'I'm thinking of buying a classic machine - what should I look for, any tips?' My attempt to answer.

There are probably lots of points I haven't touched on here, and it can be a minefield, but if any of what I say here helps in any way, all well and good and happy hunting!

[@callmeanythingbutlatefordinner]

Simple rule: The more a bike has been converted from stock = the farther you should run from it.

[@simonrdew]

I often suffer from Mr. Toad syndrome, which is where blindingly obvious faults are invisible to me in the fever to buy. I've bought some shocking old dungers in my time but with the rare exception I have managed to sort them out but nowadays I'm definitely a proponent of take a disinterested party with you to view a machine. Merry Christmas and keep up the excellent and candid content Paul!

[@peterparsons3297]

a friend of mine has an immaculate Golden Flash his other is a 500cc AJS, this he calls a survivor bike, he kept it as he found it, a true barn find, he repaired what needed doing to make it mechanically sound, fitted a brand new carb and magneto. this bike still has all the parts and paint it came from the factory with

[@tonyhopwood541]

Cracking stuff Paul. I've fallen foul of stuff recently. It's a good learning experience and I don't mind it but we can learn from each other. This video is great cos we can learn from your experience and "hopefully" not make the same mistakes/get taken in. Keep the videos coming. They are brilliant.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks 👍

[@borderlands6606]

Back in the 1980s and 90s, the police had a stand at motorcycle rallies with chamber of horrors photo gallery. This consisted of dodgy repairs and bodges, with police photographs of the resulting accident. A couple come to mind. One was a fully restored Vincent on its first outing, that had one important part missing (I forget what) resulting in a totally mangled bike and a fatality. Another was a broken handlebar that someone had tried to superglue together (!?!) On a happier note, I've always wanted a Panther Model 100. Unfortunately a lot of other people seem to want one nowadays, with prices to match.

[@colinmartin2921]

Whatever you choose, the biggest problem is finding an honest machine. Many have been butchered and that goes for so-called restored machines too.

[@arthurglazin2001]

I've been working on a late relatives rigid ariel, or so I thought. Turns out it was originally a plunger frame, and I found the hacked off plungers in a bucket! I'm not sure I want to put it on the road now. Maybe make a trials machine or something out of it.

[@daveco1270]

Ive always heard to ask the owner not to start the bike and ride it before you get there... so you can see a proper cold start. I've never actually test ridden a bike before buying it. A couple of them where bought from out of state, so I didn't see them until they arrived at my house. One didn't run when I got it, so no test ride. The TR6 i bought was started for me, but I didn't test ride it before buying it.

[@raycollington4310]

I do think about getting something in this category but I would worry that I had bought something that was a nightmare to get parts for. Funny how many of are nostalgic for a bike we or our fathers owned back when we were young . I foolishly bought a Ural back in the 70's, it was compete crap but I loved it and have fond memories of that era of my life. Thanks for this video Paul and all the great content you have given us in 2023. .

[@Cobra427Veight]

The parts supply for nortons , Triumphs, even matchless and ajs to name a few , is amazing 20 times better than any 70s jap motorcycle. Cheers

[@brucegoldsmith3721]

Paul, thanks for all the entertainment. So glad I found your channel, it's so much more real than the bull-crap you find on these "reality" TV shows! Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2024!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you!

[@Mr39knuck]

So if I understand correctly, if it’s got two jugs and walks like a duck, I should probably stay away from it. Merry Christmas Paul It’s been a joy to watch your channel this year. Thank you very much for all the passion and effort you put into this channel. It is appreciated.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you!

[@basilwatson1]

You met me mother in law then ,,,

[@billysolhurok5542]

😂@@basilwatson1

[@deancooper7952]

My advice to you is buy a basket case/project and build it from the ground up , the only way to eliminate any surprises and ensure your mechanical standards , have a safe and interesting new year , regards.

[@peter7624]

My brother John used to say "If it looks right it is right" and he was pretty much correct. You can tell if something is dodgy with a glance and listening to a hot, running engine will tell you most else, if you have the experience that is. Merry Christmas and a happy new year Paul. Thanks for all the great videos over the last year.

[@highdownmartin]

Take someone with you, who hopefully knows what they are looking at, and can also persuade you to keep your hand in your pocket and wait till the next one

[@curtisarmstrong6521]

Merry Christmas Paul..just to say..I love all your videos..I learn so much at the age of 70..🇨🇦

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks!

[@BLUESBOYBENFIELD]

T140E…..but I’m definitely biased…..

