If you add up all the folks on the forum here that have lathes, V. mills.... shapers.....
Well, let's just say machine work wouldn't be hard to come by.....
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Mailman’s Suzuki C50 Boulevard
- Thread starter Mailman
- Start date
Well, let's just say machine work wouldn't be hard to come by.....
That BMW photo makes me want a boxer. I've not had one yet; they are intriguing for sure. The K model has always had my attention too.
I’ve gotta say I dearly loved that old BMW, I almost shed a tear when I sold it.
Great photo! That is a trick little back rest too.
That was 17 years ago, I was 48 at the time. It’s funny, I thought I was old then!
Man, thats a sweet Beemer...I’ve gotta say I dearly loved that old BMW, I almost shed a tear when I sold it.
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Show 'em the tank paint Bob. 
Thanks! That was a ‘77 and for a classic bike, it behaved like a modern one. It was smooth as butter, could do highway speeds all day long, it was surprisingly fast and easy to maintain.
Show 'em the tank paint Bob.
The above photo with me standing next to the bike was before I had it painted. Here is the after shot. This is a photo of a photo, so any flaws you see are reflections. The paint was perfect. In low light it looked black but when you took it out in the sun , the gold metal flake really popped!
My god. What a beautiful tank. Now THAT is slick. Looks like I need to get another tank for Jim. Uh oh
Well I passed my first 1000 miles on my Boulevard this morning.
It was pretty hot out, but I’ve been cooped up in the house and I needed to get out for a ride, nowhere special, just out cruising around. I knew I wasn’t going to go too far and didn’t have plans for any highway speed riding so I pulled the windshield off before I left the house.
I had my bike out eight days ago, for what I had I intended to be an extended ride, I stopped 50 miles out and realized I had lost my new Nelson Rigg tail pack!
I had a small camera tripod and a phone charger in there, as well as a baseball cap and an insulated lunch bag. So I turned around and went back to look for it, but no joy. I can’t figure out how that pack with two straps managed to come loose and fall off. So for now I’m running a small
Kappa Moto travel trunk, that I already had, on my luggage rack. It’s about a small as you can get for a lockable travel trunk, I don’t think it looks too bad, plus it comes off the base plate with the turn of a key. it holds a lot more stuff too.
Riding Impressions from the first 1000 miles,
One of the things that I have really enjoyed about this bike is it’s big bike feel, I’ve always been a fan of Harleys Softail Deluxe, it’s the most vintage looking bike in their lineup ( my opinion )
So out of curiosity, I compared the stats. And they are surprisingly similar In size. They are actually very close in dimensions of wheelbase ( the Suzuki is a little longer ) seat height, tire sizes and such. The Suzuki gives you a lot of space to stretch out in.
My Suzuki is substantially lighter than the Harley ( no surprise ) but I have to admit I was surprised at the amount of plastic used on this bike. Fenders and sidecovers and some of the “chrome“ parts are all plastic. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, most late model motorcycles have a lot of plastic components now.
The big difference obviously between my bike and the Harley is engine displacement and power, I have half the size and power of a Harley.
So how is the riding experience? The bike is smooth, comfortable and roomy. Around town it feels very nimble and easy to make tight turns without feeling like it wants to fall into a turn. The long wheelbase and big tires make it feel rock steady at higher speeds, and the windshield I added has really aided in higher speed comfort. I like the floor boards and I don’t feel like my knees are cramped up under me. I have read others say, and I agree, it really needs a 6th gear. The bike is very comfortable at highway speeds and the engine will pull it, but it feels like it’s working a little too hard over 70 mph. I haven’t had it in the mountains yet, but I feel like if I hit a long or steep grade I’m gonna have to stomp it down a gear in order to pull it. But seeing as 95% of my riding is on the flat lands that’s not an issue. I’m loving the shaft drive and fuel injection too.
Photos from this mornings ride,
So far…..I’m still smiling.
It was pretty hot out, but I’ve been cooped up in the house and I needed to get out for a ride, nowhere special, just out cruising around. I knew I wasn’t going to go too far and didn’t have plans for any highway speed riding so I pulled the windshield off before I left the house.
I had my bike out eight days ago, for what I had I intended to be an extended ride, I stopped 50 miles out and realized I had lost my new Nelson Rigg tail pack!
I had a small camera tripod and a phone charger in there, as well as a baseball cap and an insulated lunch bag. So I turned around and went back to look for it, but no joy. I can’t figure out how that pack with two straps managed to come loose and fall off. So for now I’m running a small Kappa Moto travel trunk, that I already had, on my luggage rack. It’s about a small as you can get for a lockable travel trunk, I don’t think it looks too bad, plus it comes off the base plate with the turn of a key. it holds a lot more stuff too.
Riding Impressions from the first 1000 miles,
One of the things that I have really enjoyed about this bike is it’s big bike feel, I’ve always been a fan of Harleys Softail Deluxe, it’s the most vintage looking bike in their lineup ( my opinion )
So out of curiosity, I compared the stats. And they are surprisingly similar In size. They are actually very close in dimensions of wheelbase ( the Suzuki is a little longer ) seat height, tire sizes and such. The Suzuki gives you a lot of space to stretch out in.
My Suzuki is substantially lighter than the Harley ( no surprise ) but I have to admit I was surprised at the amount of plastic used on this bike. Fenders and sidecovers and some of the “chrome“ parts are all plastic. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, most late model motorcycles have a lot of plastic components now.
The big difference obviously between my bike and the Harley is engine displacement and power, I have half the size and power of a Harley.
So how is the riding experience? The bike is smooth, comfortable and roomy. Around town it feels very nimble and easy to make tight turns without feeling like it wants to fall into a turn. The long wheelbase and big tires make it feel rock steady at higher speeds, and the windshield I added has really aided in higher speed comfort. I like the floor boards and I don’t feel like my knees are cramped up under me. I have read others say, and I agree, it really needs a 6th gear. The bike is very comfortable at highway speeds and the engine will pull it, but it feels like it’s working a little too hard over 70 mph. I haven’t had it in the mountains yet, but I feel like if I hit a long or steep grade I’m gonna have to stomp it down a gear in order to pull it. But seeing as 95% of my riding is on the flat lands that’s not an issue. I’m loving the shaft drive and fuel injection too.
Photos from this mornings ride,
So far…..I’m still smiling.
Nice Pics! Bummer about the Nelson Rigg bag.
That red really stands out. How many tickets you got so far. If I was a cop id be pulling you over even if you were stopped.
Thank you for the great pictures and your summary of the bike - somehow an owner's honest impressions tell you more about a bike than journalists' blathering. Love the desert scenery. Somehow, a big V-twin with footboards seems to fit with the scale of the of the country around where you live.
When (if) I finish the TX, I have an eye for an R65. Can you imagine what a BM would look like with that big lump of an engine mirror polished.I’ve gotta say I dearly loved that old BMW, I almost shed a tear when I sold it.
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Thanks! Yeah I‘ve always enjoyed reading owners experiences too, that’s what makes your threads on your Royal Enfield and Kawasaki W800 so entertaining ( it’s also why I damn near bought a W800
) you made it sound so good!
It does sparkle don’t it?
It might look fast, but it’s built just for cruisin and havin fun!
I’ve decided to add a removable backrest to my bike. This one is made by a company called Grasshopper, they make them for several cruiser bikes. They are non adjustable, but the slick part is they are quick release, on and off in just seconds. Around town…..leave it off…..wanna go for a long ride…..it slides right in. It comes with a bracket that bolts right on top of your seat mount, and when the rear seat is in place , the mount is nearly invisible.
I haven’t had it out for a ride yet, but when I do, I’ll post a little update.
I haven’t had it out for a ride yet, but when I do, I’ll post a little update.
Nice setupI’ve decided to add a removable backrest to my bike. This one is made by a company called Grasshopper, they make them for several cruiser bikes. They are non adjustable, but the slick part is they are quick release, on and off in just seconds. Around town…..leave it off…..wanna go for a long ride…..it slides right in. It comes with a bracket that bolts right on top of your seat mount, and when the rear seat is in place , the mount is nearly invisible.
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I haven’t had it out for a ride yet, but when I do, I’ll post a little update.
