[Kuiil]

If the big four +Triumph don't come out with a middleweight 3 or 4 cylinder shafty or belt, that I can get a center stand for, I'm possibly thinking on a Yamaha SCR950?

...just to keep me from jonesing...
​

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Couple of thoughts from link above.
The Honda sideways V twin. Shaft on a small bike, 500cc. Apart from that, the main thing that Honda did, was show a push rod engine, could run at 10,500 revs.
The push rods are about 1/2 an inch across.
The Triumph. Print says only weighs 500 plus pounds with petrol. Only is the wrong lead in word. 100 pounds less weight and it might qualify.
Have we grown immune to the fact that most bikes weigh too much.
Guzzi. There are many fine bikes, old and newer to chose from. Used they are more $$ than my Yamaha, quite a bit more. But more folks will look at the Guzzi. UK

 

[Danny Linguini]

Couple of thoughts from link above.
The Honda sideways V twin. Shaft on a small bike, 500cc. Apart from that, the main thing that Honda did, was show a push rod engine, could run at 10,500 revs.
The push rods are about 1/2 an inch across.
The Triumph. Print says only weighs 500 plus pounds with petrol. Only is the wrong lead in word. 100 pounds less weight and it might qualify.
Have we grown immune to the fact that most bikes weigh too much.
Guzzi. There are many fine bikes, old and newer to chose from. Used they are more $$ than my Yamaha, quite a bit more. But more folks will look at the Guzzi. UK

I’ve seen a few GL500-650’s stripped down and cafe’d, and they looked pretty damn nice, almost like that’s what they were built for.

 

[-Nate]

VERY interesting ~ I bought a low mileage 1979 CX500 to teach my buddy to ride on, it was great, he decided riding scared him too much so my son wound u with it and I was flabbergasted at how such a tall bike could be flogged in the twisty bits .

I'd not suggest one now as they have a couple Achilles heels but they were stout and unless you are fat (me) they're much faster than anyone expects .

The write off thing is very, very real .

I used to know where a warehouse full of unsold crated bikes was in Harbor City .

Once written off Honda liked to donate them to tech schools and community colleges etc., I've resurrected more than a few that were simply tossed out in the late 1990's as scrap metal .

If you're throttle hand is getting itchy, go out and begin test riding used bikes, fill the tank on every one so they won't be upset and choose the one that makes you smile the most when riding it .

 

[Kuiil]

Was getting close to:

1.) Base Polaris Slingshot w/ base roof and engine upgrade or...

2.) Super-clean, low mileage, late model, used Goldwing or...

3.) Building my own shafty custom café bike, full on, not a rat or...

4.) Just waiting to see what 2023 brings or...

5.) Maybe even a Harley Dresser

...then, for about the same money, Wifey points out this brand new, 42-33 mpg / 0-60 in 8 sec / ¼ mile in 16 sec @ 90 mph / low-mid $20s (w/sunroof + sliding back window), 4 seater truck:

We have a pretty sporty economy car and I can swing the above, with super-clean, low mileage, late model, used 500-650cc bike (albeit, stinkin' chain drive).

How do I get her out of the truck and back on track with my wish for a much nicer (shaft or belt driven) bike and no truck?? Help! Aarg!

 

[-Nate]

Kuiil ;

You're stuck because if Mama ain't happy, no one is happy .

I understand owning a truck, I have a little bitty 2001 Ford Ranger stripper single cab, it only has 131,XXX miles on it and will prolly still running fine when I die .

I cannot possibly make any value of a Motocycle Vs. a truck, best of luck there .

I'm lucky in that I always beat the bushes and so got my bikes and the truck well below scrap value .

 

[-Nate]

BTW : near my brother's man cave is a place that rents these three wheeled things, maybe I should rent one during the week and drive it up the Angeles Crest Highway carefully and see how I like it ? .

 

[SemiFast]

How do I get her out of the truck and back on track with my wish for a much nicer (shaft or belt driven) bike and no truck?? Help! Aarg!

Take the new truck for a test drive with the wife riding "shotgun". Stop real quick while out on the test drive telling wife you saw a kitten that is possibly hurt by the side of the road. Ask her to jump out and get the kitten before it gets killed in the road.
As soon as she clears the door slam the truck in gear, gas it then drive straight back to the Ford dealership and tell them you do not like the truck.
Then immediately go buy whatever bike you want...
Truck, Wife, Motorcycle? Dude ! ... You gotta get your priorities in order.

Edit for emoji:

(Just Joking Guys)
S F

 

[-Nate]

Some one is brave......

I'm ever so lucky that my Sweet cares not a hoot if I drag home yet another old piece of junk ~ er, CLASSIC MACHINE .

