Modern day usability of big singles

[sergeantpluck]

Here it is!
1956 B31 Initially supplied to the Home Office and sent to Somerset Fire Brigade.
Only about 6k on the clock, which is possibly genuine.
Need some nice weather now!

[Richard Mills]

Looks good, hope you enjoy many happy miles riding it.

[ANDY HIGHAM]

Not by any stretch of the imagination would I describe a B31 as a "big single"

[sergeantpluck]

Well it's certainly a "single"!
How "big" does it have to be?

[ducati2242]

well there's a single ducati which was 600 cc then many at 500 cc and a few 440's etc a 350 is still a big single though as there are many more below . In my eyes a 125 or less is a small single . But everyone to their own .

[STAR TWIN]

A B31 is a big single. It's big and it's pre-unit. A B40 doesn't quite qualify. Anyway, this looks an excellent example and I would have room in my shed for it (except of course that my B31 would get jealous).
My one is a first kick starter every time, even if it has been languishing for months over the winter. What's funny it that after riding a faster more modern bike, for the first 10 miles you are wondering what you are doing riding this old thing then suddenly the magic happens. You relax, you get into the way of it and then the miles just pass. It's great for exploring the little roads that you would never normally bother with. And, as previously mentioned, great for the long trips too. 

[GLENN]

That'sa great looking B31 and I do love a B31.  Interesting topic about whether this is a heavyweight bike.  I've got a B31 but wouldn't have classed it as heavyweight, based on no information at all other than I only ever heard heavyweight in reference to 500cc and above, like M20/M21's.  But in reality what's the difference between a swinging arm B33 and B31 except 150CC? 

All the best,

Glenn

[ANDY HIGHAM]

I would say anything over 650 is big,
Suzuki made a big single, the DR750 but that is tiny compared to this https://thekneeslider.com/nsu-2000cc-single-cylinder-motorcycle/

[sergeantpluck]

I think we need a new category of "enormous single" to accommodate the NSU!