Author Topic: CB750K7 Nine Lives Cafe Racer - au revoir (Read 186632 times)

Tews19 · « **Reply #575 on:** July 18, 2016, 02:55:41 PM »

That's great news. Does that mean you are keeping the bike?

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #576 on:** July 18, 2016, 03:05:10 PM »

That is indeed awesome news, Don.
You're a heck of a friend to be willing to sell your bike to help pay for his medical bills though. Well done, sir.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #577 on:** July 18, 2016, 03:24:35 PM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on July 18, 2016, 03:05:10 PM

That is indeed awesome news, Don.
You're a heck of a friend to be willing to sell your bike to help pay for his medical bills though. Well done, sir.

Jay is a great dude. I'm just happy he doesn't have to go through chemo, etc. a third time.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #578 on:** July 18, 2016, 03:25:31 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 18, 2016, 02:55:41 PM

That's great news. Does that mean you are keeping the bike?

It's the best news I've heard in a while. Not sure. I might still sell it to thin the heard and make room, but I'm not sure.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #579 on:** July 20, 2016, 09:53:59 PM »

Well, for better or for worse, I said good-bye to the Nine Lives bike tonight. She gave all Nine Lives since I picked her up so many years ago. I am reminded how much she fought along much of the way, by the current trials experienced by riverfever. I had fun with her for a couple of years after I got her sorted out, and I am sure I will miss her.

I now have a new 2016 Triumph Thruxton R in my garage with some goodies for it on the way.

I still have my 550 Stocker-ish bike and my other projects, so I will still have my classics. I just have a modern classic in the stable now.

Bigsam302 · « **Reply #580 on:** July 21, 2016, 09:16:26 AM »

That's awesome Don! It's always hard to get rid of something that you've put so much work into. The Triumph is a pretty cool bike. I'm pretty sure that you will enjoy her!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #581 on:** July 21, 2016, 09:36:46 AM »

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed [12]00cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one." - Hunter S. Thompson

First Ride on the new bike

Good morning to you, too!

Gene · « **Reply #582 on:** July 21, 2016, 10:28:25 AM »

Shiny.

riverfever · « **Reply #583 on:** July 21, 2016, 10:47:02 AM »

Man that is nice looking Don.

brandEn · « **Reply #584 on:** July 21, 2016, 03:14:31 PM »

I feel your pain. I recently sold TAO. I loved to hate that bike but was sad to see her go. I'm sure you felt the same. Looks like some retail therapy helped get you through. Nice ride. I would love one of those!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #585 on:** July 21, 2016, 03:51:50 PM »

Nice, ride report...?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #586 on:** July 21, 2016, 04:46:16 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 21, 2016, 03:51:50 PM

Nice, ride report...?

Mick,

I've only had limited test rides and the ride home from the dealer last night. The test rides were more spirited. The bike as about 82 ft/lbs of torque and wants to wheelie in 2nd if you twist the throttle generously. The TC kicks in and sets the front down gently. Sport mode has much more instant throttle response than road; and rain mode is sedate.

The bike handles and stops well, courtesy of a Showa BFF fork (similar to the last gen GSXR, Honda, Yamaha), Ohlins dual piggy back rear shocks, and Brembos monoblocks in front.

The power delivery is similar to a BMW R nine T. The seating position is slightly more sporty but very comfortable (especially compared to a true sport bike).

The bike has switchable TC and ABS and very sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tires. It is easy to flick. The R nine T is somewhat easier to manhandle since it has handlebars vs. the Thruxton's higher riser clip-ons.

The build quality is excellent, although the BMW has slightly better finishes. The Thruxton does not feel cheap, but very refined.

I have to break it in over the next 600 miles.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #587 on:** July 21, 2016, 04:57:22 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on July 21, 2016, 04:46:16 PM

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 21, 2016, 03:51:50 PM
Nice, ride report...?

Mick,

I've only had limited test rides and the ride home from the dealer last night. The test rides were more spirited. The bike as about 82 ft/lbs of torque and wants to wheelie in 2nd if you twist the throttle generously. The TC kicks in and sets the front down gently. Sport mode has much more instant throttle response than road; and rain mode is sedate.

The bike handles and stops well, courtesy of a Showa BFF fork (similar to the last gen GSXR, Honda, Yamaha), Ohlins dual piggy back rear shocks, and Brembos monoblocks in front.

The power delivery is similar to a BMW R nine T. The seating position is slightly more sporty but very comfortable (especially compared to a true sport bike).

The bike has switchable TC and ABS and very sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tires. It is easy to flick. The R nine T is somewhat easier to manhandle since it has handlebars vs. the Thruxton's higher riser clip-ons.

