"I wonder how the R69S would have fared against the Triumph and the BSA."

The Classic Experience

I had to laugh at your article on the R90/6 and your comments on the front brakes. No, there was nothing wrong with the cycle you were riding. Old BMWs don’t have brakes. When I retired, I went to work for Blue Moon. One Sunday, I joined in on a vintage ride. Here I was at 60-plus mph riding a /2. As I came to a red light, I downshifted and applied the brakes and nothing happened. I applied a little harder and it began to slow a bit. Later, I inquired about the brakes and was told I needed to “plan my stops in advance.” How do you do that?

I still own a R90/6 myself and I’ve since learned how to plan my stops. There are all sorts of remedies for the problem: new master cylinders, braided brake lines, R90S forks that allow for twin disc, etc. But nothing really works. It’s just one of those things I’ve come to love about older motorcycles. Love your magazine.

Freddy Bailey/Decatur, Ga.

Black Bomber, Red Bomber

Just picked up your magazine at a local store, and as always, what a great issue! The article about the 1971 Honda CB450 was especially interesting. I have a couple of these bikes and they have been a favorite over the years.

Although the term “Black Bomber” will always be associated with this bike a few came in scarlet, white and perhaps blue. The white was of course the CB450 police bike, but a few were turned out in scarlet (not the “Red Dragon “ from the U.K.). I own a 1965 CB450K0 which has original scarlet paint from the factory. You can see the posts about this bike on the CB450DOHC group (www.cb450dohc.com) under the heading “Red Bomber.” The original 1965 Honda CB450 parts book also lists parts available in scarlet, blue and white. 

Thanks for a great publication that helps all of us with classic motorcycles!

Jim Jackson/Cambridge, Ohio

Parting Shots?

Just received the September/October issue of Motorcycle Classics and I noticed the “Parting Shots” page was missing. I hope that’s just temporary, as old photos of motorcycles/motorcycling can be as interesting as old motorcycles!