Topic: 500 Four after waiting 38 years - North Bucks UK

[fordson_zx14]

Konichiwa Chaps,

I’m Colin & live in Milton Keynes England & sometimes Japan, been in to Hot Rods since I was 13 & saw Graffiti in 73 at the cinema every day & twice on Saturday- I’m now 48 & run a CCTV & Security Co for my sins

Aside from my works Navara truck & the wife’s Nissan Cube3, I terrorise anything locally with a spoiler and loud wireless, with a 220bhp Integra Type R powered 67 Cooper 'S' – complete with roof rack & 60’s camping gear

I’ve an Ex Hot Rod Mag '57' Pop (Anglia) in bits the last 18 years, I’m currently putting together a Kawasaki ZX1400 powered GRP '48' Fordson (Anglia Panel) so it doesn't rust as quick - sadly I’ve owned 68 Mini's in the last 37 years, and still have parts of every single one of them - currently have 6 kit cars stashed in the garage

Mid life crisis has been creeping in the last 5 years & I’m starting to panic about the amount of time it will take to get any of the others back on the road, Before I retire, emigrate or die first… Time to look for a bike..... not just any bike.... it had to be an early 70's 500/4

The Ninja Fordson should be on the road soon, - mainly as I’m not building the frame or painting it - the long term plan being to RoRo it to the USA in 09 and drive it coast to coast taking in some the major rod runs before shipping it out of LA to Japan where we’ll emigrate in 10

Just bought a low milage 74 500/4 - God bless Ebay!  Wanted one ever since I was 14

Sayanora

C.ab

[andy750]

Welcome Colin and wow what an opening line. Who hasnt seen American graffiti and wanted to be racing one of those hot rods? Too bad Im not in Oxford anymore or I would come and inspect your mega-garage esp the minis! Where are you moving to in Japan? I went there for work in 05, 06 and 07 and would move myself given the chance (or finding a job  ). Have friends in Chiba, Tokyo and Hyogo etc...do you ride there? I work in Nagoya when go visit.

cheers
Andy (in Boston, MA)

[fordson_zx14]

Hi Andy,

Thanks, I have a Japanese wife and daughter - comes in handy when ordering Honda parts out there! Hahahaha. We normally are in Fukuoka -  Kyushu - West Japan, near Nagasaki, but while they sit and chatter to granny for a month, I’m off on the Shinkansen exploring far off places with my JR rail pass all over Japan.

Next time you want to go, check out being a courier for the airlines, from UK to Narita Tokyo on British Airways just 40,000 yen - £200 - $400 return. A 2week JR Rail pass for anywhere in Japan $300

When I’m back there in a few weeks time collecting parts for my new 500/4, I'll post up some SOHC photos if I see any on my travels

Arigato gozaimas Colin

[andy750]

Hey Colin,
Ah lucky man  I was in Fukoko last year giving a lecture at the University. Very interesting experience that was and the seafood dinner afterwards was pretty amazing.

Thanks for the courier tip but for the moment Im lucky enough to ger science grants that pay my way over there. If you get up to Nagoya go and visit Yamiya - its like 5 -10 min walk from the station up a little back street - very friendly and will help if you speak Japanese (assuming that you do) -they have many SOHC K0s in there! Do a search on the Forum for Nagoya and you will see my past photos from there.

cheers
Andy

[loonymoon]

Welcome!

That mini sounds very interesting!

I had an old 1988 mini city E (bottom of the range basic as hell) 1.0litre as my first car in 2000. I loved it sooooooo much!! I'd love a proper old cooper.

[Hush]

Konish wa, put a set of pipes for my CB650PZ under your arm as you leave Nagoya next time, just tell them it's hand luggage!
My local bike wrecker here in Napier New Zealand showed me photos of acres of bike wrecks which he used to pick through and ship a couple of containers a year home.
Lucky you to be in Nippon as often as you are.

                               Welcome and cheers....Hush.

[SteveD CB500F]

Hi Colin.

I'm in Wokingham, Berks and was watching that 500/4 as well (I watch them all!)

I have two (links to my Gallery in my signature) but ride a Trident 900 and/or a Sprint 955i most days as I work in St Albans which is 50 miles around the M4/M25 each way every day. AND I still ride at weekends for fun!

Not really a car person as I have a 100k mile Focus (my wife has an SLK which is nice for sunny days)

There are a good handful of SOHCers in this part of the country, check out www.honda-sohc.co.uk for more local chat (not a competitor - more like a "sister" site)

I feel an SOHC meet in the air. Do you ever get down to the Ace?

Steve