Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[ukdave2002]

I was at the Kelsall Steam & Vintage rally this weekend, I like it because it attracts loads of commercials as well as cars , bikes and of course steam.

My observation; the cars, commercials & bikes almost universally manned /driven by "older" men.

Steam, many driven by younger men & women, families with school age kids mucking in

Clearly its only one event, but an interesting demographic, made me wonder what we could do to make the stuff most folk on this site drive more inclusive....?

[Rootes75]

Totally the same down here in Somerset. Vintage cars and commercials are predominantly older Men.

The steamers are generally family owned so we see a lot of teenage boys and girls covered in coal dust and soot!! Lovely to see.

With our military vehicles we are seeing more younger people joining in, wartime military are expensive but we are seeing so many children of owners now getting involved in assisting their parents. Its a good way to get started.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Rick]

Re lorries I think the change to driving licences some years ago will affect the commercial vehicle movement greatly (new drivers are now required to take an HGV test before they can drive anything remotely large or heavy). I'm not sure what the situation is with steam vehicles.

RJ
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[consul 57]

old cars tend to have older drivers, i don't feel old but i am almost as old as my car!
i does not help when younger owners are not encouraged by the older generation, with remarks about their cars ect, seen it many a time, it will put them off going to older show type events, they seem to prefere meets & quickly aranged events on the interweb, mind you the way some drive will put of older sensible drivers as well.
we do need a balance as the hobby will die out esp with more possible legislation coming with regards driving & other road restrictions.

[Penman]

Re;- Vocational LGV licences they have a minimum of 3 tests after their Cat B car test.
1 a medical.
There is also a compulsory theory learning set-up
2 another theory/hazper test.
3 a practical test in an over 7500kg rigid (they could do a Cat. C1 <7500kg but that would just be an other additional test if the want to drive Cat. C.
If they then want to tow which adds +E to the Category (Drawbar or Semi-trailer) they have to take a further practical test.
There are a couple of concessions. If you do get Cat C+E they also give you cat C1+E and give you a +E for your Cat B.
Also, because so many of the modern LGVs are Auto including the training schools vehicles, providing your car licence is for manual you will be allowed manual on your lgv licences.
The above is also true for those wanting to drive buses with an exception that older large ones can be driven as minibuses if their passenger load is restricted.
Those of us with pre '97 licences can take advantage of that latter part.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Penman]

Re Traction engines: There often seems to be 2 people driving them, one steering and the other looking after the fire, but which one is in charge of the regulator, braking, forwards or backwards direction.
So which one requires the car licence?
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[alastairq]

[Miken]

[Rootes75]

Here's another thing...

We have been looking to buy a wartime motorcycle to restore, this will be a project for my youngest who hopes to have one complete for when he is 17.

My question, why can I drive a vehicle pre-1960 on my car licence, commercials included, yet a motorcycle of any age we will need a bike test?

We thought that a motorcycle restoration for him would be a good cheaper way into the hobby...
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Penman]

Motor Cycles and Cars have required separate tests since long before I got my first licence in '59, though passing the car test did permit me to ride a <49cc moped (in those days a moped had to have a pedal propulsion start) I did my Bike test 4 years later on a 250cc.

The number of younger riders involved in larger, high powered, single vehicle bike fatalities is what brought in the current restrictions.
What bike have you bought? I'd guess it is a larger capacity than the 125cc. But when he gets to the age of 21 he can do the test on larger cc bike but it must have a power output of at least 35kW. How many of those older bikes have a known kW power output?
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[consul 57]

whilst the car test has been tweeked a few times the bike test has been changed a lot over the last 40+ years, engine size, output ect, 1 part, 2 part, cbt.
it is complex.
best thing is to get him to do one of these bike riding test courses and then once passed he can then ride a motorbike of a certain size, then progress to something bigger.
sadly riding a small older gb bike sounds safer but if you can't keep up with traffic, like some of these restricted mopeds then you are in more danger of being knocked off as you aren't seen as part of the motorised traffic!
good luck with it.

[Rootes75]

[Penman]

Will you be able to find out the power and power/weight ratios for bikes like those?

"A light motorcycle licence (A1), which restricts riders to a motorbike with an engine capacity up to 125cc and a power output of 11kW. The practical test must be taken on a motorbike between 75cc and 125cc.
A standard motorcycle licence (A), is obtained if the practical test is taken on a bike with an engine capacity of or between 120cc and 125cc. It must be capable of at least 60mph (100kmh).
After passing the practical test, you will be restricted for two years to riding a bike of up to 25kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg.
After this, you may ride any size of bike. If you are over the age of 21, or you reach 21 before your two-year restriction ends, you have additional options."
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[alastairq]

Crikey how things have changed?
{Yup, I know, motorcycle training was, & is, conducted at my last place-of-work]

I took my M/C test back in the 1970's....when the limit for a provisional licence holder was 250cc.
The Examiner was 'on foot!'

The entire test was conducted on the roads surrounding Bridlington Town Hall....a triangle of roads which included an 'A' road, roundabout, left & right junctions and , IIRC, a traffic light junction. Along with the associated peddy crossings, etc. All within a very confined area, allowing the Examiner to walk around within the Town Hall grounds in the centre. The route was conducted, 3 laps in one direction, 3 in the other. Thus, all the required test route criteria were covered, as to features, types of junction, etc. At no time was I 'out of sight!'
Being a local busdriver, not only was I familiar with what & how, etc but also familiar with all the roads....
Oddly, I didn't immediately go out and change my motorcycle [a Kawasaki 250 single, at the time sold new, ''on an offer'' I couldn't refuse.]

Good for just shy of 70 mph, [so the speedo said] I was sufficiently road-wise to not be concerned about motorway riding...

How things have changed?
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Penman]

I don't know if the CBT and road bike courses use manual or auto. But I know that when the Japanese bikes first came over here they had the Footbrake and Gear Change pedals on opposite sides compared with the British bikes.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10