Topic: Are custom bike builders destroying historical artifacts?

[scottly]

My 1979 CB650 and 1987 Cagiva 650 Alazzurra are both registered as antiques.

What about the VT500 Ascot? Check out this site, if you haven't already:
http://www.ascot500.com/

[socal1200r]

My 1979 CB650 and 1987 Cagiva 650 Alazzurra are both registered as antiques.

What about the VT500 Ascot? Check out this site, if you haven't already:
http://www.ascot500.com/

The Ascot is back in CA, only ride it when I'm back there.  That thing's a hoot, lightweight, revs like crazy for a v-twin, and with shaft drive, it's basically a gas and go bike.  Thanks for the Ascot site, I'll definitely check it out!

[Juan1]

These are my personal rules of good taste with older bikes. 

Feel free to customize plentiful, ugly bikes.   Nighthawks and CX-500s should be customized, though once stock examples become rare it's time to step away from the hacksaw.

Don't mess with the frame, and be very conservative with engine mods.

Don't mess with a stock part unless it is in bad shape.  If a part is in bad shape, purchase an exact replacement, or at least a period correct replacement.  If you must cut, replace or modify a working part on the bike, buy that part used and cut on the used part.  Keep all salvageable stock parts to sell with the bike.

[dave500]

how many model t fords got made?how many you see around now?

[70CB750]

how many model t fords got made?how many you see around now?

+1

[LesterPiglet]

I wanna cafe a sandcast. They are as common as muck now. 

[FunJimmy]

how many model t fords got made?how many you see around now?

Not really a fair comparison for a few reason like being 100 years old but more than 15 million Model Ts were manufactured between 1908-1927

[calj737]

how many model t fords got made?how many you see around now?

Not as everyday drivers, but loads. In fact, there are a few places here in the States that actually make completely new frames and bodies for them, so you can have a brand new, old one if you like.

Many though, are the foundation of custom builds for the very reasons listed above. Sorry to spoil your point, Dave.

[ekpent]

how many model t fords got made?how many you see around now?

The big question is how many people want them anymore. They are still around but the value is way down as the old guys that remembered and appreciated and collected them are dropping like flies now and the next generation is not as interested in them
   Could it happen someday to our beloved Honda's ?? Tastes change.

[LesterPiglet]

I don't think "shiny" will ever go out of fashion. 

[ekpent]

I don't think "shiny" will ever go out of fashion. 

Not to be obtuse but have you seen how many new Triumphs and other brands  are going with a satin paint nowadays with no shine. Not my cup of tea but a trend.

[PeWe]

One of the good reasons to buy a CB750 back in the days was the possibilty to modify it in different styles like own Café, Dunstall, Rickman, various fairing styles, touring with constant bags on, chopper style with long fork and hundred of small details possible to buy and mount direct.
Or like my bike looked 1980-1982. Very popular here. see photo still in Candy Sapphire Blue that my bike will soon have again. OEM paint job was not anything of interest the following years.

Talking about Russ Collins made us eager to tune! I started with a 4-1 as the photo. 4-1 for K7 mounted on a K6, different angle. Later on RC 836, ported head, cam, carbs, alternator mod.

I did not have in mind to restore my bike back to OEM look 2009 when I brought it home to my garage from a friends barn. Not 2012 either when I started to restore it. I planned to try a hotter cam and restore what needed plus a new 4-1 like Yoshi replica.

But I changed my mind along the road getting new impressions and ideas here on this forum by people restoring their bikes. The only modification I have done not possible to change is the frame mod that is not visible until looking for it under the tank. This is something I cannot live without either.
A bike with hot cam need the option to be inspected now and then plus change cam or only time it different. Pulling the engine out of the frame 1-2 times each year, no thanks.

I would like to have a K0, candy blue-green in mint OEM condition. But these are difficult to find and I'm not alone to like them. I guess that peoiple are willing to pay double for a K0 than the later

I feel bad when a good CB750 are chopped with a saw to build an old English Norton Manx replica. Different with really rottened bikes  passed the point of no return for deacade or 2 ago where its good to cut the rusted tubes.

