The Unofficial Motorcycle Thread!

[TroutBum1971]

Here is mine

 

[triplethreat]

(from the Battle Born Battery defect thread)

I sometimes ride with Brad, who was the owner of Freedom Cycles in Reno as well as in Las Vegas. It's where I purchased my new 2013 Triumph Trophy SE back then, when I retired. Brad was mainly a Triumph dealer. I asked him what his best-selling bike was, and by far, it was the Speed Triple.

BTW, when Brad retired, the first thing he did was pay 250K$ for a new motorhome. Because of that, he is difficult to find these days.

He has a large collection of brand-new 196X Honda Hawk 305s at home.

I ride motorcycles like a little old lady, so I am more into the touring models that have a ridiculous amount of wide range RPM torque. No clutch or transmission necessary. And cannot tell when going uphill compared to level ground. Likewise, Brad is no a fast rider on streets, stays at around the speed limits. But he used to race bikes on the track.

But I do not ride like this little old lady:

View attachment 2398633
-Don- Needles, CA

Don, as you probably have seen on here, my wife and I worked as Instructors/Coaches for the largest motorcycle track day organization in the US for 7 years. I still have that need for spirited riding in the twisty stuff (and so does she), but of course we've both realized a long time ago, that is a totally different scenario than riding on the track. We do spirited rides, but no where close to the limits of our ability or road conditions. We are both in our 70s (I'm 71 and she is 73) and seldom if ever take long trips. Most of our riding days are in the 4 hr range, then back home. We both like to do the twisty stuff, then are usually found riding pretty close to the speed limit on straighter stretches of road (part of the getting older and knowing the risks involved with accidents/tickets/etc). This area of the country (TN foothills/N GA mountains) has so many great roads to ride and that is what we enjoy doing.

 

[DonTom]

I've owned 3 CB750 Hondas, A '75 SOHC and 2 different '79 DOHC bikes. All 3 came from the factory with front disc brakes.

(from the RV Park section)

IIRC, the CB 750 had one front disc brake back in 1969. It came out just before I was drafted into the army. It really seemed like something back in those days. So yeah, that is older than my 1971 BMW R75/5, which had no disc brake-- but the braking spec on my BMW was one foot less stopping distance at 60 MPH by the specs (much lighter bike than the CB 750). But back in those days, motorcycle specs were all lies, unlike today,

I used to go far enough on my 1969 Honda CL350 to run out of gas (and often had ICE bike Range anxiety!). So when I got out of the army, with the money I could not spend in the Central Highland Jungles of Vietnam and sent home, I decided to buy the bike with the largest gas tank and most range, which was the 1971 BMW R75/5, which claimed a 6.3-gallon gas tank. However, even that specification was a lie. It is actually a little less than 5.8 gallons when completely dry. I didn't know it was a lie until years after I purchased it, but it still would go a long way for its day on a full tank, more than 200 freeway miles, which was a lot better than my CL350.

-Don- Maricopa, AZ

 

[old_toys]

that old 71 BMW and my 73 Moto Guzzi had front twin leading shoe drum brakes. great braking going forward but however rolling backwards no braking to mention from that front brake. my BMW buddy and I found out that the hard way.

 

[DonTom]

that old 71 BMW and my 73 Moto Guzzi had front twin leading shoe drum brakes. great braking going forward but however rolling backwards no braking to mention from that front brake. my BMW buddy and I found out that the hard way.

Yep, I noticed the same. And not much can be done about it when you cannot use the rear brake.

Can use the bullet brake on brake fluid systems. I use those on my electric motorcycles. I use them as a parking brake a well as a hillhold.

-Don- Maricopa, AZ

 

[JCinDestin]

2018 HD Street Glide, 2005 HD Heritage Softail and us at the front of the Toys for Tots ride a couple years ago

 

[runamuck]

2018 HD Street Glide, 2005 HD Heritage Softail and us at the front of the Toys for Tots ride a couple years ago

that pic reminds me of riding in the Big Texas Toy run..around 40,000 bikes. some coming from downtown Dallas and some from downtown Ft. Worth and meeting at Arlington stadium. we were on the Ft, Worth side and bikes filled up the streets in the entire downtown area. what a sight and sound. a huge mound of toys and bicycles and stuff. It was pretty cool seeing all the people lined up along the route waving and honking as we rode by. Jerry ruined it and none of my rider group does it anymore.

