Best Looking Motorcycle - 70's

[45rpmspinner]

While I'm sure the Norton Commando has already by mentioned, I think special mention should be made of the short-stroke 850 Commando.
A little of head work and a slightly hotter cam and they were literally 3 times the bike of the 750 model.
And I say that as long time owner of a 750 with 850 frame upgrades.

One of the reasons I and lot of my friends were a big fans of the 90's air cooled Ducati 900 SS is 'cause it felt a fair bit like a stepped-on Commando 850 engine in a modern frame. Old meets new [at the time]. A truly marvelous bike.



Actually, here's a pic of my old 750 after the current owner converted it back to something closer to stock. Why he put the stock seat, 19in wheels with drum brake back-on is a mystery. Did kind of a crappy job drilling extra "speed holes" for the dry clutch/belt drive as well. I'm trying not too look to closely as I'll only get more irritated.

 

[soundmotor]

A former coworker was an RD freak. He had 2 white ones, a red RD350, and bought a yellow RZ350 new. It sat in his basement under a cover, with under 300 miles on it.

 

[soundmotor]

The Suzuki GT550 is tops for me, the epitome of 70s muscle bikes as far as style and end of an era goes -

 

[2011etec]

^ ^ ^

That guy must have long arms!

The guy that owns that 48 cyl Kawasaki lives in Britain and owns 400 cars.

 

[jbrainey]

I browsed the thread and was saddened that nobody mentioned the baddest muscle bike/cruiser of its time. Slow by modern standards and with brakes that were nowhere near what was needed to stop it quick, it did however turn heads while cruising. This 1978 model belongs to a friend. I own the 1979 model with drilled discs.

1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD

 

[petehall347]

i used to borrow a vf750 in matt black .. looked pretty mean and not much would catch it ..pic to follow if i can find an example

this has to be it in front ...

 

[3kitty]

The Suzuki GT550 is tops for me, the epitome of 70s muscle bikes as far as style and end of an era goes -

Friends had this bike....I had the '78 GS750E

 

[James Hart]

i used to borrow a vf750 in matt black .. looked pretty mean and not much would catch it.

Early 80s... my old man had a gloss black V45 Sabre... fast and mean!

 

[Hyfi]

View attachment 1173177

75 Norton Commando, Snortin Norton

Yep, thats the one. Mine was Black and Gold electric start.

My first bike was a 66-68 BSA 250 single Goldstar

 

[Pio1980]

Early 80s... my old man had a gloss black V45 Sabre... fast and mean!

I rode one for a while, great handling and very capable. Perfect size, not too small or too large, a "Goldilocks" ride.

 

[zebra03]

I always liked the first Goldwings .

 

[soundmotor]

I always liked the first Goldwings .

...and some of them end up converted in quite spectacular fashion...

:drool emoticon here if it were still available:

 

[knockbill]

I always liked the looks of Brit bikes,,, Triumph,,, BSA,,, Nortons... My high school buddies all bought em in the sixties,,, I got drafted, and never did!! Navy buddy had a Norton 850 ,,, I got to ride it occasionally, when he borrowed my vette!.

 

[Bobcat]

...and some of them end up converted in quite spectacular fashion...

:drool emoticon here if it were still available:

Very well done. Luv it!

 

[3kitty]

1972 Kawasaki S2 350.....

 

[2011etec]

soundmotor that's a real pretty wing.I also liked the stripped down wings and of course the kz1300 six banger.

 

[djnagle]

The Honda CX500 was a Oh-hum bike when it was in production but with a little work can look really modern.

BEFORE



AFTER

 

[James Hart]

View attachment 1201330

Nice custom work, but I cannot look at that style and not think about stink bugs

 

[BillWojo]

The 70's BMW 90S in the silver and orange color is what got me into BMW motorcycles. First time I saw one I was floored that it was a factory paint job. Spotted it coming back from bike week in Daytona on a rest area on Interstate 295 in Delaware. It had just been released.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?attachments/r90-jpg.1176230/

BillWojo

 

[danomar]

I am biased toward my 1978 Moto Morini 3.5 Sport: