Stupid bikes you have owned

[98tls]

I also had an XS650 Special (heritage custom version) wtf the diff was I never worked out.
Yes they had 'unusual handling' and vibrated like the biggest sex toy imaginable, but as has been shown, the donk was a bloody good one, in the UK they were ripped out and put into hardtail frames 'wholesale' in the 80's. It was a Bonneville that had the same vibration and performance, but didnt break down

Now if you wanted to really admit to owning a hideous Yamaha twin, you could have gone 2 bikes better (worse) TX500 or TX750

Was it the 500 or 750 that loved to shit itself big time.

[Grumph]

Was it the 500 or 750 that loved to shit itself big time.

750 did the bottom ends - 500 cracked heads. Both had poor oil feed to the top end too so seized cams were common.

[awa355]

I bought a TX750 new in Jan 1973. Did 12,000 miles on it and never had one bit of trouble. A lot gave problems, some didn't. Not Yamahas best model but mine was a beauty. The low down torque and smoothness was what got me hooked on motorbikes forever.



Sure, if I rode one today it wouldn't be the bike I remember, but back then as a 20yr old on a brand new 750, it was magic.

[GrayWolf]

I bought a TX750 new in Jan 1973. Did 12,000 miles on it and never had one bit of trouble. A lot gave problems, some didn't. Not Yamahas best model but mine was a beauty. The low down torque and smoothness was what got me hooked on motorbikes forever.


Sure, if I rode one today it wouldn't be the bike I remember, but back then as a 20yr old on a brand new 750, it was magic.

By 73/74 the TX750 had been 'sorted'.. Yamaha made an extended sump, and I believe they modified the Omni Balance system , between the two mods the oil no longer got frothed up to the extent there was reduced oil pressure.
I knew a mechanic who owned one he had extensively worked on, reckoned it out grunted the 750/4 Nonda and was smooth. Modern oil would also make a huge difference to these older bikes, but I doubt there are many TX's left in one piece worldwide these day

Some bikes DO stay the bike you remember.... I rode a H1a again a few years ago, first thought was, geeeze not the scary power I remember?? Then I came to a series of bends,, and it all came flooding back!!

[F5 Dave]

RF900. Maybe wasn't stupid but grew to hate it. Nothing compared to a mate who had an early XS250 which had a rubber frame and no power. Replaced by a GPZ305 which was a revelation until it ate it's cams. And again, and then again.

[Hobbyhorse]

A 1956 BSA Bantam .... I have never walked so far beside a motorbike since!!

[Rcktfsh]

The most hideous bike I've owned has to be a Yamaha XZ400. Shaft drive of course, and basically a shrunken motor version of the XZ550, itself not bad but performance was not it's strong point. Then again, the GN250 that came before it wasn't exactly a fire breathing monster either

Next on that list would be a Honda CBX550. Nice bike, odd inboard disc brakes and all, but just a bit...what's the word here? Boring? Still, it went quite well until it dropped a valve and poked a rod out the side of the block shortly thereafter. Fast on the clutch saved me from sliding down the road. Come to think of it haven't owned a Honda since that CBX550

Not a Honda fan but wouldn't call the CBX550 boring, pretty competitive proddie race bike in their day.

[IMG][/IMG]

[MVnut]

[QUOTE=Rcktfsh;1130745369]Not a Honda fan but wouldn't call the CBX550 boring, pretty competitive proddie race bike in their day.

What class was the 550 in?

[kiwifruit]

MV F41000S

[MVnut]

MV F41000S

Blasphemy

[kiwifruit]

Yeah. Cool bike to look at, and occasionally start but not for riding (without a standby vehicle)!

[F5 Dave]

Not a Honda fan but wouldn't call the CBX550 boring, pretty competitive proddie race bike in their day.

[IMG][/IMG]

I like some of Freddie Mercury's music but I wouldn't want to party with him (like most Honda owners). Back in the 80s a bunch of mates had them and I caved (not that way) and bought one as they were more fun than the heavy 750s around or at least the ones I could afford.

Did over 60000k on it. The RZ350 that replaced it of course was much better still

[avgas]

All were probably good bikes new.... but when I got them they were fucked.

Kawasaki K100........its smoked and made more noise than motion.

Yamaha SRX4.........It had yamaha's attempt on a carb. Which just flooded all the time, and was assembled like bad mechano. It was also slow and gutless and needed 1 more gear.

Rode a mates CBR250 once. Wouldn't say it was horrible. But so boring in comparison to the other 250's.

[caspernz]

Yeah ok guys, the CBX550 that I had isn't remembered fondly mostly because it went into self destruct mode. Also keep in mind the bike I had before it was an FZ750 (yep the five valver) which was stolen, and the CBX was acquired second hand.