Vintage Motorcycles: When old becomes new again

[Scott Brady]

I want to buy it, throw a set of vintage looking hard bags on it and ride to Tierra del Fuego on it - anyone else?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/269583/images/enfield.jpg

Of course it is completely impractical, slow and handles like a sac of potatoes

But it is beautiful
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm264/joashr/Miscellaneous/g5-military-tan.jpg

http://bikereview.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/royal-enfield-bullet-classic-500cc.jpg?w=500&h=333

[Cabrito]

Yeah,
That's cool.

[Scott Brady]

Tim's recent Triumph trip had me looking into Scramblers. This would be an even more practical, though slightly less stylish approach than the C5 Enfield (IMO of course). The stock high pipes kind of ruin it for me. . .a little

http://www.svgamer.com/motorcycles/2009-triumph-scrambler-motorcycle.jpg

http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/scrambler_gallery_pop_1_2008.jpg

http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/Scrambler_2010_gallery3L_1024x768.jpg

http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/Scrambler_2010_gallery4L_1024x768.jpg

The high pipes look better on this version ;)
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/IMG_8097e.jpg

Here is a modified exhaust (each side has a pipe)
http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/triumph_scrambler_mission_impossible.jpg

[RHINO]

i dont know that i would trust a royal for a trip in remote areas unless i had the means to get parts/support quickly. having said that i do want one.

i keep looking on craigslist for an old "right priced" bmw r65 or similar to make my own WWII military looking bike. or olvie drab scrambler if you will.

[BEVAN]

I have a 67 Norton atlas and 68 BSA Victor...both with full resto, I'd love to take them on a trip but a bit more testing will be needed before that can happen.

[1speed]

Hmmm,

[8850]

A nice 70's /5 would be a great older bike. They were state of the art touring bikes in their day and are not hard to work on.

[whatcharterboat]

Vintage Motorcycles: When old becomes new again

Does this Enfield do it for ya, Scott? New ISDT Replica. 612cc kit in it too.

http://thekneeslider.com/images/2010/03/mcdeeb-six-days-2.jpg
Regards John.

[Rexsname]

Stephanie colored her hair?




REX

[Rexsname]

OD green Scrambler please......It just looks sooooo cool! It's not trying to be anything it is not. It's not a cruiser, not a 'go fast' bike, not an adventure bike, but.........................It certainly would cruise, go fast and provide many adventures.

(rant on) Why are there so few standard motorcyles available? TU250 Enfield and some triumphs are all I can think of at the moment....(rant off)


REX

[Brian McVickers]

I have had a long time crush on the 2wd Ural!
At first it was the Patrol:Wow1:
http://www.imz-ural.com/patrol/pics/Patrol_White_RightView1_520.jpg

And then last year they released the Sahara! :drool:
http://www.luxurylaunches.com/2009/03/24/ural_main.jpg

Say what you want about reliability, that is what a tool kit and spare parts are for!

The best part is that Amy has a huge affection for them as well. We'd love to get ahold of one and have some fun plans to use two of them for a family of four worldwide adventure! :bike_rider::rally_guys::roost::26_13_1:

[goodtimes]

The new Triumph Scramblers are pretty nice bikes. I'd take one over the RE.

I hi-jacked Jonathan's project a while back (he should know better than to leave it in my garage unattended), and while it has plenty of 'cool' to it, my back hurt for a couple days after a short 15 mile ride across town. It feels a little cramped to me. But maybe I'm just spoiled on the BMW (and now the Husaberg). I like to stretch out a bit on the bikes.

[Brian McVickers]

The new Triumph Scramblers are pretty nice bikes. I'd take one over the RE.

I hi-jacked Jonathan's project a while back (he should know better than to leave it in my garage unattended), and while it has plenty of 'cool' to it, my back hurt for a couple days after a short 15 mile ride across town. It feels a little cramped to me. But maybe I'm just spoiled on the BMW (and now the Husaberg). I like to stretch out a bit on the bikes.

Are you talking about the Royal Enfield project?

I had it for a week and wa surprized at how small it felt.
But, at the same time, every time I rode it I was grinning ear-to-ear:)

[Rexsname]

Yeah but Johnathan is not exactly what you'd call a "real big man"......
Arizona freeways? Probably not.

