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help, info on bikes before my time

3287 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Neal, Dec 5, 2007

63546

Discussion Starter · Dec 4, 2007

hello everyone, i woould like some help on some bikes a litle before my time. hope this doesnt make anyone feel to old in here,

. I currently ride a '77 cb550. I feel comfortable on it. feels like its the right weight and size. I've ridden other bikes but this is the first bike that i own. i have been riding it for a while and am ready to move on. I would like to get a verticle twin late '60-70's. I would like to hear some ideas on the various models out there. off the top of my head i can think of:
cb350/450
rd350/400
xs650
t500
i dont mention the british twins because they are a litle out of my low budget,

In my perfect little world, my dream bike would be the vintage verticle twin cafe look and the modern sportbike performance. i like the look and feel of my current bike but i would like some more performance, in the form of a verticle twin if possible. Thanks for any help

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

seruzawa

· #2 · Dec 4, 2007

I like older bikes but wouldn't want to have one as a main ride. I say get a nice used Ninja500. The handling and brakes on bikes of the last 10-15 years are light years ahead of the 70s clunkers.

You'll never be the same.

52944

· #3 · Dec 4, 2007

ed78 said:
In my perfect little world, my dream bike would be the vintage verticle twin cafe look and the modern sportbike performance. i like the look and feel of my current bike but i would like some more performance, in the form of a verticle twin if possible. Thanks for any help

Sounds like you want a Trumph Thruxton or a Ducati Sport Classic 1000.

I tested a few of the ducati sport classics, they're nice! However I also tested a monster which had a much lower price tag.. and the monster was very similar if not better. (Though it was the higher end monster)

I say get the Thruxton! for $4500 - $5000 you can get a nice used one

pplassm

· #4 · Dec 4, 2007

Actually, your 550 probably has the most engine performance of all those you listed, unless you want to take an RD, port the cylinders, put TZ reed cages, big carbs and chambers on it.

It all really depends on your budget. I'd say look for a 90's Honda 750 Nighthawk. I see them for about $1500 around here, and they are light years better that your old bike.

And probably faster than that Thruxton or Sport Classic.

INCOMING!!!! TAKE COVER!!!!!

sarnali2

· #5 · Dec 4, 2007

Thruxtons a good choice, I owned one for a short time and enjoyed it. Another good choice if your heart is set on older bikes is a mid 70's CB 400 Super Sport. One of those with clip on's and the 4 pipes going into a megaphone exhaust make a dandy little cafe` bike and look cool as hell

Kenneth_Moore

· #6 · Dec 4, 2007 (Edited)

I've had a hard time finding "70's clunkers" around here. Before I decided to get a new bike, I went on a pretty thorough search for older bikes. What I found was either utterly useless trash or a few nice bikes priced beyond all reason. Apparently the m/c collector fad is going full bore.

seruzawa

· #7 · Dec 4, 2007

I love it when...

Kenneth_Moore said:
I'm had a hard time finding "70's clunkers" around here. Before I decided to get a new bike, I went on a pretty thorough search for older bikes. What I found was either utterly useless trash or a few nice bikes priced beyond all reason. Apparently the m/c collector fad is going full bore.

... a bike that nobody wanted and didn't sell worth shyt new because it was ugly and a POS is now called "rare" and pushed as a "collector's item".

"1975 Kawasaki KZ440. RARE! Collector's Item! Belt drive! 15 miles on odometer after complete engine rebuild!! Clean title in hand!!! Won't last long!!!! Divorce forces sale!!!!! Must see!!!!!! Too many accessories and pounds of chrome crap to list!!!!!!! $50,000 invested!!!!!!!! $5 jillion firm price."

Kenneth_Moore

· #8 · Dec 4, 2007

seruzawa said:
...Clean title in hand!!!

Pfft. My used bike had TWO clean titles in hands.

The_AirHawk

· #9 · Dec 4, 2007

Kenneth_Moore said:
Pfft. My used bike had TWO clean titles in hands.

Anyone know where I can get one O' them Laundered?

sachiwilson

· #10 · Dec 4, 2007

Leave it in the back pocket of your jeans when you do the next load?

sarnali2

· #11 · Dec 4, 2007

sachiwilson said:
Leave it in the back pocket of your jeans when you do the next load?

I don't think they wash their overhauls in Georgia, they just hang 'em on a peg to air for a day or two....

seruzawa

· #12 · Dec 4, 2007

Yikes.

The_AirHawk said:
Anyone know where I can get one O' them Laundered?

Don't use the word "laundered". It activates the NSA'a terrorism recognition software and targets your computer for clandestine search. Your bank accounts are flagged.... hold it, in your case I guess that's not a concern. Anyhow then your home is targeted for laser surveillance and a black helicopter shadows you everywhere you go, with Jan Michael-Vincent at the controls with the DTs.

Kenneth_Moore

· #13 · Dec 4, 2007

Hmm, this could be fun...

seruzawa said:
Don't use the word "laundered". It activates the NSA'a terrorism recognition software and targets your computer for clandestine search. Your bank accounts are flagged.... hold it, in your case I guess that's not a concern. Anyhow then your home is targeted for laser surveillance and a black helicopter shadows you everywhere you go, with Jan Michael-Vincent at the controls with the DTs.

Al-Quieda. Terrorist plot. Dirty bomb. Nuclear material. Biologic agents. Jihad. Imperialist Yankee Scum. Yellowcake uranium. Plutonium. Power grid. Suicide motorcycle bombs. My Name Is Seruzawa.

vermicious

· #14 · Dec 4, 2007

You forgot: over throw, violent revolution, water tower, sniper rifle and Chinese contacts

The_AirHawk

· #15 · Dec 4, 2007

Kenneth_Moore said:
Al-Quieda. Terrorist plot. Dirty bomb. Nuclear material. Biologic agents. Jihad. Imperialist Yankee Scum. Yellowcake uranium. Plutonium. Power grid. Suicide motorcycle bombs. My Name Is Seruzawa.

You mis-spelled "Nukular"...........

The_AirHawk

· #16 · Dec 4, 2007

Yeah, I like to "go free" now and again........

Buzglyd

· #17 · Dec 5, 2007

pplassm said:
Actually, your 550 probably has the most engine performance of all those you listed, unless you want to take an RD, port the cylinders, put TZ reed cages, big carbs and chambers on it.

It all really depends on your budget. I'd say look for a 90's Honda 750 Nighthawk. I see them for about $1500 around here, and they are light years better that your old bike.

And probably faster than that Thruxton or Sport Classic.

INCOMING!!!! TAKE COVER!!!!!

Trust me. A Honda Nighthawk ain't faster than a sport classic.

Neal

· #18 · Dec 5, 2007

ed78 said:
hello everyone, i woould like some help on some bikes a litle before my time. hope this doesnt make anyone feel to old in here, . I currently ride a '77 cb550. I feel comfortable on it. feels like its the right weight and size. I've ridden other bikes but this is the first bike that i own. i have been riding it for a while and am ready to move on. I would like to get a verticle twin late '60-70's. I would like to hear some ideas on the various models out there. off the top of my head i can think of:
cb350/450
rd350/400
xs650
t500
i dont mention the british twins because they are a litle out of my low budget,
In my perfect little world, my dream bike would be the vintage verticle twin cafe look and the modern sportbike performance. i like the look and feel of my current bike but i would like some more performance, in the form of a verticle twin if possible. Thanks for any help

Of the bikes you mention,I would go for the XS650. Dead reliable,good power and plenty of customize/performance upgrades available.Rather than a cafe racer look,how bout a street tracker?...there are several kits to make an XS 650 into a killer street tracker.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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