We should be proud of the Honda heritage. I have heard that the english racers packed their stuff with 1 cylinder or maybe 2 and went back home when they heard the 6 cyl Honda 250, 350 revving on the race track.
Maybe they changed the rules to have a chance...? Maybe just a myth?

[Mr Freeze]

People are allowed to do whatever they want with a bike that they purchased with their own money. Seeing a "survivor" CB750 chopper from the 70's is just as cool as seeing a restored CB750 from the same era. Calling something that's a little over 40 years old a historical artifact is a stretch. Seeing stock and custom built stuff all has the chance to inspire someone to make something of their own. I love my CB750, but it's a motorcycle fellas, not the Lost Ark. These aren't that rare.

[LesterPiglet]

I don't think "shiny" will ever go out of fashion. 

Not to be obtuse but have you seen how many new Triumphs and other brands  are going with a satin paint nowadays with no shine. Not my cup of tea but a trend.

I know that but when my 550 is parked beside them it's mine gets the most attention. It may be different in your backyard though.

[BPellerine]

I would like to see the look on peoples faces when they pull one of the franken bikes out of a barn in another 40 yrs,wondering what parts belong to what bike!haha

[Retro Rocket]

People are allowed to do whatever they want with a bike that they purchased with their own money. Seeing a "survivor" CB750 chopper from the 70's is just as cool as seeing a restored CB750 from the same era. Calling something that's a little over 40 years old a historical artifact is a stretch. Seeing stock and custom built stuff all has the chance to inspire someone to make something of their own. I love my CB750, but it's a motorcycle fellas, not the Lost Ark. These aren't that rare.

And i would add to that, that about 5% of the modified ones i've seen would be done competently or properly, most are thrown together piles of junk with no idea of how or why a motorcycle is supposed to work, these will be the cheap parts bikes of the future, regardless of the stupid prices some of these pieces of dangerous junk seem to attract at the moment....

[FunJimmy]

And i would add to that, that about 5% of the modified ones i've seen would be done competently or properly, most are thrown together piles of junk with no idea of how or why a motorcycle is supposed to work, these will be the cheap parts bikes of the future, regardless of the stupid prices some of these pieces of dangerous junk seem to attract at the moment....

Unfortunately, those are the bikes that will be remembered and stigmatize vintage builds of all stripes. It's exacerbated by the expectation of cheap $200-$300 barn finds. At those prices, some/many builders are reluctant to invest in quality parts and thought out executions. Remember the evaluation of a $400 electronic ignition system in a bike of equal cost? That logic will ensure an abundance of cheaply built bikes for years to come.

[goldarrow]

if you turn this


into something like this


hats off to those who can.


but if you turn something like this


into something like this


that's just sad.........

the poor bike still has a chance....

[seanbarney41]

Thank you for summing up my feelings exactly, Goldarrow.

[Retro Rocket]

Thank you for summing up my feelings exactly, Goldarrow.

I'm right there with you Sean...

[Mr Freeze]

And i would add to that, that about 5% of the modified ones I've seen would be done competently or properly, most are thrown together piles of junk with no idea of how or why a motorcycle is supposed to work, these will be the cheap parts bikes of the future, regardless of the stupid prices some of these pieces of dangerous junk seem to attract at the moment....

That is true. There's a big difference between fashion and function. The good ones have a balance of both, and that doesn't mean stock either.

[heyitsrama]

i was torn between this, and actually after talking to a good friend of mine that rebuilds e30 m3's (a popular car for its niche) he always says that OEM, or OEM+ will never go out of style, and this is true for the most part because it keeps the heritage to the vehicle. When i first started working on my bike i had the idea that it would be cut here and there, then this would be done, and yadadada. But now when i look at it, I just think oh OEM or OEM+, kinda like the hybrid cb500/550/650's that creep around.
Really i just don't wanna cut into a good frame, I'm gonna be a big baby about it.

[dave500]

maybe they are making new artifacts out of old ones?

[Wobbly]

If you don't like old stuff, get a new bike.

My thought exactly.

In my case, it's the Honda that is dear to me. I would not trade it for anything. But if I feel like maximum performance, I use the RR.

[dave500]

as far as riding bikes im an old #$%* now,my reflexes would never allow me to ride even the most ordinary commuter bike to its full potential,i like riding my historical artifact in an historical sort of way?