Hey there, was wondering if anyone out there knows off a dealer/dealers, shop/shops, bloke down the pub etc, who sell older 125cc models (Honda Benly/DKW/etc)

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or does anyone know of a more modern bike which has retro/vintage stylings

After riding a few bikes I have finally found my niche. Not really fussed about getting a full licence just yet either.

Thanks.

I suggest you buy a copy of Classic Bike and have a look through it.

Steve

yes that make sense, do'h!

thanks steve.

What about the Suzuki RV125 VanVan or are you looking for more of a cafe racer-styled bike?

yeah I looked at the van van and it looks pretty nice, but I would prefer something a bit more cafe style. Have found that MV Agusta did a range of 125s in the 60's/70's. Of course dont want to get anything too antiquated cause It needs to take me places in a reasonable amount of time! Just off to but my copy of classic bike, if I can get out of the house!

Hi Tommy

Just a few to look up that are cheap and cheerful and have a bit of character.

BSA Bantam, early models are 125.

MZ125 good reliable workhorse.

CZ125 not as good as an MZ, but available.

Early Honda CB or CG125's

Yamaha YB100 or RD125 twin.

Suzuki GT125

Problem is most of the smaller Italian and British bikes were over 125 cc and under 250cc, as 250 was the learner limit then, as you probably know.

While you are buying Classic Bike, also buy Classic Bike Guide or have a peek at it in Smiths. Page 88 of this Feb's issue has a bit on Bantams.

Good luck

Cheers


Chris

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[/SIZE] "Live dangerously for as long as you can!"

So does this mean it's "Bye Bye, Derbi" then?

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outstanding info there chris much apreciated mate!

not saying bye bye, but fancied something 'as well as'. the derbi is a great bike, but im liking the retro ones more and more, to the point where when the day of a major RTW trip comes I will do it on an old skool bike, rather than a modern model.

did you get that scooter? how is it?

For classic biking for any distance and using a 125 I would seriously consider a Moto Morini, which I believe you will find spares easier to obtain, and mainly because it is 4 stroke, if you went to a larger capacity I would also go 4 stroke, spares availability for older bikes also needs to be considered as well, I have always fancied a R25,R26,or R27 250 BMW single, but at an Autojumble at the weekend saw a 350 Matchless for the same money as the BMW I was looking at,spares for British classics are definately easier to obtain and a bit cheaper on the pocket, yes, classic bikes are fun especially if used within thier capabilities.
You also find a different 'breed' of motorcyclists into classics, and be prepared to be accousted by old boys, old enough to be your Grandfather to chat about 'your classic' and remember, these classics were the R1 gsxrcbr's of thier day! Thier knowledge is priceless.......believe me.
Hope you post as to what classic you eventually get,good luck.

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

Using a classic MV as your daily hack is sacrilege. These are sunny, summer weekend bikes.

I was working on a friends Yamaha YB100 a couple of months ago. Hadn't been started for about 6 years. Cleaned the carb up, new points and plug and off it went. Bikes don't get much simpler than this and will take lots of abuse and neglect. I reckon they would suit being "cafe'd" if you can get hold of some clip-ons, a f'glass single seat unit, short mudguards, chrome classic style clocks and indicators, etc, etc.





The RD125 above already has more of a cafe racer stance about it. A friend has one that he bought as a rolling frame on eBay and is (very slowly) being restored in his workshop's downtime. It will be up for sale when completed. There's also the RD125LC below which was kind of like the CBR125 of it's day and will get loads of attention from the "I used to have one of them" crowd. All LC's are becoming quite collectable too.

Sort of agree with you here, but im still keeping my derbi for riding round leeds and that. Anyhow Im not overly keen on the engine block look of the classic classics. Im sure these are well built bikes, but it looks as if the engine housing could be taken out with a strong gust of wind.

That RD125 looks spot on though, almost exactly what I had in my minds eye. Unfortunately didnt make it out today to get my copies of the classic bike mags (due to the polar bears that are in-habiting my garden) but il have a good luck tmrw. Thanks again craig, most helpful. And you too dave, cheers mate.

