Instead of replying to a couple of threads, where people seem to want to make my comments negative, instead of pro-safe riding, Ive decided to post a thread on positive vehicle comments. Now, these vehicles might be two or three wheeled, small or large cc.The rules to posting on this thread are:
a) your comments must be positive (no negative comments are allowed)
b) the vehicle must be currently or previously have been owned by you
c) no cars, vans, LGVs or farm/building machinery, though quads etc are allowed
Plus, Im not going to go on about my own bike, in case that is in bad taste also.
When I was about 8 or 9 I bought a bicycle from a jumble sale for 40p, it had buckled wheels, jammed brakes, looked horrible and only had a 3 speed gearshift which didn’t work. I think I bought it because I felt sorry for it more than anything else.
I took it apart, renewed the bearings in the wheels, head and crank, striped the brakes, unbuckled the wheels, put new tyres and brake cables on it and painted it in a camaflauge effect after taking off the mudguards.
It’s was great, because I’d rebuilt it I knew every bit of it and enjoyed riding it so much, despite the fact I had a fancy 10 speed race bike too, which was the in thing to have in those days.
I rode it to school, up and down steps, over the fields, everywhere in fact, it was the perfect bike. I still think about it now and again and it’s the best part of 30 years ago.
My favourite vehicle, just for pure grin factor, was my tank! It was an AFV436, and was the best fun I ever had in the Army! Pure grin factor when driving it on or off road! I loved them so much, I became an instructor!
And, for all the spotters on here, I know that the on in the picture is an AFV432, not an AFV436!
Edited because I missed the bit about “NO CARS!” lol
My first bike was a malaguti Fifty Top in 1990 - it got nicked and was found 6months later at the bottom of the local river in Italy. I then spent practically the whole winter in the garage carefull takeing it apart, cleaning it and reassembling it. My dad used to bring me my dinner in there because I refused to give up on her. I’ll never forget the first time i tried to start her up and she came to life! The ONLY thing I bought new for her was piston rings - everything I got away with scrubbing with a wire brush and petrol.I was only 16 or so at the time and the sense of pride was enourmous!! Brlilliant machine! not your usual italian bike.
I love me thundercat! Got it quickly when I was desperate to get back on two wheels, thinking ‘it will do’ - and how wonderfully surprised at how capable this bike is. It has done everything I have thrown at her, touring, two-up, trackdays, commuting…and she has never missed a beat, and has so many comments like, ‘thats the thou then?’ and ‘wow that thing can lift her skirt when she wants…’
Had to replace the downpipes on her, but that has just given her a loverly throaty growl now… and a bit more HP back…
A 1953 BSA M33 , used the rigid frame from the side valve M20/M21 with the more modern 500cc overhead valve engine. sprung solo saddle and the essential ignition advance/ retard lever
For all you people who have never ridden a similar type of machine and think they are only for pottering around on i can assure you i thrashed it till the silencer had a hole ground right through it and i’d regularly have both wheels off the ground going over the humpback railway bridges near where i lived:)
rockerchick even did her first spot of pillion riding on it, down to the old kent custom show fully loaded with camping gear…rigid frame pillion…almost brings a tear to my eyes just thinking about it
Blimey, the grass grows tall somewhere in the world!
Couple of memorable “bikes”.
The 1961 Vespa 150 Sportique back in '63. Can’t believe the mileage I did on that. 22,000 in 18 months. Pity the brake were very Italian
The 1968 250 Sprite trials bike converted for road use. A trail bike before the term had been invented. Again covered silly mileage but most memorable for settling an argument at a part in a first floor maisonette. Road the bike up the access staircase, along the balcony, through the front door, up the stairs and parked in a bedroom. And all done clean without even a dab.
