stevegbr
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BIRMINGHAM
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Post by stevegbr on Dec 7, 2015 22:51:22 GMT
i never get tired of seeing these old motorcycle factory photos. this one is from the 70s.  |
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 7, 2015 23:17:38 GMT
Could have been the 50s/60s lol. They didn't believe in change,big shame.I bought a new Bonne in 1976,it was crap. Story I read about BSA follows,quality problems were occuring suddenly with machining the three cylinder crankcases the gaffers were at a loss untill one of workers told them so and so had retired few weeks earlier and he had taken the piece of wood he used when machining the crankcases with him.True or false? But the machinery they used was outdated and worn out,BSA management sold off a lot of new machinery to boost share holders dividend before the inevitable end came,very sad indeed  |
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 7, 2015 23:19:40 GMT
Still a great photo though and nowt wrong with the skilled blokes that made these bikes
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Post by grahamb on Dec 8, 2015 16:24:53 GMT
I did a tour of the Meriden triumph factory in 1975/6 .
Couldn't believe the old machinery and how much of the bike they manufactured on site.
From what I saw at that time most of the production was aimed at the American market. Loads of bikes stood around nearly finished but missing a few parts.
The thunderbird I have is 1981 , wasn't long after that they closed.
Glad I went though.
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Post by retrobarmy1 on Dec 8, 2015 17:05:36 GMT
As with most of British manufacturing after the second world war, there was little investment and the tooling was aged and worn out. It seems that countries who "lost" the war had money thrown at them for rebuilding. Japan and Germany came back with better quality and technology. I used to chuckle at the pics of British factories with the "gaffers" in white coats and the "workers" in blue overalls or brown coats. The Honda workers in their pristine whites and immaculate factories looked like a world away.
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Post by srx600 on Dec 8, 2015 17:33:27 GMT
Could have been the 50s/60s lol. They didn't believe in change,big shame.I bought a new Bonne in 1976,it was crap. Story I read about BSA follows,quality problems were occuring suddenly with machining the three cylinder crankcases the gaffers were at a loss untill one of workers told them so and so had retired few weeks earlier and he had taken the piece of wood he used when machining the crankcases with him.True or false? But the machinery they used was outdated and worn out,BSA management sold off a lot of new machinery to boost share holders dividend before the inevitable end came,very sad indeed What happens, when the management don't understand how to man manage, or the valve of the workforce. |
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Post by richard on Dec 8, 2015 17:52:25 GMT
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 8, 2015 18:05:03 GMT
My new Bonne was one of the first bikes released after NVT took over sales,built with what ever was lying around to complete.Bolts used on head/barrels cheap mild steel that stretched and centre bolt holes too close so head gasket wouldn't seal,paint washed off tank when petrol spilled on it,fork seals blew,exhaust pipes wouldn't stay in head,wheel bearings no good,all within weeks of buying and no help from Meriden/NVT or supplying dealer little wonder I bought a Honda.Having said all that I love Meriden Triumphs I bought another 750 not so long ago sadly sold on,such a shame those guys at Meriden didn't get better backing from government of the day,I'd love a Hurricane but ang on that was a BSA  Wish I'd had the opportuinity to look round the factory when it was in full production |
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 8, 2015 18:15:03 GMT
I enjoyed watching that,so sad Meriden went the way it did if only they could have had up to date machinery etc. and a new design.Have to make do with Mr.Bloors offering which is great but not a "real" Meriden Triumph |
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 8, 2015 19:34:38 GMT
 Picture of my last Trumpet,a TR7V |
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Wish I'd had the opportuinity to look round the factory when it was in full production