Z900RS Dyno run

[flynrider]

The guys who created the custom bike for the Walking Dead series thought a fake kick starter would be a good idea.

When I first saw it, it was obvious that it started out as a last gen CB750 Nighthawk (which never had a kick starter). I did a double-take when I saw that kickstarter. Turns out there's nothing but air behind it. It sure adds to the retro look, doesn't it?

[pdedse]

I think the fake fins bother me the most. Just be what you are.

I hope there are enough purists out there to encourage Honda to continue building a reasonably authentic bike.

However, I am concerned that they may return to carburetor from the tone and content of some of the comments.

JK

That said, I rode my Wolf Classic 150 about 20 miles around town, hill, and dale, doing an errand. Took the long way.

Single cylinder, REAL cooling fins, and REAL kick starter, and a carburetor.. That thing truly holds its own in urban traffic; top speed is 65 mph+, and it is tempting to consider hopping onto the sidewalk.

It's about as simple as it gets. Regular gas, 85 mpg.

Maybe Honda could just add a kick starter to the '18 model?

Honestly, I wouldn't mind a carb. Maybe it's cause I've never really had problems with them. I've always been able to ride year round in the climates I've lived in, so they've never given me any issues.

I think the fake fins bother me the most. Just be what you are.

I hope there are enough purists out there to encourage Honda to continue building a reasonably authentic bike.

However, I am concerned that they may return to carburetor from the tone and content of some of the comments.

JK

That said, I rode my Wolf Classic 150 about 20 miles around town, hill, and dale, doing an errand. Took the long way.

Single cylinder, REAL cooling fins, and REAL kick starter, and a carburetor.. That thing truly holds its own in urban traffic; top speed is 65 mph+, and it is tempting to consider hopping onto the sidewalk.

It's about as simple as it gets. Regular gas, 85 mpg.

Maybe Honda could just add a kick starter to the '18 model?

Glad to hear you like that bike. How's it fit for you? I'd buy one but I'm over 6'3", pushing mid 50, and my hips keep reminding me that maybe I need a seat height 33" plus. Test rode an f800gs today...very nice ride, but goodness, the techno goodies on that thing makes my head spin.

I think the fake fins bother me the most. Just be what you are.

I hope there are enough purists out there to encourage Honda to continue building a reasonably authentic bike.

However, I am concerned that they may return to carburetor from the tone and content of some of the comments.

JK

That said, I rode my Wolf Classic 150 about 20 miles around town, hill, and dale, doing an errand. Took the long way.

Single cylinder, REAL cooling fins, and REAL kick starter, and a carburetor.. That thing truly holds its own in urban traffic; top speed is 65 mph+, and it is tempting to consider hopping onto the sidewalk.

It's about as simple as it gets. Regular gas, 85 mpg.

Maybe Honda could just add a kick starter to the '18 model?

Bring it...will probably cure my hips.

While a fake kick starter might sound ridiculous to most of us, I'm not sure that I'd be all that surprised to see a manufacturer some day add such a thing to a retro styled motorcycle and market it a "kick-assist starting system". (You'd still have to thumb the starter switch of course, lol.) I could see some guys pulling off the fake kick start effect before riding off in front of a crowd of people who don't know any better. This would probably sell to the same people that find the fake carbs and fake cooling fins to be appealing.

Lol, it's been done for the movies, for sure!

CB also doesn't have that clutch cable draped so sloppily across the right side of the motor, or that beached whale of a gas tank. And the CB's fins aren't fake.

But the CB1100 has an hydraulic clutch, so the options for routing the cables are myriad.

It actually runs under the tank and is a pain in the buttocks to change. I replaced mine with a custom length from Galfer when I did the CB500 bars. Had to remove the tank and a few other odds and ends.

The Kawasaki routes the cable that way to get the smoothest, most friction-free pull.

I can tell you that on my CB1100, the throttle cables were not properly routed, and even after I repositioned them (when I checked the valve clearance) there was still a bit of binding at full lock. It's a tight squeeze under the tank.

Ulvetanna, in what way did you find the throttle cables not properly routed? Were they "harnessed" at some point that didn't make sense?

[Ulvetanna_imp]

The 150 is small, for sure, but does have an 18" front and 17" rear wheel. It's 260 lbs. The fit is not bad at all for the intended use and the thing corners like a bicycle (almost). Very light and quick steering.

Those throttle cables are stuffed under the tank and are routed through a big mess of equipment. Mine were not quite positioned as they should have been, which I corrected. But they can be a little finicky. Never had a problem when the bars were reasonably straight but at full lock, either right or left, can't remember which, they'd bind.

[Guth_imp]

The guys who created the custom bike for the Walking Dead series thought a fake kick starter would be a good idea.

When I first saw it, it was obvious that it started out as a last gen CB750 Nighthawk (which never had a kick starter). I did a double-take when I saw that kickstarter. Turns out there's nothing but air behind it. It sure adds to the retro look, doesn't it?

Hmmm, I dunno. That looks to be a rare and highly sought after OEM nutcracker hopper. While nut scrambles never really took off, I've heard that back in the early 70s they were quite popular in some parts of the county such as out here in Oregon where they would set up demanding courses amongst the hazelnut groves or down in Texas where pecan groves ruled the day. If a competitor's bike broke down mid-race, or if a rider got lost (or at times simply hungry) the nutcracker hopper could take a little bit of the sting out of a day gone bad. Here's a little-known fact about nut scrambles: the event gained it's name not from the bounty found within the groves of nut bearing trees, but rather from a comment a spectator made early on which many overheard and started repeating: "Man, those guys are nuts!"

On second thought, taking a closer look I think you're right, maybe that is intended to be a fake kick starter. Never mind all that stuff above. I guess I still need to get out for a ride soon. Sorry fellas.

[emptysea]

For some context to Guth’s comment....

Oregon passed their recreational marijuana laws in 2015.