The Motorbike Thread

[Ancientmariner]

Some lovely bikes and great pics that I thoroughly enjoyed looking at!

I started with a Ducati 998S, then got a Honda VFR400R (NC24) in Rothman's colours, BMW R80 and just added a 2002 GSXR 750 to them.

Currently the VFR400R is in bit being rebuilt, R80 will be a cafe racer and the other two are almost as factory standard and condition wise.

I just need a license really and then will be away. They make nice ornaments though and I enjoy tinkering with them!

[outrunner]

That brings back memories, the last time I saw a Kreidler in the flesh was at a big bike meet at Rudesheim in Germany a few years ago.
[ATTACH]422947[/ATTACH][/url]
Lovely little machine in mint condition.

Andy.

[Airborne01]

Yes very Steve, found this on Y tube.

Thanks John,
Now I'm thinking I should go retro - tell the Boss I've bought a moped and see if I can get away with it! (Snowball in a furnace has a better chance ... )

I'm not familiar with Kreidler John, were they similar to Itom?

Yes very Steve, found this on Y tube.

[Airborne01]

Wow, I wrote to the importers in my youth asking for details, never had a reply. That name has always stayed with me along with the name Kreidler.

I'm not familiar with Kreidler John, were they similar to Itom?

Gern, way back yonder I had an Itom 50cc racer - gear change on the 'other' side, racing seat. knee grip tank, and scary 'lift the front wheel in third (5 speed box!) acceleration. Probably worth a small fortune now. Screamed like a banshee as you went through the revs = also no good for going to work on!

Wow, I wrote to the importers in my youth asking for details, never had a reply. That name has always stayed with me along with the name Kreidler.

[Airborne01]

I got my first "big" bike in 1964, a Norton Dominator 88 all of 500cc.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1150953[/ATTACH]
Note the up to the minute gear, studded donkey jacket and huge gauntlets. I had to get that bike on hire purchase as it cost £74 and my father had to sign as guarantor.
Sold this one today, 1986 Honda XBR 500 G.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1150954[/ATTACH]
I bought it 12 years ago and it had a great engine but was cosmetically in poor condition so I ran it for a few miles then stripped it fully and restored it to its former glory. Over the years I have had too many bikes to remember but keep going back to Honda as they are just so well buit and reliable, present bike is a 2016 Honda NC 750X DCT which I bought new and 58443 miles later it runs as well as the day I got it.

Andy.

Noncey colour for the discard but love the 'Retro' IOM imagery!

[Airborne01]

Nick, Nothing wrong with a big old thumper - top end detonation every second lamp post!

[Nicko]

I'm a real fan of a big single cylinder engine. Really like the look of that XBR.

Have to admit though that I've never been much of a Honda man. My second bike was a mid-seventies SL125 and I once bought a CD185 for sixty quid as a winter bike. The wife had a CG125 to take her test, but that's it. No more Honda's since about 1986.

Nick

[Airborne01]

I got my first "big" bike in 1964, a Norton Dominator 88 all of 500cc.
[ATTACH]422907[/ATTACH]
Note the up to the minute gear, studded donkey jacket and huge gauntlets. I had to get that bike on hire purchase as it cost £74 and my father had to sign as guarantor.
Sold this one today, 1986 Honda XBR 500 G.
[ATTACH]422908[/ATTACH]
I bought it 12 years ago and it had a great engine but was cosmetically in poor condition so I ran it for a few miles then stripped it fully and restored it to its former glory. Over the years I have had too many bikes to remember but keep going back to Honda as they are just so well buit and reliable, present bike is a 2016 Honda NC 750X DCT which I bought new and 58443 miles later it runs as well as the day I got it.

Andy.

I agree, it's Honda all the way for me in the latter days - the CBs were thirsty but reliable, quick and fun! I had Triumphs , Nortons, BSAs, a TRIBSA, A TRITON, AJS's and several 'oddball's like DKWs and a 500cc long stroke Panther (with stripped down Watsonian sidecar chassis! Also, temporarily, a 500 Vincent with girder forks and strange triangular rear suspension system based on a single, centrally mounted, shock absorber. This was a unit hack that you bought, rode, then resold for about the same price - serviced and maintained by friendly REME mechs!

[outrunner]

I got my first "big" bike in 1964, a Norton Dominator 88 all of 500cc.
[ATTACH]422907[/ATTACH]
Note the up to the minute gear, studded donkey jacket and huge gauntlets. I had to get that bike on hire purchase as it cost £74 and my father had to sign as guarantor.
Sold this one today, 1986 Honda XBR 500 G.
[ATTACH]422908[/ATTACH]
I bought it 12 years ago and it had a great engine but was cosmetically in poor condition so I ran it for a few miles then stripped it fully and restored it to its former glory. Over the years I have had too many bikes to remember but keep going back to Honda as they are just so well buit and reliable, present bike is a 2016 Honda NC 750X DCT which I bought new and 58443 miles later it runs as well as the day I got it.

Andy.

[Airborne01]

Absolute heresy I know, but my only bike was a little Honda 50 moped - and never again! I used it for the journey to school for a year and got totally fed up of having to dress up twice a day, only to be harassed and terrified by other motorists and tortured by whatever the weather threw at me!

I'll stick to my 4-wheel automatic thanks. Go out the door in whatever clothes I like - who cares about the weather for the ten seconds or so I'll be out in it!? - cross the pavement, get into the car, point it in the right direction and go - Simples!

Gern, way back yonder I had an Itom 50cc racer - gear change on the 'other' side, racing seat. knee grip tank, and scary 'lift the front wheel in third (5 speed box!) acceleration. Probably worth a small fortune now. Screamed like a banshee as you went through the revs = also no good for going to work on!

[Nicko]

On a more forum related note, I must have over twenty bike kits in my stash, but have struggled to make any progress with either of the couple that I've tinkered with over the past few years.

I occasionally open the box and fiddle with some part or other, but can't seem to keep going with it.....

Nick

[tigersteve]

Some historical bikes there for sure John - Love the Ducati !!

[JayCee]

I grew up with bikes as my father was a keen rider. Bought my first in 1965 (Royal Enfield 350 Bullet) genuine, not the Indian repros. Bought my all time favourite bike in 1967. BSA DBD 34 Gold Star, The pinnacle of British motor cycles. Unfortunately sold when I was posted back overseas. No more until about 2000 when the urge hit again. Ducati 500 cc Pantah ( one of the first built ). Now being nearly 75 and having suffered a Stroke, can only watch Moto GP. Here is the Duke..
Cheers, John.