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(07-26-2019, 12:05 PM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: It's kinda sad, isn't it? I've been betrayed by my rose-colored goggles on several occasions. Were those 70's bikes really that bad when they were new, or are they simply worn out and we've become spoiled by current technology? I'd like to think it's the latter.
None of the 70's bikes that I owned in the past ten years were enjoyable to ride (1970 CB750, 1973 RD350 (not RD400 - no such thing in 1973), 1980 KZ440), and my friend's 1973 Z1 900 was a nightmare.
It's a really interesting question, but I suspect we'll never know the answer. At the time, those bikes were at the leading edge of sophistication and we all wondered how they could keep getting better. But they did. They continue to improve. Now, when we ride an old bike and it feels creaky, it's probably a combination of things being old and worn out and our having adapted to the improvements in the technology.
It would be interesting to know—but I doubt I will—how people in 50 years find the bikes of today. If, of course, they are allowed to ride them.
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I found the '76 RD400 creaky in the day and reckon it definitely wouldn't feel better today.
Of course I didn't know how bad it was until my first Honda product of the day.
Nevertheless, I suppose many here at the Forum might give a little (e.g. apparently some are willing a "right arm") to sample riding a bike of yesteryear just to remember (or experience for the first time), but not to own.
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I suspect that vintage cars are akin to vintage motorcycles in respect to the engineering of 50 years ago and that of today.
I once had the "pleasure" of driving a fully restored '66 Ford Fairlane. It was a purely miserable experience; from it's numb, unassisted steering, almost non-existent brakes, flaccid suspension and poor handling. Today's cars and motorcycles are so much better in every way. If only modern bikes had the style of yesterday.
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(07-27-2019, 10:56 PM)redbirds_imp Wrote: I suspect that vintage cars are akin to vintage motorcycles in respect to the engineering of 50 years ago and that of today.
I once had the "pleasure" of driving a fully restored '66 Ford Fairlane. It was a purely miserable experience; from it's numb, unassisted steering, almost non-existent brakes, flaccid suspension and poor handling. Today's cars and motorcycles are so much better in every way. If only modern bikes had the style of yesterday.
Spot-on, Redbirds.
Which is why I want to change my CB1100 into a CB750 lookalike.
