Hairy Bikers and Other Petrol Heads

[Eastsidepilot]

A short while after my Mother passed away I had to buy a new motor as the old Merc I had was on it's last legs. So off I went found the motor I wanted after viewing a few at a rated, specialist 4x4 dealer and paid my deposit after a test drive, I hadn't taken any notice of the registration plate other than the fact that it was a 14 plate.
Whilst sorting the paperwork etc. I read the plate properly and it made me smile as someone was looking down on me, or pointing a finger, I reckon. My Mother's nick name from when she was a teenager was Pixie.



Col....and no that's not a Pixie in the flower bed it's Bett my better half.

 

[New Haven Neil]

Neil, see post #1 of this thread.

Col.

Is that an Indian? I don't know the old ones well enough to know, I'm mainly a BMW and Honda owner. But regardless, nice bike.

The later Indian ones were OK, but I saw some horrors in the late 70's and early 80's, made roughly from plasticine by the look of them. They used to arrive for MOT where Mrs NHN worked at the time, and invariably fail miserably.

A pal here has a late Indian 500 done in trials trim (not used off road though, shame!) which I really like the look of. Vibrates a bit much for my liking, but it's not mine so that has no bearing!

 

[simond]

The sales manager at work, and her hubby, both have Indians. I’m not sure which models, but humongous things not far short of two litres apiece. Big yank cruisers are not my cuppa, but they’re very happy with them, and do some startling distances for weekends away. I think they have a third one for the days when one or the other is being fettled.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Is that an Indian? I don't know the old ones well enough to know, I'm mainly a BMW and Honda owner. But regardless, nice bike.

The later Indian ones were OK, but I saw some horrors in the late 70's and early 80's, made roughly from plasticine by the look of them. They used to arrive for MOT where Mrs NHN worked at the time, and invariably fail miserably.

A pal here has a late Indian 500 done in trials trim (not used off road though, shame!) which I really like the look of. Vibrates a bit much for my liking, but it's not mine so that has no bearing!

It was a replica ISDT Bullet and as far as I'm aware it was all Brit' I owned it back in the early-mid '80's.
A genuine ex Billy Mills '67 ISDT Bullet sold, 3 years ago , for £5,750.
I swopped mine for a Norton wideline rolling chassis, a load of other spares and built a Triton

 

[New Haven Neil]

The sales manager at work, and her hubby, both have Indians. I’m not sure which models, but humongous things not far short of two litres apiece. Big yank cruisers are not my cuppa, but they’re very happy with them, and do some startling distances for weekends away. I think they have a third one for the days when one or the other is being fettled.

Sorry, my reference to Indian was in the context of Indian built Enfields! Now, as for huge cruisers, my pal Geoff has a Victory 'Jackpot', radical thing of 1800cc or so. Mrs NHN here trying it for size.

 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Just leaving this here....

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Reminds me of Italy, ah! I can smell the brake fade from here thank god for Jake brakes !

Col.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Interesting film for Villiers fans.

 

[simond]

Good to see Nurse Gladys Emanuel there.

I think the Dynamometer that I used for my thesis in 1982 was older that the ones they had!

 

[Fulvio Zanda]

Back to the Hairy Biker theme, I took delivery of a new toy a couple of days ago. I don't know what I like best the looks or the sound but it rides beautifully. These make good Morgan engines as well, if you can find one not attached to a bike!

View attachment 171776

Perfetto

 

[Fulvio Zanda]

View attachment 170207

Pilgrimage made…

La Mecca

 

[Dave Holt]

Marvellous film of the Villiers works. I worked there when it was Norton-Villiers, about 1973/4 when they were building Commandos. I worked in the Prototype Design Department and had close involvement with the experimental machine shop and test house. Probably still had the same dynos. The Commando production line and machine shop looked like something from between the wars. No wonder we couldn't compete with the Japanese.
A bit different now at Triumph and the new Norton, I think.
Still, I very much enjoyed working there - and you could get loads of "foreigners" done!
Dave.

 

[adrian]

On a similar vein at work they have just announced a new department/venture for agile/fast/adaptive development. Obviously trying to emulate the Lockheed Skunk Works the manager in charge (spit spit d***head) has decided to call it Falcon Works. I replied to the news article pointing out that there was and will only ever be one Falcon Works and it was located in Loughborough. In trying to find a photo or link for Falcon Works I stumbled across this BFI film of the works leaving the factory. Another era - all in waistcoats and hats. Some of the bicycles are facinating, drop handle bars etc.

Watch Workforce of Brush Electric Co. Falcon Works, Loughborough (1900) - BFI Player

A well-staged exit of workers from a Leicestershire manufacturer for the transport industry.

player.bfi.org.uk

 

[NHY 581]

Evening all,

Well, after a bit of a disastrous year on two wheels, I have returned.

Two problems reared their ugly heads.

One. In a rush early one day, I filled the trusty 2001 Bonnie up with E10. Result ? Shocking running. Sometimes good, sometimes very bad. Even trying further replacement with E5 failed to totally eradicate it.

Two. Far more of an issue. I managed to snap an exhaust stud. It was one of the inner ones so no chance trying to drill out in situ. Only remedy was to remove cylinder head which required a complete strip of the top end.

Once done, the rebuild started.Would the cam chain seat correctly on the crank ? Would it chuff !! It was one of those walk away moments.

Other stuff got in the way which has led to a proper hiatus.........until now.

Seen here in better times ( Eifel Region, Germany Feb 2015 ) let's hope there are a few miles ahead in 2023.



We've been together for 22 years this year so hopefully a few more adventures beckon.


Rob

 

[NHY 581]

Oh hello - new around here but not 'elsewhere', and a serial bike owner, both myself and Mrs NHN.

A nasty foot injury has degraded over the 7 years since I did it, and has caused real issues changing gear (left sided!) until the Mrs noticed this little new Enfield had a heel and toe change. Not really my cup of tea at all, but I had a test ride, and loved it. Slow, yes, but torquey, handles, economical, and there's no motorways here (Isle of Man). Away from the mountain road, this is simply one of the most rewarding bikes I/we have had - and we've had a LOT (Mrs NHN used to work for a Honda dealer). Funny how things turn out.

View attachment 174094

Mmmm.

I have a bit of an interest in one of these..





Rather like the cut of it's jib.


Rob.

 

[simond]

Dropped my GS 1250 off for is 2-year service today. After a brief discussion, the dealer provided a demo bike as there wasn’t a loan bike available, and they are 50 miles from home (and no, a scooter is not acceptable…) so I had the undeniable pleasure of a BMW F900R for the return ride. As they didn’t get the service done today, I can’t collect tomorrow, so I’ll have a few more miles on a very different, and thoroughly enjoyable, machine. Photos to follow.

 

[Dave Holt]

Just acquired one of these. Back to biking after nearly 30 years.

Dave.

 

[Fulvio Zanda]

Hello Everybody
here 2 loves of mine.
Clearly on top of love there is California 1400 Touring , unbelievable bike from my point of view, but I'm also really happy of Interceptor 650 .

 

[Big Train James]

Just acquired one of these. Back to biking after nearly 30 years.
View attachment 179055
Dave.

I rather like this style of bike, the sort of naked crotch rocket sans fairings. Of course, I also rather like the same bikes with fairings, so....... I guess I like a lot of things.

 

[Overseer]

Mmmm.

I have a bit of an interest in one of these..


View attachment 179042


Rather like the cut of it's jib.


Rob.

I test rode a Himalayan last weekend, nice to ride but not quite what I want. A Hunter 350 caught my eye while I was at the dealer, looks better in reality than the photos. Haven't bought one, might do when my daughter needs another bike.