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Identify these bikes! / Sheet metal bike
« on: January 12, 2013, 07:33:12 PM »
I thought you might like to see this odd front wheel drive bike. I know a bit about it but see what you think.
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Autojumble / Suzuki Hustler T250J handbook
« on: January 01, 2013, 10:09:05 PM »
I have a Suzuki Hustler handbook not in perfect condition but it is complete. The little 64 page handbook they put in the tool roll of a new bike.
It was given to me in error when I bought a new TS250R from a shop in the East end of London from Howard Powell Limited and their stamp is inside the front cover. Easy mistake to make it was the dark ages.
If anyone has a Hustler and would like it, get in touch and I'll post it to you if you're on the UK mainland. Outside that you can help with postage.
If you would like it and you don't have a Hustler get in touch anyway but I will wait for an owner before sending it.
It was given to me in error when I bought a new TS250R from a shop in the East end of London from Howard Powell Limited and their stamp is inside the front cover. Easy mistake to make it was the dark ages.
If anyone has a Hustler and would like it, get in touch and I'll post it to you if you're on the UK mainland. Outside that you can help with postage.
If you would like it and you don't have a Hustler get in touch anyway but I will wait for an owner before sending it.
3
The Classic Biker Bar / Battery charging.
« on: December 13, 2012, 08:50:54 PM »
I had a bit of spare time today so as usual I ended up in the workshop playing with one of my bikes. I decided to test the original battery from my old Moto Guzzi to see if it's any good, more out of curiosity than any other reason because I bought two new 6 volt jell batteries and a rubber cover that looks like an old type battery. It seemed OK so I put it on a trickle charge at 6 volts and it was pulling less than 2 amps. I put the end of the breather pipe out the window and took out the plugs. A bit over an hour later the charger amps went down to less than 1 amp. I continued drilling out broken bolts from the exhaust brackets and tapping out holes. I was at the other end of the workshop so nowhere near the battery or charger and had the window and door open between me and the battery. Suddenly there was a massive bang and bits of plastic went everywhere and what was left of the battery flew straight out of the window.
Heard stories about this happening but never seen it before, shocked the hell out of me. It was a very loud bang and a powerful explosion. It pulled the crocodile clips off the end of the charger cables and broke the charger case. Fortunately it was a small battery so the damage was limited. I am a gas engineer and understand the dangers of hydrogen gas so took precautions.
The rest of the day was taken up by cleaning acid off everything in the workshop. Tools, bike, spare parts were all covered and had to be washed. Not how I planned to spend the day.
Heard stories about this happening but never seen it before, shocked the hell out of me. It was a very loud bang and a powerful explosion. It pulled the crocodile clips off the end of the charger cables and broke the charger case. Fortunately it was a small battery so the damage was limited. I am a gas engineer and understand the dangers of hydrogen gas so took precautions.
The rest of the day was taken up by cleaning acid off everything in the workshop. Tools, bike, spare parts were all covered and had to be washed. Not how I planned to spend the day.
4
European and Other Bikes / Moto Guzzi Super Alce Pre Falcone 500 Single
« on: November 15, 2012, 04:44:41 PM »
I'm picking up my new Moto Guzzi single tomorrow, it's in working order but well used condition. Anything I should look out for on these bikes?
5
Identify these bikes! / Old army bike
« on: February 19, 2012, 11:30:51 AM »
An old photo from my Grandfathers army days, he's the one on the back. Don't have a clue when, where or what it is. Any information would be helpful.
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Identify these bikes! / What do you think this is?
« on: December 02, 2011, 01:04:19 AM »
I recenty got myself a little Zundapp scooter for the collection. The bloke that sold it is a hopeless collector. Most of his cars and bikes were in pieces waiting for parts and the cash to carry on. I think we all do that sometimes. He wheeled out this silver thing, don't know much about it but thought you may like to see some photos and have a stab at what it is.
Sorry about the strange man in the last one.
Sorry about the strange man in the last one.
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European and Other Bikes / Zundapp Bella
« on: November 15, 2011, 09:15:37 PM »
Picking up a little Zundapp Bella model R201 from 1955 on Saturday. It's a runner but been hand painted black many years ago. I like doing bodywork, filling and sanding so looking forward to the challange. I don't know much about them and never owned a scooter before but I understand they are a bit heavy and have a little 200cc motor. Sounds slow but I don't care about that. Kick start model with two seats.
Any information is welcome. I'll put up more photos as I take them.
Any information is welcome. I'll put up more photos as I take them.
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The Classic Biker Bar / Horrific road crash
« on: October 30, 2011, 06:19:46 PM »
This is bad and many will find it too hard to look at.
Many passers by gave mouth to mouth but there was no survivors.
I'm sorry it's so graphic but this sort of thing is put up to prevent it happening to others.
