Dreams

[Arnie]

[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

[BSI]

Here's a link to an article written in 1980 by Peter Egan.
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?

[ribbert]

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 but it seemed as outdated then as it does now.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.

[1tinindian]

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   
 

[DoD#663]

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. 

[1tinindian]

The ol' mans bike looks like the one in the factory literature.
 

[ribbert]

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

[big r]

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

[ApriliaBill]

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.....

[Flying Scotsman]

Go Bill 

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 

[Pat Conlon]

Now that Norton is back in business, the 961 Sport looks tasty.



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

[Firehawk068]

Now that Norton is back in business, the 961 Sport looks tasty.



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

Now Thats what I'm talkin about!

[fj11.5]

Faaark that's nice, , looks like how I would build one, , except for the gold bits, , I want one, , $ $ ? , 40/50 k ??

[big r]

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

[Pat Conlon]

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...