Classic/Vintage Bikes

[Trumpess]

Im just curious to know how many of you own old bikes?
What do you have thats classed as a classic or a vintage?

No reasons on my part, I just love old bikes and I'm nosey! :lol:

[Motu]

So what have I got nosey?

<img src='http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1043/frame002ge0.png'>

[Ixion]

A MotoGuzzi. Thz classic. N now y' gone all upmarket n snob wiv a whole gargre of posh Yuropean bikes, n won't talk to us pheasants no more, eh.

[Motu]

I've finally got a reason not to wave - and now they all start waving at me! Back to black....matches my fingernails.

[Trumpess]

Geez .... you two got your periods???

Very bitchy ... tisk, tisk!

Heads up - full moon is wanning, won't be much longer now girls!

[Zeph]

Bought this 1980 Suzuki GS450 recently with 62 kms on the clock. Up to 1300k's now. Removed the extra mirrors and driving lights. Did the usual fluid changes and carb cleaning a bike needs after very little use. Polished the corrosion out of the cases and forks and powder coated the swing arm and stands. Replaced the holed muffler system which also got rid of the blued pipes.
The net result is a bike that looks like new and is fun to ride.
Surprisingly quick through country roads. Can't beat having modern rubber under you on older bikes. I don't know how much longer the original suspension will continue to be OK, but so far so good.
This was advertised on Trademe as an estate sell off. The original owner unfortunately ended up in a nursing home far ealier than he might have expected and never got to enjoy his new toy.

[sinfull]

So what have I got nosey?


Awww cool a guessing game ! I got one :blink:

[Blackbird]

I'm a classic fan too, and would love one to restore if I wasn't too busy doing a million other things.

Thought you might like the attached photos taken when I was an impoverished student in the 60's. It's a 1955 Tiger 100 and was my sole form of transport, even in winter UK blizzards.

It had a heap of Triumph performance extras but whoever had fitted new barrel liners just before I bought it hadn't done it properly and they rotated. You can see the nice scalloping on the conrods. All that shaved aluminium had to go somewhere and neatly plugged the oil galleries with predictable results. Cost of repairs would have been prohibitive so I stuck in a standard motor I got from a wreckers. It remained my sole form of transport for another 3 years and Triumph oil leaks aside, it ran beautifully.

The colour photo of it was taken in 1969 at the IOM TT. By then it had dropped "Ace" bars as I was sick of looking like a Brando wannabe. The girl was a Scottish lass I met there who was clearly colour blind as I was wearing a green cardigan, orange T shirt and brown trousers as my contribution to the best of British fashion :weep::weep:

[Motu]

Awww cool a guessing game ! I got one :blink:

Large dia backbone,oil tank....and no swingarm mount - I'd say a Commando frame.

[sinfull]

Large dia backbone,oil tank....and no swingarm mount - I'd say a Commando frame.
Tis a tricky one ! Have ya heard of triumph playing with isolastics ? Were a few prototypes made, but the beancounters decided it wasn't gonna be a go, so they were all dissasembled !

[Motu]

I was a bit puzzled by the Triumph footpeg rubber,but everyone has a few lying around....bung it on a peg is easy enough.Is this frame in NZ?....got the rest of it?

[Voltaire]

So what have I got nosey?

<img src='http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1043/frame002ge0.png'>


um....71 grey frame BSA A65L....

[laRIKin]

We have had 3 older Guzzi, two MKIII's and a MKIVSE.

We now only have one naked 1981 MKIII left and have owned it for a long time now.

[mountainboy65]

Not that old, I know, but I have a R100GSPD which I think is gorgeous. I've been prepping it so I can take off from the UK in 2010 and head towards India. Should be a fabulous journey.

[rat biker 08]

Got two a 1978 GS550 suzuki :drool:and a 1978 XS1100 yamaha:drool: both of witch i ride :banana:

[Pedrostt500]

Um all my bikes are old.

