« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: What's a Ton?  (Read 6603 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline rhinoracer

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 664
What's a Ton?
« on: April 19, 2007, 04:30:40 PM »
I've seen the term used. I think it's brit but it's on Carpys logo and these are 750s so I can't figure it out.
Logged
Baja native.

redips

  • Guest
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2007, 04:31:51 PM »
~100mph.
Logged

Offline rhinoracer

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 664
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2007, 04:34:19 PM »
Now it makes sense  :D. Thanks
Logged
Baja native.

Offline scondon

  • No way my run was THAT slow, must be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,137
  • Mmmm......tasty bugs
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2007, 04:36:00 PM »
Anyone know how this phrase originated? 

   Is 2000 pounds the cost of the speeding ticket?
Logged
Give me..a frame to build a bike on, and my imagination will build upon that frame

redips

  • Guest
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2007, 04:42:22 PM »
Logged

Offline GammaFlat

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,565
  • humanitas, qualitas, quantitas and velocitas
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2007, 04:51:28 PM »
Quote from: redips on April 19, 2007, 04:42:22 PM
Rhino food for thought--->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton-up_Boys

Interesting write-up.  Thanks for the reference.
Logged
K6
K7 
Suzuki GN400 - Ignition fixed!
03 KLR650 - Doesn't do anything very well but.. well.. does everything.

Offline scondon

  • No way my run was THAT slow, must be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,137
  • Mmmm......tasty bugs
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2007, 05:00:18 PM »
"The ton meant the upper levels of London society in the Regency period. Ton comes from the French word meaning tone, as used in the phrase bon ton - good manners and fashionable style."

"In Britain ton can refer to the speed of motor vehicles. It specifically refers to the speed of 100 miles per hour e.g. "Lee was doing a ton down the motorway".



       Wouldn't it be 160kph in Britain?      Just curious how the term "ton" came about to define "speed" and whether it had to do with weight/numbers, tone, the upper levels of London society in the Regency period, or what ???
Logged
Give me..a frame to build a bike on, and my imagination will build upon that frame

griffin

  • Guest
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2007, 05:01:24 PM »
a metric ton is 1000kg so that probably has something to do with it

i thought they still used mph in GB?
Logged

Offline scondon

  • No way my run was THAT slow, must be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,137
  • Mmmm......tasty bugs
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2007, 05:05:10 PM »
Aaaahhhhhh, the "metric" ton. They weren't teaching us that stuff when I was skippin' school.  Thanks :)
Logged
Give me..a frame to build a bike on, and my imagination will build upon that frame

Offline Jinxracing

  • It's hot shit, not
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 610
  • '70 CB750 K1
    • The Hairy Nickel
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2007, 05:05:43 PM »
Quote from: griffin on April 19, 2007, 05:01:24 PM
i thought they still used mph in GB?

Naw, I think it's cubits to the hectare.  ;)
Logged
"Each of us can find a maggot in our past which will happily devour our futures."

–Captain Horatio Hornblower

www.thehairynickel.com

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,960
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2007, 06:11:31 PM »
Quote from: Jinxracing on April 19, 2007, 05:05:43 PM
Quote from: griffin on April 19, 2007, 05:01:24 PM
i thought they still used mph in GB?

Naw, I think it's cubits to the hectare.  ;)

Isn't that Wentworth?

 :D
Logged
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Sam Green Racing

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,068
  • I REALLY? hate black rims.
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2007, 07:03:10 PM »
I wish all you Americans would stop taking the piss >:( .......yall don't know jack sh1t ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Sam ;D :D :) ;)
Logged
C95 sprint bike.
CB95 hybrid race bike
CB95 race bike
CB92
RS 175. sprint/land speed bike
JMR Racing CB750A street ET drag bike

Offline Jinxracing

  • It's hot shit, not
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 610
  • '70 CB750 K1
    • The Hairy Nickel
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2007, 08:26:21 PM »
Wentworth...you sure you don't mean Whitworth? Those wonderful 55 degree threaded fasteners invented by our occasionally dotty friends across the pond? I've been told that, when sharpened to a point, a Whitworth bolt is best suited to removing the cap from a bottle of refreshing, warm beer.  ;D ;D ;D
Logged
"Each of us can find a maggot in our past which will happily devour our futures."

–Captain Horatio Hornblower

www.thehairynickel.com

Offline Sam Green Racing

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,068
  • I REALLY? hate black rims.
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2007, 08:41:55 PM »
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Logged
C95 sprint bike.
CB95 hybrid race bike
CB95 race bike
CB92
RS 175. sprint/land speed bike
JMR Racing CB750A street ET drag bike

Offline DammitDan

  • Prodigal Son
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,470
  • It lives!
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2007, 08:55:02 PM »
Quote from: SamCR750 on April 19, 2007, 07:03:10 PM
I wish all you Americans would stop taking the piss >:( .......yall don't know jack sh1t ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Sam ;D :D :) ;)

What's "taking the piss"?  I've seen the term used. I think it's brit but both SamCR750 and Terry say it all the time so I can't figure it out.   ???   ;D
Logged
CB750K4

