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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 18:42:29

Title: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 18:42:29
The presenter couldn't be more 'wooden' but for those of a certain age (old bastards) a trip down memory lane. :y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HESIjHvOjtw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HESIjHvOjtw)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: STEMO on 13 September 2018, 18:44:34
I could never get excited about bikes. I think it had something to do with self preservation.  :)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 September 2018, 19:26:35
I could never get excited about bikes. I think it had something to do with self preservation.  :)
It's a lot harder to fall off four wheels :D
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Lizzie Zoom on 13 September 2018, 19:35:33
I've never let myself get onto a bike with a motor since riding pillion on my fathers Lambreta in 1964.  I wanted to live!! :D :D ;)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 13 September 2018, 19:36:45
All this while the Brits stuck doggedly to the parallel twin apart from the Triumph Trident/BSA Rocket 3 triples.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: b4ndit on 13 September 2018, 19:38:15
Some really nice bike in there  :y :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 19:51:45
Always wanted a Z1 and a CBX. Still do. :y

.......and a GS1000.....and a 2 stroke water bottle. :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Andy B on 13 September 2018, 19:52:25
Some really nice bike in there  :y :y

 ..... and a Bond Bug  :y :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 19:52:50
...and a Guzzi Le Mans and a Jota.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 19:54:21
Some really nice bike in there  :y :y

 ..... and a Bond Bug  :y :y

I owned a couple of 'plastic pigs' of the Reliant Regal variety.

It didn't end well. I rolled them both. :-\
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 13 September 2018, 19:59:42
Italian bikes were super cool and usually looked stunning then promptly broke down when it rained because of their dodgy electrics ::) Not a superbike I know but Kawasaki also did a 250 two stroke triple which they called the Samurai that looked very nice but you had to be prepared to "fall on your sword"to ride one with any intent due to the absolutely dire handling.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 19:59:56
I've never let myself get onto a bike with a motor since riding pillion on my fathers Lambreta in 1964.  I wanted to live!! :D :D ;)

It's a scooter so doesn't count, Lizzie. :-* :-* :-*

Was your Dad a Mod back in the day? 8) ::) ::) :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 20:02:35
Italian bikes were super cool and usually looked stunning then promptly broke down when it rained because of their dodgy electrics ::) Not a superbike I know but Kawasaki also did a 250 two stroke triple which they called the Samurai that looked very nice but you had to be prepared to "fall on your sword"to ride one with any intent due to the absolutely dire handling.

There is a Benelli Six in there somewhere.  A nice red one. :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 13 September 2018, 20:09:08
Yes I noted that one too Opti :y Agree also about the Lambretta.In our house if it had two wheels and an engine it had to be a motorbike not a scooter.One of my older brothers once went out to buy a bike and came back with a Lambretta no one apart from our parents talked to him for a month which is how long he owned it :D
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: b4ndit on 13 September 2018, 20:13:01
Always wanted a Z1 and a CBX. Still do. :y

.......and a GS1000.....and a 2 stroke water bottle. :y
Had a z1 when i was in the RN used it daily great bike bit skittish in the wet :) sold that and bought an XS 750 good bike but heavy
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 20:23:15
Always wanted a Z1 and a CBX. Still do. :y

.......and a GS1000.....and a 2 stroke water bottle. :y
Had a z1 when i was in the RN used it daily great bike bit skittish in the wet :) sold that and bought an XS 750 good bike but heavy

I remember these. Shaft drive. A 3 cylinder version of the huge XS1100. :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: b4ndit on 13 September 2018, 20:24:18
Always wanted a Z1 and a CBX. Still do. :y

.......and a GS1000.....and a 2 stroke water bottle. :y
Had a z1 when i was in the RN used it daily great bike bit skittish in the wet :) sold that and bought an XS 750 good bike but heavy

I remember these. Shaft drive. A 3 cylinder version of the huge XS1100. :y
That's the one :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 13 September 2018, 20:24:56
Italian bikes were super cool and usually looked stunning then promptly broke down when it rained because of their dodgy electrics ::) Not a superbike I know but Kawasaki also did a 250 two stroke triple which they called the Samurai that looked very nice but you had to be prepared to "fall on your sword"to ride one with any intent due to the absolutely dire handling.


