Motorcycles

[DaveB]

I don't think there was a great deal of difference to be honest Larry.. externally anyway. Colour was probably the most noticeable change. I think the M's were normal.. flat colours and the N's brought a bit of 'metallic' colouring to the scene. I remember my mates being red with orange/yellow pinstripes and mine was a sort of nail varnish purple with silver pinstripes. Funny because the next bike I bought in '78 (a GS550D) was exactly the same colour as my mates 185

ATB

DaveB

[jonesey2k]

Cheers for the tips chaps. I feel fairly confident at the moment but I don't half feel vulnerable. I work 12 hour shifts so hopefully there won't be many nutters on the road at 6am or 8pm

Oh.. btw Jonesey.. that looney Rick has just sold his Z1000 and got a spanking new ZXR10. I am ever so slightly envious

Heh, those look FAR too fast for me... maybe a Kwak VN900 is more up my street

[Tako_Kichi]

Yes the 'M' model had the flat paint and the 'N' was metallic. The 'M' also had a twin leading shoe drum brake on the front while the 'N' had a disc (one of the first small bikes to have a disc brake IIRC).

This is the one I had (same colour too).....



....although the page I found that piccy on has it listed as a 'K' model for some strange reason.

[Tomliner]

Hi Jonesey.
Speakng as a non motorbike fan,I hope you enjoy your rides and stay safe.Take care, not all drivers are as careful, considerate,patient and downright pleasant as me! ATB EricT

[TSR2]

Hi Jonesey.
Speakng as a non motorbike fan,I hope you enjoy your rides and stay safe.Take care, not all drivers are as careful, considerate,patient and downright pleasant as me! ATB EricT

Is that when your "driving" your push bike along the union canal tow path mate? I don't recognise that description of a car driver

[DaveB]

Blimey Larry.. I'd forgotten about the drum on the front too Yup.. my little tinker had a disc up front Brings back some nice memories that shot does. A smashing little bike for what it was and went like stink too. I remember highlighting the RAM AIR SYSTEM on the cylinder head in red paint! I've found the picture of how mine ended up. I'll scan it when I get a mo and give you all a giggle

Jonesey..
I was always miffed as a kid following some bloke on a big old sports bike then watching him park up and take his lid off to show grey hair Seems the most natural thing in the world now As an aside.. I think all drivers should be forced to ride a bike before moving to a car. It would give them a better appreciation of road craft and make them more aware of the road in general. Nothing wrong with doing it the other way round I suppose but many of those 'car bad habits' stay with you and of course.. those who did it the other way round don't have any bad habits

Nice one Ben.. just popped up as I posted!

ATB

DaveB

[Tako_Kichi]

A smashing little bike for what it was and went like stink too.

Oh yes!

When I was about 18 I was going out with a girl who lived out in the countryside roughly 13 miles from the town I lived in. My best mate at the time was going out with my GF's mate who lived four houses away. I used to ride over to his place and then the pair of us would set out to meet the girls. He had a Honda CB175 and once we got clear of the town it was like someone had dropped a green flag in front of us! It was down three gears and off like the proverbial off a shovel! The GT185 had better acceleration so I could always pull ahead from junctions but over about 70 MPH the Honda had slightly longer legs (due partly to the smaller rear sprocket) and he would close the gap and eventually pass me if the road conditions allowed for it. We had a lot of fun during the 18 months or so we were seeing those girls and I can tell you for a fact that our footpegs were a lot shorter by that time too!

As an aside.. I think all drivers should be forced to ride a bike before moving to a car. It would give them a better appreciation of road craft and make them more aware of the road in general.

I have said the self same thing many, many, times Dave.

[jonesey2k]

I'd love a Harley Dyna Fat Bob... maybe in 5 or 6 years. But I can't see myself being too popular when I fire it up each day at 6am At least other motorists would hear you

[Tomliner]

Is that when your "driving" your push bike along the union canal tow path mate? I don't recognise that description of a car driver

Hi Ben.I remain at all times a courteous and considerate road user unless a pedestrian/taxi driver/bus driver etc gets in my way and delays me when I may perhaps say such things as 'good gracious or bless my soul, I fear that I may be delayed'
Call you soon Ben,only 4 more working days to go!!!

[TSR2]

Aw mate... that gave me a giggle. Enjoy your last few days and embrase the time off (I'm sure you will )