Author Topic: 32 years after my last ride . . . (Read 2117 times)

Perseo · « **on:** September 07, 2018, 05:53:33 PM »

I have owned a bike for decades - a 1967 Suzuki sitting in my barn, unused, for 32 years. From 2005 on, I could not even consider riding a motorcycle, due to arthritic hips. But those got replaced in 2014 and 2016, making life good again. I started to consider getting back on a bike, and after some flirtations with various bikes I lusted for in my youth (cough, Triumph), my eyes lighted upon the CB400F. Light weight and with the gorgeous waterfall of pipes, that was what I wanted. The fact that they are modestly collectable yet not too expensive made it an even better choice.

After watching the market for these bikes for almost two years, I finally went to see one. The seller, a 79-year-old New Hampshire original of a man, obviously loves old Japanese bikes. He was very concerned that I could turn a wrench, lest I not be qualified to own a 1976 vintage motorcycle. That is no problem (now, driving a nail straight, that is another thing entirely). We spent three hours together yesterday and today, he sharing his knowledge of the CB400 four.

I was nervous about test driving the bike, to be honest. I still have my MC operators license, kept alive since forever. But as I gave the bike a bit of throttle and gently accelerated in first, I did the math in my head to conclude that I had not driven a motorcycle for 32 years.

Such a happy moment. (As the saying goes, it's like riding a bike.)

I bought it. The seller wanted the Suzuki as part of the exchange, which sealed the deal. I am now in the happy club of SOHC four owners. And smiling.

txtiger · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2018, 06:09:54 PM »

Great story and congrats on your new bike. Similar story for me, after 40 years off a bike I bought a restored '71 Triumph Tiger in 2009. Then a 2010 Triumph Tiger 1050 so I could tour. Sold the 1050 cause I'm getting old and now also have a '75 cb400f. I love it. It's my second favorite just behind a '90 GB500. Both similar in handling, but the 400F is really smooth over the 500 thumper.

txtiger · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2018, 06:12:27 PM »

Oh, post some pictures. Tell us about it, was seller original owner, miles, condition? We love details.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2018, 06:17:33 PM »

Good stories get a warm welcome...lots of guys here dig old Suzuki too

Don R · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2018, 06:59:55 PM »

Welcome back to two wheels. My brother and I had long bike layoffs and we also felt pretty rusty when we started riding again. I found an empty parking lot with lots of curbs and landscaping and practiced low speed handling and various speed stopping until I got comfortable again.
The 400F is an awesome choice. I have a nice one also.

Perseo · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2018, 07:14:42 PM »

Thanks for the nice replies.

The new to me bike has 23,061 miles on it. My seller has 20 or so motorcycles in two old barns. I think he wanted the Suzuki because he can't resist an old bike. His head tells him to sell some of the motorcycles but his heart says the opposite.

He bought the 400F three years ago. He has another 1976 CB400F he has owned a long time, and two parts bikes.

A super nice guy. Picture attached.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2018, 07:47:34 PM »

Very cool story.
My return was via a soft start. I spent more than thirty years not riding after I was almost killed by a drunk driver in Vallejo, California. I was going home from my job at Mare Island Naval Shipyard (marine machinist ), he ran a red light and I saw him just in time to get on the brakes of my 75 candy blue green Goldwing (great bike). I slowed down just enough to prevent getting broadsided, broke my right hand, got off easy. Bike was totaled, too bad. I was in a cast for 4 months, almost cost me my job. With marriage and kids I never got around to riding for a long time. Fast forward to 2008 and I’m living on Maui. I bought a 2009 Honda Ruckus. 49 roaring CC’s. Actually a nice little machine. However, it taught me some bad habits like putting my right foot down first when stopping. I had no idea how important that was. When I bought the 1973 K3 750 and restored it and started riding I really had to get some good habits back. I watched a lot of MC Rider on YouTube, still do. It’s a great site for “re-learning” what I took for granted. I decided to pretend I didn’t know anything and start over.
Best of luck with the 400F, they are beautiful. Yamiya has a lot of parts for them. Keep the photos coming and the rubber side down.

BRG-BIRD · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2018, 09:44:17 PM »

Congratulations on getting back into riding, beautiful bike!

Perseo · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2018, 04:43:33 AM »

Mauik3 -- Your thought - "I decided to pretend I didn’t know anything and start over" - is brilliant. I hereby adopt it.

I like your back story too.

ekpent · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2018, 05:02:56 AM »

Welcome back to the sport and thanks for sharing. What model/size was your old 1967 Suzuki ? My Dad was a Suzuki guy,very loyal to certain brands,and I grew up on Suzuki's also. Any pictures of it from 'back in the day". Eric

BobbyR · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2018, 06:56:21 AM »

Welcome back and ride proud on that beautiful bike.

