British motorcycles

[General DeGaulle]

OK chaps... anybody got one? I found that an interest in Trains and classic vehicles often go hand in glove. I used to have a BSA Thunderbolt. Now I ride a 500 cc Royal Enfield Café Racer. Not strictly British these days, but essentially the same bike as back in the day.

[mijj]

I'd be going back a few years to recall my motor cycle days. Ummm....Triumph Thunderbird (650cc twin) BSA Gold Star (500cc).
Jim.

[Bandit Mick]

I fancy a RE to pootle about on but currently own a large Jap as I have for many years. Never owned an old Brit as they have a rep for being unreliable and distinctly dribbly - a bit like me really.

[Puddles]

Back in the sixties I had a Royal Enfield Constellation 750 cc combination which was forever demolishing it’s clutch bearings, it was fun to ride and very fast. I shot some 8mm film of it and my other biker mates which is on you tube somewhere. We were all completely nuts riding with no helmets just leather jacket and jeans and not a care in the world.
Puddles

[Puddles]

I have found the film clip on you tube called THE WEIR UK VERSION
Puddles

[LC&DR]

My motorcycles included a Francis Barnett 150cc, a Triumph T100A 500cc, a AJS 350cc single, a Matchless 500cc twin, and a variety of Japanese bikes. The only one that worked for a respectable length of time was the T100A which I had to sell when I got married.

[General DeGaulle]

I envy you all... Constellations, T100A, Goldies… though I reckon a Suzuki Bandit would scare the crap out of me! Puddles, what a terrific film. I really was born too late (1962) and missed out on something terrific. This song sums up the atmosphere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3TVEH1DPbg

I often go out on the bike, dressed in jeans, submariner sweater, white scarfe and Brando - style jacket. Quiff greased up under the open faced helmet and Mk 8 gogs. Sometimes my mate from the band joins me on his Norton Commando and we go for a bite at the local caff. But you cant turn back the clock, or re create what's gone, can you? Time to get out the bike, do a bit of maintainance to the sounds of Johnny Kidd or Gene Vincent. And cry my eyes out.

[yelrow]

650 triumph thunderbird and sidecar. 500 speed twin. Aeriel Leader, Francis barnett, bsa bantams, (2), Norman 98 cc auto cycle, 4 various scooters, Maico Mobile, NSU quickly, Mobylette, Cyclemaster. Those were the days.

[Forfarian]

Started off on a Triumph Tiger Cub, once i passed my test i got and old Vellocette Viper and spent time stripping it and rebuilding, then moved up to a Vello Venom, along with a written off Matchless G9 which got slightly modified with G45 head and carbs plus a lot of stainless steel bits and pieces. I was lucky as we had a plentiful supply of S/S and aluminum where i worked plus all the welding equipment and polishing shop, final bike was a Vincent Comet, i wish i still had it worth a bomb now!!!!

[Puddles]

Hi general
Before the Constelation I had a two stroke James Sport Captain, my first ever bike.
Picture of me and my mate on the bike camping in Devon 1964. He had a Royal Enfield crusader but it broke down on the journey. In the Weir film he is the one with the plaster on his foot.
You mentioned mates in a band in your last post are you a musician?
Puddles