Author Topic: Why do you not see so many SOHC's in the south ? (Read 2299 times)

dcs13 · « **on:** February 27, 2006, 05:24:58 AM »

New guy here. Looking for a early 70's SOHC honda. Seems like there are a ton more bikes in the north and east. Hardly see any here in Texas . (at least on ebay and cycle traders) Is there a reason behind this or is it just me?

Jonesy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:47:33 AM »

My guess would be the climate.

In general (not including the hard-core types who ride year-round) with the north having a shorter riding season (as opposed to the south where you can pretty much ride all year round) the bike in the north have lower mileage from being put away during the winter months and with spending less time on the road there is less chance of them being wrecked. Or, since folks in the south can ride them all year round, they want to hang on to them more, rather than see them as an item taking up a large amount of space in the garage for a portion of the year.

Just my guess.

bwaller · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2006, 07:45:48 AM »

It would be interesting to know where the largest bike sales for American Honda were made in those days. I know for example through the early to mid seventies there were more total bike sales in Quebec, than any other province in Canada, when I moved to the west coast in 76 there was only one salesman in the smaller shop where I worked, and sales were much slower than in the east.

upperlake04 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2006, 10:51:13 AM »

I have also noticed this trend watching for eBay sellers locations. Jonesy has a good point - the southern bikes have been used up. Another thought is that more people( buyers) live in the north and east. The North American population density map is from 1995 but is probably still relative.

BobbyR · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2006, 11:46:29 AM »

There was also a "Buy American" campaign going strong in those days. You would rarely see a Toyota in the South and West until the 1980's. Even today Toyota joining NASCAR is causing a stir.

grumburg · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2006, 01:51:06 PM »

We had the largest Honda dealer in America in the Akron-Cleveland area in the late 60s-early 70s. (Rick Case aka Dick Face). Had 7 stores in NE Ohio and pumped out bikes by the 1000s. That and the short season seems to make a lot of old bikes left. For some reason, Ohio/Michigan has some of the highest per capita bike registrations in the US.

Ted Nomura · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2006, 01:55:40 PM »

Quote from: dcs13 on February 27, 2006, 05:24:58 AM

New guy here. Looking for a early 70's SOHC honda. Seems like there are a ton more bikes in the north and east. Hardly see any here in Texas . (at least on ebay and cycle traders) Is there a reason behind this or is it just me?

I lived in San Antonio during the mid and late 1990s and I saw many of them, but none in true stock form. I saw more in Houston. I drove my CB1000C in San Antonio briefly but it's too dangerous for motorcycles. Too many reckless car drivers.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2006, 02:41:36 PM »

I lived in Houston in the 60's, and there were a ton of Hondas- but Houston was a prosperous city. In the southeast, things were (and still are to some degree) much more agricultural and .... less prosperous. Fewer of anything foreign. Peopl bought American cars and pick-ups because of need. When I move to North Carlolina, most people had never seen a Volvo 122S, for insantance. Now, this area is blowing up because people are moving here for the outdoor recreaction available, the cost of living is less than much of the country (so is the pay!), and with cheaper realestate and a relatively mild climate (esp with the advent of air conditioning), we're getting a lot of retirees- who are building unconscionable, oversized mansions coated with hubris as they chop up the very mountains they move here to look at. (Thus endeth the sermon).

A lot of people just get tired of them and leave them in a field to rot. And they do, too.

That said, I know a guy with one or 2 fair 500s for sale. Where are you?

Ted Nomura · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2006, 02:59:35 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Ernie on February 27, 2006, 02:41:36 PM

I lived in Houston in the 60's, and there were a ton of Hondas- but Houston was a prosperous city. In the southeast, things were (and still are to some degree) much more agricultural and .... less prosperous. Fewer of anything foreign. Peopl bought American cars and pick-ups because of need. When I move to North Carlolina, most people had never seen a Volvo 122S, for insantance. Now, this area is blowing up because people are moving here for the outdoor recreaction available, the cost of living is less than much of the country (so is the pay!), and with cheaper realestate and a relatively mild climate (esp with the advent of air conditioning), we're getting a lot of retirees- who are building unconscionable, oversized mansions coated with hubris as they chop up the very mountains they move here to look at. (Thus endeth the sermon).

A lot of people just get tired of them and leave them in a field to rot. And they do, too.

That said, I know a guy with one or 2 fair 500s for sale. Where are you?

Hey, I'm looking for Honda 500s too, if they're early CB500 Fours. Let me know if you can bring them to Vegas. Maybe we can make a deal but not now, I'm in a military and I gotta go!

dcs13 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2006, 05:32:36 AM »

I am north of dallas. I posted a wanted in the wanted section. I am a little cash poor at the moment, but have a really nice chevy motor I can trade. I am going to ebay the motor this weekend to pump up the cash.
I talked to a guy in ft worth. He had a couple of 500's. It was more of a project than I wanted. If its not the same deal, let me know. I'd be interested in a good lead

dusterdude · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2006, 05:52:55 AM »

Quote from: dcs13 on February 28, 2006, 05:32:36 AM

I am north of dallas. I posted a wanted in the wanted section. I am a little cash poor at the moment, but have a really nice chevy motor I can trade. I am going to ebay the motor this weekend to pump up the cash.
I talked to a guy in ft worth. He had a couple of 500's. It was more of a project than I wanted. If its not the same deal, let me know. I'd be interested in a good lead

nice chevy motor?,never heard of that before.

