Commuting on a classic

[Voltaire]

After pulling the 1972 R50/5 out of the shed,getting it Woffed and taking it on a BFTP thrash to Raglan and back I have been......commuting on it....been a full week now.....have to try my hand at 80kmph lanesplitting on the Southern at rush hour....might have to remove the panniers...:lol::lol:

Anyone else ride to work on old bikes...?

[StoneY]

My GSXR1100 is the usual daily ride - shes 20 years old this month!
:2thumbsup

[paddy]

. . .have to try my hand at 80kmph lanesplitting on the Southern at rush hour. . .

Zoiks! You're keen. (80 KM/H is pretty quick to lanesplit - I'm going to pressume that you didn't mean, if I can be permitted to mix SI and imperial measures, kilo-mph which would be, well even quicker.)

[Voltaire]

Zoiks! You're keen. (80 KM/H is pretty quick to lanesplit - I'm going to pressume that you didn't mean, if I can be permitted to mix SI and imperial measures, kilo-mph which would be, well even quicker.)

no. but its worth the mental image of an old beemer with panniers doing it.....but I have seen some pretty ' interesting' bike riding on the motorway.
Personally I'd rather be late...or leave earlier.

[Eurodave]

I regularly commute on & in most of my dinosaurs, :niceone: either the 1936 Morris 8 Sport, '75 850 T Guzzi,'76 1000 Guzzi, '76 GS 750 Dunstall Suzuki,'82 CX500,'72 Guzzi Eldorado or the '82 R65 Beemer & soon.... my '71 CB450 street tracker & '67 Matchless

[swbarnett]

My GSXR1100 is the usual daily ride - shes 20 years old this month!
:2thumbsup
As is my 1986 CBX550F2.

Actually, this is my ONLY vehicle (unless you count the wife's bike).

Took it round the east cape for a few days last week and had a ball :clap:

[swbarnett]

Zoiks! You're keen. (80 KM/H is pretty quick to lanesplit)
I've split once or twice at 120k past 100k traffic. Not something I make a habit of.

[dogsnbikes]

Yeah I commute to work between Wanganui and Wellington and have Taken my 83 CB250RS to work ,gave a mate I work with a shock though when I past him... he reackons he was doing 120 at the time I reackon his speedo is out:yes:

[Voltaire]

I regularly commute on & in most of my dinosaurs, :niceone: either the 1936 Morris 8 Sport, '75 850 T Guzzi,'76 1000 Guzzi, '76 GS 750 Dunstall Suzuki,'82 CX500,'72 Guzzi Eldorado or the '82 R65 Beemer & soon.... my '71 CB450 street tracker & '67 Matchless

you album is great, I like the Guzzi project!!!

[Kickaha]

I regularly commute on & in most of my dinosaurs, :niceone: either the 1936 Morris 8 Sport, '75 850 T Guzzi,'76 1000 Guzzi, '76 GS 750 Dunstall Suzuki,'82 CX500,'72 Guzzi Eldorado or the '82 R65 Beemer & soon.... my '71 CB450 street tracker & '67 Matchless

How many of those are regoed? :rolleyes:

[Motu]

I've been commuting the last couple of years on my classic Avanti Town & County,an early model Mountain bike.Steel everything,no alloy in sight.I realise it's a bit of a crime to use such a classic beast for mundain duties like commuting,but it's well fit for the purpose.I'll regret it in a few years when these models are sought after and fetching high prices - but at least at a Classic Mountain Bike meeting I'll be able to walk up to some young guy and say....""I used to have one of those.....''

[Ixion]

Garn ! y' a bottom feeder by y' own admission. We don't have "classics" we just have old bangers and scrap iron.

[Voltaire]

Garn ! y' a bottom feeder by y' own admission. We don't have "classics" we just have old bangers and scrap iron.

Is that due to having a bush instead of a bearing...:rolleyes:

[Motu]

And we don't pay for these classics either - another mans castoffs are my daily ride.

[MIXONE]

Does a '87 BMW K75S count?

