10-26-2014, 02:04 AM
I scratched my itch last weekend. The '68 Norton Ranger had not been exercised for a while, but a check of all systems, a few carb tickles and a nice swing of the leg brought her to life, and she ran like a charm...a vibrating, loud and manly charm...and off I went for a 20 mile run. Switching immediately to the CB1100 for a similar run was like being transported back to the future.
It's hard to believe that machines like the Norton and her contemporaries were ever deemed as modern in their day. I don't get her out often, but I always feel like it's an accomplishment to return home with nothing having vibrated off, no cager challenge to the rudimentary braking system, and my kidneys still functioning.
The CB, on the other hand...just delightful. I like the comparison, and the ability to fulfill vintage dreams every so often...and the garage candy quotient of vintage bikes is hard to beat. But I do so like putting on my gear, pressing a button, and running off with no hassles on a modern standard like the CB1100. Pix:
It's hard to believe that machines like the Norton and her contemporaries were ever deemed as modern in their day. I don't get her out often, but I always feel like it's an accomplishment to return home with nothing having vibrated off, no cager challenge to the rudimentary braking system, and my kidneys still functioning.
The CB, on the other hand...just delightful. I like the comparison, and the ability to fulfill vintage dreams every so often...and the garage candy quotient of vintage bikes is hard to beat. But I do so like putting on my gear, pressing a button, and running off with no hassles on a modern standard like the CB1100. Pix: