# Vintage Motorcycles **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 8, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818 "2006-08-08T04:43:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/1 "2006-08-08T04:43:02Z")
Anybody here into vintage motorcycles? I do like my modern bikes - I have a '02 CBR-600F4i that I ride on the street and a '00 SV-650 that I roadrace, but there’s something special about those old motorcycles that make em a whole different kind of fun. I have a 1975 Suzuki T-500M; a big bore, smoky two-stroke machine that I won at an auction a few years ago at [Vintage Motorcycle Days](http://www.amadirectlink.com/vmd/2006/home.asp) It’s a cranky, cantankerous beast and requires constant upkeep to keep it going but boy when it runs, it’s so much fun to ride! I’ve converted it into a cafe racer - clubman bars and 1mm oversized pistons. I’m thinking of coverting it into a full vintage race bike and doing some [AHRMA](http://www.ahrma.org/rr_vintage.htm) racing with it next year, but for now I’m just going to enjoy it as is. [Here’s a pic of me riding it just this past weekend!](http://www.motogirlz.org/albums/AmishRide/Dorjan_sepia_photo.sized.jpg) So, any other fans/owners of vintage bikes here? if so, tell me about your bike, and I want to see pics! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/2 "2006-08-08T05:12:18Z")
Nothing to add vintage-bike-wise (unless a 20-year-old [Honda Passport](http://www.motorcycletrader.com/photos/31a.jpg) in my mother’s garage counts), but I have to say I really like that picture. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/3 "2006-08-08T05:19:11Z")
I have a '79 Honda [CB750F.](https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/akentisa/Filemanager_Private_Files/MVC-021A.JPG) . It’s in amazing shape and is a real head turner. I think the '79 CB750F was the first Honda motorcycle to take the traditional styling in a new direction and go for a sportier look. It is definitely unique on today’s roads. The 750s also had some pretty revolutionary technology for the time. All in all, a great bike. ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/4 "2006-08-08T05:32:16Z")
Well, I’m not riding nowadays, **Dorjan** , but I’d hate for you to feel unloved, so I’ll tell you about my first bike: a ['75 CB400 Super Sport](http://www.withflair.com/photos/Bikes/1975_Honda_CB400f_1.jpg) 4-banger. It had a buzzy blender of a motor, and only turned 14 flat in the 1/4 mile, but man, that bike was fun to ride. I’d find a nice, twisty road and see if I could get it to slide through curves. I never did lay that bike down, although I sure tried my damnedest. Nice pic. Enjoy that T-500. And my mother says to tell you to slow, down, or you’ll fall off and bruise yourself. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/5 "2006-08-08T07:34:23Z")
Had a 69 Suzuki GT 380 that was given to me. Heavy and ugly. Sold it on eBay. Had a (forget the year) Suzuki RE-5 that I bought in the hopes of making a profit. I did. Sold it on eBay. Still have the stock pipes, and extra tank and a box of parts. One of the worst motorcycles I’ve ever had, or ridden. And I’ve ridden alot. Have a garage full of RZ 350’s. Some are runners, some parts, some baskets. Got an old Yamaha IT 465 J that I have toyed with the idea of turning into a vintage racer or Super Motard. Got a modern set of forks with a disk and a super-wide 17" mag to put on the rear. Need to find a good front wheel and a few extra parts to complete the Frankenbike. How old is vintage? 89 GB500? Nah. Too new. Used to have a 73 TS 250. Utter crap. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/6 "2006-08-08T07:46:45Z")
I can not add anything to this really, but would like to tell you about my brush with greatness when I didn’t even realize it until 10-15 years later: A friend of a friend of a friend of my GF’s father, back in 1966 or 1967, brought over a bike he was restoring while I was eating with the family. He’d finally gotten it running and was taking it around to be admired…it looked really nice, and really classic. Cutting to the chase I found out later just what a Vincent Black Lightning was…OMG. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/7 "2006-08-08T10:46:31Z")
When I started work back in the early 70’s I had the opportunity to buy a bike that was a little out of date and somewhat heavy. It was a one cylinder Indian (I hope I am getting this correct, I am no where near being a mechanic) . Anyway, I passed it up because I was pretty slender and would never have been able to start the thing. Apart from that, if it fell over, I would have had a hard time even lifting it up. And I probably would be dead by now trying to ride it. But it was cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/8 "2006-08-08T14:06:45Z")
Wow, quick replies! I half-expected this thread to die a quiet death. Robot-Arm, when it comes to vintage, “scooters” count. I’ve always liked the passports. 🆒 Enter the Flagon & Argent Towers, those CBs are indestructible. I was originally looking for a CB750 when I ended up with the T-500. Gatopescado, where do you live? I saw a ton of IT 465 Js and related parts at the AMA Vintage Days swapmeet a couple of weekends ago - its the largest swapmeet in the country and if there is a part you need, chances are somebody has it. Heck, a bunch of guys and gals called [Team Momba](http://teammomba.com/) built an AHRMA legal vintage race bike entirely from swapmeet parts in one weekend! Now that’s cool. LiveOnaPlane, Black Lightnings are boss. The AMA Hall of Fame is raffling one off, and I have about $40 in tickets _knock wood_. Cicero, a single cylinder Indian? do you remember what year? Some of those are worth a LOT of $$ these days. ---
