Nostalgia - which bike to look for ?

[StuP]

I started riding bikes in the 70's in the UK and Hong Kong. Had a variety over the years, sold the last one probably 7-8 years ago.

I'm going to look for a "toy" one from my youth, probably tinker with it more than ride. Now the models available in the US in the 70-80's weren't quite the same, (generally larger capacity), so I wanted to poll the knowledge here of models from that era that might be available at modest cost.

Criteria: 350-650, (apart from an RD or GT 250, but those are pricey).
"Standard" street bike.
Disc brake front
4 cyl would be nice, but open to all ideas
Min top speed 95

I'd really like to find a Bandit 400/4, twin shock Kawa gpz 550, cheap RD350/400, XS 650, SR500 SRX 600

What else was selling here I'm missing ? Most of the ones I like are either to pricey or hard to find.

 

[lostchild]

I started riding bikes in the 70's in the UK and Hong Kong. Had a variety over the years, sold the last one probably 7-8 years ago.

I'm going to look for a "toy" one from my youth, probably tinker with it more than ride. Now the models available in the US in the 70-80's weren't quite the same, (generally larger capacity), so I wanted to poll the knowledge here of models from that era that might be available at modest cost.

Criteria: 350-650, (apart from an RD or GT 250, but those are pricey).
"Standard" street bike.
Disc brake front
4 cyl would be nice, but open to all ideas
Min top speed 95

I'd really like to find a Bandit 400/4, twin shock Kawa gpz 550, cheap RD350/400, XS 650, SR500 SRX 600

What else was selling here I'm missing ? Most of the ones I like are either to pricey or hard to find.

If you like to tinker more than ride, I’d suggest a mid ‘60’s Brit bike, 500-650cc.
I sure miss my ‘67 Triumph Bonneville.

 

[Quigley Down Yunder]

For me it would have to be the one made famous being ridden by Jim “Goose” Rains’ KZ1000 Kwaka, a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000. ( The Road Warrior- Mad Max ) The future-retro fairings were designed by an Australian company that later went out of business but their designs were copied many times over.

A bucket list one for me…

Best of luck with whatever you decide to pursue.

 

[StuP]

If you like to tinker more than ride, I’d suggest a mid ‘60’s Brit bike, 500-650cc.
I sure miss my ‘67 Triumph Bonneville.

I agree, but my budget for a toy to sit in the garage doesn't stretch anywhere near that

 

[StuP]

For me it would have to be the one made famous being ridden by Jim “Goose” Rains’ KZ1000 Kwaka, a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000. ( The Road Warrior- Mad Max ) The future-retro fairings were designed by an Australian company that later went out of business but their designs were copied many times over.

A bucket list one for me…

Best of luck with whatever you decide to pursue.

Good suggestion, in fact my last bike was the retro ZRX1200. I had to sell that because some health issues now mean I need to go lighter weight, hence looking at sub 650, more likely the 400-500 range.

 

[baxterday]

Honda Hawk GT650, but you probably won't be tinkering with it much, it's a Honda. Tinker? How about a mid 80's Guzzi, little tinkering and lots of riding.

 

[lostchild]

Good suggestion, in fact my last bike was the retro ZRX1200. I had to sell that because some health issues now mean I need to go lighter weight, hence looking at sub 650, more likely the 400-500 range.

Same reason I had to give up my ‘73 Z-1 Kaw. Too dam heavy. After my disc surgery I picked up a little KZ440 for a while. Might consider something along those lines.

 

[StuP]

Honda Hawk GT650, but you probably won't be tinkering with it much, it's a Honda. Tinker? How about a mid 80's Guzzi, little tinkering and lots of riding.

Good suggestion. A guzzi would be great as well, but the smaller ones are rare.

 

[savannahboy]

Go to Barber Motorcycle Museum this side of B'ham. Something there should spark an interest.

 

[StuP]

Same reason I had to give up my ‘73 Z-1 Kaw. Too dam heavy. After my disc surgery I picked up a little KZ440 for a while. Might consider something along those lines.

I've thought of that kind of thing, and it fits the bill. Do you find you've got enough power on the highway ? I like a little bit in reserve if I'm on I-85 lol.