Funny to reflect on the fact that, back in the 60's/70's, a 650 or 750 was classed as a superbike. These days, they're viewed as being a mid-size machine. Personally, in the 64 years that I've been riding, a 750 is as big a capacity as I've ever wanted and owned, though I've ridden up to 1800 cc bikes. I'm happy to stick with my Guzzi Breva 750; it's got a big grin factor! 👍
For me its a simple matter Modern bikes are over priced, over powered and oversized. If you have more power than you will ever actually need in the real world you’ve wasted your money. We’ve had a couple of 750 Guzzi’s over the years and I’d agree they are plenty capable
@@bikerdood1100 yes, some years ago now, when excessive speeding led to prison sentences, I sold my ZX9R to my son in law. Getting a sentence wouldn’t have gone down well where I worked! 🤔.
I remember when a 650 was a big bike and a 750 was a superbike. My 71 Combat was psychotic. Loved the Rocket lll and the T-160. Now even some of the LAMS (learner approved motorcycle scheme) bikes here in Australia would give these a pretty good run for the money. We still had plenty of fun on our Trumpy’s, Beezer’s, and Norton’s! Entirely sufficient to get into trouble anyway. 👍🏻🙂 Still have a T-140 and love it, only because I can’t afford a Commando.
I do find the obsession with massive power rather pointless If you have more power that’s you can safely use on an actual road then that’s money wasted in my view. I’ve owned pretty powerful bikes but don’t find them any more enjoyable Often less so
Amazing to see the Healey 1000/4 hugging such an iconic engine. What an awesome looking header pipe setup on the Trident with the split middle into either side 👍👏👌
The prototype definitely has an interesting set up, didn’t breath to well apparently Which is one reason given for the change to the BSA bore and stroke dimensions
Their top end capability was of little use on the B roads of Devon and Cornwall on the many TOC runs..the acceleration of the T500 was a force to be reconned with..I know..I was there..!!!!..Miss those days..!!!!..Best wishes..!!
I purchased a 1972 Norton Commando Combat, yea, the FAST ONE...I consistently broke the 12 sec 1/4 mile drag strip time, which back in the day, Hemi Cuda's were turning in the 13's. I was never beaten in any drag street race! I once pulled up to a light and a Silver Olds 442 was next to me, the guy revved it up indicating he wanted to race. When the light turned green, I left him sitting there like he was parked. Later in life I married my current wife. I told her the story and she said, I was IN THAT CAR, it belonged to my boyfriend back then and he couldn't believe how fast you were. Talk about a really strange twist of fate!
Had several Commandos over the years; the 750s were sweeter than the 850s. If you tore the engine down , did proper balancing fixed the outer bearings and planed the case halves and were VERY careful on reassembly, you had a smoother engine that was oil-tight. Quaffe made a 5 speed conversion, although I don't think it was made for long. I saw a Healey once, but it was a "show bike" with no internal components. Never did figure why they did that... Had a BSA Spitfire, which seemed fast at the time, until I ran up against a slightly-modded Honda CB450 which waxed it and made GP sounds. Seeley also made a few frames for the CBX Honda. LJK Setright had one and I rode with him in the hills outside Austin, TX. I was onboard my Rickman-framed CBX, which I was told was the only one ever made (and yes, I still have it). Neither bike had any creature comforts, and we were both a bit long-in-the-tooth for knee dragging, but it was fun. And, yes, the Rickman was faster...but I could not touch Setright's dapper duds - full Belstaff suit worn over a pin-striped Turnbull & Asser french cuff shirt with a foulard bow tie. But my beard was better trimmed!
I've had 3 of these, starting with a very early A65 (engine no in the 200s) which I bought as a naive 19 year old in 1974, then discovered it rattled and knocked loudly when it warmed up (the usual worn timing side bush and journal). That spent the next 2 years in pieces in my shed because I bought a new 850 Commando mk 2a Interstate (cost £795 on the road). A lovely, smooth and powerful bike to ride, but although the Isolastic mounts stopped you feeling the vibration, the engine and everything attached to it was trying (quite successfully) to shake itself to bits. I gave up on that after a couple of years and bought a car. I did eventually repair the A65 and sell it on. Now I've got a 1978 T140V, which I've had for 31 years, so I think I'll keep this one. It still vibrates a lot, but now I know how to look after it and make sure bits don't fall off it too often. I don't even remember the Healey, despite being a regular reader of MCN at the time, but I suppose that's not surprising, considering how few were built in the first place.
The BSA bush just needs regular oil changes Bush bearings are used in massively powerful engines and are the most efficient bearing type, but a good oil supply is essential. We ran a TR7RV which is a little smoother , I do remember a test of the Healey incidentally but hadn’t thought about it until I saw the one featured here recently I currently run a 54 A10 , which I feature on the channel quite often, love that bike and it’s proved very reliable too
@@rickconstant6106 think that’s pretty much I’m saying You never know how the previous owner treated them Ditto any bike really Hondas C90 has a good reputation for reliability, but skip those oil changes and it’s scrap
Why don't you buy a 4 cylinder Japanese motorcycle instead? Then you are completely free from the vibrations that the English motorcycles suffer from - and you get a motorbike you can trust works. English motorcycles are not very good, unreliable and often break down, which is also why they were totally outcompeted by Japanese motorcycles, they killed almost the entire English motorcycle industry.
@@michaelnielsen2096 yes because obviously I haven’t owned several of those 😂🙄 One good reason is they are somewhat lacking in character and bottom end push too If I have to explain why not then you won’t really get it to be honest I’ve always found them solid Fast but rather boring Oh and don’t forget Japanese 4s of the 70s handle like shit too With the possible exception of Suzuki’s GS which is at least competent if vague Completely free from a vibration?. All four cylinder bikes suffer secondary vibrations, that’s the Buzzy feeling No reciprocating engine is completely vibe free so I’m afraid that’s total nonsense. Incidentally the square four is in perfect primary balance so actually runs smoother than a straight four, FYI 😂😂😂😂🙄
All those British bikes look the dogs, I never really liked the square four and although Honda took over I was never keen on them either, I enjoyed seeing them all, thanks for making the video much appreciated.
Think the Healey takes the flawed square four concept to its limit Does a pretty good job because top speed is up their with Japanese 750s, faster than some so quite an achievement with such an old Motor
For a moment I thought you said they all looked like dogs. For me the OIF Beezers and Trumps with their "Comical" hubs were wonderfully glamorous lookers: British with a dash of Italian like an Aston DB5. For a six footer the Victor frame was AOK and the roadholding was as good as a featherbed but much lighter in weight.The details could have been better ..... the rocker box plug for a filler plug was horrid and the downtube held too little oil. I put the filler near the headstock on my T-bolt and also lengthened the brake arms on the front drum. braking was superb after that mod. I changed the oil every fortnight without fail and never had a grumbling timing side bush.
@@johnmarsh2078 I like the look of the OIF myself, although I’m aware many do not. Never understood why they positioned the filler in front of the seat. They ended up with a smaller oil capacity than the earlier bikes. Definitely a strange decision. We had a 73 TR7 RV which I thought was very good, it did vibe but I’ve ridden worse and the Chassiswas very good
@@bikerdood1100 I’ve heard that the reason for the “under seat position” was that they feared that the “Ordinary Joe” would mistake the fuel- and oil filler and fill the oil tank up with fuel. Whether it’s a rumour or the naked truth I dont know. 🤷🏼♂️
April 1976 and Krumm's Cycle Sales, San Antonio, Texas had the Norton Commando, Triumph Trident T-160 and the new 1976 Triumph T-140V Bonneville all on the showroom floor for about the same price. I bought the Bonneville and got many years out of it. The real problems came when the bikes went out of production and dealers were forced to sell other brands to stay in business. Parts, in the days before a real practical internet, were a real pain in the ass to find. A lot of these bikes then ended up as "garage queens" waiting to be cannibalized for parts or junked. That was sad.
