Topic: Just what style of bike says "you"

[dusterdude]

whine f***kin whine.

[ProTeal55]

As most of you know I am goin ging for the
Streetfighter / Bobber / Cafe / Industrial / Digger look on my CB.
Once I get a few more parts on/offa it I will be closer to my goal....

[seaweb11]

Just adjusted my high idle, cleaned the pods and got the neutral light working.......70 degrees and sunny.
This Clubman 750 boy is going "Greyhound" and dropping a load all over the Island

[GroovieGhoulie]

Stocker, followed closely by the Cafe Racers.  But Cafe Racers built in the British Idiom, having NOTHING to do with American "style", ie bobbers, choppers, etc.

Can't STAND choppers.  They all look alike.  Rigid frame, ridiculous amounts of rake, springer front end, apehangers, solo (spring) seat, v-twin engine, forward foot controls, lots of billet aluminum, overly fat rear tire, etc.

Can someone build an American bike WITHOUT any of those features?

[ProTeal55]

Can someone build an American bike WITHOUT any of those features?

Doubt it 

[Terry in Australia]

Stocker, followed closely by the Cafe Racers.  But Cafe Racers built in the British Idiom, having NOTHING to do with American "style", ie bobbers, choppers, etc.

Can't STAND choppers.  They all look alike.  Rigid frame, ridiculous amounts of rake, springer front end, apehangers, solo (spring) seat, v-twin engine, forward foot controls, lots of billet aluminum, overly fat rear tire, etc.

Can someone build an American bike WITHOUT any of those features?

Buell.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Stocker, followed closely by the Cafe Racers.  But Cafe Racers built in the British Idiom, having NOTHING to do with American "style", ie bobbers, choppers, etc.

Can't STAND choppers.  They all look alike.  Rigid frame, ridiculous amounts of rake, springer front end, apehangers, solo (spring) seat, v-twin engine, forward foot controls, lots of billet aluminum, overly fat rear tire, etc.

Can someone build an American bike WITHOUT any of those features?

Buell.

The Buell is on the right track, but it still uses that heavy, underpowered lump of an engine.  Imagine what they could accomplish if they dropped that outdated sportster engine.

[ProTeal55]

Word on the street is that the new buell will be using the V-ROD powerplant..
We shall see...

[ofreen]

The Buell is on the right track, but it still uses that heavy, underpowered lump of an engine.  Imagine what they could accomplish if they dropped that outdated sportster engine.

Have you had a chance to ride a Buell?  You might be surprised.

[GroovieGhoulie]

The Buell is on the right track, but it still uses that heavy, underpowered lump of an engine.  Imagine what they could accomplish if they dropped that outdated sportster engine.

Have you had a chance to ride a Buell?  You might be surprised.

Never ridden one, it's true.  But my buddy's '04 CBR600 is making 115 HP compared to the Buell 1200's 103 and he has HALF the displacement of the Buell.  Buell is doing some very innovative and new things with frame, suspension and brake design, now they just need to come into the 21st century in the engine department.

The 1200 v-twin is heavy, tall and requires many design compromises to work around the weight and bulk.  Some of them have led the way to innovations, such as the gasoline in the frame and oil in the swingarm,(which I think is pretty cool actually), but even if they wanted to stick to a twin design, a vertical twin or L-twin like the RC51 or Ducati would be better, IMO.

What can I say, I'm a four-cylinder devotee (though some twins are OK) and a Honda man for life.  Honda is the Alpha and the Omega in motorcycling to me.  The only exception are some Britbikes.

[Terry in Australia]

You better tell your mate with that 600 to make room mate, word on the street is Eric Buell has succeeded in liberating 150 BHP out of that outdated ol' Sportster lump! I wanty!

[unlucky71]

Stocker, followed closely by the Cafe Racers.  But Cafe Racers built in the British Idiom, having NOTHING to do with American "style", ie bobbers, choppers, etc.

Can't STAND choppers.  They all look alike.  Rigid frame, ridiculous amounts of rake, springer front end, apehangers, solo (spring) seat, v-twin engine, forward foot controls, lots of billet aluminum, overly fat rear tire, etc.

Can someone build an American bike WITHOUT any of those features?

YES. A a small Portland Oregon Company bought the Norton name and started making a Commando. This is their first year of "mass" production. I am absolutley in love with this bike.
If you haven't seen it, here's the link.
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bike/961_gallery.asp

[Terry in Australia]

I want one too, and for $10,995 or $13995, I'm only 10-13 grand short! Woohoo! I'm on my way!

[bill440cars]

               I've always like the Nortons since way back in the 50's and I'm always glad to see an old
       respected brand make a comeback. I've been on there email list since I first heard about them
       trying to bring the Norton back. That's about all I can do is look and dream about the tough new
       ones. Oh well, at least Someone will be able to enjoy them from the seat, while some of us enjoy
       them from afar. I'm also waiting on the email from Indian on their (hopefully, final) return       
       In case you haven't noticed, I'm a sucker for nostalgic bikes.  Later on, Bill.

[ofreen]

Never ridden one, it's true.  But my buddy's '04 CBR600 is making 115 HP compared to the Buell 1200's 103 and he has HALF the displacement of the Buell. 

