Anybody remember these? Had one for a bit, crap brakes, didn't go round corners very well, but a lot of bike for the money at the time. Saw me all over GB and Europe. please log in to view this image
Do you mean this, the CB400F? If so it was in a different (better) league. please log in to view this image
The version I meant, don't know the numbers stuff, had 4 exhaust pipes, which I was lead to believe were a load of crap for rusting, but Honda improved their model range so often I lost track of what they actully brought out. They even made a 250 and a 125 4cylinder machine but not for the UK market. They were fab days for Honda developement as none of the others, Yamaha or Suzuki could keep up, Kawasaki were late on the scene but made an appearance with a 3 cylinder rocket of a machine that was awful on handling but leathal in speed. BSA were gone, and Triumph were making a comeback with their 3 cylinder machines, not sure of the situation today, I've lost track, not sure if the likes of MV Agusta are still with us or the East German stuff like MZ or was it CZ one was East German the other Chech I think, like the music of the day the 60's/70's were exciting times for motorcycles.
Mate of mine had a Suzuki Katana 650. We went everywhere (in Germany, I was 16, ish) on that. I was a fidgity pillion apparantly, and he was forever telling me to stop ****ing about on the bike. Naturally, I thought he was just being a whiney twat. So, one trip, we're on an autobahn, doing 110, he looks over at me and asks if I'm ok. I put a thumbs up, he starts wobbling the bike, I grab hold of the rails and hold on for dear life, genuinely never been so frightened in my entire life. He then flattens himself down so I take the full force of the wind and nearly end up being whipped off the bike by the force. He pulls into a rest area, and says "How's that feel?" I could barely speak, I was too busy throwing up, I thought he'd gone mental, he says "thats how it feels to me when you don't sit ****ing still!". I was good as gold after that. Few years later, my brother in law picked me up on his CBX550 to take me to his home (wife was there already, he fancied a ride out so offered to get me after work). We set off. ****ing hell, the torque on that from standing still, incredible. I was gripped on really fighting not to fall off. Brother in law rides...like he's in the TT. Low round corners, at speed, accelerating as much as he can. When we got to his, he says "****ing hell, I forgot you were on the back, sorry, you're the perfect pillion!". Yeah, good reason for that.
Best off roader I had was a dr 650, best sports bike was my 900 ninja. Worst was my fire blade The one that ****ing frightened me the most was my TL1000
The only time I was **** scared on a bike, pillion that is, was when a mate of mine on an old BSA B31 took me home from Hessle one night. It was icy and cold and in those days no crash hats, he went round corners as though on the Isle Of Man, and didn't ease up on the throttle. The bike stuck to the road like glue as I was stuck to the pillion rigid, it was a hell of a plodder of a bike but not one of my finest moments as a pillion rider.
I've had a Vespa & a FS1-e. In my teens. Think I owned a C50 for a couple of days too. Considered investing in another Scooter a few years back but gave up on the idea when my youngest told me I'd look like Buddha on a bike. ****.
please log in to view this image This is my Dads BSA - a bit of a hybrid but mostly BSA Goldstar. I can't ever remember this not being around, so that makes it special to me. There's something new bikes don't do for me and that's the noise, kickstart etc - they take away all that for me is fun about motorbikes I think I was about 6 and my Dad turned up at home on a new Kawasaki Electronic ignition and for a big lumped motor it was eerily quiet. I turned to my Dad and said 'Yes, it's nice, but it's not a proper motorbike is it Dad'!
My Dad is a perfectionist - I have yet to see him with a bike that leaks oil from the crankcase Though I understand those less thorough may experience those type of issues