@@lauriebloggs8391The Wulf is this the stepped twingle developed by 2 Villiers engineers, that used the oil cooling of a 4 stroke with the simplicity of a 2 stroke? One or two bikes were made, there is a picture in Brad Jones's book about NVT. This project did recive a small amount of government funding, butt in typical British fashion it was very little money. If it had been better funded it could have not only saved the 2 stroke engines for motorbikes it could have also been used in cars. The engines were powerful light in weight with good fuel economy and 20/25% cheaper to build than a 4 stroke engine.
Had a commando mk2 roadster and a mk3 interstate both great bikes heaps faster than my tiger 750.also had an ex mot cb360 called the pig and that it was!great video hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿
In the red & cream, my favourite bike of all time. My next door neighbour in the 70’s had one brand new, I was at the start of my biking career. I was so envious. At least it looked like one positive of being old, the ability to afford an expensive bike. lol.
I bought a 750 Commando brand new in late ‘71. A roadster, black with gold lettering, it was the sexiest thing on two wheels. It was quick for its day, and handled well, provided the shimming on the Isolastic frame was properly maintained (not that it worked as well as Norton claimed in eliminating vibration). However, it had a list of poor design decisions and poor quality as long as your arm. The side stand fell off before I’d got it home from the showroom. The pleated air cleaner was in a position to collect all the rainwater funnelling off the front of the rider, quickly bringing you to a spluttering stop. The front drum brake, even with the air scoop blanked off, filled up with water and soon ceased to be effective - stopping on a rain-soaked road with just the rear brake ain’t fun and I had the bruises to prove it. After fifty miles, the seat felt as if you were straddling a piece of 4x2. It ate clutch cables - I learnt to always carry a spare. It had Lucas electrics - need I say more? This was a purchase I made with my heart, not my head. It looked amazing, was fast and sounded great, but as a daily, it sucked. I sold after two years.
Well rubber mountings does have its limits We had a Harley with a similarly mounted motor and it still vibed quite a bit at high revs Relatively speaking of course
Thats a very precise description of what it means to drive a Norton Commando! I own mine, converted into a Cafe Racer, since more than 15 years and NO bike season without an hours lasting repair. Meanwhile the 5th cylinderhead gasket has been installed, the last one in a professional garage, but still leaking oil. But whatever, it's still the most exciting bike I've ever driven and no matter where You stop, even Germans admire this traditional British way of engeniering.
@@rolandjung9337 Ah yes, the oil leaking head gasket that used to blow oil over your right leg at any speed above 60mph. I’d forgotten about that one. I must admit, there are many times I’ve regretted selling it, but you can’t fit everything into your life. Keep enjoying.
Very enjoyable video, thank you! I was expecting the Silk to appear 😢. Maybe another time? The Seeley got me thinking, what about a collection of special framed bikes? There must be enough for a couple of videos.
I used to drink with George Healey on a Monday night in the Swan at Chaddesley Corbett (the NSA club night). Had a ride on Healey 4, same as the one in the clip, around 1978.
You went right past a very rare bike there, @ 09:36 there is a BSA T-65 , its actually a 650 Triumph but rebadged by the BSA/Triumph group, BSA had folded by then and for 2 instutional customers some 264 Triumphs were produced but badged as BSA Thunderbolts, at least 4 or so werent sold and rebadged again and sent to The Royal Barbados Police Force, I restored 1 of them for a friend and have 2 others but they need much and one day i'll restore them also.
Yes I know Well technically they were built in small Heath with the A65 frame. They were basically built to fulfil contracts. Typical NTV and Denis Poore 🙄 Really dumb idea I think
Well about 105 to 110mph + Gearing is quite tall so road conditions make a big difference I have tested the Indian Velo which had a Thruxton motor. It’s featured on the channel. That bike went pretty well although the clutch played up after about 30miles.A pity it was a ton of fun
The photos illustrate the problem with British bikes in the 70s the showroom bikes all have a tray underneath them to catch the oil that always leaked from them . Italian German and japanese bikes didn`t suffer with oil leaks which is one reason the British motorcycle industry collapsed .
Well not actually the case at all 70s bikes are often oil tight, I’ve owned a few Italian and Japanese that definitely weren’t Should probably read a bit more to be honest The general collapse of the bike market happened all over Europe Most Italian companies were nationalised in order to keep going Pesky cheap cars is the culprit Check out how many German companies made bikes in say 1950 and how many survived past the 70s. We tend to think it only happed in Britain ( our usual inferiority complex) But it’s nonsense
Wrong on both points. I own both 750 and Mk 2 850 Commandos as well a few T150 Tridents. If well maintained, tight as a drum. Nimble and handle like a dream. Demise was due to gross mismanagement during an incredibly tumultuous economic period in the UK.
Oh,the T160V Trident,an achingly handsome bike! Saw the publicity pic - KAA 848N, wonder if it's still alive? - as a sprog and Wanted One. But ended up with an XS750 instead...at least,it had three cylinders! 😊
My late husband loved his. Best bike he ever had, broke his heart having to sell it to buy a bungalow with his first wife. Wouldn't have happened on my watch . Lol.
@@jeffward9174 oh my God 🙀 No got o save something for next time you know I often wonder why people obsess about what’s not in a video rather than what is I have covered the Silk in previous videos and no doubt will again
I often wonder what would have happend to Norton and AJS if Dennis Poore hadn't got evolved with BSA? Norton was selling well with new designs coming through and the AJS motocross was doing OK and with further development would be a contender. But the strike and lock in at Meriden really did more damage to the British motorcycle industry then everything else combined.
I don’t think is was good for anyone ultimately. I’ve always had my doubts about Denis Poore if I’m honest BSA/ Triumph was a much the larger company . Poore was I think more interested in some of the various divisions of BSA such as car bodies the builders of London Taxis. He seemed to be only really interested in the Norton brand, having previously killed off Royal Enfield in the Uk despite having full order books because of the value of the land the factory stood on As for Norton the commando was a smart move initially but very little was ever done to improve it and what was needed was a totally new design. Norton had started work on a unit engine way back at the beginning of the 60s but it never happened because of AMCs poor financial position after 1960. Poore was not a motorcycle industry man it showed. He stopped Villiers suppling Engines to outside companies and you have to question his decision making favouring Nortons very outdated and expensive to manufacture engine, the Commando only ever had Four speeds and Nortons tooling was very tired by the 70s so it’s hard to see it running beyond 78 without a total redesign As for Meriden, well they did outlive the Commando and the Bonnie was a better seller
Excellent video of course. So much detail is a tonic to hear. Ok you want information for a new video. Here goes. Villiers engine manufacturers. I remember seeing a photo of a vast engineering shop producing engines. And Peter Inchly being involved. The star maker engine being fitted to a DKW? Also Queens University Belfast was involved a 2 stroke engine with the disc valve being fitted under the carburettor. Emc was the bike maker involved with QUB. Hope this helps for your brilliant videos. Off course all of the above could be rubbish, no Personal Inchly was real. Anyway, good luck for your next venture video. 😂😅
@@bikerdood1100 He does seem to be the bearer of bad fortune. The sit in at Meriden would destroy most of Triumph's US dealership a situation they never recovered from. The situation at Villiers is a odd one, to stop suppling engines. British manufacturers always get slated for lack of investment during the 50s and 60s, however it was a massive investment program that brought BSA to its knees in 71. As for the rest of the industry a contracting market combined with soring inflation was enough to curtail any forward ambitions. The government didn't help with its eye watering purchase tax often in excess of 30%. With the benefit of hindsight a reduction 0%fof the first 5000 vehicles any manufacturer sold in the UK, would have saved not only the motorcycle industry but most of our lorry and small scale car manufacturers
@@tonypet1518 well EMC was also a builder of road bikes with a Puch inspired twingle engine. Not surprisingly given that Joe Ehrlich was Austrian born I remember his last project just before he died was a 500 two stroke GP bike with QUB that had its cylinders in an X formation. A two stroke genius who was not utilised to his full potential by the UK industry
@@jasonhill4094 the whole situation should never have happened that much is certain. The big problem was the poor attitude that Britain has always had to its motorcycle industry. In Italy Guzzi and Ducati survived through Nationalisation and Harley was propped up by the US government. In the UK government help was never really sufficient to allow for the companies to move forward
The last full year of production for Triumph was under BSA in 1973 when Meriden produced just under 30000 bikes, however demand was said to be over 50000 bikes. The reason why they didn't make 50000 depends on who you listen to, according to BSA it was because of the near constant state of industrial action at Meriden and according to Triumph it was because BSA didn't supply enough parts to build that many bikes. The truth was a little of both. Dennis Poore when he aq
Well i suspect the fact that they had to redesign the chassis to fit the triumph engine didn’t help Blaming the workers the great British default got shit management Amazingly people just lap it up The fact that Denis Poore somehow ended up in charge pretty much sums up the date of the BSA Triumph groups management BSA had its eggs in far to may baskets by the early 70s and had taken the eyes of some of their core businesses. Norton was by far the smaller company so you have to wonder how they ended up in charge These days industrial action is always but always blamed on militant workers but poor industrial relations also have a great deal to do with inept heavy handed management who didn’t value the staff who made the companies successful in the previous decades
@@bikerdood1100 I suspect he had friends in very high places, he also benefited from a rouge trader on the London stock exchange that crashed the share price of BSA. Poore withdrew from the original agreement and tabled a bid for all of BSA's assets including their none motorcycle ones that had not been part of the original merger
It is fair to say that these bikes were not nearly as bad as their detractors made out. It is sad that the industry collapsed in such an ignominious manner. The Healy Square Four is so rare though, but it makes you wonder what they could have achieved if they'd had access to a ready supply of engines?
