Topic: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?

[bill440cars]

   Even though I was raised around the Indians, Jawa/CZ/ESO & British motorcycles, when I was preparing to go to Japan for 2 yrs, while in the Air Force, I mentioned to my Granddad that I was going to see about getting myself a Yamaha, I had been influenced by a YDS2 250cc Yamaha Twin that was nice looking and ran pretty well too. But, my Granddad told me to forget the Yamaha and get a Honda. Well, I have to say that was something for him to say that, because I had no idea that he was keeping up with the Japanese brands, so closely. So, when I went to Northern Japan (Misawa AFB) in Dec 1967, I started looking for a Super Hawk and could only come up with a Hawk (CB72 250cc). But, I bought it and changed up the look somewhat, along with doing a little with the motor as well. So, That was my Introduction to the Hondas and currently have a Super Hawk, Along with an '80 CB650C, among a few others, most of which are not SOHC 4s. So, what is YOUR story?

    Will you share it with us?   
       

[eigenvector]

I wasn't raised around motorcycles or anything like that.

My uncle's sciatic nerve problems had gotten so bad that he wasn't able to ride anymore - so I offered to buy his bike.  I had no idea it was a CB550, didn't really care - I knew so little of motorcycles it didn't matter.

We loaded it up into the back of the pickup, I drove it across state back to my house and being the engineer that I am was absolutely fascinated by the construction.  I tore it completely apart (with plenty of help from this forum), learned how to rebuild the carbs, learned how to rebuild the motor, learned how to rebuild the harness.  In between all that I also learned how to ride.

I also discovered that I really enjoyed motorcycles, enjoyed riding, working on them, restoring them.  I made a point of only buying total wrecks from the junkyards - and they all turned out to be Hondas because that's what I knew.  The act of restoring those wrecks made me feel like I was walking back in time, reliving those days.

Briefly gave my CB550 to my Dad as a semi-retirement gift, reclaimed it when he decided he simply wasn't up to the challenge of riding anymore.

Now I'm in the process of learning how to maintain a small fleet of them so that they don't turn back into total wrecks.

[BomberMann650]

The damn thing followed me home.

[Bailgang]

It all started 6 or 7 years ago when an older brother of mine had too many bikes setting around with no time to mess with them and thought that I having no bikes had all kinds of free time so he gave my oldest son a 73 cb350  twin and my youngest a 71 cb175 twin. The 350 made a perfect first bike for my oldest son but my youngest son looked kind of silly on the 175 being he's about 6'5" tall so he got a VF500 interceptor a year or 2 later then a cbr600 F3 and now an F4i. Well anyhow I was at some guys place that had a bunch of old bikes scattered all over his property and that's when I laid eyes on a 75 cb500-4 that I had to have. Once my oldest son outgrew the 350 he bought a neglected K3 750 off a cousin of mine, once I got it running I liked it too so I found my 77 F2 and then my 83 interstate. The 350, 175, 550, K3 750, the interceptor and cbr600 F3 are gone now. My wife now wants to learn to ride on her own so being the 350 made such a good first bike I picked up a 71 350 which I'm currently restoring although I really wish I had kept the 550 for her. My kids F4i is set up for track only which he takes to a few road courses in Indiana and Illinois and is developing into a VERY good rider, late this past summer he moved from the novice class up to intermediate. I've been asked a few times "what is it about Honda's?" being we've had so many and I honestly don't know, it just worked out that way.

[ekpent]

  Up until 1981 I had owned quite a few different bikes but had never owned a four stroke machine. I was a Suzuki two stroke guy when I was young and after totaling out a 1973 Gt750 Water Buffalo in a pretty spectacular crash I was going to take a break for awhile then happened to see a 1976 CB750 for sale along the road at a descent price and bought it and became a four stroke fan. Have always had at least one or more in the stable ever since. Friend got one a couple years later and of course we did the big bore kits and all that fun stuff. The internet has made it much easier nowadays, back then Clymer was pretty much as good as it got and you had to hunt down parts the old fashion way !! I will always keep some old 750's kicking around.

[70CB750]

My dad had a CZ, I bought CZ after my military service. 5 years later I bought Honda CBX750 to travel Europe with my wife.  Sold it before moving to USA.

