Snobs on Triumphs.

[tri boy]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together, but today I was surprised that a bunch of aging baby boomers on restored, shiny bonnies, Nortans, Ariels etc didn't have the decencey to even say Gday at one of the local watering holes.
Sure, they saw me pull up on an unwashed, clay splattered scrambler of recent manufacture, sure, I look like a hat full of arseholes on my best days, but sheesh, when did wankers start crossing over to the Triumph side of life.

I got over it quite quickly, downed my pint, and chatted to a couple of regulars, one on a 1925 New York police Indian, and the other on a late model Yammy road bike.
The Indian dude is a cool ol coot, and can spank that beastie when required.

Might be time for me to search out another marque. The wankers have assimilated with the Trumpy folk.:mellow:

[Motu]

Looks like you haven't been taught the special Triumph wave - I would teach you,but seeing as they seem to be offended by your mere presence I better not...or else they won't speak to me either.

[avgas]

Meh... aren't they all grumpy old sods?
I mean women are grumpy when they leak every month - so how do you think a bonnie 650 owner feels.

[Paul in NZ]

Well it sounds like all the wankers were not just on Triumphs - ie some nortons in there too ;-)

Stress less, there is a bit of discord between people who have had the old meriden bikes for some time. I;m afraid it stemmed from the rejection of the RAT club about the time the new triumph co really dissed the old bikes. I lot of folks got really put out about it (the company quickly realised it was a big mistake and back tracked a bit)

Look - its the same everywhere and goes both ways. I've been ignored and made fun of a 100 times on my old shitters by the modern bike guys (including triumph owners) You were having a good day before you met them and if they had not been there it would not have mattered anyway. Don't place your happiness in the hands of others - that never works out well!

Besides, all us old triumph dudes are wankers eh? ;-) Well at least I did seek you out at the Triumph rally in rotorua so maybe not all of us all the time? :innocent:

[tri boy]

Don't place your happiness in the hands of others - that never works out well!



We need more blokes like you Paul:yes:

I'm over it now. :sunny:
(That 25 Indian is sommit though. Unrestored and ageing nicely.)

[oldrider]

Bikers in the "old" days were always pleased to see other bikers, even just to say g'day!
I must admit I have noticed big changes in the attitude of a lot of today's bikers though! :mellow:

[gonzo_akl]

Paul,

Any chance you can elaborate on this a bit more. I've seen reference this Meriden v Hinckley triumphs but haven't managed to find a source to explain it.

Cheers

Stress less, there is a bit of discord between people who have had the old meriden bikes for some time. I;m afraid it stemmed from the rejection of the RAT club about the time the new triumph co really dissed the old bikes. I lot of folks got really put out about it (the company quickly realised it was a big mistake and back tracked a bit)

[Big Dave]

Nah - it was just that 20 years ago some of them had a stick up their arse about the new bikes not being as good as the old ones. They were wrong.

The TOMCC now has an assortment of Hinckley and Meriden bikes and nobody takes exception to either. They just have preferences.

I tipped them off about Triboy.

[Paul in NZ]

Bikers in the "old" days were always pleased to see other bikers, even just to say g'day!
I must admit I have noticed big changes in the attitude of a lot of today's bikers though! :mellow:

Um! Nearly.... I'm pretty sure none of the old school clubs ever invited the Honda 4 owners club around for drinks... Burning a jappa on the bonfire was a regular at certain rallies for a while.

[Jackal]

Probably not alot to do with the type of bike the guy rides but the type of bloke he is himself. I have a mate who rides a Triumph and when we go on trips together I have to add a few hours to our ETA as he stops and talks to anyone on a bike!!!

[Paul in NZ]

Nah - it was just that 20 years ago some of them had a stick up their arse about the new bikes not being as good as the old ones. They were wrong.

The TOMCC now has an assortment of Hinckley and Meriden bikes and nobody takes exception to either. They just have preferences.

I tipped them off about Triboy.

I'm sorry - thats either just plain mischievious or poorly informed.

Not long after the first generation of new triumphs were released there was naturally a lot of curiosity from riders and the media and in general the company was treated kindly by all. But at the time and just before we saw the first bikes here the newly revised logo was revealed AND Mr Bloor and co sent letters to the companies that had been providing mugs n tee shirts n stuff to us regarding copyright infringements. thing is, most of these guys had also been making the spares that kept us on the road for many many years. This was well reported and the tone was very heavy handed. A great many long time Triumph people were utterly gutted and in some cases guys who had even been dealers in the past and were keen to do so again were treated very shabbily.

This happened in the UK and later in the USA and yes - I was actually there

Very quickly - some clever soul realised that this was a big PR mistake and pissing off the people most likely to buy the bikes so nothing more was ever heard of it again. In some cases there has been a campaign of making this unfortunate incident disappear...

Dave - I was TOMCC member number 5. The club was in many ways destined to provide a place for the guys who rode meriden because they felt abandoned by the company at the time. Sure, time has thinned the ranks and the new bikes are wildly and deservedly popular but trivialising the hurt does not make it never happen.

As an explanation - being of an age where we had to make our own stuff at home to keep our bikes going I was pretty annoyed at the time, I could not give a toss now. Strictly from a design point of view I disagree with some of the new bikes features and am unlikely to buy one. Not because of bitterness but simply because they just don't excite me - It is an opinion I'm apparently not allowed to have according to many but there it is. BUT I do note that used examples are quite cheap now and getting to the point where purchasing one to modify is possible.

One sad upshot of all this is the trivialisation of what the originals meant, the real history of the bikes and stupid prices of the restored ones and how no one seems to realise that they really can be fantastic riding bikes if given care.... I cry for them sometimes, they deserved better.

[Crisis management]

Might be time for me to search out another marque.

Come over to the dark side Brent...I'll give you a hug :shit:

[Brian d marge]

This happened in the UK and later in the USA and yes - I was actually there
.

me to and i know who you are talking about , he was mighty pissed after being loyal to triumph for years

Stuffed if I can remember his last name though

BTW , the Enfield crowd takes and will talk to anyone

The took me

Stephen

[davebullet]

An anagram for Triumph is "Hit Mr Up". Maybe they are turning a little Honda and realised you weren't gay?

[Mental Trousers]

Hey, my only bike is a Triumph .... :shutup:

[davebullet]

Whilst we are on the subject of anagrams... this one is quite nice....

Harley Davidson -> Yo, Vandals hired!

