bbbbBut it's a Honda!

Factory ordered a V6 4 speed Monza hatchback (tarted up Vega) Like this one, color n all. Dealer tried to talk me into a V8 Monza he had in stock but in a rare fit of wisdom said no the V6 is plenty. (that was gas rationing era). Wish I had the V8 Monza now....
680717d1501943058-1978-chevy-monza-image.jpeg

that thing was little rocket. Sold it to a guy buying for his 16 year -old daughter. Warned him, but a week later it was a smoking heap.
 
The Monza was designed around the GM rotary engine. GM in their arrogance bought the rights to build a wankel but not for access to the design library and failed miserably at designing their engine. At the last moment they had to stuff a small block into it and famously the engine had to be nearly removed to change one of the spark plugs. The First Ex had a Sunbird with the V6 and was one of the only Chevys I enjoyed driving. The other being the early Nova.
 
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Reading through here shows me why Harley Davidson remains popular. Classic Style is maintained. They offer utility. They have modern reliability and can easily travel at speed with modern traffic. It’s stuff we want whether or not we like the brand.
The big Rebel is not something the will ever live in my garage. A CB1100? Maybe.
 
Yes - I have always had a soft spot for the Guzzis too but again, expensive and not widely available here. I only know of one dealer (300+ km away) and they usually only carry 3-5 bikes at a time.

Why can't HonKawaYamUki just put one of those great engines into a nice looking motorcycle and NOT charge the earth for it?

GAWD - with all the attention being paid to R-E Interceptor (I subscribe to two YouTube channels that are almost exclusively devoted to riding, modifying and praising the R-E 650 twin), the Japanese manufacturers would jump on that bandwagon and kill off what has emerged as likely their biggest competitor in the western world. Once R-E gets a decently extensive dealer network established, they are gonna be unstoppable.

I am intrigued by the RE 650, what they've done to upgrade the old bullet and their clean sheet design single Himalayan. Pricing is very attractive.
The only concern that I have is metallurgy and longevity over time. Still though as an affordable toy I might consider one. Especially as S&S is offering big bore kits, cams, pipes and other hop up items.
 
Factory ordered a V6 4 speed Monza hatchback (tarted up Vega) Like this one, color n all. Dealer tried to talk me into a V8 Monza he had in stock but in a rare fit of wisdom said no the V6 is plenty. (that was gas rationing era). Wish I had the V8 Monza now....
680717d1501943058-1978-chevy-monza-image.jpeg

that thing was little rocket. Sold it to a guy buying for his 16 year -old daughter. Warned him, but a week later it was a smoking heap.

My dad bought my little sister a used V8 Monza hatchback as her first car back in the mid 80's. I think it was a 268 cu/in. Ran a bit rough, had around 65-70k miles. We set about a basic tune up in the driveway. Couldn't reach the rear spark plugs without first unbolting the engine mounts and using a floor jack to raise the engine for wrench clearance. Once pulled I don't think they had ever been changed previously from appearance. Only kept it a couple months and traded it on a new Mustang 4 cylinder.
 
I bought a non-running sh*t brown Pacer from my sister for $300 bucks. Drove it for a while in college and endured the insults. Hated it and sold it to some guy who was a Pacer aficionado for $600. The entire time the interior smelled like vomit.
 
I find myself daydreaming about new bikes all the time and then I have to remind myself why I sold the new ones I had. I simply get bored with them after a while. They are terrific to ride, no doubt. But with all the modern complexities, they’re too hard for me to work on. And they are so reliable and automotive like, there isn’t much to do on them anyways. I start missing having something to work on, I have a garage all set up for tinkering and my tools just collected dust. I enjoy the interaction that older machinery demands, there is always something to do on an old bike. :)
Lots of tinkering time with the old Triumph though. Maybe should have kept it just to keep your hand in.
 
I bought a non-running sh*t brown Pacer from my sister for $300 bucks. Drove it for a while in college and endured the insults. Hated it and sold it to some guy who was a Pacer aficionado for $600. The entire time the interior smelled like vomit.

Gee Jim - that must have been tough around the kitchen table with your sister.....;)
 
I’m sure it is a fun bike to ride and has the usual Honda refinement, but for me the looks are a little ...ummm...:(

Speaking of Honda, check out this little retro 350, made by Honda in India for the Indian market. I think they really got the look right on this one.
View attachment 179423
Imagine that if done with 450 cc DOHC motor with the hairpin valve springs, maybe bumped to 500 with S-O-A electrics.
 
Being pretty much allergic to "cruiser" type bikes, the sport touring version using the same Rebel/ Africa Twin engine would be something I could see myself riding (into the sunset.......) Well, at least if Honda put it on a serious diet, making it lighter than my ST2. 200 kg with a full tank of fuel, and 100 hp is pretty much ideal numbers IMHO......
3VAXHGBKK5FBZCAL6N6XMODSQQ.jpg
 
I've really not found anything I completely like. Everything modern needs to be changed to my liking. This has held me back from the Harley. I can't justify spending the Harley price tag just to tear it apart and make it to my liking. Fuel injection obviously makes exhaust customization expensive and more difficult. Not for me.
 
One current market bike that would tempt me - I really don't need another bike - Fantic Caballero 500 scrambler.

Fantic Caballero 500 Review (7).jpg



Comes in various versions - knobblies, road tyres, different colours, and a flat-track version. Reasonable price, Italian built, Chinese 500 single.
 
Factory ordered a V6 4 speed Monza hatchback (tarted up Vega) Like this one, color n all. Dealer tried to talk me into a V8 Monza he had in stock but in a rare fit of wisdom said no the V6 is plenty. (that was gas rationing era). Wish I had the V8 Monza now....
680717d1501943058-1978-chevy-monza-image.jpeg

that thing was little rocket. Sold it to a guy buying for his 16 year -old daughter. Warned him, but a week later it was a smoking heap.
Faster on ice than a 4 cylinder Accord. ha ha
 
Being pretty much allergic to "cruiser" type bikes, the sport touring version using the same Rebel/ Africa Twin engine would be something I could see myself riding (into the sunset.......) Well, at least if Honda put it on a serious diet, making it lighter than my ST2. 200 kg with a full tank of fuel, and 100 hp is pretty much ideal numbers IMHO......
View attachment 184439

I agree. My FJ is ~210kg dry and 115HP (both advertised. Actual is probably a bit higher on both numbers) and it's the most fun I've ever had in more than 50 years on two wheels.
 
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