Topic: Interview with a local CB750 shop

[jacquesleclochard]

Hey gang, I got a way cool project in the mail this morning: produce and direct a few video items about a local dealer, who specializes in oldschool Honda bikes! Needless to say, I was running up and down the stairs in excitement.

Now instead of doing this solo and give a crack at it, I thought it might be cool to pass this by you guys. The thing I like to do is empathize the romance, the cool-factor of restoring a motorcycle. This guy has tons in his garage, so I'm thinking let him tell a thing or two about a bike. Somewhere along the lines of these two clips, same vibe.




So what would you like to know from a CB750 specialised shop? Mechanical info? Or emotional appeal? Something in between? If you have the time, I'd like to hear your thoughts and maybe work with you guys to make something you'd like to see as well!

rgdrs, Chris, Amsterdam

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Emotional standpoint of what they were at the time to what they are now and which reaches back into the mechanical realm and what it takes to make them new again vs custom including the sourcing of parts and the skills required. Simple, huh? 

[GrandRapids750K3]

I'd like to know how to get a shop like that in SW Michigan... Maybe he would want to relocate. But seriously, if he had any insight on how modern day shops operate and if they have any business working on these older bikes...

[754]

I think its interesting to touch on the why he works on them, his background..any memorabilia he has, personal collection,tools, equipment .. that sort of thing

[wedoo2]

Last week I took my front disk to a machine shop to have the holes drilled in them. It seems that I had the right bit, but my drill press goes too fast.  Of course, they have the right equipment to do what I needed done.  What struck me was the ages of all the guys there; all were at or have said good-bye to 50.  So I understand what this guy is saying.

The funny thing is that the guy who actually did my work was about 25-ish, and not only that, he was excited to take it on.  I really enjoy reading the posts from the young guys here because it means that. at least, some young guys get it.  I am not really worth a crap at this stuff, but I love to work on motorcycles; figuring out the problems, looking forward to how it will work out and look.  But it may be becoming a lost art.  I would imagine that car guys feel the same.

At least there are some out there still interested.

[Xnavylfr]

I think most of the younguns have been told and taught not to even TRY to fix their 4 wheeled computer, take it to a shop and let them do the trial and error while reading a manual till they get it right. There are very few real GEARHEADS in this current generation, you can ask them what a tappet is and they are clueless but ask whats a cpu and they know that.

A lot of this problem falls square on our oldtime shoulders, one of your kids buys a car and then it breaksdown, then it's DAD can you fix my car?? Of course the answer is YES I CAN fix your car but I won't cause it's YOUR car. You find out whats wrong and I'll tell you what to do. If they don' get their hands dirty then they will NEVER feel the accomplishment of fixing it themself.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[gerhed]

I kind of like the spirit of the original Ace Cafe guys
--"looking down the barrel"
---"riding modified machines fast, late at night".
Maybe you could work some of that in?

[IAmCitizenMe]

I love the second one. With all my heart. The first one is great, but the editing really irks me. It's arrhythmic which conflicts with the rhythm and pace of what he's doing and saying. Both are great videos, though.

[jacquesleclochard]

Gerhead, where can I find those videos?

[brooze72]

Those are two great videos, IMO the theme is man and machine, the relationship & pleasure derived from same.  Both guys don't give a crap about what others think, they just enjoy the creative process.  Wish I had a tenth of their talent & nerve.

 If your project subject is an old Honda specialist, I would enjoy some history included, of the individual bikes, the marque or the man, preferably all three. I'm fasinated buy that kinda stuff, to see what the machine evolution has produced & maintained because of our obsession with riding.

[gerhed]

Gerhead, where can I find those videos?

jacqes,
Check out the movie "Leatherboys"--not everyones cup of tea but it speaks to the issue (a few issues really).
Some good scenes of bikes blasting around at night.

[kpier883]

subscribed - I need to be able to find this from time to time...

[tango911]

Loved the 2nd vid.