[Pussy]

Hey, my only bike is a Triumph .... :shutup:

Clearly.... you're a snob, then!!

[trustme]

Never mind I'll still talk to you.

What was your name again????

[Mental Trousers]

Clearly.... you're a snob, then!!

Dammit :shit:

[Big Dave]

Some mischief intended for you - yes PAul - however - I do know Meriden owners who were complete arses about the Hickleys at first. Irrational and emotional. Some of them now ride Rocket IIIs and most of them own both.

All Bloor did was protect his IP and distance his product from the lemons that rolled out of the end of Meriden. I know how bad they were - I owned one. Loved it when it went, but it felt like it took all week to get ready for a weekend's worth.

Once the 'separation' was achieved - then they went all Steve McQueen and I've always thought that was a bit sus, though I'd like a new Trailmaster Jacket. Bad.

I like this little factoid - for a measure of 'greatness', Hinckley now make more bikes per annum than Meriden did at its zenith.

[Big Dave]

Here's the last TOMCC run I observed.

Lovely mixture of both. When I first moved to NZ - RAT was for Hinckley - TOMCC was for Meriden.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwirider/sets/72157623711200618/

[tri boy]

I'm still waiting for the scrambler to have a major failing/breakdown/oil leak.
Guess I havn't got much to add to their group conversations after all. Meh.

[Rogue Rider]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together, but today I was surprised that a bunch of aging baby boomers on restored, shiny bonnies, Nortans, Ariels etc didn't have the decencey to even say Gday at one of the local watering holes.
Sure, they saw me pull up on an unwashed, clay splattered scrambler of recent manufacture, sure, I look like a hat full of arseholes on my best days, but sheesh, when did wankers start crossing over to the Triumph side of life.

I got over it quite quickly, downed my pint, and chatted to a couple of regulars, one on a 1925 New York police Indian, and the other on a late model Yammy road bike.
The Indian dude is a cool ol coot, and can spank that beastie when required.

Might be time for me to search out another marque. The wankers have assimilated with the Trumpy folk.:mellow:


Well, what a pack of show ponies, do they think they are perhaps too cool in there old fart misfit outfit rigs.
There are some snobbish Triumph collectors out there, but there are some awesome ones two. They a cut into two groups, those who restore and collect bikes for passion, and the others for profit or ego stroking with snobs.
Don't worry, they weren't cool enough to see a triumph that doesn't leak oil, and a rider who respects modern technology from the oldest motorcycle brand name manufacturer.
Their bikes won't even be respected by them.

Pussies.:scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter::scoot er::scooter:

[Big Dave]

There was a red with white stripe speed triple at speedshow.

I want to have its babies. Holy guacamole. Possibly the best engine ever fitted in a road bike in hornbag clothing.

[Big Dave]

I'm still waiting for the scrambler to have a major failing/breakdown/oil leak.
Guess I havn't got much to add to their group conversations after all. Meh.

I think you are reading too much into the motorcycles - this was about you.

[gonzo_akl]

I'm sorry - thats either just plain mischievious or poorly informed.....etc
.


Paul,

My knowledge of Triumphs could fit on the back of a postage stamp, I should really know more.


Thanks for filling a few gaps.

Cheers

[Big Dave]

A good resource for Triumph history is Chadwick.

http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/triumph/

[Big Dave]

How's this one - I recently got a 'cease and desist' from Norton Motorcycles for a picture of a 1950's Bike I had on a tee shirt for sale.

No logo - just a picture of a bike.

[FJRider]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together, but today I was surprised that a bunch of aging baby boomers on restored, shiny bonnies, Nortans, Ariels etc didn't have the decencey to even say Gday at one of the local watering holes.
Sure, they saw me pull up on an unwashed, clay splattered scrambler of recent manufacture, sure, I look like a hat full of arseholes on my best days, but sheesh, when did wankers start crossing over to the Triumph side of life.

AND ... you at no stage ... go over to THEIR table to introduce yourself ....

They were minding their own business ... having a great day ... to be ignored by another (dirt)biker ...

If you had ... and they continued to ignore you .... I would agree with your comments. But YOU didn't ... your loss ... not theirs .... get over yourself ...

[Big Dave]

Ooooooooh who's got the cranky trousers on now then???

[FJRider]

Ooooooooh who's got the cranky trousers on now then???

Whatever do you mean ... :innocent:

[tri boy]

AND ... you at no stage ... go over to THEIR table to introduce yourself ....

They were minding their own business ... having a great day ... to be ignored by another (dirt)biker ...

If you had ... and they continued to ignore you .... I would agree with your comments. But YOU didn't ... your loss ... not theirs .... get over yourself ...

Said gday with a smile to two of them, who turned their backs to me with out a word of reply.
Get over your self.

[NighthawkNZ]

Bikers in the "old" days were always pleased to see other bikers, even just to say g'day!
I must admit I have noticed big changes in the attitude of a lot of today's bikers though! :mellow:


Agreed... even in the time I been riding... (25 years ish) seen big atitude change... I can see what is doing it all (but not going to say and causes a shit fight)

back in the day;


99% of the time passing bikers would wave, (1% didn't because either in mid corner, did see etc).
Other biker would pull over to assist or to see if everything was okay if they saw another bike on the side of the road.
Bikers would just go up to another biker (no matter what type of bike) and start chatting admiring each others ride.
there was no inter brand rivarly
Atitude on the road and respect to other road users was totally different and is changing to the worse I fear.

[Grubber]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together, but today I was surprised that a bunch of aging baby boomers on restored, shiny bonnies, Nortans, Ariels etc didn't have the decencey to even say Gday at one of the local watering holes.
Sure, they saw me pull up on an unwashed, clay splattered scrambler of recent manufacture, sure, I look like a hat full of arseholes on my best days, but sheesh, when did wankers start crossing over to the Triumph side of life.

I got over it quite quickly, downed my pint, and chatted to a couple of regulars, one on a 1925 New York police Indian, and the other on a late model Yammy road bike.
The Indian dude is a cool ol coot, and can spank that beastie when required.

Might be time for me to search out another marque. The wankers have assimilated with the Trumpy folk.:mellow:

SO??
Is this really it for the day?
Must turn TV off and get a life......

