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

[BomberMann650]

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? 

The sad puppy dog eyes.

But my real story.

It all began at my uncles hunting cabin.  He kept (what might have been) an XR80 in the cellar.  I was probably 8 or 9 years old, and begged to ride it.  I won the argument.  After being told how to stop, start, and shift, I hopped on, turned the throttle wide open, dumped the clutch and rode a wheelie to the edge of the yard before letting off the gas and putting both wheels on the ground.  Spent all week ripping around the cabin on that thing.  Probably crashed it half a dozen times.  Don't remember if I was wearing a helmet for all of it.  Since I can't remember, I'm just gonna assume I wasn't.
Fast forward to 19 years old.  Im assembling bicycles when my coworker discovered he had $500 in a saving account he'd forgotten.  So he went out and bought himself the best running cb400f he could get for that money.  (Prices were lower in 2008 werent they?)
So he rode it to work, and I got a chance to ride it in the parking lot.  I was pretty jealous, and remained that way until I discovered bloo.
There she was, neglected in the corner of a barn, surrounded by buckets and boxes, hoses, and hay.  Couldn't see all of it.  She wasn't alone in her motorcycle death prison.  There were scramblers, dirt bikes, and even a couple toaster tanked cl's all deprived of the loving care and attention they crave. 
I had saved a bit of cash, waiting for a snowboarding season that never happened.  When I asked the owner if the blue bike was something he'd part with.  He asked me to make an offer - I didn't want to low ball him.  So I'm in the middle of trying to guage what a cb550 could be worth in that condition, when he says "$100 and you can have it"
SOLD!
8 years of wishing I had a CB, and here it was.  My very own rusty, crusty, rotten, and not entirely ride-able cb550 super sport.
Had it up and running in 2 weeks.  Licensed and on the road a month later.
Everyone here has been a tremendous resource in keeping this survivor on the road.
1 year, 6 months, 10,000 miles, 2 grand in parts, tools, and shop materials, She's still going.
Keep fighting the good fight sohcheads.  Hoorah!


Oh, and Moo.

[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? 

The sad puppy dog eyes.

But my real story.

It all began at my uncles hunting cabin.  He kept (what might have been) an XR80 in the cellar.  I was probably 8 or 9 years old, and begged to ride it.  I won the argument.  After being told how to stop, start, and shift, I hopped on, turned the throttle wide open, dumped the clutch and rode a wheelie to the edge of the yard before letting off the gas and putting both wheels on the ground.  Spent all week ripping around the cabin on that thing.  Probably crashed it half a dozen times.  Don't remember if I was wearing a helmet for all of it.  Since I can't remember, I'm just gonna assume I wasn't.
Fast forward to 19 years old.  Im assembling bicycles when my coworker discovered he had $500 in a saving account he'd forgotten.  So he went out and bought himself the best running cb400f he could get for that money.  (Prices were lower in 2008 werent they?)
So he rode it to work, and I got a chance to ride it in the parking lot.  I was pretty jealous, and remained that way until I discovered bloo.
There she was, neglected in the corner of a barn, surrounded by buckets and boxes, hoses, and hay.  Couldn't see all of it.  She wasn't alone in her motorcycle death prison.  There were scramblers, dirt bikes, and even a couple toaster tanked cl's all deprived of the loving care and attention they crave. 
I had saved a bit of cash, waiting for a snowboarding season that never happened.  When I asked the owner if the blue bike was something he'd part with.  He asked me to make an offer - I didn't want to low ball him.  So I'm in the middle of trying to guage what a cb550 could be worth in that condition, when he says "$100 and you can have it"
SOLD!
8 years of wishing I had a CB, and here it was.  My very own rusty, crusty, rotten, and not entirely ride-able cb550 super sport.
Had it up and running in 2 weeks.  Licensed and on the road a month later.
Everyone here has been a tremendous resource in keeping this survivor on the road.
1 year, 6 months, 10,000 miles, 2 grand in parts, tools, and shop materials, She's still going.
Keep fighting the good fight sohcheads.  Hoorah!


Oh, and Moo.

           Very Cool story there and Thank you , for that too.

          I don't know about anyone else, but I am really enjoying hearing these stories. 

[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.

            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. 

Appreciate that, Bill. Went from one thing I love, to finding another. No complaints here. Though, some of my friends making $20M+ a year stings a bit.

[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.

          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. 

I remember rebuilding the CZ to stop it from leaking, it helped for a short while   BTW, Yezdi in India is Jawa too.

That CBX was Europe and other countries - Australia for sure, Terry or RR had one afaik.  Mine looked like this:.
Very smooth and very fast, loved that thing.

The CB700 sold in USA was a close relative to CBX750.

[DickL]

When I  was 16 in 1966 the 305 Honda Scramblers were in demand...and I wanted one in the worst way. There was a long waiting line. $800. I got tired of waiting and talked my brother into signing for a 305 Super Hawk. Great bike.

In 1970 Dick Mann won the Daytona 200 and a few days later I bought a 1970 CB750. I waited a month for it and when it came in, Manchester Honda asked me if I'd take a Ruby Red bike as I had ordered the gold. SO I traded in my Super Hawk on a new 1970 Ruby Red 750. 1395 and they have me 400 towards the 750. IT was a wonderful dependable fast bike. MY friends had Sportsters and Bonnevillsemand Norton Commandos. All of them were were always breaking down...but never my Honda 750

A year ago I found another Ruby RED CB750 and jumped at the chance to relive my youth. LIke the Chinese commercial some of the same guys I used to ride with decided to do the same. NOW WE RIDE together like we once did 40 years ago. No they bought bought BMW's and one bought a Valkerie. I also have a 1999 Valerie Interstate.

Dickl

[grcamna2]

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. 

I remember rebuilding the CZ to stop it from leaking, it helped for a short while   BTW, Yezdi in India is Jawa too.

That CBX was Europe and other countries - Australia for sure, Terry or RR had one afaik.  Mine looked like this:.
Very smooth and very fast, loved that thing.

The CB700 sold in USA was a close relative to CBX750.

I like that CBX750 Prokop,would love to have one.
Did it have similar 'narrow' design engine crankcases and 16) hydraulic non-adjustable valve lifters as the US export CB700SC Nighthawk ?

[Desert-SOHC]

In 1972 I bought a 68 CL175 Scrambler for $100.00, I was 14 and it was my first bike.  Rode the that thing all over southern california for a few years.  Then I bought a 70 CB350 uphill swing arm chopper, which I traded for a 65 305 hardtail chopper.  When that died I got a 74 CB450 DOHC that I rode, camped, lived on, for 3 years or so and traded it in on a brand new 78 CB750K K8, and a week later I did a 7,800 mile US tour on it after the 1,000 checkup. 

Since then there's been ALOT!!! of bikes, I've always had one since I was 14.  6 or 7 CB750's, from a stock sandcast to a full on custom SOHC chopper to a GL1000.  Hd's, Norton, Triumph, BSA, Moto-Guzzi, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, in just about every style from crotch rocket to touring bagger.  I love all bikes, a Honda was my first bike and through the years I've owned  more Honda's than any other brand, probably because there were millions of them available and the price was right.  I really need about 10-15 different bikes to satisfy all my "wants", but Mable keeps me happy for now.   

[Don R]

 My brother was in Japan in the early 60's and rode there. When he came back he was an aircraft mechanic so went right to air cooled dealers. One was Honda, one was VW. They both made an impression on me. I learned to ride on his Suziki 250 and a 450 Honda. 

[Terry in Australia]

Well back in the 1960's, old motorcycles were cheap. I learned to ride on my sister's C50 scooter when I was 7 or 8, and by the time I was 9, I'd bought my first bike, a Yamaha Omaha 80cc two stroke off road scooter for the princely sum of $5, from a neighbour who later murdered a pastor, and is in a mental institution for life. I took the engine out and installed it in a Gemini minibike frame.

I bought lots of old bikes and minibikes back then, I had a Honda 150 twin that I paid $10 for, a 305 Dream in mint condition, for $25 That I rode flat out for several laps of an old disused horse racing track until the engine seized @70 MPH and I went for a big slide on wet grass.

I had GT50 and DT1 Yamaha's, BSA Bantams, Royal Enfields, a BMW R69S, then I joined the Army in 1977 and I bought a Yamaha TX500 (I had the choice of the Yam or a Ducati 450 "Silver Shotgun", and of course, I chose the Yam..........) in 1978 I traded the Yam in on a new old stock 1975 CB750F, which I thrashed within an inch of it's life. To be honest, I didn't like it. It was Yellow, ugly, the exhaust would scrape on right hand turns, the rear brake would lock up while the front brake would barely pull you up, so I traded it in on a car when I'd had it less than a year.

In 1980 I bumped into a mate who'd owned a CB750K1 since he was 15 years old. He'd thrashed it too, and it was no longer a runner, so he sold it to me with a crashed K0 for spares, for $300. It took awhile to "restore" it, but after a couple of false starts which included a full top end rebuild, I rode it without too many issues for another 4 or 5 years, eventually replacing it with a 1975 Goldwing, then a 1975 KZ900.

I've since bought and sold probably 20 CB750's (I've currently got 5 or 6, mostly in pieces (I've bought a 1969 K0, 1970 K1 and 1972 K2 this year alone, they always seem to come to me mostly in pieces) another 6 or 7 BMW's, a couple of Suzuki GT750's, a T250, CB350F, Yamaha XT500, Kawasaki Z750L1, Ducati 900SS, my 2007 Triumph Rocket III that's been in the family since new, 2 Harley Sportsters, Honda VTR1000 (x 2) VFR750, Yamaha FJ1200 and Honda GL1200 (donated both to charity) CX500 (x2) and Honda XR500R.   

I never really intended to be a "Honda Guy", I only bought my first CB750 because I couldn't finance a Z1 when I was 18, but as disappointed as I was with my first "F", the second CB750, the K1, was a much nicer bike, and I've loved early K series CB750's ever since. Cheers, Terry.

[Kevin D]

In 1967 I was 14, and started my first job with a paycheck and a timecard for something, I don't remember exactly, less than a buck an hour. I had the chance to get hired into a family business that had acquired a small Honda dealership nearby. At the start I swept the floors, emptied the trash, went on the dump runs with the empty motorcycle crates.
 I began assembling the bikes. A candy blue CL90 was the first bike I put together. Handlebars, front fender, front wheel, turn signals, wiring, headlight. I don't know how many I put together. The small bikes were 2 in a crate, up to 175cc's??, and the crate was heavier than the bigger bikes. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but we didn't have a HiLo, and had to muscle the crates around on a hand cart. One day I was moving a crated CB450 with a co-worker. The handcart wobbled, the co-worker bolted, and the CB450 landed on me. I wasn't hurt in any way, neither was the bike, but we had a HiLo soon after, and the bolting co-worker found new employment.
 Next was prepping the bikes: oil, battery, gas, first fire, lights, horn, a couple laps around the lot, front brake rear brake. A CL125 twin was the first clutch bike I rode, no torque, no wheelie, no stall. But I got to ride every bike that came in or went out.
 I spent most of my time in the parts department ordering stocking selling, on the phone. I met every customer that came in or called and did my best for them. The phone was ringing off the hook, and on Saturday especially there was no pause, none, all day.
 My first bike was a candy blue green 1970 CB750. I rode it through the summer and sold it in the fall awaiting the K1 which I acquired in the spring of 1971. My job left me, the small local dealer went big time 50 miles away, so I hit the road for a 7500 mile cross country trip.
 My first job, best job I ever had: got to ride every motorcycle and meet every person, that was my introduction to Honda.

EDIT: First bike, May 1970, 16 yrs old

[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. 

Appreciate that, Bill. Went from one thing I love, to finding another. No complaints here. Though, some of my friends making $20M+ a year stings a bit.

           Well, I am glad that your interest went to Building Old Honda. Yeah, that's the only thing, doing what we do with the motorcycles, isn't THAT profitable and I am sure there are some builds that would be an effort, to let go of them anyway. At least it would be for me. 

[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. 

I remember rebuilding the CZ to stop it from leaking, it helped for a short while   BTW, Yezdi in India is Jawa too.

That CBX was Europe and other countries - Australia for sure, Terry or RR had one afaik.  Mine looked like this:.
Very smooth and very fast, loved that thing.

The CB700 sold in USA was a close relative to CBX750.

    Never had any issues with leaking, on the older Jawas (talking 1950s), fortunately. But now, I am talking street models and not motocross models either. That might be the difference. I really like the red CB700 you posted. I have included a photo opf the 1965 Jawa that I am slowly working toward building as close to one my Dad built back in the early 1960s. Problem is, I have only my memory, to rely on, for the details of my Dad's Jawa. I can not find that he had any pictures and for some reason, I never took any of it either. I won't be able to build it to perform like his did, but hope to at least make it look like his did. I think I pretty much remember the details of the build, except the specs of the engine mods were listed in a magazine that was put out back then, that covered the Jawa/CZ/ESO bikes and the Skoda car. old Jawa would run with the Triumph 500 Twins of the day. And the Jawas I am talking about, were like the VW of motorcycles. They were cheap to buy, very slow, but very dependable and didn't change much, over quite a few years. 

[bill440cars]

When I  was 16 in 1966 the 305 Honda Scramblers were in demand...and I wanted one in the worst way. There was a long waiting line. $800. I got tired of waiting and talked my brother into signing for a 305 Super Hawk. Great bike.

In 1970 Dick Mann won the Daytona 200 and a few days later I bought a 1970 CB750. I waited a month for it and when it came in, Manchester Honda asked me if I'd take a Ruby Red bike as I had ordered the gold. SO I traded in my Super Hawk on a new 1970 Ruby Red 750. 1395 and they have me 400 towards the 750. IT was a wonderful dependable fast bike. MY friends had Sportsters and Bonnevillsemand Norton Commandos. All of them were were always breaking down...but never my Honda 750

A year ago I found another Ruby RED CB750 and jumped at the chance to relive my youth. LIke the Chinese commercial some of the same guys I used to ride with decided to do the same. NOW WE RIDE together like we once did 40 years ago. No they bought bought BMW's and one bought a Valkerie. I also have a 1999 Valerie Interstate.

Dickl

  Looks like I am just a little older than you, because I was in Junior High School, when the Super Hawks & CL72/77 Scramblers were coming into Arkansas. I graduated High School, in 1966 and I used to race the Honda CLs with my Dad's 250 Jawa he built. and one day I came home and told my Dad that I was going to have to go into the transmission on his Jawa and he said to me, "You've been racing those Honda Scramblers again, haven't you? Of course, I acted like I didn't know what he was talking about. And he said, "I know what you have been doing, as I have eyes and ears "Out There", so don't try to fool me. Then, he said, "Did you beat them?" I just looked at him and told him I had beat them and he just smiled and went on about what he was doing. I just knew I was in trouble that day, but instead, I REALLY felt connected with my Dad, like I had never felt before. I mean, we had a connection, because of the motorcycles, but that day was a special one, that I'll never forget.   

      Before Dick Mann raced Hondas, I remember him racing BSAs, Along with a young Jody Nickolas. Also remember the sound of Mike Hailwood's 250 Honda 6cylinder described an incredible.       

  And in 1970, I was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force and came home, after doing my 4 yrs (Half of that was in Japan, with nearly 2 yrs total time, in South Korea).

[bill440cars]

In 1972 I bought a 68 CL175 Scrambler for $100.00, I was 14 and it was my first bike.  Rode the that thing all over southern california for a few years.  Then I bought a 70 CB350 uphill swing arm chopper, which I traded for a 65 305 hardtail chopper.  When that died I got a 74 CB450 DOHC that I rode, camped, lived on, for 3 years or so and traded it in on a brand new 78 CB750K K8, and a week later I did a 7,800 mile US tour on it after the 1,000 checkup. 

Since then there's been ALOT!!! of bikes, I've always had one since I was 14.  6 or 7 CB750's, from a stock sandcast to a full on custom SOHC chopper to a GL1000.  Hd's, Norton, Triumph, BSA, Moto-Guzzi, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, in just about every style from crotch rocket to touring bagger.  I love all bikes, a Honda was my first bike and through the years I've owned  more Honda's than any other brand, probably because there were millions of them available and the price was right.  I really need about 10-15 different bikes to satisfy all my "wants", but Mable keeps me happy for now.   

Whoa, that's quite a story there. Thanks for sharing. 

[bill440cars]

My brother was in Japan in the early 60's and rode there. When he came back he was an aircraft mechanic so went right to air cooled dealers. One was Honda, one was VW. They both made an impression on me. I learned to ride on his Suziki 250 and a 450 Honda. 

        Where in Japan? I was stationed at Misawa AFB for 2 years (Dec 1967-Dec 1969) I got schooled by a Suzuki X6 Hustler, while in Japan and the 1st 450 I ever saw, was over there and was a CB450K0 and then another buddy bought a new 1968 CB450 and I got to ride it, Nice!

[bill440cars]

Well back in the 1960's, old motorcycles were cheap. I learned to ride on my sister's C50 scooter when I was 7 or 8, and by the time I was 9, I'd bought my first bike, a Yamaha Omaha 80cc two stroke off road scooter for the princely sum of $5, from a neighbour who later murdered a pastor, and is in a mental institution for life. I took the engine out and installed it in a Gemini minibike frame.

I bought lots of old bikes and minibikes back then, I had a Honda 150 twin that I paid $10 for, a 305 Dream in mint condition, for $25 That I rode flat out for several laps of an old disused horse racing track until the engine seized @70 MPH and I went for a big slide on wet grass.

I had GT50 and DT1 Yamaha's, BSA Bantams, Royal Enfields, a BMW R69S, then I joined the Army in 1977 and I bought a Yamaha TX500 (I had the choice of the Yam or a Ducati 450 "Silver Shotgun", and of course, I chose the Yam..........) in 1978 I traded the Yam in on a new old stock 1975 CB750F, which I thrashed within an inch of it's life. To be honest, I didn't like it. It was Yellow, ugly, the exhaust would scrape on right hand turns, the rear brake would lock up while the front brake would barely pull you up, so I traded it in on a car when I'd had it less than a year.

In 1980 I bumped into a mate who'd owned a CB750K1 since he was 15 years old. He'd thrashed it too, and it was no longer a runner, so he sold it to me with a crashed K0 for spares, for $300. It took awhile to "restore" it, but after a couple of false starts which included a full top end rebuild, I rode it without too many issues for another 4 or 5 years, eventually replacing it with a 1975 Goldwing, then a 1975 KZ900.

I've since bought and sold probably 20 CB750's (I've currently got 5 or 6, mostly in pieces (I've bought a 1969 K0, 1970 K1 and 1972 K2 this year alone, they always seem to come to me mostly in pieces) another 6 or 7 BMW's, a couple of Suzuki GT750's, a T250, CB350F, Yamaha XT500, Kawasaki Z750L1, Ducati 900SS, my 2007 Triumph Rocket III that's been in the family since new, 2 Harley Sportsters, Honda VTR1000 (x 2) VFR750, Yamaha FJ1200 and Honda GL1200 (donated both to charity) CX500 (x2) and Honda XR500R.   

I never really intended to be a "Honda Guy", I only bought my first CB750 because I couldn't finance a Z1 when I was 18, but as disappointed as I was with my first "F", the second CB750, the K1, was a much nicer bike, and I've loved early K series CB750's ever since. Cheers, Terry.

   Whoa, that is quite a story there, Terry. Kinda leaves me speechless, buddy. 

[bill440cars]

In 1967 I was 14, and started my first job with a paycheck and a timecard for something, I don't remember exactly, less than a buck an hour. I had the chance to get hired into a family business that had acquired a small Honda dealership nearby. At the start I swept the floors, emptied the trash, went on the dump runs with the empty motorcycle crates.
 I began assembling the bikes. A candy blue CL90 was the first bike I put together. Handlebars, front fender, front wheel, turn signals, wiring, headlight. I don't know how many I put together. The small bikes were 2 in a crate, up to 175cc's??, and the crate was heavier than the bigger bikes. It shouldn't have been a big deal, but we didn't have a HiLo, and had to muscle the crates around on a hand cart. One day I was moving a crated CB450 with a co-worker. The handcart wobbled, the co-worker bolted, and the CB450 landed on me. I wasn't hurt in any way, neither was the bike, but we had a HiLo soon after, and the bolting co-worker found new employment.
 Next was prepping the bikes: oil, battery, gas, first fire, lights, horn, a couple laps around the lot, front brake rear brake. A CL125 twin was the first clutch bike I rode, no torque, no wheelie, no stall. But I got to ride every bike that came in or went out.
 I spent most of my time in the parts department ordering stocking selling, on the phone. I met every customer that came in or called and did my best for them. The phone was ringing off the hook, and on Saturday especially there was no pause, none, all day.
 My first bike was a candy blue green 1970 CB750. I rode it through the summer and sold it in the fall awaiting the K1 which I acquired in the spring of 1971. My job left me, the small local dealer went big time 50 miles away, so I hit the road for a 7500 mile cross country trip.
 My first job, best job I ever had: got to ride every motorcycle and meet every person, that was my introduction to Honda.

            Pretty cool story Kevin, I could enjoy that myself. I did get to do some of that myself, at my Granddad's Shop, only I didn't get paid. I remember being able to help put the Indian/Enfields together when they came in and also the Jawas and CZs. The CZ factory rep came by one day (He came by often, but this time it really benefitted me) you see, the 125/175 Scramblers had a dual ignition system on them, to include a head with 2 sparkplug holes and if the ignition was fouled or whatever, you flipped a switch and the 2nd system was energized and you drove on. Well, the guy had a trailer with a few new CZs on it and after I cleaned them up for him, he gave me a new cylinder head with the 2 sparkplug holes. So, I came up with the rest of what I needed and put that system on my 125 Jawa. Wish I still had my old Jawa and my Dad's.

[rickmoore24]

My father was a Navy man, and rode various Honda CB's. As a child I once burned my leg on a pipe after he got home, as I was admiring the machine too closely while it was still hot. I ended up riding around on an Elite80 scooter in high school. Jumped to a CBR F3 a bit later. Nostalgia of my fathers bikes hit me in 2009 and I built my Lucy. Been riding that one ever since. Funnily enough, now my pops runs around on a Suzuki Bergman 650. LOL  Rick.

[Don R]

 Part 2, my second time getting involved with bikes, my brother said the city sent him a nastygram about his left over 750's out behind the garage and would I help clean them out? Why certainly, and before the day was over he convinced me there were enough parts to build a bike. So I drug home a trailer load of parts to build one bike and now there are 12 in the shop and at least 4 of them even run. One is his one owner 740 K4. He's sitting on a 76 gl1000 that he sold me 3 times and reniged 3 times.

[72 yellow]

After hearing my dad tell of riding his Indian Scout and Harley 74 in the 1930's, I got interested in bikes.  In 1964 my older cousin showed up at our aunt's house on where I was cutting grass, on his new 305 Super Hawk.  He took me for a ride and I was hooked.  In 1966 I got my driving permit and a friend who also had a 64 305 Super Hawk taught me how to ride.  I was all set and had my folks convinced that it was OK to own a bike when we got word that another cousin had been killed on his motorcycle by a drunk driver.  The word was NO motorcycle while living at home.  In 1970 I was 21 and bought my first bike, a new CB450 from Anderson Sales in Pontiac, MI.  It was followed by a 73 H-D Sportster. a 75 CB550, 77 H-D Superglide, 69 BSA Lightning, 78 CB750F.  Side note, after I purchased my CB450, my dad bought a used 66 305 Super Hawk.  He drove it to work until he retired 5 years later.  I still have his bike along with a 72 CB750, a 71 BSA Lightning, and a 2000 H-D XLH 1200 Sportster.

[Sigop]

The first ride was on a friend’s brown 200ish something, and trying to learn to ride something with both hands and both feet was an “active” experience. Took it up to a curvy, hilly country road and learned by experience about curves, sand, and front brakes.  Tore up my elbow (still have some asphalt in there) but I was hooked. A year later a friend was back from Nam and I bought his beautiful blue/green CB 350. I think I really liked it because of his helmet—painted army green with white and black peace signs on it.
From there just a simple, single straight line. Sold the 350 and went about a year in a TR6, but sold that to go back to a bike.  Got the cash in pocket, got on a bus in New Jersey and rode to Fayetteville for the huge supply and great prices on the Hondas. Bought the 1973 CB750, saddled up and broke it in riding back up to South Jersey. Have been riding it and only it ever since. I am reminded of that line from the movie “Field of Dreams” where James Earl Jones says, “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.”  Through all my years  that bike has been my constant.  Different people, states, houses, cars, and moves that bike has stayed. Have ridden it on and off, and much more back on now.  It is serving as my time machine now.
Happy and safe trails all.

