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Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2025, 5:14 pm

Just been out for a ride on my 1973 Honda CB350K4 and have to admit I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end. Since buying it I always found the clutch very heavy so ordered a Venhill Cables in Dorking featherlight one. It was only when I got the original one off I realised why, the inner had seized in the outer and can't believe how I ever operated it. Must have stronger fingers than I thought. The new cable has transformed it and it's now a lovely bike to ride. I will be showing it in the winter as it really is a lovely bike. Next jobs will be to have stainless spokes fitted and the invest in a new pair of silencers as it still has the originals and the chrome is showing signs of age. Lucky David Silver spares has had some made so are available. The ones on it aren't too bad but if I show it maybe I need to change them. The bike is an American import so has spent it early life in a nice climate. Think I may keep the high bars as they are so comfortable and that's what I need these days. The clip on days are well behind me now.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by 6TDen <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=6TDen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2025, 5:36 pm, in reply to "Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

Love it, just as I did the blue one. I could live with that.
Den

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by Will <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Will' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2025, 6:57 pm, in reply to "Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

When I was 16 and lumbered with a single cylinder Honda CB125 I lusted after those 350s. Obviously I'm still jealous of any 17 year old that has one.

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by DBDBrian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=DBDBrian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2025, 7:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

That's beautiful looking bike Jerry, I am also finding a lightweight machine to be my ride of choice. The Goldie seem to get heavier as each year passes.
As you comment, it's just as, or even more enjoyable than dealing with a large bike these days. My little 200SS Ducati has clip-ons, but it's not an uncomfortable position.
I still enjoy a blast on the Goldie, but long distance is definitely out of the question.
As we both turn 81 this year , I think we are very fortunate in being able to carry on riding, who would have thought it when we started at sixteen.

PS
Have you been to Dave Silvers museum ?

Brian
Made In England

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2025, 9:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

I disliked my 1975 360 as it just seemed too small. Engine and 6 speed box were good but wind used to blow it around a lot so sold it on for 300 pound. It was a CL360 so worth about 4k now and often it appears at shows. American import in a similar colour as i had sprayed it in a Fiat Uno paint with black painted stripes on the tank. Good for 80 mph and a lovely twin leading shoe brake

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2025, 10:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

Hey Brian, I haven't been to David Silver's place either and I'm only 10 miles away! There's now a 30mph limit all the way from Yoxford to Leiston. Sizewell C...

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Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by DBDBrian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=DBDBrian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2025, 9:58 am, in reply to "Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

Dave's Museum is well worth a look Chazzy, especially for anyone who is into Honda's.
We went to Sizewell a few weeks back, for a walk along the beach too see what the progress was on the new C plant, nothing out of the ground at the moment.
As you say the road from Yoxford is a pain in the a--e, 30 MPH all the way, also average speed camera's . The road was improved when Taylor Woodrow built the original plant in the sixties, now called A. It will certainly be a major road when completed.

Brian
Made In England

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2025, 2:28 am, in reply to "Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

It's only the passage of time and the motorcycle marketers that make these "small" bikes.

In the day, when these bikes were new, they were normal-sized standard motorcycles. Nobody called them "small" or "light"

I did everything on my R5 350 back then that I do today on my 1200s and 650s.

Lannis

Do you remember, before the Internet, when people thought the cause of stupidity was lack of access to information?

Yeah, it wasn't that.

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2025, 7:43 am, in reply to "Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

Back in about 1970, most popular bikes tended to be 250cc and they were used for long rides but gradually the engine sizes crept up to a lot more CCs. I consider a 750cc to be a smallish bike now when it is something like an 80s Honda. I have tried some high powered 750s and they were much too fast and twitchy for me.
Top bike for me would be a Honda DOHC 750. They are about 80 bhp and good for 100mph and very comfortable.

Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but

Posted by DBDBrian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=DBDBrian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2025, 10:10 am, in reply to "Re: Never thought I would ride small bikes.....but"

Back in the day, the senior class at the TT / World championship, was only 500 cc

Brian
Made In England

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