I have a special request from Matt for a bike for his wife. I have to admit that I'm a bit stumped on this one. My wife is 5'0" also and I can't think of a bike that would fit her frame to the specs that Matt is looking for. Any bike that might work would still have to be lowered quite a bit. Anyone have any suggestions? You can either e-mail me (and I'll post it) or put it in the comments!
Steve,
My wife is a big fan of motorcycles. Being 5'0" tall and 100 lbs she's pretty limited in selection, even more limited when you find out she loves sport bikes and isn't very interested in much else. Cruisers are definitely out, and other categories of bikes typically don't meet her performance and beauty/form requirements. The biggest bike she's owned is a lowered Kawasaki Ex500. She's ready for her next ride, Kawasaki redesigned the 250 and dropped the 500. We're having a lot of trouble finding anything that wouldn't need to be lowered so much that the handling is compromised, but still has more power than the lawnmower. (no offense to smaller bikes, we love them, handling is unmatched, we're just looking for something specific here)
I'm very much a fan of your blog, and am wondering if you're willing to ask your audience for recommendations on what her options are. Are there 500cc or greater sport/sporty bikes out there that a little'n like my wife can handle? Once she gets moving she's a highly skilled rider, but she needs to feel comfortable stopping, walking, and maneuvering the bike with her little frame. What are we missing?
Thanks a ton!,
Matt (and Beth, though she doesn't know it yet)
from Fort Collins, Colorado
Really, I can't say enough how impressed I am with the diversity and craftsmanship of the bikes you post. It's been a continuous source of inspiration for my own projects. Thank you.
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Update 3: Wicked Little 2-Stroke Yamaha Tracker-Bobber
Moving this to the top for a bit since so many folks had questions about it.
Update 3: Found the build thread! An alert reader over on ADV rider found the build thread on this bike. A lot of folks have been asking for more info so here you go!
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=12857.0
From the comments (Thanks SakeRacer). More info Here: http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2010/9/9/1973-yamaha-rd250-street-tracker.html
Sorry to Pipeburn. I didn't realize it originated on their site. TONS of great stuff over there so check them out often.
My observant commentors make some good points about the classification of this bike. Tracker of Bobber? I see a lot of elements of both styles here and to be honest I'm not crazy about pigeon holing bikes all that much so lets call it a tracker-bobber. Whatever you call it it's still freaking cool!
That's got backroad fun written all over it.
Update 3: Found the build thread! An alert reader over on ADV rider found the build thread on this bike. A lot of folks have been asking for more info so here you go!
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=12857.0
From the comments (Thanks SakeRacer). More info Here: http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2010/9/9/1973-yamaha-rd250-street-tracker.html
Sorry to Pipeburn. I didn't realize it originated on their site. TONS of great stuff over there so check them out often.
My observant commentors make some good points about the classification of this bike. Tracker of Bobber? I see a lot of elements of both styles here and to be honest I'm not crazy about pigeon holing bikes all that much so lets call it a tracker-bobber. Whatever you call it it's still freaking cool!
That's got backroad fun written all over it.
Reader Submittal. Custom built Indian "Chout"
Buck Pinkerton sends in this really cool old Indian! I would love to own something like this. Damm near one of a kind! Thanks!
Hi,
This is a friend's Indian Chout. It was built by her father before she was born, ostensibly a 1929 Scout frame holding a 1940 Bonneville Chief engine that he just happened to find in a crate at the southwest airbase where he was stationed. The forks look to be latter day chief. Some time in the 1980s the bike passed through the hands of a "restorer" who added the H-D front fender and odd looking instrument pod. At least he painted it right and stayed out of the engine. The bike is back in the family now, and from stories I've been told it was one fast machine.
Ride safe,
Buck Pilkenton
Hi,
This is a friend's Indian Chout. It was built by her father before she was born, ostensibly a 1929 Scout frame holding a 1940 Bonneville Chief engine that he just happened to find in a crate at the southwest airbase where he was stationed. The forks look to be latter day chief. Some time in the 1980s the bike passed through the hands of a "restorer" who added the H-D front fender and odd looking instrument pod. At least he painted it right and stayed out of the engine. The bike is back in the family now, and from stories I've been told it was one fast machine.
Ride safe,
Buck Pilkenton
Monday, October 4, 2010
Reader Ride. Sweet Parilla 250 Work In Progress.
Danilo writes in:
Love your site. Thought you'd get a kick out of my Parilla 250 project. Purchased it in Minneapolis last month, hadn't run in years. Cleaned up the points, new battery and swapped out the VHB Dellorto for the original SS1 with remote bowl that came in the parts box, gave it a couple of kicks and... Nothing. Took it out in the alley and it bump-started on the third try.
Put 50 miles on it this weekend, including a stop at Acetoberfest in Chicago. Still bumping it, but as soon as I get new points and condenser that'll be a thing of the past. When winter hits the frame goes out for checking/bracing, and then I'm going to give it the cosmetic treatment.
That's a heck of a find! Perfect starting point! Thank for the Pics!
What beautiful engine!
Love your site. Thought you'd get a kick out of my Parilla 250 project. Purchased it in Minneapolis last month, hadn't run in years. Cleaned up the points, new battery and swapped out the VHB Dellorto for the original SS1 with remote bowl that came in the parts box, gave it a couple of kicks and... Nothing. Took it out in the alley and it bump-started on the third try.
Put 50 miles on it this weekend, including a stop at Acetoberfest in Chicago. Still bumping it, but as soon as I get new points and condenser that'll be a thing of the past. When winter hits the frame goes out for checking/bracing, and then I'm going to give it the cosmetic treatment.
That's a heck of a find! Perfect starting point! Thank for the Pics!
What beautiful engine!
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