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Message started by zipidachimp on 05/06/23 at 12:22:57

Title: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/06/23 at 12:22:57

My 17 year old diagnosis "old man problem" came to a conclusion last Monday with a short surgery with a laser up the wazoo! Totally painless, but awkward having external plumbing for 3 days.
Was scheduled for last year, but would have happened in middle of motorcycle season, so I put it off until now.
Will probably celebrate by buying another bike! Open to suggestions!
Cheers! 8-)
ps: my urologist is a cool guy, owns both a Maserati and a Lambo !

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/06/23 at 17:47:03

Maybe something with 3 wheels , Zipi ?

I apologize , that was mean , but I couldn’t help myself. Maybe a Royal Enfield , maybe best bang for your buck. Singles & Twins. What ya lookin at?

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by LANCER on 05/06/23 at 18:15:40

If you like older bikes there have been a number of BSA’s, triumphs, Yamaha’s & Kawasakis, singles, twins and a few triples selling for very good prices on eBay.

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/06/23 at 21:16:49

Hay Zip

I really like my Royal Enfield Meteor . It rides like a Suzuki Savage and handles just as well too, it just feels the same. It also (like the Savage) is a high torque low HP machine for its size , imagine a 2/3 power savage geared to run 95mph , w/power to run 85mph (flat ground) , and a "Speed-Limiter" that cuts it off at 75mph (world market).
I've never got less than 75mpg and average 83mpg. The flywheel is noticeably heavy and it feels good ! I understand 90 per/cent of the torque is available at 1800rpm with only 2 valves to mess with . A real 20Hp-20ft/pounds Briggs and Stratton with a 5 speed transmission and a low seat. ;)
It comes with a center stand also like bikes used to do .

Glad you getting better and healing up ! :)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/06/23 at 22:45:01

2 days off the plumbing, almost no change to prior, this will be a slow upgrade.
Ranch: youtube riders are sending signals that the Meteor is slow on the uptake as well as top speed? Why not find a mid-teens S40? Is EFI/tubeless tires worth it ? The Hunter appeals to me more. New bikes come with $1000 shipping cost.
I have always wanted a 500 twin, GS or Ninja are cheap up here. Ideas?
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/07/23 at 09:54:05

I really like the Meteor,it’s a great looking bike. I would remove the 2up backrest and ride the crap out of it. However I love singles and for some a 350 just isn’t enough.

Growing old isn’t for pus$ies , you gotta be the toughest you’ve ever been !

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/07/23 at 10:09:09

I was going to suggest finding a low mileage, late model Savage. Even I keep my eyes open for one. Yeah even Ruttly wants a nice stock S40.

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/07/23 at 12:19:30

Dreamin' here: think of an S40 with Bosch EFI, tubeless tires, trip ODO, bigger brakes: Buy!
Saw a vid on Legends Cars: they ship all over the world, and cut an exclusive deal with Yamaha to sell them 1200cc motors. In my dreams, I'd do that with Suzuki for S40 motors and a frame supplier.
Cheers! 8-)
https://legendsracingeurope.com/legends-cars-evolve-for-2023-with-confirmation-of-two-championships/
ps: Forgot: KTM/Husquvarna has already done it ! >:( >:( >:(

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/07/23 at 16:12:46

You'll know Exactly how cool he is when you tell him that, since he's getting paid for working on you he needs to let you drive one of them. I don't even know How many expensive cars I've helped pay for..

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/07/23 at 16:57:29

Guy I did my apprenticeship with used to race the legend class cars. Those little cars are bullet fast. I guess maybe could have been like along time ago now. ;D

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/07/23 at 20:08:55

I like the 85mpg is one of the short assures. The speed limit is 55 where I live and TN's default speed limit is 45 unless other-wise marked. So the ability to easy around at 55 to 70 is more than enough. My Savage struggled to get 55mpg and liked to do the same speeds as the Meteor likes to do , they are both geared about the same (92+95mph red-lines) .
the 650 pulls like a V-8 and the 350 pulls like an in line six .
Not that I didn't enjoy my years with a Savage then latter with the S40 , but the 30mpg difference and the 250 miles cruise range is not a bad thing.
The other is
I'm not a Hooligan anymore and I also have another bike (53mpg-Guzzi) if the Super-Slab is involved in the day plan.
:)
..............................

Hay zip , I had a GS500 that I bought for $300. with all the plastic broken and had not been cranked-up in 2 years. I fixed it up with a round headlight and quiet muffler rode it for a while then sold it for a $1000.00.
It pulled stronger than the S-40 I had at the same time and would wine up seemly forever !
The sitting position and the twin carbs put me in mind of selling it , but if that motor could be on a Savage frame I'd still have it. It always got 60+mpg and had "good enough" low rpm torque. I had the idea to put the motor into a Savage frame too , but I got lazy when a young feller came around wanting to buy it.
::)
................

