Restored 1972 CB 350 and an unrestored, but nice and runs, 1975 RD 350.
Used to have about 10 bikes, at any one time, rotating in and out, all seventies or early eighties Jap stuff, Honda CB's, Yamaha 650's, RD's, Suzuki GT and GS's, choppers, rats, etc. Was making pretty good money buying dead stuff and getting them running again, and even on parts bikes. Even built a couple of hardtail Yamaha 650's.
Then bought my first Gold Wing, a 1976, and sold off everything else as nothing, in that vintage, came close for comfort. Remember the first three years, Gold Wings were the best Honda offered and were the second fastest bike you could buy. Only the Kawaski Z900 was faster. It was only later, after Honda realized that the dealers were making most into touring bikes, that they became the big cruisers many people think they always were, not that the original models were not big, they were. But they handle surprisingly well, even the old ones and were really quick, at least through the 1977 models. Once they are dialed in, they are about as perfect as a vintage bike gets. There truly is, no vibration. We used to joke, when they were new, that a GW was basically a 2 wheeled car, not really that far from the truth. Even today, they can be a very good buy for someone wanting a dependable vintage bike. With care, they have been known to hit 200k. But sold my last 1976 GW, a factory yellow one, a couple of years ago. Thought I was done at that point.
Then the CB 350 came up at a deal that was too good to pass up (basically free, from a very good friend). Then while riding the CB and stopping at a pawn shop, the owner asked if I knew anyone interested in old bikes. I said "maybe, what kind?". He said an old Yamaha. The strange thing was the only bike I really had any interest in was a 1975 Yamaha RD 350, in factory orange, as I used to have one and loved it. I was not really interested in getting another bike. Guess what it was? Title, keys, everything, good shape, and a giveway price. So back to two bikes again. Photo of the RD is the day I picked it up. As you can see, cosmetically only needs a seat cover. The acceleration on these, is unreal for a vintage 350, if you keep them in the power band, very close to a 750 4 stroke of the same vintage and there is just something about an old 2 stroke, especially this model. Also a picture of a picture of my last Gold Wing which I regretted selling about 10 minutes after I did it, and my current Honda CB 350, seat is unlocked as battery was removed for storage, taken today.
