Who's got one and what do you ride.
A co-worker is offering a deal I can't refuse on a 1973 H-D Electra Glide. 95% original, low mile and runs great bike. Sunburst bronze with all original hard saddlebags. It's a sharp looking bike.
Seeing as I don't have anymore room for cars I think I could squeeze a bike into my garage.
The hard part is to convince my wife that's its a great investment.
I've never been a bike rider, too wrapped up in cars, but my partner Clare has ridden for years in the UK on Triumphs then Harleys before coming out to New Zealand. She now has a 2013 103 cubic inch Harley Dyna Switchback. Always a tough decision when going out whether I ride on the back with her or she rides with me in Victoria. Either way, it's cool, but may have to get a bike licence now.
Steve, no offense meant but don't they call that the ''bitch seat''? :002:
Zap- :unitedstates:
I sold my Kawasaki Concours 14 at 16,000 miles, and bought a '57 Ranch Wagon.
I ridden many different motorcycles and this was the nicest riding bike I've ever owned, or rode.
The California CHP have started riding this same model.
At 1400cc, and about 150+ horse power, it's a go fast, comfortable bike for old men. It's a sport touring "bagger" model based on the ZX14 sport bike. It has variable valve timing, and tons of torque.
1985 Yamaha Fz750 . Completely redone has 1000 swing arm and rear wheel to get bigger tire has YZF600 frt wheel been lowered 3.5 inches in rear for better handling . Not the fastest bike out there but runs really well and still comfortable to ride for a middle aged chubby guy .
I had a 900 KZ kawi in college, I liked cars better.
First bike was a Kaw 500CC Mach III....only good for one thing, going fast in a straight line! Moved to a 550 Suzuki then to a shaft drive 850 Suzuki. Stopped riding after several close calls on the streets of Va Beach and Norfolk. Having been involved in four different "actions" during my career getting bumped off by a stupid person didn't sit with me well. My young and bullet proof mentality went out the door after having people trying to kill me (age helped with that) plus getting shot at changes your perspective on lots of things. The idea of saving a couple of bucks in commuting just don't land up too high on the list.
I had many miles on bikes (over 100K between the three) and get the tingle every once in a while. If I do succumb it will be with the new Indian. Just love the looks! That and I found out what HD stands for....$100 every time you walk in the dealers door!
First bike was a Honda 305 Super Hawk, second was a 450. Gave up riding after being nailed by a car in 1971 :005:
I woke my dad up one morning a 2:30 when I was 17 to ask him if I could trade my 56 Vicky for a Harley. still can't believe how dumb that was on my part and I appreciate how wise he was
Yes Zap, they do call it the "bitch seat", but when you see what (who) I have to hang on to, you'll see why I don't complain. :003:
Quote from: junior58 on 2014-12-02 14:57
Yes Zap, they do call it the "bitch seat", but when you see what (who) I have to hang on to, you'll see why I don't complain. :003:
totally understand now, and good for you.
zap- :unitedstates:
In the early 80s a buddy let me take his Kawasaki 750 triple for a spin. Only thing done to it was expansion chambers and re-jetted. It was the scariest motorcycle I have ever ridden. Had so much horsepower for the small frame that it would get this nasty wobble when you crack the throttle out of a corner and then wobble more when you backed off the gas.
I wonder how many people died on those things?
Had a '57 Triumph "Tiger 500" and a '62 Norton 25 years ago, rebuilt them both. Sold them both when a Mercedes Benz klipped me on the '57 and broke my leg. '57 project was 6 hours out of the paint shop. Should of not of knee jerked and hung on to them. Oh well...
