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Voltaire
7th December 2008, 09:14
Welcome to the Classic Forum. Thanks KB and Mental Trousers for setting this up, and you the classic bike fans for the support to get it.
:woohoo:

Subike
7th December 2008, 09:30
awsome , good to see this happen.
Now
what is classed as a classic?
A bike that is X years old?
Or a bike that is of a type that was special for its year?
Obviously anything pree 1980 that was british/ european would get in there
And any Harley Davidson pre the Evo engine era would be a classic too?
Quite a few early 2 stroke Jappas should be classis IMO.
And then any trail bikes that were twin shock framed?
Or how about any model of bike that won the "bike of the year award" say before 1990.
It will be very interesting to see what KB'ers concider to be a classic.
If I was to look at a classic for myself it would have to be a pre WW2 Harley, as that is what My father and Uncles use to ride , would reallylove one, but I know that apart from almost being non existant, I could not afford the price they demand. So I'll just dream

Voltaire
7th December 2008, 09:45
I suppose this has to be aired......
Paul had the best definition.
along the lines of...
" when you own a bike even it if it makes no economic sence."

Is a brand new Enfield a classic bike?????
or a Chiang Jiang...
or a Retro Triumph...

I think yes...if you want it to be.

cs363
7th December 2008, 10:35
I suppose this has to be aired......
Paul had the best definition.
along the lines of...
" when you own a bike even it if it makes no economic sence."

Is a brand new Enfield a classic bike?????
or a Chiang Jiang...
or a Retro Triumph...

I think yes...if you want it to be.

I believe the accepted criteria is 25 years or more old, country of origin should have no bearing. I have no time for the elitist types that think that the country of origin of their bike somehow makes it better than another.
They are all motorcycles - get over it!

I agree that Paul's definition is still the best that anyone has come up with so far.

Highlander
7th December 2008, 10:39
I believe the accepted criteria is 25 years or more old, country of origin should have no bearing.

As you are too late to order your 2009 Kiwi Biker calendar that means 1984 or earlier....

laserracer
7th December 2008, 11:00
WooHOO:clap::2thumbsup well done.. can't wait for some articles and some pics

Bonez
7th December 2008, 15:06
Well done. Hope it isn't inundated with anoraks though ;).

Voltaire
7th December 2008, 15:26
Well done. Hope it isn't inundated with anoraks though ;).


You mean like:

" the nut holding the generator on a 58' T110 should be plain, not domed"
:bash:

" he was a man with....anoraknophobia....."

Max Headroom
7th December 2008, 17:43
Wow! Our own place....looks a bit plain for now, but it should tidy up OK once the furniture is in!

Big thanks to Mental Trousers for the generous gesture.

gunrunner
7th December 2008, 18:24
Was just a matter of time that this sub-forum appeared. Me ive got 4 years to im entitled to be in here , but they bike i always wanted and it took 23 years to get round to getting it i will just say this it will still be in my garage when its 20 years old .
This will get well used its just a matter of time , as i see the old harleys, nortons and indians come thru town most sundays :2thumbsup:2thumbsup:cool::cool:

gunrunner
7th December 2008, 18:27
I thort a classic bike has to be 20 yrs and over:shit:

Brian d marge
7th December 2008, 18:30
Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield......... Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield :Punk:Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield :wari:Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield


ohhhh boy that felt goooood


Stephen

Voltaire
7th December 2008, 18:53
Brian....care to expand on that...
You must have some good Tokyo biker stories??

laserracer
7th December 2008, 18:53
Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield......... Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield :Punk:Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield :wari:Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield,,,,,,,,,,,,,Royal Enfield,,Enfield , Royal Enfield, Enfield ,,,,,Bullet , Royal Enfield


ohhhh boy that felt goooood


Stephen

Man you've got a bad STUTTER :whistle:;)..Wheres the pics of the ENFIELD ???

Max Headroom
7th December 2008, 19:04
I thort a classic bike has to be 20 yrs and over:shit:


This is a debate that could go on for quite a while. Generally as a guideline for most purposes, the rule of thumb for determining a classic is by age i.e. 25 years or more.