I have a ficked right leg and non operating left kidney due to one of those.  ::) ;D
The 500 and 750 triples (aka Widowmakers) were truly evil things though. Very fast in their day, with awful handling and no brakes. I loved them.  8) :)
The Suzuki kettle was dog slow but looked impressive. An RD 400 would leave it for dead.
I rode a Jota about 10 years ago, and I must admit, for a 40 odd year old bike, I was impressed.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: dave the builder on 13 September 2018, 20:28:39
I had an xs400 custom (427cc ,harris pipes etc)
plenty of torque ,comfortable plod along machine
gave up bikes after the second tarmac surfing event  :'(
(both due to talent-less car drivers trying to kill me )
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 20:36:36
I could never get excited about bikes. I think it had something to do with self preservation.  :)

You missed a trick, because quite a few 'biker birds' tended to have loose knicker elastic. The less attractive the biker bird the easier the knickers came down.

Probably no different to a few scouse girls you've met after they've  been lubricated with a rum and coke or six.  :)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 September 2018, 20:38:43
Italian bikes were super cool and usually looked stunning then promptly broke down when it rained because of their dodgy electrics ::) Not a superbike I know but Kawasaki also did a 250 two stroke triple which they called the Samurai that looked very nice but you had to be prepared to "fall on your sword"to ride one with any intent due to the absolutely dire handling.


I have a ficked right leg and non operating left kidney due to one of those.  ::) ;D
The 500 and 750 triples (aka Widowmakers) were truly evil things though. Very fast in their day, with awful handling and no brakes. I loved them.  8) :)
The Suzuki kettle was dog slow but looked impressive. An RD 400 would leave it for dead.
I rode a Jota about 10 years ago, and I must admit, for a 40 odd year old bike, I was impressed.

Two words. Huge wheelie. :)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Rods2 on 13 September 2018, 21:05:19
A 65bhp Triumph Trident was a superbike in its day and a good allround balance of weight, good handling and reasonable power. The big bore long stroke Norman Hyde 1000cc ones were good for 100bhp but had a habit of holing the centre piston due to running lean.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Bigron on 13 September 2018, 21:24:56
I must start rebuilding my Sunbeam S8, I must, I must.......

Ron.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Rods2 on 14 September 2018, 01:33:05
I must start rebuilding my Sunbeam S8, I must, I must.......

Ron.

You and me both with my Triumph Trident, but also my Kawasaki GPZ1100 where the front brake master cylinder seals have gone, but I found a supplier at £20. This, two new tyres, insurance and an MOT and distance glasses for getting the Kawasaki back n the road, 0-60 in 3s and 150mph, with my corrected 20:20 left eyesight, what could possibly go wrong. ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 September 2018, 01:35:18
All this while the Brits stuck doggedly to the parallel twin apart from the Triumph Trident/BSA Rocket 3 triples.
Practically a truck engine  :o
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Bigron on 14 September 2018, 01:39:20
I wish I had kept my first bike, Rods2 - a BSA Golden Flash that I got £15 as a part-ex! :'( :'( :'(

Ron.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Rods2 on 14 September 2018, 02:27:19
I don't regret getting rid of my first motorbike a Honda 250cc K2 with 30php, red line at 10,250 but would rev towards 11,000 but might break piston rings allegedly, not that I ever found that out, as a good boy, several time, :-[ :-[ :-[ ::) ::) ::) oh no, and 100mph top speed, which I can confirm along with the same 2 up on a dense air fog descending night, some where in UK or Europe as I broke the piston rings yet again again. ::) ::) ::) As a 17/18yo I lived a quiet, sheltered life allegedly. :-X :-X :-X
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 14 September 2018, 07:44:20
I remember Moto Guzzi did one they called the V7 and ex-wife thought that meant it had three and a half cylinders per bank :D :D ;D
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 14 September 2018, 09:35:38
I remember Moto Guzzi did one they called the V7 and ex-wife thought that meant it had three and a half cylinders per bank :D :D ;D