REX

[Brian McVickers]

Yeah but Johnathan is not exactly what you'd call a "real big man"......
Arizona freeways? Probably not.

REX

I had the Royal Enfield up to, um, or - I mean, I've heard you can get the Royal Enfield up to a top speed of 72mph but you have to learn how to work within the rev limiter.:bike_rider:

[goodtimes]

Are you talking about the Royal Enfield project?

I had it for a week and wa surprized at how small it felt.

Yes, and yes.

I get the same feeling when I ride the DR200 or the XL250. Not so much on the CM400 -- but that is still a bit small compared to the GS or the Husaberg.

[Flounder]

This may be an odd place to say this but, sometimes you don't have to ride your moto to the edge of 90 consecutive horizons to enjoy the ride. Sometimes just cruising around town like the Fonz is fun enough.

[lowenbrau]

I've wanted a vintage bike ever since the last episode of MASH when Hunnicutt drove off into Korea in a WWII Indian Scout. The Canadian forces used this same bike and I have heard stories about barn finds so i just keep waiting. There is a Ural dealer just down the road though. Maybe that would tide me over?

Perhaps I should commute on one of these (http://www.kikker5150.com/hardknock.html) for a while and get it out of my system.

http://www.kikker5150.com/ron1.jpg

[SOAZ]

I am already making an aluminum skidplate for my bonnie and then when the current tires wear out I'll be putting some very mild dirt tires, like an 80/20 tire.
Already saw some stock scrambler rear shocks on craigslist.
I like it. Slow going offroad, but I can't seem to help myself from putting down dirt tracks with this bike!

:sombrero:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Motorcycles/P8210001.jpg

[taco2go]

I want to buy it, throw a set of vintage looking hard bags on it and ride to Tierra del Fuego on it - anyone else?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/269583/images/enfield.jpg

That image with black background has been my wallpaper for about a year. Would be perfect for puttering through the farms to get to work. Someday....:drool:

[jcbrandon]

Did somebody say olive drab?

http://californiascooterco.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Steve650.jpg (http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=2218)

That's one of the factory customs from the California Scooter Company. Would you believe a 2,200-mile ride the length of Baja (http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=2497)and back in nine days?

[AFSOC]

Tim's recent Triumph trip had me looking into Scramblers. This would be an even more practical, though slightly less stylish approach than the C5 Enfield (IMO of course). The stock high pipes kind of ruin it for me. . .a little

Some of us who were kids in the 70s probably gravitate towards the high pipe styling. Some of the first "enduros" I lusted over exhausted like that. Some of the first bikes I could afford to buy (since they were 10-15 years old at the time) had those exhausts.

Retro styling became an automotive segment 10 years ago, not it's hit motorcycles. When I look at these bikes, I find myself in the same category with the guy who's buying the new Challenger because when he was 18 he wanted a new 1970 Cuda or Challenger but couldn't get one.


`

[Martinjmpr]

Well, I've had mine for almost 2 years now and I love it!

I've put a few things on it that detract from the "classic" looks: Rear rack (Renntec), top case & small windshield. The good news is that all of those can be removed in less than 10 minutes with just a few turns of a wrench.

Does great in the dirt, even with street tires (Dunlop D404s) that I just put on. Here she is about to ascend Moki Dugway in Utah:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Triumphs%20in%20Taos/2010_0913_082311AA.jpg

And here's the view from halfway up. Note the road in the background. That was some fun riding!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Triumphs%20in%20Taos/2010_0913_082654AA.jpg

As for Royal Enfield, I have a great t-shirt at home that reads "Royal Enfield: Makes on Ordinary Man into a Mechanic!" :sombrero:

[AFSOC]

As for Royal Enfield, I have a great t-shirt at home that reads "Royal Enfield: Makes on Ordinary Man into a Mechanic!" :sombrero:

:wings: Now, that's funny! :bike_rider:

[Rexsname]

Martinjmpr,

I've looked at their website but haven't been able to find the info. What is the fuel capasity of the fuel tank and what is your typical fuel mileage?

