Author Topic: Making your Granny limbo  (Read 974 times)

Offline bobv7

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Making your Granny limbo
« on: July 30, 2020, 05:31:05 PM »
Am I expecting too much from a 1972 500 Four? I'd been riding a 750 fuel injected bike before I bought this bike and the Honda feels "wooly" to me. It goes and revs well but it feels sort of bunged up like someone with a cold. Checked just about everything apart from having the carbs balanced with vacuum gauges. Can anyone recommend a reliable mechanic in West Sussex?
« Last Edit: July 30, 2020, 06:40:14 PM by bobv7 »

Offline cooleronthecoast

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2020, 05:43:42 PM »
I think you've answered your own question. The older stuff isn't as quick as we remember from the 70's.  Old age, rose tinted glasses and (as you've mentioned) a fuel injected more modern bike/s all combine to make them feel a bit antiquated, but just enjoy the scenery.
Now where did I put that 10mm socket?

Offline bobv7

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2020, 06:21:41 PM »
Thought that would be the answer! ::)
« Last Edit: July 30, 2020, 06:40:28 PM by bobv7 »

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2020, 08:25:17 PM »
Its still 100bhp per litre but the new stuff is more

Online Moorey

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2020, 09:32:52 PM »
What makes them seem even worse these days is there are a awful lot of quick cars out there as well. It's a change of mindset you need more than likely nothing wrong with the bike. Back in 72 such as the 2 ltr Cortina was producing just less than 100bhp. The other halfs 92 CB400 superfour. out performs my 750f in every way. It's no good comparing old with modern.


Offline bobv7

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2020, 10:41:48 PM »
But it does handle quite a lot better than I expected through the twisty bits. The combination of light weight, modern rubber and modest power means I can drive it out of a bend like a 250 and that's more fun, considering both our ages, 8) than it has any right to be! :D

Offline cooleronthecoast

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2020, 02:38:51 PM »
But it does handle quite a lot better than I expected through the twisty bits. The combination of light weight, modern rubber and modest power means I can drive it out of a bend like a 250 and that's more fun, considering both our ages, 8) than it has any right to be! :D

As long as you enjoy it, thats all that matters.  :)
Now where did I put that 10mm socket?

Online Laverda Dave

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2020, 03:33:22 PM »
And you have just answered your question in another way, old bikes are great fun over modern stuff. You can ride an old bike fast or what seems fast and have fun on the twisties as well. If you ride a modern bike fast in the same way you'll either lose your licence or run out of road.
I really enjoy riding my CB250RSA, it never fails to make me smile and 70mph feels like warp speed and the whole thing goes light. Same with my 350 Morini. If I was to ride the VFR in the same fashion I'd be in court every other week!
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline SteveW

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2020, 04:49:59 PM »
I have my 74 550 sitting in the garage next to my Fireblade. I always go for the 550, in fact I’ve not used the blade this year.

There is something about the 550, it’s just more fun.
1974 CB550 K0
1980 CB650
2000 CBR929RR Fireblade
1966 Lambretta LI150 Series 3
1981 RD350LC
1972 Raleigh Chopper
1974 Raleigh Tomahawk
2011 Henry Hoover

Offline JezzaPeach

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2020, 04:31:27 PM »
Talking of grannies.....😁
1972 CB500/4 K1 Gold
Wanted: my 500/4 UGP96M
from 1975-78. Garnet Brown.

Offline bobv7

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2020, 05:10:36 PM »
My Granny was great, not a limbo dancer due to arthritis but quite a fan of Hendrix. 8)

Offline AshimotoK0

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2020, 05:39:26 PM »
Remember taking my step father and father in law on the back of my 400/4 in the early 1980's. They both were always talking about 'when bikes were real bikes' etc. and all the bikes they (supposedly) rode before and after WW2 but both of 'em leaned the wrong way when I went round a corner !  Mind you Cathy's old auntie Vera was an ace pillion passenger. Funny how all of 'em hugged you tightly rather than grabbing a part of the bike to hang on to.
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Offline hairygit

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2020, 09:39:03 PM »
Remember taking my step father and father in law on the back of my 400/4 in the early 1980's. They both were always talking about 'when bikes were real bikes' etc. and all the bikes they (supposedly) rode before and after WW2 but both of 'em leaned the wrong way when I went round a corner !  Mind you Cathy's old auntie Vera was an ace pillion passenger. Funny how all of 'em hugged you tightly rather than grabbing a part of the bike to hang on to.
They probably held on to you due to British bikes, any part they held onto probably rattled loose and fell off before journey's end!

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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Making your Granny limbo
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2020, 09:57:24 PM »
I picked my  little Sister up from school on my T160 Trident in about 1979. The first tight corner we went round, Ros leaned the wrong way 🙄🙄🙄🙄 She has never been on a bike since 😁😁😁
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