ICONIC / GOOD TIMES BIKES FROM THE 80's-90's

goodcat8 · 04-22-2012, 10:13 PM

A buddy of mine just picked up a mid 80's Honda VF700S that looks just like this....

After we were done making fun of him we ripped it apart. Cut the tail, lost plastics, swapped bars, lights etc. And somehow, it's looking pretty awesome

And weighing a lot less. Its has bits that are ahead of it's time. Mono shock, shaft drive, gear display etc. Surprised the hell out of me. Not a fan of the drum rear though.....

Which got me thinking. I've owned 18 motorcycles. KTM, Buell, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha..... I went threw a few 70's honda CB's during the "cafe" frenzy and had a good time w/ them. Everything else was 2000 and up. I completely skipped the 80's and 90's. Always thinking nothing attractive came from those 2 moto decades. But as tastes often do, change, I'm finding an odd appeal in them lately. And love the ballpark $1000-$1500 pricetag I see on many of them on craigslist.

Started looking and found rides like these...
Honda Nighthawk 700S

Honda CB100 Super 4

What am I missing? I want to expand my bike knowledge and maybe put a new project in the garage.

mudgepondexpress · 04-23-2012, 08:55 AM

1983-86 GS550E or GS550ES
1983-85 GS700/750E or ES
1983-85 GS1150E (the ES had and ugly fairing)

1980-8? GPZ Kawasaki's
Eliminator 900

1985/86 FZ750
Yamaha Fazer (85/87), not Phazer (snowmobile)
Yamaha VMax

These are a few from the 80's that I thought looked pretty nice...depends if you like sport, cruiser or muscle. For your tastes...I would say the Fazer is quite cool. It is also bullet fast for the decade (FZ750 in an upright, muscle bike frame). The GS series is tried and true but the mid 80's were the top of the heap in power per size and handling. Monoshocks on streetbikes was fairly common by the early/mid 80s (Kawasaki GPZ came first, then Honda (82), Suzuki GS (83), and finally in 84 Yamaha (FJ1100 and the first mass production perimeter frame).

PS: The Nighthawk S is very attractive...the CB1100, not so much (excessive, looks like a cheap showgirl)

Kenny

goodcat8 · 04-23-2012, 02:30 PM

Exactly what I'm talking about, now I have more models I've never heard of to google image

Found this last night. As standard, I like a bike that's only made for 2 years and then *poof*.

83'-84' Honda VT500 Ascot

Airhead Wrangler · 04-23-2012, 02:54 PM

A monument to late '70s / early '80s excess. Who gives a shit about handling and brakes when you have POWER!

O.C.F.RIDER · 04-23-2012, 03:27 PM

I snapped this baby up three weeks ago.....................

I was never a fan of these, but for the price I got it for I'd be a fucking idiot if I didn't grab it. After putting over 700 miles on it already.................I like it!

DeutschMark · 04-23-2012, 08:13 PM

So f'n 80's. I love it. How much was it?

don-vee · 04-23-2012, 08:44 PM

I always loved Radians

caponerd · 04-23-2012, 08:50 PM

Iconic? Head up to the airheads forum.

Any version of R100. What's great about those is that they all had the same chassis up to the late 80's, same engine and wheels with different plastic parts and handlebars attached.

And they're infinitely rebuildable using brand new factory made parts, or endless options for aftermarket upgrades.

Sorry, prolly not really what you had in mind, but they are iconic 80's motorcycles.

goodcat8 · 04-23-2012, 09:49 PM

Any upright 80's bike is on my scope. I'm eyeballing many a street tracker conversions......

such as.......

goodcat8 · 04-23-2012, 09:55 PM

These R100 can be made into some rad customs....

Sadly they're pricey.
this ones only$1000!!!

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/2923278321.html

The SR500 seem to be capable of fun customization.

EetsOK · 04-23-2012, 10:31 PM

Mk I Speed Triple.

MODNROD · 04-23-2012, 10:41 PM

Aaahh, the '80s!
Heaps of grunt, awful suspension, terrible handling, and NO brakes.
Gotta luv 'em, here's mine......

