So after almost a couple of years of hunting for a 'classic' Triumph to ride around the local lanes and B roads where the Daytona is a lot of effort, I've found out that some of the ebay-only sellers seem to ship containers of bikes from the US without much consideration for protection (but does explain why so often any decent quality photos are hard to come by - must be a market selling old phones with crap cameras for those blurry back of the workshop shots), that my idea of well-maintained is a long way from that of quite a few private sellers (bearing in mind I'm not looking for a restored show pony, just wanted a bike I could ride and fettle) and their idea of a 'bargain' is no such thing if it hasn't been started for yonks, rims are corroded and tyres are perished, etc, etc (doesn't fill you with confidence about what might be the state of other bits either). Shame Phil Mills off here was not a bit closer, his 5TA was a great looking bike and well cared for..... Anyway, after a couple of 4 hour round trips to look at 1960/70s bikes I realised I need to either do a lot more research or find a friend who is an expert if I'm going to find a decent classic. I turned my thoughts to what else I would enjoy riding around here and could give a bit of TLC if needed, dawned on me a soft roader/enduro would be the tool for mucky lanes and potholed B roads. As is often the way of things, shortly after this revelation while chatting to the former Hughenden Triumph guys I discovered they had just the bike for me so I'm now the proud owner of a 1991 Yam XT600 which has been bored out to 660, has stainless headers and a Ti can, refurbed/new rims, and although well used it's been set up properly and cared for. What a giggle to ride, had forgotten things like the effect of closing the throttle on a big single, have to remember to turn on the petrol and use the choke - old skool is cool! I'm looking forward to getting out and about a lot more often. Still have an eye out for another Triumph though - my accountant has already said there's room in the garage A big thumbs up to The Motorcycle Barn in Bucks, and to Motomove UK in Plymouth - they love bikes, are friendly and professional.
I often think it is time for fashion to return to big singles and trail bikes for their simplicity, long travel suspension and tyres fit for austerity roads!
Yep agreed Love old traillies One cylinder one carb and a spark plug Doesn’t get better than that Had a Armstrong for years Miss that bike sold it on a whim
Thanks! Have been looking over it more today, really chuffed. Apart from the faded red i.e. pink seat and a few manky bolts it seems pretty good so far. Itching for another ride......and then another.
Single cylinders eh? Hmmm ..... I'm being tempted by a lovely looking 250cc AJS Model 14 CSR at the moment. Saw it in the window of a nearby second hand/antiques shop the other day. SWMBO seemed to like it as well, although she hinted that my Trident would have to go to make room for it! Yeah .... right! Like that's gonna happen. I've also seen a very nice BSA 650cc A10 and a Mobylette moped in that shop window before now, and rumour has it that the shop owner still has the BSA. Best not to think about it!
Like it. One of my favourite bikes was a 3AJ model Ténéré 600 (huge tank, twin headlamps, frame mounted fairing). I wouldn't mind another, or a Super Ténéré 750, but they are few and far between nowadays.
Looks good Andy. I always think how engaging classic bikes are to ride compared to modern bikes which just require you to turn a key,press a button and away you go. Also electronics that do most of the thinking for the rider.
Exactly - big part of my reason for buying an older bike. And I possibly have a fighting chance of being able to service it etc. Beyond brakes and basic maintenance I leave the Daytona to the experts. However, like Tom Marshall (I love this place thread) it's strange not to have a forum as good as this to consult for the Yam! Not that I've found yet anyway.
Exactly - big part of my reason for buying an older bike. And I possibly have a fighting chance of being able to service it etc. Beyond brakes and basic maintenance I leave the Daytona to the experts. However, like Tom Marshall (I love this place thread) it's strange not to have a forum as good as this to consult for the Yam! Not that I've found yet anyway.
AJS 14 CSR FFS ! Had one ! Me and a mate bought one in the 70's, a genuine barn find, paid £15 for it. A few days later my mate had his BSA C15 pinched so he bought my half of the bike off me but he didn't have the cash so he paid me in beer over many weeks, beer was about 10/11/12p a pint then. Him and his dad restored it and it turned out to be a cracking bike. There wasn't much wrong with it really, the main problem was the spark plug rusted into the head and it had snapped off.
That’s exactly how I found this place I came here because I brought a steamer Never owned a steamer before I had the 955 tiger but that just started and ran Asked a few questions,all answered And started talking about other marques With the same enthusiasm Can’t fault it
Looks like an awesome dualsport there mate. My Beta Alp 4.0 has your bikes little brother for an engine as it uses the Suzuki DR350 engine! Great fun hitting some lanes, especially now the weather has turned!
Trying to get a larger trail bike at good price is harder than it has been,especially the likes of the super tenere or Africa twins etc,drz400 and xr400 holding value very well but there are good buys out there takes a lot of searching.