My last motorcycles were all trials bikes that I enjoyed running with my sons most Sundays at our local Back Cowm Quarry (the home of the world trials championship when they run the British round).

This is a superb facility for playing around on a trails bike, and the vast area was also used for 4x4 trials, Enduros and other off-road motor sports with plenty of space for every one to pay for a day at a time to use.

At first we had old, and then later new Montessa Cota two strokes but we also bought a pair of the Honda Montessa four-strokes when they came out.

I already had a Sherco 175 to use when I was on my own as it was much lighter weight for an oldie to muscle around and recover when needed….and to be honest, it was by far the easier bike to rise!

We also had a pair of classic Honda 250 trials bikes that I loved, but all these bikes and associated kit had to go when we retired as our unit had to be cleared-out so it could be rented to a tenant to help our pensions.

It was probably the right time to quit as falling off hurts a lot more as you get older, and injuries seem to take much longer to mend……

Bob.

Like others who have given up using their motorbikes or are thinking of doing so I'm in the same position. But for now I still have a few - crazy thing is you think you are going to have more time to ride them when you retire, but often you don't, and touring is a thing of the past now.

I changed my touring bike 4 years ago, a Triumph Tiger 1050 with full luggage, for a more leisurely Triumph Scrambler 1200. I also have a 2003 Triumph Thunderbird Sport, a 2003 CCM 644 Dual Sport I used for green laning (though it's more like brown laning over here - that's the mud! 😀 Though there has been some moments!). A 1973 Triumph Tiger 750 and a 1962 Lambretta TV175, a 1963 version being my first road legal two-wheeler. I passed my test on it and bought a 1959 BSA 650 Super Rocket which you could do in those days.

The CCM is going to be sold due to lack of use but also I need the space in the garage.

Chris

Funny how this question moved onto motorcycles.

I have a 1969 Triumph Trident, bought as bits and rebuilt over a couple of years, also have a 1949 AJS 500cc single but this still more bits than bike.

Wow!!!
Hello everyone . .
We've strayed a bit here, but motorcycling is a second freedom that I enjoy alongside model making. The old grey GW1500 had 450,000 km on the clock, so I traded it in for a newer GW 1800. Well, the old 1988 Harley outlived the grey one . . . .
Every year in spring, I attend a basic course. Then I can decide whether to ride the following year or stop. .
At some point, it will be over. .
Now it's winter and it's time to get back to tinkering !

Your Michel-C.

Ps: Translated from German
Never mess with motorcyclists, we know places where no one will find you! 🤣🤣
Second :
Christmas is coming soon, so I'm not buying anything because my wife keeps me in check!

My last motorbike, gave up riding and sold it when I was diagnosed with cardiac problems. It was heavier on fuel than my motor car.

I'd post a photo of my motorcycle but it doesn't look too pretty with the front wheel folded up against the engine. 55 years ago someone (drinking) decided to pull out in front of me. Still limping from the injury. However, it could have been much worse. Memories... thanks for posting. Ride safe.

Lew

Thanks for the motorcycle pictures Gary - they are very much appreciated as your restorations are superb and are very good to look at.

My interest in your Royal Enfield Continental GT is because it reminds me so much of the 250 version that I couldn’t afford to buy when I was an apprentice.

I do like most vintage motorcycles, but I also have a “soft spot” for Tritons!

Similar reason. I had a pre-unit Triumph T120 Bonniville engines and gearbox with a Norton featherbed frame just as I was getting married - and “needs must” as they say, so it was sold before I could finish it.

Bob.

thanks Bob, I really appreciate that comment and find it quite strange that when I was at your place for some strange reason model boats was never mention, mind I was somewhat engaged loading that very heavy lathe on to its coming home transport. I am not quite sure what I have sent you, anyway it is an Ariel Huntmaster FH 650, completely altered in its appearance, and completely rebuilt. Regards, Gary.

It is nice to have a good Myford lathe to work with Gary, but that is only the tool that you have used to make the parts on.

The skills and workmanship are provide by yourself, something you have developed with your natural talent over the years.

I am truly impressed and humbled that you chose to make the parts on my old lathe, but you are the one that made them as well as you did - the lathe could not do it without you!

Nice work Gary 👍

Bob.

Very nice this engine Gary.