Misty Morning Sunday Ride: 1960 Panther M10 Classic British 650cc Single

REPUBLISHED VERSION (to fix ugly sound)
One Misty, Moisty Morn I took my 1960 Panther M120 for a gentle backroads ride in Eastern Ontario. The bike behaved marvelously, chugging along in an incredibly pleasing and satisfying manner. If you're used to 100+hp bikes, perhaps the Panther wouldn't provide you with much joy, but you'd be missing out on oodles of charm and bucketloads of charisma.
While taking a break at a lake shore what are the chances that the first vehicle along (in this relatively remote place) was driven by one of my subscribers? It's not like there's millions of them, so it was a delightful surprise. Then further on, another bike Guru. So much for quiet Sunday morning rides.........
If you're unfamiliar with Panthers, Google is your friend. There's plenty of information out there on the internet and some very active owner's groups. Ancient, simple technology, incredible durability, excellent parts supply - fabulous bikes.

[@afoolandhismoneychannel]

How funny to be recognized by the driver of the truck!

[@garyives1218]

I'm fortunate I can see a 1966 in Buddy Stubbs museum collection.......a beautiful dark blue one.

[@nick949eldo]

I'm always slightly saddened to see wonderful bikes in museums. They feel like prisoners which should be out rolling the roads. Still, it is nice to see them.

[@garyives1218]

@@nick949eldo It would be great to see them taken for an occasional spin. Museums could hold raffles for those who would like to ride them......if the bikes aren't too rare. Many good old vehicles just get left to rot. Heck, many new vehicles aren't even cared for. Wheels Through Time is a cool museum that keeps most items operational and fires things up while visitors are there.

[@ronvalente65]

What a wonderful place to ride! and a wonderful bike to ride, the old Phelan and Moore machines are very collectable and mostly kept by their owners long term, you don't see many for sale nowadays, very nice video Nick Adams!

[@billykershaw2781]

I was born in Cleckheaton..... And my brother is at a bike rally in Lancaster, England, featuring the Panther Owners Club....as I type..... All the best....

[@bonnyladrollo3102]

Lovely bimble on a lovely bike in lovely scenery. Thank you

[@aboudesouffle]

Super ballade avec cette belle moto

[@TheCoopdway]

"Is there anything better than....." We know there is not. Misty Sunday mornings on back roads were made for some of us, the size of this population I selfishly enjoy. Thanks Nick!

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Doug. Best wishes and safe riding.

[@Paul-kp1tu]

Ahh, you're right a lovely morning to go for a ride, the music however had me pinning for Guinness to top off the morning.

[@henryhawk978]

Enjoyed the vid Nick. Panther is a champ of a ride.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks Dewayne. Stay well.

[@leehart1498]

Most beautiful bike ever made, after the old full fender-ed Indian Chiefs of course.

[@nick949eldo]

I republished this because I realised that,once I viewed it on a TV, the sound volumes were all over the map. I've normalized them now, so it should be slightly less distressing to listen to.

[@LemayNelson]

I wish i had one i would give anything to be able to feel the road under me again

[@williamnethercott4364]

Beautiful video! I'm delighted that, in this age of Max Power and plastic fantastic vehicles, people are keeping these real motorbikes on the road. And with gorgeous Canada to ride through, you must be in Elysium.

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks William. Panthers seem to attract people who are more interested in riding than shows and polish.

[@jps8941]

Another awesome video it's a nice simple video of a beautiful ride in the country on an awesome bike great stuff nice break from the day to day. By the way I'm making the soft plans to go out west hard plans thanks for the inspiration. Also I couldn't give you a like because it wouldn't allow it.

[@nick949eldo]

Good for you. I hope it all works out and you have a great time.

[@chriscadue4916]

Another great video Mr Adams.

[@Mr.Plaidman]

Hey Nick - love the sound of that bike...nice percussion section for the fiddle music. Looking forward to getting my single (not a classic like yours - Savage 650) out for some regular rides soon. Won't be long now. Kelly

[@seethebutter]

Thank you

[@thra5herxb12s]

A real shame we dont get to hear the engine as the bike is ridden. Wind noise is also a part of riding a naked bike.

[@nick949eldo]

I now have a new sound recorder. New videos will have better audio.

[@patrickgrant7027]

@@nick949eldo I had a 64 650 120, .One of the best bikes I ever had, I am looking for one now, Any for sale, Mis,e Mac,,,Tyrone,

[@richardjohnson3463]

Just great! Where could I get this music Nick?

[@nick949eldo]

Hi Richard. Check your messenger

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Now, anybody who starts a Vlog with the phrase 'One Misty Misty Morning' HAS to be a Steeleye Span fan. Am I right/ It's a great track BTW. Had to get the Vinyl out to check.

[@nick949eldo]

You got it. We'll spotted.

[@PantherOwnersClub1]

A video well worth revisiting Nick. I do love the remoteness of your countryside. What's the thinking behind your adaptation from magneto to coil ignition?

[@nick949eldo]

Thanks JJ. The sound was a mess of weird volumes, but I've discovered 'normalize' now, so it shouldn't happen again. The PO, who built the bike from boxes of bits found that the magneto was just too far gone to use and chose not to go the expensive repair / replace route. The Thorspark ignition uses the magneto spindle to rotate the Hall Sensor (I hope this makes sense - it's out of my league). So far, it has proven to be completely reliable and the bike leaps to life eagerly. I saw you struggling with a wet magneto on the way down to Banbury. I abandoned my original M100 in Scotland once, because the rain got in the electrics and I didn't have a clue what to do, being a stupid 16 year old. Still agonize over that even though I eventually collected it (on instruction from the police...). Good to see a calm head, a bit of WD40, kind people and persistence paid off.