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Post by allspeeds on Jan 23, 2018 23:38:45 GMT 1
Bit of fun really,If you had to guess, what percentage of bikes do you think have survived to this day? i.e. how many bikes are still on the road?
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Post by Ozhammer on Jan 24, 2018 1:01:28 GMT 1
I will start with a guess of 25%
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Post by JonW on Jan 24, 2018 1:10:12 GMT 1
In Aus its not only the tough climate that kills bikes but guys use stuff until its beyond dead, Ive seen plenty of speedos with 80k+ kms on them and everything on the bikes are just worn out. Its at that point someone like me sweeps in and saves them or they get broken up or just scrapped. So far ive only had to strip one bike Ive bought as the frame was too rusty to restore, but otherwise if youre resourceful anything is possible.
If you bear in mind the stolen and stripped bikes, the crashed ones and the ones that were just too hard to restore Id agree, 25% would be about right.
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Jan 24, 2018 1:10:13 GMT 1
I think that the number of 4L0's and 4L1's in UK now is probably 50% off what it was in early 80's due to the import and local enthusiastic market.
Not all are on the road as there are a few of us with ongoing projects, or stashed bikes waiting to be restored.
I can't remember the exact number but have it in my head there were roughly 2000 of each in UK in back then.
Worldwide I suspect its much lower as not all nations seem to resurrect them like we do, although its great to see posts from people around the world, aus, canada and even cayman seems to pop up quite often. Lets keep the numbers up!
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Post by donkeychomp on Jan 24, 2018 1:34:47 GMT 1
Sadly the LC was the most stolen vehicle in the UK in the early 80's, only the Ford Cortina got nicked more. ( I had one stolen). Then there is the race series a lot of them went into, how many of them survived? Then there were a whole load of bikes that were transformed into race bikes, did any make it back onto the road again? I also know of at least one bike that was destroyed on purpose to claim the insurance money after it seized. No idea how many LC's were registered here but if 10% survive I'll be amazed.
Alex
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Post by reedpete on Jan 24, 2018 1:49:36 GMT 1
Proportion seems to be a lot higher for 4L0 bikes than 4L1. Back in the day there must have been 5 250s for every 350 due to Uk learner laws. If anything it seems there are less 250s about than 350s.
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Post by hudtm60 on Jan 24, 2018 3:54:41 GMT 1
interesting that when they re-instated the 250 ProAm race in 2016 they went for 250s as they were more plentiful and cheaper to restore....and most came from Europe...interesting article about that here. tinyurl.com/RD250LCProAm |
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Post by reedpete on Jan 24, 2018 4:34:11 GMT 1
Yes, I agree the majority of bikes that the breakers are pulling apart are 250s, but that was really the point I was making was that the 250s are generally not being restored rather just used for spares.
The story about proAm is actually quite interesting...and the real version is not published version......
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Post by hudtm60 on Jan 24, 2018 4:51:15 GMT 1
yes I sense that there's really a story behind the story...
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Post by bezzer on Jan 24, 2018 7:42:09 GMT 1
Bit of fun really,If you had to guess, what percentage of bikes do you think have survived to this day? i.e. how many bikes are still on the road? I asked the same question a couple of months back and got precisely zero response. Good luck finding out, It’d be interesting to know …… |
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Post by earthman on Jan 24, 2018 8:39:39 GMT 1
Proportion seems to be a lot higher for 4L0 bikes than 4L1. Back in the day there must have been 5 250s for every 350 due to Uk learner laws. If anything it seems there are less 250s about than 350s. Going by my few months search for a 350, I'd say the opposite actually, there are more 250's than 350's for sale on eBay etc. |
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Post by allspeeds on Jan 24, 2018 8:41:04 GMT 1
how many people on here killed one?
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Post by kosaprasa on Jan 24, 2018 8:53:22 GMT 1
I KILLED OVER 40 PIECES OF 350 YPVS, ALL WERE IN AVERAGE TO BAD CONDITION AND FROM ALL I HAVE STILL VIN PLATES AND DOCUMENTS
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Post by rd350rob on Jan 24, 2018 9:00:03 GMT 1
how many people on here killed one? I did- only it was the same one, several times! Holed pistons, bent cranks, seized, fried clutches, flipped it, dropped it, threw it down the road, the list goes on.... Always managed to resurrect it though. It's currently coming back for its nth reincarnation after nearly 20 years under a tarp.
Then again, if it's salvageable, I suppose it's not truly dead.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2018 9:37:58 GMT 1
how many people on here killed one? I did- only it was the same one, several times! Holed pistons, bent cranks, seized, fried clutches, flipped it, dropped it, threw it down the road, the list goes on.... Always managed to resurrect it though. It's currently coming back for its nth reincarnation after nearly 20 years under a tarp.
Then again, if it's salvageable, I suppose it's not truly dead.
That bike sounds like Triggers brush from Only Fools and Horses. |
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Post by headcoats on Jan 24, 2018 10:23:18 GMT 1
Does having just a frame and a V5 mean it's not dead......... just resting LOL
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dbgr
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 204
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Post by dbgr on Jan 24, 2018 11:28:59 GMT 1
Joining this chat, id be very surprised if the amount that survives to this day is only 1% of the units sold, and that number is only due to the internet and how much easier it is to source and buy parts to keep the bikes running in whatever guise they may be. Remember before the onset of the internet you either had to have a mate who worked at the local dealer or rely on the Motorcycle Weekly or Motorcycle News classifieds or a local who did proddy bikes, to get any sort of entry into buying tuning bits. Mead Speed, or Hamiltons Yamaha up here in the North East were just two that spring to mind who were quite helpful to us all back in the day.
