Author Topic: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?  (Read 9014 times)

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Offline Gene

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #50 on: December 27, 2016, 04:41:39 PM »
Not much story here - I was surrounded by Honda's as a kid.  The only person in my family to ride was an Uncle who had a big old Hog.  Electra-Glide I believe.  My folks didn't want me to ride but I'd grab my friend's Trail 70, Later a franken-"boonie"-bike made from spare parts, and then later his Yamaha 250.  My first bike was a Harley 100 - Baja edition (AMF era).  It cost 50 bucks and I rode the snot out of it from 13-16 years old. But, before I was allowed to buy it and ride, my Mother, the ER Nurse, had me come visit her at the hospital and have a good look at what can happen in a motorcycle accident. I don't hold it against her at all - good lesson - FOR SOMEONE OLD ENOUGH TO CARE ;D I was a kid and didn't think twice about it. She did make me get a helmet though.

After that another friend got a Honda 350.  He let me ride it a few times - I was 16-17 years old - and I fell for it. First street bike was a 360 twin that was given to me by a friend moving away.  That got stolen.  Then I picked up a 77 550 and wrecked that on the freeway.  Took 25 years off of riding - then my wife said she wanted a scooter.  Somehow we ended up with another 360 twin, then a 550 again, and now a 750.

Actually starting to wonder about the old Goldwings . . .
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #51 on: December 27, 2016, 05:54:19 PM »
Nobody in my family really had a history of riding -- my older brother had a CB360 when he was in the navy from 77-81. I had a CB150 for a year or so when I was 17, and that got the hook in me. Then in 1991 I got a Cb550 for $250. Kerker 4-1, jetted, crazy fairing, nice shocks -- I bought it off a friend who bought it off of the original owner, who used it to travel from Seattle to Eastern Washington once a year. I've owned it ever since -- I live in AZ now and have since 1997 (with jaunts in Indonesia from 2005-7 and Boston and NY 2013-16) -- but leave it parked at my dad's and ride it when I visit at Xmas (weather permitting) and summer. But I got bit by the bug pretty hard. I bought a CB350F my first year in AZ, and found that bikes there (at least back then) were cheap ad plentiful. I learned how to tune and work on them, and over time I've probably owned 4-5 CB750s, 10-12 CB550s, 5-6 CB400Fs, 10 or so CB350Fs, 3-4 Cb160s, a couple CL160s, a CB200, a CB400 Hawk, a CB77, and a bunch of non-Hondas (have a KZ400, Suzuki T200 now). I've also helped tons of friends work on and tune their bikes.

Still have the 350F and the CB550. Ride the CB550 to Oregon every summer, thing runs strong.

Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #52 on: December 27, 2016, 06:54:07 PM »

Actually starting to wonder about the old Goldwings . . .

Jump on in to the OldWing pool Gene, the water is fine!  Another bullet-proof Honda product that stands the test of time.
« Last Edit: December 27, 2016, 07:40:36 PM by OldSchool_IsCool »
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #53 on: December 27, 2016, 07:40:56 PM »
Not much story here - I was surrounded by Honda's as a kid.  The only person in my family to ride was an Uncle who had a big old Hog.  Electra-Glide I believe.  My folks didn't want me to ride but I'd grab my friend's Trail 70, Later a franken-"boonie"-bike made from spare parts, and then later his Yamaha 250.  My first bike was a Harley 100 - Baja edition (AMF era).  It cost 50 bucks and I rode the snot out of it from 13-16 years old. But, before I was allowed to buy it and ride, my Mother, the ER Nurse, had me come visit her at the hospital and have a good look at what can happen in a motorcycle accident. I don't hold it against her at all - good lesson - FOR SOMEONE OLD ENOUGH TO CARE ;D I was a kid and didn't think twice about it. She did make me get a helmet though.

After that another friend got a Honda 350.  He let me ride it a few times - I was 16-17 years old - and I fell for it. First street bike was a 360 twin that was given to me by a friend moving away.  That got stolen.  Then I picked up a 77 550 and wrecked that on the freeway.  Took 25 years off of riding - then my wife said she wanted a scooter.  Somehow we ended up with another 360 twin, then a 550 again, and now a 750.