[@williamnethercott4364]

Excellent tips! You've made me feel better about the way I went about choosing my AJS, looking for a bike that was presentable rather than perfect, that the previous owner had put significant effort into maintaining and that was used regularly. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@neilmcintosh1200]

All the usual pitfalls covered with your accustomed thoroughness. I really struggled to hear this one, even with new batteries in my hearing aids. Absolutely spot on info and I agree wholeheartedly about buying a bike which is in current use, and therefore useable.

[@BriansBruvver]

Merry Christmas Paul 👍

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks and to you!

[@nicholasparkin6979]

Happy Christmas Paul, and all the very best for 24. Great channel.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks - Happy Christmas!

[@user-xi9nn8xx9k]

Just wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas! I sure enjoy your videos!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, and Happy Christmas!

[@andreascarlberg3998]

I saw an attractive combo: a Vincent single 500 in a Norton featherbed. A V-twin is also nice...

[@norsehall309]

G'day Paul, well said, l lost a School mate because he had a leading link front end made for his motorbike and sidecar outfit, the welding firm didn't gusset well enough and it fell apart at speed with fatal consequences, merry Christmas, cheers Neil 🤠.

[@roberthallas349]

Merry Christmas Paul, and a happy new year. 😎🏍👍😁

[@4speed3pedals]

How about my Rickman BSA single with a rare Weslake kit in which the head has valves that are operate paralled with the piston instead of canted and has a flat top piston? Unfortunately it needs a total restoration. Whey I got it the cylinder was scored, needs a piston, the nickle plated frame needs a repair near the steering stem for being a motocrosser, and basically needs a total restoration. The fiberglass is in need. Worse yet, I am in America. Would love to see it go to a good home as I no longer ride and I was going to do all the work but marriage put the kabosh on that happening. I also have a '73 Triumph Trident in need, good very low mileage, original engine but cracked case from a rear chain - after it was taken apart by the former owner for painting, with the front end removed and moved it, when the bike was set down the chain was under the engine and oil leaked out due to the case cracking. I never rode either of them. I have 2 more bikes I want to sell, BSA 441 and a Speed Triple. Dreams of the past but I used to ride the last two - the Victor in the dirt and the Speed Triple on the street.

[@750triton]

Check forks and swing arm too. These can be costly if you don't have the tools to sort out. Anyone remember a DBD34 that was very highly polished, even the ends of the cooling fins. Exceptional brightwork top to tail and only where it should be. I first saw it in the early 90's at the Stoneleigh autojumble and classic bike show. I'm certain that at some point over the weekend, might even been at another show, it was found to have no internals

[@andrewslattery403]

Great info and good tips. I'm currently working on an Enfield Constellation where the two crankcase halves didn't leave the factory on the same day/year/model! The engine runs surprisingly well, although strip down has revealed about 1/4" of sludge in the bottom of the oil tank and very dirty internals! Happy Christmas and keep the videos coming in 2024.

[@neillambourne8448]

Thanks for this year's films been great.have a good Xmas all the best

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you and Happy Christmas!

[@stephencroft6481]

Oh and I always wonder how full might the sludge trap be.

[@lesterhall5310]

Great tips and content as usual. Your a star keep it coming only wish i had half your know how. Merry Christmas from Gold Coast Australia. Particularly love your Royal Enfield content as i have a few of them. Not brave enough to take on a genuine classic yet but listening to you i might just get there yet! Ho Ho Ho

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, and Happy Christmas!

[@jillfriendship1054]

My husband says you need an MZ. Personally I think the only bike to look for is a Vincent Black Shadow.... Oh by the way he's trying to sell you the one he's got in the shed.

[@bigred8438]

Except for the fact that it has 6 volt electrics I would probably have a BSA A10 or a Norton Atlas 750. But I have two classic bikes and at my age I find fettling them a bit of pain now. But if you want something not British, I suggest a early 1970's 750 or 850 Moto Guzzi.

[@martytoal6547]

😂 I went the other way,it was really cheap,it was neglected and abused and badly/ never maintained,so I got it even cheaper! ( I was looking for something to work on,turns out it’s actually a good low miles motor and cleaned up well,it’s now riding and stopping as it should and gets regular use, Enfield bullet 350 all parts are still available if needed)😀

[@garys4756]

Merry Christmas to you and your family Paul Looking forward to next year's content too.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you!

