The cool bike thread......

[john roche]

I was thinking about my old GPZ900 the other day. I'd love to ride one now to see how they'e stood the test of time?

[Oldgit]

Old bikes don't really stand the test of time with brakes like jelly and handling like supermarket trollies, tyres that don't really grip to well and dodgy electrics, It's just us longing for the seemingly carefree life that we had then.
 

[Gnasher]

I was thinking about my old GPZ900 the other day. I'd love to ride one now to see how they'e stood the test of time?

Pretty good to be honest, rode one only last year and their still good, ok they're not going to keep up with your latest race rep's on tracks, but 99% on the road they are still right up there and comfortable with usable features.  Much of this of course is subjective, as if you can't ride well, it doesn't matter what your on.

I've seen people on on FZS600, Goldwings, CB500's even big scooters out ride R1/FZ1's, ZX10R, GSX-R etc, anyone can go fast in a straight line and stand a bike on it's nose!  The trick is doing it safely and on today's roads, high speed is not really a factor these days, what with speed cameras/vans and traffic mass, not unless you want to lose your licence or die that is.  Blasting off the lights only to be past, because you can't corner or filter safely is utterly pointless 


 

[john roche]

I still have a couple of old VFR750's which are more sports bike than I'll ever need on the road. I also need to remind myself than in the 30+ years since I owned my GPz I've got older and slower 

[coffee]

Old bikes don't really stand the test of time with brakes like jelly and handling like supermarket trollies, tyres that don't really grip to well and dodgy electrics, It's just us longing for the seemingly carefree life that we had then.

  yes it's funny how the mist of time clouds the reality,if you really think back to those times when a bike was your only transport and used everyday in all weathers for work,shops [with a big foc off rucksack on your back] breakdowns,punctures,etc. was it that carefree? I enjoy biking much more now that I don't HAVE to go out in all weathers but you can never replace those memories and the GOOD times ay?

[Oldgit]

Agreed, Coffee

[fazersharp]

Agreed Oldgit

[YamFazFan]

.

[robbo]

What YamFazFan said

[vinnyb]

 Agreed, but it tends not to be the pleasant warm sunny dry rides that you remember and talk about.
   

[robbo]

Agreed, but it tends not to be the pleasant warm sunny dry rides that you remember and talk about.
   

Also very true. This years journey home from the Dragon will always be a vivid memory for me, where at times a boat would have been handier than a bike .

[Oldgit]

coming home from the Foc u Spring Meet in Yorkshire , heading up the M6 with 60 MPH crosswinds and heavy rain, riding at a left lean angle all the time avoiding lakes on the motorway, won't forget that one any time soon.

[Dudeofrude]

Kawasaki, 1980, 1286 (cc),
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/kawasaki-1980-1286-cc/1387064062?utm_source=Gmail&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android

Price: £ 9,750


Here's something some of the older guys might like. Not my cup of tea but certainly an interesting find and no doubt rare with that mileage

[Gnasher]

That's a cool find, they're great fun to ride have real road presents, go good too   

[BBROWN1664]

Kawasaki, 1980, 1286 (cc),
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/kawasaki-1980-1286-cc/1387064062?utm_source=Gmail&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android

Price: £ 9,750

Here's something some of the older guys might like. Not my cup of tea but certainly an interesting find and no doubt rare with that mileage

 it needed a few standard parts including fuel tank,headlight,indicators,tail piece,backlight,seat,front and rear mud guards costing me a fortune plus a full profesional respray.

Not much of the original bike left then

[vinnyb]

  Not even the rear shocks. The originals were linked air shocks like the GT750/550, IIRC.

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Spice up your Speed Twin,
Rennstall Moto kit,

[VNA - BMW Wank]

[Oldgit]

These bikes look better than any of the New Sports bikes on offer these days.

[agricola]

That motor looks like it came out of a Virago

[agricola]

Spice up your Speed Twin,
Rennstall Moto kit,

Nice, but Im not sure the reg/rect would last long there

[vinnyb]

Spice up your Speed Twin,
Rennstall Moto kit,

Nice, but Im not sure the reg/rect would last long there

My guess is it'll be pretty safe, given that there's a good chance it'll never get wet or dirty.

[Dudeofrude]

This looks great

[coffee]

I've had a few c90's and a Zundapp Bella! wish I had it now.   never seen a green cub though !

[Billbott]

I was thinking about my old GPZ900 the other day. I'd love to ride one now to see how they'e stood the test of time?

Pretty good to be honest, rode one only last year and their still good, ok they're not going to keep up with your latest race rep's on tracks, but 99% on the road they are still right up there and comfortable with usable features.  Much of this of course is subjective, as if you can't ride well, it doesn't matter what your on.

I've seen people on on FZS600, Goldwings, CB500's even big scooters out ride R1/FZ1's, ZX10R, GSX-R etc, anyone can go fast in a straight line and stand a bike on it's nose!  The trick is doing it safely and on today's roads, high speed is not really a factor these days, what with speed cameras/vans and traffic mass, not unless you want to lose your licence or die that is.  Blasting off the lights only to be past, because you can't corner or filter safely is utterly pointless 

I have a GPZ900R - 1984 A1 model. Had to do a bit to it but its a great bike. The anti-dive was awful, so I bypassed it and fitted wilbers springs and thicker oil then played around with the air gap. I also fitted silver spot calipers.. Also has stick coils and loads of other 'tweaks'



Strangely, when I went to look at my Boxeye a few weeks ago, we had a few miles to do, so you'd think that I would go on my MT10 but I chose the GPZ as its great on the motorway with a 200+ mile tank range.