[Bonez]

Not what I'd consider classic, just old -'76 CB550F, '78 CX500, '81 GSX750, CB750FC2, soon to have '85 CBX750 and a '88 GB400. As well as assorted spares for most of them.

Why you ask? Cause I can.

[Badcat]

i love them.
2 are on the road!
wooohoo!

[jim.cox]

its a vintage dinosaur for me

large capacity, air cooled, kick start, v twin

and no its not a friggin' Hardley Ablesome

[Trumpess]

There is something special about old bikes.
It dosen't matter what kind it is, they all have an aura about them.
Whether it be the history surrounding it, the handling, the beauty/styling, the breed. The simplicity of its components and make-up.
And to think it all started with the humble push bike!

I have always loved and had an infinity for old bikes, and for me, British stands out and grasps my heart.
Pre & post war bikes are a favorite. AJS, Ariel, Douglas, Norton, Rudge, Triumph of course, Velocette and Vincent just to name a few.

I own a 71 Triumph Tiger. A nice bike that we are going to keep in the family and hand down to our oldest as a heirloom, and so on. It is one to treasure and keep.

I came across a family member a few months back that has gotten into restoring very old bikes, alot of money has gone into them and they look absolutely stunning. Its his hobby that gives him much enjoyment. And you can tell with his talent in the finished machine.

As the years go on, parts for these machines must be getting harder and harder to get. After market parts being an only alternative for some.
Still I suppose the value of the bike is still there dispite its make-up.

I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely old man at the Greymouth races recently.
He raced up to us just as we were about to leave and started talking about my old girl and what he was doing with his old 1930 BSA.
His passion was unmistakable dispite the trials he has had to get chroming done or finding specific parts for his beauty.

Its just nice to know that there are people out there who still own and love their old bikes.

[Dodgyiti]

New bikes for me are boring, they do everything you want and demand very little tinkering in return. No quirks, no niggles and all the fun has been carefully engineered out of them so that any twit can ride them.:shit:

Motu- I guess BSA for your frame too.

I run an '75 850-T3 Guzzi every day, rain or shine (but mostly rain) and do 30,000kms a year on it. No worries. The other motley bunch are from '76-80 and they get ridden on weekends. Parts are cheap and available, and if they arn't- I make them.

[paulmac]

How old does a bike have to be before you get a reduction in your rego cost ? ( if any ) !

[Dodgyiti]

40 years for cheap rego.

[SPman]

Got a '77 Suzuki GT250 waiting to get back on the road.......and the '73 CB350 Honda......

[chrisso]

Got two a 1978 GS550 suzuki :drool:and a 1978 XS1100 yamaha:drool: both of witch i ride :banana:

Yay for the XS1100...Mr too -mines a young 'un-1980 model. Runs like a dream, pulls like schoolboy,goes round corners faster than Joe Bugners nose.Best bike Ever made. Yep.:niceone:

[Blackbird]

Our family owned this Suzuki X7 in the 90's when I was teaching our eldest son to ride. Bitterly regret selling it. I know where it is - sitting in a shed in the Waikato not having been ridden for about 8 years. The current owner also picked up a crate of spares many moons ago. He's totally lost interest as he's a known hoarder (Triumph Tigress and Hillman Imp to name but two items in his shed), but isn't interested in selling which breaks my heart. I won't stop hassling him though.

[eelracing]

My keepers are a 75 Norton Commando and an 81 RD 350LC both in varoius states of repair/rebuild.Love the Nortons look,sound and the smell of its hot oil after a ride,have owned it for 15 years now.
Scored the RD for a song last year and am wrapped as i have always wanted one as i learned to ride on the 250 model but every one in the know has told me the 350 was the one to have.
Modern bikes are great but they just don't have the same affinity for me as these bikes do.

[Voltaire]

How come there is no Forum area for old bikes?
If they can have a area for pit bikes and scooters maybe its worth asking.....but who?
I have 2 old bikes over 30 and 2 over 50, in various states of disrepair.