In Virginia a friend gave me 1970 CB750 in 2011 - he got it free from a neighbor and passed it on for the same price.

After that i bought a rolling K3 frame - that became eventually The Red.

[MoMo]

First bike was a little Harley Hummer, next a CB350, then went to work at Devon Honda after discharge from the AF. Lots of different makes have I owned  still have a couple Honda's but also a Kawi and Suzi...Larry

[b52bombardier1]

It was a brand new 1971 Honda Z50 back then that originally set the hook. But then I did not ride any until much later in life - about 2006. I bought a Suzuki GS500 off my oldest son.

Buy what REALLY got me into things was bringing a 1976 Honda CT90 back from the dead. Learned a lot there. Then came a 75 Honda ST90 then another 74 CT90 then another 73 ST90. All dead when purchased, reanimated back to life.

Then it was Honda four wheelers brought back from the dead so that my grandson and I could ride.

Then came a 72 CL100 for 200 bucks that took me 24 hours to get it to run.

Then my first bike purchase mistake that still plagues me - 1971 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Sprint 350.  Parts are tough and it is very sensitive to changes in ignition timing because it lacks a keyed Woodruff slot for the flywheel.  And it kicks on the left side with literally leg breaking back kick force if the timing is advanced a little. Vicious. It shifts on the right side which requires a re-wiring of my brain to ride the bike.

Which leads me to the 800 dollar purchase of my 72 CB500 from an ex-boss. I really believe he'd like this bike back now that he knows it is back in dependable condition.

Thus, my story.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[grcamna2]

I started on a red 71' Honda CT90 that I 'borrowed' from my Dad out of the shed when he wasn't home.I rode that little bike for yrs. before i got a license and after that many little(even smaller than the CT90)Honda's;I had more Honda's around me compared to other brands otherwise I might have wanted other Japanese brands.I like the Japanese brands the best i think.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

When I was a wee lad of only 37 years, I helped a buddy pack up his moving van as he was headed out of state.  There wasn't room on the van for his old Honda motorcycle, so he gave it to me.  Told me it had a habit of blowing fuses.  My father and brothers were into bikes, not so much me, so I said what the hell, I'll give it a try.

Well, it's 10 - 12 years later now.  Besides the '77 550K3 I was given, I now have a '82 CM250C, a '74 750K4 and a '82 Goldwing with a sidecar.  Hell, I even have a Honda snowblower!

By the way, it was researching how to address chronic fuse blows that brought me to this forum shortly after it converted from the old mail list days.

[bill440cars]

I wasn't raised around motorcycles or anything like that.

My uncle's sciatic nerve problems had gotten so bad that he wasn't able to ride anymore - so I offered to buy his bike.  I had no idea it was a CB550, didn't really care - I knew so little of motorcycles it didn't matter.

We loaded it up into the back of the pickup, I drove it across state back to my house and being the engineer that I am was absolutely fascinated by the construction.  I tore it completely apart (with plenty of help from this forum), learned how to rebuild the carbs, learned how to rebuild the motor, learned how to rebuild the harness.  In between all that I also learned how to ride.

I also discovered that I really enjoyed motorcycles, enjoyed riding, working on them, restoring them.  I made a point of only buying total wrecks from the junkyards - and they all turned out to be Hondas because that's what I knew.  The act of restoring those wrecks made me feel like I was walking back in time, reliving those days.

Briefly gave my CB550 to my Dad as a semi-retirement gift, reclaimed it when he decided he simply wasn't up to the challenge of riding anymore.

Now I'm in the process of learning how to maintain a small fleet of them so that they don't turn back into total wrecks.

           That is really cool, the way that worked out. I felt like there were some very interesting stories out there and this is showing, with the very first response. There is so much knowledge, on this forum, that I think you'd be hard pressed to come up with something that, someone on the forums, didn't know about.  Thank you, for your input.   

[Stev-o]

My first bike was a Suzuki, hand me down from my brother when he bought his first car. Then I bought a Kawasaki 1000 from him, he wanted a bigger XS1100. We rode those bikes all over the U.S.  Then I got out of biking and into boating.

