Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Old-Nail · Guest

This is a complete BSA 650 with the exception of the very subtle modification seen below, I actually quite like it but others will be horrified...what do you think?

close up, beautifully done I think. Cool

This machine is currently offered for sale on ebay - and I'm tempted!

Uncle Joe · Guest

Its nicely done, I will admit, but if that engine is the one that I think it is, they are known for gearbox problems....naughty on a bike!

UJ

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22842 Location: UK

come on then, spill t' beans ... Question

Rick
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Uncle Joe · Guest

About?

UJ

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22842 Location: UK

the mods done to this bike!!??
(or am I missing something very very obvious?!!? Smile

)

RJ
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Uncle Joe · Guest

In which part of Small Heath do they speak japanese? Laughing

UJ

Old-Nail · Guest

You're right about the iffy gearboxes UJ but I think there were perhap's good 'uns and bad 'uns I suppose.

Here's a 'proper' BSA Rick just to do a little 'spot the difference' type quiz... I think a clue might be the one in the previous pictures doesn't leak any oil Laughing

buzzy bee · Guest

Hi

I was wondering the same as Rick when reading this thread!

Cheers

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22842 Location: UK

aaahh the mists begin to clear Wink

I did think that the BSA cover on the engine looked like a bit of an afterthought, but the source of the unit was a mystery to me. I'll stick to the car threads I think, hehe Laughing

RJ
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Uncle Joe · Guest

I suppose that this could be a case of 'some people never learn,' but I did read that last year, the same company that manufactured the engine has had a recall on one of its models ( a -99 on) to stop gearboxes locking up... Shocked

UJ

Old-Nail · Guest

In the late '70's I bought one of the same company's 750 shaft drive triples which was a superb machine for it's time except...er...for the gearbox which broke! Crying or Very sad

Uncle Joe · Guest

I was going to buy one of those triples myself, then I saw a Z1000 in Doug Hackings - bet you remember his shop, dont you ON?

UJ

Old-Nail · Guest

I knew Doug hackings very well, he's still selling bikes y'know, although in different premises now just up the road.

I bought a year old Kawasaki two stroke triple from him in 1976 for an extortionate (at the time) price of £870. To put that cost in perspective I was only earning £34 quid a week back then! Laughing

After a few months I traded in again and bought the next bigger kawa' triple from him, in fact I used to call in at least twice a week to see what was new in, even today after all these years he still remembers me and says hello when I go in.

Doug Hacking used to be a milkman in the early days before he became a salesman, my dad was a milkman too and the two of them were old friends, it was his shop that introduced me to the Kawasaki two stroke triples! - Whoo-Hoo! Razz

Hacking later got the reputation for selling crap at high prices, in Bolton he was the only dealer that had much of a choice and he knew it, so you either paid his prices or did without, this earned him the nickname 'Smug Doug'.

Uncle Joe · Guest

He was still easier to deal with than the guys at the bottom of the hill...cant remember their name....

Bet none of todays riders can handle a K-triple...especially the H2

UJ

Old-Nail · Guest

I ended up owning one of all the triples including the rare S2 350.

I have to say my favourite one was the H1 500 that I had, that was mental, I bought a KH500 later but it wasn't the same at all because it had been de-tuned for environmental reasons.

The H2 was a lovely machine but didn't feel any quicker than the H1 yet cost more to insure.
I don't think todays riders would last very long on any of the old Kawasaki two strokes because todays high standard in handling and road holding make the rider think he is more skillful than perhaps he is!

I remember cornering at speed on the 500 or 750 used to feel like the bike was attempting to throw you, a bit like you see those bucking bronco or bull riders, the H1 and H2 had a similar motion to the bull in fast corners! Shocked

The fuel consumption never bettered 25-30, chains were eaten alive, and the chances of colliding with something due to the handling or poor brakes were a constant danger... but kick it up and hear that motor growl and all that was forgotten.

By the way UJ, the shop down the hill was (and is) called ESB a Honda dealer, but in the 70's not a make of bike I liked at all so I never went there.