Recently bought a modern to see what I was missing....a 900ss ie.
Its air cooled and only has 2 valves per cylinder...starts first push of the button and provides all the noise and feel I like.
Likes: everything
Dislikes: nothing so far.
Seems to attract the Police in the way my old bikes don't......maybe thats coz I ride it more and it just wants to go........

[Retroqueen]

His old Honda CB 350 is my only ride at the moment but about to change that any day.
The Honda has a Dunstall kit on it but thats proving to be my downfall as I lost the baffle last season and I'm having trouble getting a new one due to the Dunstall exhaust. Problem may be solved now ..... Met a bloke who knows a bloke who....

[Trumpess]

Seems to attract the Police in the way my old bikes don't......maybe thats coz I ride it more and it just wants to go........

Nah mate ... its the easy movement of the wrist tweaking that throtle with such ease! :msn-wink:

[lb99]

I have a 72 Z200, (awesome around town), and a 72 RD350 whith a heap of goodies waiting to be re assembled, I cant wait,......mmmmm old 2 stroke :drool:

the newest I have is a 82 cbx400.

[Subike]

I'll just stick with my Yamaha 1979 XS1100E.
Not that it is standard anymore, but we respect each other.
The bonus for me is that i can pull her apert and fix anything she decides to anoy me with.
Yeap I would like a "modern" bike, but the codt of keeping them on th road means I would still ride the xsessive more .
If I had a choice of another older bike, it would ave to be a 1984 4 speed chain drive 1100 Harley Davidson Evo sportster. Painted burgandy /slate.
Or a 85 liberty 1100 sporty, just dont seem to be able to fine one.

[chrisso]

I'll just stick with my Yamaha 1979 XS1100E.
Not that it is standard anymore, but we respect each other.
The bonus for me is that i can pull her apert and fix anything she decides to anoy me with.
Yeap I would like a "modern" bike, but the codt of keeping them on th road means I would still ride the xsessive more .
If I had a choice of another older bike, it would ave to be a 1984 4 speed chain drive 1100 Harley Davidson Evo sportster. Painted burgandy /slate.
Or a 85 liberty 1100 sporty, just dont seem to be able to fine one.


I got me an XS1100 to-1980 model; 210,000 ks,still goin strong

Subike, cant locate sidecover.The spare I got is fucked. Sorry I forgot about this untill last week_Chrisso

[Forest]

I made the mistake of buying my dream bike earlier in the year. I call it a mistake because having acquired the machine I have always wanted, I'm finding that I don't want to ride it as I can't stand the idea of damaging it! Damn thing belongs in a museum.

So I'm currently negotiating to buy an mid-seventies BMW R75/6 airhead. Something I can take apart, ride in the rain, and just generally enjoy.

[Motu]

That's why I got the 1987 R65 - it's also black and looks the part.I am able to use the lego set BMW provided with 25 years of airheads and some K stuff to make it into several of the bikes I desire.I am able to pull anything apart with ease...and actually be able to see the parts I want to work on without removing half the bike first.Nearly everything I need can be got from BMW,they still support the airhead range....and everything else can be found in Max Headroom's shed.Car starter,car alternator,car ign module....basic,basic,basic.A 21 year old motorcycle that can tour the South Island tomorrow,and will need the oil checked twice on the trip.A practical classic.

[Voltaire]

and everything else can be found in Max Headroom's shed.Car .

Max's shed is an awesome place. I have an R90 motor in bits on the bench at the moment, its 30 plus years old and has never been apart...new bearing and rings and I think it will be a good runner. Whip out the 500 from the r50/5 and whoooohooo a BMW sleeper....LOL.

[Paul in NZ]

I don't have any old bikes - they are only just run in ;-) Why one of em even has an electric starting button... 'mazin'

[Paul in NZ]

Whip out the 500 from the r50/5 and whoooohooo a BMW sleeper....LOL.

