Re: $3,000 brand-new motorcycle...

Posted by sgtslag on Mar 13, 2013; 1:17pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/3-000-brand-new-motorcycle-tp4037705p4037833.html

The earlier models were scream machines, but by 1974, the EPA had stepped in with a heavy foot:  de-tuned to the point of being an old nag, ready for the glue factory.  Now, that didn't stop folks from modifying the be'jesus out of them, making them incredibly scary machines to ride...  The trick is to know what to do, and how to do it.  The air intakes were severely closed down -- first thing my father and his buddy took care of, grinding out all those restricting plates, which really improved performance.  The heads could be ground down a few thousandths of an inch, to increase compression, which made a dramatic difference, as well.

My father, after more than 20 years, ground down the heads on his, but instead of a few thousandths, he took off a few hundred thousandths, which ruined it:  would be near impossible to kick over, but when you did, it would increase in idle speed as it warmed up, until you either shut it down, or it blew up.  He was too cheap to spend $20 for a new head from a dealer in a nearby town.  He ended up selling it, cheap, and the new owner bought that head to repair it and ride it.

The oil injectors were opened up more, after they removed lead from the gasoline -- no lead substitutes needed (no one will ride behind you, due to the blue cloud it spews -- cough, choke!).  It had a unique sound, which always warned us that he was near home -- great sound, low rumble, quite unique, always knew it was him, only one of its kind I've ever heard.  It had a really long wheel base, which made it great for two-up touring -- his 1982 Suzuki GS1100 barely had the same room!  He had a Vetter Windjammer on it, and it really helped in touring, but it also sucked some power due to resistance.  A quart of 2-cycle oil lasted around 1,000 miles; had a window on the right side cover (oil tank) to check the oil level.  Kick-start only, points system (OEM sucked...  he switched it to some type of car points system).  It vibrated severely -- put foam grips on it, if you get it.  They're reliable, if taken care of, and they can be quite fun to ride.  They rode it all over, many thousands of touring miles, him with a group of buddies, and both parents, alone.  It was a real work-horse, back in the day.

If you get a chance to test ride it, do it.  They're a legend from back in the day, and there are not many left.  Enjoy it for what it is, a piece of history that has a lot of smiles left in it.  Cheers!