Topic: feaux vintage

[Jv550]

What do you guys think about these new vintage stylers like the Triumph Scrambler and Kawi W 650? I like the vintage look, which is why i got an old Honda. And it's got to be nice to have the old style looks with modern machinery. But part of me thinks its kinda, I don't know, lame. Like when someone pays $180 for a pair of faded jeans with holes in them that they could've got for $30 new...

[Terry in Australia]

Well that's one way of looking at it mate, but for me, I like simple devices, and I am warmed by the knowledge that I can buy a simply styled modern bike albeit with good brakes, good handling and reliable electrics.

I want to get a crashed late model Triumph "Bonny" and a repro Norton featherbed frame and build a modern "Triton", what a cool cafe bike that'd be! Cheers, Terry.

[Raul CB750K1]

I've tried a modern Bonnie and Thunderbird and they are good bikes. Wouldn't mind to own any of them. Classic looks with modern technology, best of both worlds.

Anyway, modern-bikes-with-classic-looks are no mainstream at all, so there are slight chances to ever find a similar bike to you in any rally.

I've read bad things about the new Scrambler. To be honest, only about the exhaust. You can't almost use it for commuting because of the high heat.


Raul

[Jv550]

Yeah that scrambler exhaust is up pretty high. And a modern Triton would be kick-ass.
I wonder if the new/'retro thing got got popular enough if Honda would try to jump in the game...

[BobbyR]

I think a updated CB750 would be a very fine thing for Honda to build. Some things can be upgraded without changing the look of the bike. Electronic ignition, better brakes, and some suspension tuning would be in order. I am am sure that they can squeeze some more HP out of the motor with what they know now.

[Sam Green Racing]

Well that's one way of looking at it mate, but for me, I like simple devices, and I am warmed by the knowledge that I can buy a simply styled modern bike albeit with good brakes, good handling and reliable electrics.

I want to get a crashed late model Triumph "Bonny" and a repro Norton featherbed frame and build a modern "Triton", what a cool cafe bike that'd be! Cheers, Terry.

Is that with or without Lucas electrics.   

[Terry in Australia]

Well that's one way of looking at it mate, but for me, I like simple devices, and I am warmed by the knowledge that I can buy a simply styled modern bike albeit with good brakes, good handling and reliable electrics.

I want to get a crashed late model Triumph "Bonny" and a repro Norton featherbed frame and build a modern "Triton", what a cool cafe bike that'd be! Cheers, Terry.

Is that with or without Lucas electrics.   

Well modern Lucas electrics are probably fine Sammy, is Lucas still operating? I've actually got a Lucas timing light that I bought 20-odd years ago, and it works ok! Cheers, Terry.

[Honda CBer]

I think a updated CB750 would be a very fine thing for Honda to build. Some things can be upgraded without changing the look of the bike. Electronic ignition, better brakes, and some suspension tuning would be in order. I am am sure that they can squeeze some more HP out of the motor with what they know now.

they did, and called it-------- the CB750 nighthawk, just like they did in 1982... discontinued now, but a great bike...

[Raul CB750K1]

This has been talked here before. In Europe it was called Seven Fifty, a more muscled styling, disc brake in both wheels and hydraulic tapped automatic adjusting.



Raul

[BobbyR]

This has been talked here before. In Europe it was called Seven Fifty, a more muscled styling, disc brake in both wheels and hydraulic tapped automatic adjusting.



Raul

Too much Bling. The new T-Bird tanked since it lost the essence that make it retro chic. The new Mustang looks like my 67 2+2 and they are like fleas on a dog. make look like what we have spokes and all, make her fast, stop well, and handle.

[Green550F]

I saw one of those Honda Dream 50R bikes at Road America over the summer! I had never seen one befor and thought it was a home made cafe out of new parts! They are so COOL! Just wish it was a little bigger, say a 150 to 250cc. Maybe even a 2 stroker!

[Honda CBer]

yeah... dream 50 is wild... those things rev like 18,000... sounds like a pissed off ladybug...

[Jv550]

I hadn't seen that dream 50 yet. Pretty rad, tho I can't figure what I'd actually do with one. Those other ones - nighthawk and seven fifty - don't look all that retro to me. Not that I have $8 grand or so to drop on a new/retro bike anyway, but it seems like if anyone could do a good job of it it's honda.

[toycollector10]

Personally I can't stand the "old look in the new style". Cars, bikes, houses, you name it. The trendy metrosexual 20's something bright spark designer always seems to miss the key element that made the original design great. My favourite crap style, the PT Cruiser, (apologies to any owners out there).  The Ducati reto bikes wholly missed the masculine, brutish styling cues of the original. So sad, but todays buyers don't care. They have money to burn, I don't, so will go for the original every time.

[Terry in Australia]

Personally I can't stand the "old look in the new style". Cars, bikes, houses, you name it. The trendy metrosexual 20's something bright spark designer always seems to miss the key element that made the original design great. My favourite crap style, the PT Cruiser, (apologies to any owners out there).  The Ducati reto bikes wholly missed the masculine, brutish styling cues of the original. So sad, but todays buyers don't care. They have money to burn, I don't, so will go for the original every time.

Well I agree with you about the new Dukes mate, to my mind Ducati is just cashing in on the retro theme, and their new ones look like #$%*e when compared to the old. (even if they're technically superior in just about every aspect)

The PT cruiser would be great if the factory fitted a rear wheel drive, small block V8 or even the Dodge Ram V10, (I've seen pics of one such car, and it's sex on wheels) not a poxy front wheel drive 4 banger, as it is now.

I do like the Triumph twins though, they are bigger and fatter than their forbears, but apart from their shameless pandering to the US market with the bloated "Bonneville America", the entry level Bonneville is a really nice simple bike, particularly for old farts like me who prefer torque to outright top end speed, and would rather sit comfortably, than lie down on my bike. Cheers, Terry.

[kghost]

........ and would rather sit comfortably, than lie down on my bike. Cheers, Terry.

I aint even gonna touch that last comment. 

[Sterling2]

 Have to agree with the majority here. The new Triumphs look great to me. I love my old Honda's and I 've owned plenty of old Triumph's, but any variation of that new Bonneville (other than the America)  has to be a fun ride.

[BobbyR]

........ and would rather sit comfortably, than lie down on my bike. Cheers, Terry.

I aint even gonna touch that last comment. 

Three cheers for Terry.

[nickjtc]

Honda did jump in, this one is pretty much track use only and has a 50cc mill though.

That's one for the mantlepiece. (Sorry KK, I used that word again.)

[nickjtc]

A friend had a W650 for several years and put many trouble-free kms under the wheels. Yes, he constantly got people from our generation walking up to him to admire his really clean looking 'Triumph'...... but his reason for owning it was that it was simple, easy to work on and gave adequate performance. The bonus was that it looked cool.

He even did a road trip on it up to Whitehorse.

It's a pity they didn't sell well here and are now long gone. Perhaps in 20 years they will be the new classics.