My last bike was an Aerial Square Four…… .

[Twoleftfeet]

Go buy a Moto Guzzi v7, you’ll have no regrets, I had one for a couple of years and loved it, handles beautiful on the curves, good mpg too, down side the saddle was a bit too firm for me, please beware buying a Guzzi will only encourage you to buy another and your only ever one Guzzi away from buying your last, I now own a Guzzi V85tt Travel, brilliant piece of kit, it sits beside my California vintage

 

[BikerGraham]

My reaction time is much slower at 70 than it was at 17...I think, if I could hold up a big bike, pull it on to the main stand...and ride it, I would most likely die in a day or so...that's why I only ride a Scooter now...300cc one though..

Two wheels and an engine. Biking

 

[chaser]

Never been into big bikes and as soon as I passed my car test never rode another, but on eBay there is this bike which is exactly the bike I had, and I mean exact year ,colour everything and I am very tempted but don't think I would have the confidence to ride it now.

1963 JAMES L20S SPORTS CAPTAIN 199cc AMC * BRITISH CLASSIC / HISTORIC * 2 STROKE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1963 JAMES L20S SPORTS CAPTAIN 199cc AMC * BRITISH CLASSIC / HISTORIC * 2 STROKE at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[chaser]

Never been into big bikes and as soon as I passed my car test never rode another, but on eBay there is this bike which is exactly the bike I had, and I mean exact year ,colour everything and I am very tempted but don't think I would have the confidence to ride it now.

1963 JAMES L20S SPORTS CAPTAIN 199cc AMC * BRITISH CLASSIC / HISTORIC * 2 STROKE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1963 JAMES L20S SPORTS CAPTAIN 199cc AMC * BRITISH CLASSIC / HISTORIC * 2 STROKE at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Sold mine for £150

 

[Mixyblob]

Roads and drivers have changed a lot in 50 years.
I watched a car driver spend 15 minutes reversing into a parking space in Sainsbury's carpark.
Would you want to meet that on the open road?

Not so sure they've changed that much, remember Reginald Molehusband?

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[Mixyblob]

Have you checked out the weight of a V7 , I know the Square four was heavy but that was some time ago and the Moto Guzzi seems to be heavier and there are lighter bikes around (if weight matters to you)

Sat astride a friends V7 yesterday, I was impressed by how relatively small, low and light it felt, I'm 6'

 

[Spriddler]

I'm 77, been riding 60 years with a 75 yr old AJS and 70 yr old Matchless including pretty frequent tours around France.
I rode the 1952 Matchless to Milan and back camping all the time to a classic bike rally 5 years ago and just before Covid to Northern Spain and back with only use of my left arm. They're not fast (they cruise at 60 to 65) which is just as well as the don't stop very quickly either.
I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. (I was hopeless at crochet ).

 

[chaser]

Not so sure they've changed that much, remember Reginald Molehusband?

We have seen him all over Europe

 

[DBK]

I'm 77, been riding 60 years with a 75 yr old AJS and 70 yr old Matchless including pretty frequent tours around France.
I rode the 1952 Matchless to Milan and back camping all the time to a classic bike rally 5 years ago and just before Covid to Northern Spain and back with only use of my left arm. They're not fast (they cruise at 60 to 65) which is just as well as the don't stop very quickly either.
I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. (I was hopeless at crochet ).

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View attachment 656613

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I have a soft spot for AJS as I had an AJS 250 when I was 16. Sadly I didn't listen to the advice not to to thrash and it died. I started a repair, replacing the main bearing but by then I was 17 and bought a Mini!

 

[maison]

Brings Laverda JOTA to mind, leave it at home if it's raining.

I had the most horrifying ride of my life on a Jota.

No real provision for a pillion I perched on the back, for a demo ride on an airfield. No foot pegs for a pillion either. Full throttle take-off I went backwards off the bike and was only held on when my feet caught under the armpits of the rider. I needed a cold shower and clean trousers afterwards.

I have been a biker for 58 years but now take it easy with my Royal Enfield 650cc and the Honda PCX 125cc that we tow behind the motorhome.

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[bigwood]

When I was stationed in Germany I used to transport the camping gear for a couple of bikers in my car when we went to the bike races. One had a Moto Guzzinthe other had a DucatI 750.
It was at the races I saw the Honda 750 /4 for the first time. My mates were not impressed, too much chrome and frills.

 

[Dave Scadding]

Get your self an Areial ACE and go full circle.

 

[Spriddler]

I have a soft spot for AJS as I had an AJS 250 when I was 16. Sadly I didn't listen to the advice not to to thrash and it died. I started a repair, replacing the main bearing but by then I was 17 and bought a Mini!

A couple of my older biker chums bought cheap Minivans (£399 new, no Purchase tax) and we used to regularly race, bikes and Minivans from Brighton Palace Pier for 25 miles up the A23 to the coffee bar at the Blue Pencil Motel at Gatwick to chat up the air hostesses.

The AJS 250 was a very nippy bike for its time but tended to attract disdain from Norton and Triumph boy racers due to suffering from being thrashed.
Here's a 1966 250 CSR (sports). Same as the touring bikes but with a go-faster chromed tank and alloy mudguards.

 

[Neckender]

when I was in my early 20's.
Now, at the ripe old (but reasonably fit) age of 71, I'm concidering buying a Moto Guzzi V7.
Am I a bloody idiot with a death wish (as some family members think) or should I go for it?