Yeah - they make me yawn too

[Voltaire]

Yeah - they make me yawn too

Yes I used to yawn too after riding mine....from Munich to London non stop or three Elefantreffens....very tiring...

[ntst8]

Been going Commando since 1984...:laugh:
1973 850 Interstate

[chrisso]

Cool! Nortons dont leak oil eh, they mark their spot :yes:
Im thinking of getting another old Z1 1000...fetching a fair bit these days:Punk:

[Voltaire]

Who do you ask to set up a Forum???
Seems if there is one for pocket bikes, skootahs, motards there should be one for Classic Bikes...or maybe they are worried about oil dripping everywhere.:shit:

Us old bike owners need a place to call out own!!!!

[McJim]

When I lived up in Auckland I felt like I had a classic coz it was 10 years old. Everyone else up that way seems to have bikes no older than 3 years.

I would love to get an old Brit at some point....like a Beeza Gold star mmmmm

[Reckless]

Had my old girl for 18 years! Off the road at the moment for a bit of a tart up. But she's a good one!
There's a Z1R on T/me at the moment! Needs a bit of work but its all there by the looks of it!

[BMW R100GS Paris Dak]

I have a paris dakar 1989> I am hoping to do a trip also but haven't set date yet travelling India to London. What have you done in the way of prep.

[BMW R100GS Paris Dak]

Not that old, I know, but I have a R100GSPD which I think is gorgeous. I've been prepping it so I can take off from the UK in 2010 and head towards India. Should be a fabulous journey.
I have a 1989 Paris Dakar and intend doing a trip from India to London but have not set date yet. What prep have you done.

[Ally67]

Would either an 87 Tenere or an 88 DR big be considered as classics ?

[Paul in NZ]

Would either an 87 Tenere or an 88 DR big be considered as classics ?

Only if you love them beyond economic common sense...

[Badcat]

Only if you love them beyond economic common sense...

that's the best description of a classic bike i have heard!

[Voltaire]

Only if you love them beyond economic common sense...

by joves sir...I think you have nailed the description perfectly!!!

mind you 'they' want $ 800.00 for a headlight for my 01' 900ss....but owning Italian never made economic sense.

Honda stepthru here I come!!!!!

[Paul in NZ]

RIGHT you classic wanna bes - check out the meetings and goat bothering forum for some piccies....

My fave? The dude on the Triumph scooter with his daughter riding pillion and his gangly son on the C10 - way to go brother...

[Ixion]

Thing I don't like about the classic bike scene is they're all so anal about it. As in everything has to be exactly "correct", and someone is bound to tell you that the twistgrip on y' bike is the wrong one, cos it's the version that was used for the first six months of 1966 , whereas the washer under the rear wheel axle nut is the type that was used only in the last six months of 1966. Whereupon every one looks at you as if you'd been invited to an audience with the Pope and started wanking in front of him.

And heaven help you if the bikes not in show room condition.

I like my old bikes, but I'm not interested in pretending that they're brand new. They're 30 years old and more, and they've been tweaked and twiddled over those years. And they have the scars and wrinkles of old age. That's how I like them.

[Paul in NZ]

Thing I don't like about the classic bike scene is they're all so anal about it. As in everything has to be exactly "correct", and someone is bound to tell you that the twistgrip on y' bike is the wrong one, cos it's the version that was used for the first six months of 1966 , whereas the washer under the rear wheel axle nut is the type that was used only in the last six months of 1966. Whereupon every one looks at you as if you'd been invited to an audience with the Pope and started wanking in front of him.

And heaven help you if the bikes not in show room condition.

I like my old bikes, but I'm not interested in pretending that they're brand new. They're 30 years old and more, and they've been tweaked and twiddled over those years. And they have the scars and wrinkles of old age. That's how I like them.


Erm - did you look at the pictures i posted?

