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13 Affordable Classic British Motorcycles To Buy Now

In this video our friend Dave Mitchell (from Mitchell's Classics) tells us his 13 underpriced & underrated classic British motorcycles.
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This video was produced by The Classic Motorcycle Channel and Talk To Camera. www.talktocame...
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// A BIG THANK YOU TO
- Dave Mitchell for his time filming on the day. Dave runs Mitchell's Classics which is a classic motorcycle servicing and restoration business based in South East England.
www.mitchellsc...
Mobile: 07813 140 928
Email: davidmitchell576@hotmail.com
// PHOTO CREDITS
- 1961 Triumph 3TA. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1961 Triumph 3TA. No changes to photo. Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1964 Triumph Tiger 100. No changes to photo. Addvisor, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1966 BSA A50 Royal Star. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- BSA A65 Lightning. No changes to photo. Stavros1, CC BY 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- BSA A65 Spitfire Mark III. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1966 BSA A10 Golden Flash. No changes to photo. Swainys-Boy, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1963 BSA A10 Super Rocket. No changes to photo. Mfhutchins, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1960 BSA A7 Shooting Star. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1960 BSA A10 Golden Flash. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1969 BSA A10 Golden Flash. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1965 BSA B40 Star. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1960 BSA C15. No changes to photo. Mick from England, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1964 BSA C15. No changes to photo.
SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1961 BSA C15 Trials. No changes to photo. Craig Howell, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1959 BSA C15. No changes to photo. Arrivisto, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- Triumph Tiger 90. No changes to photo. meriden.triumph, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1963 BSA A10 Super Rocket. No changes to photo. Mfhutchins, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1959 Francis Barnett Plover. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1956 Francis Barnett Falcon. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1959 Francis Barnett Falcon. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1947 James Captain. No changes to photo.
commons.wikime...
- James Superswift. No changes to photo. Mick from Northamptonshire, England, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1954 Ariel VH. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons
- 1955 Ariel HS MK1. No changes to photo. Craig Howell.
www.flickr.com....
creativecommon...
- 1941 Ariel NG. No changes to photo. Alf van Beem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- 2002 Royal Enfield Bullet. No changes to photo. Samihasib, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons.
- Royal Enfield Crusader. No changes to photo. Ronald Saunders.
www.flickr.com....
creativecommon...
- 1965 Royal Enfield Bullet. No changes to photo. SG2012, CC BY 2.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons

Пікірлер: 244

  • @gavinspencer1796
    @gavinspencer17963 жыл бұрын

    Love watching the videos with David presenting. A very good relaxed style and totally natural. Always informative and definitely entertaining. 👍🏻👍🏻

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Right on Gavin, thanks for saying (from Alex)

  • @williamnethercott4364
    @williamnethercott43643 жыл бұрын

    I had a 3TA years ago and wish I'd never sold it! Going over 55mph was a whole body experience but it handled beautifully, was easy to work on and brilliant in heavy traffic.

  • @bazwarsop9154
    @bazwarsop91543 жыл бұрын

    Amc bikes are still good value,owned a a Tiger 90 and 750 also a Dominator and Comando in the past but you can't go wrong with a G12 or or 650 AJS. Had the Matchless for 8 years and it's the most reliable Brit bike I've owned. Great video's Dave,produced in a relaxed and informative manner.

  • @richardortiz8704

    @richardortiz8704

    29 күн бұрын

    I mean is can't find parts 〽️ high maintenance

  • @simoncarney9944
    @simoncarney99443 жыл бұрын

    Great list of bikes! Most of them of my youth. I had a Bullet 350. Lovely bike to ride, you could almost count the strokes as you went along. I really like the new Royal Enfields too, very good value for money. More hints and tips Dave please.

  • @donaldday4183
    @donaldday41832 жыл бұрын

    I had a 1967 650 twin carb triumph. It had a fresh engine and the rest was in great shape. I traded plumbing work & labor & took the bike in liue of payment. Had it for almost 20 yrs. Great bike.

  • @williamharring5536
    @williamharring5536 Жыл бұрын

    Glade to get your Excellent channel again!!! I really ,throurly enjoy you experience and have learned a lot from you!!!I've been riding for 53 years!! Harleys but before Hondas, bmw, Yamaha Suzuki, Hodaka!!! My buddy's have TRUUPHS!! I love the old British Bikes!!! God Bless you SIR!!! TAKK CARE!!!

  • @andrewpreston4127
    @andrewpreston41273 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed my 1962 C15, bought for £50 when I was a student i 1970/71. Ran it's big end, they all did eventually. It wasn't just the later 'tuned till they were hand grenades'.. Starfires. The C15 was a well balanced bike, in that the abilities of the frame matched the characteristics and performance of the engine. Yes, I liked it.