**Author:** ![wheelie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b4bc9f/32.png) [@wheelie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheelie)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/9 "2006-08-08T15:40:12Z")
I’ve got a '73 Norton Commando 850 Interstate that just needs the gas tank repaired (rust holes) and it’ll be back on the road. Kinda like [this one](http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/norton_commando_850_interstate_1973.php) only mine’s black and has alloy rims with stainless spokes. It’s got a Megacycle cam, oversized Black Diamond valves, ported & polished head, lightened & polished rocker arms, bored out .040 over and electronic ignition (no points!). Yes, it’s fast. 🆒 And louder than the average Harley with straight pipes, to boot. ---
**Author:** ![motomoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@motomoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motomoon)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/10 "2006-08-09T05:23:55Z")
No bike yet, but I have enjoyed what precious little riding I have done. **Dorjä** that picture is great! I love love love cafe style bikes and when I’m not daydreaming on how to build a vintage one, I lust after [this beauty.](http://www.triumph.co.uk/uk/784.aspx) Someday… someday… ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/11 "2006-08-09T09:25:19Z")
Hell if I know what it was. It was old, but in 1971 old to me would have seemed the fifties. It may have been earlier than that. I have no idea what was imported into Australia along those lines, but I wish I had it stored in my shed right now. I still couldn’t ride it though. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/12 "2006-08-11T04:53:36Z")
I’m on the other end of the country from the AMA headquarters. I’ve been stalling on any “restoration”, as I did a bunch of rebuild on the thing 10 years ago to get it running and rode it exactly twice since then. I’m not a huge fan of throwing good money after bad. :dubious: If you stumble across a $10 pipe, a $5 intake manifold and a .50C airbox cover, grab them and I’ll make good on the payment! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/13 "2006-08-11T15:59:31Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > How old is vintage? Quite old, I think the bikes mentioned here should be called classics. Jay Leno has a great collection of [bikes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Leno%27s_cars#Motorcycles) (classic and otherwise) to go with his [cars](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Leno%27s_cars#Cars). My Dad would be jealous, he has plans to restore a Triumph 500 of some sort, has already restored a customised Royal Enfield Continental/Crusader and has just bought himself a Norton apparantly for an absolute bargain (which has made him quite proud of himself) ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/14 "2006-08-11T16:06:04Z")
IME, for motorcycles anything 30 years or older is typically considered vintage. In Ohio, any vehicle more than 25 yrs old even qualifies for a historical plate! ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/15 "2006-08-11T17:41:30Z")
I did the track worker thing for [This AHRMA race](http://www.sandiaclassic.net/) last year, so of course I will now be doing it again this year, and next year… My daily driver is[one of these](http://www.imz-ural.com/patrol/) which EVERYONE assumes is a vintage bike, though mine is a 2002 model. I also have [One of these](http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photos/schemephotos/1979%20R100RS%20Gold.jpg) (yes, Havana Gold, but with a Luftmister pipe and rearsets ) in my garage. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/16 "2006-08-14T08:25:38Z")
[QUOTE=Dorjän] IME, for motorcycles anything 30 years or older is typically considered vintage. In Ohio, any vehicle more than 25 yrs old even qualifies for a historical plate! [/QUOTE] It must be different in the UK then, IIRC pre-WWII is vintage. I’m not sure which plates can be given to different cars, the only change is with tax. Cars registered before 1973 are exempt from road tax. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/17 "2006-08-14T22:49:08Z")
The USPS just released [some new vintage motorcycles stamps](http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2006/sr06_022.htm): Cleveland 1918, Indian 1940, Harley-Davidson 1965 & Chopper c.1970 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/18 "2006-08-15T01:37:11Z")
_sigh_ I have a '99 Triump not good enough to be vintage. A few several years ago I was making a delivery to a caterier who had walk in coolers in her barn outside her kitchen. One day I noticed a spoked wheel sticking out from a tarp under a pile of junk in the corner. I couldn’t resist looking. It was a 1955 BMW with a sidecar that looked like it haden’t been touched in years. I asked the lady who owned the catering company who owned it. It was her brothers. Their uncle died and left it to him. I gave my name and number and walked on air for days thinking I could get it as a treasure for next to nothing. Next time I went there it was unburied and had a new battery next to it on a charger. The brother had forgotten about it and thought it would be fun to get it going. So much for buying a treasure. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-motorcycles/367818/19 "2006-08-15T09:08:06Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Goob] So much for buying a treasure. [/QUOTE] My Dad got his Norton for very little. Somehow some very interested parties in his vintage car and motorcycle club didn’t hear that a fairly rare and in very good condition Norton was on sale. Dad did and snapped it up before anyone else. Just sitting there in the garage its making him very happy 🙂