I was until recently running a '43 Matchless G3.. sold it to a fella who'd been after it for ages.. now waiting for my '42 H-D WLA to get here so I can start riding again.
I often see couriers in central london riding vintage bikes.. usually they zip past before i can properly id them but i've spotten a Triton, a Matchless, a Guzzi and even a Bonnie!
____________________ Its Not What You Ride
Its How You Ride It That Counts!
There's pics of the wee beastie on the Website our Classics and in te ourclassics section of the current issue of CB. (Note this is not simply me wriggling out of the fact that I don't know how to post pictures on the forum)
The bike is a 1925 Rex Acme 350 side-valve and is ideal for round town use, it's a bit like a Honda 90 really, first kicker, crummy lights, economical, romps along at 45 odd...I'd recommend it to anyone. Good to hear DR's are still riding old Brits in London. My mate Miles is still using the '57 Norton Dominator he bought off me as a daily bike but he tells me there are not as many old bikes down there as there were. He even used to use his 1927 Ariel daily when he lived in Canterbury I have ridden my '32 Sunbeam to the Island three times and the '35 Norton twice, thrashed them stupid chasing modern bikes and got home in one piece. I have always thought that whatever I own should be able to 'do what it says on the tin' - whatever its age, that's what they were built to do and if they can't do it they just need to be sorted until they do. Pre-war stuff is really easy to work on if you have a good magneto, it will run almost regardless of anything else.
Ok, thanks VF, I'll see if I can manage it! Truth to tell I'm used to firing off 1.9meg images to the magazine and have never had to worry about compressing them etc. That little picture is clear enough to show my bald patch though...now where did I leave my hat. by the way, what's the deal with the WLA, is it coming across the atlantic?
yes it is on its way from Canada (were I lived the last 5 years).. the bike did originate from Europe as a basket case... it came with enough parts to complete another bike (2 frames 2 engines 4 wheels in a crate )
____________________ Its Not What You Ride
Its How You Ride It That Counts!
Hi Rick. I think Rudges are one of the easiest Pre-War bike to use as a daily bike. The club has an excellent spares scheme and the bikes are practical with good preformance and brakes.
I have a couple of friends who also have Rudges and find them comfortable to go down to the Rudge rally (an 1100 mile round trip over a long weekend) or to pop down to the 'wheels of yesteryear event' (saw your bike but not you)
Fair comment. I fell for an Ulster road tested in Classic Bike back in 1980 when I was 16 but have never owned one - or ridden one come to that. Also had a hankering for a twenties 4valve/4 speed.
I think it is important for people who may be thinking about going for a pre-war bike to understand that the parts situation is nothing like a desperate as it appears. It is pretty essential to join a club, some like the Rudge Club have excellent spares schemes. What worries people is that, unlike post war classics, you can't always ring up a specialist for parts. But it is usually cheaper to get bits made than you would expect and being a much smaller world than the post-war scene you soon find out who to speak to about getting things done. joining the Club is the first step.
This is not in the same league as the bikes you guys are talking about but I think its pretty cool!built by a bloke in the states from bits of old pushbikes and a Briggs and Stratton 2 1/2 hp motor.....And I bet he smiles when he's riding!!!
Back when I was an (even more)stupid teenager I fancied building a 'replica' of an 1898 Werner, which was a real pioneer - like a bicycle with an engine on the front forks. I had great plans, an old Villiers lawnmower engine and a bicycle. Luckily I didn't really know what I was doing so it got nowhere.
Glad you liked that Rick. Perhaps my little Monet Goyon will appeal also?1951 ,98 cc villiers engine with a two speed twistgrip operated change.I bought it at a Brocante for 400 euro (sort of french car boot) I love it to bits!
LozExpat wrote: Anyone else dumb enough to use a hard tail as a daily rider?
If the sprung saddle is good, then it wouldn't be as bad as a true hardtail ala chopper. At least that little beauty has some suspension so the back doesn't get to jarred or rattled to badly.
Last edited on Wed Mar 14th, 2007 12:36 am by 850norton
____________________ You sick little monkey!!!!!! Everyone has the right to be stupid....some abuse that right !!!
Rick, I have never really considered using a pre-war bike as a daily ride, not until recently anyway when your endeavours with the Rex-Acme spurred my interest.
I dug out some old photos of my Grandad on his 1926 Sunbeam model 9. I remember him telling me back in about 1978 when I was the proud owner of a Suzuki GT250, on how he and his mate did a round Britain tour in the late twenties or early thirties, both on Sunbeams. They had a fantastic three weeks plodding around the un-cluttered lanes and highways of this once green and pleasant land, their only weather protection being army great coats and flat caps. If I can figure out how to use my scanner I will send in some photos.
ps. Does any one know if the old Sunbeam reg CM6324 still exists. I suppose I could contact the owners club. (I think I may be bitten, Rick!)
It is possible to check whether a vehicle has been taxed recently on the Government's re-tax your vehicle website.
I stumbled across this a while back but none of my checks suggested that my old bikes (or VWs) survived - at least not taxed. Also possible that the number has been reallocated or sold on, of course.
____________________ Just being old doesn't make it a "Classic."
Aaaah.Nostalgia isn't what it used to be!
Velton wrote: It is possible to check whether a vehicle has been taxed recently on the Government's re-tax your vehicle website.
I stumbled across this a while back but none of my checks suggested that my old bikes (or VWs) survived - at least not taxed. Also possible that the number has been reallocated or sold on, of course.
Thanks for the tip. The website is direct.gov.uk which leads on to vehiclelicence.gov.uk.
There is no record of the old Sunbeam, after all it's a 1926 bike. I suppose I can always look for another. That's after I've finished (or even started, which is a more honest description) various other projects. Better make some more room in the garage.
A1926 Model 9 would be a very cool thing to own. Trouble is they are bloody expensive. Expect to pay upwards of seven or eight grand for a late vintage model 9...shame your granddad didn't leave it in his attic for you!
Thing is of course that like it or not, old bikes like that are investments. It is a term that has made my blood boil over the years but the flip side is that you buy it, enjoy it and when you sell it you get your money back again. Plenty of prople think nothing of spending that much on a new car, or motorbike, that is worth a quarter of that five years doen the line. The whole point is that old bikes are only expensive if you trreat them as ornaments, if youu use them as transport they are good value. The only problem is that there is a bit of owner participation required.
To be practical about it an early to mid-thirties Sunbeam would be a better bet. You can get a nice one for under £4000 - by 'nice' I mean used and well-maintained not a tart's handbag (sorry, did I say that?!) The thirties bikes are a bit easier to live with but still have a lot of charm and good performance. A Model 9 (500 OHV) from that period will bor along all day in the fifties and can do 80- ish for fun. Speed is of course relative and although these speeds may not sound much, I assure you that 80 on a pre-war bike will not disappoint a Firebald rider. Especially when he tries to slow down by dabbing his little pinkie on the brake lever.
Glad to hear you feel inspired. My catchphrase of the moment is that pre-war stuff is not 'old men's bikes' they are young men's bikes made a long time ago. If you agree that an X7 still has relevance for tearing about then the same applies to the older bikes. My Rex Acme feels the same at 70 as an X7 at 90 or an Aprilia whatever at 120, it's just easier on the licence.
)