Sigop · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2018, 06:59:36 AM »

Some similarities. Also from new Hampshire and as my hips got worse I could not really hold up the 500 pounds of a 750 when needed. 2 new hips later we are good to go.
Glad to see you back on the horse.

cooldrum · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2018, 07:55:33 AM »

Thanks for sharing your story. That means many new adventures will come your way and that feeling of riding again is so fulfilling for many of us. That answers the "why" we ride and here on this forum is a wealth of information and "how to" keep our bikes running. Thanks again!

MarkCR750 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2018, 08:13:28 AM »

Great to hear your story, 32 years is a long time but as you say “it’s just like riding a bike”, I had 17 years off when my daughter was born, only one thing tripped me up, I rode fine for the first few weeks but as my confidence returned inevitably I got faster, one day coming into a corner the bike wouldn’t bank over, just wanted to go straight on!, horrible feeling like the hand of god was holding her up stopping the lean I needed for the bend, at the last moment I remembered the “counter steer” technique, it was a right hand bend so I pushed on the right hand grip and she rolled into the corner as good as gold. So it’s worth getting a bit of practice on that one, I’m told that it’s not uncommon for inexperienced or “rusty “ riders to experience this “ won’t lean/turn scenario, and it’s basically down to your brain selecting the pedal cycle cornering technique, I.e turning the bars to the right on a right turn, it doesn’t work on a motorcycle above 5mph!, we all countersteer without knowing we’re doing it, anyway enjoy your 400/4 great bikes, had one myself in 78

MauiK3 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2018, 09:36:33 AM »

As for turning, I follow Kevin Morris’s (MC Rider) advice to look through the corner. Turn your head and look for your exit from the corner, it really works.

ekpent · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2018, 10:08:50 AM »

Quote from: MauiK3 on September 08, 2018, 09:36:33 AM

As for turning, I follow Kevin Morris’s (MC Rider) advice to look through the corner. Turn your head and look for your exit from the corner, it really works.

and look for hot lava

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** September 09, 2018, 12:18:44 PM »

Quote from: ekpent on September 08, 2018, 05:02:56 AM

What model/size was your old 1967 Suzuki ?

+1...was it the Hustler? I have a couple of old Suzi's. My '66...

BobbyR · « **Reply #17 on:** September 09, 2018, 02:49:42 PM »

Quote from: Ichiban 4 on September 08, 2018, 07:38:49 PM

Well..thanks for this guys!.
I was just thinking similar things about my current riding situation (whether I should hang-it-up..or keep riding..a while longer. I'm 74 nowadays..but have no serious physical problems BTW) I haven't ridden in over a year now. Been wondering if my coordination is still adequate. Mainly getting my confidence level up again I guess.
This makes me feel that if you guys can keep on riding for a while..in or "later years of life"..then I should be able to do so also. In fact..was just out checking over my 550K tonite..thinking I should take out for a spin tomorrow. Think I'll do that now.
Thanks again..
Al/Ichi

Al, just take rides that you feel meet your current abilities. You can still have a good without pushing the envelope too much.

Johnie · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2018, 03:00:57 PM »

Great story of the ol' gent with all the bikes. Keep in contact with him as this sport is very contagious...you may need another. Welcome to the forum!

MoMo · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2018, 03:52:37 PM »

Welcome back to the wonderful, wide world of motorcycling...400F was a good choice...Larry

blacksmith1 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 10, 2018, 02:10:28 AM »

stevo,love the early hustlers,remember as a ten year old a bloke we new rolled up on one same as yours,only blue,want one of these

Stev-o · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2018, 06:48:04 AM »

Quote from: blacksmith1 on September 10, 2018, 02:10:28 AM

stevo,love the early hustlers,remember as a ten year old a bloke we new rolled up on one same as yours,only blue,want one of these

I had one as a teen, it was handed down to me from my brother when he bought a car and lost interest in the bike.

Tracksnblades1 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2018, 11:18:21 AM »

Dust off that Ole Suzy Q..... she still loves you...!
Hey...great to hear a success story with your hip replacement. Should be good for another100,000 miles?
Be careful out there. They're : TEXTING, FACEBOOKING, TWITTERING, SNAPCHATING, and the like when I'm trying to ride. Glad to hear your enjoying simpler things again.

Perseo · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2018, 11:23:29 AM »

Yes. The Suzuki was a 1967 T20, also marketed under other names (Hustler sounds like what I recall). 250cc two stoke. Jay Leno has one in his collection, saying that it was one of the first bikes he coveted as a kid. He describes its sound as being like a "can of bees."

Notable for a six speed gear box.

This will sound familiar - My brother got the bike from his best friend (don't recall if it was a purchase). He rode it for a while then gave it to me. I took it all apart, rebuilt it. Found a new engine for it from a repair guy who could not sell me a whole bike because it was left with him with an unpaid bill, but he could sell me most parts on it.

The 400F feels very similar in weight and controls, only way better.

blacksmith1 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 13, 2018, 02:49:47 AM »

yep can of bee's sounds about right,remember the front springs lifting on the gas,also remember a small dog burning his beak on the shiny header pipe,also remember being sad about that

,lot of great machines from japan

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Author Topic: 32 years after my last ride . . . (Read 2117 times)