Old is gold

The makings of a May-December love story?

Do current day motorcycles disappoint you? Do you feel that they’re too appliance-like and therefore at odds with the emotive things motorcycles should be? That their easy-to-use nature feels synthetic and ultimately uninvolving?

If you’re nodding in agreement, then I think you need a classic motorcycle to cheer you up. A motorcycle marinated in the patina of times past, a motorcycle that’s old enough to throw a tantrum and with enough personality to steal your heart. Interested? Read on.

It may sound cliched, but it’s true. Classic motorcycles are human, complete with quirks, character, foibles and habits. You have to get to know them to get the best from them. You have to get involved, give respect to gain respect and all of that sort of thing. On the other hand, their constantly rising market prices also make them recession-proof investments. And of course, the attention at the traffic light is guaranteed.

 

There are some provisos to classic bike ownership, though. You have to be willing to invest time and patience on them. You have to be prepared to enjoy spending lazy afternoons scrounging scrapyards for spares, sometimes wait for months for a small part to arrive and to get to know your mechanic really rather well.

So how do I get one?

Still with me? Great. Buying your first classic motorcycle can be confusing. After all, there’s no showroom you can walk into and ride away, right? At best, the process is like buying a used motorcycle, minus the finance options. And obviously, no authorised dealers or six free services.

The journey begins with figuring out what you need. If you plan on using your classic as a daily commuter (it is possible), the bike you should pick is different from one that will get ridden for the occasional Sunday jaunt for the sheer pleasure of the experience. In the former case, a reliable motorcycle is the one to go in for, in the latter case, a temperamental bike with outstanding character is what you should be looking for.

The Sunbeam S7, for instance, would cost the earth but would make for a poor daily use bike. The BSA B31, on the other hand, is reliable, easy on maintenance and not that expensive — ideal qualities for a commuter motorcycle. Since there isn’t any fixed retail price, the cost of classic bikes can flicker wildly. So instead of fixating on a model, fix your budget and look for something that fits.

Haggling is highly recommended and don’t be afraid to walk away from a motorcycle if you think the price isn’t right. Irrespective of what the bloke selling the bike says, it isn’t the last one left. Unless it’s a Brough Superior or a Crocker, in which case, you drop us an email with its whereabouts and walk away!

Which one should I go for?

Now it’s time to actually go looking around for the bike itself. The classic bike world is such that certain brands command premium rates over others. For instance, comparable Nortons and Triumphs are far more expensive than, say, a BSA Bantam which is reliable and easily available.

There was a time when finding a buy-able motorcycle was a breeze. Sadly, no longer. Owners now know the true value of their bikes, both in emotional and monetary terms. This makes buying the bike from the owner himself a better proposition. But unfortunately, this is now a rarity. You will have to deal with dealers and not all are on the level, so be careful.

When you actually go to inspect the bike, take your trusty mechanic along and ask him to check the bike out thoroughly. When cared for, most of these oldies prove reliable and will withstand a fair amount of abuse. But remember, they are old. So a small noise could indicate something that needs to be merely adjusted or could be something huge.

As it is with all old things, parts are hard to come by. The pleasure of riding the bike after you have put in all the efforts is unsurpassed, so stick with it. These motorcycles love to be fussed over and in return will give you a level of emotional intimacy that the latest and greatest will find hard to match at any level.

If you look hard, you might catch a classic bike owner pat his bike on the tank lovingly after a ride — it’s like that. One of the things that really appeals to me about these machines is that they are simpler and more transparent than today’s machines. The mechanicals aren’t cloaked in mystery, and to be honest, anyone with a mildly mechanical bent can fix most problems they will encounter.

Last but not the least, check the paperwork. Make sure that all the documents are present and valid. Ensure that the engine and chassis numbers on the registration certificate and tax book tally with their counterparts on the motorcycle. The motorcycle “fitness certificate” or “passing” in grease-monkey parlance (which is in the registration book), should be valid and so should the insurance.

Ensure that the transfer and NOC papers (if you need to transfer the registration to another RTO) are filled in correctly and duly signed with the same signature as that in the registration certificate. Be firm on the paperwork, else you’ll land up with a priceless but ultimately illegal machine that you won’t be able to ride on the road.

From here on, you will get to know your machine. Read up on its history, find out who else has one and so on. Joining a classic motorcycle club is a smart idea because you instantly gain access to the experience of all the other members. Besides, such clubs are great fun since everybody in there shares your love for the motorcycle and can be a great source of leads for getting hard-to-find parts.

How much should I part with?

Here are some of the approximate market prices of a few easy-to-find single cylinder classic British motorcycles. Multi cylinder bikes are great fun to ride but for a first time classic bike owner, going in for them might be biting off more than you can chew if you are not mechanically inclined in the first place. They cost more and are harder to maintain. Once you have cut your teeth on a single, you could venture out for an upgrade.

The rates have been categorised as per the condition of the motorcycle and it is assumed that all the papers are in order. A basket case is a bike that hasn’t been started for many years but has nearly all its original parts on it.

This bike will need considerable work before it becomes road worthy. A “runner” is a bike that starts and runs but might not have everything in perfect working order. By “concours”, it is implied that the bike is mechanically sound and is painted and chromed. Such a bike should look and ride like it has rolled off the production line just yesterday! 

BSA B31 Early to mid 50s, plunger rear shocks, 350cc Basket: Rs 15-20,000; Runner: Rs 35-40,000; Concours: Rs 50-60,000

BSA M21 Late 40s to mid 50s, rigid rear with girder forks, 600cc side valve Basket: Rs 35-50,000; Runner: Rs 60-80,000; Concours: Rs 80,000-1,20,000

Matchless G3L 1940s, rigid rear with telescopic forks up front, 350cc Basket: Rs 20-30,000; Runner: Rs 40-50,000; Concours: Rs 55-70,000

Triumph 3HW 1940s, rigid rear with girder front fork, 350cc Basket: Rs 35-40,000; Runner: Rs 50-70,000; Concours: Rs 75-95,000

Norton 16H 1940s, rigid rear with girder front fork, 500cc side valve Basket: Rs 35-45,000; Runner: Rs 55-80,000; Concours: Rs 90,000-1,30,000

AJS Model 16 Mid 50s, “jampot” rear shocks with telescopic front forks, 350cc Basket: Rs 25-35,000; Runner: Rs 45-55,000; Concours: Rs 60-75,000

We hope that you find that classic motorcycle that you have always been dreaming about. And when you do, don’t forget to let us know what it felt like, swinging your legs over your very own classic motorcycle and riding it for the first time. Have fun on your personal ode to motorcycling history!