Triumphrat

stevent · 05-19-2007, 12:07 PM

Anyone else notice how many 70's and 80's UJM's are out and about these days? from CB Honda's to Seca's to GS series Suzuki's and XS Yamaha's they're out there in there Windjammer fairing/ Milk Crate luggage boxed glory. It's like riding in a time warp, they even have Bell full face helmets and goggles on!

I guess with gas pushing $3.50 a gallon they're digging the ol' bike out from behind lawn furniture, golf bags and kids junk in the garage, peeling off the tarp. and seeing if she'll start ! A new battery, an oil change if they're lucky and it's off we go getting 45 mpg and screw the oil companies.

I think it's good and good exposure to have more bikes and small cars on the road and safer for us than big trucks and SUV's. Plus I've seen bikes I haven't seen in years, yesterday I saw a fairly decent FJ1200 Yamaha and a V45 Sabre within a few miles of each other....It's a blast from the Past !!!

:upthumb:

daveforty · 05-19-2007, 01:11 PM

They seem to be appreciating in value, Kawasaki Z1 and Honda CBX in particular. Never been that enamoured with them myself, but people I know are starting to drool over them (like wot I do with Nortons).

rodburner · 05-19-2007, 01:54 PM

Not really a UJM,but had a younger guy ride past one of my job sites a couple times,one day last week,on a very clean Honda "step-thru" 65. The way he was grinning,it was either his first bike,or ,he knew it was worth 2Gs.

trypcil · 05-19-2007, 03:55 PM

Funny but I was noticing more olduns in LA too! Maybe fuel costs have something to do with it, either or whatever way, it's cool.

FALSTEN · 05-19-2007, 06:15 PM

I commented just the other day to a friend on the same thing. I've been really looking at bikes since I started riding just a few short years ago, and I've never seen the number of old school bikes out and about as I have in the last six months. You're right, too: milk crates, old aftermarket fairings, sissy bars, the works. Pretty cool :upthumb:

iceman · 05-19-2007, 07:07 PM

... you're right Steven - have a quick look through EBay or Trademe (our equivalent) and there are heaps of old 70s and 80s big bikes that have been wheeled out from 20 years in storage - and seem to be fetching fairly good prices.

Add to that the current crop of retro new bikes and there seems to be a real revival going on out there.

I still prefer my Sprint though for it's 21st century performance,handling,looks,and reliability :-D

Grant

97sprint · 05-19-2007, 08:06 PM

I ride an "old" UJM in addition to my Sprint.
I pulled the "old" GS out the other day.
Dropped the battery in, cranker right up and took off.
Redline, 9K, in 3 gears and a HUGE smile on my face

There's a local bike night here, I usually take the "old" GS
and park it off to the side. MANY people stop by wity comments of " I remember those" Or "What year is that ? "

The GSX-R kids have no idea this is the grandfather of their bikes. She may not out run the Sprint, but the Sprint won't run away from it either.

By the way it's a 1980 Suzuki GS 1000S, aka Wes Cooley

Looks good against the Sprint eh ?

[ This message was edited by: 97sprint on 2007-05-19 18:07 ]

mdgore · 05-19-2007, 11:48 PM

The problem is the riders skills are probably as dusty and rusted as the bikes they're riding. And just like the bikes they're on it's going to take them some time to get up to speed. AND, how many of those riders have let their M1 class license expire?

doodledog · 05-20-2007, 05:14 AM

grteat bikes and good to see em, just hope there on new rubber and oil!

97sprint · 05-20-2007, 06:59 AM

Quote:

On 2007-05-20 03:14, doodledog wrote:
grteat bikes and good to see em, just hope there on new rubber and oil!

Always maintained.
That's part of the fun with these older bikes.
No computer junk to deal with. I can pull the rack of carbs, bench synch and back on in under an hour.

The GS-S has Dunlop GT501 tires, new Progressive suspension front and rear. New brake pads, etc.
And oil change is about 15 minutes on these.

I've had my GS for 17+ years. It's rider not a trailer queen.