  • @cbwcjw
    @cbwcjw3 жыл бұрын

    This channel has definitely lit the spark again for me with old Brit bikes. I’ve just shipped off my 71 a65 for restoration (the project is too big, and I got overwhelmed, of course) and I’m on the hunt for a bantam 😀 ... and I daily an interceptor 650. Cheers from a similar climate in Seattle, WA. Thank you for doing these videos.

  • @robertmaclean3506
    @robertmaclean35063 жыл бұрын

    I still have my 1971 Triumph 650 Tiger even though I haven't ridden in like 15 years. I used to ride all over British Columbia on it and it was always very dependable as long as you went around and tightened things up on a fairly regular basis.

  • @davidhoward5586
    @davidhoward55863 жыл бұрын

    Excellent show. Bought back a lot of fond memory’s from my beginnings in motorcycling from 1968 on my C25.

  • @BUNKERJR53
    @BUNKERJR533 жыл бұрын

    My brother own a 441cc BSA "Victor" back in the day. The bike was fast but starting it was a trick. Being a single cylinder engine if you didn't hit the Compression Release at the right time the crank would hit you in the leg and rip your pants. I was a teenager and he told me if you can start it you can ride it. Pulled it off the first try to his amazement. Man did I luck out.

  • @RWayne-nu2fi
    @RWayne-nu2fi3 жыл бұрын

    Great video!! And invaluable to someone looking to break into the classic British motorcycle hobby. Many thanks, although here in the states we don't see some of those models. Maybe I should get out more.

  • @TheTOMBASSA
    @TheTOMBASSA3 жыл бұрын

    I would love to see a similar video covering 80's and 90's affordable classics/future classics.

  • @tinymonster9762
    @tinymonster97623 жыл бұрын

    Back in the late 70s one of our lady biker friends had the engine let go in her 250 Ducati. A rebuild was just out of the question financially for her and it was her only transport. My toolmaker friend saved her bike by fitting a 350 Triumph engine to it and fabricating exhausts. That engine had been lying under his bench and got a quick run through and refresh. That sweet little engine fitted in there just lovely and looked like a factory job. She absolutely loved that bike after the change and so did I.

  • @jimbo8009
    @jimbo80093 жыл бұрын

    I just love these videos, put together nice and straight forward. A pleasure to watch and listen to.

  • @sussaxonsarthois6815

    @sussaxonsarthois6815

    3 жыл бұрын

    Agreed. David's style is straightforward, no-nonsense and informative as well as interesting. I keep looking for the notification that a new one is available.

  • @sluf1963
    @sluf19633 жыл бұрын

    That hurts me to my bones to see those Rovers just rotting away , those are my favorite buggies . We just don't see many here in the states , I would love any D series to restore , and love on . Be safe , nice Trumpet too .

  • @ianthomas739
    @ianthomas7393 жыл бұрын

    I owned most of these bikes in my youth to my 30's. Loved this video and now i want one again.

  • @nicnak4475
    @nicnak44753 жыл бұрын

    Just found your channel and now subscribed, It brought back a few memories seeing those old bikes, don't forget the Tiger Cub as well, which was a great little bike.

  • @christopherscott4406

    @christopherscott4406

    2 жыл бұрын

    The Tiger Cub, what a memory!

  • @Jaysqualityparts
    @Jaysqualityparts2 жыл бұрын

    Glad to see the channel finally taking off like it should.

  • @cgoodwin2875
    @cgoodwin28753 жыл бұрын

    I have a few old BSA's and Triumphs but my favourite runarounds are indian enfields, I have 4 and always on the lookout for more. Really I should sell a few and buy a new Enfield twin - excellent value and designed in the UK.

  • @Johnny-sj9sj

    @Johnny-sj9sj

    3 жыл бұрын

    Love Enfields! I’m on my third Bullet. The first two in the 60s and 70s, both 350s, and now a 500 Pegasus: the first machine I’d ever bought from new, three years ago. Absolutely brilliant and has never missed a beat! My other bike is a Harley 1000 Ironhead, but I use the Pegasus more often - it always works, and it does nearly 100 to the gallon. I’m 73 years young and it’s my 22nd two wheeled motorised vehicle and I’m going to have it until I die. Not long now! So make hay while the sunshines! 🌞😈🇬🇧

  • @bobwatson7783
    @bobwatson77833 жыл бұрын

    A good video Dave, but not much use here in Australia. I learnt to ride on a BSA Bantam and back in the day if you could ride one of those you could ride anything lol. What the youngsters today don’t realise is that not all British bikes had foldable foot pegs. Hell we didn’t even have rubber on our foot pegs. If you got too low ( which wasn’t far on the Bantam ) you would dig in and spin around on the peg. It was a good thing we only rode on dirt lol. Thanks mate from Down Under.

  • @dazky55
    @dazky553 жыл бұрын

    I definitely agree about the smaller engined Triumphs, I think they're the best engine Triumph made, especially the later ones with a 'proper' bearing on the timing side. Put one in a 250 Enfield or Ducati frame and it'll see Bonnevilles off (if you're bothered !)