The collapse of the UK market really did for the British industry Most companies were too small and sold mainly to the home market , BSA group excepted of course. It was really the same story right across Europe but of course being British we generally ignore this as it doesn’t read into our National inferiority complex 😂 Bloody cheap cars Dam them 😂
Great episode. I owned aNorton 750 Mk5 land loved it. I thought the 850 Mk2A was the best. Regrettably I brought a 850 Mk3 brand new. Couldn’t wait for the T160 to be delivered. Sigh. The Mk3 was rubbish in every aspect. The T160 I acquired after the Norton and I agree with everything you said. The Villiers was one I always fancied owning but never. The other bikes i weren’t interested in at the time. T160 rocks.
I appreciate 1970’s was a hard time for the bike industry, but my God the designers were spot-on….. Norton commandos was one bike I wanted and missed out on maybe one day…even more now the prices are slowly decreasing 😊
Certainly was, amazing anything was produced all things considered, I think the British engineers did a great job with what they had to work with A pity they rarely get any credit for what they did do Just criticism for what they didn’t
FAG Superblend barrel end roller bearings were the fix. The crank whip caused ordinary rollers to dig into the lands with dire results. A friend had an In-a-state and we were mustard at changing the points seal on the end of the camshaft bearing. The blowpast from the 10.5 to one pistons created so much crankcase pressure that the oil seal would blow out and drown the points in oil. We could fit a new one in 5 minutes despite having to remove/replace the points backplate and bob weights. Naughty underdeveloped bike, thrown together to get them in the showrooms.
The 750 Commando was a very quick beast. I could get 70 in 2nd gear . A friend of mine bought a A65 because it was so cheap but I don't know how many times he took it back to be sorted under warranty.
Well the Commando S or Combat was crazy fast, quicker than certain Japanese two strokes I could mention, but fragile. The standard model was plenty fast enough. Surprisingly unusual for an A65. Read an article recently which was an interview with BSAs US importer who discussed there reputation of the A65. He reported that in fact warranty claims were no higher than any of the other machines he sold at that time, which of course included not just British machines.
I have to take you to task over the statement that the MkIII Commando had 'an ineffectual electric start'. I owned a MkIII Roadster (in the same red/white/blue colours as the one shown in the cafeteria!), and in two years/16 000 miles of ownership (including a trip over the Alps down to Italy), it NEVER failed to start the engine. Occasionally on a very cold morning it might fail to get the first piston over compression, but invariably a second push of the button would get that one over and then you were away. In all honesty, the electric start was a far better way of starting the bike than the low geared kickstart which would make it difficult to get the crank moving quick enough for a reliable cold start. However, like all urban myths they seem to feed on themselves and are recounted by those who 'heard it from a mate down the pub' - but as they say 'If you're not hearing from the horses mouth, you're hearing it from a horse's arse' :D So, with the 'very cold start might need two pushes of the button' situation, I might call it 'marginal' at worst - but never 'ineffectual'...!
Well have you seen the video of Keane Reeves struggling with his They do have something of a reputation I read a period review from Superbike magazine back in the 70s and they found it troublesome. I can only report what many have found, to fail to do so would be dishonest don’t you think Hand on a minute Are you Australian? I suspect you may have found things different in the cold northern hemisphere 😂 And you say you’re self , occasionally on a cold morning Just how many cold mornings do think I’ve ever had a Guzzi struggle to start ? That would be 0 😂
Well the TX if I recall came as a 500 and 750 Fresh modern Looks but suspect engine life. The Honda 360 is solid if a little boring but is a better bike than the gutless 400/4 everyone seems to fawn all over these days. As for the BEEZA, it seems ideal for police work, solid, easy to maintain with good cornering and performance for its time Preferable to an HD
@@bikerdood1100 British customs looked like they were knocked together in a shed. Some were fine motorcycles no doubt (especially the frames), but the finishing touches were afterthoughts straight out the parts bin.
@@bikerdood1100 I was thinking of companies that re-warped existing bikes, like Gus Kuhn Norton, Egli Vincent, various Triton shops. Acres of fibreglass at the wrong angle, weird racing seats some of them twin(!) The Seeley makes no attempt to integrate the rear light, physically or visually. Personally, I dislike the swoopy seat-joins-side-panel look of the X75, but I think the late model Rocket 3 and Lightning look cool, so maybe my tastes aren't mainstream.
@@borderlands6606 non of those bikes are what I£ call custom, that suggests something very different. The Egli is to some extent an excellent case of function over form it may not be as attractive as say an original black shadow but it’s a vouch better machine. Tritons vary enormously, some work some don’t
guess i'm confused. over the years i've had many bikes. best was a 1970 uk combat commando. 150 mph. either the spesc were wrong or my speedo was wrong.
Well I didn’t forget them of course, nor the Harris or the Matisse I’m saving em for later I could have made a longer video but I thought two slight shorter films would be better given the attention span of many viewers 😂
Don’t forget the Hesketh too. It was a brave attempt at maintaining a British motorcycle presence on the road, although was never going to be a large volume manufacturer.
The Seeley that your using in the video is not a Seeley Honda. Its the same body kit as used on the Phil Read Replica and is a Honda Britain like it says on the fuel tank, it's just a bog standard Honda 750 with a body kit. If your having a Seeley as a British superbike please use the right one. Also if your using a Seeley as an example why not talk about the Rickman chassis kit with either Honda 750 or Kawasaki 900/1000 engines in them
It’s the only video I had Or would you prefer the the bikes are never covered, I do believe the information is accurate 🙄or I expect you have a problem with that too Oh I also forgot silk too I do intend to cover Rickman in a later video, as I have previously
It's kind of understandable why the British bike industry failed, every one of these bikes was a new frame wrapped around engine design from the 1940's stretched to the limit or a Honda.
In the late 60s had a small business going doing top end rebuilds on the local Hondas. I started doing this on weekends during Junior highschool when I was about 13. It kept me busy until graduation at age 17. I did several 90s, a few CB 160s and a couple of 250 Dreams. The 90s tended to start smoking at about 10,000 miles or so. I would decarbonize things, hone the cylinder, lap the valves to gas tight and fit new rings. This would get them about another 7000 miles or so down the road and then it was throwaway time. The twins seemed to last a bit longer needing help at about 15,000 miles and maybe squeezing another 10,000 with the top end fix. The metal in the bolts of those bikes was so soft that I had to be very careful when putting things back together. My own bike at that time was an ES2. It received its first set of new rings at 30,000 miles. It was a much higher quality bike than the Hondas. The Hondas and other small Japanese bikes were very cheap and generally quite reliable for their short lives.
