Topic: Why Did You Do It

[oldhatt45]

First, I hope that if this is not allowed that the moderators take mercy on me.
While not strictly a project, it is something I think would be interesting to see answers for.

A few days ago there was a question on a thread that got me to wondering.

After deciding to rebuild or restore your SOHC and putting all that time and effort into your restore/rebuild and making it as good as you can;

Why did you do it?  And do you intend to ride your "New SOHC"?

Pictures of a Before and After are Appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlie

[calj737]

There's a current thread for "Before and After pics" here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=140784.0

Only the original build threads will reveal the "why". I suspect for most, it's a passion for motorcycles, some for vintage bikes, and some for reconnecting to family relationships. And I'd bet dollars to donuts they all get ridden, at least some.

[oldhatt45]

Calj737,
So why did you build yours?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Some say they want to build a bike with soul.  I think most of us want to capture a tangible form of nostalgia and/or create something unique (and sometimes quirky) that has more character than a new bike.  For me, my first motorcycle ride was on the back of a CB550.  It made an indelible impression.  I wanted one ever since.  When I finally purchased my first bike, I knew I wanted a SOHC Honda.

I sure hope they get ridden and are not relegated to being pretty paperweights.

[calj737]

Calj737,
So why did you build yours?

The 550 was undertaken as a learning opportunity for my 2 oldest boys. Essentially, to teach them automotive principles. What's better/easier than an air-cooled, carbureted, 3 circuit bike? Plus, I and they, really love motorcycles.

The 500 build is a different animal somewhat. My oldest is now in Industrial Design (Transportwtion Design major) school and we are using it to be a platform for him to learn design, planning, fabrication, etc skills. It will be far more aggressive than the 550 both aesthetically, as well as amped up performance wise.

The 572 is a vintage resto-mod for a friend. I have time and resources, he doesn't, so this one falls under the connecting with family category.

I'm also doing a '74 BMW, it's just not listed here. That's for me. Nostalgia, memories, soul, independence, whatever the reasons. I build them to ride, and build them for keeps. The budgets are off the hook for a vintage CB, but when you amortize it over 20-40 years, who cares? I hope all these bikes are kept in the family and cherished by my sons (and buddy) as long term mementos of our relationship and time spent together doing something we enjoyed (mostly).

I doubt I'm that much different than others. Budgets and styles perhaps, but reasoning and impetus I'd suspect is universal. I just build something I won't ever tire of in my case. Partly why the builds take some time. Design. Change. Design. Decide. Change. Change again. Build. You know how it goes...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Design. Change. Design. Decide. Change. Change again. Build. You know how it goes...

I know all too well.

[Retro Rocket]

 Cal and I both have money pits so there is only one answer, Because we can....   Quite simple really...

[calj737]

Well, there is that. And, we don't drink that much 

[oldhatt45]

C'mon Retro,  there has to be a story in there somewhere? 

And Cal, I agree.  But at the end of the day just before I clean up, especially in the hot weather, I enjoy a nice cold Corona Nip (7oz bottle).  Just enough to wet the whistle.

Charlie

[Retro Rocket]

Well, I had a liver transplant 15 years ago, the end result of a bike accident some time before, I had sold my prized SL/R Holden Torana {google  } and most of my personal valuable possessions , guitars and stuff and my motorbikes, I was extremely lucky and got my transplant at the last minute {and i mean last minute  } after spending almost exactly a year in the transplant unit. The day I got my transplant and was wheeled into ICU a friend of mine organized to by a Honda/4 i had been looking at prior to going into Hospital, I told him if i made it I would buy it. After owning around 20 750/4's in the late 1970's and 1980's, I  wanted to build a modern version of the old 750, it's something I always wanted to do. Anyway After buying the old drag bike with full RC engine running on methanol with lots of goodies I started collecting parts, I was well on my way to building a really cool bike when i joined the forum, well things kinda changed. The sheer availability of parts compared to what we have here was a revelation, so was the aftermarket parts available, the longer I waited, the more parts became available, so here we are 15 years later {6 or 7 on the forum} and i have almost enough parts to build 4 very impressive bikes, but just can't seem to find the discipline to just focus on one bike, to add to that problem we have new members still making great parts to retrofit these old bikes, not to mention the boat restoration and car i'm building for my son... , Anyway, the main thing is i'm happy, and the longer I take, the better the quality of parts, By the time i build the "keeper" bike {K2} i'll have over $20,000 in it and I don't care one little bit....   The wifey may think otherwise....

