Gern, way back yonder I had an Itom 50cc racer - gear change on the 'other' side, racing seat. knee grip tank, and scary 'lift the front wheel in third (5 speed box!) acceleration. Probably worth a small fortune now. Screamed like a banshee as you went through the revs = also no good for going to work on!
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I got my first "big" bike in 1964, a Norton Dominator 88 all of 500cc.
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Note the up to the minute gear, studded donkey jacket and huge gauntlets. I had to get that bike on hire purchase as it cost £74 and my father had to sign as guarantor.
Sold this one today, 1986 Honda XBR 500 G.
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I bought it 12 years ago and it had a great engine but was cosmetically in poor condition so I ran it for a few miles then stripped it fully and restored it to its former glory. Over the years I have had too many bikes to remember but keep going back to Honda as they are just so well buit and reliable, present bike is a 2016 Honda NC 750X DCT which I bought new and 58443 miles later it runs as well as the day I got it.
Andy.Comment
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I agree, it's Honda all the way for me in the latter days - the CBs were thirsty but reliable, quick and fun! I had Triumphs , Nortons, BSAs, a TRIBSA, A TRITON, AJS's and several 'oddball's like DKWs and a 500cc long stroke Panther (with stripped down Watsonian sidecar chassis! Also, temporarily, a 500 Vincent with girder forks and strange triangular rear suspension system based on a single, centrally mounted, shock absorber. This was a unit hack that you bought, rode, then resold for about the same price - serviced and maintained by friendly REME mechs!Comment
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I'm a real fan of a big single cylinder engine. Really like the look of that XBR.
Have to admit though that I've never been much of a Honda man. My second bike was a mid-seventies SL125 and I once bought a CD185 for sixty quid as a winter bike. The wife had a CG125 to take her test, but that's it. No more Honda's since about 1986.
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Nick, Nothing wrong with a big old thumper - top end detonation every second lamp post!Comment
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That brings back memories, the last time I saw a Kreidler in the flesh was at a big bike meet at Rudesheim in Germany a few years ago.
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Lovely little machine in mint condition.
Andy.
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Some lovely bikes and great pics that I thoroughly enjoyed looking at!
I started with a Ducati 998S, then got a Honda VFR400R (NC24) in Rothman's colours, BMW R80 and just added a 2002 GSXR 750 to them.
Currently the VFR400R is in bit being rebuilt, R80 will be a cafe racer and the other two are almost as factory standard and condition wise.
I just need a license really and then will be away. They make nice ornaments though and I enjoy tinkering with them!Comment
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I used to have an AprillIa rs125, two stroke derestricted, extremely nimble and rode it thinking i was Valentino rossi, great fun, those where the days :smiling:
Never did get round to doing my test which I do regret but probably never will now.Comment
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Had a few since I started riding in '84 when I was 17. I will see if I can remember them:
Suzuki gp100
Suzuki gsx 250 X2
Suzuki gsx 550
Honda CD 175
Honda CB 400
Kawasaki z 200 (rat bike)
Honda CB 550 (chop)
Kawasaki z 400 (chop)
Honda VT 500
Kawasaki GT 750
Yamaha xj 750 (us import)
The VT was written off by a car driver who pulled out on me. I was only doing 20 mph. Nearly lost my leg with that one. The 2 750s came about 4 years after the crash. Don't ride now. Still love 'em to bits but got a wife and family to think about. Would love a Honda cbx 1000. Nice big 6 cylinder jobbie. Going for silly money.Comment
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Nice list of bikes Paul. I had a GSX550 for a couple of years, it took me and my lady for our first trip on the Continent when we went to the Bol d'Or at Paul Ricard in 1984. Here's a pic of the bike soon after purchase:
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