It’s not in the video Why not talk about what is, makes more sense to me Also it’s not an all inclusive top 5 now is it so hoe do you know I’m not planning another 🙄 I also didn’t mention Silk, Harris or the Rickman or standard interceptors While we’re name dropping 😂😂😂😂
I cam only fit so many into one video Or silk ? What not discus the content of a video instead of what is not in it ? I do to save need some things for next time 😉
The cheap lower capacity Japanese bikes far surpassed them on reliability and often nearly matched or even exceeded their performance.. The japanese bikes..better electrics , servicability, cheaper parts, not as well handling or status appeal. My take was the Suzuki 500 twin 2 stroke was the first "super bike" freely attainable to the masses...it would go all day every day
Performance of the equivalent middle weight Japanese bikes would in no way match most of these The top speed of most of the Japanese bigger two strokes falls rather short in reality Rd400 could hit 106mph as actually tested, and a GT 750 didn’t hit 120mph with an extra piston The T500 produced a claimed 47hp but the as tested top speed of 105mph indicates a bit of Japanese exaggeration at play That’s slower than a 68 triumph Daytona 500 incidentally Parts incidentally are not and were never cheap for Japanese bikes Japanese performance is more myth than fact I’m afraid Good handle there Dufus Appropriate in this incidence 😂😂😂
@@bikerdood1100 I regularly used to get on the clock over 105 MPH out of my Honda CB400 Four in 1976 With a friend who also did the same, No car's or British Bike's Ever passed us, Those Honda's in those days were very fast, And reliable indeed 👌
What an absolute stupid statement to make you said " People in the 70s were abandoning motorcycles in favour of car's" What a load of Rubbish, The 70s was the Golden Age of the Japanese Four's, An absolute brilliant time for us who were riding motorcycles at the time,. After 50 years of Motorcycling, I'm still running two Royal Enfield motorcycles today, Cheers Paul Foster
It’s historically completely accurate In the UK bikes outnumbered cars in the 1950s and plummeted through out the 60s and 70s Please do not make rude ignorant comments if you don’t have a Bloody clue what your talking about I’m talking absolute historical facts you ass
@@bikerdood1100 Please don't answer me then in a Rude and Ignorant manor then, I was just stating a Fact of a Person who was actually there, Not dreaming up British Motorcycles that never made it LOL 😅 The Fact is the 1970s was dominated by Japanese bike's, Which were much better and more reliable By far, You would have been much better to have made a video of British Bike's of the 50s and 60s old chap 👍
Your the rude one with clearly no clue of history Falling sales does not add up to a Golden age, the problem you somewhat rudely ignored is that those of us riding were plummeting in number Fact Why comment when you don’t seem to have a clue Today motorcycles make up 1% of road users in y the Uk Is this a Guiled age then ? If you must comment in such a rude manor why not actually try to learn something first 😂😂😂😂😂 I currently own 10 bikes Old and new from Japan Italy and of course the Uk And I take the time to read a book occasionally too You should try it 😂
@@bikerdood1100 Well that's very nice for you, Let's hope you find the time to ride them all, I don't know about statistics, But there are definitely more people riding motorcycles today than ever before, No matter which way you slice it, An you were definitely more rude to myself, I would brush up on your own people skills if I were you 👍
You should read your original comment A guy with class would realise that he made a dumb and I have to say rude comment Well a classy guy would I won’t be expecting an apology in your case clearly And yes I ride most days Including commuting in all weathers thanks I do my reading at night you should give it a try
Think you have to be English to be able to find 5 English "superbikes" made in the 70s. 😄 Great Britain may have made a simple motorcycle back in the 30s that could be called a superbike, but absolutely none in the 70s, or later for that matter.
Oh really The the trident and the Healey were both faster than a cb750 and the Commando could out accelerate it easily So what are talking about Incidentally a 1968 BSA Spitfire 650 was also faster than the CB 750 Oh and the Commando sport was quicker through the 1/4 mile than a Z9 ( motorcycle magazine) Thanks for your learned comment 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Oh no it wouldn’t The RD has a much inflated reputation and you should read some contemporary tests An Rd was slower through the quarter mile that a humble Guzzi V50 so most of the bikes here would blow it away. In the real world that is. In fact the 750 strokers were slower as actually measured that’s the Healey 4 So I’m afraid your dead wrong 😂😂😂😂😂
My experience of the RD is limited to a RD250LC racer. It's slow from the starting line as all 2-strokes of that period. But due to light weight, decent handling and surprisingly good power at high rpm it is capable of passing much bigger bikes. Not a superbike but fun to ride.
@@Mike40M well true ish But the 400 air cooled bike is a very different animal Definitely inferior handling compared to the later bikes and top speed is 106mph as tested so well short of the machines in the video, the Healey averaged 120 during testing and 126mph one way so much faster, even a T140 could hit 112mph plus and had a much better chassis than the RD and that was the least powerful bike in the video.
Funny to reflect on the fact that, back in the 60's/70's, a 650 or 750 was classed as a superbike. These days, they're viewed as being a mid-size machine. Personally, in the 64 years that I've been riding, a 750 is as big a capacity as I've ever wanted and owned, though I've ridden up to 1800 cc bikes. I'm happy to stick with my Guzzi Breva 750; it's got a big grin factor! 👍
For me its a simple matter
Modern bikes are over priced, over powered and oversized. If you have more power than you will ever actually need in the real world you’ve wasted your money.
We’ve had a couple of 750 Guzzi’s over the years and I’d agree they are plenty capable
Have to agree, the race for mega bhp is really a bit pointless on road bikes.
@@martinowl very true and the riding position is awful in modern traffic
To me the Ability to lose your license in 2nd gear is plain idiotic
@@bikerdood1100 yes, some years ago now, when excessive speeding led to prison sentences, I sold my ZX9R to my son in law. Getting a sentence wouldn’t have gone down well where I worked! 🤔.
@@martinowl I expect not
I got done years ago at over 130mph
Put me off sports bikes 😂
I had the joy of following a Triton up the highway one day, Triumph triple and featherbed frame, exhaust rumbling like a low flying Spitfire.
Nice 👍🏻
Always lusted after a Healey SQ4 or a Healey Interceptor Loved the look and sound of them!!
Be great to try one
We can wish I suppose
I remember when a 650 was a big bike and a 750 was a superbike. My 71 Combat was psychotic. Loved the Rocket lll and the T-160. Now even some of the LAMS (learner approved motorcycle scheme) bikes here in Australia would give these a pretty good run for the money. We still had plenty of fun on our Trumpy’s, Beezer’s, and Norton’s! Entirely sufficient to get into trouble anyway. 👍🏻🙂
Still have a T-140 and love it, only because I can’t afford a Commando.
I do find the obsession with massive power rather pointless
If you have more power that’s you can safely use on an actual road then that’s money wasted in my view.
I’ve owned pretty powerful bikes but don’t find them any more enjoyable
Often less so
Amazing to see the Healey 1000/4 hugging such an iconic engine. What an awesome looking header pipe setup on the Trident with the split middle into either side 👍👏👌
The prototype definitely has an interesting set up, didn’t breath to well apparently
Which is one reason given for the change to the BSA bore and stroke dimensions
T160 pipes: 3 into 4 into 2! Helped to make the engine a pain to work on......... as well as the silencers covering the rear wheel axle bolt!
@@ClarkieBoy a common fault o so many bikes of my acquaintance
@bikerdood1100 Daft isn't it? Poor design sacrificing practicality for looks 😢
@@ClarkieBoy welcome to modern motorcycles 😂😂
Good video I owned aT160 much loved .Sure wish Triumph would produce the Hurricane with all the modern technology
No such luck
Bought a Suzuki T500 new in 72....Bonnevilles and Norton Commandos had a hard time staying with it out on the road back in the day...!!!!
Oh I’m sure they did 😂
I mean the Commando is only 10-15 mph faster with a better chassis
Their top end capability was of little use on the B roads of Devon and Cornwall on the many TOC runs..the acceleration of the T500 was a force to be reconned with..I know..I was there..!!!!..Miss those days..!!!!..Best wishes..!!
@@peteraustin370 Devon
Oh I’m sure 😂
The Suzuki T500 was a nice ride but rather softly sprung; a good "everyday machine".
