Author Topic: Motorcycles - many of you still enjoy them!!!! (Read 6507 times)

Bob Zambelli · « **on:** July 19, 2007, 08:19:09 AM »

[Robert - if this posting is out of line, feel free to delete it - just thought it might be an interesting change!]

Here's a neat motorcycle for all you enthusiasts: The Morbidelli V8

Liquid cooled, 4-valve, 4-cam V8.

For a mere $98,000.00, it's yours.

Bob Z.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2007, 08:31:43 AM »

If it weren't for the wife I would take one. Sold my last motorcycle about ten years ago. It looks great. Have fun, DOC Holliday

Bob Zambelli · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2007, 09:10:07 AM »

Bob Hunt wrote
"The real prize in the sport bike world is the MV Agusta Castiglioni version that sells for $125,000. My wife won't stand still for that!"

Hi, Bob - I'm not familiar with that one - tell me more(?).

Bob Z.

When the cost of a bike approaches that of a late model used Ferrari, I begin to wonder!

proparc · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2007, 09:26:19 AM »

I am going to be test riding a Suzuki M109R this weekend. So far my favorites have been the Suzuki V Strom 1000 and 650.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2007, 09:47:32 AM »

Bob and Bob;

Is this the MV Agusta Castiglioni .

"Billy G"

Jim Morris · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2007, 09:51:27 AM »

Proud owner of a 2000 Indian Chief. Its all about the look and sound, comfort? well, I can sacrifice a little comfort for the Chief.

dave siegler · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2007, 09:56:42 AM »

Gave it all up when I got married. Worked at a shop while in colledge.

Raced enduro in the summer and ICE in the winter a real rush. A little MX to fill in. Have 2 bad ankles because of it.

Had my share of potent street bikes of the time GSXR's interceptors. Older stuff too hopped up Kaw h2 (if you had one you will understand)
, RD 400 (lots of fun)

Realized I was safer in the dirt. I could go crazy and it did not hurt so much to fall. Lots of fun.

Ended up with a more sedate ride.

Dave

taildragger-j3 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2007, 10:34:41 AM »

Here's a before & after shot of the '82 GL-500 I'm rebuilding. I still need to repaint the fenders & have the seat recovered, but It's running.

Ron Merrill · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2007, 10:44:17 AM »

Bob, being a H-D rider since the 50's, high performance hasn't been high on my list. So i went out and brought a Boss Hoss/502ci chevy motor/nitros and charger. This bike was from your part of the world, Mountain Boss Hoss or so i was told. Now i know scared.

My son has a "Busa" and now i really know sacred

That "Busa" is something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Still shaking in Texas. Ron.

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2007, 12:32:32 PM »

Dave Royer rides a Harley, I ride a Lamond Bicycle but the motor is starting to slow down!

Bob Disharoon · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2007, 12:49:21 PM »

How about the Vincent 1952?..Wasn't that the baddest boy on the block at the time?......closest, I ever got was a 1967 Triumph Bonneville, but that was plenty of torque for me..Bob

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2007, 01:40:44 PM »

The Vincent Black Shadow was fast but not as fast on acceleration as my Ariel Square Four. The Ariel Square Four was advertised in the 50's as the worlds fastest accelerating motorcycle.

The left pictures show me and my riding buddies, Gommer, Big Tom and Jess on it. The second picture is of my dad setting on it. Check out the grin. Look at the exhaust pipes and there is a matching set on the other side.

It was called a Square Four because the cylinders are arrranged in a square. Think of two 500 CC vertical twins geared together with counter rotating cranks in one case.

I bought it to learn on!!!

Clancy

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2007, 01:56:35 PM »

Sorry guys, Triumphs are still the coolest

- just sold a 98 Sprint Execuetive, still have my 2001 T-Bird. Fast enough for me w/classic styling. A keeper. Yes, motorcycles and models do go together. Didn't Windy do quite a bit of riding in the day as well?

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:08:55 PM »

Guys,
Still have my Kaw.GPZ 750 Turbo. Although not quite as fast as the busa it can still hold its own. 10.2 in the 1/4 stock back in 1984 at that time it was the fastest production bike out. Some say the US version has a boost limiter on it and the European version didn't. I never messed with mine but they said it can get pretty nuts with unlimited boost. As it is now people tell me when that turbo comes on line I look like a cartoon character taking off (road runner) with little wisp's trailing behind. Lots of fun, but I haven't been out much since the little ones came along.

Tom

Glen Wearden · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:15:22 PM »

In high school, I had a 1948 Harley "45" side-valve. If I remember correctly, it produced 25 blazing horses. Before that, I had a Famous James; can't remember the year model. Wish I still had both of them. Glen

Ron Merrill · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:26:43 PM »

THE Vincent and Ariel Square Four were real motorcycles in there time. Wish i had one of each in my garage today.

