Isn't she beautiful? (another bike thread)

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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:28 am

@ Jose, the coolest mods are the ones with 1200 Sportster motors, Huntington seems to have one too.

@ MM, did you have a pocket full of spark plugs?

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:33 pm

/\/\/\ I was very tempted to get the new sportster 48 instead...

...but the Buell was 1/2 the price and twice as fast. Laughing

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:59 pm

/\/\ That looks as cool as a cool thing, but I wouldn't want to steer with that rear tyre on the front!

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 1:54 pm

@ Jose, its a Honda Vtx1300r

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:28 pm

@ Musicman- I know its not a RD as they were air-cooled. Yours is liquid-cooled which would mean TZ but its got wire wheels. Color scheme says late 1970's.

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 4:00 pm

Speed aint everything Jose, the XR was a tad on the expensive side, but I fit in with the rest of the family now, my old man sits fairly high in certain bike enthusiasts group, who will remain nameless, and they are all HD fanatics, so now I can ride with them without feeling like the odd one, sittin on a bright white duke amongst forty blokes on Harleys was kind of off putting. Its still not exactly a cruiser, but its much closer and has the eye appeal.

Anyone do any racing? I hit up the track days whenever I get the chance, would love to get the chance to try something more compeditive

Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 5:16 pm

@Connie

The RD 350LC was watercooled and first sold in the UK circa 1980. At the time I was running a Triumph Trident T160V and was blown away when I test rode the LC.

Couldn't afford one so when local bike shop had a burnt engine I decided to make my own.

@Roy

LC's weren't too bad on plugs. Had to ride from Avignon to Dover with only three gears though ( 3rd/4th/5th)

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:45 am

Thanks for the clarification MM. I had a used RD 350 back in the day, lusted over a TZ and never knew there was a LC. I missed your post explaining how you built your ride. Embarassed

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 7:17 am

Milwaukee Butt Jewelery thread?

Laughing

I can't post either of my two riceburners since they are distinctive.

Dammit, a buddy is heading to the Isle of Man in a day or so.

Sad

http://www.iomtt.com/

If I get rid of the riceburner living in my house, I'll go next year.

(the two in the garage will stay)

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:03 am

Stepan Fetchit wrote:

Milwaukee Butt Jewelery

It wasn't always so, we slow down a bit when we get older (Though I still ride it like I stole it). Anyway, my HD was built in Kansas City, which confusingly I've a feeling isn't in Kansas any more, but in Missouri.

I raced on the TT course in the 90's, at the Manx GP on a CBR600. Scary but fun, it hit 158 going past the 30mph signs at Sulby. Laughing

When I worked there for Honda (as pit crew), the bikes went through every 18 minutes or so (covering 37+ miles). The one I was crewing (James Courtney on an RC45) went down the pit straight (which isn't) at 164mph.

Before that I classic raced a Triton, with a 500cc Triumph engine, then a 750cc Weslake. With that engine in it did 140mph, but broke the frame and rear spindle (twice each) Shocked

. I gave it all up after a visit to intensive care at Aintree when I got T-boned near the front of the pack at the first bend, and run over by a few behind. That was on a 400 Honda NC30.

Me on the Triton (when it was a 500) at 3 Sisters. Those leathers fell to pieces after a 90mph off in Anglesea wore all the stitching away.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:01 am

^^ Impressive pic Roy !

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:02 am

Cool, Roy.

I just never saw the fascination with H-D stuff, even before they got trendy. I've been riding bikes since I was 15, and there's nothing more annoying than having some desk jockey who bought a package deal for an earring, and a H-D a couple of weekends ago, tell you 'someday you'll own a real bike'. Laughing

I've slowed downed......between corners, but give me a tight twisty bit and I have to wick it up.

Wink

If I wanted something to make a lot of noise at stoplights to annoy the public I'd duct tape my wife to the hood of my pickup truck with her cellphone affixed to her head.

Very Happy

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:27 am

Talking about classic racers, the weekend over at 11-12-13 june the Biker's classics will be held again at Spa-Francorchamps. 3 days of roaring classic bikes and racers. The best part is the 4 hour endurance race with the old superbikes from the seventies and early eighties. The first part is held on saturday evening until it's dark.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:56 am

Awesome pic Roy! Cool

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:02 pm

Quote:

It wasn't always so, we slow down a bit when we get older

you hit the nail dead on the head Roy. Although I jump on the Duke and I instantly feel like I'm 21 again and forget all about that slowing down concept.

Quote:

and there's nothing more annoying than having some desk jockey who bought a package deal for an earring, and a H-D a couple of weekends ago, tell you 'someday you'll own a real bike'.

We welcome all enthusiasts, old, young, experienced or new comer, as for some desk jockey buying some HD straight out of the box and not knowing a thing about riding or the mechanics... as long as he is happy thats all that matters, who cares if he doesnt fit the image, but if your stopped at traffic lights and he rags on your bike, I'd probably put a steel cap through his visor, being a smart mouth twat is different.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:01 pm

/\/\ Although I own one, I do have issues with a lot of Harley riders. While many are owned by hardcore 'bikers for life', I went to a H.O.G. meeting just after I bought mine and had my illusions shattered.

Sorry, but there were far too many who felt that because they had bought into a lifestyle, that they were now dyed in the wool bikers, when to me they were a bunch of onanists who had bought an interesting fashion accessory. Whilst everyone in that meeting wore a leather jacket, the total number of bikes outside was 2, one of which was mine. Rolling Eyes

I never went back.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 3:21 pm

^^thats a sad tale to be honest, not suprised you didnt go back. When we do bikes runs, we have 50-100 riders cruise along, 60% are HD owners, we have alot of truimph fans too (great bikes) but we also have alot of young kids on cbr 250's, we emphasize the socialising and the event itself, not the skill level, lifestyle or bike choice.

