Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Uncle Joe]

What are everybodies favourite common classic bikes, divided into the old classes?

For me: 50cc: Honda Cub, 125cc: BSA Bantam, 250cc: Ariel Arrow, 350cc: Triumph T90, 500cc: Sunbeam S8. Unlimited: A toss up between Triumph T120 Bonneville, Trident, and Vincent.

Any other suggestions?

UJ

[Stuchamp]

Any of the pre 70's Harleys, Indians, or Triumphs will do it for me!

[Uncle Joe]

Considering that I tend to have a liking for US vehicles, Harleys and Indians have never really done anything for me, with the possible exception of an XR750, or J (?) type.

UJ

[Old-Nail]

I have always liked machines from the late 60's as for me they represent the culmination of model development allied to the best styling.

There are two bikes I would still like to own, the first would be a 1969/70 Triumph 650 Bonnie or Trophy TR6 and the second a '69 BSA Thunderbolt.

I feel the '69/70 model year bikes are the best to have, and if I had to pick between the two I would go for the BSA as it is not an expanded 500cc design as the Triumph was.

[alfanut]

UJ

I'll take you up (more or less ) on your suggested classes. I've never owned a 'proper' bike and not borrowed one for many years, so it is sport rather than nostalgia for me.

50cc Honda racers of the 60s twin cylinder 20,00rpm jewels
250cc Royal Enfield Continental GT
I always thought of the 350s as neither fish nor fowl so its two 500s, Manx Norton and Velocette Thruxton
Unlimited: In the late 70s Mike Hailwood opened a bike shop just round the corner from where I worked at the time, and there, hanging on the wall was his TT winning bike. A friend from work took me to have a look at it one lunchtime, and who do you think came out of the office to have a chat with us? So it just has to be the Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica.

There's one missing though, and it's not a sporting one. If I ever had my own bike it would have to be that Honda single (CG 125?) with the drum brakes and wire wheels. I would think that would be perfect for a ride round the lanes on a fine summer's evening.

Geoff

[Uncle Joe]

I did actually say common bikes, but oh well!

I remember the Honda twins racing. Did you realise that they made a copy as a moped a couple of years ago? Now one of them I would like, hung on my wall....nice piece of art!

My favourite racer would be Yamahas TZ750, simply because I used to race one. But I do like things like the Honda 500-4, as well as the 250 and 297 sixes.

Going on to Mike, the first time that I ever saw him was at the 1965 Senior TT, which he won of course! My brother and I met him years after that, in fact we were supposed to do an interview with him, but this never happened due to his untimely death.

UJ

[welder]