[@roybartran6756]

good advise ....merry/happy Christmas to you and yours

[@charlielewis9471]

Hi Paul, I recently bought a beautifully restored bsa b33, paintwork all new , new wheel rims lovely restored fuel tank it appeared everything done, I thought I’d check chaincase oil level and there was none, I took the chain case cover off and no gasket or sealer had been used, primary chain was worn as were front sprocket and clutch chain wheel teeth, engine sprocket had been wobbling around on crank splines and both are worn, rear chain and both final drive sprockets had to be replaced, not sure yet what I’m going to do about crank splines yet, fully enclosed rear chain guard hid final drive wear, as you said, all that glitters is not gold, incidentally I’ve had old bikes for 40 years so we can all be taken in

[@highdownmartin]

That’s a real shame Charlie, easy to assume everything is up to snuff. You don’t mind doing some bits but that’s been wilfully ignored and palmed off.

[@nigelglover2296]

Thanks for another year of great videos, have a great Christmas and I will look forward to lots more great bike related videos 🎉👍

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you!

[@andrewf9673]

Great tips and thank you for the excellent content again this year. Its truly educational & inspiring. Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@Rugbyman269]

Almost everything that’s old will have had something done to it to take it away from standard , you pays your money and takes your chance

[@glenbreaks5448]

I purchased a 47 Vincent Rapide in Australia in 2003 just from photos. I had it shipped to me here in Canada. It turned out to be as advertised, the condition was good. We have done 60,000 miles on it two up touring sincd then. We did redo the top end early on, but have just done maintenance since. I also bought a 490 Maico from Eastern Canada, same way. It turned out ok as well. Also purchased a perfect looking fully restored Norton 650ss from photos and had that one shipped from eastern Canada to Vancouver on the west coast. It had a minor electrical problem ( corroded ignition switch) and that was its only problem. The seller did tell me it had a misfire and that was it. Finally, I bought an A10 SR from Texas just from photos. Its actually a bit better than advertised. It did need a mag rebuild ( no hot start) but the engine tests great on leakdown, very oil tight and runs well. I know that I am going about it all wrong, but have had great luck with long distance sellers. I think I have used up my quota of blind purchasing luck!

[@cbrider726]

I have just sold my Enfield .I am getting to old to kick start bikes now . I have restored many bikes over the years so now i need a bit of fun not hardship lol. Happy Christmad mate and looking forwards to watching more streams next year . I do have a Royal Enfield 500cc Diesel 1963 and want to sell it and i dont want to sell it you know what i mean . Its only got 35ks on it i bought it from India a few years ago and its mint. I did plan to ride it but for me not practical .👍👍👍👍

[@waynecameron4911]

Great advise as usual. Merry Christmas Paul, thank you for your time and your channel it's the best out there

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you!

[@alanbragg-jk7fl]

Thanks for those words of advice and guidance on buying. I have been buying and selling brit bikes for 40 odd years and its very difficult to advise others ..and you are always learning. You just get a feeling about things its experience I suppose. A very merry Christmas to you and yours. Abe.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, Abe!

[@iandouglas451]

happy Xmas to you as well. So glad I've pretty much done with buying and selling, it is difficult to know with either cars or bikes until you've owned them for a few years. People are usually selling for a reason, I try to ascertain what that is...however, the later bikes I bought were mainly from dealers, pay a bit more but there's an element of short term come back. Also it is worth putting a bit of internet 'research' into the weaknesses and model variations for any particular machine.

[@highdownmartin]

There’s as many variables in the prospective buyer/ owner/ rider as there are in the machine they elect to search out and examine. Experience in buying riding and maintaining older vehicles counts for a lot. I wouldn’t have any problem buying a bike that had say, no wiring on it, or was rideable but had a rusty seat pan with a pillow on it and no mudguards. If the price was right! I’m happy to rewire a bike, and sourcing some cycle parts isn’t an issue, likewise painting and fitting them. But I’m pretty practical and can do most things myself. If you have little mechanical experience then paying someone to sort it for you affects the price hugely , especially if you thought it would all be good because it all looked good. I drive an old Landy and certainly wouldn’t recommend getting one to hardly anyone. If you’re not prepared to learn to diagnose it and to do it yourself it really isn’t the vehicle for you. Same with old bikes. A Bsa single or low tune triumph twin is about as trouble free as it’s possible to get. But there’s still plenty needs checking.

[@hermangibbs8163]

Very good sir. Thanks.

[@truethought369]

I agree with you about any frame mods, 1, is the welding up to scratch? 2, you can't tell straight away, whether the rear axle in relation to the headstock is exactly 90° to each other! If you asked me to recommend a first classic bike to work or restore? I would go for a 4-stroke 350 or 500 single, like: A.J.S, BSA, Ariel, Douglas to name a few. If someone is confident, like you said, the Lightning or the old A10. Thanks for all your videos, have a good Christmas.

[@thomasrose7713]

🎄🎅🎄Happy Christmas Paul! 🎉

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks! Happy Christmas!