As you can see, fun for all the family.

mightymanx · 04-23-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MODNROD

Aaahh, the '80s!
Heaps of grunt, awful suspension, terrible handling, and NO brakes.
Gotta luv 'em, here's mine......

As you can see, fun for all the family.

I second the Vmax

I would also look at Shadows and Magnas

goodcat8 · 04-23-2012, 11:35 PM

The old trump triples are slick, and that max looks pretty sweet too.

Harry Backer · 04-24-2012, 04:53 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBdlS...80ALT5S_zwABAA A few in here eheh.

04-22-2012, 10:13 PM	#1
goodcat8 ^OP I can pass this guy..... Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 2,737	ICONIC / GOOD TIMES BIKES FROM THE 80's-90's A buddy of mine just picked up a mid 80's Honda VF700S that looks just like this.... After we were done making fun of him we ripped it apart. Cut the tail, lost plastics, swapped bars, lights etc. And somehow, it's looking pretty awesome And weighing a lot less. Its has bits that are ahead of it's time. Mono shock, shaft drive, gear display etc. Surprised the hell out of me. Not a fan of the drum rear though..... Which got me thinking. I've owned 18 motorcycles. KTM, Buell, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha..... I went threw a few 70's honda CB's during the "cafe" frenzy and had a good time w/ them. Everything else was 2000 and up. I completely skipped the 80's and 90's. Always thinking nothing attractive came from those 2 moto decades. But as tastes often do, change, I'm finding an odd appeal in them lately. And love the ballpark $1000-$1500 pricetag I see on many of them on craigslist. Started looking and found rides like these... Honda Nighthawk 700S Honda CB100 Super 4 What am I missing? I want to expand my bike knowledge and maybe put a new project in the garage. __________________ 2012 Triumph Bonneville 2006 Suzuki Vstrom Prior: 3rd Battalion - 6th Marines - 2nd Marine Division - Lima Company - 2nd Platoon - 0311

04-23-2012, 08:55 AM	#2
mudgepondexpress Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Spokane, WA Oddometer: 1,108	1983-86 GS550E or GS550ES 1983-85 GS700/750E or ES 1983-85 GS1150E (the ES had and ugly fairing) 1980-8? GPZ Kawasaki's Eliminator 900 1985/86 FZ750 Yamaha Fazer (85/87), not Phazer (snowmobile) Yamaha VMax These are a few from the 80's that I thought looked pretty nice...depends if you like sport, cruiser or muscle. For your tastes...I would say the Fazer is quite cool. It is also bullet fast for the decade (FZ750 in an upright, muscle bike frame). The GS series is tried and true but the mid 80's were the top of the heap in power per size and handling. Monoshocks on streetbikes was fairly common by the early/mid 80s (Kawasaki GPZ came first, then Honda (82), Suzuki GS (83), and finally in 84 Yamaha (FJ1100 and the first mass production perimeter frame). PS: The Nighthawk S is very attractive...the CB1100, not so much (excessive, looks like a cheap showgirl) Kenny mudgepondexpress screwed with this post 04-23-2012 at 09:10 AM

04-23-2012, 02:30 PM	#3
goodcat8 ^OP I can pass this guy..... Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 2,737	Exactly what I'm talking about, now I have more models I've never heard of to google image Found this last night. As standard, I like a bike that's only made for 2 years and then poof. 83'-84' Honda VT500 Ascot __________________ 2012 Triumph Bonneville 2006 Suzuki Vstrom Prior: 3rd Battalion - 6th Marines - 2nd Marine Division - Lima Company - 2nd Platoon - 0311

04-23-2012, 02:54 PM	#4
Airhead Wrangler More tacos than you Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Manzanillo MX, occasionally Seattle Oddometer: 5,098	A monument to late '70s / early '80s excess. Who gives a shit about handling and brakes when you have POWER! __________________ R80ST Gets The HPN Treatment Ducati Pantah 500SL Rebuild Seattle to TDF on an airhead WTB R100R Mystic sidestand and mount. Airhead Wrangler screwed with this post 04-24-2012 at 08:28 AM

