The Roaring 20s, 1920s Hand Change Bikes

We ride a
1924 Norton Model 2
1929 Scott Flying Squirrel
1926 HRD TT Replica
1929 Sunbeam Model 8

[@bigjoe4020]

What an incredible story Bill and his HRD is. Kept in the family since his dad bought it new in the 20s. Sitting in a box from 1960 til 2000.....40 years etc etc. Loved that background story, thanks for filing Bills story.

[@williammorris1615]

Thanks for those nice comments. I do not think Dad was ever in the position to buy anything new in his life. We think he bought it second-hand in about 1930 but it was a couple of years later that he bothered to tax it.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Great video Mike , my late dad had a Scott Flying Squirell in the late 20s at 15, and apparently accidentally ran his school teacher over, both him and the teacher were unhurt as was the bike- unfortunately he was expelled ! .Blimey , did not expect it to go like that , as you say could have been an RD !

[@timbo9200]

I also got to ride all four bikes on the day, and what a fantastic experience it was! The two flat tankers were mildly terrifying because of the lever throttle, but, like anything, i guess you would master it with practice. I absolutely loved the Scott, but if i had to choose one of the four bikes as a usable vintage bike, the Sunbeam just pips it for me. Bill rode his HRD all the way home through rush hour town traffic. That takes some doing. And dont worry about the muck on the roads fellas, as Phil very kindly let me wash Margo and Ethel, the Sunbeam and Norton 😂

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Haha great to meet you, it was an excellent day wasn’t it ? Bill rode that HRD like a champ and how about that clip with James on the Scott ripping round that bend Great stuff Cheers Mike

[@richardayton3556]

It was lovely meeting you Tim, glad you you enjoyed it as much as we did. Hope to catch up with you again sometime.Richard 🙂

[@a13bkd62]

An excellent episode chaps, brilliant stuff. I'd take the Scott 🙂 Regards

[@GrahamGlen]

Too long? That seemed really short. It was brilliant! Lovely to see and hear such fabulous bikes.

[@drdoolittle5724]

The Scott features in our family stories, like the eldest son had one in the 40's/50's and the younger brother would hear the Scott coming home over the mountain from Douglas for a very long time indeed! Now you've shown me the truth noise-wise on this totally excellent video, I fully understand!

[@user-NELZZ]

Made my day watching this. Thanks for sharing.

[@roberthocking9138]

Any time you want to a video of this quality, is fine with me, I don’t care how long it is. Having the stories behind the bikes is just as fascinating as the riding and mechanical information . Very well done, I am glad you persisted over the 18 months. How lucky were you getting to ride them all. Greetings from AUS 🦘🇦🇺

[@robertlindstrom540]

What a treat this video was. Incredible machines and great characters the guys who ride them. Goes to show that bikes were fun, even back in the day.

[@stewy62]

My brother has a 1930 BSA S30 which suddenly seems young compared to the bikes you rode ! It looks very similar to a Sloper but has a 500cc side valve engine. I’ve never ridden it as the thought of the hand gear change puts me off but maybe I will now having watched your video.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Phil also has a 1930s BSA will have to see if we can get a go on that

[@jimkraft9445]

I had a hand shift 42 Harley 45 when I was in high school in 1955. Lots of fun on that one. Wish I had kept it. Almost 84 now, but riding a modern 25 year old Harley Softail Custom. Great video.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

I bought a 42 Harley 45 last year, almost seventy now, 67 next month. I had a 37 45 back in the seventies, with a reverse, I loved that bike, one of about seven I sold when my parents were moving and no place to keep it. I've got some seven bikes now, hardly have time to keep them all on the road and ride them. I've been riding a 78 Triumph Bonneville lately, wore out a new rear tire in two months. Lots of rebuilding coming this winter. Two 60's T100's and going through the 42 to feel comfortable for long rides. I've long enjoyed "the Lemon Drizzle gang" videos.

[@jimkraft9445]

@@JohnMcClain-p9t I never owned one, but loved the Triumph 650c. It was the competition 650 with a single carb and high pipes. I rode a few of them my friends had. There was also the Indian woodsman. A Brit built Indian 500 single cylinder scrambler. The new bikes with all the bells and whistles do nothing for me. Who needs water cooling and computerized fuel injection. Just complicates things. I love the simplicity of the old bikes. They are honest. I rode an 84 Iron head Harley Sportster XLCH for 23 years. Should have kept it. At least it is still in the family. My granddaughter owns it now. And yes, I love these guys videos. They know how to have fun. Long live the Lemon Drizzle gang.

[@jimkraft9445]

I rode my old 45 to a track meet at a nearby town. When I got there, I asked a girl if she wanted to go for a ride. Mine had the big buddy seat on it. She got on behind me, and we went for a ride around the town. We celebrated our 65 wedding anniversary last year. I knew she was a keeper the minute she got on with me. I just had to convince her. LOL

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

@@jimkraft9445 Congratulations! Not too many can say the same. Love those old flatheads.

[@JohnMcClain-p9t]

@@jimkraft9445 Jim, I've owned and sold a few dozen bikes since about 71, most I don't miss them much at all but my 64 TR6R remains among my favorites. I sold or gave away six or so complete bikes when my parents were moving after my return from Beirut in 83, I've replaced that 64 with a 78 Bonnie a couple years ago and love it, but still miss the 650. I've got four Harleys currently including one I built in 95 from scratch, (Harley in name only) which I plan on putting back on the road in the spring. It's built as an 88 inch which I'm not so sure was a good plan as it isn't as reliable as I expected. The Bonnie burns oil and smokes but always starts and is a joy to fling around on the turns, quite comfortable all around. Sometimes I question whether it'd be better to simply have one or two bikes and not worry about "which to register and insure" but simply enjoy the road. Living long enough to accumulate every one that took my fancy seemed good at one time but not so much these days. Just getting out on the road is best perhaps. I don't much look at the bike while I'm riding, just enjoying the wind in my face. I've had a few ironheads in my day, don't much miss them though. Noisy cantakerous beasts they are.

[@rorymunro1591]

Loved the video.......the enthusiasm was infectious......you all looked like I felt first time I rode a bike as a teenager! I rode a 1919 Monarch at the National Motorcycle Museum on their try a classic days......hand change, lever throttle, no brakes, etc........amazing experience 😊

[@johnx.k.4603]

Fantastic! Great video. Many thanks for the effort to share this with us.

[@markb3180]

Wonderful, thanks for sharing.

[@lesterhall5310]

The longer the better...no need for apologies.... lets have more like it. Great stuff! Inspirational even.

[@daviddavies5347]

Loved the video and well timed for me as I’ve recently bought a 1930 BSA Sloper with hand gear change! Had a few jobs to do on it so I’ve not yet taken it out but looking forward to it! 👍🤣

[@andrewgamlin3773]

A great video guys. Those bikes are cracking. I'd love to own something like that. Quirky and different bikes do it for me. What's next? Looking forward to it.

[@MaynardHershon]

Thanks for doing this, guys! Where else would we find such a video of these ancient but rideable bikes? Hoo-ray for the LDG!

[@PeteWilliams-sb7nf]

Excellent video and reviews,well done ,one of your best yet,looking forward to the next one.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Phil has a very nice Norton International that he has kindly offered to us for filming all we need now is some weather

[@zedcharlie]

Excellent video.

[@edwardsenesac]

Thank you so much! Nice seeing your enthusiasm.

[@lae52]

Great video! I'll watch your stuff no matter what the length is. Thanks for a truly great survey of old bikes.

[@kevbaldwin9552]

Bloody wonderful, what a day .I used to spend time with a mate of my dad's when I was a lad and he had a garage full of of pre ww2 bikes apart from a goldstar and a Vincent. Well he ha a Scott super squirrel with the petrol tank vertically in front of the saddle post and the oil tank on the frame tubes. Two speed foot change and the front forks had short dampers at the bottom of the fork girder and that thing wasn't much slower than the goldie.

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Fantastic Video Mike I love my 1932 W33-6 side valve with hand gear change so easy to ride this year was the first year after restoring the clutch I’ve ridden it loved it! Love the rides and seeing yourself and the guys riding, fantastic Bikes loved them all! Might try one of those Scott squirrels myself Brilliant job All the best phil

[@georgeouthwaite5397]

Can’t thank you all enough, what a wonderful video. Thought provoking in so many ways 👍🏻

[@Shaneshaneinoz]

Yes, a wonderful video and lovely Vintage bikes. The next stop will have to be single speed belt drive Veterans.

[@ianseddon9347]

Fabulous- thanks boys… makes me feel hopeful for the future!

[@johncranwell3783]

My dad had a couple of flying squirrels in his day….lovely bikes

[@jamesmorris-i5e]

Thanks LDG guys - great video, and a lovely record of our day. Yes, I'll take on board the comments about the Scott four-stroking and the slightly excessive fuel consumption (I do ride it quite spiritedly though to get it as low as that 🙂) - there's a list of other things which need doing however I'm loathed to start taking it apart while there's no salt on the roads and I can ride it.

