Interesting motorcycles, not XS650

[Kevin Werner]

My first m/c was a 125 Sears Allstate-3-speed hand shift. when I was 15. It came with a rolling frame and a box of seized engine. Dad took me to Sears in Denver for new parts. They had piston, rings, pin, clips, cylinder, head (don't remember is it used a head gasket), and a few other parts, but they didn't have a center case gasket...1st time I heard the dreaded word 'backordered' I waited 3 months for that damn gasket (Summer-damn it) when someone suggested to make my own. WHAT????
Here's a magazine ad for it and a pic of me with 'my Allstate'
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That is a very cool memory.

 

[jetmechmarty]

View attachment 227164
I just slobbered on my phone

I saw this one today at Barber.

 

[46th Georgia]

My first m/c was a 125 Sears Allstate-3-speed hand shift. when I was 15. It came with a rolling frame and a box of seized engine. Dad took me to Sears in Denver for new parts. They had piston, rings, pin, clips, cylinder, head (don't remember is it used a head gasket), and a few other parts, but they didn't have a center case gasket...1st time I heard the dreaded word 'backordered' I waited 3 months for that damn gasket (Summer-damn it) when someone suggested to make my own. WHAT????
Here's a magazine ad for it and a pic of me with 'my Allstate'
View attachment 227162
View attachment 227163

What year was the photo, and the bike? Nice job on it.

 

[MrBultaco]

Bike is a 1958, year was 1960. Photo was prolly taken with mom's Brownie Hawkeye 120 (without clock).

 

[Bumblebee]

I saw this one today at Barber.
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I used to live about a mile from one of the top Vincent builders in the country. He always had one or 2 he was either building or maintaining for someone.
One day he had an ultra rare Red Shadow that he had just rebuilt the engine. I stopped by just a they were about to start it. He fiddled with the carbs, gave it 2 priming kicks with ignition off. Turned on ign and kicked it, it started! I couldn't believe it started so easy! A little carb adjust to set the idle and he rode it around the block.

 

[Mailman]

I used to live about a mile from one of the top Vincent builders in the country. He always had one or 2 he was either building or maintaining for someone.
One day he had an ultra rare Red Shadow that he had just rebuilt the engine. I stopped by just a they were about to start it. He fiddled with the carbs, gave it 2 priming kicks with ignition off. Turned on ign and kicked it, it started! I couldn't believe it started so easy! A little carb adjust to set the idle and he rode it around the block.

Now that, I would’ve liked to see!

Kick starting a Vincent, fresh restoration, first kick with sandals on no less!

Heres a super short one, with good sound.

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[650Skull]

 

[bosco659]

Seriously thinking about one of these. Pretty sure here rides one.

 

[bosco659]

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Suzuki RE5. There’s been several of these for sale this year. Would love to have one but have a feeling I’d regret it because of parts and tech support availability.

 

[mick71b]

Seriously thinking about one of these. Pretty sure here rides one.

Great bikes! I know two guys that own them, and they have been stone-reliable with basic maintenance and speak very highly of them. Prices for clean ones in my area seem to be coming down as well. Shaft drive and factory bags don't hurt.

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

Seriously thinking about one of these. Pretty sure here rides one.

An excellent sport tourer. I've been able to ride mine 12-14 hrs straight (with an aftermarket seat).

 

[Sparkyduc]

An excellent sport tourer. I've been able to ride mine 12-14 hrs straight (with an aftermarket seat).

I’ve got 65,000 miles on my 2005 I’ve had since new

 

[MrBultaco]

Phil Read

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[Kevin Werner]

 

[gggGary]

Someone mention RE5?


This may not be your grandfathers RE5 seen at Barber.