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doggs
L plate rider.
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Post by doggs on Jan 24, 2018 15:12:25 GMT 1
Joining this chat, id be very surprised if the amount that survives to this day is only 1% of the units sold, and that number is only due to the internet and how much easier it is to source and buy parts to keep the bikes running in whatever guise they may be. Remember before the onset of the internet you either had to have a mate who worked at the local dealer or rely on the Motorcycle Weekly or Motorcycle News classifieds or a local who did proddy bikes, to get any sort of entry into buying tuning bits. Mead Speed, or Hamiltons Yamaha up here in the North East were just two that spring to mind who were quite helpful to us all back in the day. i agree - i would be suprised if much more than 1% survive - in the 80 s lc s were everywhere - Fiveways,HamYam used to sell loads - when you went past the shop they were lined up like the start of Le Mans - they were treated as very disposable back then - oh how things have changed quite hard to actually kill though - you must remember some of the complete sheds we and our friends used to ride around on |
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dbgr
Drag-strip hero
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Post by dbgr on Jan 24, 2018 15:18:30 GMT 1
hi dogs, a tune up used to be a set of clip-ons and a set of microns with us.
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doggs
L plate rider.
Posts: 40
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Post by doggs on Jan 24, 2018 15:30:21 GMT 1
microns/allspeeds - or if you were skint which we all were someone (its always some mate who makes them faster) suggested cutting down the original baffle,drilling holes in the air box lid,removing the airbox lid or hacking away at the exhaust port with a rat file - then we would be surprised when they blew up - easy to make your bike slower of faster for short periods
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dbgr
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 204
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Post by dbgr on Jan 24, 2018 15:33:14 GMT 1
forgot about cutting baffles and drilling holes in airboxes, how many other quick fix tune-ups were there?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2018 16:00:41 GMT 1
To help find a definitive answer I have contacted Yamaha UK as a general enquiry. They hope to respond in a matter of time. At least they should be able to provide numbers of bikes distributed within the UK during 1980 to 1982. Finding out what remains maybe think of a number and halve it.
As above maybe only 1%.
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Post by reedpete on Jan 24, 2018 16:07:45 GMT 1
Numbers made for Europe equals the sum of the highest VINs for each model for each year.
Percentage left equals that sum divided by an estimation of total still in existence
Anybody got a calculator !
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Post by 1966baz on Jan 24, 2018 18:49:59 GMT 1
Official sales in the UK for 250s was (according to Haynes.)
1981 - 893.
1982 -1061.
For 350s it was -
1981 - 1354.
1982 - 1823.
1983 - 3103.
I guess loads of these will be long gone , but loads of imports over here now.
There must be atleast 1000 350s in the LC club alone.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2018 19:15:59 GMT 1
Official sales in the UK for 250s was (according to Haynes.) 1981 - 893. 1982 -1061. For 350s it was - 1981 - 1354. 1982 - 1823. 1983 - 3103. I guess loads of these will be long gone , but loads of imports over here now. There must be atleast 1000 350s in the LC club alone. That's interesting Baz. I would have thought the figures would have been higher, but then I suppose you have to think about affordability at the time and not many young lads could afford a new bike. Number of dealerships etc. Yes I agree long gone now, and tons of imports. |
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Post by 1966baz on Jan 24, 2018 19:19:16 GMT 1
That's exactly what I thought when I first read it. I remember at least 30 LCS most sundays at Boxhill alone.
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Jan 24, 2018 19:20:53 GMT 1
Official sales in the UK for 250s was (according to Haynes.) 1981 - 893. 1982 -1061. For 350s it was - 1981 - 1354. 1982 - 1823. 1983 - 3103. I guess loads of these will be long gone , but loads of imports over here now. There must be atleast 1000 350s in the LC club alone. I assume the 1983 figure were YPVS models? |
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Post by 1966baz on Jan 24, 2018 19:25:23 GMT 1
Official sales in the UK for 250s was (according to Haynes.) 1981 - 893. 1982 -1061. For 350s it was - 1981 - 1354. 1982 - 1823. 1983 - 3103. I guess loads of these will be long gone , but loads of imports over here now. There must be atleast 1000 350s in the LC club alone. I assume the 1983 figure were YPVS models? Yes Shaun, that was YPVS and late 4los. |
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Post by earthman on Jan 24, 2018 19:28:22 GMT 1
Official sales in the UK for 250s was (according to Haynes.) 1981 - 893. 1982 -1061. For 350s it was - 1981 - 1354. 1982 - 1823. 1983 - 3103. I guess loads of these will be long gone , but loads of imports over here now. There must be atleast 1000 350s in the LC club alone. I'm wondering how accurate those figures are in the first place,....to think that the 250 were the 'learner legal' back then, surely the 250 would have outsold the 350 for that reason alone?? |
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Post by 1966baz on Jan 24, 2018 20:25:03 GMT 1
Official sales in the UK for 250s was (according to Haynes.) 1981 - 893. 1982 -1061. For 350s it was - 1981 - 1354. 1982 - 1823. 1983 - 3103. I guess loads of these will be long gone , but loads of imports over here now. There must be atleast 1000 350s in the LC club alone. I'm wondering how accurate those figures are in the first place,....to think that the 250 were the 'learner legal' back then, surely the 250 would have outsold the 350 for that reason alone?? Haynes must have attained these figures from Yamaha you would have thought. The 125 cc learner law came in early 1983 which would have slowed up sales of 250s in latter part of 1982. Still seem a bit on the low side to me though. |
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