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My brother has (had? I don't even know if he still has it!) an RSV Mille R, that he loved, despite it being the "most uncomfortable bike in the history of man to sit." He's in California, I'm in Florida, so I've never seen it, much less ridden it. I did ride his Honda VTR 1000 Superhawk quite a bit, and if the Mille R was less comfortable, then dayum! (He left the Superhawk in Florida, not running, when he moved to Cali, and I rebuilt the carbs and got it going, rode it a while, and he sold it to my son, who sold it to a friend. That friend totaled it, without serious injury, on the way home from the purchase!) The Mille R might have been "less comfortable" simply because it was way scarier...
Don’t you love it when you wash your daily ride and leave it in the yard for a bit and the wife asks if that is a real bike or one of the parts bikes left outside.
Leaves the door wide open for bringing more bikes home.
Yep leading the pack! Is it always that good? LOL! Definitely looks like a great day out. Keep the shiny side up, and the greasy side down, as we always say on this side of the pond.
Jack
PS it looks like you got the rear suspension sorted on it. New stuff, or rebuilt old stuff.
Last edited by 89 Jacobra; Jul 1, 2022 at 11:13 AM.
I’m usually out with 30 or so classic bikes(25 years old at least) this was an open track day so most of the bikes were 25-30 years newer and double the horse power. But the GPZ went ok, first time since my accident I have improved my lap times.
Rear shock was custom made for my weight and height. Huge improvement. Ikon Suspension.
Last time out at Classic Bike track day in November.
God I wish I had a track near me. I don't know of any, most things around here are dirt, oval tracks for stock cars / late models as they are called, and then there are the sprint cars. But asphalt tracks are few, and far between. I wouldn't mind finding the limits on the PC, without the fear of a car coming towards me while I'm laid over. I'll have to do some research to see if there are any, I just don't know about. Keep having fun for me. LOL!
Hi Jack, another oldie leading the pack down the same hill in 2016.
Believe it or not, after 33 years of flinging things around that track the XJ6 is the second fastest lap I have done around there and the fastest is not on two wheels. My fastest two laps have been 4 wheels.
There is something to be said for the traction, and balance that 4 wheels allows. I was almost always faster, when it came to running city streets on two wheels, compared to my buddies in there cars. I attribute this to the fact there wasn't enough distance to get there cars wound up, (as we called it) enough to catch me. Then there was another turn. So racing across town I don't remember ever getting beat. Now out on a track. I can see the potential as they had much longer distances to wind up all there power. Early on I didn't think there was anyway a car could out run a bike. At 18 years old I was riding 900 and1000 Kaws, 12.3 in the 1/4 stock, and about 140mph on flat ground. At that point I had never been in e really fast car, let alone a "Race Car" Then my Dad educated me about power to weight ratio, and the undeniable ability to continue adding horsepower to cars. To the insane levels we have today. Bikes have gotten more powerful and faster, but not as exponentially as much as cars have. Then you have the aerodynamics which seem to have a more direct effect on the rider, as he is in the wind so to speak. When surrounded by metal, and glass you don't feel the sensations you do on a bike. I'm not sure if there is a scientific reason bikes can't outrun cars. But it's a phenomenon. I know it occurs, but I can't really explain it. LOL. Kind of like trying to explain what a Hot Rod is. There isn't a definitive answer. But I know it when I see it.
I've had quite a few street bikes, but now prefer just my dirt bike! Riding on the street in the Plano TX (Dallas) is too crazy these days! I ride a KTM300 2-stroke with electric start and it's a blast!
I rode a Motorcycle in Chicago in the mid 80's, (so so) and once through Birmingham Al. in the mid 90' ( pretty sketchy). After driving truck in Dallas in the 90's, and then seeing all the screwed up additions to the interchange systems, around Dallas about 10 years ago. I wouldn't take anything short of a Sherman Tank through Dallas! That has to be the most screwed up, and dangerous place I believe I've ever driven. All I can say is Good Luck, and hope your health, and life insurance is paid up.
Wow Clarke an old Matchless! I don't know much about them. Off the top of my head but it resemblems the Triumphs, BSA's, and Nortons. I remember from the 60's. Don't believe I've ever seen a real one other then in a Museum. Wow. Looks very good, even good enough to run??? I'll bet that was a pretty penny.
Cmon with some details! Wow.
Wow Is Clarke Back??? Cool deal to hear from you. So obviously the Matchless does run. How big is it, what year, etc. I have always been a lover of old Iron(cars, trucks, bikes, etc) just the straight forward simplicity of them, along with the way they feel, and drive. The rawness is very invigorating! Cool
Jack
PS please tell me that's not your Brain Bucket in the pic? Cause if it is, it might be time to think about a new one. LOL
Last edited by 89 Jacobra; Jun 8, 2025 at 09:04 PM.
Jack, it is a 1953 G9 Super Clubmam 500 twin. It runs well now I have fitted a solid state regulator inside the old Lucas case and gutted the magneto and filled it with an electronic ignition. Totally rewired it and fitted indicators and modern switch blocks.
Did a club run last Sunday, I did 175 km trouble free.
XJR is still the daily, ZRX is now the track bike, GPZ track bike is for sale. A few additions to the shed, Yamaha Niken GT ( owner moved overseas and left it with me for storage and riding). KTM 990 SM, currently not running, GSX750, resto almost complete while riding.
Not my helmet in the picture, wouldn’t wear one that looks like that.
Now I see why you haven't been visiting the Forum, you're to damn busy fixing, restoring,(they look great by the way) and taking care of Motorcycles! Not a bad way to spend your time. But what the heck is up with that 3 wheeled thingy???? I know it's a Yamaha. Does the owner intend to come back after it? How does it ride? It' kinda reminds me of a Bumble Bee or a Helicopter. According to the laws of physics neither one of them should be able to Fly, but then can. Just goes against all good common sense, as far as I can tell?????????? Yikes