Sadly missed and not forgotten.
Anyone got an Asprin?
Many passers by gave mouth to mouth but there was no survivors.
I'm sorry it's so graphic but this sort of thing is put up to prevent it happening to others.
Sadly missed and not forgotten.
Anyone got an Asprin?
9
The Classic Biker Bar / Fork lift job
« on: October 30, 2011, 06:12:51 PM »
Had an interview for a job as a forklift driver.
Didn't get it.
Didn't get it.
10
The Classic Biker Bar / How to weld up a petrol tank
« on: October 30, 2011, 05:59:52 PM »
Hi all, it's always good to have an expert on hand for those nasty jobs.
If you want to weld a petrol tank I have this blokes number.
You may want to go your own way though.
If you want to weld a petrol tank I have this blokes number.
You may want to go your own way though.
11
Japanese Bikes / Suzuki GS1100GZ
« on: October 30, 2011, 02:23:46 PM »
I recently got myself a 1982 Suzuki GS1100GZ which was first registered in 1984. I explained that first for a good reason. It's a nice bike and the engine and gearbox are very sweet, I did really well. This was the bike I should have owned in the 80's but didn't because I had Nortons, BSA's, Triumph and the like. Bloody Jap-crap was my attitude. (Even after buying a PE250 Enduro)
I got it on Ebay and made the owner a fair offer well under the asking price considering it was in Ireland and would cost me quite a lot to go and get it. I could have it delivered but would miss out on seeing it before paying and the pleasure of getting it myself. Not been to Ireland for a long time so was looking forward to going.
It turned out to be the wettest weekend I have ever seen. Didn't see much of anything after I picked up the bike because it hammered down like the sky was falling. I took my nephew along for the ride and we ended up sitting in the van most of the day because everywhere was shut or flooded. Kerbs just vanished and roads became rivers.
I started the paperwork and all seemed to be going smoothly, I hadn't realised what a faceless bureaucracy DVLA was. First problem was the model GS1100GZ is 1982 but the bike is 1984 so the GZ is wrong in their mind. Don't know what the code is for 1984 but that made them start looking. The frame number has two extra zeros instead of a dash so they looked harder. Then the engine number had part of the prefix missing. That all meant I was ordered not to use it on the road untill it had a DVLA inspection. I had to van it to Maidstone which meant unloading my van to get the bike in and me and my nephew taking a day off work to go there. We even had to pay for the car park while we waited. Wasn't very happy considering there is TAX, MOT and insurance on the bike. I even missed a nice ride out with my mates on the previous Saturday. I had taken my other bikes to bits at the time so the GS was my only running bike.
I did get it out for a ride this weekend after fixing a broken fuse holder and the weather is holding out nicely.
The DVLA inspection went OK and the paperwork is being sorted out.
It runs nice and is smooth as silk in a soft place sitting on top of cushions made of clouds.
When I stopped at the Oakdene cafe for tea and a greasy breakfast a crowd formed before I even turned it off.
After years and years of riding singles and twins, motorcross, trials and trail bikes, smelly noisy British bikes and two strokes what do I think of it?
Don't much like it.
Give me a smelly oily British bike or a nice lightweight single cylinder Trailly and I'll be happy. Can't wait to use the DR Big or the Triumph again.
I got it on Ebay and made the owner a fair offer well under the asking price considering it was in Ireland and would cost me quite a lot to go and get it. I could have it delivered but would miss out on seeing it before paying and the pleasure of getting it myself. Not been to Ireland for a long time so was looking forward to going.
It turned out to be the wettest weekend I have ever seen. Didn't see much of anything after I picked up the bike because it hammered down like the sky was falling. I took my nephew along for the ride and we ended up sitting in the van most of the day because everywhere was shut or flooded. Kerbs just vanished and roads became rivers.
I started the paperwork and all seemed to be going smoothly, I hadn't realised what a faceless bureaucracy DVLA was. First problem was the model GS1100GZ is 1982 but the bike is 1984 so the GZ is wrong in their mind. Don't know what the code is for 1984 but that made them start looking. The frame number has two extra zeros instead of a dash so they looked harder. Then the engine number had part of the prefix missing. That all meant I was ordered not to use it on the road untill it had a DVLA inspection. I had to van it to Maidstone which meant unloading my van to get the bike in and me and my nephew taking a day off work to go there. We even had to pay for the car park while we waited. Wasn't very happy considering there is TAX, MOT and insurance on the bike. I even missed a nice ride out with my mates on the previous Saturday. I had taken my other bikes to bits at the time so the GS was my only running bike.
I did get it out for a ride this weekend after fixing a broken fuse holder and the weather is holding out nicely.
The DVLA inspection went OK and the paperwork is being sorted out.
It runs nice and is smooth as silk in a soft place sitting on top of cushions made of clouds.
