 Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
Hmmm tricky one for me...let me see ..could it be
My HDs with various gearbox and vibration related problems?
Or maybe that awful Thunderbird LT which needed a top end rebuild 400 miles from new....and still tattled like a bag of spanners thereafter?
But let's not rerun that theme.....
Oh dear, I'm afraid it could be just about any Guzzi I've owned...usually electrical grief...used to keep two spare ECU's just in case...and I'm contemplating buying another .Though, guess what? It won't start.
Maybe though the prize has to go to my 1968 BSA A65......factory built with a main bearing which was made from tinfoil....messy and expensive.
Any your nemesis folks?
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
As previously chronicled the 1974 Sportster I had.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Honda 350 and Suzuki 400. Both had engines that couldn't make it past 15K miles. The Honda was the SL model with spark arresting pipes. The innards of those mufflers would break loose and start rattling about in under 3K miles.
My '54 Velocette would be called unreliable by those who didn't know how to start it, but I had no problems with it. Same thing with my '39 ULH and '57 Panhead. If you knew how to start them, it was first kick nearly all the time.
Come to think of it, my '49 Triumph could be difficult starting. Hold down the tickler 3 seconds too long and it took some 30 - 50 kicks. 3 seconds too short and it wouldn't start. I learned to cheat, tickle one carb a little longer than the other. Then it would start on one cylinder and then the other would take off.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374 |
I once had a 350 Honda that was trouble, and all my RD 350 Yami's were touchy. Triumph America is rock solid.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874 |
My 1998 TBS was but the problems were easy fixes, just an annoying bike all around.
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,628 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,628 Likes: 7 |
1975 Honda CB500 Twin. The electric start was weak and the kick start broke twice. I push started it a lot, always tried to park at the top of a hill. Always had to shut off the fuel since the floats were sticky and would dump all your fuel if you left it. Nice looking bike and it ran well but it sat a lot because I couldn't depend on it, which likely contributed to the lack of reliability. 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,152 Likes: 12
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,152 Likes: 12 |
the '72 sportster that I took in trade for money a guy owed me. after a few weeks of dealing with that oozing, brakeless, have to push start, no suspension bike. I took it back and accepted less money just to be done with it.
in all fairness it was a good looking bike. it just needed to be parked rather than ridden.
Last edited by mag10; 09/06/2017 10:44 AM.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
My 65 Pan was a good looking bike too but chrome doesn't get you home.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
That would be a toss up between a 53 pan or a 73 sportster ??
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
My first REAL motorcycle, a 73 650 Bonnie, was a little glitchy, but that was more cause I was a dumb kid than anything else. Still a pretty good bike. Guess I haven't had any real lemons. Lucky.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19 |
Ok, most unreliable bike? Kawasaki 100 ('71?) consistently carboned the spark plug which meant pulling the plugs where ever I was, replacing, or cleaning 'em. Got some nice burns on my fingers from that @#$%^ bike too. My Triumph Daytona 500 ('69) was a close second. Cool looking, hard starter, and liked to shed bits the longer the ride. I remember a 300 mile night ride to Seattle (in the rain, of course) and arriving with bandannas crammed into the valve cover holes (the caps rattled off into the gloom somewhere east of the Cascade Mtns, so I stuffed the bandannas in). Then the front engine mounts shook off too. The next morning I noticed engine was lying in the frame. Oh the good ol days... 
John 3:16
let's ride...
1969 Triumph Trophy 500
2004 America
2010 America
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
That's funny since I have a 500 Daytona and nothing has ever shaken off. I have the original valave caps on it because the aftermarket finned caps tended to shake off. The spring tabs are not on the rocker boxes for looks, they stop the caps vibrating loose. Same with the lock nuts on the engine mounts from the factory.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19 |
Glad yours was good. Bought the bike new. Rode it a few days and made the Seattle run, things shook loose. Poor dealer prep? Non mechanic 19 year old? 
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
Could be. I got mine in a million pieces and restored it myself. I don't know how they shipped things back then but the engine should have been in the frame from the factory not installed at the dealer. Things were still good in 69, I own a 69 650 that has always been trouble free. I have a couple 72 Bonnies that I had problems with though.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Could be. I got mine in a million pieces and restored it myself. I don't know how they shipped things back then but the engine should have been in the frame from the factory not installed at the dealer. Things were still good in 69, I own a 69 650 that has always been trouble free. I have a couple 72 Bonnies that I had problems with though.
My stock 650Bonnie that I restored out of a barn was darn reliable. Even the original Lucas stuff never gave me one minute of trouble. Rode that bike across the country a couple of times with no breakdowns.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Quote:
Could be. I got mine in a million pieces and restored it myself. I don't know how they shipped things back then but the engine should have been in the frame from the factory not installed at the dealer. Things were still good in 69, I own a 69 650 that has always been trouble free. I have a couple 72 Bonnies that I had problems with though.
My stock 650Bonnie that I restored out of a barn was darn reliable. Even the original Lucas stuff never gave me one minute of trouble. Rode that bike across the country a couple of times with no breakdowns.
Also one of the most beautiful Triumphs ever designed, in my opinion. I even have a perfect scale metal model put out by a classy model company. So although I sold it to purchase my much loved America, I can still look at it.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19 |
That's pretty impressive, Dog33 - assembling your Daytona piece by piece!! Oil changes are about my upper limit.