  • @abp2861
    @abp28612 ай бұрын

    Great video, nice chat. Thank you for letting me watch this film. 🇦🇺🇬🇧

  • @bodge6886
    @bodge68863 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I have a deep love for the 500cc and 650cc BSAs but they are very expensive. Georgeous machines even standing still.❤️❤️

  • @shmac96
    @shmac962 жыл бұрын

    This is a unique video and wonderful insight into potential ownership of classic bikes. Thank you for your insight!

  • @johnduncan933
    @johnduncan9333 жыл бұрын

    1966 Royal Star KTN 773D! I restored that bike back in 2009 - 2011 I think. It is wonderful to see that it is still being appreciated by someone. I sold it to a dealer for £3.5K and he immediately put it up for sale at £4.8K! Should have asked for more it seems.

  • @67daltonknox
    @67daltonknox3 жыл бұрын

    Takes me back. I rode my brother's James, owned a Francis-Barnett Falcon, Ariel Arrow, a DKW 197cc that was better then any of the English two stroke singles, a Velocette Venom Clubman and rode a friend's RE Bullet, then after a gap of a dozen years, owned two Suzukis, two Hondas, three Yamahas, a Multistrada and finally a KTM 1290 SAS. My verdict? This is the golden age of motorcycles. Forget about classics and buy a Japanese bike, preferably a Yamaha and don't touch a Ducati with a ten foot pole.

  • @henrywarnell7694

    @henrywarnell7694

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sound wisdom there. This is, indeed a/the Golden Age of motorcycling with a bike to suit every taste. My priority is reliability. I am lucky enough to own a Suzuki V-strom 1000, Yamaha Diversion 650 and a Honda CRF 250L. They have never let me down and every journey is a pleasure.

  • @750triton
    @750triton3 жыл бұрын

    A mate did the 500 conversion to his 3TA then complained about bits falling off or breaking, including his mrs. A bit more work than described here to do a proper conversion

  • @mslattery8710
    @mslattery87103 жыл бұрын

    Some great suggestions there. It's so true that the larger bore Brit bikes seem to command a premium and they're among the later models. I've noticed that the Matchless and AJS 350 models are well on the cheaper side of the marketplace. They look and sound nice and are handsome bikes. How about something on the rarities of British bike manufacture, say for example Norton rotaries, Silk 700 or dare I say Hesketh?

  • @goldilocks913
    @goldilocks9133 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for that, my 2018 Indian Bullet gives me a taste of what those must be like. Unfortunately I’ve no access to a workshop even if l had the knowledge to keep those beautiful bikes running but lovely to dream 😃

  • @xavierderck3910
    @xavierderck39103 жыл бұрын

    In 1986, drove from Bruges to Barcelona ( 1200 km) in one go. With my new Mz etz, that I still own and clocked 320.000 km recently. Best bike ever

  • @needparalegal
    @needparalegal3 жыл бұрын

    I love underpriced motorcycles. I bought my 1972 Kawasaki 2 for $175. I wish I had paid more because i undervalued it and gave it away. Not living in the EU I do not have access to cheap Triumphs of any kind, though 21st Century models depreciate fast in the US.

  • @31wdriley
    @31wdriley3 жыл бұрын

    Nothing said on Velocettes. LE for around town, even MAC's and MSS. Affordable ,practical and very enjoyable.

  • @exb.r.buckeyeman845

    @exb.r.buckeyeman845

    3 жыл бұрын

    I had a 1954 MSS Michael, it was the best bike I ever had, apart from my 1961 DBD 34 Clubmans.

  • @seniorelzappo9919
    @seniorelzappo99193 жыл бұрын

    The new Enfields are great value ..

  • @retromechanicalengineer

    @retromechanicalengineer

    3 жыл бұрын

    'Classic British'? Not really but I agree that they are good value.

  • @jabbalechat7910

    @jabbalechat7910

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@retromechanicalengineer Modern seals and modern bearings, what's not to like?

  • @retromechanicalengineer

    @retromechanicalengineer

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@jabbalechat7910 I don't recall saying that I don't like them. I also agreed that they represent good value. My comment was that as they are new and made in India, they are not classic or British, which was the title of the video.

  • @Rick-ve5lx

    @Rick-ve5lx

    3 жыл бұрын

    Tiger 500 was Ted Simon’s bike in his round-the-world trip as recounted in his book “Jupiter’s Travels” which is a great read.

  • @garethwalker3446
    @garethwalker34463 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for that. I started with a FB Falcon in the 60's. Great little bike, fairly reliable but as you said easy to work on. Then had a R E Bullet 350 with a sidecar (don't remember why I bought it) ending up with an ex Police Triumph Speed Twin sprung hub. Not the best handling, and on faster sweeping bends it tended to move around at the back end. As I said, many thanks for bringing back the memories.