I've been getting rid of all my ****, she asked me do I miss my beloved custom built 1984 Mercedes Diesel Sports Coupe ? .

Indeed I do but I don't really need more than one car, one pickup truck and my Motos.....

Can't really use the speedy coupe to haul grand kids nor chase groceries .

I've been selling off the bikes too, maybe only going to keep just one .

Maybe .

 

[Kuiil]

Some one is brave......

I'm ever so lucky that my Sweet cares not a hoot if I drag home yet another old piece of junk ~ er, CLASSIC MACHINE .

I've been getting rid of all my ****, she asked me do I miss my beloved custom built 1984 Mercedes Diesel Sports Coupe ? .
View attachment 74712 View attachment 74712
Indeed I do but I don't really need more than one car, one pickup truck and my Motos.....

Can't really use the speedy coupe to haul grand kids nor chase groceries .

I've been selling off the bikes too, maybe only going to keep just one .

Maybe .

YO! That custom built MB Diesel Sports Coupe sounds swweeeeeet! Would love to hear about the mods!

 

[Kuiil]

​

Just the fact that you guys "get me" and are laying a little fun on it, makes it easier to think about. Thanks! Gonna keep doing some O.T. (Wifey says I can keep it all for a bike) and maybe keep my eyes open for a super sweet deal on that Yamaha SCR950.

The Yamaha SCR950 is a bit of a tough one to upgrade; rear shock placement is highly proprietary (weird mounting angles = possible belt tension compensation incompatibilities), Dynojet makes two kits w/o recommended pipe tunes though, not too many pipes anyway (could fab my own, stainless w/ brass shields + clamps?), front forks - prog. springs + brace + top tier oil... the Corbin seat for it is beautiful... there's a few other ideas... I guess it's better than a dealing w/ a chain? (just so dam tired of lubing, adjusting, cleaning, changing)

​

 

[Doktor]

just so dam tired of lubing, adjusting, cleaning, changing

Once 'bedded in' an O/X ring chain will only need lubing every few hundred kilometres and maybe an adjustment a few times a year depending on your riding and mileage.

So, unless you are doing SERIOUS mileage - lubing, adjusting, cleaning, changing is not going to happen often.

But, my comment is wasted typing as we already know your opinion of chain drive motorcycles - just don't confuse your preference with facts.

 

[-Nate]

Well ;

I have some chain driven bikes and yes, if you take proper care of them and use a quality brand of O-Ring chain they don't need much lubrication, just chain wax after every ride to prevent the outer plates from rusting .

I don't have / ride / enjoy Sport Bikes so I don't mind and rather enjoy / prefer a shaft drive but they're very different so if you like to bounce through the chop, I'd suggest sticking with chains, of course there may well be shaft driven dual sports bikes I'd never know about .

It takes me a long time to find a bike I really like, simply going fast or being able to wheelie or spin the rear tire isn't important to me ~ am I happy when I'm riding and after I get off it ?.

Can I spend hours / all day long in the saddle ? .

Figure out what's important to YOU and go with it .

I also tend to keep my bikes for decades and maintain / repair them as necessary, it's cheaper and easier plus I'm always astride what I want to be astride of .

I tried my son's brandy new HONDA CB600RR (?) going down Mulholland Highway and didn't like it much, it beat my poor back to death although it was in fact very speedy .

Here's hoping whatever bike you choose is nice and gives you enjoyment .

Trucks, meh ~ they're cheap if you shop carefully, I have a really nice low mileage tiny Ford Ranger base model because I like tools that do the job and suit me, I don't care what others think .

Being a Farm boy I've owned plenty of beat to shyte turcks, they were nice but I'm old so I now want a nice pickup that's no bigger than I need .

Do you want ot to detail the old Mercedes ? .

Basically I just went through it from end to end making sure everythng was up to snuff, I added better shocks and rebuilt the turbo charger and tweaked it up a pound or two, it takes very little boost for a turbo to give startling results .

These cars were designed to go fast on tiny, and narrow roads in Europe, I just fine tuned it to my tastes .

It had a four speed automatic transmission, I had that rebuilt then peaked and tweaked the internal pressures and modulator so it'd shift firmly, if I was romping the throttle it'd easily chirp the tires going into second gear .

I also added the European headlights and bumpers fore and aft , made up a (barely visible) custom European front license tag with the correct #'s on it and a California flag and bear.....

So I'm weird, it makes me happy .

 

[Kuiil]

Once 'bedded in' an O/X ring chain will only need lubing every few hundred kilometres and maybe an adjustment a few times a year depending on your riding and mileage.

So, unless you are doing SERIOUS mileage - lubing, adjusting, cleaning, changing is not going to happen often.

But, my comment is wasted typing as we already know your opinion of chain drive motorcycles - just don't confuse your preference with facts.