Ah......women. Bless their little cotton socks. ;D
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Shackeng on 14 September 2018, 19:25:17
The superbikes of my day were the T110, Dominator, G45 and King of Bikes, the Black Shadow. I only had the first but yearned for the last. Some 30 years after I had ridden a bike, I was staying with a friend in Hong Kong who had bought a Yamaha shaft drive as a big boys toy, I think it was a 750. Come and have a go in the New Territories he says. Bloody hell, the gear change was on the wrong side and every gear seemed rocket assisted, it frightened me to death. I've steered clear of big bikes since. :-[ :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 14 September 2018, 19:46:52
Eldest brother had a 650 Triton-the featherbed frame was a mightily popular piece of kit back then-which he replaced with a Black Shadow,bought for peanuts and sold for peanuts too :'(
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Bigron on 14 September 2018, 19:48:50
I've ridden half-a-Vincent, the 500cc Comet, and that was enough for me!  :-[

Ron.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 14 September 2018, 19:54:36
For a left fielder how about the Munch Mammut? Powered by a 1,000cc NSU air cooled car engine.Nearly 500 were built up to early 1990's with later models getting a capacity increase anything up to 1,996cc.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 14 September 2018, 20:32:59
For a left fielder how about the Munch Mammut? Powered by a 1,000cc NSU air cooled car engine.Nearly 500 were built up to early 1990's with later models getting a capacity increase anything up to 1,996cc.

Yep...that was quite an oddity.

I never saw one on the road.
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 14 September 2018, 20:35:58
Friend of mine let me ride his Moto Morini 350

It was the actual road test bike used by one of the bike mags of the time. Don't think I ever saw another.

Fabulous little 4 stroke V-twin. :y
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 14 September 2018, 21:45:07
I don't recall ever seeing a Munch on the road either.I certainly wouldn't have fancied trying to pick one back up after dropping it a they weighrd in at circa 350Kgs :o
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: STEMO on 14 September 2018, 22:16:39
I don't recall ever seeing a Munch on the road either.I certainly wouldn't have fancied trying to pick one back up after dropping it a they weighrd in at circa 350Kgs :o
You can still get one  :)

https://www.cycleworld.com/2016/01/21/friedel-munch-mammut-2000-superbike-motorcycle-cycle-world-feature
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: TheBoy on 15 September 2018, 10:55:56
I could never get excited about bikes. I think it had something to do with self preservation.  :)
That's part of the (adrenaline) rush ;)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 15 September 2018, 12:13:25
Different people get  rush from different things though. For example nicking the wheels off someones car right outside their house could be exciting.  :)
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: BazaJT on 15 September 2018, 13:28:52
Yes it could and possibly just as harmful depending on whos wheels you're nicking if caught :D
Title: Re: Superbikes of the seventies.
Post by: Omegatoy on 15 September 2018, 21:52:58
I must start rebuilding my Sunbeam S8, I must, I must.......

Ron.

you should do it mate,rebuilt an S7 way back in the 80,s and parts were not plentiful even then! was a hell of a bike though for the first 30miles or so, then the rear pot used to get a tad hot and start pinkimg
 :y loved it though,Dominator 88 with all the 99 bits on was great,triumph adventurer was fun,also my Ducati darmah was a great bike and my oil in frame BSA lightning,was hust right commuting from wallinford to heathrow everyday, 10,000 miles in 6 months while using it for courier work!favourite for sheer terror was the kwacker H1 500 triple the thing was mental, not to mention scary, :-X