[Banditbandit]

Agreed... even in the time I been riding... (25 years ish) seen big atitude change... I can see what is doing it all (but not going to say and causes a shit fight)

back in the day;


99% of the time passing bikers would wave, (1% didn't because either in mid corner, did see etc).
Other biker would pull over to assist or to see if everything was okay if they saw another bike on the side of the road.
Bikers would just go up to another biker (no matter what type of bike) and start chatting admiring each others ride.
there was no inter brand rivarly
Atitude on the road and respect to other road users was totally different and is changing to the worse I fear.


Yeah ... ? I remember the days we would never never never talk to a rider on a Rice Burner ...

[Big Dave]

Yeah ... ? I remember the days we would never never never talk to a rider on a Rice Burner ...

And worse - Jap bikes kicked over at the pub and riders intimidated on brand biggotry. Don't park that jap crap here etc etc.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Meh... aren't they all grumpy old sods?
I mean women are grumpy when they leak every month - so how do you think a bonnie 650 owner feels.

I must admit I found this funny.

I'm going to hell, I know. S'OK though, all my friends will be there.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Agreed... even in the time I been riding... (25 years ish) seen big atitude change... I can see what is doing it all (but not going to say and causes a shit fight)

back in the day;


99% of the time passing bikers would wave, (1% didn't because either in mid corner, did see etc).
Other biker would pull over to assist or to see if everything was okay if they saw another bike on the side of the road.
Bikers would just go up to another biker (no matter what type of bike) and start chatting admiring each others ride.
there was no inter brand rivarly
Atitude on the road and respect to other road users was totally different and is changing to the worse I fear.


I don't know about that. I started riding in the 80's, and on Jap sprotbikes. (my first road bike wasnt really a sprotbike, a GSX400, though it did kick the arse of my mates CB400F) but anyway, back then none of the britbike guys would talk to us. and a Harley was a rare thing indeed. even the patched clubs were on all sorts of stuff: Triumphs and Nortons, the odd HD, but I saw a Ducati Dharma with big apehangers (WTF?).

I think too we were young and stupid and snotty and had a bad attitude: the britbike guys especially were older (some even had grey hair like I have now :( ) and didnt really want to talk to us....

Meh.

[NZsarge]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together, but today I was surprised that a bunch of aging baby boomers on restored, shiny bonnies, Nortans, Ariels etc didn't have the decencey to even say Gday at one of the local watering holes.

Might be time for me to search out another marque. The wankers have assimilated with the Trumpy folk.:mellow:

Just because someone ride a certain kind of machine does'nt exclude them from being a wanker/arsehole.
Seeing more and more people seem to be riding Triumph's these days you're even more likely to run into Triumph riding wankers, it's the law of averages.

[HenryDorsetCase]

How's this one - I recently got a 'cease and desist' from Norton Motorcycles for a picture of a 1950's Bike I had on a tee shirt for sale.

No logo - just a picture of a bike.

Still doing it? I'd buy it just as a "fuck you" to whoever it was: presumably baldwins or JAWS or one of them.

[Banditbandit]

And worse - Jap bikes kicked over at the pub and riders intimidated on brand biggotry. Don't park that jap crap here etc etc.

Ummm ... yeah ... somewhere faintly back in my memory (musta been last century) I seemed to have urinated on a Honda four ... parked in Latimar Square I believe ... then I ended up owning one or two ...

We all grow up ...

[NighthawkNZ]

Yeah ... ? I remember the days we would never never never talk to a rider on a Rice Burner ...


I don't know about that. I started riding in the 80's, and on Jap sprotbikes. (my first road bike wasnt really a sprotbike, a GSX400, though it did kick the arse of my mates CB400F) but anyway, back then none of the britbike guys would talk to us. and a Harley was a rare thing indeed. even the patched clubs were on all sorts of stuff: Triumphs and Nortons, the odd HD, but I saw a Ducati Dharma with big apehangers (WTF?).

I think too we were young and stupid and snotty and had a bad attitude: the britbike guys especially were older (some even had grey hair like I have now :( ) and didnt really want to talk to us....

Meh.

Goes to show I had the exact opposite experience... maybe it is you get out of it what you put in to it... :innocent:

[Big Dave]

Still doing it? I'd buy it just as a "fuck you" to whoever it was: presumably baldwins or JAWS or one of them.

No, because unlike Paul's mates who got out of shape because the new legal owner was protecting his IP on their coffee cups and merchandise, (Insert evil smiley) I appologised and deleted it.

History is all about perspectives isn't it.

Triumph don't like 'em much either, but all they've ever done is raise an eyebrow. Maybe because I've sold 'em a shitload of bikes :-)

[Big Dave]

Whilst we are on the subject of anagrams... this one is quite nice....

Harley Davidson -> Yo, Vandals hired!

I'm still trying to sort out 'where' we got on the subject of anagrams

[Big Dave]

Goes to show I had the exact opposite experience... maybe it is you get out of it what you put in to it... :innocent:

Or maybe that Dunedin is just entering the 60's.

[Big Dave]

We all grow up ...

I could only afford 2nd hand Japanese machines at first.

We had one pal on a CB400 who was always worried about being 'mobbied'. You wonder how much of it all was bar talk too.

[Paul in NZ]

Some mischief intended for you - yes PAul - however - I do know Meriden owners who were complete arses about the Hickleys at first. Irrational and emotional. Some of them now ride Rocket IIIs and most of them own both.

All Bloor did was protect his IP and distance his product from the lemons that rolled out of the end of Meriden. I know how bad they were - I owned one. Loved it when it went, but it felt like it took all week to get ready for a weekend's worth.

Once the 'separation' was achieved - then they went all Steve McQueen and I've always thought that was a bit sus, though I'd like a new Trailmaster Jacket. Bad.

I like this little factoid - for a measure of 'greatness', Hinckley now make more bikes per annum than Meriden did at its zenith.

Oh I know I was being wound up and really I'm not bothered at all.

It was not the protection of the IP but the prevention of people making parts to keep the old bikes going that hurt. Sure it was beat up in the media at the time and really I didn't much care because I couldn't afford new bits anyway.

In all honesty I'm just so over the whole Triumph thing now and I'm getting to the point where I just don't want to ride any of my bikes (especially the triumph) around other people. If there are old bike guys present a queue forms to tell me I'm a dickhead as I've got the wrong grab rail and most of the nuts and bolts are not original and if its with new bike guys I'm a dickhead that slows everyone down and polishes my shitty old bike too much (assuming that they even realise it IS old) and... argh...

