I'm going to say it again...avoid the benelli.  Like death.  don't do it.  You will end up disapointed.

The CB750 would be the prime selection...though the cafe stuff kinda ruins the bike's value.  i nice, stock CB will go for $4~7k.

The DOHC engine has a bit more power and is smoother.  The SOHC engine is raw and lacking in definition.  I think the SOHC is more fun because it's a rev-happy wild ass engine.  it's easier to build power and go fast on the DOHC setup.

honda was sold today, not to me.

so, the 1978 Suzuki GS 750 is still the front runner.

i like the cafe stuff, since that's what i want in the end.

if i had my druthers, i'd just buy a Vincent Black and be done with it.

yeah new vincents are absolute sex...but the thing is that they're sold lookinig like that.  the CB's value is being torn away from it because it's sold as a standard.  a lot of people who do the cafe thing do it irreverseably...reason a lot of badass CB's are rotting away in sheds and cellers.

you haven't really owned a cb750f till you have one with the cobra motor kit.
Take a 1978 4 valve cb750f bore it out to 900cc, lighten the flywheel 2 lbs factory high performance cams, dual coil purple valve springs, flat side carbs. Oh and throw away the starter motor since when you had the flywheel milled you took of 80% of the starter teeth. This was a kickstart only motor

Man that was a hell of a bike but kicking that bit@% when the weather changed was hell.

I would take an F even a cafed out one just to relive my youth. Crap my wife is gonna kill me if I go looking for a project bike.

Quote from: baco99 on June 11, 2007, 07:41:45 PM

Pr0n!!! 

I'm gonna go rub one out with that pic...  Sheebus!

You should see their cool ones.

http://www.vincentmotors.com/

Quote from: makenzie71 on June 07, 2007, 11:46:38 PM
hey lightweight bikes with laid back geometry don't handle for snot...virago 250 is a good example haha.

i've got to strongly disagree with you on the virago sentiment...having riden about every size and generation I can say that they've all handle like hell.  I just don't think it's good handling if you have to wrestle it.  The 1100 and 900 I rode...anytime you got her over 80mph and the front end would start wobbling.  Disturbing.  Now the Maxim, on the other hand, was pimp.  However, I think the bigger Maxims were more of a laid back standard, too...they lead the way to the F lineup.  The Maxim is also another good example of weight not being the biggest consideration;  My Maxim 400 will run circles around the virago 250, despite being built on the same frame and being heavier.

No wobble on my viragoes ... ever ... The maxim 700 and virago 1100 are dead even for handling ... with virago getting the edge due to lower CG.
Maxim 400 I thought was much much smaller wheel base than the virago 250.
BTW, you have to remember these are cruisers. That 80 inch wheel base means ... you pay the price in how rapidly you can change direction.
I forgot the whole premise of this argument.
May be ... weight is bad, wheel base - not neccesarily.
Cool.
Srinath.

another one for you modern vincent lovers.

classic looks, and modern Honda powerplant.

go look for a Honda GB500. Only imported for a one or two  years. You can find em on ebay once in awhile.

like this one?  alredy asked to see it.


http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/350943083.html

no cb's and gb's are quite different.

ah, well i like them both!

OK, I did it.  Just took home a 1982 Suzuki GS1100E.  It's a beast!  Very different from the GS500E, but gobs of torque.  Needs a few small things to make it perfect.  Just enough tinkering for a new dad.

Needs:
- carbs rejetted for the open intake and Kerker exhaust already installed
- tach cable
- new rear tire (included in sale, needs to be mounted)
- exhaust rings
- rear brake rebuild (rear brake locks up after a few stops and you need to release the bleed screw to unstick it)

the thing is BIG, but i am sure to not outgrow it.  it's all motor!

looks like this:



any suggestions or things to look out for?

I would look out for that 108bhp   I bet you power wheelie that Buddha Loves You in 4th   Those old boats get modded for drag racing a lot,   you play with the jetting a little it'll probably dust a porsche to 60

i was taking it easy on the ride home.  until everything is sorted out, anyway.  it does have A LOT more power than the GS.

Quote from: baco99 on June 12, 2007, 04:34:56 AM
another one for you modern vincent lovers.

classic looks, and modern Honda powerplant.

Holy crap I thought they went out of business in the 50's? That's a beautiful bike. No mention on their website of dealers, prices, etc, can you actually buy that thing?

Quote from: debtman7 on June 15, 2007, 06:39:10 AM

Quote from: baco99 on June 12, 2007, 04:34:56 AM
another one for you modern vincent lovers.

classic looks, and modern Honda powerplant.

Holy crap I thought they went out of business in the 50's? That's a beautiful bike. No mention on their website of dealers, prices, etc, can you actually buy that thing?

+1
That bike is gorgeous... debtman you and I clearly have awfully similar taste in bikes LOL

Ah found their FAQ:

Quote
Q.     When will these bikes be available and how many models will you be in production?
A.    

Vincent Motors has completed four pre-production prototypes. The next phase will include building prototypes for Design Validation and Production Validation level performance, handling, as well as EPA and DOT testing. We anticipate that process will be complete and production will begin in late 2004.

There will be four models produced:
Black Shadow (Standard)
Black Lightning 'S' (Sport)
Black Lightning 'ST' (Sport/Touring)
Black Eagle (Cruiser)

Seeing as 2004 has come and gone, I'm gonna have to call this vaporware Maybe someday, who knows, but also says prices start at $20k. Yikes!

they can be custom ordered.  mass production was put off due to some financing issues on the owner's part.  Basically this entrepreneur bought the rights to the Vincent brand and decided to rebuild the Vincent in classic style with modern components.  it's a Honda lump suspensded by the frame in traditional Vincent fashion.  awesome!

DONE!  Picked up a 1982 GS1100E last week.  Needs a few small things, but pulls like a truck.  Cool.