These are the drunken bums of classic dom - yes there are anoraks out there but we had big fun thrashing the tumpet to heck and back today

Sweet jesus those G80CS's are quick

[Voltaire]

Thing I don't like about the classic bike scene is they're all so anal about it. As in everything has to be exactly "correct", and someone is bound to tell you that the twistgrip on y' bike is the wrong one, cos it's the version that was used for the first six months of 1966 , whereas the washer under the rear wheel axle nut is the type that was used only in the last six months of 1966. Whereupon every one looks at you as if you'd been invited to an audience with the Pope and started wanking in front of him.

And heaven help you if the bikes not in show room condition.

I like my old bikes, but I'm not interested in pretending that they're brand new. They're 30 years old and more, and they've been tweaked and twiddled over those years. And they have the scars and wrinkles of old age. That's how I like them.

theres a lot of that, I'll observe the reaction this morning when I go to the VCC Motorcycle Swap Meet here in Auckland on my very original unrestored r50/5...US spec to boot.
I do like to see patina ( right word?) ...bkes can only be new once...I have restored a r75/5 and T110 to as new condition once but that was 20 years ago and now I just wanna ride.
If anyone is going to the meet say Hi to the guy with the dirty shabby BMW :2thumbsup

[jonbuoy]

Thing I don't like about the classic bike scene is they're all so anal about it. As in everything has to be exactly "correct", and someone is bound to tell you that the twistgrip on y' bike is the wrong one, cos it's the version that was used for the first six months of 1966 , whereas the washer under the rear wheel axle nut is the type that was used only in the last six months of 1966. Whereupon every one looks at you as if you'd been invited to an audience with the Pope and started wanking in front of him.

And heaven help you if the bikes not in show room condition.

I like my old bikes, but I'm not interested in pretending that they're brand new. They're 30 years old and more, and they've been tweaked and twiddled over those years. And they have the scars and wrinkles of old age. That's how I like them.

Concours nerds - would rather see an old bike with a few mods being used everyday than a museum piece on a trailer.

[Highlander]

:Oops: Clearly our bikes are all far to new for this thread.
We have a '84 SRX250, '89 GSX600 and '92 CB750.
None of them are imaculate, but they all run well and the only reason I'd rule out doing a length of the country on the SRX is the size of it, but I'd be happy to take either of the others.

[rudolph]

Carn't beet a Plunger B31

[XP@]

Hmm... I've got a James but only because it's got the same name as me.
As far as I know it's somewhere between a 1931 and 1939. Still investigating...
And the renovation looks like it will take a small while. Aparently the threads for the bolts have gone out of production!

[davereid]

I like my old bikes, but I'm not interested in pretending that they're brand new. They're 30 years old and more, and they've been tweaked and twiddled over those years. And they have the scars and wrinkles of old age. That's how I like them.

Yep, so true.

IMHO those that treat them as ornaments seem to miss the point.

These old machines were designed as transport, and thats how they should be treated. They are at their best, on the road, swatting bugs and splashing through puddles, even if it means they go home dirty !

[Ixion]

Hmm... I've got a James but only because it's got the same name as me.
As far as I know it's somewhere between a 1931 and 1939. Still investigating...
And the renovation looks like it will take a small while. Aparently the threads for the bolts have gone out of production!

Not entirely. these will be CEI Cycle Engineers' Institute . (sometimes known as BSC , British Standard cycle, but confusingly BSC is sometimes used to mean Whitworth - in counterpoint to BSF).

These (http://www.britishfasteners.com)people have a reasonable range available

And you can get taps and dies to produce your own from these (http://www.tap-die.com/index1.html)people.

Other sources are possible. And some of the larger sizes are thread interchangeable with BSF.

[XP@]

These (http://www.britishfasteners.com)people have a reasonable range available

And you can get taps and dies to produce your own from these (http://www.tap-die.com/index1.html)people.