The snobbery does exist and it fair does my head in - I already know I'm a bloody dickhead ffs, I'm married with 3 daughters, I'm reminded constantly.... I mean it's not like I seek people out and start telling them about stuff - they ask me first which has got to be odd, after all I even LOOK like a dickhead ffs... Maybe I should get a tee shirt...

I used to love the whole era post war and how the changes in the bikes reflected the changing nature of society but its all been a bit frustrating lately. :shutup:

Anyway - the dried frog pills are wearing off, time to climb back under my rock...

[NighthawkNZ]

Or maybe that Dunedin is just entering the 60's.


dumb statement... Just cause I am in Dunedin now... Spent 15 years in da norf island riding and touring and experiencing life...

Even drank that shit they called beer back then.. lion red

[Big Dave]

Yea mate - my teacups got bigger than those storms a decade ago.

[Big Dave]

dumb statement... Just cause I am in Dunedin now... Spent 15 years in da norf island riding and touring and experiencing life...

Even drank that shit they called beer back then.. lion red

Yeah - I spent a week in Dunedin one afternoon too. Would have stayed longer but it was closed. :innocent:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh I know I was being wound up and really I'm not bothered at all.

It was not the protection of the IP but the prevention of people making parts to keep the old bikes going that hurt. Sure it was beat up in the media at the time and really I didn't much care because I couldn't afford new bits anyway.

In all honesty I'm just so over the whole Triumph thing now and I'm getting to the point where I just don't want to ride any of my bikes (especially the triumph) around other people. If there are old bike guys present a queue forms to tell me I'm a dickhead as I've got the wrong grab rail and most of the nuts and bolts are not original and if its with new bike guys I'm a dickhead that slows everyone down and polishes my shitty old bike too much (assuming that they even realise it IS old) and... argh...

The snobbery does exist and it fair does my head in - I already know I'm a bloody dickhead ffs, I'm married with 3 daughters, I'm reminded constantly.... I mean it's not like I seek people out and start telling them about stuff - they ask me first which has got to be odd, after all I even LOOK like a dickhead ffs... Maybe I should get a tee shirt...

I used to love the whole era post war and how the changes in the bikes reflected the changing nature of society but its all been a bit frustrating lately. :shutup:

Anyway - the dried frog pills are wearing off, time to climb back under my rock...

www.davidcohen.co.nz

get me one while you're there

:)

[Brian d marge]

Oh I know I was being wound up and really I'm not bothered at all.

It was not the protection of the IP but the prevention of people making parts to keep the old bikes going that hurt. Sure it was beat up in the media at the time and really I didn't much care because I couldn't afford new bits anyway.

In all honesty I'm just so over the whole Triumph thing now and I'm getting to the point where I just don't want to ride any of my bikes (especially the triumph) around other people. If there are old bike guys present a queue forms to tell me I'm a dickhead as I've got the wrong grab rail and most of the nuts and bolts are not original and if its with new bike guys I'm a dickhead that slows everyone down and polishes my shitty old bike too much (assuming that they even realise it IS old) and... argh...

The snobbery does exist and it fair does my head in - I already know I'm a bloody dickhead ffs, I'm married with 3 daughters, I'm reminded constantly.... I mean it's not like I seek people out and start telling them about stuff - they ask me first which has got to be odd, after all I even LOOK like a dickhead ffs... Maybe I should get a tee shirt...

I used to love the whole era post war and how the changes in the bikes reflected the changing nature of society but its all been a bit frustrating lately. :shutup:

Anyway - the dried frog pills are wearing off, time to climb back under my rock...
tell ya ride an Enfield , They were originally made in England , then OMG an INDIAN person started to make them , ( never ride one of those , not British you see)
Now the Indian person has invested in a whopping great factory and produces a dam good modern bike that looks old
Can you imagine the trouble some people have with this ,,,,
Stand round at a swap meet and you will more and likely hear , oh I HAD one of those , but this one doesn't have the correct points cover ( they most likey will be looking at an electra which is a modern bike )

who cares

its somebodys bike which they like very much , ( except Harley and sukiyakis and ,,,,,because they are hard to like ,,,,)
So in a nut shell I too have experienced these onerous creatures,.. bought an enfield and am as happy as a pig in shit bombing around the place ( also i am over here and Anoraks don't really exits here , well they do , and they are even more anal , but they don't mingle much )

In fact we need a sticker, big arrow pointing to a washer , with the slogan , this is incorrect for this model

Stephen

Founding member of the Misuse of Motorcycles Society

[Maha]

This whole biker thing is not Girl Guides or Cub Scouts.
Is there a book on Biker Attitudes and Etiquette.... somewhere?

Would it make you feel loved and wanted and part of some fictious fratunity if someone else wearing leather spoke to you? (see how camp that sounds?)

[NighthawkNZ]

Yeah - I spent a week in Dunedin one afternoon too. Would have stayed longer but it was closed. :innocent:

That probably was back in the 60's :shutup:

[avgas]

We had one pal on a CB400 who was always worried about being 'mobbied'. You wonder how much of it all was bar talk too.

About 90% BS I have found. Have ridden with various 'groups' in my short bike lifetime. Found the "Big badasses" on classics, were fucking useless riders, and did not know what part of the engine pushed the bike forward (FYI its not the exhaust).
On GB number 2 the "Norton Riders Annon" would come up asking if it was a Manx.......clearly they did not know their own Marquee let alone others.

I have come to the conclusion that the world is full of morons - some of whom have money to fritter away on re-buying their youth, in original oil leaking, plug fouling nostalgia. If a Viagra gives your boner new life, a 70' Commando/Bonnie/Tiger..... must supersize the ego also.

[Big Dave]

That's too harsh. For some it's hobby or therapy. Also depends on a lot of other influences.

The capability of your workshop, and the size of your mortgage etc etc.

It's like people buying Harleys credited to a middle age crisis - when in fact it's anything but a crisis - it's reaching a stage in life where nice things are more affordable.

And face it - there's more common ground with and old bike nut than someone inside watching CSI Bugtussle.

[Big Dave]

That probably was back in the 60's :shutup:

Actually I think it's a nice place - too cold for Aussie blood though.

[Brian d marge]

This whole biker thing is not Girl Guides or Cub Scouts.
Is there a book on Biker Attitudes and Etiquette.... somewhere?

Would it make you feel loved and wanted and part of some fictious fratunity if someone else wearing leather spoke to you? (see how camp that sounds?)

