 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups General MotorcyclesHarleyYamahaSportbikesRacingOff-roadSnowmobilesTechnicalCountry Specific Australian GroupUK GroupClassic (UK Group)Related Topics CarsBoatsMore Topics ... |
Motorcycle Forum / General / Motorcycles / June 2007Too many bikes
I can't really afford to keep so many bikes -- but they're hard to get rid of because I like them. For instance, my '82 Exciter 250; single cyl thumper, except its exhaust sound is more like a pop than a thump. This thing is so light and easy to manage that it's my preferred scoot for short errands. It's also real fun to ride... but really, something's wrong with the world if I'd rather take a 25-year-old 250 than a full dress Harley Electra Glide. I just spend hours getting the little Yamaha in shape for sale, and then realized I really don't want to let it go, despite its 80 kph cruising speed: it'll do 90 if I push it, and even a bit more under protest. Still, common sense says I should sell it while the selling's good; at its age something's bound to break sooner than later, and that's why I bought the '06 LS650 (which right now is sitting unused in a shed by a blueberry field). Well, with its stock muffler it sounds more like a Singer sewing machine than a motorcycle -- what's the fun of a thumper if it doesn't thump? Then there's the Honda CM400T. There's no place for it in my current bike fleet, but it's there (uninsured) anyway... because it feels something like a Brit twin in miniature. Furthermore, I've got a collection of dirt bikes which I picked up last winter at off-season prices with the idea of making a few bucks. The problem is that I bought types I like (mostly enduros and 1 trials), and now it's a pain to let them go. I should have bought dirt bikes I wasn't interested in, such as motocross. Meanwhile I got the VW trike running (but not road legal yet, so for the time being I've just been riding it around paths in the blueberry field). This thing is such a blast that all my other machines are likely to become lonely and neglected. And as if that all wasn't enough, someone got me excited about the new (ie, Hinckley) Bonneville. Is this ever gonna end? Mebbe I need a 12-step group... [me]: "I'm Sean and I'm a compulsive motorcycle hoarder." [many voices]: "Hi Sean!" Sean_Q_ >I can't really afford to keep so many bikes -- but > they're hard to get rid of because I like them. [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > Sean_Q_ Absolutely nothing wrong with you. :-) > I can't really afford to keep so many bikes -- but > they're hard to get rid of because I like them. <snip familiar tale> > And as if that all wasn't enough, someone got me excited > about the new (ie, Hinckley) Bonneville. Is this ever gonna end? > Mebbe I need a 12-step group... > > [me]: "I'm Sean and I'm a compulsive motorcycle hoarder." > [many voices]: "Hi Sean!" *Waves* "You can never have too many motorcycles" Let's see now. The garage is full, hosuing as it does the BMW, Ducati, 400 Four, SL125 and my son's little 125. And so my 250 lives outside. Now what do I do? Buy another 250, in large lumps, and a non-running 400 Four. >> I can't really afford to keep so many bikes -- but >> they're hard to get rid of because I like them. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Now what do I do? Buy another 250, in large lumps, and a non-running > 400 Four. I'll take the 400 Four  SignatureBy it's very nature, my sig. makes this posting 100% on topic. "Of course, you'll have the good taste not to mention that I posted this." Thumper "I don't want a pickle..." http://www.thumpers-roadhouse.ws 2007 H-D FXSTD Deuce 2006 Buell Ulysees 2006 BMW K1200GT 2004 H-D Road King Classic 1978 Triumph T140V Bonneville 1975 Triumph T160 Trident 1974 Norton Commando Interstate 1969 BSA R75 Red Rocket III 1962 Triumph T20 Tiger Cub 1958 BSA Super Bantam COCK 1954 Velocette MAC > I'll take the 400 Four Over my dead, cold body ;-) It's this one, btw: http://members.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=bike-push er Nice, huh? SignatureBMW K1100LT 750SS CB400F CD250 SL125 GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3 BOF#30 WUSS#5 The bells, the bells..... >> I'll take the 400 Four > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Nice, huh? Gorgeous. -- Larry >I can't really afford to keep so many bikes -- but > they're hard to get rid of because I like them. [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > Sean_Q_ Life's a bitch, ain't it? SignatureBy it's very nature, my sig. makes this posting 100% on topic. "Of course, you'll have the good taste not to mention that I posted this." Thumper "I don't want a pickle..." http://www.thumpers-roadhouse.ws 2007 H-D FXSTD Deuce 2006 Buell Ulysees 2006 BMW K1200GT 2004 H-D Road King Classic 1978 Triumph T140V Bonneville 1975 Triumph T160 Trident 1974 Norton Commando Interstate 1969 BSA R75 Red Rocket III 1962 Triumph T20 Tiger Cub 1958 BSA Super Bantam COCK 1954 Velocette MAC >And as if