Thunderbirds, the budget version.

[Cato]

Had to take the van and pick up for MOT. Put the bike in the back of the van to return from dropping it off. Swapped the pick up over with the van, then rode the bike back to collect the pick up. Then unloaded the bike back at my unit.

Got a few double takes when I was lifting the bike on and off.

 

[bourbon]

What Bike is that Cato?

 

[Cato]

What Bike is that Cato?

MT350 made by Harley Davidson after they bought the tooling from Armstrong/CCM who made its predecessor the MT500, and Armstong bought the design from SWM.

They were military bikes in the '80s and '90s. Mostly for the British military, but the Canadians had some along with a couple of Middle Eastern countries.

 

[Tangledfeet]

What Bike is that Cato?

Without Googling I think I'm right in saying ex-army, perhaps even diesel?

 

[julianthegypsy]

Says Harley, but is it a rebadged Armstrong, with a Rotax engine? 500cc?

 

[cheb]

350cc engine with electric start IIRC. The same engine can be got in up to 636cc, as used in CCMs around 2000, before they started using Suzuki engines.

There used to be a good owner's club for them.

 

[Cato]

Says Harley, but is it a rebadged Armstrong, with a Rotax engine? 500cc?

Harley bought the tooling from CCM/Armstrong and built them in their factory in the USA.

 

[James1979]

Hard as hell but funny to ride. I likened it to riding a pig! Low and wide seat. The main thing that annoyed me was the foot pegs dont fold in which may not seem a big thing but if ou are used to the modern ones you'd be suprised what you catch them on without realising!

May have a PDF O&M Manual if you want?

 

[Shox Dr]

A mate has a 350. The exhaust is made from the slag from recycled rust. He still loves it. (I dont)

 

[julianthegypsy]

Someone I knew had a 500, with a kick start, but he could never get it to start cold, until I took pity on him after watching him try for 20 minutes solid one evening and showed him how. Same as an old sportster. Ignition off, choke on, no throttle, one kick. Ignition on, choke off, quarter throttle, one kick. Boom. He was stunned, I just grinned. Magic!

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Mate, in the RAF, says after the Falklands war he took loads out into the bay on a landing craft and dumped them overboard - along with lightweight Land Rovers. I assume they were the Armstrong version.

 

[mtt.tr]

I have a 500 in boxes

 

[Cato]

Mate, in the RAF, says after the Falklands war he took loads out into the bay on a landing craft and dumped them overboard - along with lightweight Land Rovers. I assume they were the Armstrong version.

It was Can Am Bombardier during the Falklands, 250 cc two strokes. They were decent bikes but a bit small, they replaced the BSA.

A lot of stuff got dumped overboard and 'sold off' to islanders. I was there Jan 1990 (non-military) and there were loads of tools and containers in civilian use.