The build quality is excellent, although the BMW has slightly better finishes. The Thruxton does not feel cheap, but very refined.

I have to break it in over the next 600 miles.

Nice mate, I read most of the presale hype but there really wasn't much detailed ride reports, that 1200cc engine would be awesome and grunty. Does the bike feel heavy at all, they certainly look the part...

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #588 on:** July 21, 2016, 09:14:25 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 21, 2016, 04:57:22 PM

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on July 21, 2016, 04:46:16 PM
Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 21, 2016, 03:51:50 PM
Nice, ride report...?

Mick,

I've only had limited test rides and the ride home from the dealer last night. The test rides were more spirited. The bike as about 82 ft/lbs of torque and wants to wheelie in 2nd if you twist the throttle generously. The TC kicks in and sets the front down gently. Sport mode has much more instant throttle response than road; and rain mode is sedate.

The bike handles and stops well, courtesy of a Showa BFF fork (similar to the last gen GSXR, Honda, Yamaha), Ohlins dual piggy back rear shocks, and Brembos monoblocks in front.

The power delivery is similar to a BMW R nine T. The seating position is slightly more sporty but very comfortable (especially compared to a true sport bike).

The bike has switchable TC and ABS and very sticky Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tires. It is easy to flick. The R nine T is somewhat easier to manhandle since it has handlebars vs. the Thruxton's higher riser clip-ons.

The build quality is excellent, although the BMW has slightly better finishes. The Thruxton does not feel cheap, but very refined.

I have to break it in over the next 600 miles.

Nice mate, I read most of the presale hype but there really wasn't much detailed ride reports, that 1200cc engine would be awesome and grunty. Does the bike fe3el heave at all, they certainly look the part...

The Thruxton has plenty of torque. It does not feel heavy and has a much lower center of gravity than a CB.

I took the bike for a quick spin tonight to meet some friends who wanted to check it out.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #589 on:** July 22, 2016, 01:21:31 AM »

Sorry about the spelling mistakes, I was on my way out...

The bike looks great, I love the look of the parallel twins..!!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #590 on:** July 22, 2016, 06:20:38 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 22, 2016, 01:21:31 AM

Sorry about the spelling mistakes, I was on my way out... The bike looks great, I love the look of the parallel twins..!!

I took it for another ride this afternoon. It really is nimble. It turns much easier than my RC51 and feels planted. I haven't been able to take advantage of the best part of the torque band, since I'm supposed to keep it under 4K right now. At 3.5K rpms it comes alive and starts pulling hard. I also used the SPORT mode which has a much more immediate throttle response.

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #591 on:** July 22, 2016, 09:20:38 PM »

How many break-in miles do you have to do before they let you rev her up, Don?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #592 on:** July 22, 2016, 09:46:06 PM »

Quote from: Restoration Fan on July 22, 2016, 09:20:38 PM

How many break-in miles do you have to do before they let you rev her up, Don?

Funny you should ask, Ron. I was just removing the annoying warning stickers on the bike. Here's the one addressing break-in:

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #593 on:** July 23, 2016, 01:55:27 AM »

I cant even fathom owning any vehicle that fresh and new

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #594 on:** July 23, 2016, 07:13:47 AM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on July 23, 2016, 01:55:27 AM

I cant even fathom owning any vehicle that fresh and new

This is the first one I've ever purchased brand new. The RC51 looked new but had 1800 miles. I wish the rev limits were not so conservative during break in. I'm gearing up now to go put in some miles.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #595 on:** June 20, 2017, 02:17:22 PM »

I just heard this bike finally sold (I traded it to a dealer for my new Thruxton 1200R). It'll be strange to see someone else riding it.

Stev-o · « **Reply #596 on:** June 20, 2017, 08:12:43 PM »

Hey Don....do you realize it's been over 8 years since you bought this bike?
And way back then, you brought it to Carpy to have the bars changed?!

Wow....times have changed...

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #597 on:** June 20, 2017, 08:50:09 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on June 20, 2017, 08:12:43 PM

Hey Don....do you realize it's been over 8 years since you bought this bike?
And way back then, you brought it to Carpy to have the bars changed?!

Wow....times have changed...

Many lessons learned since then . . .

Tews19 · « **Reply #598 on:** June 25, 2017, 08:04:54 PM »

Oh I wonder what Carpy charged to change out the bars?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #599 on:** July 03, 2017, 09:35:38 AM »

I just signed up for flickr (since photobucket decided to extort its users), so here's a test using flickr.

imagejpg10_zpsa46185b1 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

News:

Author Topic: CB750K7 Nine Lives Cafe Racer - au revoir (Read 186632 times)