Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.

http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885

Think I might call the bloke anyway!

On Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at 18:49:49 UTC+1, Ben Blaney wrote:
> Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.
>
> http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>
> Think I might call the bloke anyway!

Tricky.

It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
it as close to original as possible?

Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.

On 17/05/2023 19:49, Ben Blaney wrote:
>Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.
>
>http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>
>Think I might call the bloke anyway!

CIHAGM?
--
Geoff
NTV 650

On 17/05/2023 18:49, Ben Blaney wrote:
> Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.
>
> http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>
> Think I might call the bloke anyway!

"transformed into a killer restomod"

Get in the fucking sea.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

Stephen Packer <stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at 18:49:49 UTC+1, Ben Blaney wrote:
>> Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.
>>
>> http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>>
>> Think I might call the bloke anyway!
>
> Tricky.
>
> It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
> days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
> it as close to original as possible?
>
> Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
> up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.

That's pretty much how I see it. I like how it was done, but I can't
say I like _that_ it was done, IYSWIM.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote in news:kcknvqF66cU1@mid.individual.net:

> On 17/05/2023 18:49, Ben Blaney wrote:
>> Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.
>>
>> http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>>
>> Think I might call the bloke anyway!
>
> "transformed into a killer restomod"
>
> Get in the fucking sea.
>

Acculturation is complete.

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 2:19:07 PM UTC-4, Stephen Packer wrote:

> It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
> days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
> it as close to original as possible?
>
> Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
> up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.

Here's how I feel about this. When a bike (or a car) was contemporaneous, people modified - they made them better with different carbs, or forks, or bars or whatever. All the old gimmers did it. Why is okay when a car is five years old, but not 45 years old?

I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.

On 18/05/2023 01:03, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 2:19:07 PM UTC-4, Stephen Packer wrote:
>
>> It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
>> days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
>> it as close to original as possible?
>>
>> Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
>> up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.
>
> Here's how I feel about this. When a bike (or a car) was contemporaneous, people modified - they made them better with different carbs, or forks, or bars or whatever. All the old gimmers did it. Why is okay when a car is five years old, but not 45 years old?
>
> I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.

Somewhat unexpectedly, I quite like this - and I also concur with Mr
Blaney's take on it.

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On Wed, 17 May 2023 17:03:33 -0700 (PDT), Ben Blaney
<benblaney@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 2:19:07?PM UTC-4, Stephen Packer wrote:
>
>> It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
>> days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
>> it as close to original as possible?
>>
>> Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
>> up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.

Well, I was tending to agree with this....

>Here's how I feel about this. When a bike (or a car) was contemporaneous, people modified - they made them better with different carbs, or forks, or bars or whatever. All the old gimmers did it. Why is okay when a car is five years old, but not 45 years old?
>
>I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.

Confound you with your logic!

The fundamental thing with old bikes is you can't get good tyres in
the original sizes, and (certainly for a bike like the CBX) the
original width was way too narrow anyway. So changing the wheels so
you can fit modern rubber will make it a much nicer riding proposition
*now*. But to change the wheels, you'll probably have to change a
bunch of other stuff, and then...

Ben, you might be the new VoR
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 13:15:44 UTC+1, Champ wrote:
<snip>

> Confound you with your logic!
>
> The fundamental thing with old bikes is you can't get good tyres in
> the original sizes, and (certainly for a bike like the CBX) the
> original width was way too narrow anyway. So changing the wheels so
> you can fit modern rubber will make it a much nicer riding proposition
> *now*. But to change the wheels, you'll probably have to change a
> bunch of other stuff, and then...

I *think* you probably should add the proviso that any modifications *should*
make the bike more rideable/usable?

Modern tyres, brakes, suspension all have a reason.

Turning a Honda learner bike from the 70s into a cafe racer
from the 60s , removing a comfortable usable seat and replacing
with a plank of wood should qualify the miscreant for nailing to a tree.

> Ben, you might be the new VoR

In parts.

On Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 01:03:36 UTC+1, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 2:19:07 PM UTC-4, Stephen Packer wrote:
>
> > It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
> > days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
> > it as close to original as possible?
> >
> > Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
> > up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.
> Here's how I feel about this. When a bike (or a car) was contemporaneous, people modified - they made them better with different carbs, or forks, or bars or whatever. All the old gimmers did it. Why is okay when a car is five years old, but not 45 years old?

Hmm.

I guess it's about the availability of the vehicles?