[oldhatt45]

Very COOL Retro,
And I'm Really Glad your story has a Happy going on to it!!!!
Charlie

[seanbarney41]

First, I hope that if this is not allowed that the moderators take mercy on me.
While not strictly a project, it is something I think would be interesting to see answers for.

A few days ago there was a question on a thread that got me to wondering.

After deciding to rebuild or restore your SOHC and putting all that time and effort into your restore/rebuild and making it as good as you can;

Why did you do it?  And do you intend to ride your "New SOHC"?

Pictures of a Before and After are Appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlie

I don't think I have done it yet.  All I can seem to manage is buy 'em, fix 'em, ride 'em, break 'em, repeat...a couple times I fixed 'em up too nice and sold 'em because I couldn't bear the thought of breaking 'em.

[rb550four]

I just can't take seeing a 500/550/650 in a heap, under a tarp, in a cellar,or in a dirty old barn left to rot.....Just can't stand it.
 If the price is right, they can come home with me and get rebuilt and have another shot at life.
 I feel that I have little choice in the matter anymore...The number of machines I have doesn't matter to me, I enjoy a rough rebuild, but it usually only lasts about a month or so, then it's on to the next one that followed me home.
 At least Seabarney could sell a few, I can't seem to part with any of them. I keep 8 on the road at all times, spin or start the others every month , if I can. I have a couple that are rebuilt that I haven't even started up yet just because I don't feel that I have to...yeah , what's up with that right?
 I must conclude this ridiculous explanation of why, answer it with why not , and top it off with ,I wouldn't want it any other way.

[oldhatt45]

rb550four,
I can understand you when you said you can't take seeing one left to oblivion.  It's not ridiculous, it's how you feel about these old ladies.

seanbarney,
Sounds a little like a fixation.  LOL  But something got you started on buying, fixing, riding.........?
C'mon..........

Charlie

[trueblue]

I bought my 650 as something to take my mind off of a nasty divorce. No property was involved, it was much worse. She was refusing me access to my kids, not feeding or clothing them properly and the law was against me every which way I turned. I needed something to stop me losing the plot completely. I couldn't afford much at the time and this was the only bike that I could honestly afford that came up. There were a few others that popped up but they were a little too expensive or of no interest to me. My grandfather always had Hondas when I was growing up, except for the one Indian.  I always liked the Honda bikes and had quite a few fond memories of sitting on the back of his.

[madScientist]

I did mine because it was the first bike my dad and I bought together. I always told him (and myself) that I was going to do it up right someday when i was stable in my career and finances.

I realized I was at that place a couple years ago so off we went.

All the other bikes I am restoring / building from here on the reason is "because why not!"
Also because these old machines are starting to get scarce and I dont want to see them disappear. I also think they have more character than anything new on the road today. <-- opinion

For the 'before and after' picks see my thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113293.0

[70CB750]

First of all, I am not done yet and there is a little chance i will ever be done 

Sold my CBX750 before hopping the puddle in 90ties and lived in USA bikeless for 15 years or so, planning to pick up a dual sport when the time comes, since it matched my other activities.

Long story short, friend asked me if I want a Honda for free - says it needs some TLC and it is free since he got it from neighbor also free.  It had SHART license plate when I picked it up that he kept and over month or so I got it running and was hooked. 

What really impressed me was how robust and reliable the SOHC4 was once I sorted out the problems caused by neglection.

And yes, I will keep riding it.  If I did not enjoy riding year around, the K0 would be rebuild from the frame up years ago.

[dlhoulton]

I built mine because I hadn't seen or spoken to my brother in over 20 years. When I finally found him I went to spend a week just to get to know him all over again. He had always loved cars and I found out he had his own small business building/restoring cars. He had also built a HD chopper. I was fascinated at his work and skills. We talked of old bikes we loved. When I returned home I found two Hondas for sell on CL in my area. They were a 77 and 78 CB750F. I had planed to build choppers out of them and give him one as a surprise. Then several months latter he passed away from a motorcycle accident. I secretly went into a deep depression and the bikes set for a couple years. One day I went out into my shop and got mad that I had let them set for so long. I decided to build one of them as a tribute to my brother and sister who had also passed away not long after my brother. The build was dedicated to my brother and the name and color for my sister. The bike is in my avatar. My brother loved HD so I built it to look like an old style HD. Her name is "Tin Lizzie" after my sister Liz. As for the other bike I'm doing a resto/mod. Trying to make it look factory new.

