tdk
Part of things
Posts: 958
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Oct 14, 2016 12:49:32 GMT
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I was recently lucky enough to spend the day in London on the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. A charity gig for over 1000 motorbikes which raised (worldwide) $3.5 million for good causes. My retro 'bike is a pushbike, an ancient Royal Enfield which I love to bits, so I had to get the organisers approval to join with my second choice - a Morgan Three Wheeler (which everyone loved). I don't have a motorbike licence but am putting in for my CBT shortly, as I had such fun. Unlike the wider car community, which often seems to consider modifications a bit oikish, bikers all seem to approve of mods, be they for style or performance. On this gig the focus was on style, both clothing and bike, hence the 'Distingished Gentlemans Ride' name. It was like the Revival without so much as a whiff of snobbery, and I had a great day making a little film about it for the telly. I took a load of pics ( more here, with info about the event), below are some of my favourites. I *** NEED*** a retro motorbike now. Anyone else feeling the love for retro motorbikes? I am totally smitten with this. It's a BSA Bantam, 125cc (I think) and can be ridden on L plates. 4.5bhp, brap-brap soundtrack and probably totally impractical but I want to mount it on my living room wall. I'm off to the 'bay of temptation to buy one and customise it. Try and stop me. Anyone else on here tempted to get into this?
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Last Edit: Oct 14, 2016 12:50:08 GMT by tdk
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Oct 14, 2016 12:55:16 GMT
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We shan't stop you; ney you shall only be encouraged!
I must admit I've had a hankering to find an old bike and get my certs for some time now. Quite coincidentally an old Yamaha RX100 that we imported from Indonesia for work is surplus to requirement now and going spare. Although it would probably look suspicious me taking it, plus I already have 3 cars on the drive!
I'm sure there's a few enthusiasts on here that should be able to give you some good pointers!
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1979 Mk1 Passat Estate 1.6 LS 1996 Mk3.5 Fiesta 1.3 Classic 1997 Mk1 MX5 1.8i 2005 Mazda 3 TS
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Oct 14, 2016 13:30:29 GMT
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You're not alone. I've had the urge to do my bike test for a long time and never acted on it but the DGR footage from around the world really gave it a boost.
Ownership of a Triumph Bonneville (or a Thunderbird, or a Speedmaster, but not a Thruxton, I don't think my back is up to it) is really appealing. Absolutely stunning looking things.
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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tdk
Part of things
Posts: 958
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Oct 14, 2016 13:56:15 GMT
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DGR footage from around the world really gave it a boost. I made a short film for Motors TV about this year's London ride. I'll try and post a link when it's live.
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,335
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Oct 14, 2016 14:19:43 GMT
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Have a delve in the readers' other mods section, there's quite a few of us with 2-wheeled passion, myself included.
Custom bikes are hugely popular at the moment, as such prices are on the up. For example, my bike was £800 when I bought it, similar ones are £1500 upwards now.
Good time of year to buy though!
I've never participated in the DGR, mainly due to personal priorities. Now it seems a bit oversubscribed tbh, and a bit hipstery self indulgent for my taste (sorry!) - I generally have a problem if someone's outfit cost more than their bike (easily done).
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Oct 16, 2016 12:18:47 GMT
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Rather than retro biking I would more call it motorcycles for hipsters
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tdk here's the one in Manila
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I marshalled for the Bournemouth ride this year, was quite interesting as I don't know the area and had never been on the ride but we tried our best to beat the bikes to the next location. Wish I could have chatted with some owners but had to spend most of the afternoon sidelined in a carpark around the corner from the venue guarding about 6 bikes from a metermaid that never showed up which was a blessing for the owners but a shame for me, I felt like I was there for no reason, whilst I'm aware it's for charity and raised funds myself, I didn't find it all that fun standing in my best wares in the beating sun with no-one to talk to apart from a local chav who got into his astra asking me why we were stood there, I probably won't volunteer next year. I have a thread in this section with my bike fiddling in.
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This was at the 1st stop, Bournemouth Pier, the only time we got a decent look over the bikes, we are the very easily spotted two in high vises Going from this fellas Flikr, there were quite some bikes involved...
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tdk
Part of things
Posts: 958
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Not sure if I mentioned it, but I wrote and presented a little film about the DGR for Motors TV. I've uploaded to YouTube for anyone interested;
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Last Edit: Nov 4, 2016 12:08:03 GMT by tdk
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