[KiwiGs]

I use the missus' 86 VT250 for my 50km round trip commute.
Not much fun on the motorway, other than that it is all good.
Cheers

[Dodgyiti]

Who is commuting on the oldest bike?

So we have a '72 Toaster, '71 Eldo, '67 Matchie, anyone in the early 60's? 50's? What else is there besides No brakes?


We are talking commuting, like in traffic daily right?
Last year was 23,000 on a '75 Guzzi and I thank my lucky stars it was a triple disc model, I would not want any less in heavy congestion and pouring rain.
I read in a classic bike magazine about some dude in London commuting on his Vincent Rapide. Yeah right.

[XRVrider]

The wife rides her 66 Jawa 50 every day to work... in near original condition, cept the exhaust and a new paint job. (It's my avatar pic)

[Voltaire]

Not only commuting but doing the shopping, room in the panniers for a roast chicken, veges and beer on one side and the laptop and tools in the other.

[BMWST?]

commute on the r100gs...1989,its done at least 125 ks,wouldnt be surprised if its done 225km

[Eurodave]

How many of those are regoed? :rolleyes:

I can neither confirm nor deny the prescence or not of rego on any particular bike at any point in time......:dodge:

[rok-the-boat]

I ride my 1982 DR500 about on the road regularly. Rebuilt it a couple of years ago - not perfect but it's paid for.

[curtiscbx]

I commute on my Honda CBX750F 84 25 years old, it's just as good as any modern bike, until you get in the real twisty bits then it (I) get left behind. Old suspension & brakes.

Looks like we'll have to sell up soon, thanks to the ACC.

I've also got a 82 CZ250 Twin, but it's currently not registered.

Curt

[Bonez]

My '76 CB550F has been pressed back into daily service. Thinking seriously about getting the CX500 (78 model) road legal due to this current bout of inclement weather. Or maybe just swap plates and paint it black

[rian]

i ride a 1987 xt 400 to work every day, 30km each way. no gravel though, would be nice if there was an option of going that way.

[Bonez]

Welcome to KB rian.

[StoneY]

As is my 1986 CBX550F2.

Actually, this is my ONLY vehicle (unless you count the wife's bike).

Took it round the east cape for a few days last week and had a ball :clap:

Is that the Integra model mate?

Dad had one, it did over 400k on the original cams and timing chains
Brilliant bike

[Bald Eagle]

My daily ride and ONLY vehicle is my 86 VFR700 from Raumati to Wellington and recreational riding.

On rare occassions I am allowed to drive the wifes cage 1995 Nissan 200SX so everything is pre 21st century. :clap:

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

Is that the Integra model mate?

Dad had one, it did over 400k on the original cams and timing chains
Brilliant bike

I had a CBX too. Onboard ventilated discs were a bit funny but overall a bloody good, reliable bike! Like StoneY, I ride an old GSXR1100 (but not as old as some of the other classics that are in this thread) Just sold my 88 Ducati Paso.

[classic zed]

I havent been able to ride my Z1300 for a couple of months due to back surgery but normally I ride it to work:2thumbsup

Cant wait to get Project "Z" up and running:banana:

[MaxB]

My mid 70s Beemer is in for a rewire at the moment but until recently I managed at least 3 days commute per week for over a decade.

Hope I can finish it soon so I can ride around all day with the headlight off! Pre 1980 an all that.

[Voltaire]

My mid 70s Beemer is in for a rewire at the moment but until recently I managed at least 3 days commute per week for over a decade.

Hope I can finish it soon so I can ride around all day with the headlight off! Pre 1980 an all that.

I got a 20 w halogen parking bulb for the Darmah ( same headlight as mid 70's beemers) nearly as bright as the low beam.
Probably need a switch to kill it when the main light is off thougt.
Repco do them, but need to order.