Actually starting to wonder about the old Goldwings . . .

          Pretty cool story, for it not to be much of one. I've never had any dealing with the 360, but am sure that it was a fine ride though. So, about the Goldwings.... Any prospects?

        Thank you, for sharing here.  ;)
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #54 on: December 27, 2016, 07:43:29 PM »
Nobody in my family really had a history of riding -- my older brother had a CB360 when he was in the navy from 77-81. I had a CB150 for a year or so when I was 17, and that got the hook in me. Then in 1991 I got a Cb550 for $250. Kerker 4-1, jetted, crazy fairing, nice shocks -- I bought it off a friend who bought it off of the original owner, who used it to travel from Seattle to Eastern Washington once a year. I've owned it ever since -- I live in AZ now and have since 1997 (with jaunts in Indonesia from 2005-7 and Boston and NY 2013-16) -- but leave it parked at my dad's and ride it when I visit at Xmas (weather permitting) and summer. But I got bit by the bug pretty hard. I bought a CB350F my first year in AZ, and found that bikes there (at least back then) were cheap ad plentiful. I learned how to tune and work on them, and over time I've probably owned 4-5 CB750s, 10-12 CB550s, 5-6 CB400Fs, 10 or so CB350Fs, 3-4 Cb160s, a couple CL160s, a CB200, a CB400 Hawk, a CB77, and a bunch of non-Hondas (have a KZ400, Suzuki T200 now). I've also helped tons of friends work on and tune their bikes.

Still have the 350F and the CB550. Ride the CB550 to Oregon every summer, thing runs strong.
   Nice One, Thank you for sharing your story. Good variety there too.  ;)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #55 on: December 27, 2016, 07:49:35 PM »

Actually starting to wonder about the old Goldwings . . .

Jump on in to the OldWing pool Gene, the water is fine!  Another bullet-proof Honda product that stands the test of time.

           Absolutely right, the Wings are pretty cool too.  I have seen some pretty cool Wings and a friend on here, Kghost had a mighty cool one that I have posted a photo of and wish I could have been the one to buy it, when he put it up for sale. But just wasn't to be. 
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
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Offline rickman750

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #56 on: December 27, 2016, 10:07:42 PM »
When I was about 6 or 7 my older brother drew some geometry lines on a leading link DKW on the cover of a Two Wheels magazine. From that, he and my Dad built a mini bike with a 125 Victa motor. Of course older brother, me, and younger brother rode it into the ground, but not before we'd built several more for the neighbourhood kids. From there I moved to a '48 side valve BSA ($30) with knobbies, then I bought a much abused DT1. I rebuilt and undercut the gearbox in that DT1 many times. At seventeen I bought a used XL250 as my primary form of bush transport, and also bought a (non-runner) '64 850 mini for the road. I got rid of the XL and bought a '73 RD350 that hadn't seen much love the same year I got married ('78). I still have the 350.
After a long lay-off, I bought 73 Rickman CR750 which was in need of loving. That love consisted of obtaining as many CB750 bits as I could. So... rebuilt the Rickman in 2000, sold off a LOT of parts, but kept enough to build a k2, pranged the CR in 2010, built the K2 in 2014. Started competing in vintage enduros on a borrowed '79 IT175. Rebuilt and campaigned an '84 TS 250X as my vinduro weapon of choice from 2015. Still building my RD cafe bike.

Strange as it may seem, I lean towards Yamaha. Its a matter of availability at the time that I ride a K2 and a TS right now.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #57 on: December 28, 2016, 05:35:56 AM »
Gene,
I think it was caring of your Mother to have you come in to the Hospital to have a look at what can happen in case it goes down,kind'a 'scared straight' in a way.I imagine it helped you be a more careful rider.
I need to keep more aware of what's covering the road surface myself so I make the necessary adjustments in-time..  ;)
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  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Gene

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #58 on: December 28, 2016, 09:24:18 AM »
Gene,
I think it was caring of your Mother to have you come in to the Hospital to have a look at what can happen in case it goes down,kind'a 'scared straight' in a way.I imagine it helped you be a more careful rider.
I need to keep more aware of what's covering the road surface myself so I make the necessary adjustments in-time..  ;)

