old bikes.

Tripledude here's some old bikes on ebay that I liked. Of course there were about 10 times as many. But you can give the history.
Norton.

sorry tripledude, hope all the pictures aren't this small.
another Norton.

BSA

another BSA

Gilera

Kawasaki H1

Rumi

RD 400

Looks like you're on an old bike roll!! Can't quite make out the motor in the first one but it looks like a Triton--the grand daddy of cafe racers. Very popular in England in the 50's, 60's. Joining of Triumph motor, Norton frame and after market alloy tank, single seat, clipon bars, etc. Very neat bikes. Still being built in England and occasionally see them for sale in the US. There were other versions too like the Tribsa (Triumph motor in BSA frame). Next picture is what looks like a Norton Atlas (pre Commando). I sold the 67 version to Buzz Walneck a few years ago and it ended up in Australia. The Atlas was built as more of a touring bike. Note the valanced fenders and big tank. Mine had the original black paint (east coast version. In the west, they were candy red). The foolowing BSA single could be a 350 or 500. Almost looks like a military model. They were like 6 cylinder Chevy's. Ran forever. The red BSA is a 500 twin. Probably mid 60's. As with all Brit bikes, the 500's are relatively cheap cause most people want the 650 twins. The Gilera is a large version of a moped. The Kaw H1 is a later version. The cowl shape on the back of the seat is a sign. That one looks a little tatty but the Mercury Comet in the background looks pretty good. I'm a dummy on the Rumi but occasionally see articles on them. The Yamaha RD 400 is a 77. They had two color choices that year. I had a blue one. The one pictured looks pretty good. If you want to build a small older bike, RD's are tough to beat. They are plentiful, lots of performance parts still available and they're fun to drive.

All hail tripledude !!! I have more but it wont let me post any more pictures.:(
I'll try to figure out how to email them to you.

You mentioned " typical Brit problems" in the other thread.
elaborate please.:)

The British bikemakers (and Harley) tolerated many evils for waaaay too long. There was never any GREAT effort to quell the oil leaks. You were just supposed to accept it. Carbs were a pain although they did come out with a new design evry ten years or so. The carb of choice were Amals (Brit). To prime them for starting, you "tickled" the primers. Just keep pushing them in and out until gas poured out all over your motor. The electrics were a constant source of complaint. Joseph Lucas was the electrical guy. Also provided for all British cars. His nickname was the Prince of Darkness due to the crappy lights. His reprted reply was,"Proper gentlemen should not motor about after dark." Crank bearings on some brands were cheap designs and would develop wobbles which, in turn would affect engine timing. Most owners now install electronic ignitions and circumvent all the Lucas stuff. There were three kinds of oil-crankcase, trans and clutch. Most of this stuff is not a big deal now cause most people do not use these bikes on a regular basis. it was funny watching the transformation in California in 1964-65. Initially, the Triumph dealers sold Yamaha in the Backroom. BSA shops did the same with Honda. In 65, it seemed the Jap sign out front had become as big as the Brit moniker. Then the Jap bikes started moving into the front room. Harley had their 350 Italian made line. The Jap bikes offered reliability, no leaks, great electrics and even electric starters!!!! The "big bike" guys didn't pay that much attention but when Honda released the 450 Black Bomber in 1967, people started to take notice."Those little guys are getting serious."

Prince of Darkness, HaaaHaaaa:D :D :D that's funny. proper gentleman should not motor about in the darkness. That sounds so Brit.:D :D
were those problems common through the years or just early on.

I've still got a 1964 Honda dream 150 back in the shed somewhere. I have'nt looked at it in years and actually now i wonder if it's still there. Later, Dave

Those same p[roblems plaqued them for years. They would only do small tweaks from year to year and simply expected the public to tolerate the shortcomings. The mid 70's Nortons was about as good as it got. Triumph/BSA's last gasp was the 750 Triples which were under the same company at the end. Shared drivetrains with different sheetmetal. They were headed in the right direction but the Honda 750 overwhelmed them with it's overall quality and reliability. It would still be several more years, however, before the Japs caught up with British handling.

Does it have whitwalls?? My second bike was a 63 Honda Dream, also a 150. Got it in 1964. Mine was kinda custom. Tuck and roll seat. Chrome front fender. Chopped rear fender. Megaphone exhaust. Mine was black. You could also get one in red, white or blue. The frames were pressed steel instead of tubular. Mine took a big crap and I traded it in on a then new Honda 160. Somehow, I ended up with the kickstart pedal off the 150 and it's sitting on a bookshelf.