  • @dangerspouse4741
    @dangerspouse47413 жыл бұрын

    My dad had a 1964 Norton Atlas when I was a kid. Lovely bike, but immediately forgotten when it was replaced by the Commando. I haven't checked, but I imagine that particular model is both underappreciated and undervalued these days. Still love classic Brit bikes all these years later. Great video here, thanks for it!

  • @mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454

    @mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454

    2 жыл бұрын

    Totally agree. Former Norton Dom SS owner. May end up getting a very rideable 750 Atlas near concours complete rebuild. If I want it owner not even going to shop it around. 60s Bonnie’s in condition 5 going for mid $20K range. Atlases nowhere near that. I too attribute it to the Commando overshadowing earlier Norton’s. See your name. You aren’t Jack B’s Danger Girl are you?

  • @mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454

    @mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454

    2 жыл бұрын

    Owner selling for $10K less than those Bonnevilles. Commando tempting but it’s for my third childhood so not looking for a Busa beater. Just wanted to be able to do the ton for old time sake

  • @dangerspouse4741

    @dangerspouse4741

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@mattgoodmangoodmanlawnmowi2454 Hi Matt, sorry for the late reply but I was away on business. Alas, no, not any relation to Jack B. My father was a top trials rider back in the day, with a partial factory sponsorship from Bultaco. But he also had road bikes, amongst them that Norton - as befitted his British heritage (along with a BRG Triumph TR-4). I do hope you get the nice ride you're hoping for, soon! Best....

  • @therealrobertbirchall
    @therealrobertbirchall3 жыл бұрын

    i rode from Stoke to south Cornwall on a C15 2 up in the 70s yong and stupid but enjoyed a good laugh.

  • @savage22bolt32
    @savage22bolt323 жыл бұрын

    In 1966, my first bike was a Bantam D7 road bike. We converted it to a trail bike and I rode it for 4 or 5 summers before I had my driving license.

  • @dougfielding8215
    @dougfielding82153 жыл бұрын

    For a retro bike, you can't go wrong with a W650 or W800. True 360⁰ crank, air cooled, long stroke engines with bevel driven cams.

  • @samrodian919
    @samrodian9192 жыл бұрын

    My first bike was a Bantam 125 then a Royal Enfield Crusader Sports. Lovely bike.

  • @goffpope4108
    @goffpope41083 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff.Most older British bikes are sought after.An interesting channel.

  • @leegraves101
    @leegraves10110 ай бұрын

    A friend had bought a 72 Triumph Tiger 650 and just let it sit. He called me 15 years ago and asked if I knew anyone that would want it.I asked how much , he said $300 and I said I’ll be right there. It was rough and missing a few things but it cleaned up and ran with a little work.

  • @chriswillis6941
    @chriswillis69413 жыл бұрын

    I had a James Sports Superswift 250 in the '60's. A great little bike, super Villiers 2T engine, never had any problems with it. Wish I'd kept it.

  • @ashleysmith3106
    @ashleysmith31063 жыл бұрын

    This video should be titled "13 Underpriced & Underrated Classic British Motorcycles in England" ! All of these are ridiculously priced here in Australia !! ( I wish I still had the ones I had back in the twentieth century ! )

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham45703 жыл бұрын

    My uncle micks work bike was a goldflash, it sure went around tight bends well, he'd lean her right over I remember being a pillion in the late 70s.

  • @kenneth2656
    @kenneth26562 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video i'm now looking out for a Triumph 90 or 100

  • @jamesmcgrath1952
    @jamesmcgrath19523 жыл бұрын

    I'm 69 years old. I still ride, my first bike (that I paid for myself) was a BSA 650 Lightning. Wish I'd kept it.

  • @enhancesoutheast5964
    @enhancesoutheast59643 жыл бұрын

    My new favourite YT bike channel.. Some of the vehicles behind you look interesting... Shoot me for the suggestion but I'd like a short feature the Land Rover pick up in the thumbnail.. Nice patina.. I know... It's a bike channel.. still

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your nice words Kieran, yeah, the Land Rovers look great don't they. They're just outside the workshop, you might have seen them in some other videos. I like your suggestion, shame they don't go.

  • @stevenlangdon-griffiths293
    @stevenlangdon-griffiths2932 жыл бұрын

    Great video, very interesting and informative

  • @graemehay5714
    @graemehay57143 жыл бұрын

    Dave, thank you for these wise observations. I never understood why the Tiger 90 350 s, the Tiger 100's or the BSA 500 twins were less popular than the 650's and later 750's. Performance is such a strange reason to buy the larger engined models: as classic bikes, we are not chasing performance, in any case. The suspension brakes wiring and wonderful country lane riding is all the same and these bikes always seemed to run more smoothly than the larger brothers! I really do enjoy your videos.