I agree.  All said, we humans are fairly fragile.
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #59 on: December 28, 2016, 10:33:05 AM »
When I was about 6 or 7 my older brother drew some geometry lines on a leading link DKW on the cover of a Two Wheels magazine. From that, he and my Dad built a mini bike with a 125 Victa motor. Of course older brother, me, and younger brother rode it into the ground, but not before we'd built several more for the neighbourhood kids. From there I moved to a '48 side valve BSA ($30) with knobbies, then I bought a much abused DT1. I rebuilt and undercut the gearbox in that DT1 many times. At seventeen I bought a used XL250 as my primary form of bush transport, and also bought a (non-runner) '64 850 mini for the road. I got rid of the XL and bought a '73 RD350 that hadn't seen much love the same year I got married ('78). I still have the 350.
After a long lay-off, I bought 73 Rickman CR750 which was in need of loving. That love consisted of obtaining as many CB750 bits as I could. So... rebuilt the Rickman in 2000, sold off a LOT of parts, but kept enough to build a k2, pranged the CR in 2010, built the K2 in 2014. Started competing in vintage enduros on a borrowed '79 IT175. Rebuilt and campaigned an '84 TS 250X as my vinduro weapon of choice from 2015. Still building my RD cafe bike.

Strange as it may seem, I lean towards Yamaha. Its a matter of availability at the time that I ride a K2 and a TS right now.


           Pretty cool, you all were getting & building some pretty cool rides. Many times, later on in my life, I wish I had done more, after that round of putting my first motorcycle together. And I wish I had stepped back, at some time and made some changes to the Jawa, but I built it just like it came from the factory and left it that way.   
                                                                                 Thank you for posting, very interesting story.  ;)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #60 on: December 28, 2016, 10:50:13 AM »

        A perfect time for me to have made some changes to the 125 Jawa I built from parts, would have been, when I wrecked it. Well, it wasn't my fault though, as I had just gotten out of school for the day and was headed over to see my girlfriend (who went to another high school). Next thing I knew, I briefly remember seeing a huge '53 or so, Buick coming at me, from the left, at an angle. Seems I was at an intersection and this guy in the Buick thought he could make his turn, before I got there. Wrong!! I hit the right side of the front of his car and with him in motion of making the turn, it caused me to go over his right front fender and land on the pavement. Totaled my poor Jawa. But, as luck would have it, I escaped with a badly sprained right ankle (my right foot hit the grill of the Buick (ever see the grille of those period of Buicks? Lotta metal there.), 2 skinned elbows and a gouge in my right thigh, from the throttle adjustment screw. Sure glad it didn't total me.  ;) But I wasn't going that fast, by the time I hit the Buick and he wasn't going that fast either. So, when I was able, I go back to my Granddad's shop and my Dad tells me that I can use whatever I need, from another Jawa 125 that my Granddad took as a trade in. As I thought about it, later on, That would have been the perfect time, to have made some changes to my motorcycle. But, just like the first time, I built it back stock. Have to say one thing, with me building that Jawa, whenever I had an issue with it, if I couldn't get it running, I would push it home. I never left that motorcycle anywhere. 
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #61 on: December 28, 2016, 10:56:12 AM »
Gene,
I think it was caring of your Mother to have you come in to the Hospital to have a look at what can happen in case it goes down,kind'a 'scared straight' in a way.I imagine it helped you be a more careful rider.
I need to keep more aware of what's covering the road surface myself so I make the necessary adjustments in-time..  ;)

           Yeah, parents usually try to do whatever they think will best get their kids aware of possibilities (in the case, what the results of a motorcycle accident) can cause. 
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline grcamna2

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #62 on: December 28, 2016, 11:02:14 AM »
Bill,
Good thing how you got through that accident w/ the Buick when you were a kid,those things are TANKS and it could have easily crushed you;you had a few angels on your shoulder that day.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline martin99

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #63 on: December 28, 2016, 11:53:18 AM »
When I was around 17 most of my friends and I were hooning  around on 250s, the 'largest' capacity bike you were permitted to ride over here without taking your driving test. There was a mixture of bikes, several Honda G5s, Yam RDs, and my own Suzuki Hustler. Then, horror upon horrors, the Guvment moved the goalposts and reduced the limit to 125. It was like being castrated to us lot, so we all bought up 125s to take our tests, so we could get back on the 'big' bikes as soon as possible.

