The Classic Motorcycle
- Thread starter 239desmo
- Start date
arj
New member
May edition has a couple pages dedicated to John Fallon's (at Mdina) own blue/silver 900SS bevel.
Nothing new or startling but nice photos. Tester was pretty much smitten...but a bevel twin will have that effect.
It was a very nice original unrestored bike but the quoted specs robbed it of 10 BHP!
239desmo
Is it nearly bedtime?
Some of the "history" behind the development of the bike was also a bit patchy bordering on inaccurate but I accept that is often the way with articles on Ducati history in some articles. Does make me wonder how much I should believe about any other bike featured. Perhaps if it is British they make more effort to get it right?
Must say as I get older I have come to appreciate bikes in good original or a long time ago restoration condition. I can appreciate someone restoring a bike to better than new condition but a bike that looks as if it has a story to tell is the one I would go for now.
Not the one to have if you are looking for trophies at shows though.
W
Wassy
Just visiting
Interesting that the tester preferred the bike fitted with the 32's as opposed to the 40's.
Went to get my ss out yesterday and noticed a slight weep from the front right brake caliper.
Two hours later and a new '0' ring had it sorted but by then the weather was bad.
Fingers crossed for next week
Went to get my ss out yesterday and noticed a slight weep from the front right brake caliper.
Two hours later and a new '0' ring had it sorted but by then the weather was bad.
Fingers crossed for next week
mbg
New member
I am about to put my Laverda Alpino back together having had the frame powder coated and all the chrome re done. The tank and tail piece are black with a gold coach line which has faded but is still visible. I would like to show the bike and would appreciate advice as to whether I should leave the paint work as it is or have it resprayed.
239desmo
Is it nearly bedtime?
I am about to put my Laverda Alpino back together having had the frame powder coated and all the chrome re done. The tank and tail piece are black with a gold coach line which has faded but is still visible. I would like to show the bike and would appreciate advice as to whether I should leave the paint work as it is or have it resprayed.
From my limited experience with shows (assuming you are looking for a "pot" at the end of the day) the shiniest, best (over?)restored bike will win every time. A lot of the winning bikes are better than new but that seems to be what judges are looking for.
I know of a 30+ year old Japanese bike which has done almost no miles and still has (literally) the original air in the tyres and is exactly as it left the showroom and it won't win because a better than new restoration gets the nod every time.
I guess it depends on the individuals view and whether the bike is going to be used/shown or just shown. Unless you are going for the full shiny restoration it wll always be a bit of a balancing act Mary. A bit like cutting the grass and suddenly the edges look bad!
If you are seriously after a trophy you will need to paint it I guess.
Bear in mind most judges have not the foggiest idea about the standard spec/colours on Italian bikes anyway. Most will never have seen or heard of the Alpino!My plan is get it tidy/useable to use and show (without being too embarrassed
) and slowly work on the worst bits as a sort of rolling restoration.
P
ProjectImola004
Just visiting
...I haven't seen this article yet, I'll go to the magazine bit and read it next time Rose and I are in Tescos!!!
mbg
New member
If you are seriously after a trophy you will need to paint it I guess.
My plan is get it tidy/useable to use and show (without being too embarrassed
Thanks for that. The bike is very tidy now and useable. I'm not after trophies but I think I will get it resprayed and find someone who will hand paint the lines.
Might even take it on a run later in the year, but it will have to be a slow one as it only manages 90mph going downhill with a strong tail wind but boy does it bring a smile to my face.