I would have thought basic common sense and kindness would have covered that

Stephen

[HenryDorsetCase]

This whole biker thing is not Girl Guides or Cub Scouts.
Is there a book on Biker Attitudes and Etiquette.... somewhere?

Would it make you feel loved and wanted and part of some fictious fratunity if someone else wearing leather spoke to you? (see how camp that sounds?)

last time that happened to me, I woke up with a very sore bum.

[HenryDorsetCase]

In fact we need a sticker, big arrow pointing to a washer , with the slogan , this is incorrect for this model



Hell yes. I'd buy one of those.

[Oscar]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together, but today I was surprised that a bunch of aging baby boomers on restored, shiny bonnies, Nortans, Ariels etc didn't have the decencey to even say Gday at one of the local watering holes.
Sure, they saw me pull up on an unwashed, clay splattered scrambler of recent manufacture, sure, I look like a hat full of arseholes on my best days, but sheesh, when did wankers start crossing over to the Triumph side of life.

I got over it quite quickly, downed my pint, and chatted to a couple of regulars, one on a 1925 New York police Indian, and the other on a late model Yammy road bike.
The Indian dude is a cool ol coot, and can spank that beastie when required.

Might be time for me to search out another marque. The wankers have assimilated with the Trumpy folk.:mellow:

Yeah, but let's face - yer a cahnt.
I hear you even hang out wid the orange crowd....

[Big Dave]

Yeah baby!

214052

[avgas]

Yeah baby!

214052
Nothing like a bike with no history and no future.
Who do talk to about it? According to you the only bike covo's are on old stuff ;)

[Big Dave]

according to you the only bike covo's are on old stuff ;)

Absolutely. Undeniable. Certainly.

.....what's a covo ?

Who do I talk to about it? Nobody much - that would indicate I care what anybody but me thinks about my bike.

[avgas]

that would indicate I care what anybody but me thinks about my bike.
On a second thought - all kinds of great unclean what to talk to me about the 3ta......so maybe your on to something.

[Big Dave]

On a second thought - all kinds of great unclean what to talk to me about the 3ta......so maybe your on to something.

Same with the new ones - Thruxton in particular - clean and unclean - 'I remember I had one just like that in 1953'

[Oscar]

Same with the new ones - Thruxton in particular - clean and unclean - 'I remember I had one just like that in 1953'

I wouldnae have a Meridian Triumph (or any other prehistoric Brit oil leaker) fer a wart on me arse, but I am still keen to own a Scrambler. I really enjoyed the Rocket III, I don't think I'd wanna own on, but I can applaud anyone who has the sheer audacity to build summat like that...

[Paul in NZ]

Far out - I can't decide if the vitriole being heaped on old bike owners its due to infriority complex or new bike snobbery... Crikey - some of us have had these things for decades and actually like them for their own sakes.... Gawd - I was wondering why no one liked me (couldnt be my lack of social skills)

[Paul in NZ]

Hell yes. I'd buy one of those.

Ah - I'd make one out of an original part ;-)

[Paul in NZ]

tell ya ride an Enfield , They were originally made in England , then OMG an INDIAN person started to make them , ( never ride one of those , not British you see)
Now the Indian person has invested in a whopping great factory and produces a dam good modern bike that looks old
Can you imagine the trouble some people have with this ,,,,
Stand round at a swap meet and you will more and likely hear , oh I HAD one of those , but this one doesn't have the correct points cover ( they most likey will be looking at an electra which is a modern bike )

who cares

its somebodys bike which they like very much , ( except Harley and sukiyakis and ,,,,,because they are hard to like ,,,,)
So in a nut shell I too have experienced these onerous creatures,.. bought an enfield and am as happy as a pig in shit bombing around the place ( also i am over here and Anoraks don't really exits here , well they do , and they are even more anal , but they don't mingle much )

In fact we need a sticker, big arrow pointing to a washer , with the slogan , this is incorrect for this model

Stephen

Founding member of the Misuse of Motorcycles Society

Actually - they have a much better history. RE themselves set up the factory in India..

[AllanB]

Snobs. I'll talk to any rider about bikes, I don't care what they are riding.

[tri boy]

Do the Enfield boys n gals get snobby towards those who ONLY have the 3fiddy model?
I really enjoyed riding a 97 Electra500 around/down/up/through parts of India.
Lovely machine for it's enviroment.
Maybe an Electra will become a very sort after model. Not sure about the later euro3 models though.

[Big Dave]

Do the Enfield boys n gals get snobby towards those who ONLY have the 3fiddy model?.

I talked to a 350 owner who has issues with 'the new ones' at Speedshow.

[Corse1]

Snobs. I'll talk to any rider about bikes, I don't care what they are riding.

:stupid::stupid::stupid:

And I will ride with any biker/motorcyclist/motorcycle rider.......I have mates I ride with who have collections including Meriden's and Hinckley triumphs...they even let jappa's ride with them :gob:

Its all the oil on the ground that puts me off the old un's. Try and keep up with a mate on his tiger 750 in the twisties and you got your work cut out for you. Mind you he is an ex racer.

Maybe we are just nice blokes in the BOP :calm:

[Brian d marge]

Do the Enfield boys n gals get snobby towards those who ONLY have the 3fiddy model?
I really enjoyed riding a 97 Electra500 around/down/up/through parts of India.
Lovely machine for it's enviroment.
Maybe an Electra will become a very sort after model. Not sure about the later euro3 models though.
nope

The 350 is actually a better bike , they expanded it to 500 and the cooling just doesnt quite make the grade ( might do in blighty during the winter of 59 ( or whenever that really cold one was)

Stephen

[Brian d marge]

I talked to a 350 owner who has issues with 'the new ones' at Speedshow.

Its a small enfield world in NZ , Ill silence the bugger ( make him an offer he couldn't refuse )

Stephen

[Banditbandit]

This whole biker thing is not Girl Guides or Cub Scouts.
Is there a book on Biker Attitudes and Etiquette.... somewhere?

Try these ... :innocent:

http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Credos-Road-Sonny-Barger/dp/B000EMSZ6U/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280177505&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Ride-Sonny-Bargers-Motorcycling/dp/0061964263/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280177583&sr=1-3

[gonzo_akl]

A good resource for Triumph history is Chadwick.

http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/triumph/

Thanks for the link big dave, I read through the more modern era information from the 60's forward.
Dumb question time: At an engineering level is there any commonality between the Meriden and Hinkley eras?
By this I mean when the new Triumphs started rolling from the new plant built by John Bloor were they a completely new platform or an evolution from the existing bikes?

