Author Topic: We all love 4s - but what's the best 2 cyl classic? (Read 9439 times)

jawntybull · « **on:** August 12, 2011, 11:55:26 PM »

I'm still working on my CB750 but am starting to think about a smaller runabout bike. As I have 3 bikes already I'd say in the interests of marital harmony I have to limit myself to a classic (30 years old or more) on club plates.

Opinions please - what's the best 2cyl classic bike?

mrbreeze · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2011, 12:06:13 AM »

I would rock a Norton. If you don't mind oil leaks and crappy electrics.....Triumphs are cool. Not real in the know with BSA but I'm guessing they are pretty much like a Triumph. Old Harleys were cool when running but before the Evo motor came out....they would pretty much shake themselves apart. Another one I would rock is a Yami 650.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2011, 12:07:35 AM »

OH.....and a DOHC Honda 450!!!!

Danno · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2011, 12:10:59 AM »

if I had to get a different old classic to run about on then i would get a 360 T honda or a KZ400 both get real good mileage 60+

dave500 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2011, 01:03:53 AM »

xs 650.

strynboen · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2011, 01:29:31 AM »

CB-77 sohc....

Greggo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:18:00 AM »

Quote from: strynboen on August 13, 2011, 01:29:31 AM

CB-77 sohc....

Beat me to it. BLACK BOMBER!

strynboen · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:23:27 AM »

just at good...like both 8)vhen i tranlate that in google it abauts boats..hvat have i vrote???damed i never get it...

mick7504 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2011, 02:31:18 AM »

Yami XS650 or RD400.
Miss ém both.

dhall57 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2011, 03:44:49 AM »

Before Honda took over of course there was the Triumph, BSA, Norton, Harley V twin but has been stated before not that reliable and required constance maintenance.
All of the early Honda twins were good bikes:
CB175
305 Dream
CB350
CB360
CB450DOHC
I've had a 175 and a 360 and both were good small bikes. A lot is said about the 360 and the cam chain but I never had a problem with mine.

Getting away from the Honda line, and stepping up in size and horses I always liked the Yamaha 650 twin and if I remember it was reliable and got good reviews.

Scott S · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2011, 04:29:36 AM »

Yamaha XS650. The best British bike the Japanese ever built.

The engines are bullet proof. Thy're simple and easy to work on, parts are available everywhere, and you can do ANYthing with them.
Here are a few I've built over the years. I still own the '75 and my Dad now has the black '83 and the soft tail bobber. The others, I've sold.

millerza · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2011, 04:37:46 AM »

Quote from: strynboen on August 13, 2011, 02:23:27 AM

just at good...like both 8)vhen i tranlate that in google it abauts boats..hvat have i vrote???damed i never get it...

some posts from europe crack me up.......sorry to make fun...but it is funny

strynboen · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2011, 04:41:11 AM »

;)dont say sorry ,,its is fun..

...but ok i take a break..and try to learn more before i vright ..its funny a fev times but..not 750 times in 2 years

dave500 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2011, 04:46:43 AM »

briggs and stratton do a good vee twin.

malcolmgb · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2011, 05:09:46 AM »

Quote from: millerza on August 13, 2011, 04:37:46 AM

Quote from: strynboen on August 13, 2011, 02:23:27 AM
just at good...like both 8)vhen i tranlate that in google it abauts boats..hvat have i vrote???damed i never get it...

some posts from europe crack me up.......sorry to make fun...but it is funny

When English isn't your first language it must be hard to to get the information and help we take for granted, I applaud him for his attempt to learn a 2nd language to further his hobby.
Sadly even people who have English as a 1st language both here and elsewhere either can't or don't speak it.
Well done strynboen and good luck for the future.

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2011, 05:17:13 AM »

Quote from: strynboen on August 13, 2011, 04:41:11 AM

;)dont say sorry ,,its is fun.. ...but ok i take a break..and try to learn more before i vright ..its funny a fev times but..not 750 times in 2 years

I'll trade languages with you. Most of my favorite bands are from your area I'm sure.

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2011, 05:19:53 AM »

+1 on the xs although I hear they are dogs. I've never ridden one but my friend chops them up all the time. Only 2 power pulses per revolution. The great thing about 4's are the 4 power pulses. How would an xs fair against a small 4? I bet a well tuned 400 would keep up.

dave500 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2011, 05:23:16 AM »

a well tuned 400 will eat the xs 650 dust man!

jessezm · « **Reply #18 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:00:11 AM »

+++1 on The XS650. Was my 1st bike, 2nd bike, 5th bike, and 7th bike! Yeah it may rattle a bit with with its 360 degree crank, but guess what? You can convert them to a 270 degree and they tick over like a norton! You can bore the hell out of em, slap some Mikuni roundslides on, and other performance engine parts are relatively cheap and accessible (Mike's XS and a few others have almost anything you need). I went from the stock 43hp to about 65 with a 750 kit, megacycle cam, shell thuett heads, 1/2 mile pipes, and mikuni roundslides, and I didn't spend half as much as I did on my cb400f. Plus the low-end torque is really great fun around town. They are really fun to modify, too (although I personally have a severe distaste for "choppers"). If I were to build a brat, that's what I would use.

Yeah, I'd love to have a Norton or Triumph, but lets face it, they are just really expensive around these parts! But two other (not parallel) twins I'd consider would be a BMW 75/5 or 75/6, or an old Guzzi. I has a new Guzzi V11 sport and it was amazingly fun to ride. God I love a bike with 6 gears!

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:07:15 AM »

Quote from: dave500 on August 13, 2011, 04:46:43 AM

briggs and stratton do a good vee twin.

The only time I ever watched American Choppers was when they made that lawnmower Bike with the vanguard briggs vtwin. Since I was a kid I've always wanted to build a tracker that utilized a large old briggs vtwin flathead. Just because it would be cool. Then again I always wanted to make a harley 4 cylinder, although Motus is doing that now based off of old muscle car technology.

dave500 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:07:53 AM »

i would not love to have a norton or a triumph,,thats why i have a honda four,and thats why im typing this,have a look here jessezm
http://www.xs650.org.au/kev's%20turbo.htmno affililiation just a link.

Steve_K · « **Reply #21 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:10:00 AM »

Any sport type Ducati, bevel drive, super sport model. The first belt drive cam models look and go good. Lovely to look at and have a great sound!
Steve

m in sc · « **Reply #22 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:17:25 AM »

any rd, or t-500 suzuki

an old bsa500 is a dead nuts reliable tractor too.

I have a74 moto morini thats actually a fantastic bike. But not practical as all parts are unobtainium.

RustyJC · « **Reply #23 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:37:02 AM »

I've owned a CB77 and a CB350 (my wife's), but I still have a soft spot in my heart (and probably my head for even thinking it!

) for a Norton 750 Commando. A college buddy of mine had one back in the early 70s at the same time I had my current CB750 - it was a beautiful, strong-running bike (when the Lucas electrics were under the right sign in the stars and he held his mouth just right).

Rusty

dave500 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:03:08 AM »

commando,not to be confused with arnold.

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Author Topic: We all love 4s - but what's the best 2 cyl classic? (Read 9439 times)