Motorbikes

[SanderR72]

I can remember bike regs from 50 years go but no cars even when they are sitting on the drive.

For me it’s the opposite although 50 years ago I was 3 and my Volkswagen “Fred Flintstone Edition” didn’t need a registration.

 

[Polobear1959]

I don’t remember ever owning a camera back then but my wife ( girlfriend then ) must have had one hence her behind a Suzuki GT500 we went to Portugal on. Had it at same time as 350LC which was KCS80W so I guess 1980.

View attachment 141105

Great photo… loved those GT 500’s …. the Belstaff jacket is same ( mine a waxed cotton version… still have it although don’t wear as no safety pads built in) .. times have changed!

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Just ridden the wing from north of Cumbria to Blackpool for it's annual service at the local honda goldwing centre. 2 hours 120 miles at 58 to the gallon, still makes me grin!

 

[SusiBus]

1964
About to set off to either the Nightingale or Saltbox Cafe in Biggin Hill Kent on my 'Goldie'

It's a 1960 BSA 500cc DB 34 Clubman Goldstar. It had all the competion bits. Special front forks,
larger 190mm comp front brake, alloy rims, 5 gallon light weight petrol tank, etc.

Ridiculously, its main use was to commute about five miles to and from work. It did have one or two longer outings to specially gathering held in Margate, Hastings and Brighton. Where we used to go meet up with a few 'Mods'. Yes l was a Rocker, Quadrophenia, l was there.

It's not fitted with the correct engine in the picture, as l was rebuilding that engine at that time, fitting new big ends. It didn't like being used as a daily in South London.

I sold it for something between £100 & £200, I can't remember exactly, and don't want to. Do l wish l still had it now, not something l like to dwell on!

 

[Mansfieldman750]

1964
About to set off to either the Nightingale or Saltbox Cafe in Biggin Hill Kent on my 'Goldie'

It's a 1960 BSA 500cc DB 34 Clubman Goldstar. It had all the competion bits. Special front forks,
larger 190mm comp front brake, alloy rims, 5 gallon light weight petrol tank, etc.

Ridiculously, its main use was to commute about five miles to and from work. It did have one or two longer outings to specially gathering held in Margate, Hastings and Brighton. Where we used to go meet up with a few 'Mods'. Yes l was a Rocker, Quadrophenia, l was there.

It's not fitted with the correct engine in the picture, as l was rebuilding that engine at that time, fitting new big ends. It didn't like being used as a daily in South London.

I sold it for something between £100 & £200, I can't remember exactly, and don't want to. Do l wish l still had it now, not something l like to dwell on!View attachment 141130

Wow, that’s an iconic photo.
A logbook was issued for that reg no in 2017, so it may well still exist.

 

[SusiBus]

Thats interesting, thanks Mansfieldman.
I wonder how l could find out if it still exists. I suppose BSA owners club or such is the obvious place.to start. Bet it's not as good as this forum for getting information! Then you'll get all that data protection stuff.
Over to you WelshGas.

 

[sidepod]

How coincidental. I passed a group of mods yesterday. I’d forgotten their obsession with mirrors!
At least they had the decency to ride 2 strokes.

 

[Polobear1959]

1964
About to set off to either the Nightingale or Saltbox Cafe in Biggin Hill Kent on my 'Goldie'

It's a 1960 BSA 500cc DB 34 Clubman Goldstar. It had all the competion bits. Special front forks,
larger 190mm comp front brake, alloy rims, 5 gallon light weight petrol tank, etc.

Ridiculously, its main use was to commute about five miles to and from work. It did have one or two longer outings to specially gathering held in Margate, Hastings and Brighton. Where we used to go meet up with a few 'Mods'. Yes l was a Rocker, Quadrophenia, l was there.

It's not fitted with the correct engine in the picture, as l was rebuilding that engine at that time, fitting new big ends. It didn't like being used as a daily in South London.

I sold it for something between £100 & £200, I can't remember exactly, and don't want to. Do l wish l still had it now, not something l like to dwell on!View attachment 141130

Great photo! An interesting and formative part of British social history of the period ….to have survived some of those “ cafe” rides would have required skilled riding ( and luck sometimes)!

 

[SusiBus]

From just mastering the art of kick starting it, then in traffic it was a real handful. Crouching over the big tank, rear set pedals, clip on handle bars, slipping the clutch, nightmare. We used to ride from South London to the '59 Club' at St Mary's of Eaton church in Hackney Wick, North London, madness!

 

[Polobear1959]

From just mastering the art of kick starting it, then in traffic it was a real handful. Crouching over the big tank, rear set pedals, clip on handle bars, slipping the clutch, nightmare. We used to ride from South London to the '59 Club' at St Mary's of Eaton church in Hackney Wick, North London, madness!

This was a bugger to start sometimes ……( my dad heading off to work on his 1950 Vincent Rapide)!

 

[willwander]

How coincidental. I passed a group of mods yesterday. I’d forgotten their obsession with mirrors!
At least they had the decency to ride 2 strokes.

Mirrors are for comedy mods.
Mine runs on Methanol

 

[sidepod]

Mirrors are for comedy mods.
Mine runs on Methanol

Good man.

Check this nutter out.

2STROKE STUFFING

Easy is not worth anything!

m.youtube.com

 

[Mansfieldman750]

Mirrors are for comedy mods.
Mine runs on Methanol

Ah, that explains 119mph. Left hand hovering over the clutch lever in case of seizure ?

 

[sidepod]

Ah, that explains 119mph. Left hand hovering over the clutch lever in case of seizure ?

Haha, I happen to have that particular T shirt.
Not quite 119mph but flat in top down a fire road in Keilder. Definitely a “wide eyed moment”.
A moments notice then it nipped solid.

 

[Luke Sharp]

First long trip in the Cali in May, Scotland with the Mandello. And last year on the Piston Rally in Northern Spain, on the 1974 H2!

Loved biking most of my life, and toured extensively, but now with age trying to reduce bike tour mileage and let the Cali do the hard work with a bike on the trailer!

 

[Polobear1959]

First long trip in the Cali in May, Scotland with the Mandello. And last year on the Piston Rally in Northern Spain, on the 1974 H2!

Loved biking most of my life, and toured extensively, but now with age trying to reduce bike tour mileage and let the Cali do the hard work with a bike on the trailer!

View attachment 141216

View attachment 141217

That’s living the dream! Guess that must be one of the last H2’s made, twin discs, better steering dampers, slightly more civilised torque spread etc….
Looks a very well sorted bike …. love it!