Zero2Turbo
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    Zero2Turbo
    • Home
    • Contact
    • Videos
      Featured

      New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels

      By Zero2TurboJanuary 31, 2023
      Recent

      New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels

      January 31, 2023

      Aston Martin Reveals Most Powerful DBS Ever The DBS 770 Ultimate

      January 18, 2023

      Hennessey Reveal Track-Focused 1,817 HP (1,355 kW) Venom F5 Revolution

      January 9, 2023
    • South Africa
    • Zero2Turbo Telegram
    Zero2Turbo
    Home»Zero2Turbo»All The Things You Need To Know To Better Understand Classic Motorbikes
    Zero2Turbo

    All The Things You Need To Know To Better Understand Classic Motorbikes

    By Zero2TurboMay 29, 2021Updated:May 31, 2021No Comments
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram

    If you fancy motorbikes, you know the attention it brings. The allure seems almost overpowering, especially when it is a classic. The consensus among motorcycle enthusiasts is that any motorcycle over 25 could be considered a classic. Still, some enthusiasts also hinge their definition on the appearance or design of bikes.

    Some bike lovers keep well away from modern-day bikes. Even though their high-tech features and state-of-the-art creature comforts. Instead, they prefer older, vintage/classic bikes that bring back memories of simpler times.

    Some of the most popular classic bikes came from British, Japanese, and European makers. Let’s discuss them briefly. 

    Old British Bikes

    For most contemporary bike lovers, British bikes quickly come to mind when we think of a ‘classic bike.’ An old Norton Commando, Triumph Bonneville, or BSA Gold Star, with decent performance, slightly ropey electronics, yet satisfying design. 

    If you’re dabbling into the classic scene for the first time, it makes sense to keep things a bit mainstream. Sticking to the big three of BSA, Triumph, and Norton will make your life easier when you need to find spare parts, advice, specialist servicing, and the like.

    Japanese Classics

    Ah. Time flies and early Japanese motorcycles undeniably now fall into the category of classics, especially for riders in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.  Japanese motorcycles started giving the old British bikes a run for their money in the 1960s. Their domination of the race track came soon afterward. 

    According to the experts at timeless2wheels.com, the very first Japanese bikes are extremely rare now – things like the Honda 250 Dream of the 1960s or a Yamaha YDS-3 250 two-stroke from 1964 did not sell in large numbers, so they are unlikely to pop up on your local dealer’s site. It is biking from the mid-70s – like Kawasaki Z900/1000, Kawasaki Two-Stroke Triples, and Suzuki Two-strokes – which are likely to make good classic buys. 

    European Classics 

    If you don’t feel British and Japanese bikes, then you will love some Euro classics. The big names like BMW, Moto Guzzi, and Ducati were making some proper bikes back in the 1970s and 80s, while the now-defunct firms like Laverda were much more significant. 

    Tips to Running a Classic Bike

    If you eventually get yourself a classic, here are a few tips to help you enjoy it to the fullest: 

    Tires

    Riding a classic bike means using classic tire sizes – and they hardly come in the modern tire models. Older bikes from the 1960s and 70s will often use imperial-sized rubber-like 3.00 x 18. That’s a three-inch wide tire on an 18-inch diameter rim, with a 100% aspect ratio. Similarly, the tire sidewall is around three inches high.

    Modern metric sizes use millimeters for the tire width, but you should stick with inches for the rim diameter. So a 100/90 18 tire is 100mm wide, with a sidewall height 90% of the width – 90mm, obviously – and will fit an 18-inch wheel.

    We like the classic tire fitments from Avon and Metzeler, while Dunlop, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, and Continental also make great options in classic bike sizes.

    Electrics

    Some classic bikes employ a six-volt electrical setup, which is much less useful than a 12-volt system. It is possible to upgrade to a 12-volt system, but you’ll need to replace the alternator/generator, regulator/rectifier charging circuits, battery, lights, and horn, plus the ignition system. A lot of work, but well worth it.

    Brakes

    Careful lubing and adjustment of cables and cam lever arms, new brake shoes, and new inner drum surfaces will help to get the best out of your brake drum setup. Later Japanese classic bikes may allow the installation of calipers and other components from older models. For example, the six-piston Tokico calipers used on some Kawasakis and Suzukis in the 1990s can seize up and generally give a weak performance.

    The four-piston Nissin calipers used on the Suzukis and Triumphs fit straight on and provide much better stopping power.

    Suspension

    Fitting uprated springs and changing the oil for a slightly heavier weight can often help matters on old damper-rod forks with front forks. Replacing newer cartridge-style units might also be an option worth exploring.

    With rear dual shocks, a simple replacement is usually a superb option. You can track down new-old-stock shocks if you want to keep your old Z1000 looking sharp, or you can opt for a high-performance upgrade in the form of some Öhlins or similar units.

