Cars and Motorcycles - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

need2speed · #1 04-05-2008, 08:09 PM

When you are a self-confessed car nut, I'm also willing to bet you are attracted to other things mechanical...like motorcycles!

Personally, I can't even picture not having a motorbike in the garage to enjoy on a summer day, or fiddle with on a winter night. I'd like to kick this thread off with a list of my past mistresses and a picture of the present one:

82 Yamaha RD350, black, air-cooled
84 Yamaha RZ350, red/white half-fairing, liquid-cooled
86 Yamaha RZ350, red/white full fairing, liquid-cooled
82 Yamaha XJ650 Seca, silver, air-cooled (present)

The Seca has benefitted from years of fiddling (we have long winters in Canada) and here is a partial list. Unfortunately, Yamaha doesn't stock parts for this vintage any longer so I have a side hobby of collecting Hitachi carbs.

K&N jet kit
K&N pod air filters
Dynacoil ignition coil
generic silicone igniton wires
Koni rear shocks/springs
Progressive Suspension front springs
Spec II drilled brake rotors
Russell stainless brake lines
MetalMaster front brake pads
Telefix fork brace
Mac 4-into-1 exhaust
new Avon OE-spec Roadrunner tires
recovered seat
bar-end mirrors

Now...what's your ride?

Lunagen Labs · #2 04-06-2008, 12:22 AM

Here's mine, a 1985 Suzuki Katana750. I wanted one since seeing one in the Tamiya model catalog back in '88 or so. They never imported them to the US, so I finally found this one in Toronto in '99. I love this bike.

When I picked it up:

First iteration of upgrades, mid '90s US Katana wheels and forks:

Current progress. '01 TL1000R wheels and forks, '04 GSXR rearsets, custom swingarm, lots of little tweeks:

Skid Row Joe · #3 04-06-2008, 02:25 AM

A gorgeous, potent and original 1976 Honda CB550 4-cylinder, with matching low-miles.

bgkast · #4 04-06-2008, 03:37 AM

None of the pictures work Joe.

Here is my last bike, I sold it about a year ago. It was a ’74 CB750. Picture 1 is how I got it (it was covered with leather, even the fenders

) Picture 2 is how it looked when I sold it. I wish I had it back...

need2speed · #5 04-06-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunagen Labs

Here's mine, a 1985 Suzuki Katana750. I wanted one since seeing one in the Tamiya model catalog back in '88 or so. They never imported them to the US, so I finally found this one in Toronto in '99. I love this bike.

Hey, I made a model of that bike too! Here are some old photos: model shots are also welcome in this thread

need2speed · #6 04-06-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

A gorgeous, potent and original 1976 Honda CB550 4-cylinder, with matching low-miles.

NEED PICTURES!!!

omegabenz · #7 04-06-2008, 04:15 PM

Dean, nice thread. Good idea! A continuation of cars and wrist watches.

I don't have a motorcycle yet, I am 24. I was hoping to wait until after I was 25 to save on rates and stuff. So I don't know if this counts.

My dad has a 1978 BMW R100/7 with probably 68k miles on it. He used to ride it from San Diego to San Francisco in the early 90s for his method of commuting for the consulting he did during the Silicon Valley Boom. He liked riding it because it got about 48 mpg, so he was making money while he rode it at the writing off level of $0.30 / mile or whatever it was.

He no longer rides it, so I have my eye on it. I think he would let me ride it or have it, if I got my motorcycle endorcement on my License. I also really like the 2002 BMW R1100 bikes. Also my friend here in town has a brother-in-law in Frankfurt,DE that owns a BMW restoration shop for motorcycles called Uli's Motorrad or something like that. FYI.

need2speed · #8 04-07-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegabenz

My dad has a 1978 BMW R100/7 with probably 68k miles on it.

NEED PICTURES!!!

The RZ's were addictive but dangerous...either full on or full off. Nicknamed this one "the Atomic Chainsaw"

JMURiz · #9 04-08-2008, 03:18 PM

I've got some bikes, house projects have taken over for riding and wrenching on cars/bikes.

'90 Yamaha FZR400
'91 Suzuki Bandit 400
'65 Ducati Falcon 80 restoration project

85300DT · #10 04-08-2008, 04:59 PM

RZ's were docile compared to the 2 stroke triple series from Kawasaki. I had a 400 triple and the 750 triple. Both equipped with bassani chambers. Talk about narrow powerband. Nothing from 0 to 3000 rpm, but after that - power came on like a rocket. The frame geometry was less than stellar - the front end wobbles like crazy - probably from all the wheelies off the lights. Mind you, they sounded cool for a two stroke...

need2speed · #11 04-09-2008, 11:23 AM

Never had the pleasure of riding a Kaw triple but know their reputation. They were a generation before the RZ's. There is a nice RZ500 on fleabay right now but the price is a little steep. I'd lust after a Suzuki Gamma 500 as the peak of road-going 2-stroke development.

duxthe1 · #12 04-09-2008, 01:30 PM

I have an '01 Yamaha FZ1, #60 built. Technicaly it is a "sport touring" bike but with the 1 liter 5 valve engine it leans heavily to the sport side. Even so it's a very comfy bike and is referred to as a "couch rocket" quite often.

jcyuhn · #13 04-09-2008, 02:01 PM

Nah, this is the real couch rocket. Yamaha 2006 FJR 1300. Comfortable ergos, electric windshield, locking hard luggage, ABS brakes. Oh, and 145HP on a 625lb bike.

Old World Auto · #14 04-09-2008, 03:22 PM

Cars, bikes, watches, if it is mechanical in nature, good chance I have an obesession with it in some form or the other....

1981 BMW R65, getting close to 80k miles on it, 2 owners from new...

Past bikes:

'78 Suzuki DS80
'85 Honda ATC110
'85 Yamaha YZ80N
'79 Kawasaki SR650
'83 BMW R80RT

Pictured are my old R80RT and the R65.

Kpmurphy · #15 04-09-2008, 03:25 PM

I have a 1982 CB900F
Kevin