Hi. Nubee here with question.

[SoloOwners]

I'm from PA in the good 'ol USA.
So... Does a 21 year old Virago qualify as a classic bike?

[33d6]

To some Yes, to others , No. The main thing is if you like it. Who cares what others think about their own personal machine. If it's a classic to you that's all that counts.
Cheers,

[mini-me]

I have socks older than that.


here its regarded as a "classic" if its 25yrs or over.

Old geezers like myself will dispute that and regard it as just another bit of  throwaway japanese bike.

Only a snowflake thinks something made before 2000 is "classic"  for me  the cut off is 1945.

years ago i had an xz550 Yamaha [same engine??]which was a classic pile of crap.

As the man said its your bike, call it what you will.

[murdo]

It's your bike, so ride it and enjoy it.
Here in Aus a bike has to be over 30yrs to be called a classic (although some shouldn't be called anything), but real classics for me are pre 1960's.
Mini-me, XZ550 and Virago engines are from different families. Very rare to see an ZX550 these days, they weren't that good to begin with.

[33d6]

 There you are Nubee, ask a silly question about "what is a classic?", and you just start an argument. People have their own ideas as what "classic" means depending on how thick are their rose coloured glasses.
For that matter in twenty years time people will have an entirely different concept of "classic" and we have no idea of what that will be.
Happily, As a vintage and veteran enthusiast (World version, not US) I don't care what term people use for modern bikes. Just ride and enjoyable  them.
Cheers,

[mini-me]

Very rare to see an ZX550 these days, they weren't that good to begin with.

you don't see them at all here.

not that good is an understatement, it was total junk, I returned mine to the dealer withing three weeks, for two of those it was in and out of action.

[oldpugjeff]

dont think i have ever seen a zx 550. google to the rescue

[mini-me]

1980s, were you around then?

looked good [to me] V twin shaft drive, watercooled but crap electrics, bad handling, unreliable is an understatement. Removing the plugs was nigh imposible.

My old CX that I traded in for it, and took back later was a far superior bike. I was despatch riding at the time. along with an  RT  BMW it was probably the worst bike I have ever owned, the BMW was only just behind it.

There is one on ebay now, and there is some mug bidding on it.

[SoloOwners]

Well, I did have a '65 650 Norton that a guy had turned into a field beater. I had a shop help me rebuild it, I had them repaint it, added extended forks, King/Queen seat w' sissy bar, and pull-backs. Turned quite a few heads with it. Those were the "Easy Rider" days.

[mini-me]

mmmmmmm, yes

we have a saying here, they ain't laughing with you, they are laughing at you


Seen the price of a mid 60s 650 SS Norton here these days?

[SoloOwners]

LOL... No I haven't. So what are they selling for these days?

[mini-me]

 I have not seen one for sale for ages,

Loads have been split up for tritons and builders of other mongrels.

there is this,  £9k I reckon its got pattern mudguards and its not a 650ss http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C374893

A Dominator is not a 650 SS
Genuine 650SS will have an all silver grey tank; chrome guards and twin carbs, no rear enclosures or fancy paint

This one looks more or less right http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C668578

Notice its also got magneto ignition, unlike the one above which seems to have a coil set up.


Loads seem to have Indian made rear rubbbish mudguards, the originals rotted really badly,where as the repro ones fit really badly.