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Right on Graeme! (from Alex)

  • @jimwhipple9784

    @jimwhipple9784

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's because a major part of production went to North America. It's simply farther to get to anywhere else and the customer demanded larger engines that would be reliable going those distances. When I started riding in the 50's, You had to Want to ride motorcycles. Because it wasn't that easy

  • @CrusaderSports250
    @CrusaderSports2503 жыл бұрын

    My brother had both the 350 and the 500 Triumph twins, and although the 350 didn't have the same level of performance it was a lot smoother with less vibrations, if you have a 350 leave it as such, you won't regret it, me I had Enfield's and the big Connie was/is an awesome bike, got an 07 Bullet as well and providing you remember its a 1953 bike its real boys world motorcycling, 45/50 through the lanes its just glorious, still have my 250 Crusader Sport, one of the very last at a 1968 plate, they were in my opinion better than the C15, giving a higher top speed with greater acceleration, and you got that with good fuel returns as well, I have always kept a book for fuel with price, date, amount, and cost, my sports moped, 55p per gallon including two shots of two stroke oil, the good old days !!☺.

  • @peterchildress7719
    @peterchildress77193 жыл бұрын

    Taking me back to my youth,fanny b my first bike that kept snapping the flywheel key.changed many a time on side of road.C15 was my next bike,loved it to bits.made my day.salways wanted a 250 Royal Enfield.🤗

  • @BilgemasterBill
    @BilgemasterBill3 жыл бұрын

    I couldn't agree more with your list. Of course, here in the States venerable marques like Ariel, Francis Barnett or James are actually quite rare, as are some lesser capacity models from brands like Triumph or BSA. We never had that year long 250cc limit for new riders until they could take the full riding test and ride anything bigger, as you had in the UK until the early '80s or so. Hence, that wide assortment of available lighter bikes, especially 250s, never really took hold so much here. All in all, BSA twins are about the last reasonably inexpensive classic British iron at all suitable for modern American highway traffic you're likely to find herabouts. Sadly, many BSA twins fell victim to those chopping or bobbing crazes of yore. So, unmolested examples have seen their values climbing too, if not quite so steeply as the "sexier" Triumphs or Nortons. He'll, even fairly rough "basket case" Commandos are asking (and getting) north of $2,000 now. Semi-decent Nortons start at about $5,000, with nicer ones getting closer to $10,000, or even more for cherry examples. Sure, Commandos are great. I had an old ex-Police 750 "Interpol" when I lived in Scotland in the late '70s. But before shelling out that kind of money, I'd recommend getting a nice new Royal Enfield 650 twin instead for about $6,000, with a 3 year warranty, roadside assistance, and all the trimmings. It even looks a bit like a Commando. I do still have a Norton, an old '67 750 N15CS hybrid "Desert Sled" in the shed awaiting resurrection. It was a fairly popular model over here, but rare yonder, basically being a Norton Atlas (pre-Commando) 750 engine shoved into a sort of "scrambley" Matchless frame, and was my old daily driver back in the '90s that I'd picked up as a basket case for $100 and cobbled back together from bits of this and that (including parts from a Sears Lady Kenmore washing machine). Nowadays I'm mostly thumping around on one if those Indian-made Royal Enfield 500 Bullets in "Military Trim", an '05 original style "Iron Barrel" one. Those really ARE still a bargain, and despite the brand's commonly held reputation, mine's given me little trouble I couldn't easily handle in the 3 years I've had it, having put over 13,000 miles on it. They're not for everybody though, and do require and reward a bit of fettling and consideration. For one thing, highways aren't their happy place. They respond poorly to flogging. But if you're OK cruising in the 50s, it's just like your grandaddy's bike. Astride your true engineering fossil, and not just some "retro mockup", it truly is that old school riding experience--just lovely and "elemental" and very akin to that on my old Norton, if with somewhat less "grunt". I often take my Bullet on longish tours, and the trick there is to just use Google Maps' "Avoid Highways" option for directions. I mean, you didn't REALLY want to just ride on the Interstates or M1, right? If you're looking for "The Classic British Bike Experience" for about $2,000-$3,000 (sometimes MUCH less with "rescue dogs" like mine, which had some minor issues when I got it for change from the sofa cushions), then a Royal Enfield Bullet might be a very good move. Parts are also cheap and plentiful, but If you'd prefer not to tinker at all with what is essentially '30s tech, then go for one of their new 650 twins. You will be happy with it.

  • @greifinn24
    @greifinn243 жыл бұрын

    would love another pre unit A10, i had one in the early 70's it got nicked in central London !

  • @micksterboone4517
    @micksterboone45173 жыл бұрын

    Spot on about the new 650 Enfields. They are gorgeous!

  • @christinamoneyhan5688
    @christinamoneyhan56883 жыл бұрын

    Great review. Nice photos too. My first motorcycle was a Triumph 1970 500 Trophy. Ran it 42 thousand miles , then got married. Sure missed that bike. The wife not so much.

  • @ilovecake50
    @ilovecake503 жыл бұрын

    Special mention for affordability should go to the OIF A65 from 71-73, it's cheaper than most A65 despite looking better (IMO), handling better and stopping better than most other A65's, also because the frame is shared with the later 750 triumphs you can upgrade to a disc brake. Also having indicators is a must for me as I doubt many people will recognise a hand signal these days

  • @ralphparsons7306

    @ralphparsons7306

    3 жыл бұрын

    Wot a load of rubbish this is. You made no mention of Norton especially the 650SS or the Atlas, and the ES2 Cadillac’s and triumphs are like bums. Everybody has one and they’re not cracked up to be as good as you claim

  • @ilovecake50

    @ilovecake50

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ralphparsons7306 Not sure if this is meant as a reply for me, but Norton's are very expensive, 650ss and ES2's will go for a lot of money between £6k and £12k not really on the affordable end of the spectrum. I got my 71 a65t for £3k running with an MOT, I prefer Norton's to triumphs though if money was no object I'd have a commando over any other British twin

  • @shingerz
    @shingerz2 жыл бұрын

    Great video well explained 👍

  • @rajasgaikwad883
    @rajasgaikwad8833 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful video. Since you asked for suggestions, how about some history lessons on the classic motorcycle brands? Keep up the good work mates!

  • @johnimmins7302
    @johnimmins73023 жыл бұрын

    Great informative videos of the classic scene. I love to watch these as they bring back memories when I rode some of these machines.

  • @johnforeman6620
    @johnforeman66203 жыл бұрын

    I have a '53 LE Velocette that I use for toodling around my local roads. It always gets a lot of a attention from other road users and pedestrians when I park. They are cheap and parts are no problem. Not fast but the hand gear change and start are unusual.

  • @robertadams4415
    @robertadams44153 жыл бұрын

    Great show I have an intercepter a 2021 model

  • @sussaxonsarthois6815
    @sussaxonsarthois68153 жыл бұрын

    I cannot but agree with the selection; Royal Enfield single, as you can see (although this one is less under-rated and not under-priced), T100A project (bathtub not mini Bonnie) and for everyday my 'retro' RE 650 Interceptor is excellent. You can tell I prefer 4 strokes, although I learned on a series of Bantams (pale green 125 up to D175 and D14/4 models) on the RAC/ACU scheme - a few years ago. I assume you err on the side of the 350 'C' range simply because of price? Same weight as the 500, same complexity, largely same parts but obviously less power.

  • @wilfredprins9718
    @wilfredprins97182 жыл бұрын

    I must say the 2 landies at the back look interesting also

  • @davidhenderson7491
    @davidhenderson74913 жыл бұрын

    I'm in the middle of doing up " not restoring " a BSA Bantam. By the time I'm done it will have cost me a total of about £1500.00. New harness, battery etc. which gives me a nice little run about for the summer. Get Out There!

  • @geoffhalsey2184
    @geoffhalsey21843 жыл бұрын

    A friend described the modern Enfield Interceptor as a classic bike without having to get the spanners out. I'm inclined to agree with him. Very tempted there. I had an BSA A10 in the late 1970's when no body loved them any more. I think I paid £120 for it and it was a cracking bike. Wish I hadn't sold it.

  • @walkerhjk
    @walkerhjk3 жыл бұрын

    My first brand new bike was a 1955 Ariel 350cc Red Hunter which cost 186 GB pounds. Later I swapped to a 1955 650cc Ariel Huntmaster which really was a lovely bike, I wish I still had it! They were both very economical. My very first bike though was a 1951 Excelsior 250cc Talisman Twin 2 stroke,

  • @mitchburk5112
    @mitchburk51123 жыл бұрын

    BSA's get a bad rap because of the timing side bush. A lot of that was due to lack of proper oil changes so the bush wore quickly. Also a lot of bodged repairs on the bush. Guy working in a shed bashes a new bush in without having it properly line bored and also not setting the crankshaft float correctly. A properly set up timing bush by someone that knows about how to do it correctly should last a long time. Also, now there are aftermarket oil filter kits that add a proper filter which really help. The 350 and 500 Triumphs also had a timing side bush until 1967.

  • @larrynorsworthy8582

    @larrynorsworthy8582

    3 жыл бұрын

    That timing ordeal sounds like a clusterfukk.

  • @RetNemmoc555
    @RetNemmoc5553 жыл бұрын

    I look at the first few years of the "new" Bonnevilles (now going on twenty years old) in the same way I looked at 1950s Triumphs in the 70s - as classics. The 2002-2004 Hinkley Bonnevilles were carbureted, all metal side covers & fenders, and made in England. Plus they're simple, reliable and affordable (well, not the price of spares, but the bikes themselves can be had for a reasonable price). They're not "true" to form like the Royal Enfields, but they seem like what Triumph would have evolved into had they stuck with the aesthetic of the classics.

  • @johnward8995
    @johnward89953 жыл бұрын

    Have an A65 Lightning and a VFR 750 Honda. Used to run a BMW R80/7 which is a good alternative to the Brits - big 4 stroke twin, not exceptionally quick but felt like it would run until hell froze over, totally oiltight and had brakes and electrics that actually worked.

  • @oilinmyblood3906
    @oilinmyblood39063 жыл бұрын

    I love your videos guys keep it up! I'm trying to get my hands on a 1960 or 62 Triumph t120 Bonneville pre unit engine and transmission, hopefully I can get them but like you said they are pretty dang pricey but oh so well worth it

  • @carlarthur4442
    @carlarthur44423 жыл бұрын

    These bikes are all great bikes , remember the C 15 the local council used to use them for the road works supervisors to go round on , Bantams had one of those amongst other bikes in the sixties .

  • @-DC-
    @-DC-3 жыл бұрын

    Covid has ALOT of people trapped at home buying motorcycles over the internet the availablity and price's have been mad the last 12 months ! Great content 👍

  • @henrywarnell7694

    @henrywarnell7694

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’s the lockdowns that have trapped you not COVID. Unless you live in a care home, have serious underlying health issues and are over 70, you have a 99.95 chance of fully recovering from a COVID close encounter. Our rulers have taken this opportunity to deprive us of many freedoms, not just freedom to travel.

  • @dhieyosandhu6790
    @dhieyosandhu67903 жыл бұрын

    I own a 1950 5t... any ideas on adding a air filter on it?... just change the Amal carburetor to mikuni. Great video and advice

  • @donaldwainwright
    @donaldwainwright3 жыл бұрын

    I have rode a tiger 100 very nice bike but of vibration when on tick over but would certainly love to own 1

  • @lukerabin5079
    @lukerabin50793 жыл бұрын

    Excellent work!

  • @winstonpoole9906
    @winstonpoole99063 жыл бұрын

    Had a Triumph 21 350 twin Bathtub. Polychromatic Blue 1960...sold it for an Isetta bubble car.

  • @carlarthur4442
    @carlarthur4442 Жыл бұрын

    Ariel, I remember 250cc Golden Arrow in the 60s 2 stroke twin , had a lot of fun on that bike , but they were temperamental with the timing always going out of sync.

  • @glenhardy4770
    @glenhardy47703 жыл бұрын

    Thumbs-Up #120 Thursday morn 4 March 2021 and you Sir, in my opinion, give great advice. My family lived in California near the San Francisco Bay area during my childhood and my father owned several different British motorbikes during that time. He preferred British bikes. He would say they had more class compared to other companies. Thank You for the video.

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ha, nice one Glen, thanks for checking in!

  • @paulongley2033
    @paulongley20333 жыл бұрын

    Hi love the channel and the restoration of the bikes , keep it up great ! Will you cover vintage Japanese , Italian ,German machines !.

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Paul, yeah, we're looking at that in the future, stay tuned!

  • @paulongley2033

    @paulongley2033

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the reply ! Will look forward to that .

  • @andrewphillips5882
    @andrewphillips58822 жыл бұрын

    Could you do a video presentation for wives? Something to convince them that their husband's desire for an old noisy, oily bike, is a really good investment for the future? I can't do this alone!

  • @billcaveny9495
    @billcaveny94953 жыл бұрын

    Very useful. Many thanks...👍

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cheers Bill!

  • @juliecrocker9824
    @juliecrocker98243 жыл бұрын

    Passed my test on a bsa c15t back in 1966 and still riding

  • @vanislandsteve
    @vanislandsteve3 жыл бұрын

    Great video 👍🏻

  • @karlosh2422
    @karlosh24223 жыл бұрын

    What always gets me is when it is said that the Bonneville came out in 1959. This is sort of "true", the first Bonneville was a tuned up Tiger 110 ! This had been around I think since 1954. The tuned up Tiger 110 got called the Bonneville because of Johnny Allen's exploits at Bonneville :)

  • @johnpelham8710
    @johnpelham87103 жыл бұрын

    No mention of the 650cc Triumph Tiger Thunderbird. I had one with a side-car in the 60's. Great bike until my brother turned the lot over. No injuries TG

  • @alderneydetect3232
    @alderneydetect32323 жыл бұрын

    What no Matchless? I had a 500 single - loved it!

  • @iandouglas451
    @iandouglas4513 жыл бұрын

    very interesting but your affordable isn't really that affordable as compared with older japanese bikes that haven't caught on as up and coming classics, for example a suzuki bandit 1200 can now, just about, be had for £1.5K.

  • @henrywarnell7694

    @henrywarnell7694

    3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent point. There is/are reason(s) the British bike industry died. Classic British bikes look great but aren’t reliable.

  • @iandouglas451

    @iandouglas451

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@henrywarnell7694 i'd love one of those old bikes that you identified, i agree with what you say, they do look fantastic, also sound great but yes the price and reliability are off putting issues especially when some japanese machines are relatively inexpensive.

  • @jonathanwiggins9940
    @jonathanwiggins99403 жыл бұрын

    Totally missed AJS/Matchless. I'd say the most underrated and affordable British bikes.

  • @Hassan-nb2uc

    @Hassan-nb2uc

    3 жыл бұрын

    💯even here in india

  • @ronnieince4568

    @ronnieince4568

    3 жыл бұрын

    Jonathan Wiggins -650 AJS and Matchless twins are excellent but watch out for broken cranks with the earlier non nodular iron crankshaft that tends to break and worn cam followers ( these can be reworked by steelite welding the worn pad on the follower and carefully grinding back to size .) Other than that they are simple and reliable .

  • @jonathanwiggins9940

    @jonathanwiggins9940

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ronnieince4568. Only early ones. Post 1960 most are OK though Re grinds with in sufficient root radius can lead to failure and this is blamed on the material. The can followers take a lot of Miles and can be, as you say Re worked or replaced. I have a G12CSR and it is an excellent machine in most respects.

  • @ronnieince4568

    @ronnieince4568

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@jonathanwiggins9940 yes I know I had two -one a Matchless and the other an AJS -the later nodular iron crankshaft solved the problem and the later can followers had hardened running surfaces .

  • @chrismacleod3947
    @chrismacleod39473 жыл бұрын

    Now every one is looking on Ebay and having a hart attack when thy see the prices good video Dave how about showing the Motorcycles you have

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    LOL

  • @madcarew.3256
    @madcarew.32563 жыл бұрын

    Had 3 crusaders inc.5speed . 1st a 1959 cost me a crisp 10 bob note in 1970! pushed it 5 miles home before the owner (in clink) found out what his little brother had done.Rode it with many later engine bits for 2 years until wiped off by a drunk driver in 72. Happy days cheers!!

  • @birdpow4706

    @birdpow4706

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Mad Carew you got a smoking deal on the crusader, I had to pay 35 quid at an auction in 1978 for a Bullet which seized on the way home. But I rebuilt it using a crusader piston which raised the compression ratio

  • @darkknightrises3571
    @darkknightrises35713 жыл бұрын

    BSA motorcycles is coming back to life by Mahindra &Mahindra.

  • @davejohnston5158
    @davejohnston51583 жыл бұрын

    Tiger Cub? Really nice light bike and easy to maintain. My first bike that I unfortunately sold for £110 to buy my next bike. All the rest 100% agree .

  • @davejohnston5158

    @davejohnston5158

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Alfred Wedmore I can see that happening with a worn chain. My little issues were a worn kick-start mechanism and the usual dodgy location of the oil pipe connector under the crankcase being quite exposed to getting damaged.

  • @PhilbyFavourites
    @PhilbyFavourites3 жыл бұрын

    As soon as I see the green mossy Land Rovers in the background I know I’m in for old men in leather cowboy hats who make hermits look outgoing. Sadly lovely those bikes all are, you’re very likely to be side swiped by a mummy in a Discovery (or Qashqai if they can’t stretch to a Disco) in a hurry to pick up or deliver little Johnny. If you don’t have prompt acceleration and good brakes you’re just a bumper ornament to those people. This from the bloke who has an acceptably fast bike but would just love to aimlessly bimble on a Velo-Solex or maybe a C15.

  • @roum22
    @roum223 жыл бұрын

    Always had 350's as an apprentice in the early 70's. after you'd past your test everyone wanted at least a 500. 350's were to be had at giveaway money in my area back then., had a Triumph 21, and 3TA.

  • @scottthomas5999
    @scottthomas59992 жыл бұрын

    Good info. 👍🏻👍🏻

  • @mickeycrilly1839
    @mickeycrilly18393 жыл бұрын

    I loved my T100SS 1969 , I used it to go to the barracks every day for 2 years with no problems ,I just changed the oil a lot and tightened all the nuts every week ha ha lost my Lincoln green when I went down open road works and wrecked it, kids had kicked the warning lights ect into the whole ,as you say a great bike

  • @geraldf1463

    @geraldf1463

    3 жыл бұрын

    I bought a 1969 Trophy 500 in 1969 new, used it for the same thing in the Army. Liked it so much, i kept it. Still ride it once in awhile, nice handling bike still. Cost around $1,050.

  • @GR-332
    @GR-3323 жыл бұрын

    Great video thank you, I would really like to take a closer look at the triumph you suggested at the end. I wouldn't know where to start looking for a bike like that and what pitfalls to avoid when buying one so any content that looks at this would be more than welcome! Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your channel 👍

  • @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is good feedback G R, thanks for your suggestions!

  • @xxmarkpipxx
    @xxmarkpipxx3 жыл бұрын

    Love my 1958 A10 when it starts :-)

  • @frankkemble2103
    @frankkemble21033 жыл бұрын

    Tiger 90's are fetching serious money these days because of rarity value and 500 performance. Thunderbolt is actually a lot slower than Lightning and I've had both though oddly enough 750 Triumph single or twin carb are much more similar. I have two old Triumphs ( 500 and 750) but have just picked up a new 650 Enfield twin- fantastic value and rides beautifully and has all the classic appeal.