What is the oldest bike that is modern day practical?

[SmithSwede]

Something I was thinking about while riding today.   

What is the *oldest* bike you can think of that would still be honest-to-goodness realistic and practical for real world, daily or regular use, on modern roadways?  Be specific about make and model.

Some criteria.   It absolutely needs reasonably decent brakes so you don’t die just because you are riding an antique.  If you wouldn’t ride it regularly because the brakes suck, exclude it from the list.

Needs to be able to run at least 75 mph to keep up with urban traffic.   I’m not talking about an old bike that is capable of merely toodling along on country roads on a Sunday afternoon.   Think regularly merging onto a Dallas expressway without constantly worrying about being run over.

Needs to be reasonably reliable.   Assume you need to ride it to work most every day.    And need to have it start and run without too much hassle.   

I said daily or regular use—so don’t suggest something that might only hold up for once a month trips.   Or the annual old bike parade downtown. Or only last 3,000 miles before major wrenching or an overhaul. 

I can envision lots of stuff that fits this description from the 1970s.  And 1960s.  But before that, I’m not so sure.

The best I can figure is a BMW airhead from the late 1950s.  Even then I’m not sure about keeping up a 75 mph sustained pace on an urban freeway if traffic conditions required. 

Enlighten me.   

Can we at least draw boundaries to the question?   Is it clear that there is nothing from the 1930s that could handle this mission profile? 

1940s? 

[oldbike54]

 Any twin cylinder Vincent with all of the modern upgrades .

 Dusty

[SmithSwede]

So what’s that in terms of date?  1950s?  Late 1940s?

[rschrum]

 Brough Superior SS100, built from 1924-1940.

[Kiwi_Roy]

My 72 Eldorado with drum brakes.

[oldbike54]

So what’s that in terms of date?  1950s?  Late 1940s?

 The first Rapides were built from 1936 until '39 , although not in any real quantities . With modern bushings in all pivot points , and modern brake linings , a guy could ride one in modern traffic . They are high effort for certain , and the suspension and brakes would feel dated .

 Dusty

[bad Chad]

Even given modern brake pads any of the drum break bikes are not going to haul down from 60 mph in under a 150 feet, which for me would be the absolute worst breaking distance I could tolerate.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

If I hadn’t run across my Quota I was looking at a 79-83 Suzuki GS1000/1100. Or a 76-78 goldwing. Any older and handling and brakes are too scary for what I like to do. Of course this is just my opinion, which I think smells like roses...

[Shorty]

Assuming you also want to be able to panic stop in modern traffic, for me it would be 1980s BMWs with Brembo brakes. Even then you got crappy weak electrical output, same system  as the period Guzzis. For me (I rode Triumphs and dirt bikes until the 90s), the BMW K75 was the first all purpose road bike with sufficient power, braking, reliability AND electrical output enough for extra lights, heated clothing, etc. Stone axe reliable, not tiring to ride, plenty fast, easy to change tires and brakes. If my legs had held together, I would never have sold mine.   You want Fred Flintstone brakes and constant maintenance, get an earlier bike. 

[LowRyter]

IF YOU WANTED TO RIDE IT EVERYDAY AND NOT GET RUN OVER,  HONDA 305 SUPERHAWK.  That's as old of a bike that I can remember.    Someone might be more versed in earlier Beemers or Japanese two strokes.  Nothing Brit or Euro or domestic comes to mind. 

Broughs and Vincents? You're thinking with your medical cards.

[Huzo]

I’d slow down to look at a BMW R90S

[oldbike54]

IF YOU WANTED TO RIDE IT EVERYDAY AND NOT GET RUN OVER,  HONDA 305 SUPERHAWK.  That's as old of a bike that I can remember.    Someone might be more versed in earlier Beemers or Japanese two strokes.  Nothing Brit or Euro or domestic comes to mind. 

Broughs and Vincents? You're thinking with your medical cards.

 Yeah , try riding a 305 Honda at 75 MPH for 20 miles  I'll take the Vinnie or an R69S any day .

 Dusty

[geodoc]

Right away you can rule out anything with acetylene lighting.



.

[oldbike54]

Right away you can rule out anything with acetylene lighting.



.

 

 Or clincher tyres 

 Dusty

[normzone]

My 72 Eldorado with drum brakes.

I second that - There are surely older examples, but that was state of the art 1955 Chevy truck technology that worked damn well.

[cookiemech]

I second the selections of an eighties BMW airhead with Brembo brakes and an early K bike. My 1982 R100 (with Brembos) is reliable and stops well. I sold a gorgeous 1976 R75/6 mainly because no matter what I did, those awful ATE brakes were wooden and unsafe in my opinion.

Either of my R100 or K75/K75RT can run 75 mph all day, every day. Reliability nod to the K bikes.

[lazlokovacs]

I'd say the 70s and the advent of good disc brake systems.

[s1120]

Really any of the 70's UJM 4 strokes will fill the bill for sure. Granted time battles them, like us..  But really what made them great then, still holds true. A well kept example from any brand in the early 70's would serve you well, with little care or maintenance just like they did in the day. You go older then a CB 750 and you add a lot of maintenance IMHO. I believe that was the start of the "ride and forget it" era of bikes. There were other good bikes before, but to live in the modern world, with the speeds, and bad drivers, the power, brakes, and not having to fiddle around with it, would make me chose the CB750.. 