You can do what you want to cars, I simply don't care. Bikes are a bit different (for me).

I also guess it's all in the phrase 'fucking up'. Improving is less likely to irritate; for example a metmachex swing arm and dymag wheels on (say) a Z900.

Fucking up, for me, is when style takes priority over utility.

> I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.

I guess the big difference is if things are owned or observed.

If I *owned* something like a Z900 I'm sure I'd be tempted to change wheels etc. But when I observe someone else's I want it to be standard and they can fucking put up with poor suspension, brakes and tyres to avoid tampering with my memories.

On 18 May 2023 at 13:52:30 BST, "Stephen Packer" <stephen.packer@gmail.com>
wrote:

> If I *owned* something like a Z900 I'm sure I'd be tempted to change wheels
> etc. But when I observe someone else's I want it to be standard and they can
> fucking put up with poor suspension, brakes and tyres to avoid tampering with
> my memories.

Beautifully put.

--
jeremy

Stephen Packer <stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote:

> Turning a Honda learner bike from the 70s into a cafe racer
> from the 60s , removing a comfortable usable seat and replacing
> with a plank of wood should qualify the miscreant for nailing to a tree.

I am in violent agreement with this.

>> Ben, you might be the new VoR
>
> In parts.

Also this.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

Stephen Packer wrote:

> > http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
> It's a good looking bike...

> Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
> up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.

It doesn't look too bad but it sits at a funny angle and the headlamp
is hideous.

--
Simon

On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:59:23 AM UTC-4, sweller wrote:

> It doesn't look too bad but it sits at a funny angle

It's on a paddock stand, dude!

> and the headlamp is hideous.

Agree: gopping. "modern, innit".

On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 8:15:44 AM UTC-4, Champ wrote:

> Confound you with your logic!
>
> The fundamental thing with old bikes is you can't get good tyres in
> the original sizes, and (certainly for a bike like the CBX) the
> original width was way too narrow anyway. So changing the wheels so
> you can fit modern rubber will make it a much nicer riding proposition
> *now*. But to change the wheels, you'll probably have to change a
> bunch of other stuff, and then...

Yes, I mean: see Peter Reilly's 750 Turbo improvements.
> Ben, you might be the new VoR

I thought I always was!

On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 8:52:31 AM UTC-4, Stephen Packer wrote:
> On Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 01:03:36 UTC+1, Ben Blaney wrote:

> > Here's how I feel about this. When a bike (or a car) was contemporaneous, people modified - they made them better with different carbs, or forks, or bars or whatever. All the old gimmers did it. Why is okay when a car is five years old, but not 45 years old?
> Hmm.
>
> I guess it's about the availability of the vehicles?
>
> You can do what you want to cars, I simply don't care. Bikes are a bit different (for me).

Yeah, I meant "vehicles", and mis-typed.

> I also guess it's all in the phrase 'fucking up'. Improving is less likely to irritate; for example a metmachex swing arm and dymag wheels on (say) a Z900.

I'm with you on this. I mostly dislike the cafe racer "style".

> Fucking up, for me, is when style takes priority over utility.
> > I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.
> I guess the big difference is if things are owned or observed.
>
> If I *owned* something like a Z900 I'm sure I'd be tempted to change wheels etc. But when I observe someone else's I want it to be standard and they can fucking put up with poor suspension, brakes and tyres to avoid tampering with my memories.

It's good that you admit to this critical difference...

On 18/05/2023 13:52, Stephen Packer wrote:
> On Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 01:03:36 UTC+1, Ben Blaney wrote:

>
> I also guess it's all in the phrase 'fucking up'. Improving is less likely to irritate; for example a metmachex swing arm and dymag wheels on (say) a Z900.
>
> Fucking up, for me, is when style takes priority over utility.
>
>> I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.
>
> I guess the big difference is if things are owned or observed.
>
> If I *owned* something like a Z900 I'm sure I'd be tempted to change wheels etc. But when I observe someone else's I want it to be standard and they can fucking put up with poor suspension, brakes and tyres to avoid tampering with my memories.

You are clearly now a 'prospect' for VMCC membership. "Nice bike - shame
about the..."

In my defence, I 'fucked up' the Morini 40 years ago. Very much a
function over form exercise at the time. The only thing it could really
do with these days is an electric start, as I can no longer prod it in
to life while astride it (high compression pistons, left hand kick
start, worn out hip). Should have snapped up the parts to convert it
back when everyone was junking their starter bits (very much a design
afterthought TBF and not Lambertini's finest hour). Despite having
unfashionably skinny wheels which limit choice of tyre, the modern
Metzelers it is shod with are perfectly adequate for my gentle bimbling
requirements.