After a few years I missed my bikes and started reaching getting a vintage bike and the CB550F caught my eye and I bought one. Felt I wanted a heavier bike for the highway so sold the 550 and bought the 750 K4 I currently have.  Missed the 550 and bought a couple more and currently have 2 of each in the garage.

[bill440cars]

The damn thing followed me home.

           Lol, something tells me, that I should have expected a response like this one. 

     They DO have a way of tugging at our heartstrings, eh? 

[bill440cars]

It all started 6 or 7 years ago when an older brother of mine had too many bikes setting around with no time to mess with them and thought that I having no bikes had all kinds of free time so he gave my oldest son a 73 cb350  twin and my youngest a 71 cb175 twin. The 350 made a perfect first bike for my oldest son but my youngest son looked kind of silly on the 175 being he's about 6'5" tall so he got a VF500 interceptor a year or 2 later then a cbr600 F3 and now an F4i. Well anyhow I was at some guys place that had a bunch of old bikes scattered all over his property and that's when I laid eyes on a 75 cb500-4 that I had to have. Once my oldest son outgrew the 350 he bought a neglected K3 750 off a cousin of mine, once I got it running I liked it too so I found my 77 F2 and then my 83 interstate. The 350, 175, 550, K3 750, the interceptor and cbr600 F3 are gone now. My wife now wants to learn to ride on her own so being the 350 made such a good first bike I picked up a 71 350 which I'm currently restoring although I really wish I had kept the 550 for her. My kids F4i is set up for track only which he takes to a few road courses in Indiana and Illinois and is developing into a VERY good rider, late this past summer he moved from the novice class up to intermediate. I've been asked a few times "what is it about Honda's?" being we've had so many and I honestly don't know, it just worked out that way.

           Wow, now that sounds kinda like "The Domino Effect" and kept evolving. Thanks for sharing. Nice!!! 

[bill440cars]

  Up until 1981 I had owned quite a few different bikes but had never owned a four stroke machine. I was a Suzuki two stroke guy when I was young and after totaling out a 1973 Gt750 Water Buffalo in a pretty spectacular crash I was going to take a break for awhile then happened to see a 1976 CB750 for sale along the road at a descent price and bought it and became a four stroke fan. Have always had at least one or more in the stable ever since. Friend got one a couple years later and of course we did the big bore kits and all that fun stuff. The internet has made it much easier nowadays, back then Clymer was pretty much as good as it got and you had to hunt down parts the old fashion way !! I will always keep some old 750's kicking around.

           Water Buffalo is a pretty decent ride. I have a buddy who has restored several  bikes over the years and he did one or two of those. Too bad about your crash, but glad you were able to get on with things. Nice,  that you got back on, with a CB750 too. Thanks for sharing. 

[bill440cars]

My dad had a CZ, I bought CZ after my military service. 5 years later I bought Honda CBX750 to travel Europe with my wife.  Sold it before moving to USA.

In Virginia a friend gave me 1970 CB750 in 2011 - he got it free from a neighbor and passed it on for the same price.

After that i bought a rolling K3 frame - that became eventually The Red.

          Ironic, about the CZ. Jawa/CZ/ESO was one of the last franchises my Granddad had, before he passed away in 1967. Being as the Jawa & CZ are of the same family, you and I have something in common. My Dad built a Jawa 250 he built from scratch and I have yet to see one that was as impressive. He had the Factory Specs and steps on modifying the motor, all the way through and drawings with specs on building what we now call expansion chambers. It didn't even sound like any 2 stroke I had or have ever heard. I have heard of the other CBXs that Honda made, but have never seen any photos or heard much detail about them. I will have to check into that. I guess the 6 cylinder CBX is the only one that made it to the U.S.? Correct me, if I am wrong.  Cool story, my friend. And I appreciate your sharing it with us. 

[bill440cars]

First bike was a little Harley Hummer, next a CB350, then went to work at Devon Honda after discharge from the AF. Lots of different makes have I owned  still have a couple Honda's but also a Kawi and Suzi...Larry

       I remember the Hummer very well. I had a couple of friends who each had one, back when we were in Junior High School. the 350 was a nice transition. I like you, have a Kawasaki & a Suzuki Got some Hondas myself. Appreciate the input here, Larry.  Looks like you progressed up through the cc's, over time too. Thanks for sharing it on here. 