The first 125 to come my way, and that I could afford, was an old CB. I think it's fair to say it was knackered, but with a bit (lot) of regular fettling I managed to get some miles on it while I waited for my test day to arrive. On the morning of the test, it broke, flatly refusing to start. Panicking, and with no desire to wait another six weeks to take my test, I hired a brand new Yamaha 125 trials thingy from the local bike shop to take the test that afternoon. What I didn't know was that the ignition key had to be set in the second position for the lights and indicators to work. So with the examiner watching me, I completely lost it doing the left turn/right turn procedures at the junction, had a near miss with a car who didn't have a clue where I was intending to go, and I failed the test epically

Riding back to the shop on the Yam, and feeling ever so slightly pissed off, a Red Setter ran out between two parked cars straight across my path. I was doing around 40, hit the dog side-on and over the handlebars I went. I can vividly remember the brief moment when, lying in the road wondering why my right leg wouldn't work and when the next passing vehicle would run over my head, I peered up to see said dog merrily trotting up the road. Thankfully nothing else hit me, an ambulance arrived (which I was later billed for - good old NHS), and I learned I had escaped with nothing more than two grazed kneecaps and a broken ankle. Oh, and they had to cut off my Levis, which were brand new and I had been wearing for the first time that day.

An enforced lay-off ensued, during which time I rebuilt the old CB125, eventually passing my test on it a few months later. :)
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Offline Gene

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #64 on: December 28, 2016, 12:01:53 PM »
When I was around 17 most of my friends and I were hooning  around on 250s, the 'largest' capacity bike you were permitted to ride over here without taking your driving test. There was a mixture of bikes, several Honda G5s, Yam RDs, and my own Suzuki Hustler. Then, horror upon horrors, the Guvment moved the goalposts and reduced the limit to 125. It was like being castrated to us lot, so we all bought up 125s to take our tests, so we could get back on the 'big' bikes as soon as possible.

The first 125 to come my way, and that I could afford, was an old CB. I think it's fair to say it was knackered, but with a bit (lot) of regular fettling I managed to get some miles on it while I waited for my test day to arrive. On the morning of the test, it broke, flatly refusing to start. Panicking, and with no desire to wait another six weeks to take my test, I hired a brand new Yamaha 125 trials thingy from the local bike shop to take the test that afternoon. What I didn't know was that the ignition key had to be set in the second position for the lights and indicators to work. So with the examiner watching me, I completely lost it doing the left turn/right turn procedures at the junction, had a near miss with a car who didn't have a clue where I was intending to go, and I failed the test epically

Riding back to the shop on the Yam, and feeling ever so slightly pissed off, a Red Setter ran out between two parked cars straight across my path. I was doing around 40, hit the dog side-on and over the handlebars I went. I can vividly remember the brief moment when, lying in the road wondering why my right leg wouldn't work and when the next passing vehicle would run over my head, I peered up to see said dog merrily trotting up the road. Thankfully nothing else hit me, an ambulance arrived (which I was later billed for - good old NHS), and I learned I had escaped with nothing more than two grazed kneecaps and a broken ankle. Oh, and they had to cut off my Levis, which were brand new and I had been wearing for the first time that day.

An enforced lay-off ensued, during which time I rebuilt the old CB125, eventually passing my test on it a few months later. :)

Great story  8)
*1973 CB750K3 (Bow)

Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #65 on: December 28, 2016, 12:26:49 PM »
Bill,
Good thing how you got through that accident w/ the Buick when you were a kid,those things are TANKS and it could have easily crushed you;you had a few angels on your shoulder that day.

