Topic: Just how many bikes does one guys need

[ElCheapo]

  First I must say that it all started with the 75 CB 750 four that I still ride. Right now the bike collection seems to have gotten out of hand... I think. I like to ride each and every one of them but they are a pain in the arse to jocky around when I have to.

In the picture

first in line 84 Honda CB 450 Night Hawk
next 82 Honda CX 500
next 85 Suzuki Madura 700 V-four
next the beloved 75 CB 750 Four
next 80 Suzuki GN 400 X
and lastly a new purchase a 1985 Kawasaki KZ400 twin

Only 3 are really mine right now. The nighthawk is going to be my daughters bike. The Suzuki sold on eBay. And the Madura is due to close today on eBay. I did have more until I sold one yesterday. Only one bike in the line I paid more than $150 for. The Nighthawk was $60, but it was laying in a field in manure. Lucky me it runs. It took about 15 washing to get rid of the hot manure smell on the bike.

[mick750F]

   From what I can tell you always need at least one more than you have. I'm always looking for one although I can't really afford another right now, don't have the space, and barely have the time for the one I have now.   

Mike

[6pkrunner]

As long as I can find good deals on them I'll get them. I've passed up deals on other things in the past only to find out years later they are either gone or cost so much they are beyond reasonable grasp. I've got 11 right now and there's a deal coming up on 2 more that I will not say no to.

[ElCheapo]

Yea I agree on the always needing one more. My wife says you guys are only encourging me. 

[Dennis]

Yea I agree on the always needing one more. My wife says you guys are only encourging me.

 

So, why did you let her know that you asked us?   

[ElCheapo]

It's all in good fun. I have been able to turn this bike obsession into a decent income so it's all good.

[Dennis]

It's all in good fun. I have been able to turn this bike obsession into a decent income so it's all good.

 

I'm sure that you knew that I was just kidding also.

It's good that you are making some money from them. Wish I could a supply at the prices you are paying.

[ElCheapo]

Really it seems that they are hiding just about everywhere I go. Running an ad in your local paper might give you surprising results. The $150 bikes will just come out of the wood work. That's how I managed to find most of these.....

[Dennis]

.....  Running an ad in your local paper might give you surprising results. The $150 bikes will just come out of the wood work. That's how I managed to find most of these.....

VERY INTERESTING ...........

I may find the need (and the time to do it) for a little extra cash over the winter, thanks!

[Dennis]

By next year I'll have two bikes. One new one to actually ride, and my SOHC to work on.

 

Come on Skylar .......
        you have to start riding that SOHC!!   "I" spent too much time on it!!   

[Dennis]

Hey Dennis-

I rode it every day the last week BTW

Loud, fast, ugly, but at the same time terrifically stylish

That's what I've been waiting to hear.

"Loud, fast, ugly, but at the same time terrifically stylish" 
Sounds good to me!   

[Mark M]

A guy I met at a bike rally in France told me a little story.
He was sitting arround the table with his family one morning having breakfast. His wife starts the conversation about having too many bikes. "but you have got too many" she states " how can you say you need all three" at this point his daughter pipes up "but he hasn't got three....I was in the garage yesterday....he's got thirteen!" ooooooooooops .......busted!

[mcpuffett]

i've got 3 and a half at the moment a 76 f1 and a 78 f1 and my newly registered 70 ko and half of a k7  mick.

[74cb750]

My wife said I could have more than one a while back....as long as she can't see them. Well a few years later, I almost have the 15 out of the back yard, the 7 on the side yard..... and the rest are hidden behind barbed wire fence, barnyard dog and hidden heat-sensitive infared activated modified Sparrow missles. Now if I could only get one to run properly I would be happy.
be weell,
michel

[Mark M]

Ahhhh wellll if were going to get into 'potential' bikes, meaning "I've almost got enough parts (or I'm almost bidding on enough parts) to build a rolling chassis and then I could.........."  kind of thing.

So how much of a bike makes a bike, do we go by weight...significant parts like engine/frame etc. Do we go by documents, just what is the measure of 'a bike'.

Or is it dictated by who you are talking to/being interogated by. Less for the wife/authorities and more down the pub?

Or do we only count those that will realisticaly be rebuilt, don't forget the only easy rebuild is that one you are planning, not the one you are undergoing.

[mick750F]

Ahhhh wellll if were going to get into 'potential' bikes, meaning "I've almost got enough parts (or I'm almost bidding on enough parts) to build a rolling chassis and then I could.........."  kind of thing.

So how much of a bike makes a bike, do we go by weight...significant parts like engine/frame etc. Do we go by documents, just what is the measure of 'a bike'.

Or is it dictated by who you are talking to/being interogated by. Less for the wife/authorities and more down the pub?

Or do we only count those that will realisticaly be rebuilt, don't forget the only easy rebuild is that one you are planning, not the one you are undergoing.

   I'd say that a rolling chassis with engine, it doesn't have to be in, would be a minimum. Or a complete bike in parts. Or enough parts to build a bike. Or a build in process with parts being sought...ummm yeah, it depends on who you're talking to.

Mike 

[78 k550]

I have 9 bike's.
3 Honda's   
6 Bultaco's. 

Paul

[TwoTired]

I wonder just how many can actually justify a "need" for a motorcycle.
Bear in mind I view a need as quite different from a "want".  With 11 motorcycles on property (half of them projects in waiting), I certainly want all of them and a few more.  

The only "need" I can come up with is an economic one at the moment.  They are way cheaper in repair costs, MPG, time spent in transit, insurance, registration, and taxes, than any of the rolling cages I have.