    It’s also worth checking the swing arm linkages on old mono-shock bikes: the bearings, bushes, and seals all degrade over time. Full service with new bearings and loads of lovely fresh grease will transform a saggy back end.

    So if you’re considering getting a classic bike or you have one already, follow the simple steps above, and you’ll be sure to enjoy a blissful ride with your bike.

    Share. Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram
    Previous ArticleThe 6 Vital Things You Need to Check When Buying a Used Car
    Next Article 630 HP Manhart BMW M3 Stretches Its Legs All The Way to 297 km/h

    Related Posts

    738 HP (550 kW) BMW XM Red Label Has Registered For Pikes Peak Hill Climb

    February 3, 2023

    McLaren 750S Will Be Their Last Non-Hybrid Supercar

    February 2, 2023

    Ferrari Has Filed A Patent For Performance Boosting Gas Thrusters

    February 2, 2023

    New Report Suggests Mercedes Going To Axe 19 Bodystyles Including AMG GT 4-Door Coupé

    February 2, 2023

    Bugatti Chiron Profilée Becomes Most Expensive New Car Ever Sold At Auction

    February 2, 2023

    Next Mercedes-AMG E63 Set To Drop V8 For Straight-Six Hybrid

    January 31, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Popular Posts
    • Next Mercedes-AMG E63 Set To Drop V8 For Straight-Six Hybrid
    • New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels
    • Audi South Africa Expands EV Charging Network Including First 200 kW Ultra-Fast Charger
    • One-Off Bugatti Chiron Profilée Heads To Auction This Week
    • Lamborghini Aventador Successor Gets Superb Looking Render

    Latest Instagram Photos
    • The Audi RS3 is one of two ultimate ‘mega hatches’, and probably the best of the breed. Its astonishing pace and theatrical engine combine with huge grip and more of a driver focus than previous generations. It’s also a brilliant daily.

Are you parting with R1.3m (or more) for one? Let us know in the comments below.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Z2TDriven #Audi #RS3Sportback #AudiRS3Sportback 

Are you parting with R1.3m (or more)?
    • Menacing Frozen Brooklyn Grey Metallic BMW M4 CSL sold by @bmwbryanston spotted in Linksfield recently by @thomasovitale 😎

Just 15 of these came into the country priced at R3.57m.

Would you prefer this or the freshly revealed M3 CS?

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #BMW #M4CSL #FrozenBrooklynGreyMetallic
    • The BMW i4 M50 is quite possibly the best EV we have had the pleasure of testing.

It's superbly comfortable but at the simple touch of a button, it switches from tourer to tornado and you find yourself instantly doing speeds you should not be doing.

While not all EVs will have the same refinement or scintillating performance, this was both relaxing and thrilling to drive.

The Gran Coupé is a handsome car with a sense of sleek length and disguises its hatchback as a booted saloon rear end and that M Portimao Blue metallic paint certainly garnered a lot of positive attention.

Compared with the BMW iX it’s less of a show-stopper, but comes with a much more attractive price tag – and while the i4 is still quite the financial investment (R1,6m) we feel it gives you excellent value in return.

Yes, we did have a few charging issues (Eskom) and if you don't have a Wallbox charger at home filling up with petrol is MUCH easier. However, that being said if you’re looking for an outstanding driving experience both on the twisties and on the highway, this is definitely worth considering if you have decided to make the jump to the electric car.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #BMW #i4M50 #Z2TDriven #BMWi4M50
    • The totally bonkers Ferrari 812 Competizione was spotted in Bryanston today by Brad Ainge.

It actually makes the F12tdf look quite tame in comparison. Which would you rather have?

Priced around R14m depending on spec.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Ferrari #812Comp
    • Welcome the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC to SA 🇿🇦

Front and rear motors delivering 350 kW and 858 Nm of torque for a 100km/h sprint in 4.2s and a WLTP range of up to 535km.

Pricing is estimated to be R2,200,000.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #MercedesAMG #EQE43
    • Our time has come to an end with the most potent version of Mzansi’s favourite bakkie, the new Toyota Hilux GR-Sport.

The 2.8-litre turbo diesel powerplant has been tweaked to push out 165kW and 550 Nm thanks to an updated ECU which also responsible for the much needed revised mapping of the six-speed auto.

The sporty Hilux gets new monotube shocks as well as stiffer coil springs which make the bakkie a lot more settled at higher speed and provide great feedback on some of the twisty bits. If you don’t have a full load at the back however, you might find it a tad too stiff and rather twitchy for day to day driving. 

Inside you get a load of sporty touches including “carbon fibre” trim pieces but the highlight has to be the race inspired front seats complete with Alcantara inserts and some GR badging on the headrests. 

For the Hilux customers, this is a welcome addition to the range as the exterior and interior aesthetics align very neatly with the GR brand.

Yours from R891,400. Are you picking this or the Legend RS?

#Z2TDriven #Toyota #HiluxGRSport #Hilux #GRSport

    Follow Us

    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    Designed by Zero2Turbo.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.