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Explorer bike
I am basically an explorer who thoroughly enjoys all sorts of motorcycles. Most of my riding is done on the pavement, but more and more I find myself exploring trails by bike. I perfer to ride a bike to the trails and on them. Dual purpose, okay? The perfect bike for me? Honda’s XLV750, only lighter, please.
Because I can’t buy an XLV until Honda decides it could develop that market, I thought I might compromise. Honda Ascot V-Twins are available here at low prices, and they have substantial ground clearance with 6.1 inches of fork travel, 4.3 inches of rear wheel travel. For my needs, the Ascot fits if I could just have a longer-travel, more compliant suspension. Any suggestions of how I could have that suspension travel?
Bill Kenny
St. Paul, Minnesota
We'd suggest you contact Gil Vai/lancourt at Works Performance (8730 Shirley Ave., Northridge, Calif. 91324; [213] 701-1010). Works Performance could make you a set of slightly longer shocks to increase rearwheel travel (but perhaps not by two inches w ithout more substantial modification), and the folks there also might be able to modify your fork damper rods for longer travel as well.
You know' your needs better than we do, but we're not sure if an Ascot is the best solution. Both the Suzuki SP600 and the Yamaha XT600 blend street comfort with trail performance fairly well, and should be considered. Two other possibilities, but both definitely> in a higher price class, are the BMW R80 G/S and the Cagiva 750 Elefant. The BMW is a known quantity and fills the explorer role you describe well. The Cagiva won 7 be in the country until at least mid-summer, but it promises to be a lighter-weight, less cumbersome version of the XLV, and the Ducati engine that powers it is well-proven. If you 're interested, and want to know where the nearest Cagiva dealer is, contact Cagiva North America, 20030 South Normandie Avenue, Torrance, California 90502; (213) 538-9337.
Bimota spares
I have been trying for the last eight months to obtain a complete fairing, including the lowers and seat assembly, for a Bimota KB 1 (with a lOOOcc Kawasaki engine). Cosmopolitan Motors has given me the run-around. I have even tried to get hold of Bimota in Italy, but have had no luck.
I have been trying to restore this motorcycle since 1982, but with very slow progress.
Phil M. Jimenez
Cooper City, Florida
We'd suggest you contact a different Bimota distributor: Performance Works, 7854 Alabama, Canoga Park, California 91304; (818) 999-5396. Harry Maillet is the man to speak to there, and he'll do what he can to assist you in your search, including putting you in direct contact with Bimota. But he warned that obtaining parts for the older Bimotas can sometimes be difficult. gg
