Tweet
Well my story is that when I was 19 back in Minnesota I bought a Suzuki VX800. Sort of an odd bike, but a good bike; V-twin with a shaft drive, with an Intruder motor in a Standard-style package. I fell in love with riding and it was my daily rider for several years. I even took it on a couple weekend trips.
Next I started collecting old Honda twins (350s). I got three (free) old Honda twin 350s; barn bikes really and none of them ran. I started wrenching and built the bikes up and made one solid one that I ran for years. In fact, when I moved to Chicago I brought it down with me and rode around. I guess Hondas were my 'gateway drug' to working on old bikes. And those Hondas are relentless runners!
Parallel to all of this, my Dad is a die-hard BMW enthusiast and a lifelong motorcyclist. He has had and still has a lot of BMWs as well as other bikes (including Yamahas) over the years. I've ridden a lot of his bikes and have toured with him and even gone to a rally (Americade, which I plan to be at this year as well). I had my own BMW K75s, a triple with shaft drive, Staintune exhausts, ABS, heated handgrips, hardbags and just a BEAUTIFUL bike. I sold it when I move to Chicago for grad school
I did however keep an old Honda 350 since it was a good runner and worth anything. It wasn't exactly a show bike but it had those awesome scrambler pipes and it ran well).
I sold my Honda 2 years ago and I have longed to have a bike again in Chicago, particularly to take trips out of the city. I just recently acquired my '81 XS1100 and I haven't even ridden it yet. the Carbs are all apart, soaking in carb cleaner. I hope to be riding it soon, since I have plans for some trips this summer!
Next I started collecting old Honda twins (350s). I got three (free) old Honda twin 350s; barn bikes really and none of them ran. I started wrenching and built the bikes up and made one solid one that I ran for years. In fact, when I moved to Chicago I brought it down with me and rode around. I guess Hondas were my 'gateway drug' to working on old bikes. And those Hondas are relentless runners!
Parallel to all of this, my Dad is a die-hard BMW enthusiast and a lifelong motorcyclist. He has had and still has a lot of BMWs as well as other bikes (including Yamahas) over the years. I've ridden a lot of his bikes and have toured with him and even gone to a rally (Americade, which I plan to be at this year as well). I had my own BMW K75s, a triple with shaft drive, Staintune exhausts, ABS, heated handgrips, hardbags and just a BEAUTIFUL bike. I sold it when I move to Chicago for grad school
I did however keep an old Honda 350 since it was a good runner and worth anything. It wasn't exactly a show bike but it had those awesome scrambler pipes and it ran well).I sold my Honda 2 years ago and I have longed to have a bike again in Chicago, particularly to take trips out of the city. I just recently acquired my '81 XS1100 and I haven't even ridden it yet. the Carbs are all apart, soaking in carb cleaner. I hope to be riding it soon, since I have plans for some trips this summer!
Comment