Vintage motorbike

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Only engine I made was to swap my Cortina estate's Ford VV for a Weber Twin choke off a transit. With the low-geared standard diff, it was the fastest thing on the road, up to 30mph! I remember my boss saying 'bloody hell, I didn't think your car went like that!"

It was a bit thirsty though.

Neil

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

I recall going along to a British bike meet n the 70's at a local pub, I was not there on a bike just along for the beer and to see some mates and some very nice bikes nothing foreign. I drove up in my then Rover P6 3500S with a big Yamaha sticker in the back window did raise some comments until people read in very small print "Plastic Motor Cycles Ltd" at the bottom of the sticker.

Also rebuilt a BDG engine which had a block based on a Kent engine loads of power 280hp NA 2ltr but did not last very long between rebuilds only around 1000 miles in competition use and 6 mpg on stage.

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

As an old biker, I must protest at this thread being used to promote classic cars!

Jim

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

How my connection to modelling can influence a future young metal muncher the lad who I help with his TR6 sports car has bought a small lathe from a relative in Germany.

It's a Chinese lathe with a very good handbook all in German.

Naturally I will advise on how to use it the lad has already built a large scale spitfire.

At times we worry about the future of ME but with young persons like this I think the future is bright.

The mixture of modelling and full size is already there in him.

Paul

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Thanks Graham, but how did the name 'Kettle' come about?

In the '60s friends in Jhb, who owned British 'bikes, where describing the then new 'bike imports from Japan as 'Plastic Jap'.

Little did we realise what was in store.

Jim,

Thin ice springs to mind

Geoff – The fish neighbour & I rescued on Monday are all looking vigorous & healthy, in comparison to Monday.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by OuBallie on 22/10/2014 09:28:12:

… but how did the name 'Kettle' come about?

.

Kettle = Device for heatng water

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

I always have a quiet sigh when I hear people pontificating "Oh yes, it is becoming increasingly expensive to manufacture overseas, we will bring manufacturing back to Britain"

Really? And just who, exactly, is going to be doing this "manufacturing"?

graham.

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 22/10/2014 09:33:45:

Posted by OuBallie on 22/10/2014 09:28:12:

… but how did the name 'Kettle' come about?

.

Kettle = Device for heatng water

The Suzuki 750 was one of the very first Commercially built and sold in numbers, water cooled motorbikes. A rare sight when they first appeared and always promoted comment. As the ignoramuses (ignorami?) we were at the time, derogatory names were rife. Half envy though I think.

The Suzuki 380 was not know for it's handling so I was unwilling to take a chance with what would have been all my cash on yet another unknown so I bought something that had rave reviews, a Kawasaki Z900. Now that was quick. It still lives on in absolutely pristine condition in a friends kitchen. Don't ask!

graham.

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

I was about to respond but Graham beat me to it.

What the heck, here goes:

Quote/

Kettle = Device for heatng water

/Unquote

Harrumph!

Two words spring to mind, one being '@arse' and the other 'smart' (BG)

Geoff – Ducking

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Guy Martin on 'Midweek' this morning. Entertaining, but not very informative!

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by OuBallie on 22/10/2014 10:14:34:

I was about to respond but Graham beat me to it.

What the heck, here goes:

Quote/

Kettle = Device for heatng water

/Unquote

Harrumph!

Two words spring to mind, one being '@arse' and the other 'smart' (BG)

Geoff – Ducking

.

I simply gave a straight answer to what I thought was a straight question.

Sorry I didn't have time to embellish it … I was off to the Dentist. [Wasted visit … the loose crown is wobbly but he couldn't pull it off … now have to let nature take its course, and hope I don't swallow it.]

MichaelG.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Two quickies – Yam. 2 strokes were described by one expert as having petrol cooled exhaust systems. Loose crowns can be swallowed, need lots of beer afterwards.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Oompa Lumpa on 22/10/2014 09:46:56:

… just who, exactly, is going to be doing this "manufacturing"?

.

Low-paid British "machine-minders" working in factories owned by Chinese investors.

[Just my guess] … What goes around comes around.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Gordon W on 22/10/2014 10:53:49:

Loose crowns can be swallowed

.

True … It's the recovery/recycling process that I would prefer to avoid.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Eat lots of apples!

Neil

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

MichaelG,

You are forgiven

Why on Earth would you want to recycle it!? Yuck!

Geoff – Weather feels more like spring.

