+ year old tires with a st of Dunlops that closely match what was OEM.
It handles SO much better now...well, at least as good as a unrestored 50 year old bike CAN handle!.
Leon
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/000_0397.jpg)
Quote from: 1tinindian on October 24, 2012, 09:23:49 AM
I used to sit in front of him and hang onto the package rack mounted to the tank.
That's beautiful. Ya got me crying. :cray:
The ol' mans bike looks like the one in the factory literature.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/1.jpg)
Wow Leon, what a machine to have in the garage! and having a provenance like that makes it extra special.
How many miles has it done and do you ride it often?
Noel
That is an awesome machine. My brother has a 67bonnie and a couple of 73's in pieces. He also has a 73 commando. My favorite brit bike is a BSA lighting. big r
Here's how I see it. Motorcycles don't take up much room (trust me I have four in the garage) I love vintage stuff and hope to soon add a R model BMW or early Triumph. Yes today's bikes are better, I have and Aprilia that's stupid fast and way beyond my skil level, I have a Harely for putting around, and a FJ600 as a commuter, and my problem child Seca 900.
I enjoy each of these bikes because I ride them as intended when they were made. If I had to choose only one, the Aprilia would stay, but I love the other bikes, and after owning 50+ bikes over the years, each one has a spot in my heart. From my first bike, big as a pig, and slow as molases Harley, to my Seca's, Riversides, CB400, 350, 750, 450, 900, XS750-850's, etc...etc... Not every bike fits in every situation, but most are a heck of a lot of fun in the right context....
I just love bikes, and that friggin collage made me want to buy even more of them..... My name is Bill, and I'm addict.....
Go Bill :good2:
I recently had to move my rented garage its not that close so i cant run over there on a whim.It was severall days since i had been there and i was feeling a little down.Just opening the garage door and seeing all my crap made me feel so much better.Then I saw my 1985 Fj1100 and I allmost got wood.
Broke out the gas tank I just bought here at fjowners.com and swaped it out with the dented one on the 90.At this time it was overcast but I jumped on the 1990 FJ1200 and took her for a 15 min run.Put her away and was no longer feeling down .Got in the car and headed home.I love bikes and riding is theraputic.
So many bikes so little time.
I can dream :hi:
Now that Norton is back in business, the 961 Sport looks tasty.
(http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Norton_Commando_961.jpg)
Anyone hear anything lately about their quality? They appear to be a bit more durable than the old Commandos...
http://nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/Norton%20Commando%20961%20Sport/index.php#.UIt67sXR6So (http://nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/Norton%20Commando%20961%20Sport/index.php#.UIt67sXR6So)
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 27, 2012, 01:11:40 AM
Now that Norton is back in business, the 961 Sport looks tasty.
(http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Norton_Commando_961.jpg)
Anyone hear anything lately about their quality? They appear to be a bit more durable than the old Commandos...
http://nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/Norton%20Commando%20961%20Sport/index.php#.UIt67sXR6So (http://nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/Norton%20Commando%20961%20Sport/index.php#.UIt67sXR6So)
Now Thats what I'm talkin about!
:good2:
Faaark that's nice, , looks like how I would build one, , except for the gold bits, , I want one, , $ $ ? , 40/50 k ??
Last I heard they were about 32K I had a video of one running and going down the hiway at speed and it sounded real good. I wish I could remember where it was so I could post it. Big R
Quote from: fj11.5 on October 27, 2012, 06:45:56 AM
Faaark that's nice, , looks like how I would build one, , except for the gold bits, , I want one, , $ $ ? , 40/50 k ??
Around $16k, not too bad. Prices are listed on the web page. The usd's on the cafe model look cool...
Here's a little piece that might give you a taste, and the song ain't bad either..... Die Norton Commando 961 SE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwjgF8xzNa8#)
Quote from: ribbert on October 24, 2012, 06:09:33 PM
Wow Leon, what a machine to have in the garage! and having a provenance like that makes it extra special.
How many miles has it done and do you ride it often?
Noel
I think it had about 7500 miles on it when he gave it to me in 1994.
It doesn't have much more on it now, than what shows in this picture.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/100_3417.jpg)
I only get it out maybe once or twice a year. Never really go anywhere with it, I just like hearing the sweet song of the vertical twin singing through unbaffled megaphones!
The simple sound of this bike brings back a food of great memories from my childhood with my dad!
1960 Triumph TR-7A all original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OudXxiYx6ok#)
Leon
My next-door neighbor got his 1964 BSA Royal Star 650 out of the garage today, and took it for a ride with my other next-door neighbor...................Sadly, I was in the middle of helping a friend replace his fuel pump in his Wrangler, so I was not able to join them :empathy:
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/misc/PA270002.jpg)
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/misc/PA270001.jpg)
Quote from: Flying Scotsman on October 26, 2012, 11:04:05 PM
Go Bill :good2:
I love bikes and riding is theraputic.
You never see a bike outside a shrinks office.
Quote from: ribbert on October 28, 2012, 07:25:22 AM
Quote from: Flying Scotsman on October 26, 2012, 11:04:05 PM
Go Bill :good2:
I love bikes and riding is theraputic.
You never see a bike outside a shrinks office.
Unless it belongs to the shrink, they need therapy as well.
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 28, 2012, 11:28:40 AM
Unless it belongs to the shrink, they need therapy as well.
My wife is a shrink, and she rides...
Never to work though.
Dan
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 28, 2012, 05:46:20 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 28, 2012, 11:28:40 AM
Unless it belongs to the shrink, they need therapy as well.
My wife is a shrink, and she rides...
Never to work though.
Dan
There ya go!!! 2 wheels (specially the FJ's) are good for our sanity.
I got to ride the BSA today!!!! :yahoo:
Next door neighbor "Richard" was finishing up putting the tank back on after adjusting the needle height in the carb.
I offered to help putting the tank back on, and hooking up the fuel lines, as well as offering my input on said carburetor fine tuning.........In turn he offered me to take it around the block a few times during the fine tuning process............
It was definately a treat..........although a bit confusing at first, with the right side shift, and left side rear brake.........It felt unnatural to me.....
The cable operated drum brakes also left alot to be desired in the whoa department.....
The 650 twin has plenty of midrange power, and the bike couldn't weigh any more than about 400 lbs or so, so it had plenty of pep....
After that, I warmed up the FJ, and we set off on a ride around Aurora......about a half hour or so. I followed him, and the parallel twin sure sounds nice..
He's got some electrical gremlins though, and doesn't dare ride too far due to a lack of charging issue.
I offered to lend him a hand with that sometime, tracing the wiring, and testing the suspect items like stator, and regulator.........Need to find specs on it though, and things are further complicated by it being converted at some point from a 6 volt system, to 12 volt electrics.........Thats a project for another weekend though.