Who rides motorcycles?

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I've owned 2 RD400s (1 new and 1 I restored) and an RZ350. Wish I still had them all. They are holding their value rather well.

And I've rode an RZ500.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Anybody got a motorcycle-related winter project?

Did find this Suzuki GT550 triple that was a good balance of complete and rebuildable at a reasonable price.

I had that thing's runt brother as a first bike. Learned lots on it, like how to fix flats, how to seize the engine, how to crash, and how NOT to hop up the engine. Then there was the joy of keeping three sets of points properly set up. Was fine in the flat lands, but as soon as I moved west and tried mountain roads, the pipes were dragging and I couldn't hardly get up the hills. Sold it and bought a Norton Commando, and the world was a profoundly better place.

This winter the idea is to get an old beemer goin' again. Picked it up a few years ago as a non-runner, and am close enough to have a shot.

It's been a long road back, as the thing sat under a tarp in the rain and fog for maybe ten years out in a Richmond, CA back yard. Paint is almost done, transmission, and suspension all gone through, enough new parts to get the engine, brakes, and electrical systems to better than new sit waiting on the shelf. It's an '81 R80 G/S, the first of the "adventure bikes". Looking forward to having a few new ones once it's back on the road, and dirt... :laughing:

 

[PHPaul]

Nice, RNG!

I hear ya on the points - I'll be ponying up for a optical/electronic ignition.

@ 65, I don't think dragging pipes are going to be an issue.

However, there's this really neat set of expansion chambers on line...

 

[TractorGuy]

I'm an occasional fair weather rider. When I ride it's on a 2007 Harley 1200C Sportster and I have my gear on.

 

[PHPaul]

Nice, JD855guy!

I'm a BIG believer in ATGATT: All The Gear, All The Time.

My daughter (forty-mumble) just started riding last year. She's doing really well, but had a dumbass attack just before the end of the season this Fall.

She lives right around the corner from us, and was bringing her bike over for me to do the pre-storage service on it. Bops in the drive, no helmet.

I read her the riot act and left no doubt whatsoever what I thought about her lack of common sense.

"But, Dad, it was just around the corner!"

"Right. How many accidents have there been at that corner in the last couple of years?"

Judging by the look on her face, I think she got my point. I sure hope so.

 

[DFB]

Anybody got a motorcycle-related winter project?

I started riding in the late 60's and REALLY went nuts pretty much throughout the 70's so I have fond memories of the bikes of that era.

Are modern bikes faster, lighter, safer, more capable and more comfortable? Absolutely. Changes nothing. The really cool bikes were built before 1980!

I found a '79 Yamaha XS650 a few years back and reconditioned it and upgraded it a bit here and there (better suspension, electronic ignition) and have been riding and enjoying it.

I've also been casually looking for a 2 stroke street bike to complement it. These were the original crotch rockets! Really wanted a Yamaha RD350/400 but haven't been able to find a suitable candidate. Did find this Suzuki GT550 triple that was a good balance of complete and rebuildable at a reasonable price.



Plan to spend the winter doing the same to it that I did to the XS: Tear it right down to parade rest and then clean/recondition/repair as necessary as I reassemble it. I was somewhat amazed at the availability of parts for the ol' XS and so far, knock on wood, I'm finding the same situation for the Zuke.

Wow a 1979 XS 650 Special was MY very first street bike! I had bought one brand new and before the year was out I traded it to get this 76 HD FXE Superglide Shovelhead which I still have, and that is my current project bike at the moment. (A couple of seasons ago I was out having a little too much fun so there a few things I have to take care of but we won't go into that )

I resurrected a 1957 Zundapp 200cc 2 stroke Challenger in late 90's and pics were in Old Bike Journal back then. That was great project glad I did that bike when I did as I was able to procure some needed parts NOS from a place that is long gone now I believe. Accessory Mart/Domi Racer?? I don't have that bike anymore though I had to sell it back 2006 but I did find the pictures still in the TBN archives. I had posted some years ago

And to answer the OP's original question my other scoot and the one I ride most often is a 1992 HD FLHS I have had since new also. I did cam job on that back in 2007 after I lost the camshaft roller bearing at around 35k. Other than that bit of motor work its still pretty original except for saddlebags, seat and mufflers.





I love all kinds of motorcycles my first bike was dirt...a 197S DS Suzuki. I have a carded and sleeved photo collection of more than 300 different motorcycles lots of great ones thru the decades. Fun to look at! My buddy has owned and runs a custom bike shop here for more than 30 years now.


Can I join your gang now fellas can I, can I...lol!

 

[MoPops]

Just changed out a bike. I sold a 2007 bmw g650xc for a 2009 ktm 690r. Had 20,000 tough miles on the bmw. Never had a problem. The KTM has 4,000. Hopefully I'll get 16,000 more trouble free miles. I have to admit, I like this bike. Ktm has bmw beat on suspension, that's for sure.

 

[PHPaul]

Here's my '79 DFB. I love this bike. I had a brand new '74 TX650A for a lot of years, one of 3 or 4 bikes I REALLY regret letting go. Spent a lot of years looking for a suitable candidate for a replacement.

Some details of the rebuild here.

 

[DFB]

Here's my '79 DFB. I love this bike. I had a brand new '74 TX650A for a lot of years, one of 3 or 4 bikes I REALLY regret letting go. Spent a lot of years looking for a suitable candidate for a replacement.

Some details of the rebuild here.

Cool! :thumbsup:

My 650 could beat my buddy's "Roadster" (A 1980 model" 1000cc HD sportster) off the mark in street drag but he would always win a quarter mile.

 

[PHPaul]

Still muddling along with the rebuild on the Zook.

Pictures and commentary here.