The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - Why doesn't the Lucas Factory run a second shift?

Why doesn't the Lucas Factory run a second shift? (reply)

MR — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 01:29:13 +0000

They can't get the lights to burn.

You're a bad influence... (reply)

Paul — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:29:32 +0000

You just might have started something. Your post reminded me that a few years ago I stumbled across a tiny Royal Enfield dealership in Bogotá. With that in mind after your nudge, I got to digging and it turns out that just last year one of our largest bike assemblers/distributors became the official importers for RE down here. The shop I stumbled across was pricing them high and selling few. RE's CEO in India is focusing on becoming the world leader in the midsized bike market - which is increasing down here and currently only occupied by crotch rockets in the 200-250 CC range. There are no local RE dealers yet, only the two biggest markets have them so far - Bogotá and Medellin. Still, it's early in the game and they are just coming online so we'll see how things play out. After digging around the Indian forums a bit as well as youtube, this thing looks quite interesting. It may be just the thing for tooling around the Andes, since they haul them all over the Himalayas with good results. Gonna have to do some more digging for info.

Thanks for the reminder!

Royal Enfields..YUP (reply)

John Meeker — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:15:42 +0000

They make a classic putter around here. Our shop/house sits on a corner next to a scenic river road along the Maumee -- up and down river. Some hills and curves, and antique Erie Canal Town with good cafes, at the turnaround...for a banged up gimpy sixty-seven, it would be just right!! ;~`)

Not exactly. (reply)

Paul — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:29:38 +0000

Interesting. I'd never have expected a German bike to have a British electrical system. Of course, it's post war and Germany was still under reconstruction. Still, I didn't have a clue about that. Now I'm DOUBLY curious about the old thumper I saw.

Royal Enfields... (reply)

Slow Hand — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 17:37:37 +0000

http://royalenfield.com/motorcycles/classic-chrome

Still a little busy, but neat classy styling.

My "non-boxer" Beemer...or one like it. - OT (reply)

Caz — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 16:56:13 +0000

"They" say this is the "most reliable" BMW engine ever used. Or so I have read.

Something I didn't even know existed - OT (reply)

bob — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 16:42:25 +0000

And shaft driven bicycles even earlier.
bob

Lucas -- the black Hole of .... (reply)

John Meeker — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 16:28:23 +0000

Like Brit bikes for handling,etc..., but when the first Modern aftermarket elec systems showed up -- off came Lucas -- and on went the New Stuff. However, i will say that you can get home with ciggie pack tinfoils, replacing blown Lucas fuses.

Would still like to see sleek stylish stripped-down modern classics, as clean as a Brit could be done with a little work. The modern stuff just is chunky, tho some trim bikes are seen -- not keeping up with it anymore - but a good proper bike still delights the .

Something I didn't even know existed - OT (reply)

Mike C — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:56:29 +0000

Funny but there was a motorcycle that was shaft driven, liquid cooled engine and it had disc brakes, (I think front wheel only) in the early 1920's. It was called the Scott Flying Squirrel.

Not exactly. (reply)

JLF — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 07:16:50 +0000

Not exactly. The bike came with Lucas electrics. Lucas is known among gearheads as "The Prince of Darkness". If you owned a Lucas refridgerator, when you opened the door, the light blinked a few times, then went off...

JLF

My F-650 has a Rotax motor...no boxers here. (reply)

12Caz — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 05:21:22 +0000

Simplicity, or at least it gives that appearance. nt (reply)

Paul — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 03:01:41 +0000

A pretty bike! (reply)

Hobie — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 02:50:28 +0000

Now that is a classic (reply)

Creeker — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 01:03:15 +0000

Something I didn't even know existed - OT

Paul — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:06:06 +0000

Saw this in a local bike repair shop. Well, one like it. The one I saw is a 1950 BMW R25 250 cc. The engine turns on an axis that is at right angles to the rotation of the wheels. It's connected to the rear end via a drive shaft. I wasn't aware that anyone used a drive shaft on bikes that early. The only BMW's I was aware of were the boxer type engine with opposed cylinders.