It's looking easier and easier!
Whilst I cannot just head off to the local hardware shop there seem to be quite a few options available once you know where too look. But for now I am writing my birthday wish list...

[Zookey]

Hmm... I've got a James but only because it's got the same name as me.
As far as I know it's somewhere between a 1931 and 1939. Still investigating...
And the renovation looks like it will take a small while. Aparently the threads for the bolts have gone out of production!

Had one when i was 14 pushed like to go. got the mile down the road before expired and had ta push it home ,gave up and the old man gave me 75 pounds and bought a 350 matchless::woohoo:

[XP@]

Sounds about right!
But I do hope that mine manages a bit more than a mile... at least I have to go more than a mile before i find a hill!

[craisin]

Sounds about right!
But I do hope that mine manages a bit more than a mile... at least I have to go more than a mile before i find a hill!
my eldest brother had a James with a hand change like yours
We used to ride it in the paddock and made jumps out of wood and you needed a long run up to get airbourne.
When he was sick of it he swapped it for a packet of Rothmans and a bar of chocolate

[XP@]

Was the chocolate bar needed to fill the hole created by trying to jump a hard tail? :whistle:

[toycollector10]

I always wanted a CB750. Hadn't even seen one for about 25 years or so. I found one and spent a couple of years getting it right and then started looking around for a new project.

The Zed's not finished yet but I'm nearly there.

These two aren't concours but they're correct. I like my bikes to be as near to the same as they came off the production line as I possibly can. So I don't mix and match parts. If it's not built for a 1969 K0 or 1973 Z1, I don't want to use it.

The bikes are used every weekend or so subject to weather, they're not garage queens. I haven't put crash bars around the engine casings because I think that ruins the lines of the bike. Maybe I'll pay for that way of thinking later.

These bikes aren't especially quick but they were very hot in their day. And they still look great!

[Max Headroom]

I always wanted a CB750. Hadn't even seen one for about 25 years or so. I found one and spent a couple of years getting it right and then started looking around for a new project.

The Zed's not finished yet but I'm nearly there.

These two aren't concours but they're correct. I like my bikes to be as near to the same as they came off the production line as I possibly can. So I don't mix and match parts. If it's not built for a 1969 K0 or 1973 Z1, I don't want to use it.

The bikes are used every weekend or so subject to weather, they're not garage queens. I haven't put crash bars around the engine casings because I think that ruins the lines of the bike. Maybe I'll pay for that way of thinking later.

These bikes aren't especially quick but they were very hot in their day. And they still look great!

Your bikes are stunning. i admire your philosophy of not mixing parts from other model years in order to keep the bikes authentic. Quite demanding, but very rewarding.

I'm not that much of a purist when it comes to my own bikes.

I deliberately mixed and matched parts when I restored my R90S, because there are some significant gains in function and rideability to be made by retrofitting some components from the later airheads. Areas like the brakes, clutch, gearbox and driveshaft are all easily upgradable while still maintaining the original external appearance. I'm restoring our R75/5 at present, and taking a similar approach with a view to improving the clutch and gearbox in particular. These bikes need all the help they can get in that area!

Looking at the photos of your bikes, I suspect that restoring a '70s BMW airhead is probably an easier proposition than restoring a '70s jap bike, even though there weren't many airheads sold in NZ. The supply of parts both new and used in NZ is reasonably good if you know where to look, and very extensive overseas. The prices tend to be surprisingly reasonable for a lot of it too. From my observations, some of the components on jap bikes don't respond well to conventional restoration techniques with their sealed components and assemblies, and I'm guessing that chrome-plated plastic and light die-cast alloy would present a challenge too. You have my respect, sir.

[toycollector10]

Thanks for your comments Max.

Anyone restoring a motorcycle today is living in the age of the Internet. Donor bikes in my instance were bought on eBay.com and imported.

Parts have come from every corner of the globe and are paid for using PayPal or other electronic means after being bought on-line.

Technical information and advice comes from the Internet forums specific to the type of bike.

