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Messages - masonmart
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61
« on: March 08, 2019, 08:37:20 PM »
While I've had up to 14 bikes (when I was working away) I've never been a "collector" always a user except for a couple of RC Hondas which are just too good to use, so the concept of keeping and not using is alien to me. So the meter moves toward sell. I'm "attached" to VFRs in that I've had 8 since they came out but the concept of "attachment" is a foggy one that perhaps should be given little weight? Further to sell then? There is perhaps a good justification to keep it though. I bought it for £2k just to do a ride down to the Dolomites in Italy and that was the upper price they had fallen to, it was one owner in beautiful condition. Looking on e-bay last night similar bikes have an asking price up to £5k (yes, ridiculous) so perhaps I shouldn't rush into selling but keep it in great fettle and use it when I can?
The market has collapsed yet genuinely collectible bikes still fetch strong prices and go quickly. The prices asked for Triumphs like my Bonnie have collapsed after pushing up toward £20k at one time (thousands of US imports didn't help), I paid £7k for mine. Yet, I phoned last week about a Bridgestone 350 GTO (stunningly beautiful bikes) which is a disc valve twin like my Kawasaki A7 and it had sold immediately for its asking price of £13k. As said above, it's not only bikes we yearned for as youths that are becoming icons but I think that there's a move away from modern sports bikes towards the functionality and beautiful form that classics have. Imagine a CB500 four now run on modern petrol and synthetic oil? It would last forever, never depreciate and have a performance just right for modern traffic and avoiding points, a perfect road bike? It would also be a focal point in a car park full of sports bikes because it is different. Have a look at prices for Kawasaki Z900's, they are really climbing so it isn't everything.
62
« on: March 08, 2019, 10:04:14 AM »
Thanks for the replies, it's certainly a difficult one. I don't ride in bad weather now and I park the bikes up over winter so the driver to have such a capable bike as the VFR is low especially 150mph +. My other bikes are an old Bonnie, CB77, Kawasaki Avenger and a Thruxton Velo all of which are very capable bikes although the Velo is a bit extreme for most trips. I have that Dresda to finish and that will be a user so reducing the number is my long term goal I think. The real killer though is selling a phenomenal bike in a very weak market. I want to find a place for a CB500/550 too though and that may dictate selling.
63
« on: March 07, 2019, 09:03:39 PM »
I was following the auction on and off during the afternoon Ash.
The bidding was very slow on a lot of bikes with quite a few not reaching reserve but being sold anyway.
This could be an indication of prices starting to cool off in the classic car and bike scene?
I think that it has been happening for a while now. Some people are still asking high prices but not much is actually selling. A great time to buy though?
64
« on: March 07, 2019, 08:46:21 PM »
I'm 68 now and I have a small stable of 4 classic bikes and use them all. I'd have no problem with using any, even on longish distance runs and think that to keep them running well it's essential. I also have a modern bike, a '97 VFR750 that I have kept despite not really using it; I don't think I'll ever use it as it can and should be used. I love VFRs and have done lots of miles on several that I've owned but, stripping out the emotion, is there any justification in keeping a bike that you don't use and are unlikely to use and you have other bikes you can use. It's unlikely to appreciate in value but it won't kill me keeping it and I don't desperately need the amount of money I could get for it. I can see two opposing options. The first is that I just keep it as it won't do any harm and I may one day use it; the second is why keep a bike and not use it, the space in the garage would be handyish and they are a bit of a heavy bike to maul around for me now. Logically I'd say that I should sell but what would others do in a similar situation?
I'm having a crisis on what I need to have as I approach 70.
66
« on: March 02, 2019, 07:14:20 PM »
Oop Norf!!! hahaha You're all southerners to me.
Another difficult part to find for me was the cam chain tensioner, I ended up making one of my own using the old parts and home made roller following instructions from a lad that races them, forget his name now. Again this was a while ago so may be available now.
Graham Curtis told me to get a sprocket/roller from a Kawasaki Z650 to make a new camchain tensioner (I got one from DK it's a brilliant design with bonded in rubber cushioning ...needs a different size needle roller bearing though). Grahams '61 build is here  Truly amazing detail.
http://www.honda305.com/forum/index.htm look for 1961 restoration project and he is 'G-man' on there.
G-man is a good guy and he knows these bikes backwards. They're so popular though as project bikes and such good bikes to use that there are a few people who just buy up any spares going and know what the value is. You just have to pay and unavailable spares sometimes surface. Once you have done a resto on them they are good for many miles though because they are so lightly stressed.
67
« on: March 02, 2019, 06:37:43 PM »
Thruxton Velo! You must have a tall shed.