Truth, knowledge and darn good advice, is never wasted. I know that you know your stuff brother. Please, your counsel is always welcomed.

 

[Kuiil]

Well ;

I have some chain driven bikes and yes, if you take proper care of them and use a quality brand of O-Ring chain they don't need much lubrication, just chain wax after every ride to prevent the outer plates from rusting .

I don't have / ride / enjoy Sport Bikes so I don't mind and rather enjoy / prefer a shaft drive but they're very different so if you like to bounce through the chop, I'd suggest sticking with chains, of course there may well be shaft driven dual sports bikes I'd never know about .

It takes me a long time to find a bike I really like, simply going fast or being able to wheelie or spin the rear tire isn't important to me ~ am I happy when I'm riding and after I get off it ?.

Can I spend hours / all day long in the saddle ? .

Figure out what's important to YOU and go with it .

I also tend to keep my bikes for decades and maintain / repair them as necessary, it's cheaper and easier plus I'm always astride what I want to be astride of .

I tried my son's brandy new HONDA CB600RR (?) going down Mulholland Highway and didn't like it much, it beat my poor back to death although it was in fact very speedy .

Here's hoping whatever bike you choose is nice and gives you enjoyment .

Trucks, meh ~ they're cheap if you shop carefully, I have a really nice low mileage tiny Ford Ranger base model because I like tools that do the job and suit me, I don't care what others think .

Being a Farm boy I've owned plenty of beat to shyte turcks, they were nice but I'm old so I now want a nice pickup that's no bigger than I need .

Do you want ot to detail the old Mercedes ? .

Basically I just went through it from end to end making sure everythng was up to snuff, I added better shocks and rebuilt the turbo charger and tweaked it up a pound or two, it takes very little boost for a turbo to give startling results .

These cars were designed to go fast on tiny, and narrow roads in Europe, I just fine tuned it to my tastes .

It had a four speed automatic transmission, I had that rebuilt then peaked and tweaked the internal pressures and modulator so it'd shift firmly, if I was romping the throttle it'd easily chirp the tires going into second gear .

I also added the European headlights and bumpers fore and aft , made up a (barely visible) custom European front license tag with the correct #'s on it and a California flag and bear.....

So I'm weird, it makes me happy .

That car sounds freakin' magnificent! Thank you! I'm guessing you still have that beauty?

 

[-Nate]

Thank you kind Sir .

I try really hard .

Sadly, I really did need to sell it on, the very first guy who came to look was amazed and bought it in the spot dirt cheap .

My Sweet was asking me as we drove across the Desert "do you miss your Coupe ?" .

I sure do but I need to haul grand kids groceries and have a car she can get in and out of painlessly ~ rheumatoid arthritis really sucks .

 

[Kuiil]

Thank you kind Sir .

I try really hard .

Sadly, I really did need to sell it on, the very first guy who came to look was amazed and bought it in the spot dirt cheap .

My Sweet was asking me as we drove across the Desert "do you miss your Coupe ?" .

I sure do but I need to haul grand kids groceries and have a car she can get in and out of painlessly ~ rheumatoid arthritis really sucks .

As someone, who once got "the nod of approval" from James Coburn himself (walked by him at a casino and I scat sang the "Flint Phone" tones, he turned... and gave me "the nod"), you're not just cool brother, you're Steve McQueen Cool. Now, I feel like just getting a Triumph.

 

[Doktor]

As someone, who once got "the nod of approval" from James Coburn himself (walked by him at a casino and I scat sang the "Flint Phone" tones, he turned... and gave me "the nod"), you're not just cool brother, you're Steve McQueen Cool. Now, I feel like just getting a Triumph.

I think Triumphs are great bikes. They sell well in Europe - not sure about the US. When they went (Yamaha based) three cylinders - I was like....hhhmmm , but TBH - I lusted after the Daytona first time I saw it - the yellow one.

 

[-Nate]

Yeah,

My buddy bought a Daytona when they first began making Bloor Trumpets and that was the only one available .

He'd been messing with a T140E for a few years (? 1978 I think ?) and wanted something more......I dunno what I loved the T140E and rode it often .

Anyway, he let me test ride the Daytona and I was coming up a steep hill on a slant and dame a 90 degree right turn onto another slated street that was highly crowned, rolled on the throttle in second gear and wheelied around the corner, I wasn't expecting that much power and scared my self silly .

At this point, actually for some 30 years now if not longer, I prefer twins for open road riding .

I too think Tumpets are or can be good bikes .

I like vintage LBC's too and after one goes through one correcting all the basic manufacturing and assembly mistakes they're very good indeed and well suited to hard running on bad roads, my favorite .

 

[-Nate]

I don't see any way to create a PM here, did I miss something ? .