Ron.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:37:21 PM »

Well, bought a piece of property, put in a flying circle and traded my 6 cylinder bike for a 3 cylinder tractor. Guess the excitement is gone out of my life

Dennis Moritz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:45:12 PM »

YEAH! NEAT STUFF! I retired from bikes when my eyes didn't focus well enough long distance to short distance, carpul tunnel making my hands numb, also was a turn off. Until then I dug touring. Going coast to coast once, often doing New England from Philly on my BMW 750. This was the 70s and 80s. A versatile and reliable bike, considered appropriate then, for the long ride. Small and light for a tourer these days. Tho I see 2 cylinder Bimmers on the road, loaded down, doing what looks like long distance travel. Question? What are those bikes with Chevy V8s? How the heck does that work? Can they be driven anywhere? Every one I've seen has been parked. Couldn't find a rider. Saw one in NYC. Imagine that. Also one up on the Cape. Obviously, they were driven. Having morphed into a driver of American Iron, well, anything with a Chevy V8 is of interest. Also, obviously, an outrageous concept.

peabody · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:52:18 PM »

I've had some way cool stuff from time to occasionally, including a 1953 Triumph rigid frame chopper and a NorVint (Vincent powered Norton Roadholder frame)....a bunch of awful stuff, too (Cycle World named the "Ten Worst Bikes" in about 1981 and I had owned 6 of them!!! I have ridden mostly Gold Wings to all of the contigious States, about 300K miles. I stopped eight or nine years ago when stricken with GBS .

I recently scored a Honda ST1100 that Bob Hunt knew about.... '93 vintage.....a very rewarding ride.

Michael Boucher · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2007, 02:58:30 PM »

Indians period.....

Douglas Babb · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2007, 03:26:32 PM »

60,000 miles on two Harleys in the last 7 years, only thing I have not figured out is how to strap a plane and field gear on to the electra glide and get it to the field in one piece.

For Dennis, the boss Hoss drives through a 90 degree industrial gearbox with 2 speeds forward. The newer ones have reverse but I don't know if it's an electric motor like a Gold Wing. One owner I talked to had 330 hp and said he gets 30mpg on a 8 gal. tank, 65 mph @ 1500 rpm, 4,500 rpm rev limiter. No he hasn't found top speed.

proparc · « **Reply #21 on:** July 19, 2007, 03:34:10 PM »

Question for Bob Zambelli. As an Engineer, could the Morbidelli have been produced for considerably less money if modern manufacturing methods were applied?

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #22 on:** July 19, 2007, 03:46:40 PM »

In 82' I tricked out my KZ 750, set back pegs, dropped bars, bar end mirrors, smooth bore carbs, cams, avon venom tires,, what an awesome ride,, playe with the forks and shocks, learned how to "trim" it for "flight" I rode that bike an average of 25,000 miles a year for two years,,, (didnt have a car and had to travel to see my kids) in town, the speed limit is 35 and I did 35 ,, around corners, intersections and all, AND I survived, lol,, later in life I got a KZ 1300 touring bike, my muscle memory tried to make me ride it like the 750, I put about 2000 miles on it and sold it,,,
I still wish,,,,,,,,, but, slower reflexs and way to much desire to drag knees,, probably wont get one again,,

Peter Nevai · « **Reply #23 on:** July 19, 2007, 04:33:09 PM »

Quote from: Tom Luciano on July 19, 2007, 02:08:55 PM

Guys,
Still have my Kaw.GPZ 750 Turbo. Although not quite as fast as the busa it can still hold its own. 10.2 in the 1/4 stock back in 1984 at that time it was the fastest production bike out. Some say the US version has a boost limiter on it and the European version didn't. I never messed with mine but they said it can get pretty nuts with unlimited boost. As it is now people tell me when that turbo comes on line I look like a cartoon character taking off (road runner) with little wisp's trailing behind. Lots of fun, but I haven't been out much since the little ones came along.

Tom

Yup but only for a couple of months until that is until the GPZR900 hit the show room. This is a photo of mine from a couple years ago. Currently in storage. Bought it new in 85 had it ever since. Still only has 36,807 miles on it. Not much time over the past several years to ride.
Befor that I had a 76 Kawasaki KZ 650 (great bike) 74 Suzuki GT550.

Scott Hartford · « **Reply #24 on:** July 19, 2007, 04:44:31 PM »

All you old guys are making my old motocross scars hurt! <=This is my current ride since grey hair has come to visit. '05 FZ6 with a glow-in-the -dark (really!) paint job I did last summer. It keeps me amused with right about 100 hp and 423 lbs.....