[Voltaire]

Testing out the hydraulic clutch conversion over the weekend.....works well, can find neutral easily.
Rode it to work today....raining and its sitting in the rain....tempting the electrical Gods :(
Heres a pic from my desk.... nice view and there are trees too:lol:

[Ratti]

I havent been able to ride my Z1300 for a couple of months due to back surgery but normally I ride it to work:2thumbsup

Cant wait to get Project "Z" up and running:banana:

I'm with ya on that one Brother! then I'll be selling Ducky and using the KZ1000 Ltd for everything bike related.

[Redmoggy]

Commute to work and back on the 66 Trumpy. About 60 miles a day. Was doing good till the new ignition system died (replaced under warranty). Covered 5000miles since end of April.

[jaffaonajappa]

Commute to work and back on the 66 Trumpy. About 60 miles a day. Was doing good till the new ignition system died (replaced under warranty). Covered 5000miles since end of April.

Hehehe. 66 Trumpy having something replaced under warranty made me scratch my head for a sec...till I figured it. Am having a slow Saturday nite.....:)

I guess its not a Lucas but is acting like one? :P

[Redmoggy]

Yeah, Tri Spark ignition. 'Acting like Lucas' why did i never think of that line!

[Voltaire]

We should have a " Ride Your Classic to Work Day"..... take a pic by a landmark and post it in.....
Trispark Ignitions...are they the ones that don't give the kick back/spit when you get it wrong? :scratch:
The Commando does that from time to time...get a big could of fuel vapour appearing....

[Dodgyiti]

I have not had any problems with my Tri-Spark on the Commando. And it has never kicked back using this unit when it did on the Boyer.

Still commuting on my 79 Guzzi, kudos to everyone else doing it through winter too:sunny:

[Voltaire]

I have not had any problems with my Tri-Spark on the Commando. And it has never kicked back using this unit when it did on the Boyer.

Still commuting on my 79 Guzzi, kudos to everyone else doing it through winter too:sunny:

I'd hardly call what you do commuting.....:violin:

[Motu]

I ride to work everyday on an everyday classic,all weathers and all states of inebriation. Remember when 21 speeds first came out? I don't,but the bike looks pretty old,and that's old enough for me.

[Redmoggy]

[QUOTE=Dodgyiti;1130096745]I have not had any problems with my Tri-Spark on the Commando. And it has never kicked back using this unit when it did on the Boyer.

Tri Spark is the best money i have ever spent on my bike. No kicking back, big blue spark, good advance curve with no pinking and none of the low voltage issues you get with a Boyer. Mr Kelly has sorted it and as soon as i finish a few jobs i'll screw the old girl back together.

[Voltaire]

Hmmm, might have to look at a Tri Spark Ignition. I got one of their 3 phase alternator stators and regulator, headlight on all the time no worries. May need to fit relays to keep Mr Lucas switchgear happy.

[Diggers]

"Commute!" How far IS your's Dodgy? 10 metres to the shed? lol

[Redmoggy]

Hmmm, might have to look at a Tri Spark Ignition. I got one of their 3 phase alternator stators and regulator, headlight on all the time no worries. May need to fit relays to keep Mr Lucas switchgear happy.

I have a new old stock single phase lucas alt with a reg/rec. With Tri Spark i can use headlamp (55/60w halogen) all the time no probs. Talk direct to Steve Kelly, he is very helpfull.

Roy

[Kickaha]

"Commute!" How far IS your's Dodgy? 10 metres to the shed? lol

Well if it was much further he'd be rebuilding it every day

[Voltaire]

With Workshop Labour running at $100 PH ( another thread) I don't see myself ever buying a modern bike again.
Rang up British Spares and ordered some Commando bits....no part numbers just a list......be here in the morning:woohoo:.

[Dodgyiti]

"Commute!" How far IS your's Dodgy? 10 metres to the shed? lol

105kms return trip of slippery, mud covered, subsided, flooded, stock shit infested sheer ring clenching terror:shit:

[Voltaire]

105kms return trip of slippery, mud covered, subsided, flooded, stock shit infested sheer ring clenching terror:shit:

You should not have sold the R65 then.....:innocent:

Wiki Says:


Commuting is regular travel between one's place of residence and place of work or full time study.


