The Good Old Days

The Good Old Days Vintage motorcycle shop specializing in Japanese and European motorcycles older than the year 1980.

07/03/2026

Sights and sounds of test riding the M.50 early this spring.

Milling the Benelli timing cover to accept a modern lip seal.
06/15/2026

Milling the Benelli timing cover to accept a modern lip seal.

06/11/2026

External valves and pushrods on the M50. Notice how the pushrods go directly through the middle of the intake ports.

03/06/2026

1968 Matchless G15 CSR

Estimated 100-500 produced, it was the first production “cafe racer”.

It was built with the Norton Atlas engine, AMC transmission, Matchless primary and tucked into the Matchless frame.

What makes this bike unique is the low bars, swept back pipes, rear set foot pegs, shifter facing rearward with the mechanical altered to shift normal. The indicator on the transmission also is reverse from what you would see on a normal shifting transmission.

Easy to start, hardly any vibrations while riding, plenty of torque. Tons of fun.

Never made available in the U.S.- a 1986 TZR250.This bike is incredibly light, makes 50bhp at 10,000 rpm, and handles gr...
03/04/2026

Never made available in the U.S.- a 1986 TZR250.
This bike is incredibly light, makes 50bhp at 10,000 rpm, and handles great with its Deltabox frame. Done and ready for spring!

We had a great and Mama Tried Show weekend, but before anything I want to apologize to the vintage class and the FOF tr...
02/24/2026

We had a great and Mama Tried Show weekend, but before anything I want to apologize to the vintage class and the FOF track crew for our fuel cap mishap. After the first lap, the fuel cap on the BSA popped open and sprayed fuel for a few laps. As soon as Jacob noticed, he popped it closed.
Another year and another lesson learned. Next year we’ll be more thorough with our safety wiring. Racers put a lot of time, money, and preparation into these events, it doesn’t feel good to have cost anyone their race.
Prior to that, was putting the BSA to work! Had the jump in the main and held the lead until the rear slipped out. I think the most impressive thing of the night was tha managed to stay out of the chaos and get up into first 😂 Another well deserved win for him. Enjoy it, August. We’ll get you next year!

I feel very fortunate to have a customer and friend invested enough in my career to fly me to Vegas and pay for all expe...
02/01/2026

I feel very fortunate to have a customer and friend invested enough in my career to fly me to Vegas and pay for all expenses, just to meet people, look at bikes, and experience life outside of the shop for a moment.

It makes me VERY happy that he’s the new owner of this 1936 Benelli 500 single, which was hands down one of my favorites at the .

This one is headed to the shop as we speak. It’s in fantastic condition and shouldn’t need much to get running safely and reliably.

Thank you, Richard for the incredible opportunity. What a great week.

1925 FN M50I started this project in 2022 and I can confidently say it’s been the most challenging restoration yet. The ...
01/30/2026

1925 FN M50

I started this project in 2022 and I can confidently say it’s been the most challenging restoration yet. The disassembled pieces followed me to a new home and then a new shop. It’s slowly went together over the years as I struggled to learn how to run a business. I am very proud of the finished project as this is the first full restoration to come out of my shop.

Thanks to for doing the paint, for your dial artwork and problem solving, for the seat creation.

Thank you to for getting a new intake manifold cast, grips molded, and footboards created.

Thank you for the photos.

Many more people played a part in this. I am very grateful for the knowledge, documentation, and support from you all.

Address

Burlington, WI
53105

Telephone

+12626614037

Website

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