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jamie.s
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 07:41 pm |
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Think I might of asked before but can't find the thread.
As you might know, the Ariel is not very good, it's ok for a week end bimble but thats about it, I would not like to use it every day, for instance going to college and back.
So, I'm after somthing that is:
British
Go's well (sit at 60/70mph easily)
Stop's Well
Is Reliable
Can do a few 100 mile in a day if need be
Doesn't leak stupid ammounts of oil
CHEAP to buy, say, under 2k
does not need huge ammounts of maintenence
Bigger cc the better
I would really like it if there was a bike that fits the above that is pre unit, is there any that come to mind ?
Just stiring ideas for when I'm 17 really thats all.
As once I buy a 50 thats what I will be saving for next you see, so allways nice to have some sort of idea what I'm saving for.
And NO one suggest a jap bike, or any other non Brit as I'm not interested, don't go there.
Thanks, Jamie.
Last edited on Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 07:42 pm by jamie.s
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15 years old! Bikes: 1956 Ariel Colt TLR200 2X cb550s, D10 bantam trials, 2000 ER-500 Kwak
My bike in CBG magazine
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Frankfurt-Beesa
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 07:59 pm |
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BSA C15, a well sorted one shouldn't cost the earth, or a B25 Scrambler.
Here you go, Ebay UK #380068194445
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trumpetsandjampots
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 08:15 pm |
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Hi Jamie
i know where you are coming from on this one. it will depend on your licience I suppose.
You make it hard when you say pre-unit the age and reliability (ok sorry guys) can be a problem. i would look for something like a unit Triumph Tiger 90 or 3TA, if you want a little more oomph go for a T100, 5TA or if you can get one at the right price a late Daytona.
I used to ride around on a 5TA when 18 and it happily kept up with traffic and was a really reliable and economical bike. The daytona will suit if you want a sporty look and lets face it if your at college something to attract the crumpet has to be good.
The 350 3TA is a sweet little bike but is short on proper speed but very solid due to the engine not being stressed at all. the 500 5TA shares the same bottom end but when set up right is smooth and an easy ride.
If going for a Daytona go for the full bearing crank and then you can add more performance without it going pop, and another important point the TLS brake at the front actually stops the bike too.
good luck with your savings, Rob
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TR6, G80S, Plunger T20,Honda VTR1000,CB350 K4
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supersix
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 08:22 pm |
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Bleedin ell Jamie, The only Brit that'll fulfill your want list is a Hinkley Triumph. Most earlier Brits fail on at least the brakes, many dribble a bit of oil and they all need regular fettling if used often. That is the joy of them!
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She say's "why have all these bikes, you can only ride one at a time" I think "wish i could have the same problem with women"
http://www.thestrandedband.co.uk
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jamie.s
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 08:31 pm |
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supersix wrote: Bleedin ell Jamie, The only Brit that'll fulfill your want list is a Hinkley Triumph. Most earlier Brits fail on at least the brakes, many dribble a bit of oil and they all need regular fettling if used often. That is the joy of them!
by good ones I mean ones that at least hint at slowing the bike down.
a bit of oil isn't a problem
Not botherd about fettling, just not every single day.
Don't really want to get less than a 350 to be honest FFB
T&JP's, whats the bike in your display pic? somthing like that takes my fancey, eg Ajs 500, velocette 500 ect.
Just don't know what there speed or price is like?
Thanks for the repys so far.
____________________
15 years old! Bikes: 1956 Ariel Colt TLR200 2X cb550s, D10 bantam trials, 2000 ER-500 Kwak
My bike in CBG magazine
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starfirebird
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 08:40 pm |
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Just some random thoughts:
It doesn't take much oil to look a mess - my 3ta looks as it if leaks a lot but doesn't actually use much oil at all (ie not costing me a fortune!)
I would sooner buy something that has been used regularly and owned by the same person for a long time - that makes it probable that any unreliability issues have been sorted out over time.
It doesn't take long to get used to crap brakes - if I get on the W650 now, I find myself stopping short of junctions and, for a "modern" bike it only has modest brakes - single front disc and rear drum.
You should hold out for the bike you really want - don't get impatient and buy something that is a compromise as you will still hanker after the one you originally wanted. Don't buy something just because it seems like a "sensible" alternative.
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Frankfurt-Beesa
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 08:44 pm |
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WHat most people see as leaking oil is often coming from the breather, as the good old bikes didn't breathe into the airbox, but in the case of Unit BSAs the breather served as a chain oiler, they will leave a territorial marking where you park them.
HodgePodge only started leaking significant amounts when the cylinder base cracked, at which point it was a minor problem compared with all the others.
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trumpetsandjampots
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 08:50 pm |
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Hi Jamie
The avatars my G80s a Matchless 500 single (same as AJS M18), Its a nice old girl but not strictly original. i was really lucky to get hold of it, an old mate of mine had it in his garage since 1968 with a blown big end. the engine hab been part stripped and he had mislaid quite a few parts.
A year long restoration with scavanging cheap parts got it sorted for around a 1K including purchase price of £250 so a real bargain. Its not original because it is a mix of 1953 and 1956 parts. it was a bitsa in 68 when parked up so I kept it that way as a tribute to my old mate.
I'm really happy with it and its got big bang punch to it, the exhaust is an original Gold star silencer without baffles.. Ho Ho Ho sets off the car alarms.
Not sure about it being an every day bike in modern world as like many tin chaincase models it likes to leave a little oil wee wherever it goes. Perpetual oil replenishment.
