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The S made a radical styling statement. Its headlight wore a chrome “halo” attached to a special upper steering yoke, and side panels, color-keyed to the metalflake-painted fiberglass gas tank (the same tank as the R model and later Roadster), covered a central oil tank. Gone were the sensible shrouds and gaiters from the front forks, exposing slender chrome fork tubes with token dust excluders. Chrome exhaust headers wove around the frame downtubes, exiting on the left and sweeping along the side of the bike, with chrome heat shields adding a finishing touch. Chrome also anointed the fenders, rear damper shrouds, chain guard and seat trim. Gaudy, maybe — but subtle it was not. The R model ended with the final closure of the Plumstead factory in 1969, but the S model lasted into 1970... Read more