Life is short then ya get too old to ride ... so ... just go get the bike ya want - when ya want it ! I figure about time I cross 100 years then I'll get an electric Moped step-through and a flashy helmet ? ;D

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/07/23 at 21:31:14

My old body never told my old brain that I am past hooliganism!
Right now I am watching WSBK from Catalunya, and itching for a taste!
Maybe I just should buy something cheap and do a rebuild for resale, good idea!
Cheers! 8-)
ps: if we all lived in reality rather than fantasy, no one would need anything larger than 650/750. Boring.................

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/07/23 at 21:39:45

: if we all lived in reality rather than fantasy, no one would need anything larger than 650/750

Hay , I remember when a 750cc bike was a "SUPER-BIKE" . It don't seem like very long ago either ... ::)

Then there came that 850 Norton Commando ! WoW !! Why would anybody ever need a bike like that ? The Honda 305 Dream would do anything a person ever needed to do :-?
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cb75_dream.htm

Them old/smaller bikes were and still are fun to ride , it don't take a lot of HP to have a nice ride.

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/07/23 at 22:03:10

My '68 BSA Thunderbolt took me everywhere!
The 750 Commando was paradise on earth!
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/07/23 at 22:16:12

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/BSA/bsa_a65_lighting_71.html

That's really close to my Guzzi V7 on paper !
.........................

This is what it feels like to ride the Royal Enfield 350 motor , but with a 3 year bumper to bumper warrantee :
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/BSA/BSA%20B40.htm

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/07/23 at 23:28:00

HAHA!
The one thing that annoys me about modern bikes is "weight". that Meteor should be 350lbs max. Ducati Scrambler V-twin 408 lbs vs RE650 twin 450lbs! The one bike I really like is a Honda Shadow RS, but 510lbs? Not a chance!
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/08/23 at 09:01:51

First thing I look at when I think I might want one is
Price. Can I possibly pay for it?
Then weight
Then seat height.

Looking for the trifecta of
LOW,LOW,LOW

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/08/23 at 18:50:19

Looking for the trifecta of
LOW,LOW,LOW

;D ;D ;D

............

Low seat height
70 mpg
capable of 100 mph
Tubeless tires

???

I must be thinking of an electric hybrid car ?

Cheep transportation just ain't what it used to be ! :-/

...............

Zip , that Ducati Scrambler is a gas hog ... thats like car fuel millage .

https://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/ducati/scrambler_classic

https://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/royal_enfield/interceptor

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/12/23 at 05:35:51

Tried of the old thing , there is only one thing that is needed as all you guys get older and that’s comfort. So I say go do road trips to m/c dealers , plant you butt on every bike that strikes your fancy and a few that don’t. Narrow it down from their price,color,style,engine size,seat height,etc. And weight of a bike doesn’t mean much , even if you’re short or challenged. What does matter is where the bike carries its weight , c o g ! The tracker weighs 310-320 lbs with a high cog and my sporty a chunky 505 lbs with a low cog , a high cog uses up your energy faster and a low cog takes less input to ride , not always correcting. Tracker handles and stops laser straight but it’s high cog requires constant muscle input. So for me it’s a low cog and then comfort as in seat and controls that fit me , seat height and weight are still important but are further down my prioritized list. So make up a list and go plant your butt on some bikes,give it a test ride before you drop coin ! 8-)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by J Mac on 05/12/23 at 18:28:46

That Meteor looks great. I saw one on a city street last year piloted by a young lady. That was the single event that prompted me to get another S40 after all these years. I knew I wouldn't want to spend an extra $2000 or so on a new Meteor, so I went with the devil I knew. I would so much like a center stand. That would make checking oil and various other tasks so much nicer.

6C7E6C7E73606F6269210 wrote:

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/13/23 at 10:38:14

My S40 has a 18" front wheel and a 16"rear, lowered front end, raised rear end, almost stock engine, 26" wide handlebars, lovely in twisties! I'm also a cheap b*st*rd, so anything over $3000 and 400lbs is a non-starter. Plenty to choose from, just nothing new.
Cheers! 8-)
ps: I made a mistake this year, changing the seat and the paint at the same time! Still not on the road! >:(

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by TheSneeze on 05/15/23 at 12:40:09

Wanna go old school? How about an early 80's resto-mod/superbike edition? Rumor has it this frame off restoration/build is hitting the blocks after the new motor is broken in! 8-)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/15/23 at 14:26:04

sneezy: that ELR has been a favorite for a long time! Rumour has it that Kaw is bringing to market a Z400RS. If so, one in ELR colors would be a sell-out!
https://www.bikesrepublic.com/featured/is-kawasaki-working-on-a-retro-styled-z400-rs-too/
Cheers! 8-)
ps: always liked that Eddie Lawson was a 'no-bs' racer that could always bring home a winner! Great guy!

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/15/23 at 23:51:51

It sure is sexy ! It should fetch top dollar looking that good.

