So You Want To Own A Classic Motorcycle? 

If you can’t work on it yourself. Don’t bother buying one.

As someone who has been riding for half a century, I just don’t understand what is so hard about learning how to work on Motorbikes. Unless you’re talking about the Japanese ones that is. I had no trouble learning everything I needed to know about the Triumphs I owned and rode from the early 70’s until I bought my first Harley in 2007. It was an 883 Sporster that is very similar in characteristics to the Bonnies and Tigers of the 1960’s and 70’s. I was going to buy a new Bonnie, but the price of this Sporty was $7,000, compared to the onroad price of the Bonnie at $15,000, so it was a very easy decision. I have ridden that Sporty all over Eastern Australia (which is a BLOODY BIG area!) and had no troubles at all with it. I did do an upgrade to 1275cc, which basically doubled the horsepower and torque, for a very good price. The engine is as simple to work on as the Triumphs and Nortons of my youth and that was one of the reasons I bought it. I have no use at all for any bike that I can’t work on and service myself, as the price of getting any workshop to do anything is ludicrously expensive. Besides, being over 20 years old, no bike shop will touch it. Basic Bike shops charge over $120/hr in labour, so I dread to think what the specialty shops would be charging. The other reason I believe we should at least learn about the mechanics of bikes, is that if you don’t, you’re basically at the mercy of EVERYONE who sees you coming. I have once or twice had people who were reputed to be experts, tell me the most ridiculous bollocks about bikes that I know well and I avoided their ‘expert advice’ like the plague thereafter, but if I hadn’t learned what I did when I was a young rider, I would’ve been sunk by people like the ones you encountered. The best way to get educated, is to join a club which has a number of OLD guys in it and listen to them. Ask questions. Not being afraid to admit how much you don’t know and asking advice is a sure way to get many such people to share their knowledge with you. The club setting means that you will have a group of people around to steer you clear of the wannabes and towards the genuine article. If you’re intent on keeping a classic machine, then this is an absolute MUST. There are old riders and mecahnics around who have a wealth of knowledge, and clubs are the best way to find them. Many of those types of people may not have a business as such, but love working on bikes and may be interested in doing that for a better price than a specialist shop. You can also learn a lot from online forums, which is how I researched for my Sportster upgrade. I spent two years just looking at all the information on the many different people who supply kits and so forth. I read through hundreds of reviews and comments on forums to learn who was really the best. Same can be done for your bike, even if you aren’t mechanically adept. Hope you get to spend some time riding, rather than waiting for work to be done. That’s a real PITA.

Very funny! You killed a few dreams in that eight minutes. 😂

I have been there, seen it and got the tea shirt. Years ago after being without a motor bike for a few years , I bought a BSA Barracuda 250CC single, it was a non- runner and I thought I'd do it up , so over two winters I stripped it down to the frame , everything re-chromed re-wired but I entrusted the engine to a motor bike repair shop, to "sort out" it had new electronic ignition, "new" carburettor and the shop got it running , sort of ! then they tell me that the fibreglass tank was leaking, why because the additives in modern fuels melted the seams of the tank! So finally I got the bike back , like you I had paid more than double the initial price, and it would reliably break down on every single ride, without fail. I used to " joke" that I might turn up, because I only had a 50/ 50 chance of it not breaking down. The engine would just stop , conk out, then 20minutes of kicking it over , trying everything until it decided it wanted to go home! It looked beautiful , as proper bikes should look, but I could not live with it, and sold it to buy a modern bike. So yes , get a vintage motor bike if you are a mechanic and have all the tools( a garage) and you know what you are doing, if you don't know how to keep them running, avoid them at all costs, and with me, it was at all costs!

