Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2002 12:25:54 -0800
Reply-To: Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Subject: Re: Mercedes 5cyl 300TD in vanagon?
In-Reply-To: <3E051E58.6090202@eoni.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
"The Kawasaki W650 was a copy of a BSA A7. The Yamaha XS650 was two
cylinders off the XS1100."
Wrong. The XS650 was introduced in 1970 as the XS1, it didn't actually
become the XS650 till 1975. The XS1100 was introduced in 1979. Unless
we're dealing with time travel it would be a little hard for Yamaha to lop
two cylinders off a bike that didn't exist.
"That's like saying that my V4 Interceptor wants to be a hardley cause the
engine's in a vee configuration."
Does you Honda look like a Harley? Only if you squint real hard.
Does the XS650 look like a Bonneville? Only if you're eyes are open.
Don't get me wrong, I like Japanese bikes. I currently own '79 XS650
(beater) and a '95 Honda Nighthawk (nice bike, a bit boring though),
however, I also own a 2000 BMW R1150GS (daily rider, weather permitting), a
'75 BMW R75/7 (couldn't resist @ $550), and a '98 Husaberg FE400 (for
getting real dirty). I keep the Honda around for when friends visit, and I
use the XS650 for when I go places where my nicer bikes might disappear.
BTW: For you Vanagon list purests out there, this is my last post about
bikes, unless you force the issue... ;-)
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Jim Arnott
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 6:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Mercedes 5cyl 300TD in vanagon?
Jeffrey Schwaia wrote:
> No guessing here, the XS650 looks like a Triumph Bonneville, vibrates
like a
> Triumph Bonneville, even sounds like a Triumph Bonneville.
The Kawasaki W650 was a copy of a BSA A7. The Yamaha XS650 was two
cylinders off the XS1100.
TR6/Bonneville: Cam in block. XS 650: cam in head. TR6: vertically split
crankcase. XS650: horizontally split crankcase. TR6: chain drive primary.
XS650: gear drive primary. etc, etc, etc. About the only thing that they
have in common is two cylinders and two wheels.
> If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, even sounds like a duck... it
> must want to be a Triumph.
That's like saying that my V4 Interceptor wants to be a hardley cause the
engine's in a vee configuration.
> Not like this is a relevation or anything.
>
> I've had an XS650 and a Bonneville, and I much prefer the Triumph, far
more
> personality.
No argument there. I owned Britbikes from 1958 through 1984 when I bought
the Interceptor. It is so far and away better than ANY Britbike (and
especially my Rocket three) at being a useable motorcycle that I haven't
looked at another Limey. (However, I hear that the current threes are quite
nice... Maybe someday soon...)
Personality? Doesn't that mean "won't start"? ;o)
Jim
