Motorcycles

[hayzum]



I used to have an RD350 in high school; I wish I still had it.

Bad move. I wish I had one in high school, bet it must have been great having the RD as a teenager!

Anyway, aesthetic work needs to be done but I need a spare tank and side cover and oil tank because I don't want to paint over my originals which are in decent shape.

Took this pic on Grizzly Peak in Berkeley, CA.

That is not original paint, is it? I have one in red and one in blue both as they were from the factory.

I am on the hunt for the Daytona Special and a TZ750 for a friend who has sixteen RD350's, don't ask why he needs sixteen.

Paint options from the factory.
[ATTACHMENT=1578]show_image.jpg (83k. jpg file)[/ATTACHMENT]

 

[Salad]

Yes, original paint for a 1978 RD400, at least in the US. It was the only color available in 1978 and the '78 was the only year they did the seat with the body molding at the rear. 76-77 was different.
Looking at the chart you attached, it's the second column from the left, 3rd from top.

I'm going to take my tins off, find a different set, get a Laguna seat, and do a yellow/black power bar paint job like a Kenny Roberts TZ. That's the plan anyway.

 

[KurtS90]

Does anyone drive/ride a motorbike daily, even as only transportation? Is this doable in Florida, hot days and evening rains?

I been thinking of getting a bike on and off. Really considering it now, to try and save money through college. I would do all the basic maintenance myself to save a penny...

Motorbikes I am considering in specific order.

Vespa GTV 300 (Cheap to insure, stylish)
Triumph Bonneville
BMW G650GS (Durable/Reliable)
Ducati Monster 796/ABS
Honda CBR/250--->Ducati 848

I like the style of Ducati's and would love to own one. But just don't see any comfort at all for daily abuse. The Vespa looks perfect with tons of storage. I also like the fact it has plenty of power for US roads and won't feel like I am waisting a perfectly good bike.

~Kurt

 

[Tck13]



Does anyone drive/ride a motorbike daily, even as only transportation? Is this doable in Florida, hot days and evening rains?

I been thinking of getting a bike on and off. Really considering it now, to try and save money through college. I would do all the basic maintenance myself to save a penny...

Motorbikes I am considering in specific order.

Vespa GTV 300 (Cheap to insure, stylish)
Triumph Bonneville
BMW G650GS (Durable/Reliable)
Ducati Monster 796/ABS
Honda CBR/250--->Ducati 848

I like the style of Ducati's and would love to own one. But just don't see any comfort at all for daily abuse. The Vespa looks perfect with tons of storage. I also like the fact it has plenty of power for US roads and won't feel like I am waisting a perfectly good bike.

~Kurt

I used to ride a bike every day (an hour each way in Pennsylvania) and after doing it for a while I feel like to do it successfully and happily one needs a bagger and ALL of the proper gear. Either that or a 20 minute short commute.

 

[KurtS90]

By full baggier, do you mean those massive Harley's? I can't see riding one of those. If I was to get a bike, it would be for around town 30 minute commutes. 1-2 twice a month I would head over to Orlando... But that's where the Vespa maybe a bit iffy on the interstate.

~Kurt

 

[gnatty8]



Does anyone drive/ride a motorbike daily, even as only transportation? Is this doable in Florida, hot days and evening rains?

I been thinking of getting a bike on and off. Really considering it now, to try and save money through college. I would do all the basic maintenance myself to save a penny...

Motorbikes I am considering in specific order.

Vespa GTV 300 (Cheap to insure, stylish)
Triumph Bonneville
BMW G650GS (Durable/Reliable)
Ducati Monster 796/ABS
Honda CBR/250--->Ducati 848

I like the style of Ducati's and would love to own one. But just don't see any comfort at all for daily abuse. The Vespa looks perfect with tons of storage. I also like the fact it has plenty of power for US roads and won't feel like I am waisting a perfectly good bike.

~Kurt

If it were me, I'd buy the Bonneville. You can add braces for saddlebags for long trips. No contest IMO.

 

[gnatty8]



By full baggier, do you mean those massive Harley's? I can't see riding one of those. If I was to get a bike, it would be for around town 30 minute commutes. 1-2 twice a month I would head over to Orlando... But that's where the Vespa maybe a bit iffy on the interstate.

~Kurt

I agree with you on this one. Nothing tortures my soul quite so much as seeing one of those massive ******* Road Kings go down the highway with their full farings and trunks and saddlebags. Ugly as sin.

 

[VonLehndorff]

Rode a BMW R100RS for 200,000 miles. Absolute Love. Winter/Summer. Raced a Ducati F1 750. Ohhh Yeah! Ducati 999. mmmmm. Ducati Monster. Great street ripper. Tried to buy a Harley Road King, thinking cruising comfort. Ever park one of those things? Requires advance planning and handles like a Peterbuilt. Having a builder fabricate a Harley cafe-racer ( reference; Buell, 50/60s Triumph/Norton). Go to a Ducati dealer, set up a chair alongside one and just scan the individual parts. You'll fall in Love. Then ride it. Marriage made in Heaven.

 

[VonLehndorff]

BTW; if it doesn't fit in a tank bag, or rolled up on the pinion seat, leave it home. For you new riders: Ride with leathers, even when hot. Road rash is forever. Denim is a joke when sliding on asphalt, might as well be naked. My thick race leathers ripped down to skin in an 80mph race slide, ripped skin lasted months. Ride with your Brain

 

[John Doe]



Go to a Ducati dealer, set up a chair alongside one and just scan the individual parts. You'll fall in Love. Then ride it. Marriage made in Heaven.

I endorse this post.

 

[John Doe]



BTW; if it doesn't fit in a tank bag, or rolled up on the pinion seat, leave it home. For you new riders: Ride with leathers, even when hot. Road rash is forever. Denim is a joke when sliding on asphalt, might as well be naked. My thick race leathers ripped down to skin in an 80mph race slide, ripped skin lasted months. Ride with your Brain

Also this one.

 

[John Doe]



I agree with you on this one. Nothing tortures my soul quite so much as seeing one of those massive ******* Road Kings go down the highway with their full farings and trunks and saddlebags. Ugly as sin.

As well as this one.

 

[Tck13]



By full baggier, do you mean those massive Harley's? I can't see riding one of those. If I was to get a bike, it would be for around town 30 minute commutes. 1-2 twice a month I would head over to Orlando... But that's where the Vespa maybe a bit iffy on the interstate.

~Kurt

Yeah, that's not bad at all. You can put a small amount on a smaller bike. When I would commute daily for an hour I'd run in to everything; thunderstorms (rain suit), needed space for a gym bag, packed lunch, extra cold weather at night, etc...

 

[Piobaire]

Had the cycle bug very bad for the last couple of weeks. Still waiting for another few years but just doing more comparisons. That Kaw Concours 1400cc just seems like a very sweet bike for 15k.

 

[VonLehndorff]

Oh Boy. Vespa on the interstate? Remember that guy who rode his lawn tractor across country to visit his brother? At least he stayed in the breakdown lane.