04-23-2012, 03:27 PM	#5
O.C.F.RIDER Loose nut behind h/bars Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Hewitt,New Jerseystan, OBAMANATION Oddometer: 4,508	I snapped this baby up three weeks ago..................... I was never a fan of these, but for the price I got it for I'd be a fucking idiot if I didn't grab it. After putting over 700 miles on it already.................I like it! __________________ http://www.theshining.info/ KTM 950 Adv. "S"...'06 KTM 525 EXC... '76 MV Agusta 750 America S...'84 Honda VF1000... '90 Kawasaki ZX11...'76 Kawasaki 900 Z1...'01 VOR 400E

04-23-2012, 08:13 PM	#6
DeutschMark Full Tilt Boogie Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Grand Haven Oddometer: 196	So f'n 80's. I love it. How much was it? __________________ 89 BMW R100RS 97 Suzuki DR350

04-23-2012, 08:44 PM	#7
don-vee Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: The dead coal city of Wilkes-Barre, PA Oddometer: 91	I always loved Radians

04-23-2012, 08:50 PM	#8
caponerd Kickstart Enthusiast Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Halfway between Munich and Redditch. Oddometer: 1,809	Iconic? Head up to the airheads forum. Any version of R100. What's great about those is that they all had the same chassis up to the late 80's, same engine and wheels with different plastic parts and handlebars attached. And they're infinitely rebuildable using brand new factory made parts, or endless options for aftermarket upgrades. Sorry, prolly not really what you had in mind, but they are iconic 80's motorcycles.

04-23-2012, 09:49 PM	#9
goodcat8 ^OP I can pass this guy..... Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 2,737	Any upright 80's bike is on my scope. I'm eyeballing many a street tracker conversions...... such as....... __________________ 2012 Triumph Bonneville 2006 Suzuki Vstrom Prior: 3rd Battalion - 6th Marines - 2nd Marine Division - Lima Company - 2nd Platoon - 0311

04-23-2012, 09:55 PM	#10
goodcat8 ^OP I can pass this guy..... Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 2,737	These R100 can be made into some rad customs.... Sadly they're pricey. this ones only$1000!!! http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/2923278321.html The SR500 seem to be capable of fun customization. __________________ 2012 Triumph Bonneville 2006 Suzuki Vstrom Prior: 3rd Battalion - 6th Marines - 2nd Marine Division - Lima Company - 2nd Platoon - 0311

04-23-2012, 10:31 PM	#11
EetsOK Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2012 Location: Kootenay/Boundary Oddometer: 596	Mk I Speed Triple. __________________ l never really thought of myself as a freak. But l'd love to freak.

04-23-2012, 10:41 PM	#12
MODNROD Perpetual ponderer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Midwest, West Oz Oddometer: 1,663	Aaahh, the '80s! Heaps of grunt, awful suspension, terrible handling, and NO brakes. Gotta luv 'em, here's mine...... As you can see, fun for all the family. __________________ Every ride's an adventure if you can't ride for crap http://www.dragtimes.com/Ducati-Mons...lip-10329.html

04-23-2012, 11:35 PM	#14
goodcat8 ^OP I can pass this guy..... Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 2,737	The old trump triples are slick, and that max looks pretty sweet too. __________________ 2012 Triumph Bonneville 2006 Suzuki Vstrom Prior: 3rd Battalion - 6th Marines - 2nd Marine Division - Lima Company - 2nd Platoon - 0311 goodcat8 screwed with this post 04-23-2012 at 11:41 PM

04-24-2012, 04:53 AM	#15
Harry Backer Ran when parked! Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Danville, Il Oddometer: 373	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBdlS...80ALT5S_zwABAA A few in here eheh. __________________ Motorcycle = Mind eraser 78 R100/7 / 70 CL350 / 71 CB350 94 Duc 900ss / 63 Suzuki 80 K10

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