Ahead into the past
Work in progress. That means that something is not finished yet. On the pictures we see the project that XS650 passionado Fried Anepool has almost finished.
And we know that there are people who immediately start to prance when they see a classic that is not in absolute 100% factory original condition. We have seen someone disgustingly turn away from a beautiful BMW R90S because box and block were not the same.
And with some expressions of unbridled desire to renovate, we also respond somewhat aloof. For example, the trend to convert young timers and a more recent classic by motivating a spring roll as a seat on it is not very important to us. But hey: If the owner is happy with it.
Fried's creation, however, is of a completely different order
The machine is a genuine tribute to the Scramblers from the sixties. The old standard Yamaha has been lovingly and professionally reborn and it looks 1005 time authentic and professionally built. If this machine had been presented in the States at the same time as the road version, it would have accelerated the downfall of the British motorcycle industry for years. The XS650 Scrambler is not completely finished yet. Another tank is coming up. Another seat is coming up. But we are already completely in love with the preliminary result. Our compliments.
What we did look a bit worried about, was the presentation of the Whitehouse Honda. That is also a tribute. Or a weakness bid. Or just a very strange idea. The approach is that the engine of the last century, the Honda CB750 Four, is now as dated as legendary. And real toppers from the early CB750 line are scarce and cost serious money.
The (Japanese, from Tokyo area) Whitehouse K10 is a CB1100 in perfect disguise. All high-quality components can be purchased separately for a considerable number of Yens and the result can only be called beautiful. But the K10 is of course no more a classic than the entire current range of retro bicycles. And that offer only indicates that the insect-like design looks of the last generations are no longer, and never have been, than arched expressions of marketers and designers who let themselves be led by the issues of the day and the design from Japanese manga strips.
Because it is always most recognizable if a motorcycle just looks like a motorcycle, and not something alien.
Just real or not?
And whether those modern, classically designed motorcycles will ever become classics? Mwah ... A leap forward into the past has never provided eternal value. In the meantime, we have found an agreement between engines and people: As they get older, they get heavier. The real Triumph T120 Bonneville weighed dry 180 kilos. His grandchild from 217 brings 224 kilos to the scale.
