Topic: OK, So I've been lurknig for awhile...

[ludite13]

I guess it's time to introduce myself. 
  Hi all,  My name is James and I live in Chapel Hill, NC.  My bikes include a '78 CB550k and a '72 Triumph tiger.  My little Honda is pretty  clean and original with the exception of new Dunlops and shows @19k on the clock.  I've had her for about a year now and she's been my daily rider since December.  There are some small issues that I need to address and some mods I want to make, but I think I'll just ride and enjoy the bike for now. 
  Oh yeah, my interests include good beer, good music, old audio gear, old MoPars, my old lady, my dogs and old weird stuff in general!

-James

[Bob Wessner]

Welcome. We need some pictures. With your list of interests, you should fit right in here.

[Jonesy]

Welcome!

What are these "small issues" you want to take care of?

[ludite13]

Hi, thanks guys.
  Small issues meaning the "common" oil leak at the exhaust side of the head and the chain is due for a change (got some rust, cracked rollers.)  The front caliper seems to drag a bit and the front brake squeals.  I'm collecting parts to swap on dual discs and rebuilt calipers.
Mods I want to make are some low bars to replace the tweaked originals, rearsets and a cafe' seat.  Also have an earlier tank that I plan to swap on.  Kinda headed in the cafe' racer direction but also want to lower the seat height a bit so my girl can ride it if she wants.

-James

[pdrides]

Howdy.
Welcome aboard, I'm a newbie myself and I've gotta tell ya this site is the bees knees. Great info, great people and most importantly GREAT BIKES  Looking forward to seeing pix

[Killer Canary]

Welcome!
Have any reel to reel players?

[ludite13]

Hi all,
  Yeah, I should really take some pics of the bikes before I do any more to them.  I kinda want to have something to refer to later on.  When I get some I'll be sure to post them in the gallery.

No, sorry, no reel to reels.  I see them every once in a while but since I don't have anything to listen to. Plus all those tapes are getting old and I hear they get sticky over time.  If I made another addition to my system it would be a tube amp.  But my speakers are power hungry, so I'm kinda sticking with SS stuff until the right deal comes along.  Kinda keeping an eye out for a TT that plays 78s as well.  OOPS!  Wrong forum! 

-James

[burmashave]

Hey, Ludite, with a handle like that, you will be at home.  Do take some pictures if only to have the before and after versions -- I should have take pictures of my before I started working on it.  As for the audio, I miss the days of tubes, and I've never liked digital, but that's what I have now. 

[gerhed]

James,

Welcome.
I was a Blue Devil in the sixties--quite a rivalry going way back then, too.
Although UNC is definitely in the catbird seat today.
I still think of Dean Smith as the new guy in the neighborhood !
I remember the Durham--Chapel Hill Blvd as being a short, pleasant ride-( on my CB160 back then)
I have a '67 Triumph TR6 which is probably the finest handling and balanced bike I have ever ridden.
How does your Triumph do?

Phil--"gerhed"

[ludite13]

Hi Phil,
  Yeah, the Duke/UNC rivalry is alive and well in 2007!  Dean Smith has been elevated to some sort of god though.  The Durham/Chapel Hill ride is kinda long and hectic nowadays too.  I haven't ridden my '72 Tiger much since it was a project when I got it a couple of years ago and had some real troubles with a parts place in Chicago which I won't name here.  I took her out once and I'll tell you this, she's quite a different beast altogether!  Loud and fast!  The seat is a bit higher and the original bars are much higher than anything I've ever ridden (something like 8-10" rise.)  I'm having some electrical woes with that one, but should be sorted out soon. 

-James

[ludite13]

Hey, Ludite, with a handle like that, you will be at home.  Do take some pictures if only to have the before and after versions -- I should have take pictures of my before I started working on it.  As for the audio, I miss the days of tubes, and I've never liked digital, but that's what I have now. 

Took some of the Honda today and will post them soon.  I need to get out and ride some today while it's still light out.  A beerrun is in order!

The only reason I don't have tube amps is the huge cost.  Secondary concern is that I'm not really settled down in a house yet.  My girl is finishing up her Master's degree here at UNC and who knows where we'll wind up.  I could see having a gorgeous old McIntosh or H.H. Scott getting destroyed during a move.  As for being a ludite, yeah that kinda sums it up.  I think new technology is great, but I kinda like to think of myself as a caretaker of nice old stuff. 
  That said, I'm not against modifying anything to make it work better.  My CB is pretty much stock for now and while it will never perform as well as most of the new bikes out there, I think it has a bunch more soul that many new scoots try to achieve but somehow fall short.  Maybe I'm crazy. 

-James 

[ludite13]

OK guys.  I posted a couple of pics in the gallery.  Like I said she's pretty much stock.  That will all change before long.

-James