Cheers

[Big Dave]

Thanks for the link big dave, I read through the more modern era information from the 60's forward.
Dumb question time: At an engineering level is there any commonality between the Meriden and Hinkley eras?
By this I mean when the new Triumphs started rolling from the new plant built by John Bloor were they a completely new platform or an evolution from the existing bikes?

Cheers

The answer is a great one for trivia night.

Riccardo Engineering - after who the 'Triumph Riccy' is named - provided engineering design services to Hinckley and Meriden.
That's about as good as it gets common-link wise. The old factory was redeveloped as housing (from memory - don't quote me) and as previously noted - some effort was put into the 'these are different' campaign when Hinckley kicked off.

Mr Bloor's bikes pretty much started from scratch and consulted firms like Cosworth and Lotus in the early designs. They also sent a team of engineers to observe Kawasaki production processes.

[scracha]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the
They are. It's part of the "You don't ride proper bikes and are therefore not cool enough to talk to us" thing. I dunno what the whole bike marque "image" thing is all about and it's pretty childish IMHO. Shit, I'll talk to anybody on 2 wheels. Since ditching the Duc I've been looked down on or ignored at some watering holes. I either didn't notice it in the UK or simply couldn't give a fuck as I was having fun putting in serious miles. Hell, I attended a HOG rally in Scotland on a mate's Kawasaki 440 twin and was treated exactly the same as my mates on "proper bikes". Couldn't imagine doing that here.

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks for the link big dave, I read through the more modern era information from the 60's forward.
Dumb question time: At an engineering level is there any commonality between the Meriden and Hinkley eras?
By this I mean when the new Triumphs started rolling from the new plant built by John Bloor were they a completely new platform or an evolution from the existing bikes?

Cheers

New platform - no common parts - different design ethos - different bikes for a different market and a very different time. What they do have in common is the same number of wheels, cylinders and general layout plus a reference to a place in america written on the side.

A great many people think this is a splendid arrangement - a few people don't, some people think they are somehow connected through the ages of time and even confuse the new bikes for restored old ones and some bright sparks have asked me how I like the new scrambler... ie confused an old bike for a new one.

People's taste is random is the only lesson in all of this... If you like em for what they are - fine - they are better than a good thing but if you don't like em, get ready to be told off because not liking them (even a little bit) is not allowed ;-)

btw - I dont like them, I was horribly disappointed in them and still think Mr triumph could have done a lot better job BUT sales disagree with me so I suppose that makes me a majority of one... Mark Twain said "We are discreet sheep; we wait to see how the drove is going, and then go with the drove." So once the first magazine declared it just like the original except better.... (right next to an expensive advert from Triumph themselves) It was a done deal. Muppets like me would not have a clue anyway as I'm a well known non conforist and trouble maker... (as well as a bit of a bastard too)

[Paul in NZ]

They are. It's part of the "You don't ride proper bikes and are therefore not cool enough to talk to us" thing.

But that also works both ways.... I'm not cool enough not to like the new bonnies... plus I'm not cool enough to fit in with the 100% restored boys... sigh... I'm having to face the possibility here that I'm not actually cool.... I mean.... :shit:

[Big Dave]

Taste aside - right now the Modern ones compare well with any similar class of vehicle.

The 1050 triple is in my opinion the best mass produced street motorcycle powerplant yet.

Of any of the several hundred I've evaluated anyway.

[Paul in NZ]

Taste aside - right now the Modern ones compare well with any similar class of vehicle.

The 1050 triple is in my opinion the best mass produced street motorcycle powerplant yet.

Of any of the several hundred I've evaluated anyway.

Yes - I wish they had put as much effort into the new bonnie as the 675 etc...

[Oscar]

Taste aside - right now the Modern ones compare well with any similar class of vehicle.

The 1050 triple is in my opinion the best mass produced street motorcycle powerplant yet.

Of any of the several hundred I've evaluated anyway.

I thought the Thunderbird was pretty cool, at least when I figured out ya didn't need to rev it like a Jap bike.
Smacking it from third to fourth at red line near snapped it in half.

[admenk]

... sigh... I'm having to face the possibility here that I'm not actually cool.... I mean.... :shit:

But at least you've realized it...it takes some of us years to realize that we're not the world's best riders, most of what we say is rubbish and everyone else thinks we're dickheads....or is that just me?

[Big Dave]

Its a small enfield world in NZ , Ill silence the bugger ( make him an offer he couldn't refuse )

Stephen

You seek a gentleman 'Not into all that new-fangled EFI' gear. :scooter:

[Motu]

I'll find out all about the new Triumphs in around ten years time - there will be someone with one that doesn't go,and he can't afford someone to fix it for him.That's where I come in....bottom feeding is the best way to bet the bikes you want.

[Big Dave]

>Insert short joke here<

[Paul in NZ]

I'll find out all about the new Triumphs in around ten years time - there will be someone with one that doesn't go,and he can't afford someone to fix it for him.That's where I come in....bottom feeding is the best way to bet the bikes you want.

You better start swotting up on basic engine management design and construction then because the electronics will go and thats going to cost a motza...:innocent:

[Motu]

I've got an old Telstar computer,and air flow metre from a Galant,and a TPS from a Pulsar - I'll get it sorted.

[Paul in NZ]

I've got an old Telstar computer,and air flow metre from a Galant,and a TPS from a Pulsar - I'll get it sorted.

Mate - you should be incharge of design at Triumph

[gonzo_akl]

The answer is a great one for trivia night.

The old factory was redeveloped as housing (from memory - don't quote me) and as previously noted - some effort was put into the 'these are different' campaign when Hinckley kicked off.

.

dave,
The Ian Chadwick site (checked on wikipedia) says that John Bloor was the property developer who bought and developed the factory into a housing estate. Out bidding Enfield for the rights to the Triumph name.

Paul,
everyone's taste is random, I pretty much work on the theory of each to their own.

Owning a Triumph is on the bucket list - now I'm not sure which model, but I quite like the new Sprint GT.

Cheers and thanks to both for the history lesson, from different perspectives.