Glad you like it though but I need to get some tank badges for her.
For info the 350 looks almost identical except for slimmer barrels and head and exhaust pipe refer to as Matchless G3LS or AJS M16. Good reliable bikes albeit lacking top end.
best wishes Rob
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winters coming: sidelights officer? no thats main beam.
TR6, G80S, Plunger T20,Honda VTR1000,CB350 K4
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Luckydave
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 09:17 pm |
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| I'd go along with buying an AMC 350 or if you could afford bit more a Velo MAC 350(but they all leak oil)or maybe an A7 Beezer
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jamie.s
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 09:32 pm |
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What sort of speed will HP sit at FFB ? (A65?)
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15 years old! Bikes: 1956 Ariel Colt TLR200 2X cb550s, D10 bantam trials, 2000 ER-500 Kwak
My bike in CBG magazine
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ScotDuke
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 10:19 pm |
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Triumphs and Nortons cost a bit more than BSAs. The BSA A50 seems to be reasonably priced. The Matchless G3 is a neat bike and could just about get the speed you want.
3TAs aren't too expensive though.
Personaly, I'd look around for an A50, but then I had a Triumph 500 and would want t try something else.
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supersix
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 11:02 pm |
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| Don't know if FB's A65 is standard, but my well used 72 lightning will sit at 70 all day if your bum will stand it! I've briefly had the speedo at ninety twelve but not happy at that. My A65's been ok , but they aint perfect!
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She say's "why have all these bikes, you can only ride one at a time" I think "wish i could have the same problem with women"
http://www.thestrandedband.co.uk
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jamie.s
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 11:15 pm |
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supersix wrote: Don't know if FB's A65 is standard, but my well used 72 lightning will sit at 70 all day if your bum will stand it! I've briefly had the speedo at ninety twelve but not happy at that. My A65's been ok , but they aint perfect!
What does it stop like ? Does it have much power?
I really need to have a go of a big cc Brit to see if I like them I suppose, only Brit I have road is the Ariel.
I did sit a Norvin race bike at donnington well it was running , but that doesn't really count. lol
It might turn out that the Ariel is a nice bike once regeared, but the brakes will allways be s***
____________________
15 years old! Bikes: 1956 Ariel Colt TLR200 2X cb550s, D10 bantam trials, 2000 ER-500 Kwak
My bike in CBG magazine
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supersix
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 11:22 pm |
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Like SFB said, learn to read the brakes. mine has the 'comical' hubs , so poss earlier TLS better. The engine pulls like a train, 20 to flat out in 4th. I love the bike, it really is a relaxing ride. Corners well too on TT100's. If I want a real adrenalin buzz, I get the Sprint or a Jap 2-stroke out. Performance ,brakes and handling there
____________________
She say's "why have all these bikes, you can only ride one at a time" I think "wish i could have the same problem with women"
http://www.thestrandedband.co.uk
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jamie.s
Member
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Posted: Fri Oct 3rd, 2008 11:37 pm |
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supersix wrote: Like SFB said, learn to read the brakes. mine has the 'comical' hubs, so poss earlier TLS better. The engine pulls like a train, 20 to flat out in 4th. I love the bike, it really is a relaxing ride. Corners well too on TT100's. If I want a real adrenalin buzz, I get the Sprint or a Jap 2-stroke out. Performance ,brakes and handling there
Thanks for that, yes same here, If I really wanted to do a rolling stoppy from 120 mph, or accelerate from 0-60 in under 5 seconds then I have a modern kawasaki for that.
(Not that I am really interested in doing that)
Just want a Brit bike that will be respectable at the British Motorcycle Preservation Society, I go to there meting once a month, 40 mile on the A55, busy duel carriageway, speeds of 70odd in the slow lane, so when I can start to go on my own something that can do 55 minimum with ease
A bike thats fun to ride, that will stop alright, keep up with the traffic, and not be to much effort to keep on the road.
____________________
15 years old! Bikes: 1956 Ariel Colt TLR200 2X cb550s, D10 bantam trials, 2000 ER-500 Kwak
My bike in CBG magazine
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supersix
Member
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 09:50 am |
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| At the risk of a major bollcking, have you considered an Indian Enfield?' cheap enough to get the idea and parts not too bad. There was a previous thread on here about them.
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She say's "why have all these bikes, you can only ride one at a time" I think "wish i could have the same problem with women"
http://www.thestrandedband.co.uk
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NeilD
Member
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 11:18 am |
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yeah I was gonna mention indian enfield - see a bloke using one up here everyday.
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Greenbat
Member
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 11:46 am |
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Unless you've got many grand to chuck at it, an indian enfield is probably your best bet. Or a D14/B175. Either way I'd allow a good £1500 to buy, fix any faults and insure. Buying a project might work, but again to get it reliable you'll spend loads.
Would a complete BSA 250 lump slot in the colt? If you can do it so that the original engine can still be dropped back in, it might be worthwhile. As for brakes, whatever bike you get pop a different, better wheel on it. A Honda CG front wheel is bound to fit, with some fettling.
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starfirebird
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 01:23 pm |
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| You can get an original Enfield Bullet for less than Jamie's budget and spares would be readily available - I'm guessing Jamie won't be keen on the idea of an Indian one.
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Pooh
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 06:48 pm |
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| Yeah but i'd think about a Matchless/AJS single or a BSA B40-B31/33....for me I'd prefere BSA
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