6pkrunner · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2006, 06:33:40 AM »

We have a 6 to 8 month driving season. A lot of bikes got garaged at some point and never came out of hibernation until it was time to clean out the garage, years later. Guys priorities changed over winter months and the bike would languish come spring. There were a lot of CB750s around here and they are still showing up during garage searches. A bike doesn't suck up floor space like a car so they stood a better chance of being left alone for many moons.

cb650 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2006, 07:55:47 AM »

Dusterdude its a nice boat anchor. Sorry just had too.

Terry

dusterdude · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2006, 08:10:01 AM »

ok thats it,i dont do boats so know wonder i havent heard of it before,thanks

eldar · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2006, 08:47:48 AM »

A nice chevy motor is something dadge and ford wished they could make. Will never happen of course, dodge and ford will always be second best!

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2006, 09:12:44 AM »

I've noticed, with dismay, the dearth of vintage Hondas in the South. I saw a nice 550 for sale in Dallas a while ago (I would have bought it if I had the money), but those are few and far between.

Everyone seems to want or have a Harley or a crotchrocket. If it's not one of those, forget about it.

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2006, 06:46:57 AM »

Quote from: GroovieGhoulie on February 28, 2006, 09:12:44 AM

I've noticed, with dismay, the dearth of vintage Hondas in the South. I saw a nice 550 for sale in Dallas a while ago (I would have bought it if I had the money), but those are few and far between.

Everyone seems to want or have a Harley or a crotchrocket. If it's not one of those, forget about it.

I hear you groovie, I was just thinking the other day, (in Arkansas) I never see an old Honda four or even a twin! Instead, I see Harleys, Custom H-D powered bikes, Sport bikes and Late model Gold Wings and such. I mean, some of these bikes have more moneys in accessories than I have in mine! Not to mention the initial cost of the bike its self! If we had the kind of money that is spent on those bikes, our bank accounts would have money to spare. I know that not everybody can work on their own bike but,
with the rising cost of these new bikes being as much as & more that I spend on a 4 wheel vehicle. I just couldn't justify that, even if I wanted to. Oh well, if everybody started buying old Hondas and fixing them up, our parts would cost more and be harder to find. Guess there's an up side to it but, it would be nice to see another one now and then. Better go. Later on, Bill

ledbetter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:20:23 PM »

I see lots of old bike's around mostly hondas and Kawies.
Have allso seen a lot of cb's around here(Birmingham,Alabama).
Thay my be few and far between in other parts of the south but not here.

Lee

scott_cb650 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2006, 07:50:03 AM »

I've lived in Texas, south east of Houston, all of my 42 years so far.
I remember a few Honda's in the late 70's but when then oil crunch hit everyone when "buy American".

Also most of the bubba types I know want the biggest and loudest, if not the fastest, bikes they can get.
It's kinda like the old big block Chevys. You put a rice burner next to it and Bubba is going to take the big block every time.

The few SOHCs I've seen around are really tore up.

Dave Wyatt · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2006, 12:41:50 PM »

Quote from: 6pkrunner on February 28, 2006, 06:33:40 AM

We have a 6 to 8 month driving season. A lot of bikes got garaged at some point and never came out of hibernation until it was time to clean out the garage, years later. Guys priorities changed over winter months and the bike would languish come spring. There were a lot of CB750s around here and they are still showing up during garage searches. A bike doesn't suck up floor space like a car so they stood a better chance of being left alone for many moons.

That was the fate of my Hondamatic up til '95 when the owner decided to clean out the garage. The bike had 6,000 miles at the time. I rode it for a while and sold it the same year. It then gathered dust and 500 miles till I bought it back in 2000 or 2001

Just seems to be the way things are further north. Other bikes, including old Goldwings have suffered the same fate as well. It's now got 23,000, I don't let it set long.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2006, 08:27:05 PM »

Since reading this, I've begun to notice more. There seem to be quite a few 350s around here, a friend has a 400 also, and we put a pretty nice 500 up for sale this week. ?

bill440cars · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2006, 08:39:18 PM »

If there are any of them around where I live, they're either parked in shops, garages or whatever,
cause you just don't see them. It's a shame too because they were built to run not sit shut up somewhere! Excuse me but, if these bikes are to be appreciated (by those who don't know what they are) then, they need to be riden. I just hate to see classics of any kind just sitting and looking pretty, they should be out there. Well, I've gripped enough (probably more than enough)so, I'm gone.
Later on, Bill

74cb750 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 04, 2006, 07:15:56 PM »

I see all kinds of SOHC's here in the South...south Vermont
that is

I think you guys are right, most of the 8 cb750's I've had were in barns, garages etc etc that a tourist bought to "renovate"
and wanted to empty out the "junk" :-)
peace

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Author Topic: Why do you not see so many SOHC's in the south ? (Read 2299 times)

dcs13

upperlake04

dcs13

eldar

ledbetter