Bridgestone Motorcycle Parts Discussion Board
Bridgestone Tech Talk => 350 Talk => Topic started by: Bikenstein on April 21, 2012, 09:41:37 PM
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I kinda like all Bridgestones for some reason, especially after usin this site but I really only care for and love the 350 GTR. A GTO maybe, but the original, the GTR is the bike for me. I had a new DT 175 and I have a lot of good memories of it, but it was nothin compared to the day I got on my new GTR and tore up the road. I do plan to maybe collect a few BS's of different sizes or just to invest in, but I don't think I will ever sell my ragged lookin baby. In the words of Peter Frampton, "Do you feel like I do"?
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Ok, so I guess I'm the only one or the only one who will admit it. 350 GTR forever! ;D
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I'm pretty much a GTR person also. The smaller bikes are interesting but not like the GTR. The GTO is OK but it's kinda like a rolling exclamation point whereas the GTR has that sllek polished look.
DL
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That's what Im talkin about! All function and sleek. What do you do with this thing with "scrambler" pipes and bars?
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Bikenstien, a quick answer to that question would be to take a look at Steve and Mopars recent pics on the "another GTO back on the road" thread. Thats what you do with them . Two great resto's. These bikes were simply another way of expressing yourself and your personal preferences. Thanks, Mark.
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Already looked at em Mark and commented. I think they look cool with the high pipes and all and I imagine a lot of guys feel toward them the way I do about the GTR. Everybody has their preferences. I wouldn't object to someone radically customizing a 350. Don't put it past me to do so. But for Bridgestone to build such a fine state of the art machine of that caliber and then follow the trend of the times in modifying it to scrambler style did not do justice to the bike (in my opinion). I would have loved to have seen a 350 single dual purpose machine for instance. Like the Kawasaki BigHorn, which wasn't a GREAT dirt bike but was a fun ride and more functionally suited for off road use. They more than likely would have went that route and then some had they continued manufacturing bikes. I admire anyone that takes any old bike and brings it back to life, not only full restorations but any effort put into gettin them runnin and back on the road. Not everyone is in a position to do a show quality bike and I would love to see photos of anyone's work regardless of the finesse. It's not all about the beauty queen. ;D
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This one is next it will be built with all the old parts as a rider!!
Thanks.
Steve.
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Too shiny for me. ;D I know you'll polish it to perfection too!
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Not this one!!
Thanks.
Steve.
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I thought that this site was set up by Richard Clark for ALL Bridgestone bikes. After all the 350s were virtually the last bikes produced in series of many. I must admit that if i had the opportunity to own a 350 I would be quite happy. Great bike, however the Bultaco Metralla 250 and the Ducati 250 twin filler from the same era would be equally as desirable.
RayK
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I don't believe anyone means to denigrate the other Bridgestones, it's just that we all have our preferences. If I found a good GTO that I could afford I would buy it. As to other makes, I've been looking for the right (see afford above) for a few years. I also have a few Suzukis, my daily rider is a GS1100ES, and a couple of Kaws. I will however always view the GTR as special. Probably because it was the first bike I ever owned and would beat the snot out of just about everything else in town and for sure in my high school's parking lot when it was new.
dl
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I LOVE THE GTR ITS MY FAVORITE BRIDGESTONE .I WOULD LOVE A GTO AND ANY OTHER BRIDGESTONE THAT I CAN GET MY HANDS ON .AS A MATTER OF FACT I WOULD SHARE MY LOVE WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS. I AM A BIKE SL** !
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Farmerdl and I seem to be the only GTR exclusive lovers on this site. That's a disappointment to me. I can see most anyone having a special bike that surpasses all the rest regardless of the make, model or year. It seems to me if you really love motorcycles there should be an absolute favorite. I have owned a lot of bikes and have enjoyed them all. I like all the bikes I own now. But the GTR is, and probably always will be, that special bike that can't be replaced. You can buy one or twenty, restore them to perfection, or just get em runnin as a "rider", just as I will buy just about any bike pre -1980 and I really like em. But if the GTR doesn't mean anything more than one of these does to me then I guess you're not a true GTR lover. Perhaps you have another bike that you feel this way about. I would hope so. Everyone should be able to have such an experience with a motorcycle. I'm just disappointed that there aren't more GTR 350 only guys on this site. To each his own. And Ray I know and respect that this site is for all Bridgestone bikes. That's why I posted it under 350 talk. I'm not saying that the GTR is the greatest Bridgestone or greatest bike period, it's just the greatest bike to me. And I know it's only due to the one I had in the sixties and my experience with it, but the simple truth is it's the only bike I love. Make no mistake, it's not the same kinda love I have for my wife (she might eventually learn enough about computers to find this site), but I love my GTR 350. Do you feel like I do?
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Bikenstein , do not know if you read my posts from when i first joined this site, but i am a GTR lover exclusive to the 1971 GTR , that is what my brother had and it had left memories in my mind that cannot be forgotten even after 35+ years. I joined this site when i did not have my GTR......it was all a hope and a dream, the bike that was actually what my brother had is untraceable....i tried. But in the events that occured, i did purchase the same identical bike like my brother had and i was happy with what i had purchased because it is the best i can do...... and i will never look at it as just a Bridgestone, but as an experience that i can attain once i have it restored , and have the GTR experience just as he had all those years ago. Just yesterday, one of my neighbors stopped by and i showed him my project, and he said that he remembers when my brother had that bike. So in a way.......it keeps him alive in memory also. Right at this time, my GTR is a sentiment and i am sure when i get it on the road, i will say i love the experience also. My goal is to have 'her' on the road hoping sometime this July. :) 'bsforever' means to me....... the memory is forever about what the Bridgestone means to me. Just want to fill in some details about the why the GTR is a special bike to me. :)
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I have to say I'm kinda like coxy...a bike sl.. I also agree with Bikenstein and I like or even love all of the bikes I've owned in the past or now. And all for different reasons. Just like women though, no matter how many you've known, there is always one and just one that will always stick in your mind and you will only ever remember the good times when you look back. I forget the fouled plugs, seized pistons, the way it tended to wallow when it was pushed hard into a turn and the nights I limped home with the motor held in by the front mounts only (due to rider abuse). What I remeber when I look back is how sweet she was when evrything was right. That's why the GTR is my one favorite bike and I am a GTR only lover.
dl
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i agree with you farmerdl, everyone has their own attachment or love for one reason or another for the GTR. But, just the same can be said about the GTO or other bikes for that matter..... reasons are unique to the why it is 'special'. GTR does have alot of shiney pieces on it though....really looks nice that way. We can be grateful for Richard for having this site on the web, so we can keep the Bridgestones alive, running and not forgotten about. :) :) :) bsforever !!!!!!!!
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Sorry about your loss Bsforever. I've lost two brothers. I very much appreciate this site as well as others because it's had and is having a major impact on keeping all Bridgestones alive. Thanks to Richard and all the members. But, the thing is it has to be the GTR or the GTO or some other bike. If you feel the same about more than one bike then neither is special. I have bikes that I like for different uses and some for their looks, but the GTR though ragged out and not runnin owns that special spot. I'm beginning to feel like I'm special. A special mental case.
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bikenstein...... embrace the feeling .....i do. :) :) :)
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Thanks bsforever, I'll do that ;D
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hey Dave i think that special spot will always go to that first real bike that bike of your teens
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Good possibility, but my first real bike was a 175 Dual Twin. Prior to that I had a 305 Super Hawk for six months that belonged to my uncle and he had just brought it down from Atlanta to cool off for awhile. I rode the crap out of it even in the dirt. Of course it didn't have high pipes and I bottomed the shocks every little jump but I figured if Steve Mcqueen could do it on a Triumph? So that sort of kills the first bike idea at least in my case.
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not loving the gtr at the moment it pooped its pants this arvo
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I picked up my 1968, 350 GTR from the Northeast Classic Car Museum on Thursday,
May 3rd and started and rode it today. It made think of highschool and when I
first drove my 350 GTR.
I didn't realize how much I missed my bike.
It was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Good deal RW. Happy to hear that. Send some pictures if you can.
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Coxy, what do you mean your GTR " pooped it's pants this arvo" What's an arvo and how did it poop it's pants?