           Yeah Bill, you are right, those old Buicks were huge and cars back then, were made with pure solid metal. that grille was the type that had, what we call "Teeth" and a lot of them. my right foot hit that grille and I was told I knocked several of those "Teeth" out of that grille, with my foot. Fortunate that I didn't break anything. My Mom like to had a hemorrhage, when she was told about the accident. But, she also could not believe it, when I told her that someone, at the scene, asked me if I needed anything and I said "I could use a coke" (the accident happened at an intersection with a small laundry mat on one corner and I knew they had a coke machine.  ;D What could I say, I was thirsty.  ;)   When my Dad heard about my request for a coke, he just shook his head (Later, he told me that it sounded like something he would have asked for, as well.) Anyway, I knew I was very fortunate, the way it turned out, after hitting that "tank" of a Buick. And I was definitely took care of that day, by the Good Lord.  :) 
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #66 on: December 28, 2016, 12:28:42 PM »
When I was around 17 most of my friends and I were hooning  around on 250s, the 'largest' capacity bike you were permitted to ride over here without taking your driving test. There was a mixture of bikes, several Honda G5s, Yam RDs, and my own Suzuki Hustler. Then, horror upon horrors, the Guvment moved the goalposts and reduced the limit to 125. It was like being castrated to us lot, so we all bought up 125s to take our tests, so we could get back on the 'big' bikes as soon as possible.

The first 125 to come my way, and that I could afford, was an old CB. I think it's fair to say it was knackered, but with a bit (lot) of regular fettling I managed to get some miles on it while I waited for my test day to arrive. On the morning of the test, it broke, flatly refusing to start. Panicking, and with no desire to wait another six weeks to take my test, I hired a brand new Yamaha 125 trials thingy from the local bike shop to take the test that afternoon. What I didn't know was that the ignition key had to be set in the second position for the lights and indicators to work. So with the examiner watching me, I completely lost it doing the left turn/right turn procedures at the junction, had a near miss with a car who didn't have a clue where I was intending to go, and I failed the test epically

Riding back to the shop on the Yam, and feeling ever so slightly pissed off, a Red Setter ran out between two parked cars straight across my path. I was doing around 40, hit the dog side-on and over the handlebars I went. I can vividly remember the brief moment when, lying in the road wondering why my right leg wouldn't work and when the next passing vehicle would run over my head, I peered up to see said dog merrily trotting up the road. Thankfully nothing else hit me, an ambulance arrived (which I was later billed for - good old NHS), and I learned I had escaped with nothing more than two grazed kneecaps and a broken ankle. Oh, and they had to cut off my Levis, which were brand new and I had been wearing for the first time that day.

An enforced lay-off ensued, during which time I rebuilt the old CB125, eventually passing my test on it a few months later. :)
 
  I agree with Gen, Definitely a great story and Thanks so much for posting.  ;)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
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Offline martin99

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #67 on: December 28, 2016, 01:02:27 PM »
When I was around 17 most of my friends and I were hooning  around on 250s, the 'largest' capacity bike you were permitted to ride over here without taking your driving test. There was a mixture of bikes, several Honda G5s, Yam RDs, and my own Suzuki Hustler. Then, horror upon horrors, the Guvment moved the goalposts and reduced the limit to 125. It was like being castrated to us lot, so we all bought up 125s to take our tests, so we could get back on the 'big' bikes as soon as possible.

The first 125 to come my way, and that I could afford, was an old CB. I think it's fair to say it was knackered, but with a bit (lot) of regular fettling I managed to get some miles on it while I waited for my test day to arrive. On the morning of the test, it broke, flatly refusing to start. Panicking, and with no desire to wait another six weeks to take my test, I hired a brand new Yamaha 125 trials thingy from the local bike shop to take the test that afternoon. What I didn't know was that the ignition key had to be set in the second position for the lights and indicators to work. So with the examiner watching me, I completely lost it doing the left turn/right turn procedures at the junction, had a near miss with a car who didn't have a clue where I was intending to go, and I failed the test epically

Riding back to the shop on the Yam, and feeling ever so slightly pissed off, a Red Setter ran out between two parked cars straight across my path. I was doing around 40, hit the dog side-on and over the handlebars I went. I can vividly remember the brief moment when, lying in the road wondering why my right leg wouldn't work and when the next passing vehicle would run over my head, I peered up to see said dog merrily trotting up the road. Thankfully nothing else hit me, an ambulance arrived (which I was later billed for - good old NHS), and I learned I had escaped with nothing more than two grazed kneecaps and a broken ankle. Oh, and they had to cut off my Levis, which were brand new and I had been wearing for the first time that day.

