Recent content by PJay

PS I do take issue with the “It’s not if you’ll have a crash, but when” wiseology. I know several current old road motorcyclists who have clocked up over a million miles each without crashing, more than one over 2 million. I’m on a bit over 1 1/2 million. Skills, training, observation...

There are certainly live issues here. “Born-again bikers” feature appallingly in the death and injury stats for motorcyclists. However, I fully intend to mirror my grandfather, who was still riding a motorcycle on the roads at age 95; though I have a couple of decades to get to that age, I...

In my view you’re thinking along the right lines. I’d caution against buying a small-wheeled twist and go scooter; a small motorbike would be better, at whatever engine size fits the licence structure you describe.

PS the red ones are the fast ones…

Yes, I am certain that all the NZ 3500Ss were imported CBU. A friend of mine was in charge of the Nelson plant at the time and confirmed it to me some years ago,

PM’d you. Thanks.

No, I would not suggest for an instant that a classic bike would handle like a modern. But interesting that you mention the GT550 and RD400. My touring bike when I first production raced an RD350 was a GT550K. The latter’s cornering ground clearance was even worse than a Triumph Trident’s, but...

Just in case anyone is wondering. If Jacqui and I did not like our British cars and motorcycles - present total 3 each of cars and bikes - we wouldn’t continue to own them. Being clear-eyed about their deficiencies, however, is all part of our fun of ownership.

A couple of observations on the handling characteristics of old Japanese bikes cf Britbikes (1950s/60s/70s ones…): 1. Modern tyres make an unbelievable difference. Ride an H2 Kawasaki (750 triple) nowadays, and you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. As for TZ750 Yamahas, that I still see...

My 1974 3500S has the same steering wheel. Brit-assembled, like all NZ 3500Ss. I doubt very much that mine was not OEM.

You would be wise to follow the trajectory of a younger rider, even if not constrained by cost - that is, start with something smaller before going for more power (ie more weight - and it’s weight that overcomes new riders…). I’ll pop in a couple of suggestions that swim against your current...

My wife and I try to get to the Revival from our home in New Zealand every couple of years, and this year is one of those. Obviously, we’re not going to ship our own Rover to England, but we would love to attend in a classic rather than a modern borrowed from family; and equally obviously if we...

Practising for the Goodwood Revival; and in fact we’re in England right now, having brought separate sets of clothes for each of the 3 days. Obsessed? Us? Naaaaahhh.

Jacqui and I doing Dress-Up Friday at home in Russell a couple of weeks ago.

Bert, have you done your road trip back to Wanaka yet? And if so, how did it all go? On the topic of colours, I am guessing that the cars for export CBU to this country would have the same colour choices as the cars assembled here. I had a ‘71 MGB that was Saffron. It had a mismatched patch...