Hi Tommy

Pleased to help and glad that my O level in useless motorcycle information came in hady for once!

I know they are mostly two stokes, but if you did get your test out of the way then you can go for the old four strokes like BSA 250 C15's, Triumph Tiger Cub's, Aeriel Leaders and the like. Get along to the Stafford Classic Bike Show in April, as every old bike made is there and plenty of old geezers, which suits me.

There are some nice Jap retros like the Suzuki TU 250 four stroke twin:



and the Yamah SR250


Yamah SRX400:



Honda XBR 500:



Suzuki Goose 250 (yes, I don't know why they named it like that either)



Honda Bros 250 (they also do a 400 and I have a 650 in stock)




MV Agusta 350 Still quite cheap for an MV.





Ducati 250 Desmo Gorgeous...





All these bikes are 80's 90's and worth the hassle of taking your test for.

Thanks, I enjoyed looking those up.

Cheers


Chris

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[/SIZE] "Live dangerously for as long as you can!"

You're welcome mate.

I'm with Chris on this. If you do your test, it opens up a whole new load of choices. My understanding of the current laws is that you'll be able to ride any bike upto 33bhp for 2 years then you're unrestricted. I'm trying to persuade a 17yo kid I know to put in for his test. The real reason I'm telling him to do it is because I want to buy his neglected Honda 125 Varadero as I'll get it for a steal and sell it on to another 17yo at a profit, once refurbished. I know another "young un" who is due to do his test and thinks a restricted GSXR1000 will make a great first bike. I have a feeling he'll learn the expensive way!

CR-40*-*ccmmotorcyclesuk.com



The CCM CR-40 looks ideal if restricted to 33bhp. They are expensive though and I've only ever seen one in a dealers so getting hold of a used one may be difficult. However, you've also got the choice of Royal Enfields and the gorgeous looking Triumph Thruxton below.



The real budget option would be to buy a mid-90's Ducati 600SS (think they're 50 odd bhp)...


Auto Trader UK - DUCATI 750 SS 750cc

...have it restricted to 33bhp, sell the fairing, seat unit, tank, exhausts, etc on eBay and use the proceeds to turn it into something like this...




Do a search for Baine Racing Project Imola. You don't have to buy the parts from Baines as there's loads of people making the front fairings, seat units, f'glass tank covers, etc. The front mudguard is a standard Ducati Monster item so it's really not as exotic as it looks. One of these built up by Baines is from memory, about £14000, and includes a new frame, swingarm and dual shocks but you could do a passable replica using the originals. I've had an SS before so know them pretty well and this is is what I'd do. I reckon if you got the donor bike at the right price, sold some parts on eBay, you could put a lookalike together for around about £2000!

Now you've really opened up a can of worms. If this thread gets going, opinions on which classic bike is more classic than the rest is going to make the HUBB vs ADV and BMWs are reliable threads look like "you're my besh mate, hic" evenings in the pub

Just to kick things off I don't think you can go far wrong with an RD125 - if you get a half decent one or are willing to do some spanner work. Just about the most fun I ever had on a small bike was on an AS1 125, the RD's granddad. They're great bikes if you're in a bad mood as you can thrash the nuts off them and you're still only doing 40mph!
I was going to use one to go London to Athens - 2 up, until something a bit bigger came along at the last minute. I spent a happy day on big brother - a RD200, last year (a friend has a matched his'n'hers pair) and it reminded me just what fun they are. Sadly there aren't any in Classic Bike this month (in the readers ads anyway) but there is a Puch M125 for £800 or a MV Gran Turismo 125 from a dealer, yours for £1800 if you're happy to do a complete restoration.

Now wait for the posts that say that RDs are unreliable piles of junk, that landfill is too good for them, and what you really want is a Bantam / Mito () / MBX / Francis Barnett etc

Does it have to be a classic bike or could it be a retro bike? I saw a very passable retro 125cc a while back but it's buried in a huge pile of magazines so if you're not interested I won't bother fighting the mag-blizzard.

Well I might do anyway now I think of it

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