Anyone see this about BSA / Norton getting acquired by "Mahindra" from India?

[Rotten Ralph]

Them Mahindra boys think they so smart, let's see 'em make and sell some of THESE ....



I wouldn't be able to afford it, but I'd shut up about it ....

Lannis

Looks like a nicely modified Hornet.

[Lannis]

I see the ads for the smaller Mahindra tractor/loader.  How are they quality wise?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahindra_Tractors

In this heavily agricultural county, I've never seen one in a production situation.

"Weekend squires" use them for mowing and dragging their driveways, but a man who has to depend on the tractor to make a living can't take a risk on a different view of "quality" than Deere or MF or IH ....

Lannis

[JJ]

Them Mahindra boys think they so smart, let's see 'em make and sell some of THESE ....



I wouldn't be able to afford it, but I'd shut up about it ....

Lannis

That's fabulous!!!  Restored examples now go for $10K and up...would love to have one here in Red Rock country!! :1:

[JJ]

I also always lusted after one of these - the legendary 441 Victor Special.  This example coming up for auction at MECUM's in Las Vegas in January... :1:




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[Tom]

In this heavily agricultural county, I've never seen one in a production situation.

"Weekend squires" use them for mowing and dragging their driveways, but a man who has to depend on the tractor to make a living can't take a risk on a different view of "quality" than Deere or MF or IH ....

Lannis

Totally agree.  Was just wondering how their build quality is.  Consumer use is where they seem to be trying to compete.  Commercially maybe not yet.

[NC Steve]

Yep. 

http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2016/10/27/bsa-motorcycles-back-in-business.html

[Tom]

I also always lusted after one of these - the legendary 441 Victor Special.  This example coming up for auction at MECUM's in Las Vegas in January... :1:




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Throwing this, out just because.  The Manager for one of the FBO's (Fuel Base Operator) at the Kona International Airport had one restored because   he had one when he was a young man.  He found one, spent the money on it to restore to like new oem condition.  The magic wasn't there.  The bike looked nice and he had it up for sale.  "When did you have before?"  His reply "When I was 19/20."  Tim is a full blown adult in his early 50's  200lbs+ on his 19/20 frame.  It didn't recapture his youth.  I did lend him my Jackal.  He did enjoy that but I think he got soured by the Victor restoration. 

[JJ]

Throwing this, out just because.  The Manager for one of the FBO's (Fuel Base Operator) at the Kona International Airport had one restored because   he had one when he was a young man.  He found one, spent the money on it to restore to like new oem condition.  The magic wasn't there.  The bike looked nice and he had it up for sale.  "When did you have before?"  His reply "When I was 19/20."  Tim is a full blown adult in his early 50's   + on his 19/20 frame.  It didn't recapture his youth.  I did lend him my Jackal.  He did enjoy that but I think he got soured by the Victor restoration. 

Understand that rationale completely....Howev er, a few years ago, I bought a restored 1970 Triumph T100C Trophy 500.  Great little bike, but could not do more than 50-55 mph, so secondary roads only.

That being said, it was fun to tickle the carbs and kick over and ride. It felt like a mini-bike and the sound was awesome!   Still, ridden within reason, it was a blast.  I sold it only because I needed the money in between jobs.

I have a 2014 Victory Vision and a 1998 Centauro GT - - so thinking about something small and fun...maybe vintage again...maybe not. 

My "GO FAST" days are long over...so I am happy just to putt around... :1:

[Dofin]

Mahindra is the company that did not pay Eric Buhl Racing (EBR) for a massive amount of developmental work his company did for them.  Nonpayment of that money caused EBR to go bankrupt.  I have heard that Eric is trying to make another come back, the local dealer actually has one of his bikes still for sell, Half price, and said that he was contacted by Eric's company but wont be their dealer again. 

[oldbike54]

Mahindra is the company that did not pay Eric Buhl Racing (EBR) for a massive amount of developmental work his company did for them.  Nonpayment of that money caused EBR to go bankrupt.  I have heard that Eric is trying to make another come back, the local dealer actually has one of his bikes still for sell, Half price, and said that he was contacted by Eric's company but wont be their dealer again.

 I think that was Hero and not Mahindra .

 Dusty

[Aaron D.]

In this heavily agricultural county, I've never seen one in a production situation.

