11 replies to this topic

[LAURENCEAUX]

I came across this whilst pootling on YouTube.

 

Discussing bike stability in the 60's -70's I was staggered at the waywardness of many popular models. I was on a Honda 400 Super Sport then but do not remember this bike jumping around like theirs.

 

The sound is crap, but the film is startling.

 

 

 

[leehenty]

Darwinism ? they were made to sort the men from the boys
I had a Yamaha XJ600 that weaved on Dunlop 203s causing some change of underwear moments, Bridgestone BT45 s sorted it

Edited by leehenty, 11 May 2024 - 07:52 am.

[Nog]

I remember my old man telling me about the big nob on the headstock (not the rider  ) that they could tighten up to help with stability.

 

Kind of like an early crude steering damping I guess.

 

Just early geometry and frames etc with too much flex.

[harvey krumpet]

Reminds me of my old CB750F Integra, it had a hinge in the middle, most disconcerting.

 

My GT750 Kawasaki handled better but went into a terrible tank slapper just over 120mph, stopped if I could get to 130mph which was the ideal speed for keeping my visor clear in the rain.... Slowing down was very focusing.

 

I must have been nuts!

[Robodene]

[quote name="Nog" post="400948" timestamp="1715332050"]I remember my old man telling me about the big nob on the headstock (not the rider  ) that they could tighten up to help with stability.
 Kind of like an early crude steering damping I guess.
 

I had that big knob on my first (1940s) bike (I was the other nob). You changed the compression of the spring, like you do for rear suspensions now. Front suspension damping could be adjusted with metal plates and bolt that could be tightened up or loosened. And the other assortment of springs were in the seat - nothing better. Gearboxes were upside down in those days, btw.

[PICARD]

There you have it chaps, it's official.....more cake less wobble and weave. Get it down yer!

[Pedro]

We survived because we learnt where the limit was quickly! If you were lucky enough, you only had to change underpants, if not, a few days rest surrounded by pretty nurses.    Like most in the 80's and 90's, I've had my share. CBX thou chasing a GPZ900, ton on a parkway bend that would be one handed on todays basic models, I swear I could see the forks bending sideways as it wobbled  and weaved through it. After that, I only took that bend at 95   

[Tedious93]

Wobble? Oh! So that's what it was ... I just thought my RD400C was 'nervous' on the straight fast bits. As a result, I avoided long straight stuff and kept on twisty roads. More fun there anyway. I remember the steering dampers fitted to the RDs that raced ... wonder if it did any good(?). Never raced mine.

[LAURENCEAUX]

Wobble? Oh! So that's what it was ... I just thought my RD400C was 'nervous' on the straight fast bits. As a result, I avoided long straight stuff and kept on twisty roads. More fun there anyway. I remember the steering dampers fitted to the RDs that raced ... wonder if it did any good(?). Never raced mine.

 

One of my mates had one of those and being on a Honda 400 Four I was keen to compare them, being a two-stroke as it was. Coming around the last bend back to his house I intended to end on a flourish, opened her up, hit the never-before experienced powerband and initiated an unexpected wheelie. I got the nose down, chopped around a bit, parked up and said, "she's keen" with as much calm as I could muster, then went in to check my pants. Never again dare I ride a two-stroke, because of their Jekyll and Hyde off/on character.

 

My mate later admitted he thought I was going to bin it as the wheel began to lift.

Edited by LAURENCEAUX, 14 May 2024 - 08:50 am.

[harvey krumpet]

We survived because we learnt where the limit was quickly! If you were lucky enough, you only had to change underpants, if not, a few days rest surrounded by pretty nurses.    Like most in the 80's and 90's, I've had my share. CBX thou chasing a GPZ900, ton on a parkway bend that would be one handed on todays basic models, I swear I could see the forks bending sideways as it wobbled  and weaved through it. After that, I only took that bend at 95 

Last time I was home, a few years ago now, I noticed that a hedge on the western side of the Hartside pass still had a hole in it where my GT750 came to rest after decking the pipes and centre stand going through a downhill right hander 20 years earlier.

Of course others may have mimicked my cornering style in years since then.

[dablik]

Last time I was home, a few years ago now, I noticed that a hedge on the western side of the Hartside pass still had a hole in it where my GT750 came to rest after decking the pipes and centre stand going through a downhill right hander 20 years earlier.

Of course others may have mimicked my cornering style in years since then.

 

Oh but they have, Johnno where are you, that was on a yella 900, i'm sure others have followed 

[harvey krumpet]

 

Oh but they have, Johnno where are you, that was on a yella 900, i'm sure others have followed 

It would take a bit more commitment to go berry picking on a TDM, impressed we are!