As stated here, classic bikes are only practical for people capable of doing their own work. I have two, a 1978 Triumph T140V which I have owned for 30 years, and a 1980 Suzuki GS550, which I bought a couple of years ago to use as an all-weather, everyday bike to preserve the Triumph. I was lucky to find the Triumph when it was really low mileage, and had never been interfered with. The GS 550 is a different story, but it is sound enough to be reliable. I am a mechanic by trade (car), so I have always done all the work on my bikes myself, except for one occasion, about 20 years ago, where I was injured, and the Triumph damaged, in an accident, and unable to repair it myself, so it had to go a dealer, for insurance repairs. They were a well-known specialist in old and new Triumphs, so should have known what they were doing. What a shower of shit they were. When I collected it, just about fit to ride again, I had difficulty starting it, so the boss tried, and eventually it ran, but pretty rough. By this time, I just wanted to get it home and sort it myself, so I set off on the 30 mile ride through South London. It was a challenging journey, the throttle response was terrible, and there was far too much slack in the cable, but I persisted and made it back to my workshop. When I checked it over myself, I found that 1) They had used the wrong throttle cable, and no amount of adjustment would make it right. 2) They had set the ignition timing wrong, so that it was around 20 degrees over advanced (it was a wonder it started at all) 3) The front wheel rim was running about 4mm out of true 4) They had fitted a cheap, pattern indicator which didn't match the other 3 originals. When I phoned to tell them about it, they offered no apology, just said bring it back and we'll put it right. Needless to say, I did not want them to touch it again, and got them to send me the correct parts and fitted them myself. This was supposed to be a specialist, and yet they obviously employed poorly trained monkeys with no clue about the most common classic bike you will find. Incidentally, I had an 850 Commando, brand new, in 1974, and it was a lovely bike to ride, but needed a lot of work to keep it reliable and I was only 19, so it got neglected and I gave up on it after 2 years and sold it. When it came to buying another bike some years later, they were too expensive, so I went for the Triumph as a more practical choice.

Like old landrovers you have to be able to listen and learn. My six fifty triumph taught me how to do most jobs on a bike and ive done everything except an engine rebuild on my land rovers. Turning riders into mechanics since 1930. And ive got all the spanners I'll ever need

Still have my 72 Bsa 650 I bought as a teenager in 76. Original except for the electronic ignition and reliable. Also ride a Vfr750f for long distance cos me export beeza only holds 2gallons. Owning and riding any classic is easier when you’ve completed a maintenance course and have become fit in spannering.

Great video, can't wait for the next one already!

I’m sure we all recognise your pain, BUT, let’s for one minute consider an alternative scenario . Say, you spent fifteen grand on a brand new shining 1250GS and were then told by the dealer from the swivel chair in his luxury smoked glass sales penthouse that to tour the world (read Sainsbury’s car parks), you wouldn’t look the part without “hard luggage”, spot lights affixed to your crash bars and the obligatory light grey textile jump suit all the others wear to say “look at me I once had money but I’ve spent it”(another three grand gone). Off you set and like Boreman and McGregor you pose your way down to the Alps cruising effortlessly at 80mph on the autobahn (just like the family of four going on holiday in their Vauxhall Corsa). Wet and Wind beaten you bravely but miraculously ascend the Gotthard Pass on your leviathan that would pull you vertically in top gear if needed only to feel cheated as the crowds pour over a guy whose reached the summit on a 40 year old Honda 90. Dejected you realise your globetrotter is not pulling the interest you expected (apart of course from those pesky kids laughing from the back window of the Corsa because it’s raining and they are dry and you are wet). Fear not you return to your dealer and he has the solution to your woes! You NEEDED the 1300 GS! the 1250 is so”yesterday “ Suddenly that 1971 Bonneville looks a good investment 😊

God, if I'd only known back then how desirable certain classic bikes would be today, I'd have kept every bike I ever owned. Two 1972 Triumph Daytona 500's, a 1975 Kawasaki S3 400, a 1974 Kawasaki Z-1B 900 and a 1985 Kawasaki GPz900R (Ninja). I'd give my left nut to have any one of them back.

This was awesome, so funny (sorry) I was always into off road Hondas, now a lot later in life I bought my first road bike a 1949 matchless g80 500 rigid, it's got alot of issues to , wrong piston ½ to short ring gaps all 3mm , and many more issues, must have been a cousin of your bodger mechanic , 🤣 , also bought a 750 Norton and Triumph T160 , luckily I'm mechanical so I have to sort out my own issues. Really enjoyed the vid 🤣 .

So True, I've been screwing around with vintage (japanese and one BMW) bikes for decades. IT is remarkably easy to delude oneself isn't it! Brilliant video and so so true!

