5 Affordable 500cc British Singles

Think you can't afford a big British thumper
well think again because just maybe you can

[@bsimpson6204]

Mate of mine bought a G80 way back in the mid 70's, it was in mint condition and he paid peanuts for it, my, the bargains you could get back then.

[@bikerdood1100]

Before it all went crazy of course

[@davidrochow9382]

I remember buying a 2012 RE 500 Classic and putting a sidecar on it. GPS 103 kph flat out with a tail wind downhill was about it's top speed. Besides from the fuel injection and front disc it was basically still a 1950s bike. I put some knobbies, a bash plate and led lights on it and it was a great adventure bike. I loved it.

[@bikerdood1100]

Those things can be lots of fun We put a side car on our bulletin when my son was small It was a hoot Slow true but fun non the less

[@apacherider7110]

Always a school day watching your channel. I learn so much about our biking heritage 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Learn a fair bit making them 😂

[@kerryburns-k8i]

That was a nice ´57 BSA with Aerial hubs, just like mine. It is a great bike, once you have fitted a Triumph clutch, a voltage regulator to go to 12 volts, and green linings for the brakes. You have to be prepared to get to know your magdyno very intimately though, they can be as much trouble as the rest of the bike. Replace the silly cardboard thing that insulates the casing from the armature bearing with a pressed in plastic washer and the spark will improve. Then you have to learn about grinding a pinion onto a tapered shaft, that rarely goes right first time ... Roadholder fork stanchions will fit for less flex, bushes can be reamed to fit, and I found a Goldie touring inlet cam which was a big improvement on the standard. Fill the ammeter with atf and it will stop bouncing around, and keep on top of your chain tensions, they have differing agendas !

[@williamnethercott4364]

Excellent selection! I'm very fond of the AMC and Ariel singles.

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed yes

[@bruceparr1678]

The 1947 RE J model 500 was an excellent bike. I rode alongside one through NSW, Victoria, SA and back to NSW. Only had to pull the head off once when a valve stuck.

[@bikerdood1100]

Old iron head I expect it got bloody hot down there in NSW

[@bruceparr1678]

@@bikerdood1100 Very hot. Jan 1973.

[@tonycamplin8607]

Back in 1957 I had a 1954 MSS (took my test on it), it was a fantastic bike. As you said it'd cruse all day at 70 and return a genuine 70mpg, with its large fuel tank it would go for ever. It had a beautiful two level duel seat and one handed wheel adjustable rear suspension, the only downside were the Miller electrics. By the way it would have made the good video a really great one if you'd have given us some idea of their prices.

[@bikerdood1100]

The Velocettes do have a whiff of class about them

[@NBZW]

56 B33, Road it 15 years, best bike I ever owned, only one complaint, the damm seat.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well no such thing as the perfect bike I suppose

[@rickh8380]

I really like all of the old iron. Those bikes are beautiful. I really like the Matchless and the BSA. Take care guys and ride safe. Cheers

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks

[@richardrichard5409]

Great video as usual, thanks for the upload 😎

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks Glad your enjoying them

[@UK75roger]

Yes, I had a Matchless, a BSA, and a Velocette. All great bikes, which I'm sure only broke down due to youthful incompetence. Incidentally tho, I rode from Essex to the Isle of Wight festival in 1969 without any breakdown! I did really covet a Norton ES2, and the Vincent Comet - I imagine these aren't in your sample as they are now too rare and expensive. Thanks!

[@bikerdood1100]

Mechanical incompetence has cost me no small amount of cash over the years Sometimes my own 😂

[@nortonrider9220]

Beautiful bikes, thank you.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@richardrichard5409]

I've gone to an Enfield Bullet Sixty 5 now, all the Brit bike fun, but a whole lot less of the grief😎 The Sixty 5 has carb, tls front brake, points, 5 speed and left foot change, worth seeking one out.

[@bikerdood1100]

All depends on the Brit bike No breath from my A10 in 15 years Well I did service it this week

[@MichaelBall-uu5lg]

Good to see a velo best of the bunch

[@bikerdood1100]

They are pretty that’s for sure

[@christopherpearson1752]

Not only pretty but very good due to the extra care they received at manufacture

[@Mike40M]

Always well spent time looking at your videos. None of my three British 500 singles is on the list, so I guess I had too much money to spend. Just curious, which British bikes in the fifties and sixties was most produced for the home market?

[@bikerdood1100]

In the 50s it’s likely a 350 If you ignore light weights Otherwise it’ll be the Bantam For big bikes it’s either a BSA or a triumph They were by some margin the largest company

[@martinowl]

A great choice of machines. If I was 20 years younger could be tempted. However, 20 years ago, ZX9r had my name on it!😱.lol

[@bikerdood1100]

That’s why I own more than one 😎

[@gvinrad]

I'm not sure I would consider the Velocette an affordable single ? What price bracket had you based affordable on ? I would like to see a comparison including cheap classic 2-strokes, I have a 1975 MZ es150/1 a 1955 Francis Barnett Falcon 70 with Villiers 8E engine a 1975 CZ 175 Trail. Something along those lines & possibly under the 200cc mark would be great.

[@bikerdood1100]

Non of those are 500 singles now are they 🙄

[@bikerdood1100]

I have covered small machines in other videos

[@bikerdood1100]

These thinks a relative An MSS can be picked up for less than you think and is far cheaper than more sporty singles Around 1/3 of the price

[@rachelthompson9324]

Nothing old and UK made is affordable in the US. Sad for us.

[@bikerdood1100]

Mainly because the US had most of em and then stored them away for decades Many that survived have found there way home to the UK

[@richardortiz8704]

The singles are slow like a turtle

[@bikerdood1100]

Really depends on who’s riding em

[@bikerdood1100]

And why does that matter If you only buy a bike to go fast then I’m very much afraid you’ve mowed the point

[@mauricecasey866]

500 singles that wont break the bank but will break down on a regular basis!

[@Johan-vk5yd]

Haha! Upkeeping is part of the hobby!

[@andrewbernard9571]

You are right the neglected ones yes. But remember Not a Machine that's in Good Nik.

[@andrewbernard9571]

Good line up Machines featured hear. Another favourite would be the Norton ES2. Cheers

[@williamharris4426]

For Lazy owners mabe yes.

[@bikerdood1100]

They need far less maintenance than people think It’s a myth put around by Those who have no clue what that are talking about Maintenance schedules are hardly taxing and it’s simplicity to maintain them Unless your grossly incompetent of course

[@tomtaylor6163]

Oh look you Brits copied those engines off bikes like my SR500 Yamaha

[@bikerdood1100]

Should probably not drink in the week Save it for the weekend 😂

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Don't forget Scott who copied their twin cylinder liquid cooled two stroke engines from the Yamaha 350LC....

[@tomtaylor6163]

@@Free_Ranger_CT110 Yes , The Rascals at Scott were well known for stealing designs from others

[@tomtaylor6163]

@@Free_Ranger_CT110Yes , You are quite correct. And the worst people of all are the Scottish as they claim to have invented everything…

[@bikerdood1100]

And I’ve fallen into an alternate universe