Motorcycles.

[rwsaunders]

Spotted on 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle this afternoon.

[sk_tle]

I was all crazy about buying an electric venta motorbike but finally bought a much more mundane, boring thing. A second hand 300cc Piaggio scooter with a windshield and top case. Those ones with the large 16inch wheels. Go figure.

People will say it is not a motorbike and I agree that it is basically an appliance with a CVT transmission but it goes to 130kph in a stint and with the big wheels has very good manners on the road.

[j44ke]

The number of vintage Triumphs I saw in Hokkaido was amazing. Definitely some serious restorers around as well as very dedicated motorcycling tourists. But the few vintage Hondas that I saw were more interesting to me. Some of the decorative metal work on the tanks, engines and frames was impressive. I don't know if they were stock or custom embellishments, but they at least looked contemporary to the bikes. Hokkaido is definitely a motorcycling destination.

[j44ke]

Spotted on 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle this afternoon.

Is that the 4 cylinder Honda that is kind of a niche bike for classic Honda fans or is the 400 the favorite?

[j44ke]

1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Richard Thompson

Says Red Molly, to James, "Well that's a fine motorbike.
A girl could feel special on any such like."
Says James, to Red Molly, "My hat's off to you.
It's a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952.

And I've seen you on the corners and cafes, it seems.
Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme."
And he pulled her on behind,
And down to Boxhill,

They'd Ride.
Says James, to Red Molly, "Here's a ring for your right hand.
But I'll tell you in earnest I'm a dangerous man;
For I've fought with the law since I was seventeen.

I've robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine.
And now I'm twenty-one years, I might make twenty-two.
And I don't mind dyin' but for the love of you.
But if fate should break my stride, then I'll give you my Vincent, To Ride."

"Come down Red Molly, " called Sargent McQuade.
"For they've taken young James Aidee for Armed Robbery.
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside.
Oh, come down, Red Molly, to his dying bedside."

When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left.
He was runnin' out of road. He was runnin' out of breath.
But he smiled, to see her cry.
And said, "I'll give you my Vincent.
To Ride."

Said James, "In my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats a '52 Vincent and a Redheaded girl.
Now Nortons and Indians and Greavses won't do.
Oh, they don't have a Soul like a Vincent '52."

Well he reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys.
He said, "I've got no further use...for these.
I see Angels on Ariels in leather and chrome,
Swoopin' down from Heaven to carry me home."

And he gave her one last kiss and died.
And he gave her his Vincent.
To Ride.

My photo of part of an acquaintance's collection.

[slwrnu]

goodness I had a Honda 400 Four through University, an excellent vehicle, it never let me down once despite it living outside. I was once stopped by a policeman and he asked me, in a civil way, why are you wearing trainers. We had a nice chat (he was a biker too) and I have always worn proper footwear since.

[rwsaunders]

Is that the 4 cylinder Honda that is kind of a niche bike for classic Honda fans or is the 400 the favorite?

Jorn, I think that there are a few Honda’s that generate excitement among “nostalgiasts” as they say and this is one of them.

The Honda CB35 Four: Now Fashionable After All These Years

[NYCfixie]

I was all crazy about buying an electric venta motorbike but finally bought a much more mundane, boring thing. A second hand 300cc Piaggio scooter with a windshield and top case. Those ones with the large 16inch wheels. Go figure.

People will say it is not a motorbike and I agree that it is basically an appliance with a CVT transmission but it goes to 130kph in a stint and with the big wheels has very good manners on the road.

I think that is a great choice. As a long time scooter owner, I find that I use it for both pleasure and commuting more days a year than most motorcyclists (in the USA) use their motorcycles. And yes, I always go for the windshield and top case to make it even more useful. They are also less expensive to own/service and it is nice to not have to "maintain the chain".

The last one I owned, a Honda SH150i was the best because it had 16" wheels front and back. My wife and I would often ride it to dinner, to the movies, to friends, and for small grocery shopping.

