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PurpleZZR
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Posted: Sat Sep 13th, 2008 09:58 pm |
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Duncan F. wrote: I fully agree with everything that's been written before about "Classic" bikes. But I have to say, the present advice about how to buy a Hinckley Bonneville (yuk, puke, spew, where can I get a cheap skip from?) or anything else modern (with an electric foot for example) that suggests the purchase of anything like a 2 stroke Jap ( I can make it to 3 or 4 strokes), or something which has a "potential restorabilty" failure rate based on the "unavailability of indicator switches so it can get through an MOT" type bike" (my words), turns me away from the mag.
If "Classic Bike" magazine is now going to follow the same lines as a number of other magazines have done, then I'll find another rag to read.
Even the vaunted technical feature "How to sort out your magneto" article, didn't give any proper information. I could start, but in view of the fact I'm learing (properly) myself, mostly through trial and error (Bearings don't just fall out!!!) and am probably not the best placed person to describe how to do it without resorting to the advetisers in the mag after it all goes wrong (yet), I'll not go on. I may write a proper article on how to sort your own mag out in the future, but I don't think any publication will print anything which may mean shortcutting their advertisers. It'd be a bit like the tax man telling you how not to pay tax, and meaning it!
I ceased my subscription a couple of years ago. Since then, I've bought only the issues which have interested me (sadly, the current issue of CB has suggested that I need not bother with a "flick through" in the newsagents for a while). The same applies to most of the other "Classic" bike mags available.
One or two bike clubs have the same thoughts, such as the 59 club, who have a "Classic Section". Also, the ACE cafe, which is run and owned by Mark Wlsmore (ex mounted policeman ((Once a Plod, always a Plod)), who knows there is a "cash in" factor around, realises that there's a few bods around, who like real proper bikes. Although, I have to point out, he also has evenings for ""HARLEY DAVIDSON"" cough cough, splutter splutter, far too much leather "I'm a Bank "Menage a trois", sorry, Manager, but I've always been a Biker (even when I was a Soul Boy)" evenings).
Anyway, I could go on a lot more (if you ask), but won't at the moment. I've only just got back from Netley Marsh, and the wife needs me!!
Hmmm i ride a bike with an electric foot and yes compared to some on here its quite modern (1994 20,000 mile immaculate ZZR600) but i love it and I think its a classic its only just finished production...and it had very few changes in all its years of production which means (in my eyes at least) that its a good bike that was got right the the first time in an ideal world i would have a laverda jota..but life kids mortgage etc means that wont happen any time soon.
Bikers are bikers in my eyes no matter what they ride and i really enjoy the Mag and will definatly be renewing my subs when the time comes.
____________________
Born again biker my ass!!!
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peteyam
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Posted: Mon Sep 15th, 2008 04:15 pm |
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Duncan F. wrote:
I fully agree with everything that's been written before about "Classic" bikes. But I have to say, the present advice about how to buy a Hinckley Bonneville (yuk, puke, spew, where can I get a cheap skip from?) or anything else modern (with an electric foot for example) that suggests the purchase of anything like a 2 stroke Jap ( I can make it to 3 or 4 strokes), or something which has a "potential restorabilty" failure rate based on the "unavailability of indicator switches so it can get through an MOT" type bike" (my words), turns me away from the mag.
If "Classic Bike" magazine is now going to follow the same lines as a number of other magazines have done, then I'll find another rag to read.
Even the vaunted technical feature "How to sort out your magneto" article, didn't give any proper information. I could start, but in view of the fact I'm learing (properly) myself, mostly through trial and error (Bearings don't just fall out!!!) and am probably not the best placed person to describe how to do it without resorting to the advetisers in the mag after it all goes wrong (yet), I'll not go on. I may write a proper article on how to sort your own mag out in the future, but I don't think any publication will print anything which may mean shortcutting their advertisers. It'd be a bit like the tax man telling you how not to pay tax, and meaning it!