[bill440cars]

It was a brand new 1971 Honda Z50 back then that originally set the hook. But then I did not ride any until much later in life - about 2006. I bought a Suzuki GS500 off my oldest son.

Buy what REALLY got me into things was bringing a 1976 Honda CT90 back from the dead. Learned a lot there. Then came a 75 Honda ST90 then another 74 CT90 then another 73 ST90. All dead when purchased, reanimated back to life.

Then it was Honda four wheelers brought back from the dead so that my grandson and I could ride.

Then came a 72 CL100 for 200 bucks that took me 24 hours to get it to run.

Then my first bike purchase mistake that still plagues me - 1971 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Sprint 350.  Parts are tough and it is very sensitive to changes in ignition timing because it lacks a keyed Woodruff slot for the flywheel.  And it kicks on the left side with literally leg breaking back kick force if the timing is advanced a little. Vicious. It shifts on the right side which requires a re-wiring of my brain to ride the bike.

Which leads me to the 800 dollar purchase of my 72 CB500 from an ex-boss. I really believe he'd like this bike back now that he knows it is back in dependable condition.

Thus, my story.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

           Pretty cool story there, Rick. Quite a variety too, to finally get to the  '72 CB500. I appreciate your sharing that story with us. I expected a pretty good variety of stories, about folks getting to where they are now. And I have not been disappointed, by any means. 

[bill440cars]

I started on a red 71' Honda CT90 that I 'borrowed' from my Dad out of the shed when he wasn't home.I rode that little bike for yrs. before i got a license and after that many little(even smaller than the CT90)Honda's;I had more Honda's around me compared to other brands otherwise I might have wanted other Japanese brands.I like the Japanese brands the best i think.

           Pretty cool story, Bill. Funny thing is, I can relate very well, to the "Borrowed" CT90. Like you, and I believe a number of folks who have posted here, I lean toward the Japanese brands more than a number of others too. Thanks for the Story Bill, appreciate it. 

[bill440cars]

When I was a wee lad of only 37 years, I helped a buddy pack up his moving van as he was headed out of state.  There wasn't room on the van for his old Honda motorcycle, so he gave it to me.  Told me it had a habit of blowing fuses.  My father and brothers were into bikes, not so much me, so I said what the hell, I'll give it a try.

Well, it's 10 - 12 years later now.  Besides the '77 550K3 I was given, I now have a '82 CM250C, a '74 750K4 and a '82 Goldwing with a sidecar.  Hell, I even have a Honda snowblower!

By the way, it was researching how to address chronic fuse blows that brought me to this forum shortly after it converted from the old mail list days.

           Very Cool Story there!   These stories that have been shared so far, are a real testament as to how many different situations, bring us to do our thing with motorcycles. And the varying versions, keep an interest, to read each and every one. Though I have to say, the Sno Blower comment here, caused me to laugh out loud.     So maybe the old saying that "You Meet The Nicest People On A Honda", should be changed to meeting the nicest people "With A Honda"? Ha! Ha! Ha!  And Thank you, for Your story as well.

[bill440cars]

My first bike was a Suzuki, hand me down from my brother when he bought his first car. Then I bought a Kawasaki 1000 from him, he wanted a bigger XS1100. We rode those bikes all over the U.S.  Then I got out of biking and into boating.

After a few years I missed my bikes and started reaching getting a vintage bike and the CB550F caught my eye and I bought one. Felt I wanted a heavier bike for the highway so sold the 550 and bought the 750 K4 I currently have.  Missed the 550 and bought a couple more and currently have 2 of each in the garage.

          And yet another Great story here. Funny how some have gotten an attachment for a certain bike (In this case, a CB550) and didn't realize the attachment, til that one was gone.

         Another Great story brought out. Thank you all, for bringing your stories here and sharing them with us. 

[bill440cars]

My first bike was a Suzuki, hand me down from my brother when he bought his first car. Then I bought a Kawasaki 1000 from him, he wanted a bigger XS1100. We rode those bikes all over the U.S.  Then I got out of biking and into boating.

After a few years I missed my bikes and started reaching getting a vintage bike and the CB550F caught my eye and I bought one. Felt I wanted a heavier bike for the highway so sold the 550 and bought the 750 K4 I currently have.  Missed the 550 and bought a couple more and currently have 2 of each in the garage.

