What should I get?

I've got about £1200 burning a hole and think I fancy an old Brit for
messing about on. So, as a newbie to old bikes, what is a good 'starter'
bike. Ideally 350/500, older the better.

TIA

 

Spagthorpe Cheeseman.

A delivery bike, but one with character. Brought out to capitalise on
the success of the rival Bantam, Spagthorpe desperately needed volume
sales to keep the factory open and the MD in Monte Carlo tickets.

Powered by a twin Overhead Piston, static crankshaft 444cc derivative of
the Spagthorpe Big Twelve, it was essentially a scaled-down slice of the
larger aero/locomotive engine which met with qualified success on the
airline and railroad routes of Central Zumbilia.

The rider is counselled to keep his legs clear of the engine whilst
attempting slow speed maneouvers in traffic, as the rotating engine
casings can exact a penalty from the calf muscles. Stout boots are a
sensible precaution, as is a mesh guard.

 

SOBBs are ridiculously overpriced, for the most part.

 

Triumph Tiger Cub

Saw loads of the buggers at the weekend, look like fun (in an oily rattly
kind of way).

Alternatively, Ariel 3.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My bike 1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr
M'boy's bike 2003 Honda NSR125R (Going)
Spare Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X (Patio Ornament)
BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005), X-FOT#000, DIAABTCOD #26, BOMB#18 (slow)

 

Austin Shackles says...

Typo corrected

 

both, in fact. when people start wanting 4-figure sums for things like a
BSA C15...

there are a few which are genuinely nice - gold stars, some nortons, early
(pre-war) triumph speed twin, velo venom to name a few. Most fo the rest
were average when new and are now shagged and average. Some were shite when
new and still are.

Personally, I've always rather fancied a 600 sloper Panther, complete with 1
bang per lamp-post engine revs.

 

As others have said, you won't get much of a bike for that - but you'd
get an Enfield India - it may be on 'new' plates, but it's essentially a
SOBB.

 

Andy Wegg was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Wot 'e said. Alternatively there are quite a lot of small fun Italian
bikes around for that kind of money.

 

Don't really fancy a pretend one, it's all pain or no pain.

There seems to be loads of runners going through fleabay, I'm not bothered
about cosmetics as long as it has a reasonable chance of starting and is
road legal.

 

Any classic shows coming up where I can get an idea?

 

If I was to put teh odd link up would peeps be willing to pass opinion?

 

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

Sure.

 

Cheers, I've stuck a few in my watch list, I'll come back with links when
they finish. I want to try and get a feel for value before jumping in with
a silly bid.

Of course if someone had something they wanted to get shot of at a cheapy
cheapy price then feel free to email.

Oh, as another option what is the consensus on oldish BMW/Guzzis.

 

Beemers are OK if you like 'em. run forever, more or less. 'specially the
smaller engines.

 

Bantam
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
96 Tiger.
FRJACKUKRM AT GMAIL DOT COM
skype: fr.jack (without the dot)
Open up your eyes, just to check that you're asleep, again

 

Andy Wegg was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Unfortunately a lot of them are unless you stick to the mainstream
stuff like MV, Guzzi and Morini.

 

actually, I don't mind bantams. it's an honest little bike, not pretending
to be more than just cheap wheels to get around on. Doesn't stop people
wanting silly money for 'em, though.

 

I reckon the rigid frame ones look nicer, meself.

'ere. how did you get eBay to give you BSA as a search category, then?

 

Me too, Maybe a bit out my price range when it finishes(1500 is probably
my absolute tops atm)

 

Yeah, M20/21s seem to fetch a good price. Some people seem to like em a
lot.

In the price range you're looking at - and if it's gonna be an
on-the-road runner - you're probably looking at something pretty
unglamourous, say a C15, or an A50 maybe. Push your limit up a bit and
you might get something abit more exciting - I saw a 73-ish Daytona go
for about 1700 a month or so ago. Also, you might consider an unusual
variant of a workaday bike, say a trials C15 or a B40 Enduro Star type
of thing.

Best thing tho is keep watching ebay