I understand the frustration with vintage bikes, but it sounds like you've had some bad luck. : ) I've had pretty good experiences with my vintage bikes. I've got a 1975 Honda CB750 I picked up on Ebay a few years ago for 2 grand that hasn't missed a beat. It's never left me stranded or had any major work done to it. Two years ago I picked up a 1964 Triumph TR6 that's been great. I had one break-down on that bike when I first bought it, but it was an easy repair and it's been solid ever since. Starts first kick. You definitely have to be willing to learn to do the maintenance and diagnose problems that might come up, but I find that part rewarding. I"ve got a friend who works on old bikes professionally and when I see someone bring their vintage bike to him for an oil change or a new clutch cable I quietly judge that person. You gotta learn the basics..

Just renovated a t140 4 major oil leaks ,head seized to cylinder,charging system broke,clutch plates seized ,carbs rebuilt and don’t mention the electrics good job I work on them myself and enjoy it if you have no mechanical skills leave well alone😂

❤sorry for all the trouble mate I rescued my 1966 T20 mountain cub after a shoddy restoration and the local triumphs dealer completely shoddy repairs I bought it and a year later I got back in spec and saved it myself the bike runs like a dream and handles like a swan .I am building a 1970 T120 myself and it will b as good as it ever will be I am sorry for your experience mate and wish you the best Keep your face into the wind and your eyes on the horizon thank foryour videos l am a veteran automotive mechanic with 50 years experience and have devoted my retirement to getting these great machines out on the road I am so glad I have been able to make my dreams come true

Can agree, I've basically had had British Bikes since 1984 mostly Meriden Triumphs and 1 commando, basically had to survive on my wits with mechanical work which was Testing to say the least (no you tube vids) but I can safely say today I'm very competent with these old runners, but there were countless hours of trials and tribulations and annoying any person that could lend their intellectual property towards me, 64 now and still enjoying it so I'll keep buzzin around on em,,,77 T140,,,78 T140

sadly, you are correct. i bought a brand new RE 350 classic, ran it in myself, i do all the maintenance etc. and i'm keeping it forever. no weird history going on. if it's broken, i broke it. plus, i love it to death.

Agree with those that say if you can’t do the work yourself, classics aren’t for you. You can learn, but if not willing, don’t bother. From my off-road racing and riding, I was used to working on my bike nearly as much as I rode it. My box of parts built 54’ pan-shovel custom is no different. I am also currently working on a full tear down and customizing a 69’ Trophy basket case. You have to start somewhere with picking up tools but again, if not wanting or willing, go modern. Riding a vintage bike isn’t for others. It’s for you.

Great Video,,,loved everything you said,,,so true,Classic motorcycles,..unless you're a Allen Millyard or a Burt Munro,,,its an endless money pit for sure,had two Trident T150s,,I'm not a mechanic's rearend,,,love them,but cost gaazillions,..many thousands of us cannot explain why we love old classic motorcycles,,,maybe a youth yurning thing...a genetic flaw..!

I've got a 1980 xt500, spent heaps on it, doesn't run right, looks good but goes and stops poorly But I'm in way too deep to give up

Very amusing, and I really did laugh out loud when you said you sold the Hinkley triumph and bought an Enfield! You truly are special!!

I've had my '59 T-bird thirty years. It was a bitza with no matching numbers, actually no frame number. The front end I bought off the UK army brand new. the correct year motor assembled from parts. The head recycled for lead free fuel. A racing tuner balanced the crank for a top speed of 80MPH ( I can ride a youngish 125cc if I want to go fast) and it idles like a Swiss watch.. One piece crank, 8:1 hepolite pistons, std cams, wide timing gears, late model oil pump and a magneto. Three phase "police" alternator. Monoblock carbie from spares. Crash bars front and rear and US high bars. Twin leading front brake (poss the best ever drum brake ever made) with lated revised linkage. Regular use for the first ten years (that was the 1951 engine) and starts second kick from cold. It's not original, it's original condition and it's mine and to hell with what anyone thinks. It pulls a crowd hence the crome molly chain and the Jackson four lever pad lock. Tip never buy and old bike and disassemble it. Keep it together and running. Refurbishj/replace as parts become available. So what if it takes ten years to stop blowing smoke. Oh one last point: ignore oil leaks. Only worry if the oil stops leaking. Cheers T

Very funny, exactly what a lot of guys have experienced I expect!