[mickypeeParticipant @mickypee]

The age of Jap two strokes was a golden age IMHO. The likes of the KH250/400, RD250/400, RD350LC etc. It's a real shame we don't have such machines like that these days. Full of character, highly dangerous and tons of fun. I'm rebuilding a 1992 Honda Fireblade at the moment, the "Urban Tiger" as it was known. Another mental bike but the one that started it all for what we now accept as the modern super bike. Although I have found a 1981 750 Bonnerville US Spec in Florida for $2000. All complete and has been stored in an air conditioned garage for 30 years. This was the bike I wanted when I was a little chap but could never afford it, so I have to have it really. Going to see it in a few weeks time.

I'm very excited to see your 750 Kettle project progress, please post pictures as you go.

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Would someone please take pity and explain how to insert 'Smilies' where I want then to be, when using an iPad.

Right now they all end up at the beginning of the post, no matter what I do.

Geoff – Can't think of anything to put here

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hi Geoff,

Is that what they call a non sequiteur?

Neil

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Oompa Lumpa on 22/10/2014 09:54:43:

Kettle = Device for heatng water

The Suzuki 750 was one of the very first Commercially built and sold in numbers, water cooled motorbikes. A rare sight when they first appeared and always promoted comment. As the ignoramuses (ignorami?) we were at the time, derogatory names were rife. Half envy though I think.

Not forgetting of course the water-cooled two-stroke Scott motorcycles of the 1920s/30s and the watercooled LE Velocette "Noddy bike" of the 60s. But not many of them still around in the 70s.

Here in Oz, the Suzi 750 was also known as the Water Bucket, and the Water Buffalo, the latter maybe because of its handling and limited cornering clearance.

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

Anyone else sad with the spiralling prices of old british motorcycles ? They used to be something an enthusiast could pick up out of someones shed or from under a tarp in a back garden , for a small amount of money , fixed up and ridden around in all weathers and swapped, sold or traded with out recourse to a second mortgage. Obviously there were exceptions like brough superiors or vincents , but look at the prices of some pretty plain old bsa's , triumph's etc , they have gone crazy, putting them beyond the pockets of the genuine enthusiast and into the realm of investors.

Edited By ronan walsh on 22/10/2014 14:42:21

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Smilies have zero place on a model engineering forum.

Nick

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

HI guy's,

yep tough out there now for bikes at a fair prices…….I'd luv a Velo Thruxton or a G8 Match, even a Goldie…..

for info, when the 750 Suzuki came out we called it a "KETTLE" here………nice bike….

I always wanted a 4cyl Indian to go with my Scout……. (highest price is now $90,000)…..a wreck is around

£20-25,000 and more than 10,000 to fix it…….

so am in the middle of building my own……

4cyl NSuU1000 eng, Bmw R60 g/box and trans…..

will fabricate my own frame and wheels / hubs etc and it'll still cost around £8 – 10,000, excluding my time…..but it'll be fun, have the look and go around the world……can't say to much…er indoors…hahaha……

part of my bucket list is to DHL it to NY, ride it to Sturgis via Daytona Beach and then on to S/ Calif where I used to live…..then back to Crete……

have already driven back from Calif via the southern route in a 1950's Morris J pick-up…that was fun…..

who said retirement was boring…..hahaha…….working harder now than ever……..

Cheers Frank in France……

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

I agree prices over the last few years have gone a bit nuts, I own a few classic bikes, and my mates all have either Norton's, Triumph's or other similar bikes, most also have a modern bike as well, my own personal view on classics as listed above is it wont last much longer, I think my generation I'm 53 are the last that will want to own 60's 70's and 80's bikes, I came to this conclusion from listening to my son and his mates chatting about what they call classics, CBR 600s, and early 90's Fireblades etc. don't get me wrong they like the look of the older bikes but they want lecky start and no points etc. as for tickling a carb as my lad say's F*&^ that, the real early bikes, Broughs, Vincent's, Rudge, and perhaps Velocette may hold there price due to rarity but will be collected by accountants etc. not bikers!, although I do hope I'm wrong…….

Shaun

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by OuBallie on 22/10/2014 13:41:34:

Why on Earth would you want to recycle it!? Yuck!

.

Geoff,

1. Because it's Gold
2. Because it fits … and I don't want to go through the moulding & casting process all over again.

Please be assured … My intention is to avoid swallowing it.

MichaelG.

… I see you've found out how to put smileys at the end of the line.

[Author]

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