 

[Old_Crow]

Well the bike isn't assembled yet. Waiting on a battery that might be here today, but I've got enough pics I can tell the story now.
As most of you know, with the help of Mark in Albuquerque I bought a classic '79 Honda 750 10th Anniversary edition. Here's a pic the day I picked it up:
View attachment 2398647
All was good for a couple of years and then in spring of '24 I had a little incident. My foot slipped off the clutch of the Jeep while I was unloading from my trip from Arkansas to California. Took me 3 days to get over my depression and finally unload the bike after this.
View attachment 2398648
After a couple of weeks of searching, I found a good replacement tank on Ebay. Only problem was the color.
View attachment 2398649
As some of you know I used to own a hot rod and restoration shop before I retired, sold everything and moved into my RV. I have the skills to do this myself, but no longer have a shop or the tools to fix this. Took me a couple of months to find someone I trust, but finally he got to work on it.
View attachment 2398650
We then had to play with finding the correct colors and stripes to duplicate the factory paint job. The special two-tone paint scheme is a big part of the Anniversary Edition package and I wanted to keep it. Spent a long time and a couple of hundred bucks on paint samples claiming to be the correct Honda colors only to be disappointed several times. Finally told my painter to take the tank to the auto paint store and have them match the colors as close as they could. After all, I thought, if I paint both the tank and the side covers no one will be able to tell unless I happen to park next to another anniversary bike. Anyway, the bike wasn't ready by the time I finished my radiation treatments in April, so I didn't get to ride it this past summer. When I finally got back to Arkansas in mid-November he was just finishing up the final coats of clear and the buffing. Went the week before last and finally picked up the finished product.
View attachment 2398651
View attachment 2398652
Hard to tell in the photos, but the color match is as close as any I've seen. I wouldn 't be afraid to park the bike next to another one if the opportunity arose. I'll have it back together this afternoon if the battery shows up and then I only have to wait for the temps to get above freezing so I can take another ride.
Now you know why I haven't said much about the bike in the last year or so.
View attachment 2398653

Well, after all that, here's the bike, fully assembled and ready to ride.

 

[triplethreat]

Christmas Eve ride for us, to visit and see the new bridge at Bald River Falls, just outside of Tellico Plains, TN. The falls road is just off of the famous Cherohala Skyway.....for any of you folks that have been across that road. The old bridge was built circa 1908 and was deteriorating enough that a new bridge was in order. Construction took about 1 1/2 years to tear out the old and build the new. The new one has a dedicated pedestrian area for viewing/taking pics of the falls, protected by concrete barriers and guardrail. Here are a couple of pics of the falls/new bridge, and then one of us at the old bridge that was taken in July, 2006, shortly before we moved to TN....

 

[triplethreat]

Since the weather/temperatures have been so nice here for Christmas week, we followed up with me taking a Deals Gap ride on Friday, 26th, and then both of us riding again yesterday the 27th....Foothills Parkway from end to end, and then a backroads ride back to the house. Starting today (Sunday the 28th) the temperatures are going to plunge and winter is back, at least for a while.

 

[triplethreat]

Well, the incoming front slowed down a bit and we go another ride in today. I've ridden 4 out of the last 5 days, Christmas Day exception. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the new Street Triple?

 

[DonTom]

Well, the incoming front slowed down a bit and we go another ride in today. I've ridden 4 out of the last 5 days, Christmas Day exception. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the new Street Triple?

Same here, but not five out of five only because I went for a hike from here on Christmas Day.

-Don- Douglas, AZ

 

[DonTom]

(From EV thread on hybrids):

DonTom said:
There are some safety advantages of motorcycles, such as no blind spots.

Not sure if I agree in this day and age where helmets are required in most places. I rode for 20 years without a helmet or having an accident but had a few close calls. It is good training for anyone to learn to drive defensively. Is why I credit only having one accident and that was when I was hit from behind sitting at a stoplight.

Not required here in AZ. But I find no noticeable change in peripheral vision with newer helmets. And I wear a full-face helmet, even here in AZ. Besides, even if you need to move your head, it is just a few inches. There is nothing in the way. Additionally, on my electric motorcycles, I can hear the cars that are nearby.

Is why I credit only having one accident and that was when I was hit from behind sitting at a stoplight.

At such a stop, I am always looking in my mirror. There have been a couple of times I had to move out of the way over the years. Fortunately, I was always able to move into the intersection or wherever I had room.

I started out in 1971 on a Yamaha 250 Big Bear

I started with a 1967 Honda Trail 90. A year later, a 1968 Honda CL350. Then, after I got out of the army, with the money I could not spend in the Central Highland Jungles and sent home, I purchased my new 71 BMW R75/5 for the ridiculously high price of $1,875.00 (1971 money). I still own it, runs better today than when new, because of the several mods I made.


-Don- Douglas, AZ

 

[triplethreat]

(From EV thread on hybrids):

DonTom said:
There are some safety advantages of motorcycles, such as no blind spots.

Not required here in AZ. But I find no noticeable change in peripheral vision with newer helmets. And I wear a full-face helmet, even here in AZ. Besides, even if you need to move your head, it is just a few inches. There is nothing in the way. Additionally, on my electric motorcycles, I can hear the cars that are nearby.


At such a stop, I am always looking in my mirror. There have been a couple of times I had to move out of the way over the years. Fortunately, I was always able to move into the intersection or wherever I had room.