[70CB750]

That is a great story!  Thanks for sharing.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I built mine because I hadn't seen or spoken to my brother in over 20 years. When I finally found him I went to spend a week just to get to know him all over again. He had always loved cars and I found out he had his own small business building/restoring cars. He had also built a HD chopper. I was fascinated at his work and skills. We talked of old bikes we loved. When I returned home I found two Hondas for sell on CL in my area. They were a 77 and 78 CB750F. I had planed to build choppers out of them and give him one as a surprise. Then several months latter he passed away from a motorcycle accident. I secretly went into a deep depression and the bikes set for a couple years. One day I went out into my shop and got mad that I had let them set for so long. I decided to build one of them as a tribute to my brother and sister who had also passed away not long after my brother. The build was decided to my brother and the name and color for my sister. The bike is in my avatar. My brother loved HD so I built it to look like an old style HD. Her name is "Tin Lizzie" after my sister Liz. As for the other bike I'm doing a resto/mod. Trying to make it look factory new.

Great story.  Sorry for you loss.  I'm sure the bike you built would have brought a wealth of conversations with your brother.  I'm sure he's smiling upon you -- even if he was a HOG guy. 

Do you have a build string for your resto-mod?

[dlhoulton]

Thanks for the kind words. No, I didn't do a build thread for the resto/mod. I figured everyone has seen enough of them so I didn't start one. I did take lots of pictures both for rebuilding sake and just in case when I presented it to the forum for approval I would have them. The bike is all finished with the exception of the exhaust. Just waiting for funds to get it. I did hint to the forum of the build when I posted something about "Powder coating" and my "Spray bomb" paint job. It's going to be a 77 CB750F looking all original (black) except the color of the motor (Dupli Color Cast Iron) and the exhaust (MAC 4 into 1). My goal was to be very detailed and make it look as though it just rolled off show room floor.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks for the kind words. No, I didn't do a build thread for the resto/mod. I figured everyone has seen enough of them so I didn't start one. I did take lots of pictures both for rebuilding sake and just in case when I presented it to the forum for approval I would have them. The bike is all finished with the exception of the exhaust. Just waiting for funds to get it. I did hint to the forum of the build when I posted something about "Powder coating" and my "Spray bomb" paint job. It's going to be a 77 CB750F looking all original (black) except the color of the motor (Dupli Color Cast Iron) and the exhaust (MAC 4 into 1). My goal was to be very detailed and make it look as though it just rolled off show room floor.

That sounds great.  No matter how many project threads there are, we all love seeing a new one (especially one that is going to be completed) and with lots of pictures.  I think you should create a thread and save it for posterity.  It may give others ideas, or educate them as to things they can avoid or point them to things you recommend.  Go for it!

[oldhatt45]

dlhoulton,
Sorry for your Loss, but Glad you came through it, OK.
I'm Sure that your brother and sister are smiling on you!

The bike is Certainly worthy of a Build Thread, in my opinion. 

And I know I appreciate seeing what you created in their names.

Charlie

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Some say they want to build a bike with soul.  I think most of us want to capture a tangible form of nostalgia and/or create something unique (and sometimes quirky) that has more character than a new bike.  For me, my first motorcycle ride was on the back of a CB550.  It made an indelible impression.  I wanted one ever since.  When I finally purchased my first bike, I knew I wanted a SOHC Honda.

I sure hope they get ridden and are not relegated to being pretty paperweights.

My godmother took me for rides on that CB550.  I also had a neighbor named Jeff Ward who took us for rides on the back of his motocross bikes.  When I was in college, my godmother wanted to give me the 550, but when she first asked my mother she got vetoed.  I didn't hear about that until years later.  My godmother got to see my completed 750 Nine Lives bike just before she passed away and she thought it was so cool.

[oldhatt45]

C'mon Guys,
I know there are more stories out there.
Thanks,
Charlie