I purchased a 1972 Norton Commando Combat, yea, the FAST ONE...I consistently broke the 12 sec 1/4 mile drag strip time, which back in the day, Hemi Cuda's were turning in the 13's. I was never beaten in any drag street race! I once pulled up to a light and a Silver Olds 442 was next to me, the guy revved it up indicating he wanted to race. When the light turned green, I left him sitting there like he was parked. Later in life I married my current wife. I told her the story and she said, I was IN THAT CAR, it belonged to my boyfriend back then and he couldn't believe how fast you were. Talk about a really strange twist of fate!
Creepy coincidence
Well done for up holding Biker honour also 👍
Had several Commandos over the years; the 750s were sweeter than the 850s. If you tore the engine down , did proper balancing fixed the outer bearings and planed the case halves and were VERY careful on reassembly, you had a smoother engine that was oil-tight. Quaffe made a 5 speed conversion, although I don't think it was made for long.
I saw a Healey once, but it was a "show bike" with no internal components. Never did figure why they did that...
Had a BSA Spitfire, which seemed fast at the time, until I ran up against a slightly-modded Honda CB450 which waxed it and made GP sounds.
Seeley also made a few frames for the CBX Honda. LJK Setright had one and I rode with him in the hills outside Austin, TX. I was onboard my Rickman-framed CBX, which I was told was the only one ever made (and yes, I still have it). Neither bike had any creature comforts, and we were both a bit long-in-the-tooth for knee dragging, but it was fun. And, yes, the Rickman was faster...but I could not touch Setright's dapper duds - full Belstaff suit worn over a pin-striped Turnbull & Asser french cuff shirt with a foulard bow tie. But my beard was better trimmed!
The 5 speed box is still vain the UK
Expensive
I've had 3 of these, starting with a very early A65 (engine no in the 200s) which I bought as a naive 19 year old in 1974, then discovered it rattled and knocked loudly when it warmed up (the usual worn timing side bush and journal). That spent the next 2 years in pieces in my shed because I bought a new 850 Commando mk 2a Interstate (cost £795 on the road). A lovely, smooth and powerful bike to ride, but although the Isolastic mounts stopped you feeling the vibration, the engine and everything attached to it was trying (quite successfully) to shake itself to bits. I gave up on that after a couple of years and bought a car. I did eventually repair the A65 and sell it on.
Now I've got a 1978 T140V, which I've had for 31 years, so I think I'll keep this one. It still vibrates a lot, but now I know how to look after it and make sure bits don't fall off it too often.
I don't even remember the Healey, despite being a regular reader of MCN at the time, but I suppose that's not surprising, considering how few were built in the first place.
The BSA bush just needs regular oil changes
Bush bearings are used in massively powerful engines and are the most efficient bearing type, but a good oil supply is essential.
We ran a TR7RV which is a little smoother , I do remember a test of the Healey incidentally but hadn’t thought about it until I saw the one featured here recently
I currently run a 54 A10 , which I feature on the channel quite often, love that bike and it’s proved very reliable too
@@bikerdood1100The damage to my A65 was already done when I bought it, but I was too inexperienced and eager to buy it to realise it at the time.
@@rickconstant6106 think that’s pretty much I’m saying
You never know how the previous owner treated them
Ditto any bike really
Hondas C90 has a good reputation for reliability, but skip those oil changes and it’s scrap
Why don't you buy a 4 cylinder Japanese motorcycle instead? Then you are completely free from the vibrations that the English motorcycles suffer from - and you get a motorbike you can trust works. English motorcycles are not very good, unreliable and often break down, which is also why they were totally outcompeted by Japanese motorcycles, they killed almost the entire English motorcycle industry.
@@michaelnielsen2096 yes because obviously I haven’t owned several of those 😂🙄
One good reason is they are somewhat lacking in character and bottom end push too
If I have to explain why not then you won’t really get it to be honest
I’ve always found them solid Fast but rather boring
Oh and don’t forget Japanese 4s of the 70s handle like shit too
With the possible exception of Suzuki’s GS which is at least competent if vague
Completely free from a vibration?.
All four cylinder bikes suffer secondary vibrations, that’s the Buzzy feeling
No reciprocating engine is completely vibe free so I’m afraid that’s total nonsense. Incidentally the square four is in perfect primary balance so actually runs smoother than a straight four, FYI 😂😂😂😂🙄
All those British bikes look the dogs, I never really liked the square four and although Honda took over I was never keen on them either, I enjoyed seeing them all, thanks for making the video much appreciated.
Think the Healey takes the flawed square four concept to its limit
Does a pretty good job because top speed is up their with Japanese 750s, faster than some so quite an achievement with such an old Motor
For a moment I thought you said they all looked like dogs. For me the OIF Beezers and Trumps with their "Comical" hubs were wonderfully glamorous lookers: British with a dash of Italian like an Aston DB5. For a six footer the Victor frame was AOK and the roadholding was as good as a featherbed but much lighter in weight.The details could have been better ..... the rocker box plug for a filler plug was horrid and the downtube held too little oil. I put the filler near the headstock on my T-bolt and also lengthened the brake arms on the front drum. braking was superb after that mod. I changed the oil every fortnight without fail and never had a grumbling timing side bush.
@@johnmarsh2078 I like the look of the OIF myself, although I’m aware many do not. Never understood why they positioned the filler in front of the seat. They ended up with a smaller oil capacity than the earlier bikes. Definitely a strange decision. We had a 73 TR7 RV which I thought was very good, it did vibe but I’ve ridden worse and the Chassiswas very good
@@bikerdood1100
I’ve heard that the reason for the “under seat position” was that they feared that the “Ordinary Joe” would mistake the fuel- and oil filler and fill the oil tank up with fuel. Whether it’s a rumour or the naked truth I dont know. 🤷🏼♂️
@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 it seems a bit fare fetched to me 😂
April 1976 and Krumm's Cycle Sales, San Antonio, Texas had the Norton Commando, Triumph Trident T-160 and the new 1976 Triumph T-140V Bonneville all on the showroom floor for about the same price. I bought the Bonneville and got many years out of it. The real problems came when the bikes went out of production and dealers were forced to sell other brands to stay in business. Parts, in the days before a real practical internet, were a real pain in the ass to find. A lot of these bikes then ended up as "garage queens" waiting to be cannibalized for parts or junked. That was sad.
Yes very true
Parts are much easier to find these days
At least the internet is good for something 😂
Excellent, thank you.
Thanks
My a65 was a lovely bike still miss it
Nice
Do a video on the Silk 700 and it’s history,
That would be great.
At some point no doubt
Have covered them elsewhere
Not exactly a commercial success
Silk lost money on every bike they made unfortunately
Along with the Wulf.....which never quite made production?
@@lauriebloggs8391 Now the stepped piston two stroke is a good concept that always falls just short of production
Indeed. At the time I was so excited at the possibility.................
@@lauriebloggs8391The Wulf is this the stepped twingle developed by 2 Villiers engineers, that used the oil cooling of a 4 stroke with the simplicity of a 2 stroke?
One or two bikes were made, there is a picture in Brad Jones's book about NVT. This project did recive a small amount of government funding, butt in typical British fashion it was very little money. If it had been better funded it could have not only saved the 2 stroke engines for motorbikes it could have also been used in cars. The engines were powerful light in weight with good fuel economy and 20/25% cheaper to build than a 4 stroke engine.
Had a commando mk2 roadster and a mk3 interstate both great bikes heaps faster than my tiger 750.also had an ex mot cb360 called the pig and that it was!great video hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿
👍🏻
Nice selection. My T160 was my fovoritist(!) bike that I ever owned 😎
Not sure about the English 😂
Great taste however 😂😂
In the red & cream, my favourite bike of all time. My next door neighbour in the 70’s had one brand new, I was at the start of my biking career. I was so envious. At least it looked like one positive of being old, the ability to afford an expensive bike. lol.
@@martinowl the other is insurance of course
Everything else about getting older however is Shit 😂
@@bikerdood1100 so true, although insurance prices are way up this year.