However, beyond the guidelines are the grey areas. For example, a dealer not far from my work has a 1989 GSXR1100 for sale. While still a formidable machine, this isn't a bike that would easily keep up with a current big capacity Gixxer on a track (or ridden in anger on the road) due to performance, handling and braking deficiencies by comparison. And the owner of such a bike as a late '80s Gixxer or VFR750 or RG500 will in all probability share more in common with classic bike owners than the owners of current machinery. In fact, I suspect that the owner of a '70s Guzzi, BMW or Ducati would probably have better access to spares than the owner of a late '80s/early '90s Jap bike....

I think that the type of person that will fit here comfortably is the one who's more inclined to do at least basic maintenance such as oil and filter changes on his/her bike, and maybe stuff like fork seals, brake pads and valve clearances. While there are already forums for those subjects, the challenges of knowing where to get stuff for older bikes or how to find specialists are universal for classic bike owners. Personally I'd rather be heading that direction then agonising over which polish to use....

Another other thing I'd like to see is threads focussing on restorations, so that we can vicariously follow the highs and lows of bringing dead machinery back to life.

We already have the Blast To The Past rides ably co-ordinated by Psyguy, and there are opportunities for more to participate in those rides or organise similar rides in other locations. The opportunity also exists for a KB Classic Rally further down the track if there's sufficient interest.

So what's a classic? Although it may be tricky to come up with a definitive policy of what a classic is, we'll know when we see something that isn't....

Paul in NZ
7th December 2008, 20:26
Who cares what a classic is or isn't - time makes em all classics sooner or later. I'd say both the 1970 TR6C and the Mk2 LeMans we regularly use are definately 'classics' but so is an AC50 maverick or even the FZR400R we farted about with a while back. (why? Because the FZR's introduced the practical alloy perimeter frame which tamed the power of the big multis and it was so good on the track for sooo long)

People get sniffy about some bikes - granted that some are horrid unloverly things that are definately the low man on the classic totem pole - for now - but who cares? If some sad git feels motivated to spend unreasonable sums of time and money one them, either riding or polishing AND does not bag another little slice of heaven - there should be a chair at the classic table...

(except for those bloody royal enfield things - god they are AWFUL)

(just kidding)

(but I don't like the new triumph twins much)

Ixion
7th December 2008, 20:42
You mean like:

" the nut holding the generator on a 58' T110 should be plain, not domed"
:bash:

" he was a man with....anoraknophobia....."

Oh well, if this is to be the standard in this forum , blah blah :whistle:

Surely everyone knows that the 58 T110 had an alternator not a generator.

Anorak, anorak.

Could we palese have an anorak emoticon.

Max Headroom
7th December 2008, 21:09
Oh well, if this is to be the standard in this forum , blah blah :whistle:

Surely everyone knows that the 58 T110 had an alternator not a generator.

Anorak, anorak.

Could we palese have an anorak emoticon.

Whether the Trumpy had an alternater or a generator, if it was stamped "Lucas", either way it was doomed..... :whistle:

gunrunner
7th December 2008, 21:15
So would that make a Vmax a classic ?:eek:

JATZ
7th December 2008, 21:24
Good to see it happened (classic forum)

Although my/our bikes aren't the required "25" years old, I like to think of them as classics.They do get a few comments from passers buy when parked together after a wash, and when they've been used the way they're supposed to be.
Also there's not alot of them around that I'm aware of

Paul in NZ
7th December 2008, 21:32
Oh well, if this is to be the standard in this forum , blah blah :whistle:

Surely everyone knows that the 58 T110 had an alternator not a generator.

Anorak, anorak.

Could we palese have an anorak emoticon.


Um - generator....

Brian d marge
7th December 2008, 21:36
Should be some Enfield photos here

http://477racing.blogspot.com/

Stephen

Voltaire
7th December 2008, 21:42
Um - generator....

I think its a wind up.....pun intended.

:sherlock:anorak says:

1958 all generator except the t bird which was alternator.
( could be wrong...)
The genny was sort of 'quick release" so as you could go racing on the weekends.....almost beggers belief!!!!:sherlock:

xwhatsit
7th December 2008, 23:05
I've got a Japper with four frigging valves and two exhaust ports for one paltry cylinder. Even a CDI! Far too technologically advanced for this forum, methinks :D

Paul in NZ
8th December 2008, 05:06
I've got a Japper with four frigging valves and two exhaust ports for one paltry cylinder. Even a CDI! Far too technologically advanced for this forum, methinks :D

Why? I hope you love it?