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/20/23 at 06:26:52

Hay Zip

What's that silver bar thing that looks like the swing-arm being mounted in two places ?

That's a nice looking bike ! And looks fully restored as good as new.
I'd suspect there might be some "EXTRA" add on little surprises in the mix there somewhere too ?

:)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by zipidachimp on 05/21/23 at 00:19:25

????? Dunno! Missed that !

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by LANCER on 05/21/23 at 04:00:45

4A584A58554649444F070 wrote:

Looks to be part of the swing arm assembly.

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by TheSneeze on 05/21/23 at 07:47:56

The swing arm has a brace added to it, like the 80's superbikes used back in the day. After adding a much stiffer front end, I needed to add some rigidity to the rear. That also made me do something about the middle of the bike, so the frame was gusseted in six places. It handles much better than stock now! There are many more small details that are easily missed on this build. It's tugging on my heart strings to let it go!

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/21/23 at 20:04:09

TheSneeze maybe you should keep it on a battery tender just incase you have a sudden urge for a afternoon Hooligan Run ! You know a man has to look-out for himself sometimes ;)

Think about how many Jay Leno has ! :)

https://www.hotcars.com/jay-lenos-motorcycle-collection-is-out-of-this-world/

..................

Sorry Zip , I was the one confused ! ::)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/23/23 at 12:07:59

Don’t make me come ride it , put the trickle charger on it , I’m sure I can find a road I can wring it out for you !

Echoing Evil Laughter ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Ruttly on 05/23/23 at 12:24:19

Oh and by the time I decide to return the bike to you
It’ll be broken in

All absolutely free of charge. ::)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by TheSneeze on 05/24/23 at 09:08:23

Such a giver, Rutt... ;D

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by Dave on 05/25/23 at 04:46:17

There is a group of senior fellows that meet for lunch on Fridays - they all ride motorcycles and at 67 I am in the youngest one in the group. Several of the riders are in their 80's......unfortunately the two fastest riders are showing their age and given up riding this year.

Some of them have several bikes in their garages, and at one meal they started talking about how they don't ride them enough and they worry about the batteries and freshness of the fuel.....the bikes need to be ridden more.

I offered a service to them - I could come over frequently and ride their bikes for them at no charge. The bikes would get "exercised" and kept it top form!

One of the orneriest fellows asked if I could do the same thing for their wives! I told him that riding motorcycles is risky - but that kind of activity is far too dangerous! ;)

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/25/23 at 04:47:42

This forum is just Full of the most altruistic people. Thinking only of others, it's just touching to see,innit?

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by LANCER on 05/25/23 at 05:09:59

“It certainly is Ollie !” [ch9786][ch65039]

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/25/23 at 09:04:16

Did you happen to see the Laurel and Hardy story that has been streaming on FreeVee?

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/30/23 at 06:15:52

Did you happen to see the Laurel and Hardy story that has been streaming on FreeVee?

Post a link ?

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/30/23 at 09:02:42

You are asking The least techy guy here for something I honestly had no idea was even possible. I'm still not sure it is.
IDK how to help you..

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/30/23 at 19:32:59

Dang JOG , I thought I was the least techy guy anywhere ? So, you think I've met my match ?
:-/

...........

I'll have to confess that one time I did hook my Guzzi up to my computer and reset the error code. But there was a lot of guessing going on at the time. :-[

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/31/23 at 10:38:00

I Used to be able to build a tower and install an operating system. But I never learned to operate a cell phone. I can Slowly reply to a text. Don't know how to initiate one. I just don't Wanna leash. When I'm on the road, far from home, I stop and ask someone if I can call home, let them know I'm still alive. I miss pay phones. I had no idea there is a way to link to a streaming TV show. The possibilities that modern technology offer are really fascinating. I'm sorry I don't know how to make finding that movie easy. It was interesting for us,because we're old enough to have enjoyed watching them. We didn't know what ever became of them, they just slowly stopped being around.
How they found actors who so closely resembled the originals I just dunno.

If you have the FreeVee app, which I Say with exactly No Understanding, hit the Search button . I figure anyone over sixty otta enjoy it.

Title: Re: Joys of growing old !
Post by MMRanch on 05/31/23 at 21:22:00

I found some on utube , not sure if this is new ... but its in color ! :) :)

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrEufsYHHhkb0kCCHFXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZANBRFNPUFQxXzEEc2VjA3Nj?p=Laurel+and+Hardy&ei=UTF-8&turl=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.D2awTXqtBInP2pNvm3WiOQHgFo%26pid%3DApi%26w%3D296%26h%3D156%26c%3D7%26p%3D0&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DajK80annna0&tit=The+Flying+Deuces+%7C+COLORIZED+%7C+LAUREL+%26+HARDY+%7C+Classic+Movie&pos=1&vid=9ebc97984a53c086b05f4385e029f5be&sigr=okUf0Yz7WGsW&sigt=lz_W6G4XJznE&sigi=4zZVsxn.DrZJ