[Kevin Mahoney]

Amen Brother Vince

[Scotty Brown]

Hey Vince,  As usual you are right on the money ~!

[pmanaz1973]

If I would have talk to vince a few decades ago I would have saved a lot of blood and treasure on old beat to shit Hondas that never amounted to much.  That's why I drove 8 hours to buy my C5 from him- guys that have survived in the motorcycle business this long know stuff.

[Sectorsteve]

The C5 loves a long trip. longest i did was 5000km in 4 days. ouch! that was too many kms in too shorta time TBH, but still, she does it well.

Thanks to all.  It is funny, I feel like I get transported in time each and every ride on the C5.   Everything just seems right in the world.  Didn't find that on the CL350 and sounds like I should pass on it.  I like to ride moderately far - say 1300+ miles and don't have room for a bike that won't do that.   Looking forward to my first long ride on the C5...albeit with less gear.   Thank you again for the comments. (I wasn't going to give up the C-5)

[Richard230]

Here is a photo my 1964 Honda Super Hawk on my first trip and one of me posing with my new bike.  I never had a problem with the Honda. It would do 100 mph (downhill) and I got 75 mpg on regular fuel at freeway speeds. When I got out of the service I bought a new 1968 Super Hawk and it wasn't nearly as nice a bike.  It would only do 85 and vibrated badly.  I guess Honda's 250/305 tooling was worn out about then as the CB350 had just been introduced and it was a much better performing bike and I think more reliable, too. 

[Sectorsteve]

almost looks like an enfield richard!

[suitcasejefferson]

I have found older Japanese bikes, made before they became overly refined, to be a blast to ride. The early SOHC Honda CB750, and the early Yamaha XS650 standard are two of my favorites. I would own a vintage Japanese bike, except that parts for them are pretty much non existent. I kept my '79 Yamaha YZ250 for 8 years looking for parts to rebuild the seized top end, with no luck. I finally sold it as is. I was hoping to get into vintage MX with it, but that wouldn't have lasted long. From a riding perspective, my B5 reminds me a lot of the XS650, they both have about the same amount of vibration, and even a similar exhaust note, despite one being a twin and one being a single. Old Japanese bikes are plentiful, and if not for the almost total lack of parts, would be an easy and cheap way to get into vintage bikes.

[mc35803]

All great points.   I truly appreciate the input.  Especially the comments about parts availability and time spent wrenching.  I have too many hobbies as it is that keep me outdoors and I have enough to do with my Ural and C5.  Dan has me interested in the Chinese bikes now too.  :-)

[rtillery02]

Nah, I don't think yer off on anything, choosing a vintage daily rider brings dilemmas all its own. I had always preferred a parallel twin whether a t100c triumph or Hondas 450 dohc so long as it's a low rpm high torque powerplant. My first pushrod single was "Ollie" my 02 iron barrel 500 ks, now I wouldn't take for it. I also own a 2012 C5 now, VERY reliable so far. Both street legal & get equal riding time, (though I do tend to favor the 4spd right shift) That C5 single torque is hard to shake once you've experienced it.