Paul in NZ
8th December 2008, 05:08
I think its a wind up.....pun intended.

:sherlock:anorak says:

1958 all generator except the t bird which was alternator.
( could be wrong...)
The genny was sort of 'quick release" so as you could go racing on the weekends.....almost beggers belief!!!!:sherlock:

Erm - more because proper sporting motorcycles had magnetos. Why is it hard to believe they raced them in the weekends?

Dodgyiti
8th December 2008, 17:50
Another other thing I'd like to see is threads focussing on restorations, so that we can vicariously follow the highs and lows of bringing dead machinery back to life

Not to mention all the blood and crying, eh?

I am constantly mucking around with what some may call restorations, except I call it keeping them on the road.

If I can be arsed I will do an update of some projects or something along the way. Or if I find a tip or trick to pass on..:chase:.

This winter I will be pimping that black Mk2 Bitza of mine and experimenting with some trick paint systems and coatings.
It will be very very shiny, even for me! So that could be a goer later on.

Meantime- this week I am feeling the pressure of representing the 70's (along with Max) and have been trying out a few things on a bike made for the Coro loop.
70's means to me pinstriping, metalflake and paint effects and of course bling.
And it would have been great if I hadn't had issues with a paint reaction. Never mind, it's all good until the blood and crying...

Motu
8th December 2008, 17:55
I've got a Japper with four frigging valves and two exhaust ports for one paltry cylinder. Even a CDI! Far too technologically advanced for this forum, methinks :D

I think you are the perfect example of a classic bike OWNER,rather someone who has a pristine classic bike and hasn't a clue about it's mechanicals....but will go on and on about the correct colour of pin striping on the rims.To bravely pull something apart without a bloody clue,to fit something that isn't suppose to fit,but do it anyways.....and somehow stubble around in a fog of ineptitude while still producing a working motorcycle - is CLASSIC.

It's as much about the owner as the bike.I would rather have Tim participate in this forum than some Anal Anorak.

Dodgyiti
8th December 2008, 18:14
Ok,
A few quick pictures.

The silver and black pinstriping was not 70's enough.

So the end result was purple metalflake with marble effect, gold pinstriping, matching rear shocks and a new back tire. Only the tappets, fluids and a carb balance and I'm ready. Now where's my paisley leathers...

:blank:

See you on the road:Punk:

Bonez
8th December 2008, 18:27
I personnally don't do restos as such and just try and keep what I've got functional for as long as possible without going overboard with the pennys. Quite easy to do really if you put your mind to. Not too bothered if the bike isn't gleaming and in prestine condition. As long as it gets me to where I want to go. Just because a modern bike is labeled "classic" in a marketing blurb doesn't cut it with me I'm afraid.

Do appreciate others efforts though. Done the prestine rebuild in the house thing-never again.

Max Headroom
8th December 2008, 18:45
Ok,
A few quick pictures.
The silver and black pinstriping was not 70's enough.
So the end result was purple metalflake with marble effect, gold pinstriping, matching rear shocks and a new back tire. Only the tappets, fluids and a carb balance and I'm ready. Now where's my paisley leathers...
:blank:

See you on the road:Punk:

I can see what you mean, the silver looked nice, but damn, it looks good now! Look forward to seeing it in the "flesh" on Sunday. I got a new WOF for the R90S last week, so I'm ready. I had vague thoughts of doing an oil & filter, but if I don't get time I'm not going to worry about it. Shaping up to be a busy week @ work....

xwhatsit
8th December 2008, 22:07
I think you are the perfect example of a classic bike OWNER,rather someone who has a pristine classic bike and hasn't a clue about it's mechanicals....but will go on and on about the correct colour of pin striping on the rims.To bravely pull something apart without a bloody clue,to fit something that isn't suppose to fit,but do it anyways.....and somehow stubble around in a fog of ineptitude while still producing a working motorcycle - is CLASSIC.