Great video 👍 takes me back my last bike few years ago was a venture into 'classic' they say never meet your hero 65 years old I hunted down the poster bike of my youth XS1100 one owner live it pampered life in a house as part of a collection, result looked great wiring unfortunately was so dried out and brittle it kept breaking down every time I tried to go out on it, friends stopped answering the phone as they new what was in store if I was part of the run! Great days not quite 😊

One man’s two wheeled bent and rusty scrap is another man’s ‘classic’. There are genuine sellers out there who are knowledgeable and honest about the machines they are selling. Unfortunately, in my experience, they’re too few and far between. Importing containers full of an unknown quantity then spending 30 minutes going over them with a jet wash and a bit of polish then doubling or tripling the price seems to be the norm nowadays. Nothing to do with an appreciation of old machines. All to do with emptying as much cash from your wallet as possible.

Funniest vlog I’ve seen in ages!! I also owned a vintage lemon. A Ducati Desmo 250cc 1973 model. A great looking cafe racer (silver metal flake paint work), but totally unreliable. The big end went, electrics failed whilst riding and foot peg rotated in unison with the gear stick. Goodbye Italy, hello Japan (my new, loyal friend).

I feel your pain. After watching your classic car ownership experience and now your classic bike experience, I just hope your shiny new electric car doesn't burn down a concrete carpark at Luton Airport. "In circumstances restored can mean ......." had me crying with laughter Phil, that didn't stop until "I may sound jaded, I am jaded". Thankyou so much for sharing your experiences in such a funny, slightly bitter and twisted way. Priceless story teller.

If you aren’t mechanically minded ,& have to pay someone else to fix your classic or any type of machine.Then unfortunately yes this is the type of experience you will have. If you can do it yourself you’ll still have lots of grief,but will avoid being f#cked about by dealers & save yourself a lot of money.

Love the dry humour - keep going!

Wonderful humour and wisdom there, thank you! I remember a shop in Bradford trying to sell me a Triumph trident before they were popular and the mechanic, who was twice my weight,nearly passed away with a heart attack trying to kick it over!😂

Great! Can agree with most comments here. Started with a 1960 Bonnie back in the day, never looked back. Finally surrendered and bought a 2023 T120. Now i get to ride instead of wrench, but what a journey over the many years. The colorful folks I've met while chasing parts, knowledge etc. The new bike hasn't been the same experience. Yes it runs great, has some link to the past in feel and style, but where is the personality and long walks home pushing the bike? Truthfully, what a step up. But what i do see is the younger set can't even change their own oil, and don't want to know how. Shame they're missing out on a lot of satisfaction and experiences. All enjoy and ride safe...

2016 Triumph Thruxton, just rode it 800 kms in very hot conditions at highway speeds, with no mechanical breakdown. Looks like a classic, is an icon and lots of old guys stare, point, wave and ask you how old is the Triumph. Its true the older bikes are simple enough to restore. I can do medium level mechanical work. However I resist buying a classic 650 and spend the down time riding a 1200.

had a bonne t140 d you hit the nail on the head so funny

Brilliant video, Michael particularly enjoyed it and a great old photo of the lads….don’t put too many people of buying old bikes until I’ve sold the Triumph Tiger!

So true. Classics are for summer sundays and long winters spent in your shed tinkering with your bits. You can dream of a recaptured youth on the bike you always wanted but couldnt afford and Kim Basinger is waiting for you to take her for a ride. The reality is that she's 70 now and will need help to get on and off. You only got to the road end before youre hip started playing up and just went home...

Loved the video mate. Cheers from Chicago Well earned Sub.

I'm the exception that proves the rule -possibly, my passion has been Italian classics and I can honestly say I've had 4 seventies Italian bikes and they've all been 100% reliable and only required routine maintenance such as oil, plugs and air filters etc. A Morini 350 I rode from West Wales to the toe of Italy and back, a 750 guzzi I toured around Europe a Ducati also and a Laverda mirage, all covered 4-5000 miles per year and I commuted them and rode in winter. Conversly I had a brand new T140 that broke down 2nd day of ownership and a 1200 bandit that was an absolute pile of crap.

Bloody marvellous and so true! I remember when Harley's were squeezed into a small bike shop at 3 Cross near Ringwood, Hants, run by a bunch of total tosspots. They 'serviced' my Honda CB200 which promptly holed a piston on the dual carriageway to Bournemouth! There are so many similar stories. I then owned a KH250 triple and my mate had a lovely Norton Commando (70's) but it was always breaking down or wouldn't start. He traded it for an RD250 - much better. I could go on!! Btw, I just bought a 1976 Gold Wing GL1000!