When I stopped at the Oakdene cafe for tea and a greasy breakfast a crowd formed before I even turned it off.
After years and years of riding singles and twins, motorcross, trials and trail bikes, smelly noisy British bikes and two strokes what do I think of it?
Don't much like it.
Give me a smelly oily British bike or a nice lightweight single cylinder Trailly and I'll be happy. Can't wait to use the DR Big or the Triumph again.
12
Japanese Bikes / DR BIG repairs
« on: October 06, 2011, 09:02:08 PM »
I recently changed the headraces in my 1989 Suzuki DR750 BIG. The guy I bought it from gave me the new bearing set and after a short ride it was obvious why. It was a simple job and went about as well as any others I done.
There was plenty of grease, no dirt or rust and the old parts were of normal Suzuki quality. What did shock me is the state of the old bottom bearing. It has more bumps than a map of Switzerland. I checked the frame for damage and alinement. I even checked if the housing was perfectly round.
This bike has done 42000 km and looks like it's had a pretty easy life. Any ideas? It may be one of those bikes that need new bearing more often than others.
There was plenty of grease, no dirt or rust and the old parts were of normal Suzuki quality. What did shock me is the state of the old bottom bearing. It has more bumps than a map of Switzerland. I checked the frame for damage and alinement. I even checked if the housing was perfectly round.
This bike has done 42000 km and looks like it's had a pretty easy life. Any ideas? It may be one of those bikes that need new bearing more often than others.
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The Classic Biker Bar / Statik bikes
« on: October 05, 2011, 12:07:26 PM »
Too many really but I stopped going to pubs after an accident and had some spare cash. If I didn't buy bikes I would only waste it so here goes.
Sunbeam S8 from 1951, currantly being put back together after lying in pieces for 18 years. Ready to set the timing and fire up but too busy now and running low on weekends. Non standard bit is the rear wheel from a S7 but I think it looks better. Going to convert it to foot clutch and hand gears because my left hand doesn't work too well on british clutches.
Triumph Trophy 650 fron 1973. Built as a BSA T65 Thunderbolt which is an oil in frame BSA A65 with a Triumph engine. I wish they left the BSA badges on it.
Suzuki DR750BIG from 1989. Big single with twin carbs, bit of an animal but I really like it. Very standard which is quite rare for for a BIG. Most have been turned into desert replicas.
Suzuki GS1100G from 1984. Just bought this in Ireland and brought it home at the weekend. Bit risky to do that but all went very smoothly. In the process of registering it so not ridden it too far, just a test ride.
There are a couple of others but mostly in pieces. I will post more if anyone is interested.
Stuart.
Sunbeam S8 from 1951, currantly being put back together after lying in pieces for 18 years. Ready to set the timing and fire up but too busy now and running low on weekends. Non standard bit is the rear wheel from a S7 but I think it looks better. Going to convert it to foot clutch and hand gears because my left hand doesn't work too well on british clutches.
Triumph Trophy 650 fron 1973. Built as a BSA T65 Thunderbolt which is an oil in frame BSA A65 with a Triumph engine. I wish they left the BSA badges on it.
Suzuki DR750BIG from 1989. Big single with twin carbs, bit of an animal but I really like it. Very standard which is quite rare for for a BIG. Most have been turned into desert replicas.
Suzuki GS1100G from 1984. Just bought this in Ireland and brought it home at the weekend. Bit risky to do that but all went very smoothly. In the process of registering it so not ridden it too far, just a test ride.
There are a couple of others but mostly in pieces. I will post more if anyone is interested.
Stuart.
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British Bikes / Stuart from south london
« on: October 05, 2011, 10:48:23 AM »
Hi everybody I'm a new member saying hello and introducing myself. I will be asking for a bit of help frome time to time. I have a few bikes at the moment, 1973 T65 BSA/Triumph, 1951 Sunbeam S8, Greeves (unknown) work in progress, 1980ish Honda 250 RS, 1989 Suzuki DR750 Big, and my latest one is a 1984 Suzuki GS1100G. I will post some photos later.
The one I'm having bother with is the T65. The wiring loom is totally knackered. In fact it's been a pain ever since I got it and the previous owner never used it for years which is why it's only done 8000 miles. I found a wiring diagram and was going to make one but thought new would be a better way to go. The only way to do that is to find the part number of the wiring loom. That is in a BSA book 00-5735 which has been out of print for 38 years. Does anyone have a copy of this book.
The one I'm having bother with is the T65. The wiring loom is totally knackered. In fact it's been a pain ever since I got it and the previous owner never used it for years which is why it's only done 8000 miles. I found a wiring diagram and was going to make one but thought new would be a better way to go. The only way to do that is to find the part number of the wiring loom. That is in a BSA book 00-5735 which has been out of print for 38 years. Does anyone have a copy of this book.
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