Peter Nevai · « **Reply #25 on:** July 19, 2007, 05:12:19 PM »

Something I wrote a number of years ago, mauhap it bring back memories of your own.

http://ebike.homestead.com/files/content/minibike.htm

Dick Fowler · « **Reply #26 on:** July 19, 2007, 07:00:43 PM »

I have a thing for old Suzuki Two Stroke bikes. In the 60's and 70's I owned a number of them and raced Motocross and some half mile (not for long cause that's insane). Currently I enjoy restoring these old girls when I get a chance.

Here are some of my projects along with my current everyday ride.

The first is an 06 HD Ultra Classic... great ride but underpowered.

The second is 71 T500 Twin Suzuki. It is in showroom condition. Look at the closer picture of the engine... looks like the day it came from the factory. I had one exactly like it in 1971 and wanted to have another... kind of reliving my youth I guess. The color is called Candy Lavender... wouldn't that make a great airplane color?

The next is a 75 GT380 Triple. This bike wasn't too bad when I bought it other than it didn't run. Gave it a good cleaning and rebuilt the carbs and installed new points. Runs well... the engines on these Suzuki triples are very smooth. I had a 72 GT380 which wasn't as good as the later models.

The last is a 1976 GT550 Suzuki Triple. This bike had lots of issues when I bought but it was complete which is sometimes a problem. I got this rascal running and now it's coming apart for full restoration. I want it to look as factory fresh as my 71 T500. Probably be a couple years before I'm done.

So I guess you might say I like motorcycles.

OOPs almost forgot the other 1971 T500. Bought it as a parts bike but it was so good I cleaned it and put it on the street. I think I'm going to restore it and give it to my brother. He had a 72 T500 and drools everytime he sees the "purple" Titan. make a great Christmas present

rob biddle · « **Reply #27 on:** July 19, 2007, 08:46:17 PM »

G'day All,
My Dad has a '71 T500 also in the lime green colour. It's a heap of fun.
His main ride is a Bmw K1100 rt se which took him all the way around this island in 21 days last year. (11,000 miles!)

For the last couple of years my daily driver has been a '76 Beemer R90. I have done about 20,000 miles on it in this time. It has been excellent. Due to it's age, 190,000 miles and the fact that it has never been rebuilt means that I am constantly doing small jobs on it. It had been fairly well neglected by it's previous owners so I guess I'm just playing catch up with maintenance.

A lot of my mates have later harleys and jap bikes but keeping tyres on the things keeps them poor!
I may not have handling or brakes but my old girl sits comfortably on 70+ mph all day, costs me very little to keep on the road and does everything I need her to do and then some. The last set of Michelins I put on her did 15,000 miles.
A lot of the kids these days don't realise you don't need mega hp to enjoy motorcycling.

Cheers, Rob.

Ron Merrill · « **Reply #28 on:** July 20, 2007, 09:17:32 AM »

Dennis, my Boss Hoss is two forward and one reverse. It's 502ci makes 645hp/major engine work gets various mpg depending on wrist action. Not for long distant riding,thought stock ones are. Most people i know only ride them short distances and put few miles on them per year. Mostly they are a toy. My H-D softail is for serious riding. Boss Hoss's are also expensive to maintain even in stock/350ci variety, parts are mega bucks. Looks good in front of a Texas Icehouse drinking cokes.

Ron.

proparc · « **Reply #29 on:** July 20, 2007, 09:31:54 AM »

For those not familiar with the "Hoss", here are pictures.

Mike Spiess · « **Reply #30 on:** July 20, 2007, 02:45:31 PM »

I was a motorcycle mech in the 70's. I'd be hard pressed to own a Harley from that experience.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #31 on:** July 20, 2007, 03:23:09 PM »

I'd love to own a street bike again. My last one was a Kaw 900 (shows how long ago it was). But when you live somewhere that rains 250 days a year (more this year), it's just not as fun. I had just about convinced myself to buy another street bike and now we've had 2 straight weeks of rain (In July!) and I'm cooled off on the idea again. But man, those Star's sure look cool.

Global Warming==>

Dwayne · « **Reply #32 on:** July 21, 2007, 08:48:50 AM »

Used to own a Kawi tripple 250 similar to pic 1 but it had drop bars and chambers, still have my buddies 1982 Kawi KDX 175 a bitchin dirt bike, I must put the fender back on, caught a rock on my nose two weeks ago...lol
Dwayne

Bob Disharoon · « **Reply #33 on:** July 21, 2007, 04:36:29 PM »

I have to disrupt this topic with one item....My 1967 Austin Healy 3000..Bought it new. The most beautiful British thing on earth..yup

Douglas Babb · « **Reply #34 on:** July 21, 2007, 04:57:30 PM »

Bob, when you are ready to retire altogether you could sell the Healey and get a fat check for it.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #35 on:** July 21, 2007, 06:13:37 PM »

Now theres a topic that is close to my heart. I've been riding bikes since I was 9 years old. These days I ride a 2002 GSXR1000 Suzuki on the road. Unbelievable power and accelleration. 160 horses in a 170kg package out of the box.

