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SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: bobv7 on July 30, 2020, 05:31:05 PM

Title: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: bobv7 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?
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: cooleronthecoast 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.
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: bobv7 on July 30, 2020, 06:21:41 PM
Thought that would be the answer! ::)
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: Bryanj on July 30, 2020, 08:25:17 PM
Its still 100bhp per litre but the new stuff is more
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: Moorey 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.

Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: bobv7 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
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: cooleronthecoast 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.  :)
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: Laverda Dave 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!
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: SteveW 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.
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: JezzaPeach on August 12, 2020, 04:31:27 PM
Talking of grannies.....😁
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: bobv7 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)
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: AshimotoK0 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.
Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: hairygit 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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Title: Re: Making your Granny limbo
Post by: Nurse Julie 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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