Offline Spikeybike

  • when planting C4 at your enemy's base make sure you don't use a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,265
  • member #1150
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #15 on: April 19, 2007, 09:11:53 PM »
Quote from: DammitDan on April 19, 2007, 08:55:02 PM
Quote from: SamCR750 on April 19, 2007, 07:03:10 PM
I wish all you Americans would stop taking the piss >:( .......yall don't know jack sh1t ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Sam ;D :D :) ;)

What's "taking the piss"?  I've seen the term used. I think it's brit but both SamCR750 and Terry say it all the time so I can't figure it out.   ???   ;D

 ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
Logged

Offline Sam Green Racing

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,068
  • I REALLY? hate black rims.
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #16 on: April 19, 2007, 09:52:25 PM »
If we had to explain,....we would have to kill you ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sam. ;) ;) ;)
Logged
C95 sprint bike.
CB95 hybrid race bike
CB95 race bike
CB92
RS 175. sprint/land speed bike
JMR Racing CB750A street ET drag bike

Offline speedracer741

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 106
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #17 on: April 19, 2007, 10:22:30 PM »
The term "ton" refers to the amount of speeding tickets I have gotten in my life....a ton of them :D
Logged
Chris

'74 CB750K
'76 CB750F
'75 CB550K
'71 CB500K
'77 KZ1000 x2
'78 KZ650 TURBO
'80 KZ750LTD
'78 GS550E/650 hybrid

Offline Sam Green Racing

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 16,068
  • I REALLY? hate black rims.
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #18 on: April 19, 2007, 11:22:53 PM »
I don't think we need to kill you Chris, you've been punished enough :D :D :D :D

Sam. ;)
Logged
C95 sprint bike.
CB95 hybrid race bike
CB95 race bike
CB92
RS 175. sprint/land speed bike
JMR Racing CB750A street ET drag bike

Offline speedracer741

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 106
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #19 on: April 19, 2007, 11:42:36 PM »
Quote from: SamCR750 on April 19, 2007, 11:22:53 PM
I don't think we need to kill you Chris, you've been punished enough :D :D :D :D

Sam. ;)

I am hard at work to solve this country's national debt problems, one set of flashing lights in my mirror at a time!
Logged
Chris

'74 CB750K
'76 CB750F
'75 CB550K
'71 CB500K
'77 KZ1000 x2
'78 KZ650 TURBO
'80 KZ750LTD
'78 GS550E/650 hybrid

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2007, 05:06:47 AM »
Quote from: Jinxracing on April 19, 2007, 05:05:43 PM
Quote from: griffin on April 19, 2007, 05:01:24 PM
i thought they still used mph in GB?

Naw, I think it's cubits to the hectare.  ;)

You're both wrong! It's "Furlongs per Fortnight"!!!   ;D
Logged
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline c_kyle

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 298
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #21 on: April 20, 2007, 05:46:04 AM »
Quote from: DammitDan on April 19, 2007, 08:55:02 PM
Quote from: SamCR750 on April 19, 2007, 07:03:10 PM
I wish all you Americans would stop taking the piss >:( .......yall don't know jack sh1t ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Sam ;D :D :) ;)

What's "taking the piss"?  I've seen the term used. I think it's brit but both SamCR750 and Terry say it all the time so I can't figure it out.   ???   ;D

What do you mean?  I was 'taking the piss' as soon as I got out of bed this morning.
Logged
Izanami, my 1979 CB650Z:  Clicky

Offline Geeto67

  • A grumpy
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,823
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2007, 07:11:44 AM »
Quote from: GammaFlat on April 19, 2007, 04:51:28 PM
Quote from: redips on April 19, 2007, 04:42:22 PM
Rhino food for thought--->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ton-up_Boys

Interesting write-up.  Thanks for the reference.

it's crap....that whole bit about alcohol and coffee at the end...someone was taking the piss with that one.

Not once does it mention that "cafe" racer" used to be a deragatory term for bikes dressed up like race bikes but didn't actually race (ie it was all for show on a street bike). Think most modern import cars (ie ricers).

The best description of "taking the piss" I ever heard was from a drunk scotsman I used to work with. He said:

"you know when you go to the bathroom and you write #$%* all over the walls while you are taking a piss, you know jokes and chicks phone numbers and stuff, well it is the same idea but with words".....

I still am not sure he meant to say what he said but if you think (drink) about it for a while it makes sense...
« Last Edit: April 20, 2007, 07:15:28 AM by Geeto67 »
Logged
Maintenance Matters Most

Offline DammitDan

  • Prodigal Son
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,470
  • It lives!
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2007, 07:14:11 AM »
Quote from: SamCR750 on April 19, 2007, 09:52:25 PM
If we had to explain,....we would have to kill you ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sam. ;) ;) ;)

Damn!  I was really wondering what "taking the piss" meant!

I just watched Snatch, Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels, Children of Men and Shaun of the Dead over the last 2 weeks and they said it in all of those movies.  And I didn't get it in any of them  :D
Logged
CB750K4

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: What's a Ton?
« Reply #24 on: April 20, 2007, 07:18:04 AM »
Quote from: DammitDan on April 20, 2007, 07:14:11 AM

Damn!  I was really wondering what "taking the piss" meant!

Pay attention to the context in which it's used. :P
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
« previous next »