We used to all come together on this forum! Lots of posts and long threads every day. But there is a definite decline since people are moving over to Facebook, with different pages for makes/models/types/eras etc. I'm definitely missing out, but I just can't seem to get interested in Facebook.

I can tell by some of the questions that get asked on here, that the small groups who must be chatting about their area of interest only and sharing pictures of their specific subject and or their dinner, are not getting some of the general information that is shared here.

It's not just this forum of coarse! It's happening to other forums that I'm involved with. A long lost member can pop up and tell you that over on the "Gazinter" Facebook page, they are discussing the left hand thread of the "foo foo valve"

Since I don't participate in Facebook, I can only assume that to cover my areas of interest, I'd have to join up to about 25 groups instead of the 3 or 4 forums that I use?

Nothing lasts forever. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Hi Ron, I completely agree, the same thing is happening on another forum I belong to, I wonder if its more to do with the types of hardware people are using today, more smart phones and less PCs?

My father is a member of facebook, he hasn't got a clue what he's doing on it but he sometimes finds a picture he thinks I would like to see, but the original caption if there was one has always gone just leaving some pointless comment by someone else which makes no sense at all?

Last night we had some friends over and one of them spent 10 minutes looking for something on her phone she thought I would like to see but gave up as it had gone?

The world has changed, already we have lost supersonic passenger planes, the internal combustion engine looks like it will end soon and we are being told that before long we will only be able to eat meat once a week, it doesn't feel much like progress to me.

I will stick with this level of technology.

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

I agree. I don't do Faceache where every thing seems to disappear within seconds. I prefer forums where at least you can learn something. If they go then I will be back to books while they are still around.

I like this forum and I don't really follow any others..I don't have a smart phone and have never really got into facebook etc. etc....Old school 'in extremis' probably describes me well...Some would say backward!!

Unfortunately, it's a case of move with the times or spend more time in the workshop if you aren't prepared to change...There was no point keeping the bongo drums when the phone came out after all!!...

Much as I would regret the demise of the forum if it were to happen I suspect I could revert to my previous activities and methods if required...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Even though I maintain an old style forum for the BMW R12 and that is used rarely, this is the only 'old fashioned' forum that I now use regularly as its format suits the subject matter better I think that the facebook format. On here, subjects can be searched for and I can regularly find answers before having to ask a question. Facebook I do find to be user friendly and I use it on desktop and mobile, it can disseminate pictures and information quicker and to a wider audience, but as you say, sometimes the quantity of information drowns out many things and subjects get lost in the ethyr.
Long live the forum!
Rich.

email (option): richardpurkiss@onlinecad.co.uk

I have never trusted Faecesbook since it first appeared and time seems to have proved me right. The user is the product.
Sadly people are attracted to the 'Free' shiny things, even many in our interest area, with little thought for the longer term implications for their personal information or the information we want to share freely.

I've been seduced by Facebook! By my grandson, now 6 months old, who lives a 3 hour drive from me. My daughter posts photos of him nearly every day, and yes, I do look. And in passing I got hooked into 3 BSA groups, where I frequently see postings by 2 previously stalwart forum members.

Lots of boastful photos of pretty bikes, especially by the Gold Star group, but precious little information. So when I couldn't fix my primary chain tension problem I posted here, and thanks to Roy, I learned about NordLock rings, the world's best lock washers. Problem (nearly) solved!

Thanks, Roy!

email (option): jjbandoo@aol.com

For a number of years I ran the forum at T140.com which although it never grew large retained a respectable number of users who would regularly post and discuss all relevant (and non-relevant!) matters. The threads there used to build to a useful source of knowledge on a variety of topics which could always be referred back to or used by new members looking for similar information.

A facebook spinoff group was started - although not by me - and rapidly overtook the forum in membership numbers. After continuing decline I've sadly had to close it as I can't justify the continued hosting and associated costs. It was never a commercial site.

When I look at the posts on the facebook group I see a whole raft of pics of shiny bonnies with 'nice looking bike' comments but little of lasting interest or value. The lack of threads means that there is no easy way to persist meaningful discussions - to me it is of little value but is nevertheless far more popular than the forum ever was.

Cheers,
Bernie

email (option): bernie.a.jones@gmail.com

The forum may be under threat from face book but it will never be replaced, the wealth of knowledge on this forum is immense and can only be reached by coming onto this great site. We have spare parts available by members at reasonable prices, (well mine are anyway), advice on many subjects about the bikes and units, where they served etc, you don't get that on face book, no, stick with this site and keep it going, as an ex squady of nine years I appreciate it and like to keep up with it when possible.

Kind regards TTJohn

email (option): Jomichael@aol.com

As far as British bikes in general goes Britbike has been around for 30 years.
Small independent forums like this one will always be around to service a small niche .
Facebook is way too easy to start & run a group and is there for the ego maniacs who crave others telling them how pretty their bike is.
We had several groups on Yahoo for years but Yahoo continually changed things till they were too much of a pain to make it worthwhile.

