Cheap Big 50's Single

Had a quick blast on a mate's Tiger Cub a few weeks ago.

It raised a bit of enthusiasm for a British single.

Something like a BSA M20 for instance...

If I had say, 750-1000 quid, have I got any hope at all of getting a
runner?

Anyone got a view on this specific one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2434310346

Anyone offer some suggestions for something else. A cub of a Bantam
would be fine but only if v. cheap.

A basket case would be great *but* you have to be pretty lucky to
rebuild a basket case for less than the bike's value. (And you have to
wonder why it's basket case in the first place - usually because
something expensive is missing.)

Basically I could phrase my question as:
I want a cheap pre 62 British Bike. Any size, but as big as poss.
Originality not too crucial. (But ABC 123 plate is a must) What are my
options?

 

To me, that looks v. nasty. And I like brit bikes.

Oldbike mart
http://www.oldbikemart.co.uk/

Any pre-62 without its original plate (in the 80's they were given A
suffix plates on a transfer) can easily be re-registered with an age
related (abc 123), non-transferable, plate.

Anything with a transferable plate is going to be at a premium.

 

From what I can *see* of it not much depends on whether you want to Ride
it or spend weeks/months tinkering with it.which is probably half the fun
of owning the thing in the first place.
A Bantam or Cub/ C15 will cost a similar amount to buy/run/repair as a
much larger bike.And really are NO fun at all to ride.
So a M20/M21/makes economic sense, if not truly Rational sense for the
loss of under 1K
FWIW I bought an M21 for 200ukp a few years ago and without touching it
did john-o'groats-Lands end charity run
Without a hiccup from the bike, but it almost crippled me for good.
You need to go and Look at something before buying pref with someone who
knows the model.
Autojumble/oldbikemart or local paper is your best bet.

 

My first bike - sold it for £25

 

Oh I want to tinker! My perfect plan would be to buy a basket case and
get it into MOTable (but not fully restored) form and ride it a bit
doing a lazy running half hearted restoration.

However that would require me finding a *complete* bike in bits. It'
smore likely that the *complete* bike would be missing components
worth far more than the cash I'd pay for a decent one.

Are such things still available? What should I be looknig to pay for a
tatty M20/21?

Thanks!

Other options are:
Norton Big 4
Norton 16H (A 'later' one)
Arial VB

Is there a classic bike price guide somewhere?

 

I'm new to classic bikes. What specifically don't you like?

Should it have the telescopic forks?

 

Oh yes Bargains are still to be had, but rarely via the likes of Ebay or
the general Bike Press.
Im a Property developer (glorified builder) and ALWAYS look very closely
in garages and garden shed's when viewing potential properties, and my
in-laws are in the house clearance/auction trade.
Ive recently acquired a BSA s30 for free like this.
Only drawback was I also had to buy the house it was attached to :0)
You wont get a running Triumph,Norton,Velo, for under 1k but Bsa M20
Airel VB as you said, and Aj/matchless 16/18 are a possibility.
Good luck

 

Pikey alert!

 

Thus spake sweller unto the assembled multitudes:

Can't comment on the bike, but what a grotty bunch of pictures!

 

You must live close by..
That's what my wife shouts when they come to visit.

 

I've superglued the double glazing panels into the frame. Try next door.

 

DannyBoy was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Well, I'd start with the fact that the pictures appear to be taken
through the bottom of a coke bottle smeared with vaseline instead of a
lens. Plus, they don't show anything but the general shaped of the
bike, no details at all.

I'd try to take someone very knowledgable with me if I were to look at
this bike...

 

Thus spake Timo Geusch unto the assembled multitudes:

I thought it was particularly clever on one of the pics to stand with his
back to the sun and with his shadow covering the bike, with bike facing him
head on, so all you see is a shadow with a set of handlebars poking out the
sides.

 

why buy work, save the pennies & get one that you can test drive?

 

Good way to hide a SOBB though!

R