This is another interesting question with many possible approaches. Exactly what do we mean by such terms as replica and modern engineering techniques? What is it exactly that we are trying to accomplish? It all seems to revolve around the concepts of original and authentic. So what's missing that we want? Well there are surely not enough restored or unrestored antiques to go around and they surely are not very affordable. So perhaps a retro bike should be all the old parts made anew to construct a true replica as it was in the past. With CNC machines everywhere this is hardly an impossibility anymore.
But wait, there is more to it than original design and parts. Modern metallurgy has improved the metals we use and a retro bike would necessarily have to use the metals available today. Not a bad thing but now is this bike truly a replica? I think this is why Herbert qualified his question with "modern engineering practices and your specs". Now we are redesigning an old motorcycle to be much like the original only better. Also not a bad thing considering all of the original problems that they came with.
The airplane people build replicas and they come in several different flavors. True replicas built to original drawings with original engines. Look alike replicas with modern engines and other more fanciful reproductions. They are all most welcome. If it were not for some of the racing plane reproductions from the 30's now extant, most of us would never have seen these planes. Just go to Oshkosh and look.
So personally I think an original parts reproduction would suit me just fine. I think I would enjjoy the "original" experience more than an improved original experience. Now I realize that might get old fast and it would soon be time to fix the problems. In fact, people have been fixing the problems already for years on the "original" bikes anyway.
Crocker, Knucklehead one of the Fours including the KJ and Super X immediately come to mind. They are all beautiful, hard to find, expensive to buy and desirable. Hmmmmm, I guess I'm being rather wishy washy on the matter of which bike am I not? I bet I'll take the first desirable, affordable one that comes along.
Howard
But wait, there is more to it than original design and parts. Modern metallurgy has improved the metals we use and a retro bike would necessarily have to use the metals available today. Not a bad thing but now is this bike truly a replica? I think this is why Herbert qualified his question with "modern engineering practices and your specs". Now we are redesigning an old motorcycle to be much like the original only better. Also not a bad thing considering all of the original problems that they came with.
The airplane people build replicas and they come in several different flavors. True replicas built to original drawings with original engines. Look alike replicas with modern engines and other more fanciful reproductions. They are all most welcome. If it were not for some of the racing plane reproductions from the 30's now extant, most of us would never have seen these planes. Just go to Oshkosh and look.
So personally I think an original parts reproduction would suit me just fine. I think I would enjjoy the "original" experience more than an improved original experience. Now I realize that might get old fast and it would soon be time to fix the problems. In fact, people have been fixing the problems already for years on the "original" bikes anyway.
Crocker, Knucklehead one of the Fours including the KJ and Super X immediately come to mind. They are all beautiful, hard to find, expensive to buy and desirable. Hmmmmm, I guess I'm being rather wishy washy on the matter of which bike am I not? I bet I'll take the first desirable, affordable one that comes along.
Howard
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