04-19-2017, 02:25 PM
Character to me would be rather elastic depending on the use of the motorcycle, and your stage of life.
The ones I remember most fondly were my BSA Lightnings. The first I converted to a café racer in the late 60s. The second I restored in the late 70s. The strong but lumpy motor and beautiful exhaust sound were the characteristics that set it apart from other motorcycles that I owned. The 1966 was my first big bike, the 1971 was rescued from being a quasi-chopper.
A 1971 Yamaha 350 R5. I installed a set of clubman handlebars on it upside down and rode it as a café racer. That was the only mod I had to make to that bike as it was light, nimble, quick, and handled extremely well. Its 103 MPH top speed qualified as a true café racer.
A 1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV, a jet of a motorcycle that was the hooligan bike of its era. After selling our British motorcycles, two buddies and I had to learn how to ride a motorcycle quickly and smoothly. This was truly a bike that could earn its reputation as the widow maker if handled improperly. But what a hoot to ride.
Our 1982 Goldwing Aspencade, the Cadillac of motorcycles according to my wife. We travelled thousands of miles through Canada and America on it over a 9 year period. A beautiful motorcycle that was quiet, comfortable, and reliable. Penny actually fell asleep on it one day as we were riding.
The ones I remember most fondly were my BSA Lightnings. The first I converted to a café racer in the late 60s. The second I restored in the late 70s. The strong but lumpy motor and beautiful exhaust sound were the characteristics that set it apart from other motorcycles that I owned. The 1966 was my first big bike, the 1971 was rescued from being a quasi-chopper.
A 1971 Yamaha 350 R5. I installed a set of clubman handlebars on it upside down and rode it as a café racer. That was the only mod I had to make to that bike as it was light, nimble, quick, and handled extremely well. Its 103 MPH top speed qualified as a true café racer.
A 1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV, a jet of a motorcycle that was the hooligan bike of its era. After selling our British motorcycles, two buddies and I had to learn how to ride a motorcycle quickly and smoothly. This was truly a bike that could earn its reputation as the widow maker if handled improperly. But what a hoot to ride.
Our 1982 Goldwing Aspencade, the Cadillac of motorcycles according to my wife. We travelled thousands of miles through Canada and America on it over a 9 year period. A beautiful motorcycle that was quiet, comfortable, and reliable. Penny actually fell asleep on it one day as we were riding.