@@martinowl try being 20 😂
Tom pays @ bloody fortune
Or rather we do 😂
I bought a 750 Commando brand new in late ‘71. A roadster, black with gold lettering, it was the sexiest thing on two wheels. It was quick for its day, and handled well, provided the shimming on the Isolastic frame was properly maintained (not that it worked as well as Norton claimed in eliminating vibration). However, it had a list of poor design decisions and poor quality as long as your arm.
The side stand fell off before I’d got it home from the showroom. The pleated air cleaner was in a position to collect all the rainwater funnelling off the front of the rider, quickly bringing you to a spluttering stop. The front drum brake, even with the air scoop blanked off, filled up with water and soon ceased to be effective - stopping on a rain-soaked road with just the rear brake ain’t fun and I had the bruises to prove it. After fifty miles, the seat felt as if you were straddling a piece of 4x2. It ate clutch cables - I learnt to always carry a spare. It had Lucas electrics - need I say more?
This was a purchase I made with my heart, not my head. It looked amazing, was fast and sounded great, but as a daily, it sucked. I sold after two years.
Well rubber mountings does have its limits
We had a Harley with a similarly mounted motor and it still vibed quite a bit at high revs
Relatively speaking of course
Thats a very precise description of what it means to drive a Norton Commando! I own mine, converted into a Cafe Racer, since more than 15 years and NO bike season without an hours lasting repair. Meanwhile the 5th cylinderhead gasket has been installed, the last one in a professional garage, but still leaking oil. But whatever, it's still the most exciting bike I've ever driven and no matter where You stop, even Germans admire this traditional British way of engeniering.
@@rolandjung9337 Ah yes, the oil leaking head gasket that used to blow oil over your right leg at any speed above 60mph. I’d forgotten about that one. I must admit, there are many times I’ve regretted selling it, but you can’t fit everything into your life. Keep enjoying.
Very enjoyable video, thank you!
I was expecting the Silk to appear 😢. Maybe another time?
The Seeley got me thinking, what about a collection of special framed bikes? There must be enough for a couple of videos.
Well I have covered the silk before
It’s not a top 5 remember so I reserve the right to produce a follow up 😂
I used to drink with George Healey on a Monday night in the Swan at Chaddesley Corbett (the NSA club night).
Had a ride on Healey 4, same as the one in the clip, around 1978.
Nice
Lucky you
You went right past a very rare bike there, @ 09:36 there is a BSA T-65 , its actually a 650 Triumph but rebadged by the BSA/Triumph group, BSA had folded by then and for 2 instutional customers some 264 Triumphs were produced but badged as BSA Thunderbolts, at least 4 or so werent sold and rebadged again and sent to The Royal Barbados Police Force, I restored 1 of them for a friend and have 2 others but they need much and one day i'll restore them also.
Yes I know
Well technically they were built in small Heath with the A65 frame. They were basically built to fulfil contracts. Typical NTV and Denis Poore 🙄
Really dumb idea I think
@@bikerdood1100 actually, no, they are all Triumph, no BSA parts at all, the frames are IOF 750 Triumph Bonneville.
Velocette Thruxtons were surprisingly fast.
Well about 105 to 110mph +
Gearing is quite tall so road conditions make a big difference
I have tested the Indian Velo which had a Thruxton motor. It’s featured on the channel. That bike went pretty well although the clutch played up after about 30miles.A pity it was a ton of fun
The photos illustrate the problem with British bikes in the 70s the showroom bikes all have a tray underneath them to catch the oil that always leaked from them . Italian German and japanese bikes didn`t suffer with oil leaks which is one reason the British motorcycle industry collapsed .
Well not actually the case at all
70s bikes are often oil tight, I’ve owned a few Italian and Japanese that definitely weren’t
Should probably read a bit more to be honest
The general collapse of the bike market happened all over Europe
Most Italian companies were nationalised in order to keep going
Pesky cheap cars is the culprit
Check out how many German companies made bikes in say 1950 and how many survived past the 70s.
We tend to think it only happed in Britain ( our usual inferiority complex)
But it’s nonsense
Wrong on both points. I own both 750 and Mk 2 850 Commandos as well a few T150 Tridents. If well maintained, tight as a drum. Nimble and handle like a dream. Demise was due to gross mismanagement during an incredibly tumultuous economic period in the UK.
Oh,the T160V Trident,an achingly handsome bike! Saw the publicity pic - KAA 848N, wonder if it's still alive? - as a sprog and Wanted One. But ended up with an XS750 instead...at least,it had three cylinders! 😊
Ah the XS it did have a bit of a reputation
Nice.
They are indeed
No Royal Enfield interceptor such a shame very underrated bike
Not yet
I also covered it in my first SuperBikes video
My late husband loved his. Best bike he ever had, broke his heart having to sell it to buy a bungalow with his first wife. Wouldn't have happened on my watch . Lol.
Hey, I missed the Rickman Interceptor 750 in this video a great bike and the first production bike with disk brakes front and rear. Cheers
Nope I didn’t include it
This time
Not the same thing at all
Got to keep some for later
What about Metise or Silk or even Harris
No mention of the 700 silk.
@@jeffward9174 oh my God 🙀
No got o save something for next time you know
I often wonder why people obsess about what’s not in a video rather than what is
I have covered the Silk in previous videos and no doubt will again
And no brakes in the rain ! I had a Rickman Bonneville.
@@jamesweber4938 that’s 70s breaks for you
Japanese systems could be even worse
🌟I miss my 750 Fastback; still my W800 is very nice😊
Both great bikes
I often wonder what would have happend to Norton and AJS if Dennis Poore hadn't got evolved with BSA? Norton was selling well with new designs coming through and the AJS motocross was doing OK and with further development would be a contender. But the strike and lock in at Meriden really did more damage to the British motorcycle industry then everything else combined.
I don’t think is was good for anyone ultimately. I’ve always had my doubts about Denis Poore if I’m honest
BSA/ Triumph was a much the larger company . Poore was I think more interested in some of the various divisions of BSA such as car bodies the builders of London Taxis. He seemed to be only really interested in the Norton brand, having previously killed off Royal Enfield in the Uk despite having full order books because of the value of the land the factory stood on
As for Norton the commando was a smart move initially but very little was ever done to improve it and what was needed was a totally new design. Norton had started work on a unit engine way back at the beginning of the 60s but it never happened because of AMCs poor financial position after 1960.
Poore was not a motorcycle industry man it showed. He stopped Villiers suppling
Engines to outside companies and you have to question his decision making favouring Nortons very outdated and expensive to manufacture engine, the Commando only ever had Four speeds and Nortons tooling was very tired by the 70s so it’s hard to see it running beyond 78 without a total redesign
As for Meriden, well they did outlive the Commando and the Bonnie was a better seller
Excellent video of course. So much detail is a tonic to hear. Ok you want information for a new video. Here goes. Villiers engine manufacturers. I remember seeing a photo of a vast engineering shop producing engines. And Peter Inchly being involved. The star maker engine being fitted to a DKW? Also Queens University Belfast was involved a 2 stroke engine with the disc valve being fitted under the carburettor. Emc was the bike maker involved with QUB. Hope this helps for your brilliant videos. Off course all of the above could be rubbish, no Personal Inchly was real. Anyway, good luck for your next venture video. 😂😅
@@bikerdood1100 He does seem to be the bearer of bad fortune. The sit in at Meriden would destroy most of Triumph's US dealership a situation they never recovered from.
