Topic: The old girls can handle!! Shots from the tail of the Dragon

[Kanticoy]

Took a Trip to Deal's Gap this weekend and rode the 400f.  She performed flawlessly.  I even out handled my buddies on their Katanas.  They told me they had trouble keeping up with me.  I admit, I was flogging it, but man what a rush! 

I went out to unload the trailer today, and when I came back, the wife had found these.  Love em.







The Ohlins rears and racetech guts up front are the business.  I'm ready to go back!

[Rgconner]

I hear amazing things about that ride, sounds like it was an epic run!

I am constantly amazed by the handling of these bikes and how well they stand up to "modern" bikes when properly maintained.

[camelman]

Man, I agree about the handling of these bikes. My 350f feels like a mountain bike in my hands when im on twisty roads. It is remarkably flickable and I always dust my riding buddies on the tight stuff. When I swap in my 466, I think I'll get them in the more wide open stuff too.

[WarwickE36]

Great Pics...

Where did you get the Ohlins and how much if you dont mind me asking

[JBMorse]

What cool pictures!  Your bike looks great.  That's a really awesome road.  I did a little section of it last summer after coming from Smokey Mountain NP via the Old Parsons Bridge Road.  That was an adventure!  It's a one lane dirt road, basically a carriage road through the woods about 8 miles long. The old Honda handled both fine but later some Harley guys asked us if we thought they could ride through the Parson's Bridge Road and I said, "mmm.. I doubt it"

[Tim2005]

Great Pics...

Where did you get the Ohlins and how much if you dont mind me asking

And how are they mounted? There looks something different about the lower mounting position. BTW, what tyres are those... tis always good to know tyres that corner well on a 400.

[jahmic]

Awesome shots! 

I love the Gap.  I've made a few trips there myself in previous years...the Dragon is a rush, and there is great riding ALL OVER THE PLACE out there.

As a side note, one of the groups that I used to ride with has an annual meet up there (yzf600r.com).  They were actually there this past weekend, probably about 30+ guys made the trip.

So, if you saw an overabundance of YZF600Rs...that'd be why 

[Kanticoy]

Hey guys!

Yes, the roads are incredible.  I can't believe that pretty much everything there is such a riding experience.  Everywhere you go there is some beautiful riding.  Wonderful weekend.

The Ohlins shocks are made for the Japanese market CB-1.  I bought them out of Japan because the 2 bikes are within 3 pounds of being identical weight. The mounting was tricky.  I used a CB360 swingarm that I had and had to build new elevated mounts for them for chain clearance.  They don't have the standard "drum" section on the shock, it is basically spring from eye to eye.  I also had to convert the mount to an eye mount on the bottom.  I am half way through building a boxed style swingarm for it now that includes a disk rear brake,  I just can't decide on how to build the rear wheel.  I found a GS750 rear that I clicked buy it now on on CrapBay, and somebody beat me to it by seconds.  So back to the drawing board.  Seriously considering buying the Omar's kit and using 2 XS65o fronts.

The fact is though, she handles AMAZINGLY.  Perfect shock for this bike.

[Kanticoy]

Oh and the tires are Shinko 712s.  I've run everything form Avons to Bridgesones, and this is all I use on my vintage bikes anymore.  Wonderful tire.

[coma13]

Oh and the tires are Shinko 712s.  I've run everything form Avons to Bridgesones, and this is all I use on my vintage bikes anymore.  Wonderful tire.

can't argue with that price point either!