Author Topic: Going Retro! (Read 3296 times)

Ted Nomura · « **on:** April 17, 2006, 02:58:15 PM »

I noticed that both auto and motorcycle industries are releasing a wave of retro-styled vehicles. Good for baby-boomer like me who likes the looks of retro with a reliability of the new. Maybe someday Honda will introduce a new CB750 that'll look like their original 1969/70 version. I'd also like to see Kawasaki buy BSA trademark so they can convert their W650 to look like the classic Gold Star.

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:03:40 PM »

In Europe it started in the 90's.

Meet the CB Seven Fifty and guess which bike it is inspired in

[img width= height=]http://www.motoforum.cz/galerie/images/Honda_CB750_Seven-Fifty_1.jpg[/img]

And also some Z1 replicas: Kawasaki Zephyr and Suzuki GSX-f 750

Raul

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:37:27 PM »

I just saw a pic of the new Norton Commando which I guess is going to
be built pretty soon.
Looks tough !

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:42:03 PM »

The new Norton's are being built in the US, with all the technological advances as inverted forks and disk brakes. They remind me of the new retro Ducatis.

heffay · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2006, 05:08:17 PM »

wow... the red honda and suzy really do look identical for the most part

tsflstb · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2006, 05:12:14 PM »

Looks like Norton is going to suspend operations.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/04/16/norton-motorcycles-suspend-operations/

It's a shame. I like these a lot more than the new Ducati retro series. Kenny Dreer is really into these bikes. He's been restoring and modifying the originals for a long time. I hope he can pull this off.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2006, 08:18:51 AM »

Indian Motorcycle Company (which closed it's door's in 2003) is comming back
as well. The parent company of Chris Craft Boats bought the name, and is sinking a
boatlad of cash into the company.

Maybe this time it will stick around for awhile....?

eldar · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2006, 08:21:19 AM »

I would do the retro thing. I like th old v45/65 bikes and the later cb750s.

dusterdude · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2006, 10:10:55 AM »

man,europe gets all the cool bikes.

crazypj · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2006, 10:38:05 AM »

Quote from: Ted Nomura on April 17, 2006, 02:58:15 PM

I noticed that both auto and motorcycle industries are releasing a wave of retro-styled vehicles. Good for baby-boomer like me who likes the looks of retro with a reliability of the new. Maybe someday Honda will introduce a new CB750 that'll look like their original 1969/70 version. I'd also like to see Kawasaki buy BSA trademark so they can convert their W650 to look like the classic Gold Star.

The 'classic' Gold Star was a 500cc single cyl.
W650 engine looks more like a Royal Enfield
Isnt there someone in Scotland making inline 4 Indians?
PJ

ElCheapo · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2006, 06:01:37 PM »

Norton Commando 961 Signature Series.......... I AM IN >>>>LOVE<<<< The bike is trully awsome. I can tell you what my next cafe seat will look like

unlucky71 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2006, 06:45:29 PM »

Quote from: tsflstb on April 18, 2006, 05:12:14 PM

Looks like Norton is going to suspend operations.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/04/16/norton-motorcycles-suspend-operations/

NOOOOO! Now I'll never get the chance to own one. Not that my standard of living doesn't already keep me from such luxuries.

ofreen · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2006, 08:11:08 PM »

Quote from: Ted Nomura on April 17, 2006, 02:58:15 PM

Maybe someday Honda will introduce a new CB750 that'll look like their original 1969/70 version.

What is missing from the 'retro' Hondas is the look of the engine. The SOHC4 Honda engine has a unique look and to my eye it is one of the more interesting 4 cylinder motorcycle engines.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2006, 01:57:30 AM »

Quote

What is missing from the 'retro' Hondas is the look of the engine. The SOHC4 Honda engine has a unique look and to my eye it is one of the more interesting 4 cylinder motorcycle engines.

I agree. Even if everything else were the same, it would have that "close, but not quite" look.

toycollector10 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2006, 03:28:42 AM »

It's called "the old look in the new style" and it's basically, mostly, crap. Chrysler PT Cruiser...ooops. Although they do get it a bit right at times....Whadarya? Lets stick to what we know boys!

