picked this up on Nov 1st.
Uploaded with
ImageShack.us the bike is in pretty good shape for it's age but the prior owner could have done more both in maintenance and cleaning. i spent the first day just going over it cleaning and changing motor oil and rear diff oil. electrics were all in good shape.
my purchase test drive was fairly short so looked forward to some actual seat time. it had been close to ten years since my last street bike, a 1982 cb 750. my first impressions; for a bike this old it ran extremely smooth, seemed the carbs were clean and synced well. shifting was smooth and positive. from reading many posts here my complaint was with the seat contour and height in relation to the pegs and controls. the set up put me in more of a jockey position than i like. this is something that i am going to ponder and ride a little more before i go making changes. not the riding position that i felt natural in on my old 1970 650 bonneville.
i like the evenly spaced 6 speed tranny. with all the power of the 4 cyl, all gears pull well from the low end up through the top. i found the brakes and suspension to be average but good typical street bike equipment. as i had read in a few other posts, until you become aware of it the bike has a bit of over steer tendency.
i guess my biggest complaint so far is the cluster of "stuff" at the front forks. the chore just to change a fuse. not great for a road trip and blowing a fuse.
over all i like the bike a lot and dreading the long winter here in upstate NY. looking forward to next summer and some slow twisty rides.
last, just want to say thanks to all forum members and a hat's off to the senior guys who have the patience and fortitude to guide and maintain a great forum. john .....