[@christopherhughes8402]

Absolutely loved seeing you ride your Scott so spiritedly. The brand is practically unheard of here in the States except for us British bike fans. I hope someday to hear one ridden in anger in person. Thank you for the opportunity to hear yours. It’s been a real pleasure.

[@jamesmorris-i5e]

@@christopherhughes8402 You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. I know another fan in the States is Jay Leno who has one in his garage and there's a nice episode of his on KZbin where he rides his - from memory, he has the TT Rep though which was the posh version

[@haroldshull6848]

I remember the hand shifters being called 'tank slappers' over here. Watched some of them passing standard bikes on a race track in Steamboat Springs years ago.

[@per-arnehjorth9785]

Great video! 👍 Thanks guys. 😊

[@kennethhargens8277]

My oldest machine is a 1940 BSA WM20. When I did the cosmetic restoration of it I discovered a bullet hole through the fuel tank an an ugly shrapnel wound in the oil tank. These blemishes had been bronze weld repaired and the machine was, of course, refurbished before shipment to the U.S. It has been ridden in many parades on 11 November. kch

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Would love to point my camera at your collection of bikes 🏍️

[@TheYorkie1954]

what an experience

[@gregatkinson5929]

Great video "Top Notch" the roads 😮, 😅nothing like living in the past. My mate has a 1929 Norton 588 with sadle tank and cross over gearbox, I think it is a colonial model. After seeing this I will be on his case to restore the 588 before we get too old, time is flying and waits for no one. NZ

[@catherinelefloch511]

Fantastic video ! Not a single minute too long at all ! Many many thanks from France !

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

merci beaucoup 👍

[@stevebrown7584]

Glad you liked the Scott-I have one very similar. 20 mpg though? Along with the 4 stroking suggests some tuning is needed. With a very worn engine mine was doing around 50 mpg. It has now been overhauled and I will report on the fuel consumption next spring. It's worth remembering that petrol was an expensive thing even in the 1920's and in the economic situation they had to deal with 20 mpg would not be tolerated for long! Addictive aren't they? 😉

[@jasonslater867]

My '27 Scott Flying Squirrel was also doing 20 MPG and 4-stroking like that. Way too rich, worn out Amal carb. Re-bored the carb with a new 3 1/2 slide manufactured to suit and it runs far better, and returns at least 50 MPG, under relatively hard use.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks have passed info that onto James

[@jamesmorris-i5e]

Thanks Jason, glad your fuelling issues are resolved - We rebuilt the carb pretty soon after I bought the bike and it showed relatively little wear. Graham @ the SOC suggested that the straight through pipe could do with a restrictor in order to provide some back pressure - I've just come back from a ride after fitting a 7/8ths restrictor and reducing the idle mix down and the four-stroking is all but gone. I'll do a decent run on it this week to check MPG, but hopefully a bit of back pressure will stop excessive fuel being wasted.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@jamesmorris-i5e that is great news

[@diversionbob8482]

Very good video.

[@zedcharlie]

My Mrs says it's too short....oh hang on 😳

[@garethjones8636]

well done boys the best video for ages ,such amazing bikes. Hard to think they're a 100 years old !! I don't think it'd have the co-ordination to ride them but I'd take the Scott I think .Rich putting the beer away quickest as usual ; )

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

He is a fish that boy

[@richardayton3556]

Haha, I bought the next round too! Having said that I was the only one not driving!!🙂

[@jimmarshall807]

Lovely! I'd prefer to take that Scott out than a Kawasaki hybrid too!

[@mickgerard6696]

Now, that’s the good stuff gents.

[@classicraceruk1337]

The Scott is that 20 to a gallon of oil!!!!!! I agree the Scot FS is a brilliant machine….i have not rode one for about 40 years.

[@danvorobiov]

Thanks. Excellent video 👍

[@EI6DP]

Fabulous motorcycles. No Japanese motorcycle could never come near such motorcycles.

[@jimkraft9445]

Absolute truth. These old bikes were a work of art.

[@MotoTingle]

Such fun!

[@kennethhargens8277]

It make me uncomfortable to see these fellows riding on the wrong side of the road. One of these beautiful machines could be harmed !! (And the rider!) (Over 50 machines in my stables.) Kenny

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Yep they are utterly mad riding on that side of the road I just don’t understand them, real tearaways this lot 🤣