Ted Nomura · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2006, 01:00:16 PM »

I'd also like to see H-D make an 1977-1978 XLCR type with modern Sportster engines. Buell looks too radical for me.
I don't mind the DOHC CB750 with 1969-1970 styling, I actually drew what it might look in Tigers of Terra V2#4-5 issues, along with CL750 scrambler and SS750 cafe racer. I still miss the kickstarter though. With headlight laws putting a lot of drain in the batteries, back-up is always welcome. One time my 1983 Yamaha XZ550RK Vision won't start due to vapor lock and battery ran dry. Tried to push started but it was a bare, finally managed to do it after engine cooled down. Never again!
I think Kawasaki Zepher failed because it didn't have that classy 4 mufflers. That was the main reason why I didn't buy it when I had the chance. The same for the CB750 Nighthawks.
The new Triumph is creating many exciting new models. I think Honda is missing big time. The new Scrambler came very close to what I've been looking for in decades but it's too heavy (by 100lbs)and I prefer smaller and lighter engine, maybe in 650 cc class. New 500cc engines makes as much power as 900cc of yesterday. One of the best Triumph made was single-carbed 500 or 650ss twins without that tall oil-in-frame. If it had modern electronics with better brakes, I think it'll be perfect for average Joe like me.

dusterdude · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2006, 01:58:13 PM »

yea,it seems like honda only wants to build cruisers and the goldwing and cbr`s that anyone elses 600`s will blow into the weeds.

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2006, 02:24:43 PM »

Quote from: dusterdude on April 20, 2006, 01:58:13 PM

yea,it seems like honda only wants to build ...snip... cbr`s that anyone elses 600`s will blow into the weeds.

That's one thing I don't get about Honda. They are the biggest and (to me) the best, so why don't they build their sportbikes to cream everyone else? I know guys who ride sportbikes and they all worship at the cult of Suzuki and the GSXR. Apparently, according to them, the GSXR is the fastest in each displacement class it's sold in. The ZX bikes from Kawasaki are supposed to be insanely fast and I admit I don't know much about Yamahas.

Why is Honda seeming to sit the war out? They STARTED the superbike thing with the CB750, so why are they not caring? They had the fastest bike on the planet with the Blackbird, then the Hayabusa came out, whipped it and Honda just packed up and went home. Now the Kawa ZX-14 comes out to be a Hayabusa killer and rumor has it that Suzuki is going to answer with a 1600cc 'Busa. Its ANOTHER HP war and Honda is pussing out.

The CBR1000RR gets panned in all the magazines and blown out by the ZX-10. Mags seem to love Kawasaki. Suzuki and Yamaha too. Not too much love for Honda, I find.

WTF??

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2006, 02:41:57 PM »

Honda CBR's are the top sellers in the sport bike niche in Spain. They may not be the fastest, or the lightest, but they are great all-rounders. Buyers can buy the CBR600F, a fast sport tourer, or a CBR600RR, a radical SuperSport. To what I know, the other three just offer a version of their bikes.

To what I know, after Suzuki released the Hayabusa the four japanese makers agreed not to build any bike that will exceed 300 km/h (180 mph). There was some lawsuits back then because of the advertising promoting reckless driving, but I think the four makers wanted to put an end to the competition on who will build the fastest bike. 180 mph is enough, and it doesn't make sense to make something faster than the Super BlackBird, a bike whose limit almost anybody can reach.

FWIW, "Hayabusa" is the japanese name of a falcon that can reach 180 mph when diving for attack, and also have among its prey the blackbirds...

Regarding the exhaust, if it's not the four-into-four, I love a big, thick sport muffler pointing skywards from the right side of the bike. I don't like the new trend of hiding the mufflers below the seat. The Suzuki GSX750F whose picture I posted is one of my favourites. The problem with that, as with many Suzukis, is that it doesn't stand a closer look. The quality of finish -much plastic and fake chrome- is lightyears away from Honda, in my opinion.

Raul

News:

Author Topic: Going Retro! (Read 3296 times)

eldar

ElCheapo

unlucky71