[Too Tall]

Honda Silverwing was my first bike. Never rode one before and rolled out of the guys driveway for a 3 hrs. ride home. Don't do what I do.

One time (at band camp) I ran out of gas while riding near the National Zoo. A Park Police Osifer stopped and said "You must be out of gas, it's a Honda". He went kicking around in the tall grass and found a empty coke can. Than he pulled a fuel line off his bike and filled the coke can a few times and told me to slow the fuck down 'cuase I was going way to fast.

Loving people that day.

[j44ke]

goodness I had a Honda 400 Four through University, an excellent vehicle, it never let me down once despite it living outside. I was once stopped by a policeman and he asked me, in a civil way, why are you wearing trainers. We had a nice chat (he was a biker too) and I have always worn proper footwear since.

Jorn, I think that there are a few Honda’s that generate excitement among “nostalgiasts” as they say and this is one of them.

The Honda CB35 Four: Now Fashionable After All These Years

I think it was the bike right after the CB350 called the CB400F. I saw one for sale in Hillsdale and mentioned it to a friend who is a moto guy (has 8 motorcycles.) He drives through Hillsdale once a month probably but already had the bike on his radar and told me to buy it so he could work on it but before I could even consider all the ways of killing myself it sold.

[slwrnu]

correct. thank you for the memories.

[XR2]

In my opinion the most amazing motorcycle built to date. Were a winning lottery ticket to be mine the search for one of the ten made would begin.

[jerk]

In my opinion the most amazing motorcycle built to date. Were a winning lottery ticket to be mine the search for one of the ten made would begin.

yup. agreed. those things were amazing.

here's my current dumb motorcycle object of lust though:

Sarolea Motorcycles | Belgium | Electric | TT Zero | MANX7

[GeneK]

yup. agreed. those things were amazing.

here's my current dumb motorcycle object of lust though:

Sarolea Motorcycles | Belgium | Electric | TT Zero | MANX7

OMG that Sarolea thing looks awesome.

[jerk]

OMG that Sarolea thing looks awesome.

right?

[sk_tle]

There are so many electric motorbike companies launching these days it is hard to follow. Add to that the number who are using resurrected dead motorcycles brands. It's funny how they mention the Sarolea was built to win the TT Zero but don't mention it was in reality way out of the pace compared to the Mugen in recent years. Not that it would really matters in our hands.

[NYCfixie]

There are so many electric motorbike companies launching these days it is hard to follow. [snip]

My wife is almost convinced we need one of these (if not the Piaggio three wheeler)

URAL Electric Concept

[jerk]

The Mugen effort is basically a factory Honda program. That's not to discount it- it's an amazing bike but the Bjorn and Torsten are doing something really special themselves. I like their aesthetic- it's certainly form follows function yet at the first time I saw a Manx knowing nothing about them- I blurted out- it "looks Belgian". I can't put my finger in it- but it does in the same way a Dries Van Noten suit looks instantly "Belgian".

Right -now its the only bike I would trade my RSV4 for. I know it's not the same thing at all-other than they both have wheels and rearsets and clip-ons- but I'm really impressed with how they've married batteries and a motor with a unique architecture which looks both modern and classic without being overly precious and steam punk-ey or all Akira or Hong Kong racing.

The Zeros, the Energicas, and the Lightnings all look pretty mailed-in and budget when it comes to their look. Saroleas look different- and at least are not trying to disguise the fact that the bike is electric. They're also doing some pretty cool stuff chassis and suspension wise- at least on paper. The fact that this little scrappy company- they're going out road racing to aid in the development of the bike- makes me trust them and want to root for them.

[jerk]

My wife is almost convinced we need one of these (if not the Piaggio three wheeler)

URAL Electric Concept

zero and Ural had a baby? god help us all.

[Dave Thompson]

My photo of part of an acquaintance's collection.

The sole remaining item from my Vincent collection.