[stonelover]

My '76 GL 1000 filled the bill for me. Daily commute of 180 miles with no problems. Alas, was stolen in '85 or I'd still have it.

[Lannis]

I've ridden old bikes as commuters and tourers for a long time.

I love old bikes and have thought about the question a lot over the years.    If anyone was going to cash in everything else and buy a Vincent or Brough at $60K/$200K and beat it around on the highways as a regular ride, and be the Bull Goose Rider at any rally or cruise night you happened across, it would be me, but that's not really going to be a thing for me or anyone else we know.   WAY too much money per mile when everything is taken into account.

Old American, Brit, or European motors can be properly built, maybe with some internal upgrades that can't be seen from the outside but are an improvement in performance and longevity from what was available when they were new.   Forty-horsepower engines, vertical twins and V-twins, are available from the 40's on up, which is plenty for normal riding; I'm building a 990cc Matchless V-twin from 1935 that if I do it right, it will cruise down the highway with traffic pretty easily.   Also, the old bikes came with 60 watt generators, which almost have to be upgraded to at least 180 watts (discreetly and internally) if you expect any usable lights for riding after dark.

The big dividing line is between drum and disk brakes.   ANY old drum braked bike can be made to chirp both tires with a hard pull, even a seven-inch-diameter-drum Panhead or BMW, with properly machined and arced drums/shoes, modern linings, and optimized hand-control leverage.   BUT that trick only works for one or maybe two panic stops or downhill hairpins, and then the lever starts coming farther and farther and farther and .... no more brakes.   How hard are you going to work the brakes on your daily rider?

I've followed people who were riding a rigid-framed bike at surprising speeds down a curvy road, but the best and boldest rider on earth can't keep the rear end on the ground in a bumpy curve when the only suspension is the tire sidewall flex.   I'm not all that quick a rider so it NORMALLY doesn't affect me, but an unexpected washboard in a turn will upset any old unsuspended bike, like it or not.

Lots and lots of subjectivity in the word "suitable" .... !!

Lannis

[John Croucher]

The Honda CB line of the 1970's works for me.

[rocker59]

Something I was thinking about while riding today.   

What is the *oldest* bike you can think of that would still be honest-to-goodness realistic and practical for real world, daily or regular use, on modern roadways?  Be specific about make and model.
 

I'm thinking the date will be 1969 and the Honda CB750.  From that date there are many motorcycles which could be "modern day practical" in their as-delivered condition. 

 

[Triple Jim]

Really any of the 70's UJM 4 strokes will fill the bill for sure.

Just the 4 strokes?  I still find my '72 Kawasaki H2 to be reliable and don't hesitate to take it on longer rides.  I have an aftermarket 6 gallon tank that came with it, and If I were going to tour on it I'd put that on it, as it gets only 30 mpg.  Since I got it in 1978 it has never left me stranded.  There's something to be said for the simplicity of a 2-stroke engine.

[chuck peterson]

Nothing...it wasn’t happening..the tech to do your specifications didn’t exist...otherwise we wouldn’t have so many stories of REPAIRs, tribulations and not making destinations...heck we didn’t have 1000cc until the UJMs came on strong...Vincent exception of course

It was a big freakin deal, a leap in technology and ability when that Honda 4 cylinder hit the market, also too, I remember how freakin strange, ungainly and huge it looked

The Brit version of a motorcycle, requiring constant bad ass Here Came Bronson riders ( and therefore we hold them in high esteem) was replaced with You Meet the Nicest Riders on a Honda

Before that, just brave men and women

How about a BSA Bantam? Nope, too small but you could go around world with it, and your Airedale





Guzzi loopframes ruled the long distance travel world until Goldwings took over..I don’t really see anything that fits your bill...with exceptions because of the riders maintenance and repair skills..the tech wasn’t there yet

[Chuck in Indiana]

This is a *very* subjective thing. For me.. no drum brake bike need apply. As Lannis mentioned, one hard stop and they're done..not to mention what they are like in the rain. Doesn't anyone else remember drum brakes in the rain? 
Japanese bikes with their "hinge in the middle" handling don't either, along with the "gummy cow" Beemers. I'm fully aware that I'm prejudiced, but 70s Guzzis, starting with the Disc Eldo would do it, although I prefer the Tontis. 

[rocker59]

Vincent Black Lightning, 1952...

[s1120]

Just the 4 strokes?  I still find my '72 Kawasaki H2 to be reliable and don't hesitate to take it on longer rides.  I have an aftermarket 6 gallon tank that came with it, and If I were going to tour on it I'd put that on it, as it gets only 30 mpg.  Since I got it in 1978 it has never left me stranded.  There's something to be said for the simplicity of a 2-stroke engine.

I do agree.  I daily rode a RD 400 for many years..  But it did have its shortcomings, and my GS650 was always around when the RD acted up. I love 2 strokes!  But as a everyday ride, and forget it...  It wouldnt be my first choice.

[oldbike54]

 Changed my mind , anything older than 5 years old should be sent to the scrap yard 

 Dusty

[tommy2cyl]

"Daily or regular use."  As in reliable.  Ability to merge and run in rush hour Dallas traffic.  Stop in the rain.  See in the dark.  Electronics that work.
The defining moment in motorcycle dynamic I would echo the sentiments of a few already posted.  1969 Honda CB 750.  Game changer.

[larrys]

Vincent Black Lightning, 1952...



 

Red hair and black leather
my favorite colour scheme...
Larry