[Brian d marge]

I'll find out all about the new Triumphs in around ten years time - there will be someone with one that doesn't go,and he can't afford someone to fix it for him.That's where I come in....bottom feeding is the best way to bet the bikes you want.

And the single cell fagella underneath you bottom feeders have to build the things them selves from cast off not wanted by the bottom feeders

Ive started on my new bike at long last )

Stephen

[Corse1]

The 1050 triple is in my opinion the best mass produced street motorcycle powerplant yet.



Its only the chirping that sounds like there is a bird locked up in there somewhere that takes some getting used to :mellow:

[Big Dave]

Arrow hegshausts are good,

[HenryDorsetCase]

And the single cell fagella underneath you bottom feeders have to build the things them selves from cast off not wanted by the bottom feeders

Ive started on my new bike at long last )

Stephen

hey, who you calling a fagella?


:yes:

[Motu]

And the single cell fagella underneath you bottom feeders have to build the things them selves from cast off not wanted by the bottom feeders

Nothing gets past me - there are things I've had for 40 years that I'll get around to using some day.

[Brian d marge]

Nothing gets past me - there are things I've had for 40 years that I'll get around to using some day.

like this old SU carb ive got under me desk ...for the next Enfield I build ,,,( hey Ive even got the old motor corp paper work on the thing !

Stephen

[Brian d marge]

hey, who you calling a fagella?


:yes:

Ive been fagellating longer than you, as a matter of fact GQ magazine were looking for the biggest fagellator in Tokyo , I won by miles

Stephen

who secretly loves

214394

[Paul in NZ]

Ive been fagellating longer than you, as a matter of fact GQ magazine were looking for the biggest fagellator in Tokyo , I won by miles

Stephen

who secretly loves

214394

Cor - modern upgraded version of her.....

[motor_mayhem]

Agreed... even in the time I been riding... (25 years ish) seen big atitude change... I can see what is doing it all (but not going to say and causes a shit fight)

back in the day;


99% of the time passing bikers would wave, (1% didn't because either in mid corner, did see etc).
Other biker would pull over to assist or to see if everything was okay if they saw another bike on the side of the road.
Bikers would just go up to another biker (no matter what type of bike) and start chatting admiring each others ride.


In my experience these three are still alive and well today, re. inter brand rivalry, there's nothing like a bit of good banter to liven your day as long as it doesn't go too far. re. changing attitudes - possibly this is partly influenced by the changing environment - changing attitudes of other entities.



Would it make you feel loved and wanted and part of some fictious fratunity if someone else wearing leather spoke to you? (see how camp that sounds?)

Hot dominatrix who rides a motorcycle? Where do I find one? Brain cells are burning just thinking about it.

[SPman]

Actually I think it's a nice place - too cold for Aussie blood though.Coming from someone who's lived in Tasmania............:whistle:

[Big Dave]

Coming from someone who's lived in Tasmania............:whistle:

Yeah - but left due to the climate.

Same as Perth. It rained more than here, the year we lived there. Wait till you get a El ninio where the warm Indian current hits further South than Normal.

It rained part of almost every day for 4 months straight.

[Big Dave]

And it wasn't even a wet year!

http://www.warwickhughes.com/water/rain.html

[MIXONE]

Yeah - but left due to the climate.

Same as Perth.

It rained part of almost every day for 4 months straight.

That's just normal down the West Coast.

[warewolf]

Dumb question time: At an engineering level is there any commonality between the Meriden and Hinkley eras?
By this I mean when the new Triumphs started rolling from the new plant built by John Bloor were they a completely new platform or an evolution from the existing bikes?Nothing common at all. According to early sales collateral, there was a milkman who delivered to both sites, and the old fellah who painted the pinstripes by hand stayed on. That was one thing they could not do better with modern machinery. He was given an apprentice pronto.


The Ian Chadwick site (checked on wikipedia) says that John Bloor was the property developer who bought and developed the factory into a housing estate. Out bidding Enfield for the rights to the Triumph name. I've never heard that before. I will have to check my references (the citations in wikipedia are nearly worthless) but IIRC it was reported the rights to the Triumph name were bundled up with the property that Bloor wanted, he didn't quite know what he'd bought. One wonders if such transactions can be found online, receivership's being a little more public than normal business?? Could be urban myth, but I'm sure I've seen it in print.


They also sent a team of engineers to observe Kawasaki production processes.Further, they sent designers & engineers to heaps of "worlds best practice" industrials world-wide. The big K, although the smallest of the Jap-4 motorcycle builders, is a massive industrial conglomerate. I suspect the K-word was dropped to try to give "successful global manufacturing" some motorcycle context, but has bitten them in the bum; lots of ppl I've spoken to, many of whom should know better, thought the Hinckleys were a badge-engineered-K (gpz900r revamped, even, due to the end-mounted cam chain!?).

The early bikes did try to be bulletproof for fear of repeating past mistakes and/or being tarred with the same brush. Some of the manufacturing techniques were quite radical for production motorcycles. In addition to the aforementioned: computerised inventory and assembly meant the tolerance on say, that crank pin was matched to the best-fitting conrod big-end. In many ways they were almost "blue printed" engines. The swingarm welding used a different technique, so that it didn't distort. Normal process was weld it, heat it back up and twist it straight again. ICI Britain were involved in developing the plastic for the fairings, which is far more flexible than normal bike fairings.

One thing that is universally accepted for the success of the rebirth: Bloor's deep pockets meant he did not have to kowtow to the accountants and creditors. That does not speak well for all the other rebirth wannabees, unfortunately.


As far as the snobbery goes, I've spoken to lots of ppl in the early Hinckley days (bought my first one in '94 when they drew lots of interest) and many ppl thought anything with a fairing was the work of the slanty-eyed devil, no matter what the badge. End of conversation!

I kicked around with TOMCC briefly some years ago. They were mostly riding jappers or the occasional Hinckley, as the "real" Triumph was in bits being restored, or broken again, or too nice after the resto to ride on the road. No real animosity to the Hinckleys at all though, most were quietly pleased.

[avgas]

Same with the new ones - Thruxton in particular - clean and unclean - 'I remember I had one just like that in 1953'
True.
So are you saying its only a matter of time until Triumph makes a 'bathtub' model.

Some how I don't think some things will come back. 1 of those is the Velocette LE Velo....... however I would not run that idea past Oberdan Bezzi.....

[davebullet]

Taste aside - right now the Modern ones compare well with any similar class of vehicle.