Like I said, if you ride a Buell, you will be surprised.  Especially if you ride it back to back with a CBR600.  The Buell's torque makes it very responsive.  Ride one if you get a chance.

[ProTeal55]

I have heard nothing but horror stories from Buell owners, as far as leaks, poor build quality issues, etc. I would LOVE to own one, as I think they look killer, good stance, nice brakes,etc, but the last thing I want is a bike that is less reliable than my 1972 Honda 

P.S. ---> That new Norton is HOT !

[unlucky71]

I want one too, and for $10,995 or $13995, I'm only 10-13 grand short! Woohoo! I'm on my way!

Yeah, i don't have the scratch for one either Terry. By the time i could afford one, maybe it'll be my mid-life crisis bike.  .
As far as the Buells go, personally they are the worst sportbike I have ever ridden. My K8 handles better. Harley Davidson should have stuck to golf carts.  They're cheap and they do look cool, but a nightmare to maintain, and way top heavy. If we're going there, in my humble opinion the Suzuki SV650 wins hands down in the cheap sportbike category. Not american mind you, but a great naked look and near race ready for about $5000.

[bill440cars]

Can someone build an American bike WITHOUT any of those features?

YES. A a small Portland Oregon Company bought the Norton name and started making a Commando. This is their first year of "mass" production. I am absolutely in love with this bike.
If you haven't seen it, here's the link.
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bike/961_gallery.asp

 Hey you guys, Have you seen the May issue of Cycle World? Now, I've never been much of a Triumph fan, even though I did like the looks of the old Bonneville and all. The New Triumph 900 Scrambler is in there for the 1st roadtest and the long awaited Norton Commando! Retro design continues! Too bad the prices Weren't"t a little closer to Retro. Just thought I'd lay that on you all, even though I had to lay the magazine down to do it. I don't subscribe any more, I just check each month to see if there is enough in there( and in Motorcyclist) to make it worthwhile to buy. well,
that's all I've got, now back to the articles. later on, Bill

[ProTeal55]

I am def. a big fan of the new New/Retro thing going on now-a-days.
I like the new Norton, as well as the Triumph , ducati, etc.
I wonder when good ol' Honda will come out with a Retro/New CB ?

[bill440cars]

I am def. a big fan of the new New/Retro thing going on now-a-days.
I like the new Norton, as well as the Triumph , ducati, etc.
I wonder when good ol' Honda will come out with a Retro/New CB ?

           I don't know about a retro750 but, somewhere I read and saw pictures of a proposed Vincent
  (I think it's called "Black Lightning") with a Honda engine but, I don't remember which engine (I'm
  thinking it was either a V twin or a V4). It was pretty classic looking like the original Vincent's. I'll try
  to find out about it again and let you know, if you'd like.  Later on, Bill

[Terry in Australia]

G'Day Bill, there's a guy here in Oz still making "Vincents", Terry Prince is his name, and he can build you an "Egli-Vincent" replica, using all new parts that he manufactures himself! Maybe it's the bike Eric Buell should have made! Cheers, Terry.

 http://www.classicmotorbikes.com.au/

[Terry in Australia]

As far as the Buells go, personally they are the worst sportbike I have ever ridden. My K8 handles better. Harley Davidson should have stuck to golf carts.  They're cheap and they do look cool, but a nightmare to maintain, and way top heavy.

Geez your K8 must be a fine handler mate, one of my workmates does his daily 120 mile country road commute on a Buell XB12 Firebolt, and you can't smack the smile off his face! I've ridden it, and it feels great to me.

Maintenance shouldn't be a problem either with electronic ignition, hydraulic lifters etc, I thought it would be more "set and forget"? His is quite a high mileage bike for it's relatively young age, , but apart from having to replace a front brake disc recently (which is quite common on sportsbikes with the aggressive brakes fitted nowadays) and buying a better "Works performance" rear shock, it's first 20,000 miles have been trouble free? Cheers, Terry.

[bill440cars]

G'Day Bill, there's a guy here in Oz still making "Vincents", Terry Prince is his name, and he can build you an "Egli-Vincent" replica, using all new parts that he manufactures himself! Maybe it's the bike Eric Buell should have made! Cheers, Terry.

 http://www.classicmotorbikes.com.au/

 

                              Terry, only one thing to say AWESOME

                                                  STILL  AWESTRUCK,   Bill

[bill440cars]

    Hey Terry,
                I found what I was looking for originally, I found the info in a copy of Motorcycle Cruiser a
    while back.  Today, I found that, if you will go to  vincentmotor.com,  you'll find that they have 4
    models. 1. Black Shadow 2. Black Lightning "S" 3. Black Lightning "ST" & 4. Black Eagle.
    The engine that they are using is the 1,000cc V-twin, RC51 Sportbike Engine. Check it out. I'm
    not up to the point of being able to add links to a post yet.

                                                          Later on,  Bill

[mrbreeze]

I rode a buddy at works Norton 850 Commando for a few miles back in the late 70's and I can say that was one hell of a machine.This was before I ever rode any 4 cyl. bike.I had ridden a few Triumphs(500,650) a Yamaha 650 twin but never a 4 banger.The Norton was so superior to the others until I rode the 74 Kawi 900 Z1 that I bought.Once I rode that,I was hooked!!! As far as twins,I will always remember that Norton as being the bomb of twins.