For who is going where & when crap like Face book can not be beaten, a message on your phone .
For criminals wanting to steal you bikes it is even better.

I seriously doubt this site will vanish as it is here to provide specialist technical support.
Most of the people who know what others want to know are not on Face book, they are here and will most likely stay here.

It is not about numbers .
20 people with lots of knowledge is a lot better than 200,000 with none.

email (option): bsansw1@tpg.com.au

I think Rob hit the nail on the head when he said FB is easier for smart phones iPads etc. FB is very easy to post pictures and videos on your group page without a hosting site. I usually mess up the first attempt of a post on this site when posting pictures, as the host site gives several html options. I can't see a way of posting videos I want to post on here as I can't upload them to the host site. If someone asks a question on FB I can take a picture of the part on my iPad or phone and it's on there.

Also, when people post a link on here they need to make it a working link as it is nearly impossible to highlight it with your fingers on a screen and copy and paste it to google, so there's no point trying and I miss the post.

The down side of FB is the number of idiots on there! People post a picture and ask a question then get upset then you point out that their Foofoo valve is upside down. Or just seem to be there for an argument. We take for granted what a great bunch of people we have here, and if someone states something incorrectly, someone will politely point that out instead of the whole world and there dog looking for a fight. I've given up saying anything on a couple of group pages as there are too many "experts" that don't want to hear what anyone else has to say. That can also be said about other forums as well.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

I don't post a great deal on here but its such a lovely read and wealth of knowledge, I hope to always be on this site and forum as its focused, a huge knowledge resource, searchable historical info, old friends who will genuinely help if they can. Reminds me not donated this year to its upkeep which I'll do now.

email (option): kit247@hotmail.com

I too don't post much on this forum but I look at it almost daily and for me is a reliable and interesting source of information about our bikes. Since I have been looking at this forum Henk Joore has given me the correct C number for my bike. I have also got one of those Vokes snorkel kits and a vokes pad using this forum, so I am rapped and will continue to use this forum. My bike is also looking more authentic.

email (option): tknalder@iinet.net.au

Echoing what Kim & Kit have said, I don't post very often either but I visit the site multiple times per day. When I first bought my M20 I knew NOTHING about it. I could have never restored my bike without the information provided at this site. The forum members have been so helpful whenever I hit stumbling blocks along the way, whether it be by my posting questions or researching the answers to my questions. I reluctantly joined Facebook a couple of years ago, and by what I have seen it could never provide the community that we have here. Thank you Henk and all for this forum!!

James

email (option): jamescusteau@yahoo.com

Hi Ron

With age comes knowledge and wisdom and the dozen or so hard core dedicated participants like yourself (although being only 25 you are am exception to the rule) make this site an invaluable scours of information that is far superior to anything that can be found on Facebook

I personally don't look upon this as a forum but more as an extended family, this can clearly be illustrated in the amount of love and support that was shared among the members for Henk's speedy recovery.

If I have a question I know the answer will be honest and sincere, something that is not obtainable on a FB group. Although I do not ask so many questions after finishing the restoration of my WM20, I do check in on a daily basis to keep up with very friendly and helpful community, and when I can will put in my penny's worth.

I think you will find that our community has more what I would call sleepers than you can imagine, when I first joined I was intimidated in asking what I now know to be mundane questions, but people like yourself still took the time to reply to the new kid on the block. We now live in a throw away society, the younger generation don't have the knowledge or knowhow when it comes to looking after, fixing or repairing the vintage bikes that we have come to cherish. Although we are all getting older and fewer every year we should still keep the group running no matter on how large or small our family becomes.

Regards

Stuart

email (option): deepsea@vol.net

I can count the number of useful facebook pages with one hand and have fingers left over. And... given the amount of data harvesting and adverts going around, it would be prudent to avoid setting up all our resources on a web page owned by someone else (Zuckerberg) Please do not change this forum? it is wonderful as it is. The things we have here that facebook does not are, among others:

1. everyone respects everyone (there is never any kind of real friction).
2. all posts have value (to me at least).
3. I do not have to wade through countless posts that are of no interest to anyone.
4. the core group of "boffins" are patient, helpful, and very knowledgeable.
5. a pleasure to visit even for people with many motorcycles of differing make and model.

My vote is to leave things be until there is a significantly superior way for everyone to communicate.

But, there are good reasons to think about setting up a better platform (one where we own all the data and have greater control over formats and access). For that, one option would be to design another forum that is hosted by the group rather than keeping all the posts and technical data on a third party website (if the bravenet thing folds, we would have to go somewhere else and I'm assuming there is a declining demand for this type of group forum which might hasten that day.