It's as much about the owner as the bike.I would rather have Tim participate in this forum than some Anal Anorak.
Hahaha -- stumbling around in a fog of ineptitude, I like that, that's going in my signature :laugh: More to do with doing everything possible to get to work without having to catch the bus...

Well, I have all the original parts sitting in the gargre, if I turn into an anal anorak in a decade or two I can refit them. Don't see it happening though!

-Tom

Ixion
8th December 2008, 22:08
Ha. I bet you don't even OWN an anorak. In fact, I bet I'm probably the only person here who does own one!

AlBundy
8th December 2008, 22:54
Ok,
A few quick pictures.

The silver and black pinstriping was not 70's enough.

So the end result was purple metalflake with marble effect, gold pinstriping, matching rear shocks and a new back tire. Only the tappets, fluids and a carb balance and I'm ready. Now where's my paisley leathers...

:blank:

See you on the road:Punk:

My 850T from the early 90's... This was the first bike I ever took to the track. That started a new chapter, starting with a TZR250, lol...

That said, I've owned and raced a 82/3 RD350lc (can't remember) too, so never lost the 'old girl' bug completely... Sadly, I no longer have one of them, maybe I'll get one again in the future...

cmoore
9th December 2008, 07:22
yeah i agree age is the only way of determining if it fits into this category, basically because if it is more than 25 years old someone has to have worked on it to keep it going!, also the word "classic" means different things to different people which is why there will always be this debate.

Brian d marge
9th December 2008, 12:38
Ha. I bet you don't even OWN an anorak. In fact, I bet I'm probably the only person here who does own one!

wrong

I have a hooded Parka, and a Nylon anorak Me and the missus dress up ,, and play Max Mosely games

:Oops:

Stephen

Paulo
9th December 2008, 13:28
Nice to have this forum going!
I'm not fussed about definitions either, It's just good to have a place where there's more chance of seeing or reading about the sort of bikes that I like, Personally i'm not fussed by modern sportsbikes or cruisers, but love the look of old naked bikes, cafe racers and some bobbers. from the dark ages through to the 80's be they British Japanese Italian or Mongolian. :) hope to get some sage advice along the way.

Dodgyiti
9th December 2008, 15:19
Look forward to seeing it in the "flesh" on Sunday. ..


It's 10 feet of deception, stand back until you can't see the crazing reaction and fisheyes:gob:

Still experimenting for another project, this puppy is my rolling test bed

Dodgyiti
9th December 2008, 15:22
My 850T from the early 90's... This was the first bike I ever took to the track. That started a new chapter, starting with a TZR250, lol...

That said, I've owned and raced a 82/3 RD350lc (can't remember) too, so never lost the 'old girl' bug completely... Sadly, I no longer have one of them, maybe I'll get one again in the future...

That's a little honey alright dude. Plenty of them around if you want another.
Mine has 1000cc LeMans power as I find the small valve motors a little, ermmm.. lacking.

MXNUT
9th December 2008, 16:15
................ Me and the missus dress up ,, and play Max Mosely games

:killingme:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Bonez
9th December 2008, 16:22
Hmmm, somebody has been busy moving threads with "classic" in the title. Are'nt those hooded parkers them boi racer dudes?

Motu
9th December 2008, 16:55
All this nitpicking about what defines a classic would be solved if this forum was called something more appropriate like ''Old Skool''.Then it just becomes old bikes....or modern bikes with an old design.

Bonez
9th December 2008, 17:08
All this nitpicking about what defines a classic would be solved if this forum was called something more appropriate like ''Old Skool''.Then it just becomes old bikes....or modern bikes with an old design.Good point. I'm sure it'll head in that direction anyway.

Max Headroom
9th December 2008, 17:35
All this nitpicking about what defines a classic would be solved if this forum was called something more appropriate like ''Old Skool''.Then it just becomes old bikes....or modern bikes with an old design.