1:31 Of course it's worth it! Especially if one has reached the age when one can be sat on the bench by the stove, closing the eyes and start watching a film. I like to sit in the workshop watching the bike that is just on the lfting ramp. And I'm happy to know that she ready to start when ever I want to go for a spin. Back in april I had a nasty workplace accident, shattering my right knee. I'm still walking on crutches and I don't know if I ever can kick-start my bikes again. Sometimes I'm frightened to lose the race against time. The other day a mate and I talked about taking our classic lorries to England to participate in the Transpennine Run. Of course it's worth it, telling at home about the driving on the wrong side of the road in a classic lorry. Of course it's worth it to show the young people the bikes and cars from the time when we were entirely young, not only in the head. Keep it up! The rest does not lie with us. If I may suggest, you ought to buy a Z1000 A1 or A2 it's the better bike in every angle or better still a Z650 B or C. She has a smashing engine, a stable frame, a very good handling and more than enough power. Timing the coil ignition or synchronising the carbureters is child's play. Where Honda and the other Japanese used 5 or 6mm bolts, Kawa used to use 8mm. A German Z650 would be recommendable because they came with double disks in front. If you buy one I would come to the UK showing you how to adjust the valve clearance, changing the breakers and cond., synchronising the carbs... Take care!

Priceless! Wise words indeed. And - where can I get some of that 'running in oil' that you mention.......

I'm working on an old Bsa a65 at the moment, many years ago I'd had a few triumphs one bought in bits but I have to say this A65 has been fairly hard work just stripping it down, it's easy to see why the Japanese took over the motorcycle market. I am looking forward to not paying road tax though.

Absolutely brilliant ..and yes if you dont have the mechanical skills..its very hard work finding a mechanic that knows his stuff...also pattern parts avoid at all costs ...99% of them are crap.

A. You have to know how to buy an old bike. B. See A. ...C. I bought a '68 Bonneville in the early 80's from Maury Gauger in Richmond ,Ill. You either know of him or you don't. That thing was first kick in Chicago, and first kick at 5000 ft. in Colorado. The young fool(me ) sold it,way back then. Now, 40 years later I just snagged a 1983 Honda cx 650 custom. My first electric start ! Her motor's a tank. Was mostly garage kept. Putting some new parts on her ,fer sure, but the bike is a dream. It's possible , I've owned the two best 650 twins ever built. And P.S. - back in the day of my Triumph, my buddies all had Kawwie LTD 900's or thousands.I'd get to ride 'em. Big Heavy Led Sleds. I'd get back on my 380 lb. Bonneville, high bars, four inches over on the forks,nimble and torquey, and baby, I was home. And the rice folks totally respected the Bonnie. She was one of a kind. Will miss her forever.

I totally agree with you 90%, I have one of those retro Triumphs and I find it goes quite well. I bought the fuel injection model 2012 actually had it remapped and opened up the pipes and airfilter and mate it flies. Anyway had a good laugh because I know exactly what you are talking about, we all want a classic but you need to be a trained professional to keep it on the road mostly. Cheers mate and ride safely old mate

When bitten by the “project bike” bug, decide how you want to spend your money. Either budget thousands for tools, parts and mechanics labor or spend the same amount on a bike in decent, running condition.

Interesting take on classic bikes. You really do need to commit to do what it takes to set them up right, to be safe, dependable, and wonderful to ride and experience. Last year I restored a 1978 Moto Guzzi 850 Lemans, and I just finished restoring a 1975 Norton 850 Commando MK3. Videos of some of my bikes are on my channel. So far, I've had good luck with them, my bikes look and run as good as new, but I can certainly see how things can go horribly wrong. Guess I like the pain given I'm looking for my next bike to restore... they are very addictive.

Owned a 1975 T140V decades ago. Enjoyed riding it but slowing to a junction & changing down, the gearbox mainshaft sheared in half & locked the rear wheel. My brother had a Commando & trying to start it one day with the end result being the fire brigade turning up to extinguish the bike...

I agree with most of what you said, I have always rebuilt and maintained my toys. At the rallies it is the old guy judging your work but on my first ride of my newly restored 73 850 Commando a young 20ish woman stopped me and gushed all over my bike, unfortunately she paid no attention to the old guy riding said bike.

