Total Motorcycle Community Forums

As you have probably gathered I love old bikes. I have little technical knowledge (use fella for that), but love the look & sound.

Any thoughts on having a classic/vintage forum?

There must be quite a few members who have old bikes.

Cheers, Mog.

I'd like to see a classic/vintage forum. I own a 1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD, which I classify as vintage rather than classic.

I'm still trying to find a definitive discussion of what constitues either of those classifications; not successful so far.

Maybe, it's like beauty...in the eye of the beholder. (So, if you think your scoot is a classic, it is. If you view it as vintage, it is.) Not sure what others think about this.

We might not settle this, but your idea of a separate forum is very appealing.

Three of my bikes are all tagged as historic in Maryland. 1984 Honda Magna, 1988 Honda CBR1000F and 1991 Honda Nighthawk. My thoughts are the age makes them vintage popularity or desirability makes them CLASSIC. I am all for a area for the lovers of older bikes then we can all argue about what is a REAL old bike I like the character of my old bikes. I have much more fun with my older bikes than i did with my VLX that I bought new ( I spent way to much effort trying to keep it new forever) I have done a fair amount of work on each of them and know them pretty well now. I have bikes that are 20 years older than my VLX was but I feel they will last me just as long as l will be able to ride

Cheers for the input guys, I was hoping there would be some interest so we can persuade "the management"

I have trawled around the tinternet to try & clarify classifications & dates.

The dates below are British & other countries vary. However, seeing as we Brits are always so pedantic about these things, maybe we can agree them as a starting point of discussion?

VETERAN............1899 - 1914

VINTAGE.............1915 - 1930

PRE WAR.............1931 - 1945

POST WAR...........1946 - ????

CLASSIC..............Pre 1986 (25yrs old +)

OLD....................1986 - ????

As you can see these are not all definitive.

The term CLASSIC seems to cause the most confusion. Just because a bike is old doesn't mean it deserves to be classic. It needs some design quality/innovation to be other than just old.

Different marques quote different dates, BMW eg give completely different dates to above.

Anyway as long as we distinguish the really old bikes & give them due respect with the appropriate terms, we can be more flexible with the newer "oldies"

If anyone else can clarify this better then please do so.

In New Jersey a motorcycle at least 25 years old that is "only used for exhibition and educational purposes" can be registered as a "historic" motorcycle. The "vehicle cannot be altered from the manufacturer’s original design in any way and must be equipped for legal operation on New Jersey roadways." Avoiding the state's extortionary registration fees is the only reason I can think of to do it.

I have my Gold Wing and the 91 BMW that have regular tags. (and one pick up)

I have Vintage (50 years +) tags on the 35 and 49 HDs (my 60 Servicar and 61 BMW now qualify too, but still have valid collector tags till 2014)

All of my other licensed bikes , one pick up and the Corvette have "Motorcycle Collector" or "Collector Series" tags (must be pre 1975 now but mine are Grandfathered in from when it used to be over 25 years old, change was in 2010)

This is in Colorado thanks to Tax Ritter.

Let's not get too hung up on dates as they obviously vary a lot.

What about some pics of these bikes?

Check out my "Lovely old bikes" thread if you haven't already.

When it comes to classic Brit bikes I use the following criteria in rating their desirability to me.

For a classic BSA, Norton or Triumph circa 1960 or earlier, I am willing to commit mass murder.
For a Vincent, committing genocide is not out of the question.
For a Brough Superior ...well, just don't let me near the button that launchs the worlds nukes, coz I will push it gleefully if it meant I could get one.

Ceemes before you push the button can you get a Brough & a Vincent for my fella too?

Every time his late mother asked what he wanted for his birthday my fella would reply " you know what - want Mum, a Brough Superior or a Vincent Black Shadow"!

Bless her she did get them..........they are in the display cabinet!!

This is the 1929 Brough Superior SS100 known as Moby Dick.

It was regarded as THE fastest motorcycle of the 1920's & was recorded as reaching 106mph in 1931. Later modifications saw it reach 115mph!

It is to be auctioned here in UK in October.

Anyone got a spare £250K?