Have you had any reliability issues?

REX

[taco2go]

As for Royal Enfield, I have a great t-shirt at home that reads "Royal Enfield: Makes on Ordinary Man into a Mechanic!" :sombrero:

Ha!
Although given the current trend of hiding all the mechanical bits behind chrome and plastic, I for one wouldn't mind that transformation. :Mechanic:

[SOAZ]

Martinjmpr,

I've looked at their website but haven't been able to find the info. What is the fuel capasity of the fuel tank and what is your typical fuel mileage?

Have you had any reliability issues?

REX

Think of the scrambler as a tweaked triumph bonneville.
I get about 150 miles and then I hit reserve which is generous at .8 gallons I believe.

The scram has some taller shocks for ground clearance. A skid plate. The awesome high pipes. A 270 degree version of the bonnevilles 360 degree motor so it gets less HP, but more of a Torquey dirt bike feeling.
I'm sure a triumph nerd can list many more little differences, but those are the main ones.

Basically a scrambler can be turned into a bonneville and a bonneville turned into a scram with some work. It seems most people shoot for the middle ground between the two.
:ylsmoke:

edit: Forgot to add, these new triumphs are quirky, but really reliable.

[Christian P.]

Does mine count? Like an old bike, she even left my stranded a few weeks ago....

http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2006-ducati-sport1000c.jpg

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Ducati%20Sport%201000%2006%20%201.jpg

[Martinjmpr]

Martinjmpr,

I've looked at their website but haven't been able to find the info. What is the fuel capasity of the fuel tank and what is your typical fuel mileage?



My '08 is the last year that had carbs. Newer models have EFI which reduces tank volume slightly (I guess because there's a fuel pump in the tank.) My tank is about 3.96 gallons though not all of that is usable. MPG has been steadily improving since I bought it (makes sense, engine is loosening up a bit and breaking in.) Tends to run from a low of ~45 to a high of close to 55. Obviously fast freeway riding is much worse on MPG. Riding through the mountains where my speed stays between 45 - 55 always gets the best MPG.

I think the reserve capacity is around .6, not sure. I typically don't hit reserve when I ride but I start looking for a gas station around 150 miles. A few months ago I had it up to 176 miles and had not yet hit reserve! :Wow1: That's when I lost my nerve and filled it up, it took 3.49 gallons (50.4 mpg.) There's a guy in my RAT club who has an identical Scrambler and he typically goes over 200 miles before refueling. In theory, that's possible although IMO that's really pushing it.




Have you had any reliability issues?

REX

None. The new Triumphs are dead reliable, as much as any Japanese brand. This is my 2nd Hinckley Triumph, my previous one was a 2001 Thunderbird that I bought in 2005 with 1,958 miles and sold in 2007 with 27,000. ;)

Three sets of tires, one chain/sprocket set, and one shock absorber (replaced under warranty) and a couple of leaky seals were the only maintenance costs (other than the obvious, oil changes, chain lube, etc.)

[Martinjmpr]

:wings: Now, that's funny! :bike_rider:


Ha!
Although given the current trend of hiding all the mechanical bits behind chrome and plastic, I for one wouldn't mind that transformation. :Mechanic:

The shirt came from a site called Uncommonmotorcycles.com (http://www.uncommonmotorcycles.com/).

On the back it reads "Loud Valves Save Lives" :elkgrin:

[Rexsname]

Thank you SOAZ and Martin. A 150 mile range sounds good to me and, as cool as the V-Strom is, it is not even in the same league as the Triumphs for COOL.

MSRP is not that far apart either......$8800 for the Scrambler and about $8000 for the V-Strom

REX

[Martinjmpr]

Thank you SOAZ and Martin. A 150 mile range sounds good to me and, as cool as the V-Strom is, it is not even in the same league as the Triumphs for COOL.

MSRP is not that far apart either......$8800 for the Scrambler and about $8000 for the V-Strom

REX

I paid about $7300 OTD for my Scrambler. It was a "service loaner" from the dealer, had 1,275 miles on it and the dealership had done the 600 mile service themselves. Came with the full 2 year unlimited mile warranty.