"Weekend squires" use them for mowing and dragging their driveways, but a man who has to depend on the tractor to make a living can't take a risk on a different view of "quality" than Deere or MF or IH ....

Lannis

They are popular here with farmers, the squires tend to Kubota, But very few places here like the Midwest where the big agricultural stuff is king.  We do have some big operations, and they use Deere.

[Lannis]

They are popular here with farmers, the squires tend to Kubota, But very few places here like the Midwest where the big agricultural stuff is king.  We do have some big operations, and they use Deere.

It may be that Mahindra's product line doesn't run to huge ag operations, I haven't looked into it.   I do know that the smaller farms (<1000 acres) that are typical here can't afford experimentation with the low-priced Indian or Russian equipment that's out there.

They may be OK for all I know, but no one's putting enough hours on them for anyone to tell .... And you're right, for hobby farmers and 5 acre estate owners with money, it's Kubota every time.    Two 1950's Fergusons and a 40's Farmall do everything I need here.

Lannis

[Tom]

They have 4 assembly plants in the U.S..  They must be busy for the hobby farmer.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

http://mahindrausa.com/Tractors/series

22 - 105 hp. $12k - $65k.

[Lannis]

http://mahindrausa.com/Tractors/series

22 - 105 hp. $12k - $65k.

If they can convince their target market that their big tractor will out-last and out-pull the John Deere 4020 that Mr. MacDonald bought in 1972, and do it for less money, I suspect we'll see a lot more of them.   May take a while, though.

Lannis

[OlDogface]

Back in 2007/8 timeframe I was looking for a cheap, diesel, smallish pickup truck for use on a hobby farm. I don't recall where, but saw that Mahindra was "soon" to deploy a small diesel pickup for under $10k new here in the US of A. I signed up for their early release notices, etc..

I think I got two emails. They flopped and never sold a single truck here.

I've since sold the farm and pressed my old Civic into hauling my needed bag or two of potting soil per year.

[Penderic]

Expect Extra Delivery Charges ......




My favorite!


The "Bond" Bike! (in color!)


Never saw one of these before .....


 

[JJ]

That's what I'm talking about!!  Timeless and beautiful vintage motorcycle!! :1: 




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My favorite model year was the 1967 A65 Lightning...

[Penderic]

1969 Thunderbolt with dealer kit - tachometer and something else I forgot ....  shook like a banshee and made wonderful sounds. One side of the bike, the nuts would tighten and on the other side, the nuts would loosen, all by themselves! First encounter with LEFT HAND threads! Where'd my left footrest go? Damn.


 

[JJ]

1969 Thunderbolt with dealer kit - tachometer and something else I forgot ....  shook like a banshee and made wonderful sounds. One side of the bike, the nuts would tighten and on the other side, the nuts would loosen, all by themselves! First encounter with LEFT HAND threads! Where'd my left footrest go? Damn.


 

If I am not mistaken...
1st photo - Thunderbolt was a single carb, Lightning had twin carbs. 
Photo 2:  That is a Goldstar single.

[Sheepdog]

I have a cousin that owns a Mahindra tractor. It does everything he needs it to do and he was able to afford a bigger machine than if he had chosen JD or Kubota. Indian machinery has been getting better for years (India has claimed a big chunk of international scooter sales and even has a HD assembly plant) and I believe they are at or near a tipping point that may allow them to claim significant market share worldwide. It sorta reminds me of Japan in the early to mid-sixties...

[JJ]

Let's all just have a MAHINDRA TRACTOR festival, shall we?!?

  :1:

[johnr]

I sort of wonder about the offshoots. I believe for example that it is possible to buy a Gold Star brand new under a build-to-order only scheme.  Engine Built in NZ, bike assembled and built on OZ. Don't know if they are still available.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I sort of wonder about the offshoots. I believe for example that it is possible to buy a Gold Star brand new under a build-to-order only scheme.  Engine Built in NZ, bike assembled and built on OZ. Don't know if they are still available.

A friend built a "BSA" Gold Star from parts, most of it new, about the only original part used was the frame. The engine he used was from this company: http://www.absaf.nl/index.php?page=1

[oldbike54]

 Seems almost any classic British racing single can be built from new components , vintage racing grids are full of G50's , 7R's , Manx Nortons , and the occasional Rudge , that were built in the recent past . Heck , at one time a new 68-70 Bonneville could be put together using new parts , might still be possible .

 Dusty