[bill440cars]

My father was a Navy man, and rode various Honda CB's. As a child I once burned my leg on a pipe after he got home, as I was admiring the machine too closely while it was still hot. I ended up riding around on an Elite80 scooter in high school. Jumped to a CBR F3 a bit later. Nostalgia of my fathers bikes hit me in 2009 and I built my Lucy. Been riding that one ever since. Funnily enough, now my pops runs around on a Suzuki Bergman 650. LOL  Rick.

           Very cool story there and definitely glad you shared it here. 

[bill440cars]

Part 2, my second time getting involved with bikes, my brother said the city sent him a nastygram about his left over 750's out behind the garage and would I help clean them out? Why certainly, and before the day was over he convinced me there were enough parts to build a bike. So I drug home a trailer load of parts to build one bike and now there are 12 in the shop and at least 4 of them even run. One is his one owner 740 K4. He's sitting on a 76 gl1000 that he sold me 3 times and reniged 3 times.

  Lol, I never even though about repeat posters, Thank you Don, for adding more to your story and I hope everyone feels comfortable to do the same, if there is something else to tell. Sounds like you and your Brother have quite the relationship and THAT is cool within itself.      So glad that you and the others are posting up, makes for some interesting reads for others and myself. 

[bill440cars]

After hearing my dad tell of riding his Indian Scout and Harley 74 in the 1930's, I got interested in bikes.  In 1964 my older cousin showed up at our aunt's house on where I was cutting grass, on his new 305 Super Hawk.  He took me for a ride and I was hooked.  In 1966 I got my driving permit and a friend who also had a 64 305 Super Hawk taught me how to ride.  I was all set and had my folks convinced that it was OK to own a bike when we got word that another cousin had been killed on his motorcycle by a drunk driver.  The word was NO motorcycle while living at home.  In 1970 I was 21 and bought my first bike, a new CB450 from Anderson Sales in Pontiac, MI.  It was followed by a 73 H-D Sportster. a 75 CB550, 77 H-D Superglide, 69 BSA Lightning, 78 CB750F.  Side note, after I purchased my CB450, my dad bought a used 66 305 Super Hawk.  He drove it to work until he retired 5 years later.  I still have his bike along with a 72 CB750, a 71 BSA Lightning, and a 2000 H-D XLH 1200 Sportster.

           Really Cool story and with a lot of variety. Really enjoying the variety of motorcycles, that you have experienced. Thank you for sharing it with us. 

[bill440cars]

The first ride was on a friend’s brown 200ish something, and trying to learn to ride something with both hands and both feet was an “active” experience. Took it up to a curvy, hilly country road and learned by experience about curves, sand, and front brakes.  Tore up my elbow (still have some asphalt in there) but I was hooked. A year later a friend was back from Nam and I bought his beautiful blue/green CB 350. I think I really liked it because of his helmet—painted army green with white and black peace signs on it.
From there just a simple, single straight line. Sold the 350 and went about a year in a TR6, but sold that to go back to a bike.  Got the cash in pocket, got on a bus in New Jersey and rode to Fayetteville for the huge supply and great prices on the Hondas. Bought the 1973 CB750, saddled up and broke it in riding back up to South Jersey. Have been riding it and only it ever since. I am reminded of that line from the movie “Field of Dreams” where James Earl Jones says, “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.”  Through all my years  that bike has been my constant.  Different people, states, houses, cars, and moves that bike has stayed. Have ridden it on and off, and much more back on now.  It is serving as my time machine now.
Happy and safe trails all.

    Funny, how you went from the 350, to TR6 and went back to a motorcycle and still have only that CB750. That says a lot, right there.    Thanks for sharing.