But for offroad fun, you cant beat the humble Honda CT110 Postie Bike. Check out my web site which has been around since 1998... www.postiebikes.com It also has a Yahoo Forum that has been running since 1999 with around 750 members worldwide.

Cheers

Larry Price · « **Reply #36 on:** July 21, 2007, 11:11:13 PM »

Oh ya, I've got two in the stable now... GL1800 and GL1500 Honda Gold Wings..... Are they ridden, oh ya you could say that... The Silver GL1800 just turned 100,600 miles and the GL1500 is at 112,500 miles...

Phil Smith · « **Reply #37 on:** July 22, 2007, 03:58:57 AM »

Kids bought me a KDX200 for my 50th birthday.... Bad weather Sundays aren't the nasty they used to be. Good weather, go fly. Bad weather, go ride. Starting to sort out how life is supposed to be...... I don't blast through the forests like I did when I was 20, but the thrill is still pretty good.....

Phil.

Bob Disharoon · « **Reply #38 on:** July 22, 2007, 05:10:47 AM »

Quote from: Douglas Babb on July 21, 2007, 04:57:30 PM

Bob, when you are ready to retire altogether you could sell the Healey and get a fat check for it.
[/quote

Sorry..I traded it in for a vw after I got married....has haunted me ever since

Harry Rice · « **Reply #39 on:** July 22, 2007, 05:14:12 PM »

Yamaha Fazer 1000 - 140 bhp and lots of grunt - more fun than a fistful of beer tokens!!

Bob Disharoon:

I was an apprentice at the (then) British Motor Corporation. The development department had built 3 Healy 3000's GT versions - like the old MGBGT with the hard top, sloping back. All in the pale metallic blue Healy used to do. They were offered for sale to employees for 1000 GBP (2000 USD today) or thereabouts. No takers, so they were sent to the scrapyard and crushed. Handbuilt prototypes. If only I had the money then - could have retired years ago...........

The problem was that as they were prototypes, and to remove the gearbox, the floor pan had to be cut away. A small price these days for such a classic...

As an apprentice I also worked in a department called "The Bren Gun Shop" which pressed the rocker covers for the 3.0L engine (It was also used in trucks!!).

Ahhhh, such is life...

Cheers

Harry

Harry Rice · « **Reply #40 on:** July 22, 2007, 05:18:39 PM »

Scott:

Great paint job - where in the world are you - my Fazer 1000 could do with that!!!

Cheers

Harry

Dennis Moritz · « **Reply #41 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:54:42 PM »

Hey Ron,

What do you do about the headers on the Boss Hoss? Seems to me move your legs the wrong way and you've got a nasty burn. The price of these critters is eye-popping. Hard to believe anything on 2 wheels powered by a GM crate 350 would cost that much. A 500 plus ci bike, definitely should get some attention. What's it like to drive that bike? Guess the trans isn't a modified powerglide. When I heard it was a 2 speed, that's what I thought it must be. 1100 pounds dry weight. Not much more outrageous than some other rides. Jay Leno likes the bike. He's certainly driven different kinds of machines. Well, like I said, one wound up in NYC and another out on Cape Cod. Hundreds of miles from the nearest dealers. Doubt they were trucked.

My thoughts are running back to 2 cylinder Bimmers. Still making those. Almost ninety years of 2 cylinder BMWs now. I liked their versatility, simplicity and reliability way back when. My wife and I did all right going cross country on my 76 BMW 750. Usually cruised around 85 and 90. Tent, sleeping bags, clothes, books, Hermes portable typewriter. Filling up the tank bag with heavy stuff, kept it all balanced. Konis. Definitely need the Konis.

Best,

Dennis

Scott Hartford · « **Reply #42 on:** July 22, 2007, 09:21:47 PM »

Quote from: Harry Rice on July 22, 2007, 05:18:39 PM

Scott:

Great paint job - where in the world are you - my Fazer 1000 could do with that!!!

Cheers

Harry

Have a look here: http://www.alsacorp.com/index.htm If you can paint a plane, you can paint a bike!!!

Frederick Fielder · « **Reply #43 on:** July 23, 2007, 10:01:48 AM »

Simplex Automatic 125cc engine and it could turn a blistering 45 mph in 5 minutes down hill.
Frederick

Ron Merrill · « **Reply #44 on:** July 23, 2007, 10:31:57 AM »

Dennis, LOTS of heat from headers, have to move feet up on highway pegs to get out of hot air stream. The tranny is not powerglide, pretty smooth shifting. What is surprising is the ride and driveability once moving, is to turn, even at 1100lbs. Tracks very straight and leans like a motorcycle that size should. In short it is fun to ride. NOT a touring bike, leave that to BMW and Honda.

Ron.