Hitchcocks Forum

Reading In this months Classic Bike. A guy has built a 'MODERN CLASSIC' using an Enfield engine which he intends to put into production building about 10 bikes a year. Looks nice I especially like the tank.

Nice enough I suppose by the standards of these things. There seem to be loads of these bobber type projects springing up made by cool dudes in Hoxton or somewhere trendy. Does anyone actually ride or buy them?

REgards, Mark

Who knows. I assume so. The guys you are talking about are 'Old Empire Motorcycles' and I do like their stuff but some of them do look uncomfortable to say the least. I'll stick to my Electra for the mo.

I was at the Goodwood Revival (RE importers had borrowed a couple of my bikes for their Cafe stand and gave me tickets,) and I saw this bike. While it's nice enough as an ornament I really can't see the point from the perspective of a rider. It was noticeable that there were several stands there advertising similar products so someone must think there is a market for them. Good luck to the creators all the same!

REgards, Mark

Old Empire Motorcycles, I could be tempted:-

http://oldempiremotorcycles.com/wp-cont ... 6162-2.jpg

...Just had a look at the website. The Enfield single bike is "the fox", complete with ace bars and bicycle saddle. Maybe ok for an ornament but you wouldn't want to ride it. These machines all look like the absurd and ridiculously impractical american custom bikes one sees on the tv. Maybe I'm just too old but I cannot see the attraction of minimalist bicycle saddles, no mudguards or chainguards and frames obviously designed for appalling roadholding on a motorcycle.

It's just my personal opinion, but their site says,










"without a particular style, but all with a timeless appeal"



Where as I thought they had no style, and my appeal timespan would be about 'no time' as well. I also have failed totally to see the appeal in the bobber look, which I blame on those 'transformers' toys that were around when our younger riders were kids.

Dunno, it might be me - has anyone tried using ace bars with a bike saddle and forward foot pegs? It's excruciatingly painful. There's a reason hardtails were built for sit up and beg.

Last time I checked, lack of a chainguard let alone a mudguard is an MoT failure

Ok, some look kinda cool but I'd need a much bigger mantelpiece.

As I understand it from my mot guy, a front mudguard is not required, also although a speedo has to be fitted, it doesn't have to work. There are all sorts of other funny little quirks like this, too. I am not a fan of 'bobber' type machines, but have been involved in some to varying degrees at the request of others. Recently, while test riding one with a huge potential for performance from the engine, I found myself immersed in thoughts regarding the total lack of ground clearance - the prop stand is not required, it will lean on a footrest - and having to slow down to a snail's pace to get round average corners. speed bumps were another hazard and negotiating a roundabout had me slipping the clutch in 1st gear. The lack of a front mudguard, and to all intents and purposes a rear one had me soaked through in minutes, the spray off a wet road went up my back, then ran down inside my leggings, while there was so much water flung up from the front that I might as well have been sat in the shower and it would have been no worse and it wasn't even raining, just a wet road surface. No rear view mirrors added a little more to concentrate on / worry about. Each to their own, but these things are not my cup of tea. Cheers, Paul.