What your doing is going shopping:yes:

[Voltaire]

Been riding the R90/6 to work this week, with the Ducati ST4s on TM this is now the regular ride.
Yesterday went for a run around the back roads of the North Waikato.
Only 15 more months and the rego drops to $117 a year.:niceone:
I've fitted a second disc and sort of improved the suspension with BMW HD fork springs and Konis.
Emualtors and better rear shocks would be nice.
Suspension is a bit harsher than the Ducati, performance is down, but then I don't really need much more than 50 hp.:msn-wink:
302648

[Paul in NZ]

Nice......

[swarfie]

Been riding the R90/6 to work this week, with the Ducati ST4s on TM this is now the regular ride.
Yesterday went for a run around the back roads of the North Waikato.
Only 15 more months and the rego drops to $117 a year.:niceone:
I've fitted a second disc and sort of improved the suspension with BMW HD fork springs and Konis.
Emualtors and better rear shocks would be nice.
Suspension is a bit harsher than the Ducati, performance is down, but then I don't really need much more than 50 hp.:msn-wink:
302648

I see you're already trying to add to the stable again Volty, (before the Duc is gone too)...can't leave them airheads alone eh?
I've worn a back tyre off the R90S already (6500 miles in 9 months).
The missus and I are off to Oz next week for the week long Good Companions Velo Rally (riding my mates R80 from Sale via Melbourne, Geelong, Great Ocean Road to Mt Gambia and then to Adelaide for the rally). Looking forward to it :clap:

[Voltaire]

I see you're already trying to add to the stable again Volty, (before the Duc is gone too)...can't leave them airheads alone eh?
I've worn a back tyre off the R90S already (6500 miles in 9 months).
The missus and I are off to Oz next week for the week long Good Companions Velo Rally (riding my mates R80 from Sale via Melbourne, Geelong, Great Ocean Road to Mt Gambia and then to Adelaide for the rally). Looking forward to it :clap:

Sounds like a great trip.
What do you mean, I only have 4 airheads......
So going to a Velocette rally on a BMW.... sounds very Vincent Owners Club to me.
We just did a month in Vietnam, man that was fun.:weird:
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1009571

[swarfie]

Sounds like a great trip.
What do you mean, I only have 4 airheads......
So going to a Velocette rally on a BMW.... sounds very Vincent Owners Club to me.
We just did a month in Vietnam, man that was fun.:weird:
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1009571

Yep I read your thread a week ago, great photos and sounds like fun. I have friends that did one of Mike Brittens tours over there a couple of years ago and they had a ball...on my bucket list also. As far as the airhead to Velo rally problem, we normally ride Velos but my mates venom that we normally use is sitting in his shed with melted piston at the mo, so aaarrr... ok... we'll HAVE to ride the R80...under duress :msn-wink:

[Kickaha]

(6500 miles in 9 months).

Miles? Is that an old peoples measurement?

[Motu]

Been commuting 400km a week on the R65 for 18 months, although for some reason I've used the car for most of both winters. Price and consumption of tyres plus rego, I don't know if it's that much cheaper than a car, but it's something you just have to do if you put bikes as a high priority in your life.

[Voltaire]

Been commuting 400km a week on the R65 for 18 months, although for some reason I've used the car for most of both winters. Price and consumption of tyres plus rego, I don't know if it's that much cheaper than a car, but it's something you just have to do if you put bikes as a high priority in your life.

But your bike has mags and one rear shock, its a modern bike.:bleh:
Its dark this week so back in the van:baby:

[swarfie]

Miles? Is that an old peoples measurement?

yep, old and fast...I can still kick your arse :bleh::clap:

[Motu]

But your bike has mags and one rear shock, its a modern bike.:bleh:


It's got carburettors, an ancient device unknown to modern man.

[eelracing]

It's got carburettors, an ancient device unknown to modern man.

Going the same way as the kickstarter...nothing cooler in motorcycling than kicking a bike into life.

[Oscar]

I ride both my 86 R80 or my 81 R80 to work at least once a week.

