Topic: Keith Turk, Salt flats car guy , Southern Alabama

[KeithTurk]

I'm really a car guy who started out life sweeping floors in an Indian four cylinder repair shop...

Been racing at Bonneville for 10 yrs ( fairly successfully )... and I've really wanted to get back to riding for a while.... last year I had a bit of a false start and bought a 1978 Triumph that was used to make movies... problem is the bike is worth to much to mess with.... so I ride it a bit but really can't whittle on it without destroying it's value...

Next thing you know a friend offers up his 550 / 4... and since my dad had a brand new 500... I get to thinking ... Hmmm why not...    Now that it's in my shop... the real deal is "WHY" to own it... the thing is totally perfect... not to little... not to big... it fits ... "Just Right"  and actually is a damn nice scooter...  Love the power band... the looks and overall it's just simply reliable... Hmmm

My original goal was to build a cafe bike... but after a few weeks in the "sit up and beg" position...  I kind of like it just the way it is...  I can get behind the bars if necessary for those "high speed" runs... and be comfortable in the in between times.

I'm also the race director for the East Coast Timing Association in NC... so I might be able to help a bit if any of you are interested in being stupid... ( it's like lays potato chips... you can't just go once )

Keith Turk

[BobbyR]

Well Keith as you can see these bikes have a way of getting under your skin. They just feel good. That is when they run well. You will find plenty of advice here. What type of vehicles do you take to the Salt Flats?

[xtalon]

What type of vehicles do you take to the Salt Flats?

...and we like pics if you haven't heard. 

Welcome!

--xTalon

[dusterdude]

welcome keith,went to maxton a few years back,cool deal,need to carry my ass back down there sometime.

[BobbyR]

He is a good man with a NOS bottle and has driven over 200 Mph

[nickjtc]

last year I had a bit of a false start and bought a 1978 Triumph that was used to make movies... problem is the bike is worth to much to mess with.... so I ride it a bit but really can't whittle on it without destroying it's value...

Hey Keith. Triumph....movies.....do tell. Or will you have a competition for us to guess which movie it was in?

I'll go with Richard Gere in 'An Officer and a Gentleman'.

[KeithTurk]

http://hotrod.com/projectbuild/113_0501_bonn/

That's the link to my Bville junk... and yeah it's that Triumph... so now we can't have a competition...  ( I charge 2 bucks to sniff the back of the seat and 20 for the front ).. No gerbil jokes now )...

Scooters have always been under my skin... but I've kept it mostly in check for many years...

The 550 I got is pure junk... and it simply rocks... funny how money doesn't play into the enjoyment of a scooter isn't it?  Seems the happiest times of my life have involved making do with what I had ... Thinking back I mostly worked on my CB 350 as a kid out of the tool kit that came with it.... if you look at the pic's on that Hot Rod site... you'll see I've acquired a few more tools and skills along the way...  Best of all... I know Nothing about this bike... so I'm in a very eagar to learn mode.

K

[nickjtc]

The 550 I got is pure junk... and it simply rocks... funny how money doesn't play into the enjoyment of a scooter isn't it? 

You're absolutely right. On Monday I had misgivings going riding with friends, all on the latest and greatest.But after setting off it didn't take long to realise that two wheels is two wheels, and if you are having just as much fun as the person riding the $20,000 'bike then everything is OK with the world.

[KeithTurk]

Actually I'll bet your fun factor was greater by a significant percentage.... think about it... how much did your riding freinds know about the scooters they were on? 

As with all things in life the more I know about it the more I enjoy being around it...

Oh and don't forget that the bucks down gig makes for MANY Many pure smiles along the way

Keith

[Bar50]

I got to agree, all these chopper this and XYZ-RR that.  I like my stuff, well, because it is mine, and most of it is unique!  I was thinking about a cafe twist on the beater Cb750 I bought, but, I bet it will be more streetfighter-ish, ie. flattrack/superbike bars and a cafe seat...clubmans are a little much, and, I dont' wanna' mess with rea sets.(I like kick starting my CB, it starts easy with the points and timing set).
Welcome, from OK!

[KeithTurk]

Here's a bad pick of the back of the Honda... but it does give you a nice view of my shop and a couple of buddies triumphs..

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r261/Bones_BIR/DSC01910.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r261/Bones_BIR/DSC01908.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r261/Bones_BIR/DSC01911.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r261/Bones_BIR/DSC01915.jpg