          And yet another Great story here. Funny how some have gotten an attachment for a certain bike (In this case, a CB550) and didn't realize the attachment, til that one was gone.

         Another Great story brought out. Thank you all, for bringing your stories here and sharing them with us. 

[J-Rod10]

Grew up around bikes. My grandfather was a mechanic. Had his own shop, sponsored some race teams back in the 60's. Old man was always in to bikes. I, however, wasn't allowed to touch them. Rode a dirt bike here and there as a kid. Once I hit 14, I could throw a baseball 90mph. So those few times a year turned to none. Went to school on a baseball scholarship, bikes not allowed. Signed with the Astros, bikes not allowed. Spring Training 2009, I tore my UCL, had Tommy John. Rehabbed, tore it again. That was the end of baseball. Two days after I retired, I bought a CBR954RR. My old man, at that time was building a 73 CB500. I helped here and there. Loved it. Been building old Hondas, and parts for them ever since.

[bill440cars]

 After reading these stories posted by you all, I realized that I just covered part of my own story.

       I started out with a small Jawa 50cc that started out looking like a moped, without pedals. My Dad and a close friend, modified this, to look more like a motorcycle, though small. Then, when I was in Junior High School, my friends were getting motorcycles and I figured that since my Granddad and my Dad rode and had the Motorcycle Shop in our Family (My Granddad's Shop), I should be getting one as well. My Mom and Dad only had his Indian, when they got married and didn't actually get a car, until just before I arrived. So anyway, my Dad told me that if I graduated that year, we would go to "The Shop" and I would get my motorcycle. I am excited! Only thing was, I wasn't all that much about school and from Junior High on, it was a struggle for me to go from 1 grade to the next. Ever since I can remember, my mind has been on motorcycles (and added cars, in my teen years. But, I managed to pass the 7th grade (though I failed the previous year) and the next Saturday morning, we went to the "Shop". We got there and I look at Dad and he says, " it's upstairs" and I am thinking, I had been all over that shop, including upstairs, ever since I could walk and I had never seen a motorcycle up there. He sent me back up there, for 3 trips and when I came back down, the 3rd time, he was standing at the foot of the stairs, with a "Parts Book" in his hand and said, "It's up there, You just have to put it together". The only things I didn't have to find parts for and assemble, were the wheels (they were laced up). I had to find enough used parts (I could only use new parts, that I couldn't make or find good enough used parts for. It took me awhile, but I managed to build my 1st  street ride, from parts. Now I didn't realize, for a little bit, just what an incredible lesson my Dad had taught me (also found out that my Granddad did the same thing to my Dad). Anyway, my 2nd motorcycle was the '66 Honda CB72 Hawk (after I got to Japan, while in the Air Force), And After I was discharged from the Air Force, I got married 5 months later and money was kinda tight, for a bit, then it was about a lapse of about 10 years, before I was able to get another one and it was a '71 SL350 and I had it for a couple of years. And from then til now, I had had mostly Hondas (From the 305 Super Hawk, to the 6 Cylinder CBX and now the largest Honda I have, is my '80 CB750K and I have some "project as well (CB450K7, '73 CB500 Four. Still hoping to do some builds as well.  Motorcycles just get into our blood, you know?     

[bill440cars]

Grew up around bikes. My grandfather was a mechanic. Had his own shop, sponsored some race teams back in the 60's. Old man was always in to bikes. I, however, wasn't allowed to touch them. Rode a dirt bike here and there as a kid. Once I hit 14, I could throw a baseball 90mph. So those few times a year turned to none. Went to school on a baseball scholarship, bikes not allowed. Signed with the Astros, bikes not allowed. Spring Training 2009, I tore my UCL, had Tommy John. Rehabbed, tore it again. That was the end of baseball. Two days after I retired, I bought a CBR954RR. My old man, at that time was building a 73 CB500. I helped here and there. Loved it. Been building old Hondas, and parts for them ever since.

            Sorry about you issues that took you out of baseball, but your story about the motorcycles afterward, is pretty cool, in it's self. Thank you, for bringing your story here and sharing with us.