T20M in Nebraska
by Brian Striman
I own a '67 T20M. I'm still getting a few things sorted on it, but it's getting close to being totally restored and a reliable neighbourhood-runner. I don't ride on main roads anymore --- lots of distracted drivers who are nearly always driving 10-15mph over whatever the speed limit is posted. I'm 73 and my reaction time has slowed down and so has my speed on neighbourhood streets. I get real nervous with vehicles in my mirror.
I bought the Mountain Cub in Omaha 4 years ago this December (2025). It was on eBay as a non-purchased closed auction. I contacted the owner via eBay and then we talked about it. He lowered his reserve price a bit and he said it was running. I was crazy in love with it as soon as I saw it. It was a windy, cold, sleeting day when I went to pick it up --- So, of course, I didn't drive it. It was running and he drove it about 20 yards and back. That was enough for me. I got it in our Sienna and drove home to Lincoln.
In the owner's defence, he told me it was not a rider, but he had it in his home as a display.
So fast forward through over $5000 later in restoration upgrades and engine overhaul, it's now at Baxter Cycle in Marne Iowa with what I hope is an electrical issue. The 30-40 miles I put on it after the resto-work (done by a shop in Lincoln-not Baxter's) was lots of fun and the bike suits me well. I wanted a lightweight Brit bike (they come with a personality) that starts with an easy leg push. Oh, and I paid $5000 for the Cub because so much of it was in excellent condition when I bought it.
I bought the Mountain Cub in Omaha 4 years ago this December (2025). It was on eBay as a non-purchased closed auction. I contacted the owner via eBay and then we talked about it. He lowered his reserve price a bit and he said it was running. I was crazy in love with it as soon as I saw it. It was a windy, cold, sleeting day when I went to pick it up --- So, of course, I didn't drive it. It was running and he drove it about 20 yards and back. That was enough for me. I got it in our Sienna and drove home to Lincoln.
In the owner's defence, he told me it was not a rider, but he had it in his home as a display.
So fast forward through over $5000 later in restoration upgrades and engine overhaul, it's now at Baxter Cycle in Marne Iowa with what I hope is an electrical issue. The 30-40 miles I put on it after the resto-work (done by a shop in Lincoln-not Baxter's) was lots of fun and the bike suits me well. I wanted a lightweight Brit bike (they come with a personality) that starts with an easy leg push. Oh, and I paid $5000 for the Cub because so much of it was in excellent condition when I bought it.
At some point, a ham-fisted barbarian who thought he was able to do engine work, messed up a lot of things internally. Yes, it's an easy engine to work on, IF YOU ALREADY KNOW about the little things a professional mechanic already knows about. And if you have the proper tools and shop that's set up to work on bikes. Just the knowledge about when to use the Whitworth/metric/English standard and use of a torque wrench, spanners, gear pullers, etc. If you use the wrong tool trying to fudge it, you'll strip SOMETHING.
I've owned mostly BSA' B44's because of the tractor-like pull and the exhaust sound like a small helicopter. But now at my age, I could break an ankle or bust a right knee cap if I didn't strictly follow the mandatory starting ritual. But the Cub still gives me the sound and feel of a Brit bike. I've owned lots of various motorcycles since I was 16. Lots of Hondas and a couple of Italian bikes (Gilera, Ducati, and Moto Guzzi).
I've got quite a bit of money invested in the Cub. I feel like I am just the custodian of this fine little thumper. It's spent a lot time not running. I'm hoping to get it back soon so I can still enjoy some autumn riding.
Footnote: My T20M is (I'm jinxing myself here) starting and running splendidly. I love this machine. It only is hard-starting when someone is watching. Classic vintage British machine. My B44 would sense when it was a bad time to stall or any time I was in a hurry. At least the Cub doesn't jam my right knee cap into the handlebars if I rush the starting ritual.
I've owned mostly BSA' B44's because of the tractor-like pull and the exhaust sound like a small helicopter. But now at my age, I could break an ankle or bust a right knee cap if I didn't strictly follow the mandatory starting ritual. But the Cub still gives me the sound and feel of a Brit bike. I've owned lots of various motorcycles since I was 16. Lots of Hondas and a couple of Italian bikes (Gilera, Ducati, and Moto Guzzi).
I've got quite a bit of money invested in the Cub. I feel like I am just the custodian of this fine little thumper. It's spent a lot time not running. I'm hoping to get it back soon so I can still enjoy some autumn riding.
Footnote: My T20M is (I'm jinxing myself here) starting and running splendidly. I love this machine. It only is hard-starting when someone is watching. Classic vintage British machine. My B44 would sense when it was a bad time to stall or any time I was in a hurry. At least the Cub doesn't jam my right knee cap into the handlebars if I rush the starting ritual.