An enforced lay-off ensued, during which time I rebuilt the old CB125, eventually passing my test on it a few months later. :)
 
  I agree with Gen, Definitely a great story and Thanks so much for posting.  ;)

No problem, I got over the embarrassment a long time ago. Definitely one of those days when I should have just stayed in bed! ;D
Build threads:
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1977 CB750 F2
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2011 Triumph Street Triple 675

Offline Stev-o

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #68 on: December 28, 2016, 01:38:29 PM »
When I was around 17 most of my friends and I were hooning  around on 250s, the 'largest' capacity bike you were permitted to ride over here without taking your driving test. There was a mixture of bikes, several Honda G5s, Yam RDs, and my own Suzuki Hustler. Then, horror upon horrors, the Guvment moved the goalposts and reduced the limit to 125. It was like being castrated to us lot, so we all bought up 125s to take our tests, so we could get back on the 'big' bikes as soon as possible.

The first 125 to come my way, and that I could afford, was an old CB. I think it's fair to say it was knackered, but with a bit (lot) of regular fettling I managed to get some miles on it while I waited for my test day to arrive. On the morning of the test, it broke, flatly refusing to start. Panicking, and with no desire to wait another six weeks to take my test, I hired a brand new Yamaha 125 trials thingy from the local bike shop to take the test that afternoon. What I didn't know was that the ignition key had to be set in the second position for the lights and indicators to work. So with the examiner watching me, I completely lost it doing the left turn/right turn procedures at the junction, had a near miss with a car who didn't have a clue where I was intending to go, and I failed the test epically

Riding back to the shop on the Yam, and feeling ever so slightly pissed off, a Red Setter ran out between two parked cars straight across my path. I was doing around 40, hit the dog side-on and over the handlebars I went. I can vividly remember the brief moment when, lying in the road wondering why my right leg wouldn't work and when the next passing vehicle would run over my head, I peered up to see said dog merrily trotting up the road. Thankfully nothing else hit me, an ambulance arrived (which I was later billed for - good old NHS), and I learned I had escaped with nothing more than two grazed kneecaps and a broken ankle. Oh, and they had to cut off my Levis, which were brand new and I had been wearing for the first time that day.

An enforced lay-off ensued, during which time I rebuilt the old CB125, eventually passing my test on it a few months later. :)
 
  I agree with Gen, Definitely a great story and Thanks so much for posting.  ;)

No problem, I got over the embarrassment a long time ago. Definitely one of those days when I should have just stayed in bed! ;D

+1 great story, Martin!  We'll all had one of those days.

BTW - my first motorcycle was the Suzi X6 Hustler too.   That little 250 ran great and would top out at 100 mph.  I'd like to buy another....
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grcamna2

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #69 on: December 28, 2016, 01:52:56 PM »
Stev-o,
I saw an X6 Hustler for sale on CL in E.PA. at the beginning of this yr. for less than 2K($1700 obo)in nice,complete clean overall shape but w/ no title... be we know about the folks in VT.  ;) if I see another one should I get in touch w/ you?
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  I love the small ones too !
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Offline kslrr

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #70 on: December 28, 2016, 01:56:56 PM »
Well, in 1974 my dad, probably against my mom's suggestion, put together a dual purpose street/trail bike out of a 1964 Yamaha Y6(?) with the help of a neighbor.  Then a year later he got himself a real nice, used CB550.  From then on I was hooked; CL175, CB350F, CB650C......


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Now  1972 CB350FX (experimental v2.0)
        1981 CB650c Custom with '79 engine (wifes)
        1981 CB650 engine
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        1977 Yamaha XS750D (in progress)
Then 1972 CL175
        1964 Yamaha YGS-1T
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #71 on: December 28, 2016, 09:48:49 PM »
When I was around 17 most of my friends and I were hooning  around on 250s, the 'largest' capacity bike you were permitted to ride over here without taking your driving test. There was a mixture of bikes, several Honda G5s, Yam RDs, and my own Suzuki Hustler. Then, horror upon horrors, the Guvment moved the goalposts and reduced the limit to 125. It was like being castrated to us lot, so we all bought up 125s to take our tests, so we could get back on the 'big' bikes as soon as possible.

