Got vintage?

[Matt Rain]

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Bought my first bike a couple weeks ago, a tired old 1985 FJ600 that's been Frankensteined a bit. Still runs nice and makes quite a nice sound in the upper revs.

I'll be wasting the better part of a paycheck bringing it back to its original all-black look. Already ordered a new windshield, aftermarket lower fairing/cowl/chin scoop, aftermarket seat cover, replica graphics, NOS black fuel tank, grips, footpegs, etc. Only part I'm missing is a black right side panel - worst-case scenario I'll buy some Montana spray paint cans and replace the FJ600 graphic with the correct one.



Love the geeky-chic cyclops front end. The hipster sportbike.

95% done with the makeover. New dark touring windshield, grips, bar ends, mirrors, lower fairing (not an exact fit which is a bummer), seat cover (also not an exact fit) and a bunch more bits and pieces. All that's left to do is clean up/repaint the head and pipes.

 

[GateKeeper]

80s-90s Japanese bikes are heavily supported and restored in England. They have little value in Ontario.

There are a few places that sell OEM graphics decals or even better quality. Those guys are fanatic, they even have notes on which decals go above and below the clear coat on every model.

http://www.diablocycle.com/

I see a future goldmine in buying up original exhausts and storing them in a warehouse.

I'm looking hard at getting an '85-87 FZ750...

I am rebuilding 2 of those....

http://yamaha-fz750.blogspot.ca/

.

 

[Schneller]

Retrogrouch, I just clicked on your "my bike is a video star" link for the first time.
Nice bike. Is it a Honda 500 twin? I think I may have seen it/you on Aurora Rd this summer.

 

[dirtbag]

Hey, Rstnick

Good to see you're still collecting 650's. I ended up trading mine for a couple snowblowers...

I spent about 4 summers on a 2006 FZ6 but sold that to finance a DRZ400 dual sport - twist the throttle all you want without fearing the MAN!

Still "got vintage" though, I bought an 86 Wing to spend week long trips on with the Squeeze - That's working out great. I was given an 82 Wing which I stripped and turned into a drag bike (13.6 @100MPH). And of course I still have my old 750 SOHC and a 72 CB350 studded up to play on the ice this winter. THINK SNOW!

 

[dirtbag]

Here's a crappy pic of the drag bike...

 

[RetroGrouch]

Retrogrouch, I just clicked on your "my bike is a video star" link for the first time.
Nice bike. Is it a Honda 500 twin? I think I may have seen it/you on Aurora Rd this summer.

It's a 72 CB350 with a 73 tank. Couldn't have been me, I haven't ridden it for a couple of years now. Hopefully will put it back on the road next season.

 

[Schneller]

It's a 72 CB350 with a 73 tank. Couldn't have been me, I haven't ridden it for a couple of years now. Hopefully will put it back on the road next season.

Ah, sorry. Good luck with getting it back on the road. Its a classic.
That is the bike I wanted to buy at 15, but my father wouldn't let me. Bought the CD175 twin instead.

 

[85K100]

Great thread. Love those classic bikes.
I remember riding in those clay pits in the 1970s on my Hodaka Wombat.
Here's my daily rider. Not sure if it qualifies or not, but its fun to ride.

 

[radek]

My daily ride, 1980 Suzuki GS1100e. Bought with 8k miles on it, had to put in about 40-50 hours of steel wool cleaning to get rid of built-ups - looked as if it was stored in a cement shop.. Great ride, comfy and fast enough, bit tricky to get used to the weight at first - about 600lb wet. Don't think I'll ever get rid of it

 

[Mongrel]

Great thread. Love those classic bikes.
I remember riding in those clay pits in the 1970s on my Hodaka Wombat.
Here's my daily rider. Not sure if it qualifies or not, but its fun to ride.

Another K rider (there's a couple of us on here)! Hooray!

That's a sexy beast!

 

[85K100]

That's a sexy beast!

 

[CafeRay]

I am rebuilding 2 of those....

http://yamaha-fz750.blogspot.ca/

.

Nice!

The FZ was an instrumental step for Yamaha. Many aspects of that bikes design were decades ahead and the same engine configuration is found on motoGP bikes.

Here's a publicity stunt at Monza. FZ vs Ferrari vs. YZR500

[video=youtube;RAqXIU46DlE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAqXIU46DlE[/video]

 

[Benny!]

I bought a brand new V65 Magna in 1985. Sold it in 1990 and had nothing but sport bikes till 2011. I decided that I had to find another V65 Magna (it was always my favorite bike) I spent about 2 months trying to find a really nice one and found this one in Wisconsin. Had it shipped to my driveway and it's still my daily ride.
View attachment 33771

I like that a lot. That seat to extra comfy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bocutter]

... more old stuff

View attachment 33903

Another K rider (there's a couple of us on here)! Hooray!

More than a couple I think. Can't remember, did you post yours?

 

[Mongrel]

Nope. Might as well!

I can't find any of my own pictures at the moment, but here's one from when the previous owner pulled it out to sell it (I don't ride in conditions like that!):

 

[Motoshire747]

This picture taken just of the Blue Ridge within 3 days of picking up the bike in Richmond, Virginia. I saw the sign and was like what? Really?

 

[sonnythebull]

This picture taken just of the Blue Ridge within 3 days of picking up the bike in Richmond, Virginia. I saw the sign and was like what? Really?

Nice

 

[CafeRay]

This picture taken just of the Blue Ridge within 3 days of picking up the bike in Richmond, Virginia. I saw the sign and was like what? Really?

How was the US buying experience for you? Was this eBay motors? Blue Ridge Pkwy is exactly where that bike should be ridden.

 

[inreb]

How was the US buying experience for you? Was this eBay motors? Blue Ridge Pkwy is exactly where that bike should be ridden.

In second gear.

 

[basmn]

Iv'e owned the silver CB750 for 28 yrs and i bought the red CB1100F 4 yrs ago

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