Quite right, Motu. The reality is that most of us probably own/ride bikes better described as Post Classics anyway, but many folk have a need for pidgeon-holing everything...I remember seeing an article about a bike similar to mine in a classic bike magazine eleven years ago and feeling quite shocked and depressed. I felt very old right then, and even my bike seemed too young to be that old. :crybaby:

I'm just hoping we can get past the debate about what qualifies as a "classic" reasonably quickly, so that we can argue about bikes instead.... :clap:

Dan Mapp
9th December 2008, 17:43
All this nitpicking about what defines a classic would be solved if this forum was called something more appropriate like ''Old Skool''.Then it just becomes old bikes....or modern bikes with an old design.

But what about old bikes with a modern design :innocent: :killingme

Dodgyiti
9th December 2008, 18:20
But what about old bikes with a modern design :innocent: :killingme

Nice one;)

But was the engine put together by the cleaner because all the staff were out on strike like a true British classic?:oi-grr:
:girlfight:

Dan Mapp
9th December 2008, 19:06
Nice one;)

But was the engine put together by the cleaner because all the staff were out on strike like a true British classic?:oi-grr:
:girlfight:

The cleaner would of being the 1st one on strike. :laugh:

Ixion
9th December 2008, 19:11
The 'cleaner' bikes are, in fact , highly sought after, since they had far fewer problems than the normal production. The cleaners made the fundamental observation that most of their normal work involved mopping up the oil leaking out of the machines. If the bikes could be assembled in such a way as not to leak oil, they reasoned, our cleaning task would be much easier. Not being restricted by union rules which forbade screws to be tightened with a screwdriver (since that would have required payment of a specialised tool allowance), the cleaners simply screwed everything up tight. voilą, no more oil leaks.

Dan Mapp
9th December 2008, 19:33
The 'cleaner' bikes are, in fact , highly sought after, since they had far fewer problems than the normal production. The cleaners made the fundamental observation that most of their normal work involved mopping up the oil leaking out of the machines. If the bikes could be assembled in such a way as not to leak oil, they reasoned, our cleaning task would be much easier. Not being restricted by union rules which forbade screws to be tightened with a screwdriver (since that would have required payment of a specialised tool allowance), the cleaners simply screwed everything up tight. voilą, no more oil leaks.

That makes sense.
But the Hinckley Trumphs don,t leak oil so must make them highly sought after to

Ixion
9th December 2008, 21:00
What ! ? Hinckley ? A spy ! An infiltrator ! A turncoat! Seize him. Bind him. Burn him . As if there could be any other name used in conjunction with Triumph than Meridan .

Bonez
9th December 2008, 21:11
What ! ? Hinckley ? A spy ! An infiltrator ! A turncoat! Seize him. Bind him. Burn him . As if there could be any other name used in conjunction with Triumph than Meridan .You get him boy! Just mention "air box" and watch them squirm.

Ixion
9th December 2008, 21:20
Air box ? Air box? What is this air box you speak of?

Bonez
9th December 2008, 21:27
Air box ? Air box? What is this air box you speak of?Early Hinkley multis had the airfilter sitated such that a large portion of the bike had to be dissassembled and the a for mentioned object removed completely and split in half to just change the air filter. Non to this remove the side cover or seat, remove the air box cover then filter stuff. Quite an unique design really. Guys have been know to get it down to 2hrs ;).

Ixion
9th December 2008, 21:30
Ah. Air filter. Little round thing that screws onto the carb once you remove the bellmouth. Dunno about no air boxes.

Voltaire
10th December 2008, 19:46
I've been down country working in Kapiti and the Beehive for a bit, things seemed to have moved onwards and upwards....
Excellent.....

By the way anything that left Bologna is automaticly a classic....
unlike the snow mobile powered stuff from Lake Como(toes).:girlfight:
The 500 V8....mostly DNF.

Dan Mapp
10th December 2008, 19:49
Early Hinkley multis had the airfilter sitated such that a large portion of the bike had to be dissassembled and the a for mentioned object removed completely and split in half to just change the air filter. Non to this remove the side cover or seat, remove the air box cover then filter stuff. Quite an unique design really. Guys have been know to get it down to 2hrs ;).

It's all part of the fun of owning one

Voltaire
10th December 2008, 20:15
Whats Hinkley......didn't he shoot Ronald Rayguns?
Triumphs were made at Meridan ....end of story.

cor...next it will be Brit cars made by Germans....
VW is developing a motorcycle with KTM....hope its better than those trike's they used to make...:eek: