I’m sure you all know this already but some of our bikes are 1 – 2 years away from their 30th birthday……..we must put some plan into place to celebrate this momentous event!!?
My GS850 had it's 30th last year. I shouted it a thrash around Hampton Downs for it's birthday. Trouble is, it now wants to return there this year.
Yup. Bruno's getting a new paint job for his thirtyeth this year Who else is 1980 ??
My old girl is turning 30, just coming into her prime I think Paul Kelly said it best when he said "I never did one damn good thing 'til I was over thirty".........
Mere youngsters . . . . . my bike turns 35 this year, and Voltaire's mighty Toaster will be celebrating its 40th next year IIRC.
I have a few 1980 and 81 , will look at build dates, my DT175 was 30 last year, didnt even kick its tyres for its birthdayl. The T20 is 42 and my TY250 is 36, Even my new bike is 15 lol Bon Scott has been dead 30 years on the 19th Feb
yeah... back in black... as if it was just yesterday...
you old bastards....i figure 30 is a fairly decent age for a bike.....and i dunno but saying your bike is 20+ years old is not as cool as saying it is 30......IMO....
Yeah, much older than 30 years and you're looking at spoke wheels, single front discs or worse still shoes, points, single OHC or worse still pushrods, kick starters, poor quality shocks, excessive vibration (Harley's and parallel twins) and the obligatory oils leaks. Geez I love this era.
Originally Posted by DD Yeah, much older than 30 years and you're looking at spoke wheels, single front discs or worse still shoes, points, single OHC or worse still pushrods, kick starters, poor quality shocks, excessive vibration (Harley's and parallel twins) and the obligatory oils leaks. Geez I love this era It's funny how one man's asset is another man's liability . . . . . I prefer spoke wheels, points and pushrods. If the points gap happens to close up or if the capacitor dies, I can rectify that on the side of the road. Try that with an electronic black box! Ironic to think that the most valuable Suzy GS/GSX variant of the early '80s was the limited edition Katana organised by Coleman for homologation purposes, with factory-fitted wirespoke wheels . . . .
True Max, but the only reason they used the spoke wheels was because it gave them a better choice of tyres. You're right about the poor reliability of early electronic ignitions too. But the mid 80's and later units have proved very reliable, especially the Suzuki ones. I wouldn't bother with points again, especially when you can fit a digital ignition box that has a programmed advance curve eliminating the need for centrifugal advance weights and springs. The advance can be bought in at a slower rate and over a longer rpm range than stock, which improves torque and fuel economy.
I like spoked wheels, kinda like a magnet to them. 30 years old is ok, Ducati & Guzzi have been pumping out fast, light, sweet handling triple disc bikes since 1973, it just took a while for the others to catch up. Maxed Shedroom If the points gap happens to close up or if the capacitor dies, I can rectify that on the side of the road. Rectify! Max made a 'lectrical funny
Originally Posted by DD True Max, but the only reason they used the spoke wheels was because it gave them a better choice of tyres. Ya, but there's a few other reasons too: wire-spoked wheels are lighter, and they look cool! Originally Posted by DD You're right about the poor reliability of early electronic ignitions too. But the mid 80's and later units have proved very reliable, especially the Suzuki ones. Yep, the Bosch electronics fitted to the '80s BMW K series are also virtually bulletproof. In fact they were so over-engineered, I suspect that they will still be functioning long after the earth has crashed into the sun . . . .
I have no electrical issues with my LCs over the last 17 years, and have fitted LC regulator/rectifiyers to a few GS/GSXs and got rid on that strange phase wire thru the light switch. The RZ YPVS gave heaps of electrical probs, I think they tryd to be a bit to clever with all the CDI with advance curve and separate YPVS controller.
Maxed Shedroom Yep, the Bosch electronics fitted to the '80s BMW K series are also virtually bulletproof. In fact they were so over-engineered, I suspect that they will still be functioning long after the earth has crashed into the sun . . . . And it will probably take that long to try and sell one of them too, when I was looking for a BMW 6 months ago, the K bikes are still the same ones for sale. All those rumours about '70s Italian bikes and electrics are sadly true I have electrical issues on a regular basis.
