Post by: Malc (Malvis) on September 26, 2022, 06:29:38 PM
I’ve recently registered and the site looks great.
At the age of 63 I’ve decided to get into biking. I did ride a Honda CG125 on L plates for a year or so, but that was 40 years ago!
I wish I’d done it sooner, but what with bringing up a family and work commitments it hasn’t been possible, not to mention a lack of cash! Anyway I passed my theory in August and have my CBT this Saturday so there no stopping me now (the wife’s not keen at all though :-\)
I’ve been like an excited puppy looking at classic Hondas for a few months and I hope to look at one of the members’ CB500 four in a couple of weeks that he has for sale on here.
I’ve been agonising over classic v modern as I want something of interest that I can pamper and polish, but ride to the coast if I want, with a better than even chance of getting home again :)
Nice to join the group and I hope I can contribute and learn from you guys
Bye for now
Malc.
the posts.
Post by: K2-K6 on September 26, 2022, 07:05:30 PM
Definitely a good start point to get a decent example of the bike to start with as you've indicated. Couldn't really be a better classic to give an interesting and reliable bike that can literally take you any mileage really.
Looked after diligently (they're not complex things) and every reason to expect a very reliable ride.
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 26, 2022, 07:26:25 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 26, 2022, 08:02:35 PM
Fast forwards to 2020 as Covid started to bite I decided to restore a CB400 to keep me focused. Loads of members here got me through the process - I finaly finished my build in July 2022. I chose the 400 as it was so light and parts are so easy to obtain - turns out it's frame is a bit on the small side for me so now looking to do a similar rebuild on a 500.
Lots of expertise & helpful folk here - a very warm welcome to one of the best sites around.
Post by: Johnny4428 on September 26, 2022, 08:24:18 PM
Post by: Davelu88 on September 26, 2022, 08:40:05 PM
Post by: philward on September 26, 2022, 09:09:00 PM
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on September 26, 2022, 09:58:59 PM
Post by: Matt_Harrington on September 26, 2022, 10:29:51 PM
I bet the test is somewhat different to mine, nearly 50 years ago! It was an amusing day out!
Matt
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 26, 2022, 10:36:16 PM
I rode around a block in Derby waiting for the examiner who was on foot here to leap out in front of me for the emergency stop.
Post by: Laverdaroo on September 27, 2022, 12:04:09 AM
Best of luck with your test, you'll ace it its dead easy, just concentrate and dont worry thats the best attack mode ;) :)
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 27, 2022, 08:36:14 AM
Post by: paul G on September 27, 2022, 12:18:13 PM
Post by: Matt_Harrington on September 27, 2022, 01:33:00 PM
I took my test on a Capri 90 Scooter before the 125 rules came in.I think I had to do a figure of 8 around two blocks for the emergency stop. On my mate's test, the examiner jumped out in front of the wrong bike and was almost run down by an unsuspecting rider! :o
I rode around a block in Derby waiting for the examiner who was on foot here to leap out in front of me for the emergency stop.
Matt
Post by: Laverdaroo on September 27, 2022, 01:59:20 PM
Post by: Gromitdog on September 27, 2022, 02:13:43 PM
Welcome to the Forum everyone is so friendly and helpful here hope you enjoy your stay & your bike 🤗
Gromitdog
Post by: Matt_Harrington on September 27, 2022, 03:58:00 PM
Post by: Oddjob on September 27, 2022, 06:03:52 PM
On my retest a month later I almost got knocked off my bike when a car came round the corner being chased by a Panda car, a Vauxhall Viva, the examiner (same bloke) complimented me for taking good avoiding action.
Post by: Laverdaroo on September 27, 2022, 07:14:22 PM
He wasnt and that was the start of my relentless obsession.......I was absolutely made up and no steel toe cap boots were injured in the process Ken, winner ;D ;D ;D ;D
Post by: Matt_Harrington on September 28, 2022, 10:56:33 AM
A bulldog tried to bite me during my first test, it ran out at me growling and barking, as I was on my lunch break and I worked on a building site at the time, I was wearing steel toed capped boots, went to kick the dog away and my boot went right in it's mouth, it then clamped down just behind where the toe cap ended and it couldn't let go and I couldn't carry on riding, the owner came out of the house and managed to prise it's jaws apart to allow me to continue, I wasn't going anywhere near those jaws. The examine walked around the corner just as the owner was prising the dog off my boot. For some reason I didn't pass that day, only test I've ever failed and I've taken over 10 tests in my lifetime.
On my retest a month later I almost got knocked off my bike when a car came round the corner being chased by a Panda car, a Vauxhall Viva, the examiner (same bloke) complimented me for taking good avoiding action.
Ha! The dog wasn't called Kickstart by any chance!! ;D
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on September 29, 2022, 02:59:50 PM
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on September 29, 2022, 03:06:46 PM
An everyday runner that starts, stops, goes round corners and produces at least 100bhp. Other than that, it is completely invisible.
You also need a classic that sometimes won’t start, has crap brakes and wallows around corners. Other than that, it attracts crowds and “I always wanted one of those” comments.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Oddjob on September 29, 2022, 04:11:09 PM
According to my mate, who's still a motorcycle mechanic, the 1100 is not a great bike, the exhausts are quite restrictive, it lacks real power, unlike the 1300 which has an abundance on tap, and unless you get the 6 gear version you're always trying to go for a sixth gear. Which I must admit the 1300 suffered from as well until I fitted a digital gear display.
I'd avoid, that many owners in such a short time tells a story.
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on September 29, 2022, 04:29:56 PM
Post by: Laverdaroo on September 29, 2022, 05:08:28 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 29, 2022, 06:00:46 PM
Probably just the 74 year old weakling in me.
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 29, 2022, 07:06:59 PM
Think about how often you are going to ride it and how far, do you like cleaning and maintaining your own bike? The thing I like most about the classic scene is the availability of parts, the bikes look like bikes and are easy and fun to work on. The VFR is a great bike and has a good look to it, the styling has aged well BUT..... everything is so difficult to access, it's a fairing off job for most things. The other major consideration is modern bikes are unfortunately not built to last. Whilst the engines are virtually bulletproof these days the electrics are not. Modern wiring looms have to use thin gauge wire otherwise they will be massive. Most wiring joints are crimped, not soldered, tapped over and subsequently suffer from hidden internal corrosion and this results in burnt out rectifier's etc. When you see a bike advertised as having a new reg/rectifier they have treated a symptom and not the cause.
Classic bike wiring looms on the other hand have properly made joints. You will struggle to find a new wiring loom for a modern bike but no trouble in finding one for a CB400/500/750.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 29, 2022, 07:23:30 PM
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on September 29, 2022, 07:24:38 PM
I think I just had my head turned briefly by a younger model in a nice black outfit!
I am talking about the bike 😬
Post by: Johnny4428 on September 29, 2022, 09:18:12 PM
Post by: Matt_Harrington on September 30, 2022, 10:11:05 AM
Matt
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 30, 2022, 10:22:25 AM
Definetely agree with Matt about where the stand is mounted c.o.g. etc.
It might be between my ears but the 500 feels as though it has more top weight when I'm just pushing it around the garage.
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on October 08, 2022, 01:34:51 PM
Malc
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 08, 2022, 01:46:32 PM
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on October 08, 2022, 01:55:42 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 08, 2022, 01:58:43 PM
The very same Ted. Looking forward to an epic 2023 🤞 just a small matter of my test to pass!
I'm filled with envy it's a brilliant looking bike always knew I would regret not buying it.
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on October 08, 2022, 06:28:06 PM
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 08, 2022, 07:33:20 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 08, 2022, 08:40:10 PM
I’m sure yours will be a belter Ted, and think of the fun you’re having!
What with a Nut Brown frame?
For the word Fun substitute Pain.
Post by: Laverdaroo on October 08, 2022, 11:39:52 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 09, 2022, 12:54:27 PM
Give over Ted we do it cos we love it.................brown frame or not! ;) :D
True Roo it's all about "Le Challenge".