If the consensus is to set up a new forum I would be willing to volunteer paying for and maintaining a domain and web hosting and setting it up. Something like www.wm20.club This could be run as a shadow domain until everything was working perfectly and I'd be willing to try an initial setup with the knowledge it may not be adopted. Let me know what you think?

There seems to be a lot more looking but not doing a lot of talking just look at the posts for Normandy anyway if it aint broke don't touch it .

I am very sad to hear of a threat to this forum. When I first encountered my barn find I didn't even know what it was! The forum has been absolutely invaluable in enabling me to restore the bike to a working condition and I am very thankful for the answers to the sometimes stupid questions that I may have asked. Going from hi tech Honda V4 engines to side valve singles has been a steep learning curve, but very enjoyable nonetheless. I also do not use Facebook and I don't think that I ever will. Many thanks to all of you who so readily share your knowledge and long may this continue!

email (option): paduanomike58@gmail.com

I look at this forum almost every day, such wonderful information and freely given, and donations are always welcome, keep it up folks andrew hemsley

email (option): warbikesatgmail.com you need to think about this address

Me too (look at this Forum each day)! But I also use Farcebook, after some reluctance at possibly being exposed to such exciting stuff as what folks had for their dinner. I found, naturally enough, that any forum is as good as the people who use it as well as the guidance provided by those who manage it. FB is indeed really easy to use and there is no reason why it cannot provide quality sites. Do too many sites tend to dilute things? Yes, I guess it does, but as long as this site maintains its obvious worth, I am sure it will maintain its following.

It was the reason for my post Ferg. Lots of guys have drifted off into smaller groups. Probably they look in at times, but if they don't contribute? Them myself and others are missing out. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Use it or lose it...It's not enough just to look in and expect everyone else to make the contributions...I imagine everyone in this hobby has some views/opinions etc. that are worth sharing and information on suppliers/good or bad experiences etc. are always useful..Get stuck in!...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Exactly! I'm more than happy to help if I can, sharing pictures and looking up information in my array of parts books and manuals. There are plenty of other guys with experience and knowledge to share. But if the questions, information and banter are being shared through small groups on Facebook, then nothing is forth coming for the majority to peruse.

Sadly I don't think things will change back now though. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I might not post a lot on here either but I prefer this site to any other...………...long may it continue...………..Ian's right too...……...more input from members....including myself!!!!!!

I think we must remind ourselves however, that despite being part of the WM20 Website, the Forum has essentially evolved into a general WD bike resource, not specifically M20 as it was once.......

So many of us out there own other WD makes.....and I for one no longer own an M20 yet in the past owned several.......regardless of make or type, I find the vast majority of posts on the Forum interesting and informative......I wouldn't personally like any new Website direction to revert back to just the M20 in title.....

As for Facebook, I have an account but dip in and out.....I get rapidly tired with the overall structure and the ins and outs of Facebook, reflected to date by not having gone on there at all this year.....

Just a quick reply from someone new to classic bikes in general and BSA wm20 in particular.
This forum is great.
Lots of tech advice.
Lots of friendly comments.
No question is too stupid and no one seems to judge others.
This is a very different forum from others I have been part of where they end up offering advice based on opinion and not evidence or hard earned expertise.

Long may this forum continue.

As a final point.…..im not on facebook and nor will I be. I'm not 'old' either. I just see lots of the negative influences that facebook can bring and how it can so easily be misused.

Simon

email (option): ozbot70@hotmail.com

As a regular several years ago, but more recent occasional viewer, I'm glad to see the forum still up and available. My own M20 project has been on the back burner of late, but I hope to get back at it soon, and will be glad to tap into the knowledge and camaraderie of a common interest here, minus the drama and bickering on that other social network platform. So many "Experts" there who wouldn't know real knowledge if it bit them in the behind! Always nice to see the likes of Ron Pier, Ian Wright, Steve Madden , Hans and many others other posting here, Thanks for your continued interest!

email (option): bsa3man@hotmail.com

I frequent this forum everyday and have a look whats new and if I can help or indeed learn something new. I also use FB there are several M20 sites on there but here is the rub Henk,s site is quoted many times as the place to go for information so maybe there are more sleepers out there coming from FB pages who dont post but use this forum as a good source of info...

This forum is a hassle to post images or hyperlinks on. I have to stop and think where the square brackets are....FB also gives some sort of instant gratification...generally a response within minutes. Even an old git like me finds it more like a converstion...but it's crap as an archive.

Perhaps the main value of FB groups is that it brings in peripheral interests and knowledge. We each build up our own 'portfolio' of what interests us.

OK, I agree with most here, FB is a pain when you want to search back, almost impossible, and will drive you insane!

But a better forum type, like the HMVF forum, or the MLU forum, where you can host the pictures on the forum itself, and not on an outside server is much better, and I would gladly pay towards that, this one is just too outdated, and to do those stupid captcha things is just annoying enough not to post too much here, just my 2p.


Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welbiXX.net