And also, belonging to a group of like minded restorers and riders means local knowledge and experience can be shared.

Compared to twenty years ago, the bike magazines always had advertisements in the back for parts and stuff. To get anything your local dealer couldn't supply you had to snail mail US currency and the like or to post off for a free catalogue.

The internet makes a project so much easier now. And gives you the confidence to know that if you can't find a particular part after searching the net for two weeks without any luck you can still be sure that it will surface within the following two weeks or so.

[Max Headroom]

Yep, the interweb has transformed the way we approach restorations these days, and in fact the web has (in my opinion) made special interest clubs almost irrelevant. The ability to connect with special interest groups via the web has sped up access and availability of parts & knowledge dramatically.

I follow several web-based BMW-specific groups, where information-sharing and parts networking are very strong. It's interesting to look back at motorcycle magazines dating back ten short years and noting that few of the advertisers had an email address, let alone a website . . . .

[Edbear]

There's a garage in Sunnynook in Takapuna owned by an older bloke that's full of classics! Can't remember the guys name but he rebuilds bikes.

[classic zed]

There's a garage in Sunnynook in Takapuna owned by an older bloke that's full of classics! Can't remember the guys name but he rebuilds bikes.

hey Ed, can you find out for me please, Id like to pay him a visit.

[Reckless]

Hey bud really nice bikes! Like the Zed.

I'd take them pics off here and go over the number plate numbers in Paint shop and blank them(especially if there registered to your home) or take pics at angle you can't read them. Then re post!! That 900 is becoming very valuable and desirable! LOL!! So many bikes getting nicked :shifty: these days and you can't go to the local bike shop and replace those baby's. :msn-wink:

DID I say Nice Zed!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Edbear]

hey Ed, can you find out for me please, Id like to pay him a visit.

It's on Sunnynook Rd. just over the bridge on the Eastern side of the motorway on the left,(north), side of the road. He's got an old CA Bedford as the shop van. If I can find the name I'll let you know.

[toycollector10]

Re the security issue: I've got two low-tech, meat-eating, four-legged security guards, plus some very high-tech protection as well.

Any "new owner" wouldn't risk showing them out in public, it's not like there's one in every suburb. And if they wanted to part them out or on-sell that would suit me as they would then be very easy to find.

Besides, the bikes are out and about on the roads so often, blanking out the plates is pointless.

UPDATE: I decided not to tempt fate...Plates removed 29/4/09

[hutchy52]

This is my dad's 1930 Indian four, which he restored.

<img src="http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1792/fourdk4.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

[cs363]

This is my dad's 1930 Indian four, which he restored.

Lovely job :2thumbsup

[toycollector10]

That's a great looking Indian, well done!!

[caseye]

Thats an awesome Indian four, hope that stays in the family.
BMWubbles sux! he he he, hey Max! An Zed you guys need to go read the BFTP threads a bit more often, would love to see ya's on the next ride.

[pete376403]

+1 on keeping it in the family. Don't let it out of your sight.
The pic is my dad on his 1920-something Douglas 350 flat twin. It was a good runner, not restored but more or less as it had lasted. When Dad started getting a bit older he sent it to Motat at Western Springs on loan. This would have been about 20 years ago.

Some time ago I enquired about the bike. It seems that it has disappeared from there - I heard someone from Motat sold a whole lot of vintage vehicles to freinds and kept the change. Obviously we'll never see the Douggie again.

[cs363]

Some time ago I enquired about the bike. It seems that it has disappeared from there - I heard someone from Motat sold a whole lot of vintage vehicles to freinds and kept the change. Obviously we'll never see the Douggie again.

Now that sucks big time, don't suppose you have any paperwork or any way of getting reparation/finding the bike? :(

[pete376403]

Dad did recieve a letter from Motat thanking him for the loan and how wonderful it was to have a bike ready to put on display, yadda yadda.

I have need through all the old papers but cannot find it.