I ceased my subscription a couple of years ago. Since then, I've bought only the issues which have interested me (sadly, the current issue of CB has suggested that I need not bother with a "flick through" in the newsagents for a while). The same applies to most of the other "Classic" bike mags available.
One or two bike clubs have the same thoughts, such as the 59 club, who have a "Classic Section". Also, the ACE cafe, which is run and owned by Mark Wlsmore (ex mounted policeman ((Once a Plod, always a Plod)), who knows there is a "cash in" factor around, realises that there's a few bods around, who like real proper bikes. Although, I have to point out, he also has evenings for ""HARLEY DAVIDSON"" cough cough, splutter splutter, far too much leather "I'm a Bank "Menage a trois", sorry, Manager, but I've always been a Biker (even when I was a Soul Boy)" evenings).
Anyway, I could go on a lot more (if you ask), but won't at the moment. I've only just got back from Netley Marsh, and the wife needs me!!
My Yamaha is a 'proper bike'. It has two wheels and an engine...
Last edited on Mon Sep 15th, 2008 04:15 pm by peteyam
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Duncan F.
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Posted: Mon Sep 15th, 2008 09:56 pm |
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But, would you buy a "Classic" Bike magazine, to read all about it? Well, you obviously have. I don't want to spend my money on a rag which tells me about new bikes. There are an awful lot of bikes produced on a daily basis, by a lot of manufacturers. Thousands are purchased every day, by thousands of motorcyclists. Some are really good, some are crap. Some have indicators, or electric feet, some have kickstarts and electrics which occasionally go wrong through lack of care. Not a problem, really. I don't care about them, so I walk past the showrooms/shops where I could buy them.
I ride old bikes, because I like to spend a bit ( a lot ) of time keeping them on the road, and I like the challenge. I want a magazine where I can read articles about others who share the same intertests as me, and who ride similar bikes, who have similar problems.
I don't want to read a magazine, which suggests I buy a new bike, then alter it to look like an older bike, but then suggest that it's still a "Classic".
If I was intertested in newer bikes (and the image created by riding an older bike, without the smell of the oil), I'd get a magazine which always told me about new "Retro" bikes, or which told me how to bolt bits on my bike, to make it look different, or older. To be honest, I could probably get the same amount of enjoyment, if I became a regular Daily Mail reader.
Her's a few of points:
Indicators...why? I've got arms for gawds sake!!
Electric foot....I've broken my hip 3 times. It's been replaced once. My worst concern last year (the latest break) was if I'd be able to start my '78 Bonnie!! (I can)
Will the Bonnie always start? Well, if it doesn't, I shouldn't be out on it anyway, as it's obviously not reliable.
Indicators again. '78 Bonnie had indicators. Now in bin.
Is it a classic?...I think so.
Would I ever trade it in for a newer bike?...Well I got married 5 years ago, after a 16 year courtship. The decision about getting married, took 16 years, would I ever give up my Bonnie in favour of a newer bike? NAH!
Is there a magazine which is "up my street" as far a "Classic" bikes go? ...Not at the moment.
That being said, I like this website.
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peteyam
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Posted: Tue Sep 16th, 2008 10:02 am |
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| Duncan, you make it sound as if the mag is mainly retros. It isn't. There are loads of articles about fixing old bikes in it every month. That's why I buy it. You make it sound as if they're supposed to write the mag specifically for you each month, and because the content doesn't meet your expectations 100 per cent all the time that they've wronged you in some way. Lighten up. Bikes are bikes, and there's plenty of what you said you like in the mag each month.
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Duncan F.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16th, 2008 09:00 pm |
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OK, I see your point, but I may have come across as being a bit heavier than I wanted. Of course I'd like the any mag to be aimed specifically at me and my own tastes (and a lot of others) but that's never going to happen, if I want a bike that talks about what I think are classic bikes. Maybe I should look out for a mag called "Classic Bikes (or at least what Duncan thinks are classic bikes)" magazine. With a sister title "Classic Bikes (or at least our idea of what one day may be a classic bike)".
I'd then be able to choose the one I wanted.
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