British project

**Indiana_Jones** · 13th April 2011, 10:33

Hey guys,

Just putting some feelers out there (minds out of the gutter kids!) to see if anyone has a old British bike/project they don't wish to own anymore as I would be game for one.

Would prefer a 500cc twin, but am open to other ideas.

Regards,

-Indy

**Voltaire** · 13th April 2011, 12:13

If you want to talk Triumph and Norton your welcome to come over and have a yarn about the joys/pitfalls of old British bikes.....I have a running Commando and two Triumph work in progress bikes......

My pick would be a running Oil in Frame BSA or Triumph 650.....or a mid 60's Thunderbird or speed twin.

**Indiana_Jones** · 13th April 2011, 19:28

Cheers for that mate.

A speed twin would be high on my list, or maybe even a Bonnie to go with the Hinckley one I have

-Indy

**Edbear** · 13th April 2011, 19:35

I had a B31 350 BSA, a '51 with the plunger rear and always wanted the 500 B33! Any of the old 500 singles were great bikes! My favourite twin has to be the Daytona, though, or the W1 650 Kawasaki.

**Indiana_Jones** · 14th April 2011, 07:46

An AJS/Matchless big single would do me very nicely

-Indy

**Paul in NZ** · 14th April 2011, 07:51

The 350 / 500 twins are great bikes but cost as much as the 650 / 750's to restore and are worth waaaay less....

BSA pre unit singles are lots better than the rest in handling and general usability (350s are easily made into 400cc and go very well)

AJS etc are great and have a super club etcbut are a little less exciting but a lot more availiable and cheaper.

**Indiana_Jones** · 14th April 2011, 08:23

Cheers everyone.

A 1950s/60s Triumph twin would be nice, the AJS 350 or 500 single would be great too.

With regards to the 350 single, how would that be at 60mph etc riding? or more suited to slower speeds?

Cheers,

-Indy

**Paul in NZ** · 14th April 2011, 08:32

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

Cheers everyone.

A 1950s/60s Triumph twin would be nice, the AJS 350 or 500 single would be great too.

With regards to the 350 single, how would that be at 60mph etc riding? or more suited to slower speeds?

Cheers,

-Indy

BIG differences between 50's and 60's twins (price wise especially)

A 350 singles top whack is around 65 to 70 mph although they claim faster. BSA goldstar 350 is of course a LOT faster but yes - on a motorway you will be a mobile chicane. Bloody good bikes but you dont want to be in a hurry really.

My old 54 500 AJS would cruise at 60mph but was a lot happier at 55mph.

All my pre unit 500 twins were happy at 60 to 65 mph and used feck all gas to boot.

My 650 will happily cruise at 60 to 70 mph but you are getting pretty battered about as the speed goes up.

But seriously - you dont buy these bikes today for endless highway use

**Indiana_Jones** · 14th April 2011, 08:38

Great info Paul,

Endless highway trips isn't what I had in mind, just the odd trip on the m-way etc incase I had to. Just wanted to know it isn't gonna run out of steam and/or blow up lol

500 twin is looking like my ideal bike then. Or a early Bonnie

Norton would be nice, but they're mega bucks. Not to mention I'm more of a Triumph man.....

-Indy

**Indiana_Jones** · 14th April 2011, 08:41

One thing I've forgotten to ask is what is the spares/new parts situation for these bikes?

-Indy

**Voltaire** · 14th April 2011, 18:50

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

One thing I've forgotten to ask is what is the spares/new parts situation for these bikes?

-Indy

Pretty good, British Spares can supply to my door most of the everyday Commando parts next day service. Prices are good too, service is great.
Could not say the same for my modern Ducati...
I'd say it was easier to get parts now than at any time in the last 20 years for Triumphs and Commandos.
Paul is right about what you choose....I had a 68 Daytona basket case and I did a hard look at restoring/worth and moved it on.
Riding the Commando every day at the moment but a similar state Bonnie or Tiger would be much of a muchness. Quite fun riding old bikes around....

**Indiana_Jones** · 14th April 2011, 20:05

I better take one of those Trumpy's off your hands

-Indy

**Edbear** · 14th April 2011, 22:18

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

Cheers everyone.

A 1950s/60s Triumph twin would be nice, the AJS 350 or 500 single would be great too.

With regards to the 350 single, how would that be at 60mph etc riding? or more suited to slower speeds?

Cheers,

-Indy

Mine would do 72mph with me lying on the tank, but practical cruising was about 50mph. I reckon it sounds like you're wanting the Daytona 500 twin which is a beautiful bike!