BTW, she just turned over 10,000 miles and not a hiccup! 2 year warranty will expire in January but I don't anticipate any problems. There's really not a lot to go wrong with these bikes.

Here's a tip: In most markets, the Scrambler is the least popular of the Classic twins (The Bonnie, Bonnie SE and T100 are the most popular.) Often times, dealers have leftover Scramblers in stock or as dealer demos/service loaners. This means they are usually willing to work with you to sell a Scrambler where they might not with a Bonnie or T100.

The V-Strom is a good bike, a buddy of mine has one and he likes it. But the Triumph has a "cool factor" that no other bike can match!

Incidentally, if you get a classic Triumph, make sure to allow extra time at any fuel or food stops because as SOAZ can probably tell you, you will draw a lot of attention with it. You know how some bikes are "chick magnets?" Well, I call the Triumph an "old guy magnet" because seems like every time I stop I get some old guy wandering up to it and saying "Is that really a Triumph? What year is it? Did you restore it yourself?"

They're usually quite surprised when I tell them no, I didn't restore it, and it's a 2008 model. :D

Then they usually launch into some reminicence: "I had a Triumph/knew a guy who had a Triumph/My dad had a Triumph back in 19..."

EDIT: Added photos because I like to! :p

Here she is the day I brought her home:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Triumph%20Scrambler/2009_0118_105229AA.jpg

Note the low miles. Also note the snow on the ground! I bought in January - good month to buy a motorcycle (lousy month to sell one.)

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Triumph%20Scrambler/2009_0118_105414AA.jpg

[SOAZ]

Incidentally, if you get a classic Triumph, make sure to allow extra time at any fuel or food stops because as SOAZ can probably tell you, you will draw a lot of attention with it. You know how some bikes are "chick magnets?" Well, I call the Triumph an "old guy magnet" because seems like every time I stop I get some old guy wandering up to it and saying "Is that really a Triumph? What year is it? Did you restore it yourself?"

They're usually quite surprised when I tell them no, I didn't restore it, and it's a 2008 model. :D

Then they usually launch into some reminicence: "I had a Triumph/knew a guy who had a Triumph/My dad had a Triumph back in 19..."



I agree, despite being the most Steve McQueen esque the Scrambler tends to go for better deals on craigslist or wherever when compared to a comparable Bonnie. It seems to be the least sought after of the modern classic triumphs. The Bonnie can be had cheaper if the model year is not an issue to you because they've been made since 2001 while the Scram came out in... 06 I think. Mine is an 03 that had 4200 miles on it so it made for a newish, but very low priced bike.

Haha! I think if Triumph really did sell one to every old timer that tells me, I used to have one of those, they'd have never gone out of business!!!!

I get stopped at every gas stop. Makes solo riding anything, but lonely.

[Rexsname]

I'm pretty sure I want fuel injection. I don't have any good reason for this, it just seems like a good thing. I like riding my motorcycle. It just feels a little small and it is tough to strap things on to. I would love to get a new (used) bike but it's just not in the cards for a while. I'm still learning, and mine is a good learning bike.

REX

[R_Lefebvre]

I keep wanting to get a classic enduro to compete on. I love life too much to be competitive on the big modern bikes. But I still have the desire to run the events. I worked at the Corduroy Enduro last weekend and man... I miss it. Getting a classic and running in the vintage class would be a blast, and a lot safer.

A guy at the event had a running XT500 for sale for $1500 and man I was tempted.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200706/1976-yamaha-xt500_460x0w.jpg

The only problem is the trails are getting so hogged out by the big bikes, ATV's and big trucks, that it's hard to get one of these through anymore. Though one of the Penton boys ran it on a classic Penton. I've got a photo at home.

[Sabre]

There's some very cool stuff coming out of Enfield these days. Their new EFI machines have entirely new engines, too. They've borrowed engineers from Europe and are turning out a remarkable machine these days.

Speaking of scramblers (small "s")...
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Royal-Enfield-Bullet-1024x703.jpg

Regarding the Trumpets, I'm on my second Hinkley Triumph (first a Bonnie, now a Tiger). They are as finely built as any motorcycle I've ever ridden. NO maintenance issues whatsoever...the new Triumphs are rock-solid reliable and strongly built. Due to the ergo's (seat-footpeg-bars) and geometry (rake-trail-suspension) the Scrambler has a lot more room than the Bonneville. At 6-1 I put bar risers on my Bonnie and I still felt cramped on it.

And those high pipes...yeah, I'm one of those children of the '60's - '70's that the manufacturers are targeting these days...but I like this version:
http://www.jimmyjib.com/motorcyc/stevemcqueen.jpg

Of course the new Scrambler is certainly no slouch. Here's one of our mates from NZ giving it the berries...
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/scrambler_800px.jpg

Oh, and I had a Ural for a number of years, too. Even my old Y2K model was extremely reliable. They're much better now, too, and I wouldn't hesitate to trek off with a modern Ural on any sort of adventure. They're stone-simple to work on, and most of the niggling little issues have long since been sorted. Besides, you have enough room to haul all your tools and spares! :bike_rider:

Here's one that's not available stateside (boo hoo):
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Ural-Crossa.jpghttp://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Ural-Crossb.jpg

[WU7X]

There is a guy in the PNW that rides his Triumph scrambler all over the place. I first noticed him in a lot of the road trips on ADVrider.

the seat on those things looks like a wooden plank. How do they ride?

[SOAZ]

There is a guy in the PNW that rides his Triumph scrambler all over the place. I first noticed him in a lot of the road trips on ADVrider.

the seat on those things looks like a wooden plank. How do they ride?


I've had no issues with mine and that includes 600 mile days. (Heck I even think it's super comfy compared to all of my previous dirt bikes, especially the KTM) If you do some searching on the Triumph sites the consensus seems to be that it's horrible though. My guess is that the British and *cough* Japanese engineers made the seat for someone under 175lbs or so.
For me, I'll change it out more for looks than anything once I wear this one out. I'd say, don't rush to change it. See if it works for you and then decide. :coffeedrink:

[Martinjmpr]

There is a guy in the PNW that rides his Triumph scrambler all over the place. I first noticed him in a lot of the road trips on ADVrider.

the seat on those things looks like a wooden plank. How do they ride?

Actually, it's fine - much more comfortable than it looks. Being flat it gives me enough room to move around a bit. About the only ergonomic complaint I have is in my neck/shoulders. I'm still trying to figure out how to handle that, right now I'm looking at either risers or a slightly higher, MX-style handlebar so I can relax my arms a bit.

[R_Lefebvre]

Yeah, that seat looks great compared to a seat on any modern enduro bike. Those are just 2x4's wrapped in synthetic leather.

[nat]

I did all the fab work for my Dad on his '73 Bonneville. Came out very sweet and pretty damned reliable.

I also grafted a Celorex sidecar onto a Yamaha V-Star. That came out good as well :ylsmoke:

[BEVAN]

I have a 67 Norton atlas and 68 BSA Victor...both with full resto, I'd love to take them on a trip but a bit more testing will be needed before that can happen.



My 68 BSA Victor 440:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/stuff004.jpg



And my 67 Norton Atlas 750:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/0622.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/057.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/058.jpg


Cant wait to take a trip on the atlas...just need to ride more.

[BEVAN]

These are my pop's bikes.

1961 Matchless G80CS:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/temp011.jpg

1951 Matchless G80CS:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/465.jpg


And the Bonnie forgot the year:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/153.jpg

[Snafu]

This bike is older than me but I'm never letting her go!

1983 Sportster 1000cc Shovelhead....gotta love that rigid mount, push-rod V-Twin!! Oh and all those people complaining about seats....try mine!!! :yikes:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/snafu-ss/Sporty/DSCF0421.jpg

[Scott Brady]

Beautiful bike - just right.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/0622.jpg

[traveltoad]

These are my pop's bikes.

1961 Matchless G80CS:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee21/mbevan83/temp011.jpg


Beautiful!

[FourByLand]

Yes. I am feeling the love on the 61 Matchless.

[Fergie]

It may not be "vintage" vintage, but I'm fond of this '78 that I bought off of Tim:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/bergferg/1978%20GS750E/gs750e-1.jpg