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 09, 2022, 12:59:32 PM
I'm so pleased I'm past the 'Le Challenge' phase. As long as I can ride, that's enough for me these days.Give over Ted we do it cos we love it.................brown frame or not! ;) :D
True Roo it's all about "Le Challenge".
Post by: Laverdaroo on October 09, 2022, 02:19:11 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 09, 2022, 02:36:16 PM
Why tinker with old feats of Japanese Engineering to keep the mind & body active!
Post by: Laverdaroo on October 09, 2022, 03:08:44 PM
Post by: Cappodimonte on October 13, 2022, 11:03:15 AM
Post by: Malc (Malvis) on October 13, 2022, 11:34:11 AM
Post by: Laverda Dave on October 13, 2022, 11:57:52 AM
Welcome Malc, Friend of mine was requested by the examiner to perform an emergency stop on his test, the route was quite long but after two passes and no examiner seen he went home and complained to the test centre, the centre were apologetic explaining the examiner had performed the jump out…….unfortunately it was a biker dressed in much the same clobber who knocked the examiner over putting him in hospital.
I shouldn't laugh but that is a funny story 😂.
When I took my test the examiner had walked down the road and jumped out on the bend I was coming round! I didn't emergency brake, if I had of done I would have fallen off on the oil slick my ex-plod Matchless 250CSR had left behind on the two earlier circuits I had completed! We did it again further up the road next time round.
Post by: Sesman on October 14, 2022, 08:39:31 AM
I regret having to sell, but I’ve chosen to do so to persue my Round the World sailing dream without a guilty family £££ conscience.
If there are any wealthy benefactors out there who would like to help….please get in touch😀😉
The picture is of me helming a 68ft racing yacht with 14 souls on board.
Post by: Johnny4428 on October 14, 2022, 08:46:14 AM
Hi, Ted. Yes, it’s the 500 we swapped info on. “Regrets “, I believe it’s all relative.Wow! Good luck on your round world sail. Sounds amazing.
I regret having to sell, but I’ve chosen to do so to persue my Round the World sailing dream without a guilty family £££ conscience.
If there are any wealthy benefactors out there who would like to help….please get in touch😀😉
The picture is of me helming a 68ft racing yacht with 14 souls on board.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 14, 2022, 08:52:03 AM
As a student I crewed on a 50 ft wooden converted fishing boat that sailed from Port Dinorwick in North Wales to Barcelona using sails & a Perkins engine. It took a shade over 3 weeks. No autopilot with a Kent Screen that was overwhelmed by rain going over the bay of Biscay during bad weather. As a19 year old I thought we would drown at sea in the bay. 5 souls but only crew 3 who worked when out at sea.
Post by: Sesman on October 14, 2022, 08:54:29 AM
T3 Training in November….we will be flying “spinnakers”, which I call “sphincters” on account of them making mine twitch on deployment.
Post by: Johnny4428 on October 14, 2022, 11:43:23 AM
Thanks, Johnny.
T3 Training in November….we will be flying “spinnakers”, which I call “sphincters” on account of them making mine twitch on deployment.
🤣🤣🤣
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 14, 2022, 01:06:52 PM
At 11 Knott's flat out we were going backwards so we had to put into a tiny fishing Port Called Motril I think it was back in 1967.
Post by: Bryanj on October 14, 2022, 02:28:40 PM
Post by: andy120t on October 14, 2022, 05:38:03 PM
Post by: Laverdaroo on October 15, 2022, 02:14:31 AM
Thanks, Johnny.
T3 Training in November….we will be flying “spinnakers”, which I call “sphincters” on account of them making mine twitch on deployment.
;D ;D
Post by: Laverdaroo on October 15, 2022, 02:19:54 AM
That seive youre steering looks incredible, everyone that I know that sails puts it up there with ski-ing and bikes, looks fantastic, bet they go like the clappers at that stage with the sphincter up? Is that the 'Gert Big Bugger' at the front?
How wonderfully exciting :)