The 1050 triple is in my opinion the best mass produced street motorcycle powerplant yet.

Of any of the several hundred I've evaluated anyway.

I was just taken when I test rode one a few weeks back (Speed Triple) - and just had to lay down my greens and buy one :love: Besides, the thought of a 3 cylinder engine to most people would be a bastardisation or abberation - I quite like that idea. Far more bike than I'll ever have the skill to utilise... and I like that!

[Paul in NZ]

True.
So are you saying its only a matter of time until Triumph makes a 'bathtub' model.

Some how I don't think some things will come back. 1 of those is the Velocette LE Velo....... however I would not run that idea past Oberdan Bezzi.....

Well - in a fashion the bathtubs have been back for a long time.

The motorcycle comapnies were very concerned by the scooter craze and after a lot of customer research decided that a motorcycle with better weather protection and more bodywork (easy to clean and you didn't get your clothes dirty riding them) was the way to go. Nearly every designer and major brit maker took a tilt at it, they were all pretty hopeless on the sales front and the bathtub was probably the best of a bad bunch. The original 3ta with the 17" wheels etc was a scooterish motorcycle as it were...

Of course the market changed but look at the hyper scoots and bikes like the ducati paso or cbr1000... The personification of the bathtub. In triumphs case, the old trophy touring models with acres of fairing etc.

[Big Dave]

The DN-01 of the time.

Nacelles. WTF is up with nacelles.

[avgas]

True.
But in saying that its still not the same exactly.
Its not like the following, that had to be brought back from 'history':
- Fork gators on road bikes
- Chrysler PT Cruiser
- Norton Commando
- Thruxton tail
- Bell bottoms

[Paul in NZ]

The DN-01 of the time.

Nacelles. WTF is up with nacelles.

Dunno - like spats on the rare wheels of saloon cars they were a 50's thing. Kind of oh gosh - now we have telescopic forks we can mess about with headlamp mountings or something.... A styling touch to give the rocket bike look? Bleaugh! Triumphs were nicer than most but IMHO they were all horrible and got in the way of things.

I like Turner / Wickes styling in general, as a complete package the bikes were very nice but they all had bad days ;-)

[Motu]

It wasn't just Triumphs that had narcelles,BSA and Ariel had them too...although they were under the same umbrella,but we weren't supposed to know that.I don't think AMC had them,but Norton had their own bathtub,but no one wanted a featherbed covered in by tin ware,so most were removed.You can see plenty of bathtub and bikini Triumphs around,but a Norton with original rear covering is pretty rare.My 99 had the lugs on the frame,but the panels were long gone.

[Brian d marge]

oi
Enfield had and still do have the nicest nacelles

Stephen

[Dodgyiti]

I'm still waiting for the scrambler to have a major failing/breakdown/oil leak.
Guess I havn't got much to add to their group conversations after all. Meh.

I don't think it will have anything major fail, so your right, you won't have much to add to their group conversations. Not even kickstart tips..

Guess that could be one of the reasons you held no interest to them. Modern bike riders don't get into the depth of mechanical knowledge and 'dark arts' that vintage and classic bike riders do simply because they don't need to.
Personally I would rather talk to someone who knows what makes thier bike tick and can pass on some of that knowledge rather than some modern bike riders that can only recommend different brands of polish:innocent:

[ellipsis]

..funny ol life, innit...couldn't come anywhere near the $1099 it cost for a new bonne' in '73, which is all I wanted, but I did have $400 and it bought me a year old T250 hustler , upswept black pipes. Lost a few people who I thought were mates at the time because of what I rode...could never figure it out, really...seemed to get worse over that period and I ended up getting rid of the hustler, just because of the shit a smart arsed young prick with a penchant for racing brit bikes up on the summit road, got himself into...I always loved the triumph marque, (meriden), still do...and it seems a lot of the wank that was then, is still, now...buggered off to the uk in 1980...got strange looks for owning a triumph over there...hmmmm...haven't owned a cz or a ural yet, but yer never know...got a cool little velo...attracts old buggers like flies to horse shit...sometimes I wish they would leave me alone and dribble over someone else...nicest bike I can remember riding was a tiger with short megaphones and full westerns to hang onto...felt like Steve McQueen...but the sportster fills all the gaps now...

[tri boy]

Guess that could be one of the reasons you held no interest to them. Modern bike riders don't get into the depth of mechanical knowledge and 'dark arts' that vintage and classic bike riders do simply because they don't need to.

Some do actually:yes:
Otherwise Shaun Harris wouldn't be punting a bombed out scrambler in a serious frame this summer.
And after over twenty years working on bikes, engines, and machinery the reliablity is one of the blessings of these new bikes.
I'm well past dialling in cams with degree wheels,and modifying shit ignition systems:yes:

[Big Dave]

I'm well past


yeah - I had 10 years of enjoying keeping my Tbird pristine. But you run out of elbow grease eventually, my Buell has no bright finish parts and only needs a quick tub every few months to look OK.

Leaves me more time to play with my puppy and dribble on the internet.

[Paul in NZ]

Sigh - here we go again....

[Big Dave]

Sigh - here we go again....

You mean there you go to the shed again.

[Oscar]

You mean there you go to the shed again.

Hey Dave - are ya going to Pukemanu?

[Big Dave]

Hey Dave - are ya going to Pukemanu?

Vege says there s a possibility on a Tigger XC - I have everything crossed.

[Headbanger]

I'd like to call them wankers, but I don't know if they do the group "soggy biscuit" gig together,

You're not worthy.

Thats just something you will have to learn to deal with.

Sorry, but it is personal, it has nothing to do with the bikes.

[Elysium]

Man I thought being thirty was old, then I read this entire thread.

[davebullet]

Man I thought being thirty was old, then I read this entire thread.

Same here. It just made me turn 40. Oh heck, I am 40. :shit:

[tri boy]

You're not worthy.


To join the soggy biscuit club.
Yeah I know.
I think you were the gold medal champion at the time.

[Paul in NZ]

You mean there you go to the shed again.

Keeps me away from KB so its not all bad....

[Headbanger]

To join the soggy biscuit club.
Yeah I know.
I think you were the gold medal champion at the time.

It is true that I excel at just about everything.

I'm awesome like that.

[Paul in NZ]

Actually - I think the whole point in having a classic is that maintaining them is just beyond some people. Sort of ensures that you get a decent conversation at a classic bike gathering...:innocent: