Your Last Bike Before the CB?

[kmoney_imp]

1981 Yamaha XJ 650 Maxim. Gifted to me non-running from my dad (who bought it new) in 2000. I rode this thing through college and grad school and put on around 65,000kms over 6 years, for 105,000 total. Took the carbs apart for the umpteenth time, got sick of it, and gave it away to a guy who wanted to get it running -- though I'm guessing that didn't happen as the entire bike was basically dead at this point. Life got in the way and took a break from riding until 2013 when I bought the CB -- I guess you could say that in terms of retro bikes, I went from the ground floor to the penthouse.

Looking, back the thing was a total POS, but I loved it and still think fondly of it. There is definitely truth when people say 'just get a bike, any bike, and go ride.'

I have a special place in my heart for the '81 XJ 650. It was my first exposure to the smooth, powerful wonder that is the inline 4 motorcycle. I'd been riding slow, shaky, medium sized twins when my buddy offered to let me ride his '81 650 Maxim. I recall starting the bike and wondering if the engine was actually running. Sorry to hear yours turned into a maintenance hog. When they were new they were a joy to ride.

Sorry to hear yours turned into a maintenance hog. When they were new they were a joy to ride.
I don't doubt it, it was a joy to ride 25 years later when it was working. That bike had the sweetest intake roar when cranked wide open of anything I'd ridden (something I wish the CB actually had more of) and was crazy smooth all the way up to redline.

Once it got pinholes in the collectors and the carb boots dry rotted (replacements not available) it became incredibly hard to keep in tune and that was basically all she wrote.

[Verdecken_imp]

I had a '71 CB750 that had a bunch of previous owner quirks, didn't run reliably, and fouled the plugs every week. But it was my first and game me the love of UJM that brought me to the CB1100. I got a Yamaha FZ07 for something more reliable but cheaper than the CB1100, which was a mistake. It was a nimble bike, but to be really rideable I would've had to change out the whole suspension and get a new seat and such which didn't seem worth it on a bike I didn't absolutely love. So I made the finances work to get the CB.






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[Retsel_imp]

I've been riding Valkyrie's on and off for the last 17 years. This is what I traded for the CB100.

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1999 Valkyire

[Ragtopme_imp]

1977 Gold Wing. Still have it

Beautiful, beautiful wing.

[drodg33]

Honda ST1300

[jedd_imp]

Here's my story...back in March, 2015, I sealed the deal over the phone on a brand new 2013 CB1100, and on Saturday, this giddy kid towed his trailer up to the dealer to finalize transaction.
Well, long story short....this baby came home w/ me instead:


2014 Vstrom 650 w/ Adventure pkg, 0 miles.

Once I got her home I added a top case to increase carrrying capacity:


But it didn't come w/o some complications. This monokey plate, made for the Vstrom, looked aesthetically appealing, but produced an annoying rattle when the case was unloaded.


So, I pilfered this rack off my Burgman scooter, and the rest is history. The footing is substantially larger in diameter, and spaced farther outboard. No rattle, stout, but not as pretty.


All's well that ends well...until a few weeks later, when my new Aerostich riding suit arrived, and I then learned that the bubble top case could NOT fit both my suit and full face helmet. You'd think something this gigantic could, but looks can be deceiving.


Bummer! So I got this massive 58L case to replace the bubble 55L case.


Let me tell you what...you wouldn't think that an extra 3L more would make a difference, but the rectangular shape vs. the oval shape is an eye opener. Not only can I fit my riding suit and helmet, but I have enough space to add even more items above them.

Over time, I did this and that to the Strom to make it more dirt worthy...currently this is how she be, hwy pegs and cruise control added for good measure:


And that's a wrap....brap

[redbirds_imp]

Really nice job on the V-strom Jedd. I wish sometimes we still had my wife's '07 and outfitted it like yours.

That last picture looks familiar. Where was it taken? So typical of many lovely Hill Country roads and I think I've traveled that one before.

[Inhouse Bob]

That last photo about brought tears. I really miss the Hill Country and can almost feel the warm summer breeze blowing over that water. Can you fit an inner tube for floating in that top box?

[Nemo_imp]

2013

[jedd_imp]

Really nice job on the V-strom Jedd. I wish sometimes we still had my wife's '07 and outfitted it like yours.

That last picture looks familiar. Where was it taken? So typical of many lovely Hill Country roads and I think I've traveled that one before.

Nearby Llano, TX....home of Cooper's BBQ, and lotsa narrow single lane roads.

Quote:Can you fit an inner tube for floating in that top box? Haven't tried it yet, but ...that's a cool idea.
I'd have to haul two innertubes. The 2nd one to float my cooler down the river. Come to think of it, unlatch my top case, plop it into the innertube and it now serves as my cooler.