Not long ago, I undid a previous owners improvements on the Gilera 175
by reinstating the correct super skinny 2.50 tyres front and back.
Partly, because the way oversize 3.0 on the back meant it teetered on
the centre stand (no side stand) because the tyre was in ground contact.
Carrying two small blocks of wood around was a faff and I couldn't bring
myself to weld pads on the stand as I did to the Morini when it wore
slightly too long Koni dampers for a while. The Mitas tyres I put on
look much more in keeping with its lithe loveliness and its handling is
delightful, even with slightly soggy suspension. I won't be cornering
spiritedly in the wet on it, so grip is not an issue, though it copes
with VMCC section run mud, grit and chippings fairly well.

--
Moto Morini 2C/375
Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
"Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"

Ben Blaney wrote:

> Here's how I feel about this. When a bike (or a car) was
> contemporaneous, people modified - they made them better with
> different carbs, or forks, or bars or whatever. All the old gimmers
> did it. Why is okay when a car is five years old, but not 45 years
> old?

I think the difference is that is not being modified with
contemporaneous parts. It's got modern USD forks and modern Ohlins
shocks and a *fucking* horrible headlamp.

I modified my Guzzi - extensively - but it's been done with either
other Guzzi parts off similar era bikes (pistons, cam, heads, flywheel,
four-pot Brembos all came off other Guzzis) or parts from other makes
(tail lamp: MZ, handlebars: 1960/70s British Jota pattern, Lucas Rita
ignition).

It makes a huge difference to the aesthetic.

--
Simon

Ben Blaney wrote:

> > It doesn't look too bad but it sits at a funny angle
>
> It's on a paddock stand, dude!

Good point.

--
Simon

Champ wrote:

> The fundamental thing with old bikes is you can't get good tyres in
> the original sizes, and (certainly for a bike like the CBX) the
> original width was way too narrow anyway.

Yes, you can. Bridgestone BT45s are nice and are available in old
sizes.

Problem with putting wider tyres on is they slow the steering down and
you have to lean them more.

I put a wider than standard rear on the Guzzi once and I really
struggled with it (130 instead of 120) - I don't fully get the physics*
but it became more of a handful.

*This may be obvious.

--
Simon

On Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 18:52:15 UTC+1, sweller wrote:
> Champ wrote:
>
> > The fundamental thing with old bikes is you can't get good tyres in
> > the original sizes, and (certainly for a bike like the CBX) the
> > original width was way too narrow anyway.
> Yes, you can. Bridgestone BT45s are nice and are available in old
> sizes.

Available in old sizes since they've been in production for about
25 years.

Then again, 25 years ago was when the ZX9r-C1 was launched.
Fuck.

On 17/05/2023 18:49, Ben Blaney wrote:
> Think it's too late for me to do this with mine.
>
> http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>
> Think I might call the bloke anyway!
>
It does look rather like a motorcycle, despite its Transpondian home.

Quite a pleasantly proportioned one, too

--
Rusty Hinge
To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer and the BOFH.

On 18/05/2023 15:57, sweller wrote:
> Stephen Packer wrote:
>
>>> http://www.darrenbeggcustoms.com/?p=885
>
>> It's a good looking bike...
>
>> Must admit I get grumpy when I see the hipster crowd fucking
>> up the bikes of my youth so maybe it's just me being unreasonable.
>
> It doesn't look too bad but it sits at a funny angle and the headlamp
> is hideous.

The only really intrusive bits are the USD forks and that headlight
(maybe the clocks too, they don't seem to be the ones fitted to
everything from a Superdream up). A 6-1 exhaust was a not uncommon mod
in the bike's youth.

Ben Blaney wrote:
> Stephen Packer wrote:
> > It's a good looking bike... but if the CBX is in limited supply these
> > days (which I assume it is) don't you feel duty bound to maintain
> > it as close to original as possible?
>
> I love the styling of old bikes and old cars. But it's got to be said that newer stuff handles better, stops better, etc. So a "resto-mod" makes perfect sense to me.

All bikes of that era were utterly hideous, and clearly the only part of that bike worth keeping is the engine, so I see no problem with junking literally everything else in favour of modern parts.

Totally agree about the headlight though. Gopping. At least it hasn't got half a laptop where the dash should be.