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arvo ( afternoon) pooped its pants i think the chrome bore has peeled i haven't checked this out yet but what ever happened is not good
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More Aussie abreviations for you Bikenstein:
Bowlo = Bowling Club (Lawn Bowls)
Servo = Service Station (Gas Station)
Garbo = Garbage man (Trash)
Milko = Milkman
Suburbs in Canberra - Belco = Belconnen; Dicko = Dickson
There are heaps more terms - most Gen Y don't use them - they are too busy texting on their IPad. LOL ;D
Ray
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M
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I guess I'm a Weldo then. Finally got a day off. Don't know what to do this arvo. I need to take out the garbo, fill up at the servo, and go do my laundro. I'd like to be ridin me biko but it's a raino. ;D
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Hi BS 350 GTR lover, I just finished getting my 1967 350 back on the road after 36 years. I bought it used in 1973. It had only 2990 original miles on it. Bought it for $125.00 with a stuck piston. Once I had it freed up, it ran great. After 5 years of riding I parked it and it has been in storage ever since. Last winter I began the restoration process. It's not a trailer queen but a rider to me. Had it stored in my son's shop and then in my shop for the past 25 years. Thanks to Richard and this Bridgestone site I have been able to find missing or broken parts and just yesterday it started after 36 years.. I am thrilled!!!!! I still have to get a plate and inspection but I can't wait to be back on the road again. It leaks some oil and the carbs. are not adjusted completely but it runs, shifts, and stops. Can't be happier. Glad to find another GTR lover. It's the only bike I have owned but once you get the best you don't really need the rest. Harry
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Glad to hear from you Harry. Please! Post some pictures! Richard has been a big help for me too. That's really great that you still have your original bike. My bike will get better and better as I work on it, but I still love it just like it is even with all its rust. It ain't gotta be pristine. It will probably never be show quality but it doesn't have to be to make me happy. You understaand. ;D
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Thanks for your post. I still have carb. adjustments as well as oil pump mods. to make but at least it starts and I'm back on it again. Keep up your enthusiasm it helps all of us. Harry
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I'd have to say I'm a GTR only guy. I inherited mine from my grandfather three years ago so it holds a special place in my heart. I have other bikes; a 1978 Suzuki GS1000, a 1997 Suzuki TL1000S, and a 2008 Suzuki C90 but my 1968 BS 350 GTR is the crown jewel of my little collection. Today happened to be the first time it ran and went down the road under it's own power without external life support in close to 30 years, it was a blast running around the block on a weed whacker from hell. I did kill it a few times starting off, not use to a two stroke and a dry clutch. I'll post up a pictures and videos when I get off duty. She isn't the prettiest, definitely "barn find" condition.
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JATO, glad to hear you got your GTR runnin! Did your Grandfather buy it new? Hope to see pictures soon.
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Dave, Pic's can be seen here.....
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=2588.msg11480#msg11480 (http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=2588.msg11480#msg11480)
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Great bike! Just needs to be red, like you said. :)
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Those pictures are three years old. It looks much the same today except that it runs. I just took it for a 6 mile spin around town and it felt good. My grandfather did get it new. Sometime in the mid '70s, one of my uncles painted it blue, the restoration will be moving forward now that it's running strong.
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I Have Blue One GENE
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I guess they came in blue also. I only favor red because mine was red.
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I just wanted to make it clear that I didn't intend to put down any Bridgestone or any other bike for that matter as being lesser than a GTR. I know most every rider has had that "special bike" in their life for their own reasons. From some of the comments and email, it seems that a few people misunderstood why I posted this thread, so I apologize to them and anyone else if I caused any hard feelings. I don't know of any motorcycle I don't like and just recently, I recalled my first motorcycle ride. I was about 13 and Charles Parks came over to my house on a Bridgestone 50. He sat on the back while I awkwardly rode the little bike around the house. I don't know why he insisted on ridin with me, I think he was afraid I'd wreck it if he didn't talk me through everything. But that short ride just fueled my desire to own a bike. And I think it's the reason I have this attraction to the sixties bikes with their fat fenders and scooter type handlebars!