The situation at Villiers is a odd one, to stop suppling engines. British manufacturers always get slated for lack of investment during the 50s and 60s, however it was a massive investment program that brought BSA to its knees in 71. As for the rest of the industry a contracting market combined with soring inflation was enough to curtail any forward ambitions. The government didn't help with its eye watering purchase tax often in excess of 30%. With the benefit of hindsight a reduction 0%fof the first 5000 vehicles any manufacturer sold in the UK, would have saved not only the motorcycle industry but most of our lorry and small scale car manufacturers
@@tonypet1518 well EMC was also a builder of road bikes with a Puch inspired twingle engine. Not surprisingly given that Joe Ehrlich was Austrian born
I remember his last project just before he died was a 500 two stroke GP bike with QUB that had its cylinders in an X formation. A two stroke genius who was not utilised to his full potential by the UK industry
@@jasonhill4094 the whole situation should never have happened that much is certain. The big problem was the poor attitude that Britain has always had to its motorcycle industry. In Italy Guzzi and Ducati survived through Nationalisation and Harley was propped up by the US government. In the UK government help was never really sufficient to allow for the companies to move forward
The last full year of production for Triumph was under BSA in 1973 when Meriden produced just under 30000 bikes, however demand was said to be over 50000 bikes. The reason why they didn't make 50000 depends on who you listen to, according to BSA it was because of the near constant state of industrial action at Meriden and according to Triumph it was because BSA didn't supply enough parts to build that many bikes. The truth was a little of both. Dennis Poore when he aq
Well i suspect the fact that they had to redesign the chassis to fit the triumph engine didn’t help
Blaming the workers the great British default got shit management
Amazingly people just lap it up
The fact that Denis Poore somehow ended up in charge pretty much sums up the date of the BSA Triumph groups management
BSA had its eggs in far to may baskets by the early 70s and had taken the eyes of some of their core businesses. Norton was by far the smaller company so you have to wonder how they ended up in charge
These days industrial action is always but always blamed on militant workers but poor industrial relations also have a great deal to do with inept heavy handed management who didn’t value the staff who made the companies successful in the previous decades
@@bikerdood1100 I suspect he had friends in very high places, he also benefited from a rouge trader on the London stock exchange that crashed the share price of BSA. Poore withdrew from the original agreement and tabled a bid for all of BSA's assets including their none motorcycle ones that had not been part of the original merger
@@jasonhill4094 yep
Definitely not a fan 😂
It is fair to say that these bikes were not nearly as bad as their detractors made out. It is sad that the industry collapsed in such an ignominious manner. The Healy Square Four is so rare though, but it makes you wonder what they could have achieved if they'd had access to a ready supply of engines?
The collapse of the UK market really did for the British industry
Most companies were too small and sold mainly to the home market , BSA group excepted of course. It was really the same story right across Europe but of course being British we generally ignore this as it doesn’t read into our National inferiority complex 😂
Bloody cheap cars
Dam them 😂
The Combat also had 32mm amals.
That’s nice
Great episode.
I owned aNorton 750 Mk5 land loved it. I thought the 850 Mk2A was the best. Regrettably I brought a 850 Mk3 brand new. Couldn’t wait for the T160 to be delivered. Sigh. The Mk3 was rubbish in every aspect.
The T160 I acquired after the Norton and I agree with everything you said.
The Villiers was one I always fancied owning but never.
The other bikes i weren’t interested in at the time.
T160 rocks.
The T160 was a lovely bike
I appreciate 1970’s was a hard time for the bike industry, but my God the designers were spot-on….. Norton commandos was one bike I wanted and missed out on maybe one day…even more now the prices are slowly decreasing 😊
Certainly was, amazing anything was produced all things considered, I think the British engineers did a great job with what they had to work with
A pity they rarely get any credit for what they did do
Just criticism for what they didn’t
Never heard of that Healy till now
That’s why I make the videos 😂
I had a 71 Commando and the mains went at 3,000 miles.
Oh sounds a bit like the Combat
Didn’t thrash it now did you ? 😂
And they ate gearboxes - I did my mate's twice, .before I persuaded him to sell it (cos I wasn't fixing the ***************** thing again!)
@@markfiges999 ahh those AMC gear boxes
FAG Superblend barrel end roller bearings were the fix. The crank whip caused ordinary rollers to dig into the lands with dire results. A friend had an In-a-state and we were mustard at changing the points seal on the end of the camshaft bearing. The blowpast from the 10.5 to one pistons created so much crankcase pressure that the oil seal would blow out and drown the points in oil. We could fit a new one in 5 minutes despite having to remove/replace the points backplate and bob weights. Naughty underdeveloped bike, thrown together to get them in the showrooms.
I sold my Commando after replacing the mains and replaced it with a CB750 K2. The CB was a huge upgrade
The 750 Commando was a very quick beast. I could get 70 in 2nd gear .
A friend of mine bought a A65 because it was so cheap but I don't know how many times he took it back to be sorted under warranty.
Well the Commando S or Combat was crazy fast, quicker than certain Japanese two strokes I could mention, but fragile. The standard model was plenty fast enough.
Surprisingly unusual for an A65. Read an article recently which was an interview with BSAs US importer who discussed there reputation of the A65. He reported that in fact warranty claims were no higher than any of the other machines he sold at that time, which of course included not just British machines.
I have to take you to task over the statement that the MkIII Commando had 'an ineffectual electric start'. I owned a MkIII Roadster (in the same red/white/blue colours as the one shown in the cafeteria!), and in two years/16 000 miles of ownership (including a trip over the Alps down to Italy), it NEVER failed to start the engine. Occasionally on a very cold morning it might fail to get the first piston over compression, but invariably a second push of the button would get that one over and then you were away. In all honesty, the electric start was a far better way of starting the bike than the low geared kickstart which would make it difficult to get the crank moving quick enough for a reliable cold start. However, like all urban myths they seem to feed on themselves and are recounted by those who 'heard it from a mate down the pub' - but as they say 'If you're not hearing from the horses mouth, you're hearing it from a horse's arse' :D
So, with the 'very cold start might need two pushes of the button' situation, I might call it 'marginal' at worst - but never 'ineffectual'...!
Well have you seen the video of Keane Reeves struggling with his
They do have something of a reputation
I read a period review from Superbike magazine back in the 70s and they found it troublesome.
I can only report what many have found, to fail to do so would be dishonest don’t you think
Hand on a minute
Are you Australian?
I suspect you may have found things different in the cold northern hemisphere 😂
And you say you’re self , occasionally on a cold morning
Just how many cold mornings do think I’ve ever had a Guzzi struggle to start ?
That would be 0 😂
I remember the "Traffic Police" in New Zealand had some A65s...also some Yamaha TX 650s and Honda 360g twins...talk about bad taste
Well the TX if I recall came as a 500 and 750
Fresh modern Looks but suspect engine life. The Honda 360 is solid if a little boring but is a better bike than the gutless 400/4 everyone seems to fawn all over these days.
As for the BEEZA, it seems ideal for police work, solid, easy to maintain with good cornering and performance for its time
Preferable to an HD
Hilarious rear light on the Seeley, so typical of the era.
That’s style baby 😂
@@bikerdood1100 British customs looked like they were knocked together in a shed. Some were fine motorcycles no doubt (especially the frames), but the finishing touches were afterthoughts straight out the parts bin.
@@borderlands6606 not sure I agree
Er X75 ?
Now if you want knocked together some 70s and early 80s Japanese customers really are shocking
@@bikerdood1100 I was thinking of companies that re-warped existing bikes, like Gus Kuhn Norton, Egli Vincent, various Triton shops. Acres of fibreglass at the wrong angle, weird racing seats some of them twin(!) The Seeley makes no attempt to integrate the rear light, physically or visually. Personally, I dislike the swoopy seat-joins-side-panel look of the X75, but I think the late model Rocket 3 and Lightning look cool, so maybe my tastes aren't mainstream.
@@borderlands6606 non of those bikes are what I£ call custom, that suggests something very different.
The Egli is to some extent an excellent case of function over form it may not be as attractive as say an original black shadow but it’s a vouch better machine.
Tritons vary enormously, some work some don’t
My mistake it was a SEELEY INTERCEPTOR, NOT A HEALEY!!!
I know but still very desirable
guess i'm confused. over the years i've had many bikes. best was a 1970 uk combat commando. 150 mph. either the spesc were wrong or my speedo was wrong.
I’m going with Speedo 😂😂
you forgot one .Silk a derby based company thet took spondon frames and mated them to a Scott engine .
Well I didn’t forget them of course, nor the Harris or the Matisse
I’m saving em for later
I could have made a longer video but I thought two slight shorter films would be better given the attention span of many viewers 😂
Don’t forget the Hesketh too. It was a brave attempt at maintaining a British motorcycle presence on the road, although was never going to be a large volume manufacturer.
@@martinowl very true, it’s a bike I have covered before and a sad tale to be true
The Seeley that your using in the video is not a Seeley Honda. Its the same body kit as used on the Phil Read Replica and is a Honda Britain like it says on the fuel tank, it's just a bog standard Honda 750 with a body kit.
If your having a Seeley as a British superbike please use the right one. Also if your using a Seeley as an example why not talk about the Rickman chassis kit with either Honda 750 or Kawasaki 900/1000 engines in them
It’s the only video I had
Or would you prefer the the bikes are never covered, I do believe the information is accurate 🙄or I expect you have a problem with that too
Oh I also forgot silk too
I do intend to cover Rickman in a later video, as I have previously
It's kind of understandable why the British bike industry failed, every one of these bikes was a new frame wrapped around engine design from the 1940's stretched to the limit or a Honda.
A Honda with a shite frame
The Uk industry failed for a number of reasons
Honda was not actually one of them 🙄
In the late 60s had a small business going doing top end rebuilds on the local Hondas. I started doing this on weekends during Junior highschool when I was about 13. It kept me busy until graduation at age 17.
I did several 90s, a few CB 160s and a couple of 250 Dreams.
The 90s tended to start smoking at about 10,000 miles or so. I would decarbonize things, hone the cylinder, lap the valves to gas tight and fit new rings. This would get them about another 7000 miles or so down the road and then it was throwaway time. The twins seemed to last a bit longer needing help at about 15,000 miles and maybe squeezing another 10,000 with the top end fix.
The metal in the bolts of those bikes was so soft that I had to be very careful when putting things back together.
My own bike at that time was an ES2. It received its first set of new rings at 30,000 miles. It was a much higher quality bike than the Hondas. The Hondas and other small Japanese bikes were very cheap and generally quite reliable for their short lives.
How about the Rickman Honda and Kawasaki ?
It’s not in the video
Why not talk about what is, makes more sense to me
Also it’s not an all inclusive top 5 now is it so hoe do you know I’m not planning another 🙄
I also didn’t mention Silk, Harris or the Rickman or standard interceptors
While we’re name dropping 😂😂😂😂
Uncle Joe Lucas -the prince of darkness.
That’s the guy 😂
Ironically Ozzy Osborne worked there at one time
Gas tank? How very British ;)
Got to keep the colonials on side you know 😂😂
No mention of the history of the Harris Triumph's......1985-88.
I cam only fit so many into one video
Or silk ?
What not discus the content of a video instead of what is not in it ?
I do to save need some things for next time 😉
Others are welcome to the Nortons and Ariel, I'll take any of the rest.
Fussy fussy
I’d be intrigued to see how well the Healey went
Quite a rapid bit of kit and very light and nimble too
The cheap lower capacity Japanese bikes far surpassed them on reliability and often nearly matched or even exceeded their performance..
The japanese bikes..better electrics , servicability, cheaper parts, not as well handling or status appeal.
My take was the Suzuki 500 twin 2 stroke was the first "super bike" freely attainable to the masses...it would go all day every day
Performance of the equivalent middle weight Japanese bikes would in no way match most of these
The top speed of most of the Japanese bigger two strokes falls rather short in reality
Rd400 could hit 106mph as actually tested, and a GT 750 didn’t hit 120mph with an extra piston
The T500 produced a claimed 47hp but the as tested top speed of 105mph indicates a bit of Japanese exaggeration at play
That’s slower than a 68 triumph Daytona 500 incidentally
Parts incidentally are not and were never cheap for Japanese bikes
Japanese performance is more myth than fact I’m afraid
Good handle there Dufus
Appropriate in this incidence 😂😂😂
@@bikerdood1100
I regularly used to get on the clock over 105 MPH out of my Honda CB400 Four in 1976
With a friend who also did the same,
No car's or British Bike's Ever passed us,
Those Honda's in those days were very fast,
And reliable indeed 👌
I loved my GT500......I think the thing is the Japenese bikes offered their performance in an accessible and reliable manner?
@@lauriebloggs8391 well not always true
I’ve pushed my share of Suzukis home unfortunately
Why do they never fit decent regulators 😂
Your a garden variety
I count 6 bikes...
That’s nice
There’s actually more if you count the rocket 3 which is shown and the A70
But that would be pedantic of course
What an absolute stupid statement to make you said " People in the 70s were abandoning motorcycles in favour of car's"
What a load of Rubbish,
The 70s was the Golden Age of the Japanese Four's,
An absolute brilliant time for us who were riding motorcycles at the time,.
After 50 years of Motorcycling,
I'm still running two Royal Enfield motorcycles today,
Cheers Paul Foster
It’s historically completely accurate
In the UK bikes outnumbered cars in the 1950s and plummeted through out the 60s and 70s
Please do not make rude ignorant comments if you don’t have a Bloody clue what your talking about
I’m talking absolute historical facts you ass
@@bikerdood1100
Please don't answer me then in a Rude and Ignorant manor then,
I was just stating a Fact of a Person who was actually there,
Not dreaming up British Motorcycles that never made it LOL 😅
The Fact is the 1970s was dominated by Japanese bike's,
Which were much better and more reliable By far,
You would have been much better to have made a video of British Bike's of the 50s and 60s old chap 👍
Your the rude one with clearly no clue of history
Falling sales does not add up to a Golden age, the problem you somewhat rudely ignored is that those of us riding were plummeting in number Fact
Why comment when you don’t seem to have a clue
Today motorcycles make up 1% of road users in y the Uk
Is this a Guiled age then ?
If you must comment in such a rude manor why not actually try to learn something first 😂😂😂😂😂
I currently own 10 bikes
Old and new from Japan Italy and of course the Uk
And I take the time to read a book occasionally too
You should try it 😂
@@bikerdood1100
Well that's very nice for you,
Let's hope you find the time to ride them all,
I don't know about statistics,
But there are definitely more people riding motorcycles today than ever before,
No matter which way you slice it,
An you were definitely more rude to myself,
I would brush up on your own people skills if I were you 👍
You should read your original comment
A guy with class would realise that he made a dumb and I have to say rude comment
Well a classy guy would
I won’t be expecting an apology in your case clearly
And yes I ride most days
Including commuting in all weathers thanks
I do my reading at night you should give it a try
Think you have to be English to be able to find 5 English "superbikes" made in the 70s. 😄 Great Britain may have made a simple motorcycle back in the 30s that could be called a superbike, but absolutely none in the 70s, or later for that matter.
Oh really
The the trident and the Healey were both faster than a cb750 and the Commando could out accelerate it easily
So what are talking about
Incidentally a 1968 BSA Spitfire 650 was also faster than the CB 750
Oh and the Commando sport was quicker through the 1/4 mile than a Z9 ( motorcycle magazine)
Thanks for your learned comment 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
We cant call them superbikes, at the same time Japan was producing the RD400 which would smoke all these
Oh no it wouldn’t
The RD has a much inflated reputation and you should read some contemporary tests
An Rd was slower through the quarter mile that a humble Guzzi V50 so most of the bikes here would blow it away.
In the real world that is.
In fact the 750 strokers were slower as actually measured that’s the Healey 4
So I’m afraid your dead wrong 😂😂😂😂😂
My experience of the RD is limited to a RD250LC racer. It's slow from the starting line as all 2-strokes of that period. But due to light weight, decent handling and surprisingly good power at high rpm it is capable of passing much bigger bikes. Not a superbike but fun to ride.
@@Mike40M well true ish
But the 400 air cooled bike is a very different animal
Definitely inferior handling compared to the later bikes and top speed is 106mph as tested so well short of the machines in the video, the Healey averaged 120 during testing and 126mph one way so much faster, even a T140 could hit 112mph plus and had a much better chassis than the RD and that was the least powerful bike in the video.
The Healey is a joke; and where are the excellent Rickman CB750 / Z1 / Z1000 bikes?
🙄one video at a time
Some people 😂😂😂
Old bags of nails mainly...and leaked oil everywhere
Well as always we all enjoy the input of a real expert
Thank you 😂😂😂