They're a beautiful bike Bryan. I have a Mikuni carb on mine and it starts well. Not like a CB500 for sure, my oil leaks are far better.
68
« on: March 02, 2019, 01:50:15 PM »
Yes, the only thing that irritates me is owners that don’t use their bikes, even that shouldn’t because it’s their business what they do with them, but it just annoys me to see a bike sitting there as an ornament or investment, a friend of mine has a H2 , GT750 and KH250 that haven’t turned a wheel since I helped him ride them to his barn 5 years ago, he bought them as investments, he’s not so much as kicked them over so I’m not sure how much of an investment they’ll be with dried out crank seals!, but there you go.
I agree Mark, I keep all of my bikes running and insured and use them all including a Thruxton Velo. I can't think about having a 2T and not using it as I had so much bad experience with a Super 6 I had and didn't use for a couple of years. It was impossible to start because of the crank case seals having dried out. I was very lucky to sort it out but it was a lesson learned, you have to use 2T's
69
« on: March 02, 2019, 01:38:34 PM »
Fat lot of use you guys  . I realise that resistance is futile though. I hope to have my Dresda 500 running very soon and this could be one of the best years of my biking life. Retired, a good summer and a couple of icons to ride. Spot on Spitfire, I only had one try on a friends and I've been in love with them ever since. I love Hondas too so very lucky.
70
« on: March 02, 2019, 10:40:03 AM »
I'd been keeping my eyes open for a Kawasaki Avenger A7 for many years as right up on my list of lusted after bikes that I couldn't afford in the day, they were almost unique in having disc valves and, for me, looks to die for. I found one at the right price last year but it seized badly because of a botched engine assembly which had cracked the crankcase. The engine has been restored now and just needs putting back in the bike, looks marvellous. Anyways, like the proverbial London bus I've found another one that has been disassembled and restored and just needs carefully putting back together, all parts are available including new bearings, seals and pistons, etc. The one I got last year was a later one that looks like a triple with the coffin tank, the second is one of the early ones with chrome panels on the tank. These bikes were seriously fast and would show most bikes of the day a clean rear. They were also light, handled beautifully and howled like only the 2Ts of the day could. The price is fair I'm getting old now and am seriously trying to reduce my stable of bikes. Could somebody please talk me out of buying the second one. I mean, like my wife says, it is just ridiculous to have two 
71
« on: March 02, 2019, 10:20:59 AM »
I like that!, (sorry masonmart ), I don’t have an issue with people modding bikes, at least it keeps them alive instead of rotting in lockup’s, and there’s plenty of restored standard ones around, looks like itd be a fun bike for the back lanes!.
It's nicely done Mark I agree and you're right about keeping the bikes alive but I'm very much a user and the standard bike is just so beautiful in form and function.
72
« on: March 01, 2019, 08:28:14 PM »
Just dreaming of future projects. I love the look of sloper style engines over vertical on these earlier bikes. My ideas would be a non standard variant, probably based on the CL frame. What are the common issues with engines and what are spares like to get? Appreciate CL was not imported into the UK and CB parts would be more available (where they do cross over). Just thinking fodder.....
I have had 2 CB77's until recently when I sold one. Both I upgraded to 5 speed, 350cc, big valve, electronic ignition, duplex primary, etc. Parts are fairly easy to get via e-bay, CMSNL and people like Chris Bancroft who has bought a lot of spares but prices climb ever higher. They are a beautiful and iconic bike and perfect for projects. With the mods I did this wonderful bike also becomes a real bike to use in modern traffic. Are you in the UK?
73
« on: March 01, 2019, 07:55:15 PM »
Could be a CB77 (305cc) or CB72 (250cc) but this is nothing like standard. In standard trim they're beautiful and one of the most influential bikes ever made. with 12v electrics, electric start, TLS brakes. Why anybody would do this to it is hard to fathom.
74
« on: February 22, 2019, 06:53:59 PM »
My first big worry about engine tightness is OK as it turned over well on the battery. Sparked well but on filling with oil it leaked from incorrect gasket on RH cover so I didn't continue. I believe that it'll run next week when I can get a new gasket, fill it with oil and DD has the use of a rolling road for a week to run and test some amazing Tritons he's working on. I think I'm almost there but my guess is that it'll be a lifetime project. I'll use it as it is for a bit and improve it organically but long term I'd like to put a fairing and clip-ons on and perhaps paint it in the colours that the Dresda CR750's are done in. I'm looking forward to seeing how a 605cc motor runs.
75
« on: February 09, 2019, 01:43:28 PM »
Looking good👍. More pics please so we can see it in all its glory.
It's leaned against a bike now and surrounded by other bikes so I couldn't get it out again or get a decent shot at it. As soon as I can I'll post a couple more pics.
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