08-28-2014, 05:24 PM
I longed for some nostalgia a few years ago. So I sold my Vstar 1300 and bought what I thought was a reasonably good 1977 K7 CB750. Basically the same bike as the K8 but with different decals. First impressions were like a blast from my youthful past. Plus it was a bit of retro cool when I parked it anywhere.
I soon discovered that the CBs of old were great when new (I had a couple in the day). 35 years later they somehow were no longer the benchmark. Handling was only average and brakes must have been an optional extra.
After burning another few grand on new paint, hard to find parts and hours of work, the nostalgia bug eventually wore off. Always another problem lurking in the ageing carbys or electrics, waiting for parts from overseas etc. Sometimes it was off the road when my mates were out there enjoying more sensible choices.
I stumbled on the new CB 1100 in a dealer and was impressed. After a few more months of searching online, reading this forum and still working on the blast from the past, I bit the bullet, sold the K7 and for the same $s had my shiny CB1100.
The first ride home from Canberra to my home in Sydney validated my decision. New technology leaves the old way behind.
I soon discovered that the CBs of old were great when new (I had a couple in the day). 35 years later they somehow were no longer the benchmark. Handling was only average and brakes must have been an optional extra.
After burning another few grand on new paint, hard to find parts and hours of work, the nostalgia bug eventually wore off. Always another problem lurking in the ageing carbys or electrics, waiting for parts from overseas etc. Sometimes it was off the road when my mates were out there enjoying more sensible choices.
I stumbled on the new CB 1100 in a dealer and was impressed. After a few more months of searching online, reading this forum and still working on the blast from the past, I bit the bullet, sold the K7 and for the same $s had my shiny CB1100.
The first ride home from Canberra to my home in Sydney validated my decision. New technology leaves the old way behind.