Curvy's Antique Motorcycle Thread

I paid $1,000 for on a few years ago.

Which museum is this? Where?

I wonder if inmates like RTW Doug and EldoMike could help you. They're wheeling and dealing constantly.

good point

@rtwdoug @eldomike

Motorcyclepedia Newburgh New York

I hadn't heard of this. Looks like a cool place; too bad it is on the other side of the country.

Thanks! Very nice collection of old bikes.

Well, since this is a photo thread, if you post a photo of yourself riding this TR6 back in the eighties it might be enough inducement for us to tell you our opinion on the subject...

good point (I just didn't feel like starting a thread)

since it's pre-digital I don't have many pics at all from back then. Just that one





and no pics of me riding it... sorry

but I can offer you one of me on the Monza ca '87 in Italy (only classic, not antique - I fail again )

Cuttle: I just did a quick look on Fleabay. A rusty roller sold for $1500 a couple of weeks ago. Seems like the $1k price mentioned above wouldn't be far off for a basket case. I'd suggest putting it up in the Fleamarket at that price and see if it goes away.

This is what my uncles 1929 Indian Chief looked like back in the early 30's


And here is what it looks like now.

Latest bucket of bolts I've dragged home.

Sorry that is NOT a bucket of bolts.... unless the picture does not show the carnage...

True, it's not an original 1968, it's had a number of sensible upgrades, it's just been ridden for 27 years without being apart and needs a complete refresh.

Usually when I see "sensible upgrades", I cringe. But that bike doesn't look too messed with. It has the later era Lockheed disc brake and the mufflers are not period correct, but otherwise it doesn't seems ok. Are you saying this bike is a later model with '68 bodywork?

It's a 1968 Norton Commando, timing cover tacho drive, magneto drive behind the cylinders, conical primary cover, the upgrades are,
- the bendy, cracking early frame has been replaced with an 850 frame.
- Mk III isolastics.
- disc brake frontend.
- electronic ignition replacing the magneto.
- single Mikuni carburettor.
- spin on oil filter.

Since it has an 850 frame not a repaired, upgraded early frame it's not original already.
MkIII isolastics, much better.
The disc frontend seemed ok when I had one 40 odd years ago but I'll check that the master cylinder has been resized. It might be crap compared to my triple disc Moto Guzzi so I might change the master cylinder and calliper. Compared to the single leader drum on my Velocette it should be pretty good.
Electronic ignitions are cheap, reliable and improve starting and running. I haven't had one fail since my first, 1972, so I don't buy the fantasy about 'fixing it beside the road'.
A single Mikuni is better than twin Amals for starting, running, power, economy, plus no leaks rattles and rebuilds.I'm not interested in the protestations of traditionalists who would rather buy, tune and rebuild Amals ad nauseum to stay original.
Spin on oil filter, clean oil and ease of maintenance, what's not to like.
I'll work with the suspension within it's limitations, it will never be modern however good it was in it's day and it will limit how hard I push everything else, including myself.
I'm no real fan of Peashooters, if I can come up with a decent 2 into 1 mounted off the cradle it should a better alternative to a long flappy exhaust that cracks headers and chews out exhaust flanges.
The fibreglass tank will also get lined.

My bikes are for riding, not for looking at or impressing others, the Velocette is original apart from tyres and grade of oil. On my local bumpy, winding roads I get airborne most rides, it is a sport's bike.
The Norton is already modified, I will keep it close to how it is but it too is a sport's bike.
The T3 is set up to go a long way in a hurry and is not original.

Whodathunkit?

Back in the day when function and beauty were combined and real men road real Motorcycles on real roads and really fell in love with these machines.