Ever notice?

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derweibhai
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Ever notice?

#1

Post by derweibhai »

Vintage bikes get noticed? When I take my 83 GL 1100 standard, 79 XL250S, or my 79 KZ650b3 out, I get complements and questions about them everywhere I go. I even get questions and comments when sitting at stoplights.

On the other hand when I take my 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 out it never gets a second glance from anyone. I also feel that even though the new bike is light years ahead of the others in speed, brakes and handling, I get more enjoyment out of riding the vintage bikes.

Don't get me wrong, the DL1000 is still way better than driving a car, or truck, it just lacks soul.

Guessing I am not alone in this. Feel free to share.
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Whiskerfish
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Re: Ever notice?

#2

Post by Whiskerfish »

for most of us we are intimately familiar with our machines as we have resurrected them. I think that time and energy invested is what makes the relationship special.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
DUGG
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Re: Ever notice?

#3

Post by DUGG »

The vintage iron definitely attracts people. We pulled up to a place for lunch and beer a month ago. We just got off the bike and a guy walks up and starts asking about the GL1100. We go in have lunch and come out and four people are standing around the bike. If you ride an older bike you better be prepared to answer some questions about it.
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77Gowing
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Re: Ever notice?

#4

Post by 77Gowing »

I have all of fifteen miles of riding distance on my Wing and all of it illegally. Every time I took her out to put put around the Neighborhood I got lots of looks and thumbs up. Today should be the day I can really go out on her and I cannot wait. I have to agree with WF about the special relationship. I would not give up the experience for the world, and I learned so much especially due to my ignorance. This forum has been a huge help to me and I'll never forget it.
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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ericheath
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Re: Ever notice?

#5

Post by ericheath »

I realize my build is heresy to some but it's a bit fun watching people walk by looking, then stop, kneel, take out their cameras. It's also fun to be asked what is it. Porsherattighini. I've never shown my bike, but at swap meets it seems to be a guessing game of what parts I have on it.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Ever notice?

#6

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Get more comments and people stopping to look at my '85 LTD then my '08 1800. People still appreciate the older, vintage vehicles. They also have more character then today's versions. Much like cars, everything seems to look the same.

Cheers
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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Graham Cracker
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Re: Ever notice?

#7

Post by Graham Cracker »

A number of years ago I was getting fuel in Warren Ohio when a young guy, maybe 17 or 18 yrs old, commented on my '75. It was a genuine compliment and surprised me someone that young would go out of his way like that. He could have just walked on by.
Mark

1975 GL 1000 Candy Antares Red
1976 GL 1000 Sulfur Yellow
1977 GL 1000 Pearl White
1978 GL 1000 Candy Limited Maroon
heraldhamster
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Re: Ever notice?

#8

Post by heraldhamster »

I never get tired of the "NO WAY!!" when I tell them it's a Gold Wing.

"...but it doesn't have all the "stuff" on it."
sorta bulldogged custom 1978 GL1000 - "geekster"
full Vetter dress 1979 GL1000 - "Barge" (currently down)
1986 1200 Aspencade - "Heart of Gold" - daily rider
1990 1500 Aspencade - It's ALIVE! but very, very naked. not in a good way.
1978 for $100 - project in worx
1978 from a previous member here - taking up space
my original '79 bought in '91 - replacing engine (eventually, maybe someday)

H2G2=42

A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity. ~ Robert A. Heinlein

The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson
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gltriker
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Re: Ever notice?

#9

Post by gltriker »

My trike receives its fair share of interest, shown by more than a few people over the past 4 years. Gas stations are a prime spot.
Some can identify it, under the Pacifico fairing and the other junk hanging off the back, as an early GoldWing.
It typically raises eyebrows when they hear it's a 1975 model year unit. Is it a kit?
I don't get as many, "where's the rear fenders?" When I ask why should I need them. What if it rains? I get wet! :)
It's surprising that occasionally a fellow can identify its rear axle assembly as a slightly modified GM product, too. ;)
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

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Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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chewy999
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Re: Ever notice?

#10

Post by chewy999 »

Last year, Karen and I went to the coastal town of Hunstanton where a lot of bikers meet. There was my 1980 1100 and an old CB750, and the rest were modern bikes, all looking the same. Guess which bikes drew the most interest?

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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brianinpa
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Re: Ever notice?

#11

Post by brianinpa »

Nothing upsets the farkled out 1800 crowd more than parking an 1100 in the mix and everyone that is walking by stopping to look at and talk about the $1500 vintage bike and ignoring $40,000 show piece. Oh, and then when you add a 1200 Standard into the mix, that really catches people's attention... :shock: What is that! It's like no one has ever seen them before.

I've seen it several times and laugh every time it happens. :lol:
Brian
ADC(AW) - US Navy Retired 1983-2003
If you aren't having fun doing it, find something else to do.

1984 Standard - 18,000 miles - Naked... the way it should be
1987 Interstate - 62,000 miles - Resurrected from the rust bucket
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Whiskerfish
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Re: Ever notice?

#12

Post by Whiskerfish »

Had my 78 dresser down at Daytona Bike week one year and I swear some guys were just drooling over her.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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CYBORG
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Re: Ever notice?

#13

Post by CYBORG »

I can relate. One year at Daytona Bike Week, while stopped at a red light, the guy in the car behind me, jumped out and started taking pictures of my bike before the light changed.
Had a guy come up to me in a gas station and start talking about my bike. His wife was in his car, got tired of waiting, and started honking the horn....and then there was the guy that wanted to trade a new mustang for my bike.....again at a gas station. Whiskerfish might remember that one :lol:
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
JSBail
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Re: Ever notice?

#14

Post by JSBail »

Even though my 77 cb750 desperately needs a paint job (I'm not into that patina look fad) it still gets all kinds of thumbs up from other riders and now that my wife's cb350 twin is road worthy the 2 bikes get all kinds of attention when we ride together, not so much though with my 83 interstate. A lot of it has to do with nostalgia, most comments I get is from veteran riders and the first thing out of their mouth is "my very first bike was just like that" also the fact that vintage bikes are vintage sets them apart from the cruisers and sportbike crowd, my 750 sticks out like a sore thumb or stands out like a rose depending on how you look at it.
Scott
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BikeMaine
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Re: Ever notice?

#15

Post by BikeMaine »

I was eating Breakfast yesterday morning at the local diner when a group of about 25 Harleys came in. They were a common motorcycle club all wearing their colors. About 3/4 of them gathered around my '82 Aspy and started asking questions, giving me compliments. One guy in his 60s went on and on about how he had an '82 Wing "back in the day..." and how he never imagined that he could have made it look like mine. Another guy said, "wow, and you don't have to feel all that vibration like we do."

I was a little surprised by their reactions.
Kevin
1982 GL1100A
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