The first 125 to come my way, and that I could afford, was an old CB. I think it's fair to say it was knackered, but with a bit (lot) of regular fettling I managed to get some miles on it while I waited for my test day to arrive. On the morning of the test, it broke, flatly refusing to start. Panicking, and with no desire to wait another six weeks to take my test, I hired a brand new Yamaha 125 trials thingy from the local bike shop to take the test that afternoon. What I didn't know was that the ignition key had to be set in the second position for the lights and indicators to work. So with the examiner watching me, I completely lost it doing the left turn/right turn procedures at the junction, had a near miss with a car who didn't have a clue where I was intending to go, and I failed the test epically

Riding back to the shop on the Yam, and feeling ever so slightly pissed off, a Red Setter ran out between two parked cars straight across my path. I was doing around 40, hit the dog side-on and over the handlebars I went. I can vividly remember the brief moment when, lying in the road wondering why my right leg wouldn't work and when the next passing vehicle would run over my head, I peered up to see said dog merrily trotting up the road. Thankfully nothing else hit me, an ambulance arrived (which I was later billed for - good old NHS), and I learned I had escaped with nothing more than two grazed kneecaps and a broken ankle. Oh, and they had to cut off my Levis, which were brand new and I had been wearing for the first time that day.

An enforced lay-off ensued, during which time I rebuilt the old CB125, eventually passing my test on it a few months later. :)
 
  I agree with Gen, Definitely a great story and Thanks so much for posting.  ;)

No problem, I got over the embarrassment a long time ago. Definitely one of those days when I should have just stayed in bed! ;D

+1 great story, Martin!  We'll all had one of those days.

BTW - my first motorcycle was the Suzi X6 Hustler too.   That little 250 ran great and would top out at 100 mph.  I'd like to buy another....

   X-6 Hustler blew the wheels off of my CB72 Hawk, even though I would work on it each time, to make it better, I kept getting beat. I got myself a plan, about building a winner. I came across an Kawasaki Avenger, that had been wrecked and a complete rolling frame of a Yamaha 250 Scrambler Twin (DS something, I think was the model. (I don't really remember and am just guessing). But I was going to mount that Kawasaki Motor in the Yamaha Frame and go after that X-6 (an X-6 is fast, but the Avenger and Samuri Kawasakis weren't slow either. Problem was, I got my orders (I was in Japan and in the Air Force at the time) and has a ship out date, that was too close, for me to do much work on that project. Would like to have seen how that would have worked out. But, that's life, 
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #72 on: December 28, 2016, 09:50:55 PM »
Stev-o,
I saw an X6 Hustler for sale on CL in E.PA. at the beginning of this yr. for less than 2K($1700 obo)in nice,complete clean overall shape but w/ no title... be we know about the folks in VT.  ;) if I see another one should I get in touch w/ you?

      Wouldn't mind having one of those, myself, but I am short on cash, short on time and got too many projects still.
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline bill440cars

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #73 on: December 28, 2016, 09:53:41 PM »
Well, in 1974 my dad, probably against my mom's suggestion, put together a dual purpose street/trail bike out of a 1964 Yamaha Y6(?) with the help of a neighbor.  Then a year later he got himself a real nice, used CB550.  From then on I was hooked; CL175, CB350F, CB650C......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

        Not too complicated, but still a cool story there. Great to hear any and all of the stories. They all count. Thanks for sharing.  8)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline Desert-SOHC

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Re: So, Just How Did You Get Involved With Hondas, Mind Sharing Your Story?
« Reply #74 on: December 28, 2016, 10:19:23 PM »

Actually starting to wonder about the old Goldwings . . .

Jump on in to the OldWing pool Gene, the water is fine!  Another bullet-proof Honda product that stands the test of time.

           Absolutely right, the Wings are pretty cool too.  I have seen some pretty cool Wings and a friend on here, Kghost had a mighty cool one that I have posted a photo of and wish I could have been the one to buy it, when he put it up for sale. But just wasn't to be.

I had a 75 wing that was Vettered out, a full bagger with a matching trailer.  Custom paint and all, it was so ugly it was cool, a real mile eater at 85 mph with 1 finger on the bars.   ;D
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