[Voltaire]

I ride both my 86 R80 or my 81 R80 to work at least once a week.

piccies please.
I thought you had a GS?

[Oscar]

piccies please.
I thought you had a GS?

That's what I'm talking about - a 1981 R80g/s and a 86 R80g/s PD

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[kiwikk]

I do 35km per day on my 1990 Honda CB-1.
304213

[TLDV8]

I don't commute because the average to work distance for the last 5 years has been 5 or 6000 kms each way.

Even the Hyper-motard does not like heavy stop and go traffic and no doubt neither would any older air cooled motorcycle.
Can you use older bikes for general duties like any modern bike, of course you can, the Sunbeam is on schedule to become the main bike before the year is out.
I would even go as far as saying some older bikes based on their engine output and relaxed power delivery can match or better some modern bikes in the lower speed ranges in top gear.

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/1949%20Sunbeam%20S7%20Deluxe/SunbeamS7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo SunbeamS7.jpg"/></a>

[mortko]

Hi,I ride my cl350 '74 once a week.. last time I tried to ride it to masterton..
I'm kinda new in wellington..

[Bennyblanko]

I ride my '73 Harley Davidson sportster to work most days. Motorcycle is the only way to go in Auckland traffic.
I have a parking spot right outside work which is ideal as I hate leaving it in parking buildings.

Anyone else notice how selfishly and dangerously the scooter riders in Auckland city behave? They are more of a liability than cars and buses combined in my opinion.

[AllanC]

I've got a daughter who uses an '82 CB400N to commute to university regularly. The bike doesn't really miss a beat.

[Voltaire]

Bit of thread dredge.

Weather is good this week and traffic is light, might be a week of classic commuting.:banana:

Sunday: 100 mile loop on the 72 Norton Commando Interstate, light, great exhaust sound, RH upside down shift takes a

while to get used to.

Monday: Rode 1989 Vespa PX200 into city office, easy to ride, lots of noise, manual twist grip, moderately quick.

Tuesday: BMW R80GS, starts first time, heavyish, no interesting noises. CEO of company sees me and he says he's going to

bring his Harley in later in week....you never know who likes bikes.

Wednesday: Norton Commando out to East Tamaki, blasting down motorway with Motorcycle Emptyness playing in head.

Thursday: TBA

Friday: TBA

[Dodgyiti]

On ya Volty.
I've been mixing it up a bit too, but the modern one has the best luggage

[Hobbyhorse]

What have you got for Blue Smoke and Pedals at Waikato Vintage Car Club on Sunday?

[Voltaire]

Took the Norton out to a meeting yesterday....at night.
Today its was Norton again.
Posted some pics on Facebook Norton Commando as its one click as opposed to many clunks here.

[Diggers]

Dodgy, you're still alive! Still doing it in the Norf Waikato?

[kiwimacchi]

I regularly commute on & in most of my dinosaurs, :niceone: either the 1936 Morris 8 Sport, '75 850 T Guzzi,'76 1000 Guzzi, '76 GS 750 Dunstall Suzuki,'82 CX500,'72 Guzzi Eldorado or the '82 R65 Beemer & soon.... my '71 CB450 street tracker & '67 Matchless

Hey Dave-are they all registered? :msn-wink:

[kiwimacchi]

Took my '80 GS1000S to Pukekohe from Chch a few weeks ago- it's my regular ride, great old bus. Love the way the old dinosaurs handle!

[Kickaha]

Hey Dave-are they all registered? :msn-wink:
:lol: What a comedian

[Grumph]

Took my '80 GS1000S to Pukekohe from Chch a few weeks ago- it's my regular ride, great old bus. Love the way the old dinosaurs handle!

Before Warwick ridicules you again, I think a pic of the old bus might go well....

[moff]

Daily ride to wk 900 miles in last 6months,never fails .

[Voltaire]

Over the Summer I rode my Commando for a week into the Viaduct, but there is really no joy in riding motorcycle around Auckland, I do

however ride my 30 year old Vespa a couple of times a week and its a hoot to ride.

I should move out of Auckland.