06-03-2014, 05:59 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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1972 Norton Commando
Ron, the Royal Enfield dealer I bought my bike from, had a Commando in the shop...
I had mentioned it to my friend Gerry, who became very excited. I got more information on the Commando, and it looks like a good bike at a good price. Jerry and Ron are talking about it, and who knows, we may be taking another trip out to Portland for a Gen-U-Ine antique British superbike. I will get to ride it, and thank GOD it will NOT be mine lol!
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06-03-2014, 08:38 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Feb 2007
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"I will get to ride it, and thank GOD it will NOT be mine lol!"
My sentiments exactly. The last real Brit bike I had was a 650 BSA back in the 1960's. Traded it in on a Suzuki X6 Hustler and could not believe the improvement in reliability. |
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06-04-2014, 10:37 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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They are cool to visually appreciate with a cold adult beverage with buddies on a Friday evening....but as far as any regular miles....they're best oggled, for sure.
I still appreciate a really good restoration though. LOL! What's that tell you when a bunch of China Riders are talking about how unreliable an old Brit bike is? ;-)
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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06-04-2014, 10:56 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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At least China bikes use Metric wrenches. Who wants to invest in Whitworth tools, only to find out that Whitworth fasteners are almost unobtanium?
That said, I do appreciate old Brit bikes from afar.
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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06-04-2014, 11:37 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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The Brit bikes have a panache that is wonderful to look at and ride, but I would not want to own another. As much as I liked my BSA it was hard to maintain and find parts and wrenches and service for. It also broke a primary chain on me riding home from work, and did about $1,000 of damage to itself in a fraction of a second. It took about 6 months to get the parts and the repairs done. I sold it with joy in my heart once it was back and running better than ever.
The Royal Enfield is the perfect solution for me. ALL the class, pleasure, feel, panache and history of other Brit bikes, but with modern fuel injection, electronic ignition, unit construction, disc brake, and 5 speed and a 3 year warranty to make it a great daily rider.
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06-04-2014, 03:54 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
I always did like the Norton SS though. The up-pipes were cool.
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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06-04-2014, 04:05 PM | #7 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
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Quote:
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Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
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06-05-2014, 12:47 AM | #8 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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I wondered the same thing, Spud.
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06-05-2014, 09:24 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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Yes:-)
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06-05-2014, 10:04 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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Noticed an error in prior post. 2 not 3 year warranty.
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06-05-2014, 12:29 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
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I also agree in terms of reliability the vintage Brit bikes have nothing on a new China bike. PLUS the CB is very inexpensive to maintian and repair, and parts are only a few clicks on eBay away.
On the other hand, these Brit bikes in question are 40-50 years old at this point. In their day (pre Japanese 'invasion') they were state of the art and the cat's arse, as it were. Compared to American iron of that vintage, the Nortons et al were veritable superbikes.
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