I have owned quite a few over the years and they are a lot of fun and can really allow you to see the scenery more than from an enclosed vehicle. The last one I had was a Harley FXS Low rider and all was great until the front tire went flat while hooking it down the highway leaning into a curve at 70 MPH. I and the bike survived with a bit of mending but could never go that fast on one again. I would get another but every time I get out on the road with some of the inconsiderate drivers it makes me rethink the safety aspect of being so vulnerable. Here in the San Antonio area it is almost daily someone gets killed on one and over 50% of the time the driver of the other vehicle flees the scene. If you have an uncongested area where the roads are less traveled it can be the best therapy you can get. Good luck on your decision and I hope not to discourage you but factor in the safety aspect and where it will be ridden is my suggestion.
I had a Honda trail 90 , but recently sold it to buy 57 parts.
Guilty.
I love bikes. Spent a good part of my 20s and 30s monkeying on them, around them but, thankfully, never under them. Now I'm older, and so is my back so...'57 Ford Wagon it is!
Here is a picture of one of my babies, based on a '67 Triumph. It has a few "subtle" changes, like the '70s paughco springer front fork we chopped about a foot out of, '55 gas tank, '57 harley oil tank (with Guinness bottle opener,) the stretched plunger rear end or the old Lycett seat. She was my bare metal daily ride for years. Now that she's painted she has a more pampered life.
She's sitting in my studio alongside my other guilty pleasure, PINBALL and Electro-Mechanical games. I obsessively bring 'em back to life. But that's a topic for another post, and the reason I'm building a wagon, to pick them up in style!
Cheers,
Art.
love that bike!
had been riding for nearly 20 years. 3 yrs ago a careless car driver hit me and broke one of my vertebras and other stuff. lucky to walk but still having back problems unfortunately.
I rebuildt my baby
(http://up.picr.de/20358437gm.jpg)
(http://up.picr.de/20358438nh.jpg)
1959 5Ta 500cc
I still love the mechanical part of bikes and would love to ride again, but not until my boy's grown up ( 8 now).
I will keep my Trumpet and possibly do some more custom work on her, just in case... ;)
I just sold my 1928 Indian Four Model 401- the first "real" Indian Four- pretty rare bike. It's now helping with my Falcon drag car, the 57 Sedan Delivery, maybe a cage for the 427 Galaxie to play A/FX- and paid for this sweetie. Still got three Injuns :001:
(http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL75/2176019/24279591/410534121.jpg)
Been into bikes almost as long as cars. Started out with a 500 Honda in 72 then moved up to a couple Gold Wings. Rode a 87 1100 Honda Shadow for 10 yrs. when I bought a 95 FXDL Harley Lowrider. In 2003 I picked up a Harley FXDS Softail Standard. I still have both Harleys and it creates a problem of which vehicle to go in. One of the bikes, the 38 Ford 2dr Deluxe or the 57 Ford.
That's funny, MeanGene, I have to sell my 69 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ over the holidays to make room to park the ford wagon! I'm glad someone loves those cars as much as I do! (wife hates it. I blame the "cockpit" interior!)
A good friend of mine used to say if it wasn't for HONDA there wouldn't be as many HARLEY riders. His observation over the years was that lots of them started on 90s, then scramblers and eventually ended up on the best Milwaukee offered. Great guy, tough as nails one legged Harley riding Nam vet, damn it I sure do miss him.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Quote from: Zapato on 2014-12-12 15:40
A good friend of mine used to say if it wasn't for HONDA there wouldn't be as many HARLEY riders. His observation over the years was that lots of them started on 90s, then scramblers and eventually ended up on the best Milwaukee offered. Great guy, tough as nails one legged Harley riding Nam vet, damn it I sure do miss him.
Zap- :unitedstates:
That is so true. Friend of mine in one of the Detroit area m/c clubs once said "we all started out ridin' rice, couldn't afford anything else."
2001/1979 Shovelhead rigid hand shift kick only spec con , 1988 FXR project/donor, 1968 Honda 175 sloper, 1973 Honda CB350 chop/bobber project, 1986 Honda 700 donor, 197? Honda CB 550 donor. Girlfriend has 1979 Ironhead. So many projects, so little time...