My Next Motorcycle

[Jeff Higgins]

I wish...

An all-time cafe racer classic, the Norvin. Norton Featherbed frame housing a Vincent motor. A very, very well done example. Notice the proper right hand shift, one up, three down. As all proper sporting motorbikes once were.

[fanaudical]

Neat bike. I think my favorite part of the video is that a younger guy is interested in the older bike...

[Yorkie]

When I was in my teens/20s in the UK my Dad had a Vincent. He used to let me ride it on VMCC runs and it felt very modern and powerful. It was tough to start if you stalled it in traffic so I dreaded town riding. At the time I had an iron head sportster 1000 and it felt head and shoulders above that bike. In later years I moved onto Ducatis and in particular the 900ss (which I believe you also own) and Dad always felt they were similar beasts. Great looking example and I always tip my hat to builders of Specials as they are always a collection of engineering challenges. Thanks for sharing b

[Superman]

That thing is very cool.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Yorkie

When I was in my teens/20s in the UK my Dad had a Vincent. He used to let me ride it on VMCC runs and it felt very modern and powerful. It was tough to start if you stalled it in traffic so I dreaded town riding. At the time I had an iron head sportster 1000 and it felt head and shoulders above that bike. In later years I moved onto Ducatis and in particular the 900ss (which I believe you also own) and Dad always felt they were similar beasts. Great looking example and I always tip my hat to builders of Specials as they are always a collection of engineering challenges. Thanks for sharing b

Yes, I have an Ironhead Sportster, and a Ducati 900 SS. I love both bikes for different reasons. I actually see the 900 SS as what the Sportster should have become, had Harley continued to develop it over the 40 years that spanned between the introduction of the Sportster and the introduction of the 900 SS. The Sportster went from the reputation of some fire-breathing super bike to that of a beginners' bike, or a "girls' bike". How the mighty had fallen...

A member of an Ironhead forum in which I participate races them down in Australia in their vintage meetings. He's old enough to have been involved with Sportsters since they were introduced. I remember his impressions that he shared with us when he saw his first one - "now there's a race motor...".

He tells us that today, in his vintage classes (solo and sidecar), that nothing can touch his Sportsters. Not even the mighty Vincents. He simply mops up on them every time they race. Not even close, he says.

I have considered building a Sporton from my bike. Then I start to believe that someday it might be worth something. I've been thinking that for over 20 years, watching values of similar British, German, and Italian bikes of that era climbing, and Harley big twins (Panheads, Shovelheads) going ballistic. But not the Ironhead. Has to be the most unloved, underrated motorcycle of that genre by a wide margin. I think because they were the most often butchered by some hack who couldn't afford a "real" Harley and was scraping just to keep at least one of its cylinders functional.

Oh well. I like my bikes. Very, very different, suiting different moods.

[Superman]

[Shaun @ Tru6]

What a neat little bike! I went for a nice ride today, really looking forward to Sept!


I could see getting a 50s or 60s version someday.

[Jeff Higgins]

Be careful what you wish for, Shaun. That motorcycle has to be the most maintenance intensive machine I have ever owned. I often joke that the only reasons I keep it around are because I've owned since I was 19, and to remind me why I own newer motorcycles. It is a lot of work to keep one of these things on the road.

And, yeah, looking forward to September. That's usually one of our nicest months, with warm (but not hot) dry days. Perfect riding weather.

[Superman]

Agreed but oh Jeez, do I need to buy another motorcycle before then? My CB750 is fun enough, but only for a couple of hours maybe. Then again, Shaun rode a 900SS across the nation in something like 3 days. Superman is out of excuses, it seems.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Be careful what you wish for, Shaun. That motorcycle has to be the most maintenance intensive machine I have ever owned. I often joke that the only reasons I keep it around are because I've owned since I was 19, and to remind me why I own newer motorcycles. It is a lot of work to keep one of these things on the road.

And, yeah, looking forward to September. That's usually one of our nicest months, with warm (but not hot) dry days. Perfect riding weather.

Good to know, I will just take a lot of pics of yours and look at them from time to time.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Superman

Agreed but oh Jeez, do I need to buy another motorcycle before then? My CB750 is fun enough, but only for a couple of hours maybe. Then again, Shaun rode a 900SS across the nation in something like 3 days. Superman is out of excuses, it seems.

It would be great to have you along on a real trip Jim.

[afterburn 549]

Most of us have tried a lot of bikes,I always end up back on a Harley.
I even tried a Honda F6B , which was a wonder of parts. However, the riding position was still like being on a birthing table in full spread!
The HD offers all sorts of comfortable riding positions, and configured correctly will do 500 miles a day two up!
If you think that is shallow, then you are not familiar with what it takes!
I did 800 once on an Iron head in my late 20s
For sure I am no Iron Butt...LOL
The one left is the Triumph Rocket.
It awaits somewhere.
But I have an extensive project EVO in front of me with piston squirters and all hoping for 1.75 HP per cube for a short distance and a comfortable spirited ride!