The Best ride I've ever had.

**merv** · 14th May 2006, 10:45

Originally Posted by Jantar

For those here who don't remember the Bradford, its a 500cc two stroke.

If you are talking about a Bradford van they were a 1,000 cc flat twin side valve four stroke as far as I remember.

**Jantar** · 14th May 2006, 10:54

Originally Posted by merv

If you are talking about a Bradford van they were a 1,000 cc flat twin side valve four stroke as far as I remember.

Some were modified with opel engines, but the one we owned was an original 500 cc Two stroke.

**Karitane pete** · 14th May 2006, 11:09

Originally Posted by merv

If you are talking about a Bradford van they were a 1,000 cc flat twin side valve four stroke as far as I remember.

Yep, don't remember any two stroke one, have seen a CD Bradford nick named the "100MPH Bread van"
I ride my local loop Karitane to Dunback to Kyeburn to Hyde to Macraes back down the hill to Dunback and back home, fill and hour or two in on a nice afternoon

Frost grit will be coming on soon

so all those back roads will be stuffed untill the spring rains have washed then clear

**scumdog** · 14th May 2006, 22:18

Originally Posted by merv

You must have been in a different country because petrol passed $1 a gallon here in 1975. It was 49c a gallon in 1973 when the Gummint lowered it to 48c a gallon, then the '74 oil shock hit and it just started spiralling upwards after that.

Topped up my 'lorry' at Oamaru last Friday night with 'Ultimate' - 31 litres, not too bad I thinks - then looked at the pump and saw it cost $66!!

I worked out that the fuel that cost me 38 cents a gallon in 1969 now costs me $8:30 a gallon now!!

But back on track - rode that road to the Woodstock Rally in January this year and it is MAGIC! only way to describe it!
The Jurassic Park sized dragonflies there are a bit of a hazard in the warm weather though!

**Edbear** · 14th May 2006, 22:33

Originally Posted by Jantar

Some were modified with opel engines, but the one we owned was an original 500 cc Two stroke.

How long ago did you have one? Sorry to suggest your memory may be a bit hazy, but the Bradford, made by Jowett was always a flat twin side valve originally 850cc but upgraded to 950cc and about 8hp. My sister bought a '48 model and I bought the '50 model the owner had for spares and got it going. Mine had the better body and my sister's had the better engine and no, she wouldn't agree to an engine swap! Had a 3sp box and rod actuated brakes, though I'd hesitate to call them "brakes"...! But the handbrake operated on all four wheels. The motor had no water pump and relied upon thermo-siphoning for cooling. Mine was the "station wagon" version. Some very brave people put the Javelin flat four motor in them but they then became a death trap!

**BarBender** · 14th May 2006, 22:40

Awesome Steve.
10 and a half in the saddle! My kinda ride.

Cant wait to get down to the South Island early next year to do something similar. I wonder how many KBer's from the North Isalnd would be keen to go down for a ride around the South Island around Jan? Willl have my new bike by then...

**thehollowmen** · 14th May 2006, 22:53

I was planning to do this in my mid-year break or nearer spring holidays with a budget of a hundred and fifty dollars.

good to know you enjoyed it.

**Jantar** · 15th May 2006, 06:57

Originally Posted by Edbear

How long ago did you have one? Sorry to suggest your memory may be a bit hazy, but the Bradford, made by Jowett was always a flat twin side valve originally 850cc but upgraded to 950cc and about 8hp. My sister bought a '48 model and I bought the '50 model the owner had for spares and got it going. Mine had the better body and my sister's had the better engine and no, she wouldn't agree to an engine swap! Had a 3sp box and rod actuated brakes, though I'd hesitate to call them "brakes"...! But the handbrake operated on all four wheels. The motor had no water pump and relied upon thermo-siphoning for cooling. Mine was the "station wagon" version. Some very brave people put the Javelin flat four motor in them but they then became a death trap!

My memory certainly could be hazy as I was only a kid when my dad bought a Bradford. From memory it was around 1945 model. I remember the engine type and size because our neighbour had a Scott Flying Squirell motorbike with the same 500 cc water cooled 2 stroke engine. Dad and our neighbour used to joke about stealing each other's engines.

**Edbear** · 17th May 2006, 21:52

I know it's off topic, but in a starnge way I think it fits the thread title, but I'm posting a pic of me and the Bradford. Taken a long time ago, of course!

**Stevo** · 18th May 2006, 17:55

Now I know what a bradford van looks like, all I can say is, it makes the 59 Morrie thou I used to drive look like a rocket ship! Occasionally when in said vehicle we would actually get to pass someone, which musta been pretty embarassing for them, as my mates would hang out all the windows yelling and waving their arms in a rather victorious fashion. Freakin hilarious!

**scumdog** · 18th May 2006, 19:43

Originally Posted by Edbear

I know it's off topic, but in a starnge way I think it fits the thread title, but I'm posting a pic of me and the Bradford. Taken a long time ago, of course!

Last year was it? I think I rode past wen that picture was being taken.

**Edbear** · 18th May 2006, 20:24

Originally Posted by scumdog

Last year was it? I think I rode past wen that picture was being taken.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! I wish! Where were you in '73? Photo was taken in Warkworth. The stickers on the windows were from the Pukekohe Benson and Hedges 500 which I attended that year.

**scumdog** · 18th May 2006, 23:02

Originally Posted by Edbear

LOL!!!!!!!!!!! I wish! Where were you in '73? Photo was taken in Warkworth. The stickers on the windows were from the Pukekohe Benson and Hedges 500 which I attended that year.

'73? Just having my first snog (and more) with C.B. in my near-new 3.3 Vauxhall Victor while listening to Don McLean and drinking Waitemata beer while she had a Bols blackcurrent gin....and worrying about how I could afford petrol at 50 cents a gallon (about 12 cents a litre).

My version of the 3.3SL won the Benson & Hedges in 1970.

**Edbear** · 19th May 2006, 08:58

Originally Posted by scumdog

'73? Just having my first snog (and more) with C.B. in my near-new 3.3 Vauxhall Victor while listening to Don McLean and drinking Waitemata beer while she had a Bols blackcurrent gin....and worrying about how I could afford petrol at 50 cents a gallon (about 12 cents a litre).

My version of the 3.3SL won the Benson & Hedges in 1970.

Rich dude huh? Mutter, mutter! Lusted after the 3.3SL then saw the Ventora and wanted that even more! Whatsisnames Charger won the '73 after losing his rear brakes. Could see the front discs glowing all the way down the back straight. Probably had more fun in the old Bradford than any car since! Oh, hang on, the '59 CA Beddie sliding door and the '63 Commer van were a hoot, too! Them days, every drive was an adventure!

**dangerous** · 19th May 2006, 18:30

Originally Posted by scumdog

'73? Just having my first snog (and more) with C.B. in my near-new 3.3 Vauxhall Victor while listening to Don McLean and drinking Waitemata beer..............

Well not all your tast in transport is hiding in the dark somewere SD... 3.3 was a real grunt box, heres mine in the 80's sometime.