I started with a 1967 Honda Trail 90. A year later, a 1968 Honda CL350. Then, after I got out of the army, with the money I could not spend in the Central Highland Jungles and sent home, I purchased my new 71 BMW R75/5 for the ridiculously high price of $1,875.00 (1971 money). I still own it, runs better today than when new, because of the several mods I made. It now has this plate on it:

(means "Vietnam-Infantry" to anybody who has been in the US army):
View attachment 2402254


-Don- Douglas, AZ

Coming to a stop on a motorcycle should ALWAYS involve watching the mirrors to see what is going on behind you. Also, and especially at a stoplight, NEVER, EVER put the motorcycle in neutral to "rest" your clutch hand. The bike should remain in gear, your right hand on the throttle and always stop so that you have an exit path (clearance) away from the car in front of you so that you can quickly get out of the way if the car behind you is not going to get stopped in time.

I simply would NEVER ride without a full coverage helmet...Ever! Even if every state repealed the mandatory helmet law, I'll never throw a leg over the saddle and ride without one. And every ride I take I'm either wearing full leathers or a textile suit with armor in it...plus the full coverage helmet, full race gloves, race boots with ankle bracing, and the very important hearing protection also. Most of you have seen the ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time).......that's me.

 

[DonTom]

Coming to a stop on a motorcycle should ALWAYS involve watching the mirrors to see what is going on behind you. Also, and especially at a stoplight, NEVER, EVER put the motorcycle in neutral to "rest" your clutch hand. The bike should remain in gear, your right hand on the throttle and always stop so that you have an exit path (clearance) away from the car in front of you so that you can quickly get out of the way if the car behind you is not going to get stopped in time.

I simply would NEVER ride without a full coverage helmet...Ever! Even if every state repealed the mandatory helmet law, I'll never throw a leg over the saddle and ride without one. And every ride I take I'm either wearing full leathers or a textile suit with armor in it...plus the full coverage helmet, full race gloves, race boots with ankle bracing, and the very important hearing protection also. Most of you have seen the ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time).......that's me.

Yeah, I agree with every word above, it is all common sense, IMO, but how common is such?

FWIW, I see MOST riders in AZ without helmets. Perhaps mine stands out a little here.

-Don- in southern Bisbee, AZ (trying out my new toy during a hike, near Naco)

 

[DonTom]

, NEVER, EVER put the motorcycle in neutral to "rest" your clutch hand.

No such issue on my electric motorcycles. They do not have a clutch. And the last time I was stuck in Reno traffic on my Harley, my left hand was getting extremely tired. Made me wish I was on my electric. Or in CA. Unlike CA, lane splitting is not legal in NV.

-Don- Douglas, AZ

 

[triplethreat]

Yeah, I agree with every word above, it is all common sense, IMO, but how common is such?

FWIW, I see MOST riders in AZ without helmets. Perhaps mine stands out a little here.

-Don- in southern Bisbee, AZ (trying out my new toy during a hike, near Naco)

When I lived in IL, before I moved to TN in 2006, IL did not require helmets, but right across the Mississippi River was Missouri, and they required them. I lived in a town that was right along the river and there was a bridge that crossed over and took you to MO. I can remember a lot of times starting out to go across to MO and you'd see motorcycle riders stopped at the bottom of the bridge on the IL side and taking their helmets off and stowing them in top boxes or the saddlebags. I can also remember thinking how stupid they must be....but that just my opinion because I always ride with a helmet, even when I lived in IL.

No such issue on my electric motorcycles. They do not have a clutch. And the last time I was stuck in Reno traffic on my Harley, my left hand was getting extremely tired. Made me wish I was on my electric. Or in CA. Unlike CA, lane splitting is not legal in NV.

-Don- Douglas, AZ

My wife and I had a Can Am Spyder once (after she had complete knee replacement surgery and couldn't ride her own bike safely) and while that's better than nothing, I just didn't like it. It's hard to enjoy three wheels when you've spent your whole entire adult life on two wheels. I've been riding for a little over 54 years. The Spyder was paddle shift and no clutch.....I didn't care for that too much either. She finally got to the point that she felt like she could ride her own bike again and she has progressed from a Kawasaki Z400 up to the Z650, and now the Triumph Street Triple RS 765. She is a trooper and hangs right there with me for the most part in the tight and twisty stuff.

 

[DonTom]

I always ride with a helmet, even when I lived in IL.

I was riding in CA many years before CA had any helmet laws. I always wore my helmet.

My wife and I had a Can Am Spyder once (after she had complete knee replacement surgery and couldn't ride her own bike safely) and while that's better than nothing, I just didn't like it. It's hard to enjoy three wheels when you've spent your whole entire adult life on two wheels.

I have arthritis in my right elbow. That prevents me from riding trikes; they steer nothing like a real motorcycle. It does not affect me at all when on two wheels. If I ever have to give up riding two wheels, that will be the end of my riding. BTW, one of my riding buddies in Reno tripped in his garage years ago, did some major damage to his left leg. After he got out of the hospital, he could no longer ride his BMW (LT model with the reverse and electric centerstand). He sold it and now rides a Can Am Spyder.

-Don- Douglas, AZ

 

[DonTom]

I saw this parked on the street in Bisbee today. The engine says "WAR",, There are no other clues.

Anybody here know what type of bike it is?

-Don- Douglas, AZ

 

[Boat Bum]

It's a custom chopper.