I campaigned 2 x Bonnevilles ( a 74 & 78 ) for more than 12 years. F-en funny as 1 was left hand gear change, t'other was righthand gear-change = I learnt to kick down on both foot-levers in emergency situations, as I never knew which one I was riding at the Time heheheh... I worked out that I spent average approx 500 hours, and $5000 each Year, keeping them on the bluddy Road but ( party on the weekend ? - no way I got bikes to fix ) In 2002 I bought a Harley. Both Bonnies have been in my Lounge room, ever since.......... Spot-On and cheers your summation Matey !!

Absolutely brilliant video, so hilarious, so true. I even have all these issues with my 1995 XT660 so it’s not just the real classics that can be troublesome money pits. I’m 61 and don’t have enough mechanical skills or money to keep old bikes going, but i keep buying them because I’m an idiot. I hope you are going to make lots more videos, I’ve subscribed to your truly excellent channel.

You, my friend, remind me of me! I love Triumphs. Classic, new- I don’t care! But I wish I had all the $ back I’ve spent on them over the last 45 years! Oh well, the things we do for love! Good video!👍🇺🇸❤️

The truth will free you! Praise the Lord! - at last someone telling it like it REALLY is!

Best laugh I have had in years. . Thank you. I am lucky enough to live where you can ride all year and being an old fart, speed isn’t top of my wish list. I do like the old school look so my needs are met with a trouble free 10 year old Kawasaki W800. Cheers from Queensland, Australia.

As well as mechanical ability and patience, all the peripherals need to be sorted. A warm workshop with music, a comfortable chair and a kettle. A useful item was a stainless steel sink on a frame with castors, with a washing up bowl beneath the plughole.

This!! If you can't work on them yourself, buy a modern bike, tart it up a bit with a cafe seat and paint and enjoy trouble-free riding. And forget about taking it to the local classic-bike 'expert'. Most of them are incompetent. Either learn to work on them yourself or just admire them from afar. My first job in bike shop involved picking up the crated Nortons from the Long Beach docks, assembling and servicing them and wiping of the cosmoline.. The boss also let me ride them - what a thrill for a 16-year-old. Been messing with and commuting on my old Brit-bikes (and Ducati singles) ever since. I bought all my classics in non-running condition for cheap and fixed 'em myself.

A sad tale indeed. The moral of the story is to buy a new, modern motorcycle I guess. Great vid.

I have a very nice 1974 Norton Commando and I have an equally nice, but cosmetically challenged 1966 Triumph T100. people young and old come up to me all the time to look over the Triumph. I had a lady yell through an open car window "nice bike" as she drove past No one even looks twice at the Norton.

Great to see some video footage of the 2015 Ramsgate Sprint Revival

Hi, meybe try a Yamaha XS650 1980 - 1983 mine has been on the road for 9 trouble free years, a solid 650cc parralell twin, new oil and plugs every summer and thats about all the maintenence it needs. love it. good luck.

I feel your frustration and would say some degree of mechanical knowledge is a must if you don’t have a trusted mechanic and deep pockets, mind you my early mechanical knowledge did lead me to set fire to my lovely Vincent rapide in much the same fashion your commando went up. I can laugh about it now but can assure you I wasn’t running into the garage to get the hose 😂

Your narrative style is very amusing. Owning a classic requires either being rich like Jay Leno, or having a workshop full of whitworth spanners and sprocket pullers and feeling happy to spend several evenings a week messing about with it. The fixing is part of the joy for many owners. If you need to pay someone else to do it then it's going to be pricy and probably frustrating.

I love many of the old bikes and remember them well in their heyday, personally I would opt for a modern retro classic like an interceptor or a modern Bonnaville or even a Kawasaki W850, fuel injection, ABS and rides a hell of a lot better than the old buckets they were based on. But most of all…. Reliable.

Very enjoyable and true, but I still cannot help myself with a trail of truimphs, BSAs over the years and now and Ariel sq4. Just start buying BSW spanners from the swap meets and have a go. You will have hours of mental health in the shed with the radio on.

Back in the day, I seem to remember most British motorcycle engines being referred to as 20,000 mile motors. That was the absolute max you could expect from a new engine before serious problems beset it!