that all wasn't enough, someone got me excited >about the new (ie, Hinckley) Bonneville. I get more excited by the America cruiser with its 270-degree crankshaft. Most of the traditional British four-stroke cycle straight two cylinder engines had a crank angle of 360 degrees, which means that both pistons have to be in the same position and move in same direction all the time. This leads to a working cycle every 360°. The mechanical balance of this design is no better than that of a similar displacement one-cylinder engine, because the forces of both cylinders add up. The advantage is that the firing is regular, with one cylinder firing each revolution of the crankshaft. Basically, with a ~270 degree crank design twin cylinder engine when the number one piston is at zero velocity at top dead center, piston number two is at or near its maximum velocity. Rod length and crankshaft stroke can vary this exact 90 degree point but that length is insignificant compared to the more effective rotational momentum impulse changes that are actually turning the crankshaft. This makes the engine crankshaft impulse delivery smoother compared to a standard 360 degree crankshaft twin where both pistons are at TDC and BDC together, even though they are on equally spaced "rocking couple" power strokes. Additionally, the exhaust sound also changes from two equally spaced notes, into two close pulses like that of an Italian Ducati motorcycle for example. A road tester from a motorcycle magazine was under the impression that the reason for the 270 degree crank was to give the engine a funky sound and a pulsing power delivery like a V-twin. He was amazed that the America engine ran so much smoother than the Bonneville. > A road tester from a motorcycle magazine was under the impression that the > reason for the 270 degree crank was to give the engine a funky sound and a > pulsing power delivery like a V-twin. > > He was amazed that the America engine ran so much smoother than the > Bonneville. I'll keep that in mind... however, I'd also want the bike to have some character. Sean_Q_ >> He was amazed that the America engine ran so much smoother than the >> Bonneville. > >I'll keep that in mind... however, I'd also want the bike >to have some character. Character? What's in a word? I was walking through the airport once when a Hari Krishna came prancing up to me and said, "You are the most distinguished looking gentleman that I have seen here all day!" I said, "You're right, I have gotten old and wrinkled and gnarly over the years." He was so stunned by my character he didn't even try to offer to "give" me a copy of his guru's book... "Character" is simply the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. Motorcyclists have long used the term "character" to describe the nuisances of owning this or that gnarly motorcycle that only seems to start when *it* wants to, or only gives you a ride when *it* is in the mood. Some riders would even say, "That bike has so much character, it takes a character to ride it." As the sport of motorcycle riding has grown in popularity, the riding public has become less tolerant of gnarly character, and even the Hells Angeles have been known to bathe. Sonny Barger once said that a Gold Wing was a better motorcycle, but he sold Harleys and therefore had to ride one and put up with its character. My friend who was the president of a local British bike owners club once told me that Japanese motorcycles had no character, that they were "like appliances". But he went shopping for a Kawasaki to replace his Cagiva-Ducati that he rode because his BSA's were too unreliable for daily transportation. And, in closing, consumers will *always* be looking for some unique and distinctive character in whatever appliances they buy. This inherent characteristic of consumers guarantees that some entrepreneur will always be ready to provide mass-produced appliances that seem to distinguish one consumer from another and enhance their social status---at least from their own viewpoint. Thanks for your comments... > Character? What's in a word? Perhaps I should have said "interesting design flaws"? Sean_Q_ >Thanks for your comments... > >> Character? What's in a word? > >Perhaps I should have said "interesting design flaws"? Then ask the two clowns at Mythbusters or the gnarly dude at OC Choppers to build you a "custom" motorcycle... > Additionally, the exhaust sound also changes from two equally spaced notes, > into two close pulses like that of an Italian Ducati motorcycle for example. Copied from that XS650 website.... SignatureBMW K1100LT 750SS CB400F CD250 SL125 GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3 BOF#30 WUSS#5 The bells, the bells..... > And as if that all wasn't enough, someone got me excited > about the new (ie, Hinckley) Bonneville. Is this ever gonna end? > Mebbe I need a 12-step group... I know a guy who can hook you up with a Triumph fix... SignatureCam '00 Sprint RS |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.