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How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Printable Version

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RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Nortoon_imp - 01-03-2018

(01-03-2018, 03:44 AM)use2b_imp Wrote: the Norton's were good looking bikes but could be stubborn to start.
I rode with a group on NCO's in the mid 70's and one Marine had an 850 Commando . he was a small guy and had so much trouble getting it started especially when hot . many times i would relieve him and kick on it a while . It did sound great but was not as fast at my CB750K at least with him riding it . I became very fond of electric starters

All the British bikes had a multi step procedure needed to start them. Open both fuel taps, tickle the carbs, give the kick starter a few easy kicks to free the clutch plates. Move the pistons to top dead center. You could always tell because it was point of the most compression. The kick starter had to be released and then brought to the top of its swing so you could give the motor a good spin. Some also had a lever on the handlebar to adjust the carburetion and idle. The setting varied depending on the warmth of the motor.

It was always my experience that the more you needed a British bike to start quickly (stalled at a new green light) the more trouble she gave you.

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - flynrider - 01-03-2018

(01-03-2018, 03:46 AM)Nortoon_imp Wrote: The British twins really thumped because both pistons rose and fell at the same time. The crankshaft flywheel on my BSA Lightnings was huge and heavy. But that's what gave them their great torque, that lumpy feel, and gorgeous exhaust note.

I rode my friends Yamaha 650 one day and it felt wimpy because of the opposed pistons.

My CB500XA was very smooth for a twin. It did not have the same strong feeling as my 650cc BSAs, but it was quick. Both were supposed to be 48 horsepower, but the 500 had fuel injection and a 6-speed transmission.

I believe the Yammie XS650 had a 360 degree crank, with both pistons rising and falling together.

My KZ750 twins also had this configuration. The primary vibration was rough. Eventually causing some parts to fall off due to metal fatigue.

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Django - 01-03-2018

I had a XS650 with the 360° straight-twin, too. Loved it, but the sound was kind of boring.

Also I had a CB500T with a 180° straight-twin, the successor of the CB450.

The XS650 just made "rrrrrrr", while the CB500T had a much more interesting exhaust note because of the irregular firing interval present in 180° crank engines.

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - the Ferret - 01-03-2018

I had 3 650 Yamahas.. 73 TX650, 79 XS 650, and 81 XS 650 Special. Really liked the bikes, but they were not what I would call civilized lol

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Ulvetanna_imp - 01-04-2018

Here's yet another. Eighteen-inch wheels, too.

[url=https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/team/]Janus. They make three models. American company.

[Image: d00f20ed0b9ed1863f3ec765d45564ec.]

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - LongRanger_imp - 01-04-2018

Wow, an Earles fork. Now THAT'S retro!

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Ulvetanna_imp - 01-04-2018

(01-04-2018, 05:25 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: Wow, an Earles fork. Now THAT'S retro!
Lol, I was pretty shocked myself. But what a pretty bike! And not expensive. I'd get one just to put in the living room. That thing makes the CB1100 look like Star Wars or something.

Here again we see an Asian power plant, this time from China, along with some other minor components from foreign shores.

Light System
Calipers and master cylinder
Engine (China)
Air Filter
Carburetor (Kei Hin Technology)
IKON Suspension (Australia)

The rest of it's homemade. And four shocks; not just two, but four.

The thing probably requires a light touch to ride, but what a conversation starter.
[url=https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/gryffin-250-scrambler-motorcycle#gryffinvideo]Just watched this video. Unbelievable.


RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Bheezy27403_imp - 01-05-2018

(01-04-2018, 02:17 AM)Ulvetanna_imp Wrote: Here's yet another. Eighteen-inch wheels, too.

[url=https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/team/]Janus. They make three models. American company.

[Image: d00f20ed0b9ed1863f3ec765d45564ec.]

Me Likey!

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - Aussieflyer - 01-05-2018

(01-05-2018, 08:42 AM)Bheezy27403_imp Wrote:
(01-04-2018, 02:17 AM)Ulvetanna_imp Wrote: Here's yet another. Eighteen-inch wheels, too.

[url=https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/team/]Janus. They make three models. American company.

[Image: d00f20ed0b9ed1863f3ec765d45564ec.]

Me Likey!

Me Likey!
+1 Thumbs Up

RE: How many modern retro motorcycles are still being offered today? - rboe - 01-06-2018

2016 Guzzi rally in Datil New Mexico (or was it 2015?) a fellow showed up with a very nice toy hauler trailer. One of the toys was a new Norton. Oh man, what a good looking bike. He rode it too.