So true. The new Triumph T100 has almost all the looks of the 1970s Bonneville - but with electric start, no Amal carburetors, no Lucas electrics, no oil leaks...and no endless tinkering with the timing case adjustments. And at a price new, adjusted for time and inflation, what the original ones cost. The most lasting legacy of those older bikes was the rider position and overall ergonomic proportions - that they got that brilliantly right.

I have a G80 Matchless from 1952 and luckily I am also an Engineer!.. I certainly agree with what you say as there are some very characters out there.. But I disagree with one thing... Girls seem to like these old bikes?.. Either that or they think that you may have some money?!..

I have a 2018 Triumph street cup,many older gentlemen stop and admire it then they love to drop....but it isnt a real Triumph is it,into the conversation.I smile at them and then say....maybe it isnt but i want to ride it...not repair it.

Sympathy, but you really have to do it yourself. Hard to believe shops can fail to fix such simple machines

I ride a '72 Norton Combat Commando (set up as a cafe racer). Yes, it's been upgraded to fix all the problems with Combat Commandos. I also did what any sane person would do and completely rewired it with modern electrics on a negative ground. Throw in a better clutch and a belt for the primary drive -- plus aftermarket brakes -- and it's a delightful ride. It's also very cheap to operate, since I do all work myself. And it's tough enough that when I was hit by a truck more than a year ago, I took more scratches and dents tham the bike did. Some youngsters here in the US have no idea what it is. Some take one look, though, and the coolness factor of retro gets to them.

Been there done that, still doing it 😂🤔😢latest cb 550 chop, mate doing it up (i hope) homda ntv 650 great bikes for daily hack. Good entertainment! Keep it up!

Lovely photo of Margate Meltdown

Classic bike ownership is all about your willingness to learn how to maintain your machine & not just pay for others to do it & hope for the best.... Less mechanical ability=deeper pockets required....

Love this video

So the moral of the first story is do some research before you put your bike into a workshop. And see how much you can do yourself. I've found that the more effort you put into finding out about your classic bike. Like joining forums, ask questions, buy manuals etc, then the more successful you'll be. Personally, I quite enjoy that side of it. Just found your channel Interesting so far. 👍

spot on

Hilarious video l really enjoyed it, l know exactly what you mean, l love the fact that you have learned absolutely nothing from the experience....🙂 Fortunately l brought my Norton Commando 850 Interstate almost new ex demo machine in 1973 from the Norton dealer Gus Khun where l worked for a few years. I still have it and to honest she really has been no trouble over the 68,000 miles. Done a few sensible mods like electronic ignition and belt drive primary conversion, done all the maintenance myself and never let idiots with spanners anywhere near her. I have a Royal Enfield Classic 500 and l love it, so simple to maintain and real pleasure to ride, but l have done a series of modes to improve he handling and performance.....I live in Ramsgate just in you break down near me and need advice.....🙂

And as a 74 year old biker dare I say that many 'classic' bikes were a bit crap when new...time plays it's tricks on our memories and also add's a little more rose tinting to our glasses.

How right you are!!! $150.00 basket case 1986 as of today (close to or more than) $10,000.00 and still investing LOL Can't help myself!!!

You have summed up the support system behind classic motorcycles beautifully. It’s crap. Even worse is that these practitioners of tongue to window dysplasia are so stupid they are not even rich. Most don’t have a pot to piss in. What I certainly would not do though is walk away from them unless I have legally and financially destroyed their business if they screw me over - even if just for shit and giggles. The problem we have is that the typical knuckle-dragger involved in the motor trade (there are some superb exceptions) does so because they unemployable anywhere else. Fixing broken classics is certainly a viable proposition. They typically have loads of excess metal and are put together in such a way that you can take them apart with few special tools. The very best you can do is speak to the doddery old farts you bump into and ask them for advice as to where specialist jobs can be performed. If you have the parts you need, the basic spannering is not too complicated, provided you utter the appropriate incantations to the gods as you re-assemble your prized money pit. But I’m a heathen. I have gone for a modern classic. It weighs a ton but performs reasonably and looks good. My bike? A 2019 Triumph Bonneville T120.

Right I am off to buy a street triple 😊

Superb! Gave me a few chuckles and a lot of smiles 😄

oooh, suites you sir!

