70's and 80's modernized superbikes

[roadholder]

I always liked the Honda F-bikes and had a couple examples way back.
The newer sportbikes kick ass on the track but I sure can't live with one on the street!

I suppose the current sport standards provide a good compromise.

[Badge320]

Originally Posted by roadholder

I always liked the Honda F-bikes and had a couple examples way back.
The newer sportbikes kick ass on the track but I sure can't live with one on the street!

I suppose the current sport standards provide a good compromise.

+1

I'm casually looking for one, with the right price. My choice would be a silver and blue 900 F (like the pic Kbasa posted). I'm also partial to the GPZ's and GS 1100/1150 series bikes.

[kbasa]

Originally Posted by kraven

Yeah, but there are only so many Harris parts to go around, and a clean sheet design is better than one even 10 years old.
With companies scrambling to stay afloat, it seems logical that someone would do this.
After all, the chopper thing is dead in the water. There are a lot of fab shops twiddling their thumbs and trying to get in on the next big thing.
Selling a rolling chassis would be a great idea, imo. The market is there. There are a lot of guys who can't build a bike from parts, but can transfer an engine from one chassis to another.

Make me a strong chassis that will accept the stock CB bodywork, but will carry better suspension and be more rigid and I'd be up for it. If it appears "normal", so much the better.

[squish]

I thought long and hard about this topic

I've got a CB750 with a bunch of new parts.

but then I got a screaming deal on a CB900SF
AKA 919 or Hornet 900

Most of the style of the old bikes, in a new easy to deal with modern package.

I'm still trying to figure out a number 19 style paint scheme.

(But I did keep the old CB just because I like these bikes so much.)

[kfoster]

Modernized KZ1000 Mark II

[omnivore]

Still think I'd love to find a nice cean GS1000 and buld a 17" wheeled, upside down forked, Wes Cooley Replica.

[basque]

IMHO, the best bike EVER. Letting her go (for peanuts) during a cash-strapped period is literally my biggest regret EVER.

Torque for days, electric smooth. Epic bike. Most underrated bike ever.

Not my bike below, but WHEN i get another Rex, this is my inspiration.

[jfurf]

Originally Posted by roadholder

I always liked the Honda F-bikes and had a couple examples way back.
The newer sportbikes kick ass on the track but I sure can't live with one on the street!

I suppose the current sport standards provide a good compromise.

My father owns one. 83 (I believe) Honda CB1100F. Previous owner had done a bunch of great mods. Repainted the bodywork black. Powder-coated the engine black. Put exhaust wrap on the headers. Installed a 4-1 Vance & Hines exhaust. New Sargent seat. (I would post a picture but I'm at work. )

I rode it from Tampa to Miami earlier this year and it was a great day-tripper actually. Fast, great sounding and gets a ton of compliments, especially from guys who were about 19 or 20 in 1983 and know the deal.

[roadholder]

Originally Posted by jfurf

My father owns one. 83 (I believe) Honda CB1100F.

Yes they were sold only the one year, before Honda got into V-Fours in a big way...and have now gone full circle. A shame as Honda missed the boat IMHO and the bike could have been offered a couple years earlier in North America, as could it's 900F predecessor before it was released. We read with anticpation about the "European" 900F... but Honda was focussed on it's technical showcase CBX six cylinder here, which I expect they didn't want to compete with.

[ganze]

Originally Posted by basque

IMHO, the best bike EVER. Letting her go (for peanuts) during a cash-strapped period is literally my biggest regret EVER.

Torque for days, electric smooth. Epic bike. Most underrated bike ever.

Not my bike below, but WHEN i get another Rex, this is my inspiration.

I loved the ZRX big time. I wish that I had an option of buying a new zrx, a honda cb1300s and a few other big standards that just aren't available in the U.S.

Still, there's something uniquely retro-cool about a cb1100f (or gs or z1 or ...) air cooled beast with usd forks, ohlins shocks and a 190 rear tire. On a gs forum, I found a guy who wes cooleyed up an 80 model. He went with gixxer running gear and gusseted his frame like crazy. very cool ride. I someday need to learn how to post pics.

I do know that it's a ton of work to build one of these things.

[ganze]

resurrecting and old thread with pics. what is the word for these kind of bikes? retro-fighter, retro race?




just love these things.

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by ganze

resurrecting and old thread with pics. what is the word for these kind of bikes? retro-fighter, retro race?

just love these things.

That's how you make a Honda run right. Like a Chevy LS to make a Mustang fast.

[danketchpel]

Originally Posted by basque

IMHO, the best bike EVER.

I have been seriously tempted by one of those Eddie Lawson replicas for a long time. I think if it had FI it would have sealed the deal for me.

I think I'd still consider one at the right price. IMO Kawi was on the right track with that bike but I'm not sure the rest of the buying public agreed cuz I didn't see that many on the roads.

It seems to me that the only sport bikes that sell in big numbers are cutting edge repli-racers. They are cool, but not what I want to own and ride. My tastes must be a bit "off center" as most of the bikes that I think are cool haven't sold that well.

I lament the demise of the "standard" UJM type of bike from the late 70's through the '80s. They had great ergos, looked great, were easy to make into what you wanted, fairly easy to work on, and generally bullet proof.

[ganze]

[ganze]