So, do you think the need is phsycological or physical?

I need air to breathe, water,etc.
I want motocycles/hobbies to help keep life interesting, and mental faculties closer to sane.

Then again, sane standards are so subjective.  There are those that think gang banging is normal and 11 motorcycles is insane.

And the jury says....

[Bob Wessner]

And the jury says....

Your Honor, try as we might, we cannot come to a verdict. 

[ElCheapo]

Sex is a need so another bike is a NEED

[Kevin D]

My testimony:

         I have one, only one, and it's all i've ever needed or wanted. What makes it so is that it's the RIGHT one for me.





         (Can I please borrow your dirt bike sometime?)

[Uncle Ernie]

I didn't get married 'till I was about ...late 40's (my age, not the year!). She knew what I was about before we got married- she doesn't say anything about my bikes, and I don't complain about her junk (aka "antiques"). She does joke that I buy high and sell low. Only problem is- she's right.
I insist that my bikes run well; 2 are being re-worked now.

[ElCheapo]

quote:
My testimony:

         I have one, only one, and it's all i've ever needed or wanted. What makes it so is that it's the RIGHT one for me.


Bike or Partner??

[bryanj]

Hey Ernie I will be getting hitched next year for the first time, Me 53 balding and overweight Her 30 and gorgeous. You just never can tell--Oh yeh She bought me the basics of No 36 for my 50th birthday lasy time in the US Jan 2003 when Nasa Lit me one heluva candle just sorry it came down in parts with all those good people gone. Still they was doing what they loved and so are we with these Hondas.

[Uncle Ernie]

Yeah, I don't trust my wife's sanity, either...

[Kixx007]

I only have one bike. I'd like to pick up a few more SOHC/4's.  Want to see someone with alot of bikes.  Check out oldman hondas collection. http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/MC.html
He is my idol.

[n9viw]

I'm with Mick- how many do you need? "More."
I have four- three are SOHC's, but only two are SOHC4's- the '76 CB550 and the '73 CB750. The '81 is a SR250 Yamaha thumper. The fourth is the most recent, an '83 CB550 Nighthawk DOHC, which will have front end damage repaired and then will get sold to a buddy of mine as his first ride.

[GoatBaSS]

I liken it to another obsession of mine, Guitars/Basses. You have to have one that can cover what you want and need to do with it, then you have the tools, toys, and projects that cover the style, and create the image and the feel that you want. So one working at any one time, one project that must fester (age) at the proper rate for idea/part aquisition, a friends bike in a stage of repair and any where from one to seven others ready at a moments/nights notice. Gotta go play! See ya soon. L

[ElCheapo]

YEA... Exactly what he said. 

[GoatBaSS]

Keeps you gessin' don'ut.

[Killer Canary]

GoatbaSS, I have a 79ish Rickenbacker 4001; are they worth anything anymore?
(thread hi-jack, sorry)

[GoatBaSS]

Yup! If it is in good shape you should be able to kick out 750$ on up depending on the usual paramaters, and 750 is low! They really do keep the value. And not many in circulation, at least aroun' these parts.

[Killer Canary]

I played it in northern Saskatchewan/Manitoba bars for 13 years, it deflected a few bottles; could use a re-finish, so could I, though.
The PO fell off the stage with it and played drums with it a few times, too.
Motorcycles are one hell of a lot safer.

[Col. Alpha Male]

  I think I have you all beat! I have 21 cb750, SOHCs right now & will buy another tonight. I will post picure when I get it. Also I live In NYS & drive a bike 12 months of the year. Getting an old school chopper with an amen savior frame, COOL springer, chrome mags, hurst disc brakes & a 78 engine. Col. Alpha Male

[Geeto67]

I think I have you all beat! I have 21 cb750, SOHCs right now & will buy another tonight. I will post picure when I get it. Also I live In NYS & drive a bike 12 months of the year. Getting an old school chopper with an amen savior frame, COOL springer, chrome mags, hurst disc brakes & a 78 engine. Col. Alpha Male

Must be something in the New York Water as I have 14 bikes right now in various condition and I can't seem to stop buying.

1965 Honda ca77 dream
1971 T500 Titan
1973 kawasaki h1 500
1974 cb550 with an amen ridig frame and springer
1974 kawasaki h1 500
1975 cb750K
1975 kawasaki h1 500
1976 cb750F supersport
1976 kawasaki kh500
1978 Cb750F
2 1974 Suzuki GT380s
1979 Cb750F
1976 Kawasaki kz400

Out of that list the running bikes are:  2 of the cb750s (75 and 78), the T500, the 74 h1, 76 KH500, the 74 chopper. The GT380s and kz400 are complete and for sale so I can buy more honda and kawasaki stuff.  The rest are either in the middle of a resto or are in storage awaiting their turn. One of them may be destined to be a parts bike.

Alpha Male, where are you in NYS. I am in NYC and I thought I knew all the hardcore 12 month honda riders in the city. 

[Col. Alpha Male]

In reply to a question. No all 22 are not running. 5 are up & running, the rest are parts or future projects. Running are a '76' settup to tour (trunk & saddle bags, KG if you remember them, vetter fairing w/ radio), a '73' setup as a dual porpose scrambler (dirt bike handle bars, longer forks, longer shocks, big rear sprocket, very short drag pipes), a '75' mostly original F0, a '73' setup with racked triple trees to stretch it out, & lastly a '78' engine in an amen savior frame, full chopper.