If you get a vintage moto because you think it will turn heads or hordes of cute girls with throw their knickers at you I'm afraid you are horribly misled. Among other things I have a '74 850 Commando that has been built up to near perfection over many years and I can confirm that middle-aged men with bad beards are the only people who have the remotest chance of noticing such a beautiful old bike. You don't own a classic bike to get attention, you own one for the journey. Classic bikes are beautiful and infuriating and mysterious and when you get them sorted, absolutely magical. You have to be able to do almost all of your own work or be willing to learn, your old bike has a personality and you need to get to know it and figure out how to keep it happy. I enjoy time in the garage doing repairs and maintenance nearly as much as a lovely ride, it's all part of the journey. And those modern retro classics? That's a hard no for me.

£8000 t160 dream bike turned into one year of not much time spent on road.luckiy got my money back.at least i did ride one.

That was the funniest thing, thanks Phil. By the way how did you get rid of that dodgy Z900?

If you thought the Hinckley Bonneville was numb. What on earth made you think the Royal Enfield would be any better. And if you think the Z900 smoked. The Trident will be worse. S case of " Yes Sir. They all do that"

😂😂😂 Yup, that just about sums it up. I have just bought the new Triumph Bonneville (2023) and I'm very pleased with it. Plenty of grunt and quite good looking. Everyone who has admired it so far has indeed been over 70. Tested the BSA Gold Star which was a very fun ride, but under powered for me and the build quality was pants. Didn't even bother trying out a Royal Enfield, cos they're just shite. Could you tell us your current steed of choice?

I'm so happy to have watched this vid. I was about to get a Royal Enfield Café Racer.

Of course it’s worth it shining in the covers what’s wrong with that keeping looking nice and if you’ve done it up yourself you just tinkering with it a bit to keep in running order it’s great🏍️🎼⛽️⛽️🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. New bikes running cost ££ services ££ can be £300 to £700 + etc.

Get a bike and send it to Alan Millyard, the man's a mechanical genius,he could probably get your NVT moped running, ( I remember them,some rebadged Italian make in the late 70's,)

Fantastic............🙂

You need a good knowledgeable friend to choose your next bike ☺

Hilarious. I'll stick with my memories of my Triumphs and Norton Commando FB, when they, and I were young.

I’d love to own a classic bike but like a lot of people I’m priced out of the market by people like Henry Cole who throw shitloads of money at something then get someone else to rebuild it as a bleedin investment.

Your summary sits somewhere between realistic and pessimistic. In my experience the big issue with classic bikes is lack of use. Many are only ridden occasionally and often laid up for long periods, something which plays havoc with internal components, and also with fasteners. That will lead to running problems, failures, and then difficulty in dismantling for maintenance. All this despite an outwardly shiny and polished look. A classic CAN be a reliable machine with little more than routine maintenance, but must be used regularly in order to keep everything supple and in order, just like a human body! Don't buy garage queens, look for something which has been in regular use. Go to club meetings and ride outs, look for the bikes you see out and about and enquire whether any are for sale. Trawl social media pages for model-specific groups. Sooner or later something suitable will come up.

ive worked in motorbike shops over the years and once entrusted a new machine to be serviced by a shop , never again , most seem to be staffed by people that are just bullshitting money grabbers , hopefully there are exceptions , ive just never met them

Mechanics doing mechanical work with a manager interrupting them every twenty minutes isn't going to do great work. Been there, done that.

Very-Funny (and often-True unfortunately ) I once-owned a very-low-miles T140 that was great (All my other-Triumphs were Dogs ) . My Norton-Atlas went-well (when it would Start ! ) for a couple-of-years until a 'big-end blew . My two-Ducati's (GT750 and 900-Darmah ) were great as-was my Laverda-Mirage . I now ride the-best Triumph that they 'Never-Built' , a Kawasaki W650 and it's brilliant (for that-style-of-bike & 360-degree-crank) . I also have a vintage Yamaha TR1-XV1000 that is remarkably-reliable , pleasantly-loud and goes-hard (gets bloody-heavier each-year though ) . Buy a W650 or a 'Classic' that's been owned and loved by a fanatic-owner (preferably a good-mechanic) and join a Club of 'Like-Minded' 'Old-Farts' who can help-you fix it... Dave nz

Kawasaki w800 no problem. End problems.

All Brit Bikes need to be owned by mechanics and machinists, and even then they're a trial of patience !!!