Go for it. I’m 72 and last year I bought 2 bikes a 1976 Triumph 750 Bonneville and a 2002 Triumph Thunderbird 900 I go out for regular rides with biker mate that I’ve known for 42 years.
last Sunday we went for a ride out and finished up at a classic bike and car show run by The Grumpy Bastards Longport.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjqhMOpo-X5AhUEilwKHZJICQcQFnoECAYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen-gb.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F1612208375695932%2F&usg=AOvVaw0Z3PL2_ArOLzlRmpbVw8V8

Here are my 2 bikes.

John.

 

[Spriddler]

Get your self an Areial ACE and go full circle.

Don't be daft: By the time you've gone full circle you only need an Ariel 3 for nipping up to the doctor's.

Me and my Hell's Anginas chums on a Sunday Brunch Run - average age 70.

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[Orion]

A Guzzi V7 , so you like fiddling with dodgy Italian electrics?
As a teenager I had a poster of said model on my bedroom wall next to a poster of Debbie Harry, lol.

Today’s Guzzi V7 is a world away from the Tonti framed predecessors that had the same designation - it’s a well balanced, relatively lightweight bike, a good choice I’d say.

I have a few Guzzis tucked away in the garage and my son cut his teeth on a succession of V1000 LeMans - here he is on the Italian Owner’s Clubs visit to the Trofeo Rosso in France.

And me on my Guzzi Centauro:

Which is going up for sale soon.

The California EV in the photo was our 25th wedding present to ourselves and we’ve toured extensively in Europe on it since, so that’s a keeper.

 

[Jackd]

Don't be daft: By the time you've gone full circle you only need an Ariel 3 for nipping up to the doctor's.


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Me and my Hell's Anginas chums on a Sunday Brunch Run - average age 70.

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At Sammy Millers?

 

[TrudeandDall]

You will have to widen your garden gate, buy the good lady lots of nice things, not listen to your sisters nephew but mostly go for it....

 

[Burgo]

Ah, Aerial Square Four.

I was working in Katmandu for 2 weeks in the '70s. A friend was running the Gurkha Rehabilitation Scheme and his nepew had ridden one out from UK and left it. He offered it to me, but I had an interview scheduled and had to fly back - got the job.

Should I have shipped it back? What are they worth now?

Around £15,000 to £16,500 for a well restored one at the moment.

 

[Mixyblob]

You will have to widen your garden gate, buy the good lady lots of nice things, not listen to your sisters nephew but mostly go for it....

Eddy??

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[DBK]

bought cheap Minivans (£399 new, no Purchase tax)

I learned to dive in a Minivan my late Mum bought new for £400 after she inherited a little money.

I find it interesting the colours you used to be able to buy them in are now coming back. I've seen posh Audi models in British Leyland grey!

 

[Spriddler]

At Sammy Millers?

Not Sammy Miller's but a greasy spoon near Eastbourne. Some of us did ride down to New Milton for Sammy's AJS and Matchless Open Day end of June, a 190 mile (non motorway) round trip. Quite far enough after a day wandering around his fascinating museum.

 

[BillyKontiki]

Started out with a lamy 150 cc took test in 1965 had a few more scooters and motorcycles until 1970 never been on a bike since.
It now scares me that I could buy say a 1200 cc and jump on it.

 

[Burgo]

I learned to dive in a Minivan my late Mum bought new for £400 after she inherited a little money.

I find it interesting the colours you used to be able to buy them in are now coming back. I've seen posh Audi models in British Leyland grey!

I learnt in a side valve 100E which was originally two tone grey and mauve - soon resprayed that!

 

[Neckender]

Started out with a lamy 150 cc took test in 1965 had a few more scooters and motorcycles until 1970 never been on a bike since.
It now scares me that I could buy say a 1200 cc and jump on it.

You could also jump on a Triumph Rocket Three 2300cc.

John.

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[BillyKontiki]

Frightening.

 

[TrudeandDall]

Nowt wrong with a Guzzi V7....

 

[Gaston aires]

when I was in my early 20's.
Now, at the ripe old (but reasonably fit) age of 71, I'm concidering buying a Moto Guzzi V7.
Am I a bloody idiot with a death wish (as some family members think) or should I go for it?

One of my last bikes was a Honda super dream 400.
Sold to a man of 89 years old. Go for it.
Phil

 

[Taran_Las]

I bought a V7 Stone last year. I love it. Not the fastest bike in the world but easy to ride and live with. Large fuel tank too.

 

[Jezter]

I would talk to a local firm who do Direct Access training and book a day's training one-to-one, on one of their bikes, as a reintroduction. (It'll probably be a much abused 500 twin with about 47BHP). It'll also be relatively inexpensive. They should be able to start you on a car park (with left side gear change) even to get back into the feel and then give you a lot of really good training when you get out on the roads, as you'll be reminded or learn a lot in a few hours. They can probably lend you helmet, gloves, jacket also. It's the only way you'll truly know if you are still going to be comfortable on the roads.

I strongly suspect you'll bloody love it (again), and it will still have been useful training and kick start you back into biking. (They may have some discount vouchers for buying kit also).

If you aren't comfortable, you can get more training or decide not to proceed for less than the price of the new jacket, let alone a v7.

For info/context...
According to the stats, the Mk1 Square Four had 35BHP @5500rpm. The Mk2 45 BHP @5500rpm. Compression ration 6.0 to 1(!).

Dry weight between 193 and 211kg depending on model.
Top speed between 87 and 100mph, depending on model.

Good luck!

(Edited for spelling)

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