Although alot of the older guys do match that hardcore image, they are great with the younger folk and always ready to give advice, or lend a hand on projects. Although many of them I wouldnt cross (and I own a security company) we do get the shit talkers and maggots coming through but they never last long as they don't get the attention they seek, and none of the experienced riders believe their self important stories or care how fast their bike can go.

That being said, I am also part of a local HD owners chapter, but thats more, drinking and networking for projects. and they practice, if you dont own, you dont join. My father is on their board, and I couldnt even get into the club room until I had my XR. good blokes though.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 5:12 pm

Further to Stepan's post, I am now listening to Manx Radio, and waiting for this evenings practice session, on http://ttlive.iomtt.com/index.htm

The radio feed will carry the commentary (radio button middle left), the page is going to be updated with times and speeds as the session happens. Last year it was a subscription service that didn't work at all well, this year the IOM government has paid for it.

Races start Saturday, see the website for a schedule. Now I'm listening I wish I was there again. This afternoon at my local BP ('Bringing Oil to America's Shores' TM) garage there was a big bunch of bikers loaded up with camping gear, no doubt bound for the TT ferry.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 6:53 pm

I never liked those mc's, especially those for a certain motorcycle make. I never was a member of a bike club, but i joined the Grandfathers. I'm officially a member of a group of friends. We don't have a registerred mc, no clubhouse, no rules or regulations, but we do have several meetings where we get together just to have a good time amongst friends. One doesn't go to a meeting and ask to become a member, but you get invited by one of the other members who knows you will fit right in. Then you attend to some meetings, have fun, drink beers and that's about it. The other members decide if you have what it takes to become a grandfather. We consider ourselfs the true oldfashioned bikers as they existed 40, 50 years ago. We don't make a fuss about what other members ride. Some ride the new model goldwing or the Triumph Rocket three, but they are no more or less then the members who can only afford a little old Honda 450. When we go out to a meeting, we stick together, no matter what. If one member of the group gets a problem with their bike, then one other member stays with them while another goes out for help. We all have a memberslist, and if a member is somewhere on the road and needs help, then they can always rely on help from the nearest Grandfather member. No questions asked, no excuses made up. They are the best friends one could whish for.

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:00 pm

^^ our social club has rules the same as that, all rides have a back runner who goes just slower than the slowest person so no one is left behind, anyone riding in the top 5 takes turns as corner markers, you stop at a corner and point in the direction that the ride is going, when the back runner passes (who will honk so you know they are last) you take off again and can catch up. So no matter what you riding level everyone sticks together and no one gets lost wondering which way we turned. Every rider has a buddy, who stops when you stop and enlists help if you break down, the backrunner also helps if you break down.

funnily enough this group started as a way for learners to get experience, my little brother started it when he wanted people of his skill to ride with, now its grown to all skill levels, all bike types and all type of events, they do shows, drags, track days as well

The old mans club is just blokes drinking though, some amazing bikes from those guys, and they sit in the club room for most of their lives, occassionally taken to shows or what not but not enough. Though most of the guys do have dailys as well

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:33 pm

Well, I never did become a 'biker'. It was always just transport for me. Having said that, I did enjoy riding past the traffic with a big grin on my face.

Sold my bike 2 weeks ago - little Yamaha SR125. Perfect for commuting. Cost bugger all to run, but I've got soft as I've got older. Got fed up of arriving at work soaked, dry out & get soaked again on the way home.

Now I just throw my bag into the Jeep, switch on the aircon/heater (depending on weather) & off I go.

I do still have a secret weapon in the garage though......

Hasn't run for around 4 years. So if you know someone who wants a smoky ex-commie girder on wheels, let me know. Very Happy

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:11 am

RoyC, 80% or more of the harleys you seen on the roads in the US now are mounted by the type of people you describe, it's most of those I have problems with....not REAL bikers.

It's a bleeping fashion show or a bunch of kids playing 'parade'.
Where I live they like to travel in big, slow, noisy packs.
One or two beers and they run off a perfectly straight road....
Laughing

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:30 am

My latest bike was like this one: a 1999 CBR600. I sold it, because of my length. I'm just too tall for a bike like that, very tiresome on bigger trips. Still not sure what my next bike will be. Still: I had a lot of fun with this one.

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 3:00 am

/\/\/\ The Speed Triples are nice but a bit pricey. I test rode one a few weeks back and it has a similar riding position to the Buell. I'm 6'2" and can ride 450+ miles in a day without getting uncomfortable.

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:00 am

I had a Triumph Daytona 1000 for a long time, it did 150mph, was bulletproof enough for foreign trips, and carried the wife and camping gear without any fuss. In Germany we managed to do 120 miles in an hour on the Autobahn, mind you, the back tyre looked like it was melting in the middle, which made me slow down a bit, and ride in the shade when I could find it.

However it had the old spine tube frame, which made it very top heavy and tiring in traffic, and somehow the riding position conspired with the upturn of the seat behind the tank to put all my weight on my crown jewels, which meant after an hour it was like sitting on a pair of angry footballs.

It was in really good condition when I sold it, next I heard it had been written off in a serious accident. Now I don't want to know what happens to them after I sell them. Sad

BTW, anyone who thinks Harleys are slow, we had to do 270 miles in 3 hours to catch a ferry last year, on the French motorway to Le Havre. Do the math, we made it (including 2 fast petrol stops) by absolutely ragging it. A heatshield broke off the exhaust downpipe when the welds broke(£89), but the fact that the engine didnt blow sky high when being nailed at 100mph for 3 hours is a testament to the HD build quality.

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