Don't know how they shipped back when, either. Mine was on the showroom floor (or what passed for one) at Mac's cycles - an old school motorcycle shop, big garage, small showroom. The owner, Mac, was one of those ageless old bikers, gruff, greasey, and a heart of gold.
John 3:16
let's ride...
1969 Triumph Trophy 500
2004 America
2010 America
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19 |
Also one of the most beautiful Triumphs ever designed, in my opinion. I even have a perfect scale metal model put out by a classy model company. So although I sold it to purchase my much loved America, I can still look at it.
+1 I couldn't agree more...
John 3:16
let's ride...
1969 Triumph Trophy 500
2004 America
2010 America
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
I rode my 66 TR6C all over the country too and it never gave me any problems either.
I really miss the old Hermys when Hermy Sr. and his wife were still there. Same thing small wood floor show room with warped floor boards, old wood and glass show case counter. Until he retired Hermy Sr. had his last 2 new Triumphs on the show room floor too when you walked in. The first one said "more than you can afford" on the price tag and the next one said "even more" on it. What is now the show room was a big garage full of Hermy Sr.s collection. On the other side was the small shop and where they work now was just a basement full of vintage parts.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572 Likes: 19 |
Quote:
I rode my 66 TR6C all over the country too and it never gave me any problems either.
I really miss the old Hermys when Hermy Sr. and his wife were still there. Same thing small wood floor show room with warped floor boards, old wood and glass show case counter. Until he retired Hermy Sr. had his last 2 new Triumphs on the show room floor too when you walked in. The first one said "more than you can afford" on the price tag and the next one said "even more" on it.
That's great!!! 
John 3:16
let's ride...
1969 Triumph Trophy 500
2004 America
2010 America
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,445 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,445 Likes: 1 |
Unreliable? None really, they all got me home. But some of them caused me grief when leaving home. My first; a Sears 106SS. Magneto powered, so my leg was the starter button.  I abused the heck out of that thing, rebuilt it more times than I can count and still rode it all over the SE U.S.. I bought a few 4cyl Hondas searching for a bigger bike to cover more miles - began to dislike tinkering and got rid of them as fast as I could. No more UJMs for me! Right now, my cuss-bike is my Honda PS250 (BIG Ruckus). I wanted one when they first came out in '05, and found one at the right price about 7 years ago. Figured I'd tuck it into a corner of the garage and save it for my old age. That damn thing will drain a battery when trying to start it cold. Everything checks out, but it's just the most cold blooded bike I've ever had. HATE it - until it's running, then it's a fun little scooter.
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
Hardest bike to start I ever had was a Yamaha XT500.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
1978 suzuki 75cc. Would foul plugs like crazy. had to carry extras & a ratchet & socket in my pocket. Had some really good times on that scooter. It would quit sometimes & I would kick & kick & kick...nothing. push it back to the house & it would fire right up. Looked just like this but blue. http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/TS/TS75/1975_TS75M_red_500.jpg
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,707 Likes: 3
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,707 Likes: 3 |
I guess my most unreliable would have been my 1980 Honda CB650. Had charging issues that led to many dead batteries. Finally got all that sorted and for no reason I could find, the motor locked up. Tore it down, put it back together and it ran awesome! For like 5 minutes and then locked up again... parted it out after that
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17 |
My first bike.
It was a '67 Bridgestone 175.
Paid $200.00 for it in 1974.
Battery would not stay charged.
Kick starter was a pain.
Never worked on it just push started it or down hill and pop the clutch.
I was a kid and had no idea on how to fix it.
Wish I had it around today.
Last edited by BillyIndiana; 09/18/2017 12:21 PM.
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,134 Likes: 52 |
I scrapped a 1946? Allstate I had too that I wish I had kept. I am not sure the year, I never had a title.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Boy was my second bike, a 1968 (Montgomery) Wards 360cc Riverside thumper (actually manufactured by Benelli in Italy) ever a bitch to start sometimes...especially when cold.
The kick-starter was located on the left side, and when it would kick-back on me, OY, what pain in my left knee and ankle would result. To this day I believe the reason my left knee is a little "trickier" than my right(something I occasionally notice out on the tennis courts now days) is because of that bike.
And not only was it a bitch to start when cold, but the kick-starter's design itself was somewhat shoddy. Its swing-out foot pedal was attached to the end of the main rod by use of a bolt, and over time that bolt would begin to bend and then break off completely several times on me as I'd attempt to kick-start it.
(...gotta say though, once it started it was a reasonably dependable little runner...and like most Italian motorcycles, handled extremely well)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Ok, so what's been your most unreliable bike then?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
After doing some thinking my least reliable bike has been...gasp, my 2002 Bonneville America. I had it for 7 years until one foggy morning I wrecked in to the back of a pick up. But what made it unreliable was for 2 years of that 7 it would shudder act like it was starving for gas. Once I even rode it to Ga rally in that condition. It stopped along I-44 and I called the dealer in Little Rock asking for help. I always thought it was fuel related or had something to do w overflow hose. I got it going again and made it to Ga. and on the way back to Ok. But had to stop again on the way back and took the tank off behind a gas station and checked overflow line. The dealer didn't know what was wrong and finally from tech section here I learned it might be ignition coil. Ordered a new one and had dealer put it in and no more problem. But 2 years out of seven is a long time to have a problem. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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