[@SempreGumby]

Merry Christmas Paul.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Same to you, thanks!

[@tonygriffiths2485]

How about a DBD 34 ? Or a Triton, or maybe aquire the components for a Triton, Like a T120 engine and a Featherbed frame, with Goldy exhaust pipse. Bloody expensive though. It would be fantastic for you to take apart and do checks as stringent as the A65's you have recently completed. To watch all that happen would be fantastic, but you want a whole bike. OK then an SS100 Brough Superior PMSL. Only 2 or 300,000 pounds :) Merry Christmas you lovely geezer :)

[@daveharriman2756]

nice one mate, some great points there, you made me feel a bit better about my clattery Cub! it's got loads of new bits in, but still noisier than my old cub lol. but goes really well, anyway Happy Christmas to you too, cheers, Dave

[@noeldoran8884]

Hi Paul good advice my pal has got a Triumph tiger 650 customised at the rear to lower it, the shock angle is so acute it cannot operate in the normal manner. The frame has been cut and lowered so handling is not stable to my mind so would need a fair amount of welding to make it handle safely. Really good advice to new owners mate Have a great xmas look forwards to next years videos.....

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Lots of shiny bikes are crap on the inside.

[@keithwilson1408]

Happy Christmas Paul . I'd say do your research, are parts available?

[@ianh.6825]

Dealer or private seller? There are good and bad in both, but I would say a private sale is preferable, from a seller who has owned and ridden the bike a few years and displays much knowledge of it.

[@markwood9755]

So when we say, some chatter and mild clatter is OK, are we talking a bag of nails or a bag of spanners ? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Merry Christmas looking forward to more excellent content in 24

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Ha ha - thanks!

[@basilwatson1]

buy an old Enfield bullet ,, but I may be biased

[@paulhenshaw4514]

The older the better - early sixties or older, if possible!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I have a bunch of vintage motorcycles. Most of them are low mileage original motorcycles. My Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years. Great bike. Not a show piece but a good one. I have to o many to run. Old bikes are going to need work simply from storage. Most likely to need a few things.I got a BSA C-15 250 for $500, all original, matching #,6,000 miles from an estate sale. British motorcycles are rebuidable for ever. Parts supply is excellent. But don't expect to just get a battery and new gas and go down the road.Lost paperwork is not a problem with vintage motorcycles in most cases either. The stuff you have to do to get it back on the road will be rewarded by many years of riding pleasure. When not abused and neglected they are reliable and dependable transportation. I commuted on my Triumph Tr-6 for 20 years in all weathers. Simple and easy to work on.

[@pujapete3665]

i have a question ? classic bikes are expensive and its the baby boomers who i think are buying them,extra cash in pocket ect.what do you think to prices when we are no longer around ?.will there be a generation who will want these old bikes in the future?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

No idea, but I'm not too worried about what happens after I am gone!

[@loftythesoftie8857]

Id suggest a Vincent rapide if you’ve got a spare 45 grand.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

I could buy several Tridents and Tiger Cubs with that, and still be left with plenty to spend in the pub!

[@highdownmartin]

Seen twins for thirty recently and comets for 15.

[@mrmr9767]

⛄

[@damiantuttle1348]

IMO if you don't know all this and a lot more about 50/60 year old bikes you're probably best off buying a new bike or better still finding a different hobby.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

It is amazing the number of people who don't know much of it at all.

[@Paul-pb3vq]

Hi Paul love your videos. But by any chance when sit down and talk to the camera how about lifting the the lens up a bit so we can see your whole face, Because the top of your head is missing.. Cheers. And have a great Christmas.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks - and point taken, although if I have the camera set further away, to give a better view, then the 'I can't hear you' comments start rolling in!

[@erik_dk842]

Use the same microphone as when riding

[@paulhenshaw4514]

It is the same camera and microphone.

[@erik_dk842]

Sorry I can't hear you. The volume is way lower than your riding videos, who are now very good, without wind noise, letting us enjoy the engine sound to the fullest

[@jeremyatkinson4976]

I'll second that.

[@progvinyl9021]

Buy japanese

[@paulhenshaw4514]

I have Japanese stuff as well as British and guess what - that stuff can wear out and break too, but thanks for your very helpful comment.

[@JeremyFairbairn-mv3sz]

paul i am hankering for a triumph tiger 80 1938ish any thoughts i have seen some real stunners

[@paulhenshaw4514]

I wouldn't mind one myself!

[@MegaTubescreamer]

👍 good advice ! and even when you`ve got the machine you have to be prepared to fix things and commit to it, as best you can, warts and all as they say ,🍌🪛🔧🧰