Topic: Anybody buying a 35 to 40 year old motorcycle as primary transportation....

[MRieck]

....is insane. Unless you work 1 mile from home and live in a climate that doesn't shift. (San Diego). After reading a recent thread I thought my head would explode. These bikes are done with that. I cannot wait to see the responses.

[Prospect]

I used a cb350 twin as my primary vehicle for over a year.  Used it all winter too (it was a mild one).  I used it for shopping, visiting friends (with wife on back), appointments but I took public transit to work as I travel a lot and need to take luggage.  It was fine.  I only had an issue once (bad condenser) and it would only run on one cylinder.  I always gave myself a lot of time just in case I couldn't get her started.  If I needed to pick up large purchases I usually rented a car or had it delivered. 

[hitorque]

have a 1972 cb500 i bought new in 72 and use it all the time. In 2009 shipped it to tucson az. and my wife and i rode it for two weeks through the mountains in mexico. We live in maine, and shipped the bike to a dealer in tucson and picked it up there. On the tech info it says that the 73 bike came in gold and black, which is wrong because my bike is a 72 and it is black and gold and is all original. This coming spring we are shipping it to texas for a 2 week ride.
   P.S. I also have a cbr600f4i that i ride a lot.
                                                              bob

[Flying J]

I used my bikes as primary vehicle but i do live 2 miles from work and i alway make sure to have 3 bikes, that way i can almost guarantee 1 will be ridable. Almost.

[Bodi]

Well, for a mechanically inclined person with the money and time to get obsolete and discontinued parts and do all service and repair... OK, that makes it a hobby. You're right as usual.
Using a classic/antique motorcycle as daily transport is not sane. I'll except older (post-knucklehead) Harleys from this, parts and mechanics to keep them running are still pretty easy to find.
Riding a bike as your only transport except in the circumstances you list is not completely balanced either!
Here in Toronto the riding season for sane people is 5 months or so, slightly nutty or immune to cold and it's 7 months, more is just crazy. Simply using a motorcycle for daily transport proves you insane: I have seen a few bikes out in the last few days when the snow has gone from main roads and I don't envy the riders. It says a lot (and nothing good) about our transit system when anyone would take out a motorcycle here in December.

[MRieck]

Well, for a mechanically inclined person with the money and time to get obsolete and discontinued parts and do all service and repair... OK, that makes it a hobby. You're right as usual.
Using a classic/antique motorcycle as daily transport is not sane. I'll except older (post-knucklehead) Harleys from this, parts and mechanics to keep them running are still pretty easy to find.
Riding a bike as your only transport except in the circumstances you list is not completely balanced either!
Here in Toronto the riding season for sane people is 5 months or so, slightly nutty or immune to cold and it's 7 months, more is just crazy. Simply using a motorcycle for daily transport proves you insane: I have seen a few bikes out in the last few days when the snow has gone from main roads and I don't envy the riders. It says a lot (and nothing good) about our transit system when anyone would take out a motorcycle here in December.

You are funny Bodi....and in the know.

[MRieck]

have a 1972 cb500 i bought new in 72 and use it all the time. In 2009 shipped it to tucson az. and my wife and i rode it for two weeks through the mountains in mexico. We live in maine, and shipped the bike to a dealer in tucson and picked it up there. On the tech info it says that the 73 bike came in gold and black, which is wrong because my bike is a 72 and it is black and gold and is all original. This coming spring we are shipping it to texas for a 2 week ride.
   P.S. I also have a cbr600f4i that i ride a lot.
                                                              bob

Nice bike...I built quite a few for racing (F4 and the i). Great. great bikes.

[cameron]

I only ride.
No car.

But I also have a bus pass.

[Stev-o]

I think people that do not have motorcycles are insane!

[MRieck]

I only ride.
No car.

But I also have a bus pass.

Nice....my youngest son does too. I'm only goofing.

[Prospect]

It says a lot (and nothing good) about our transit system when anyone would take out a motorcycle here in December.

That's why I rode all year.  The transit system here is so bad that I would rather brave the cold.  I didn't own a car by choice.  But, like I said it was a very mild winter with hardly any snow in the city.  

[MRieck]

I think people that do not have motorcycles are insane!

The real world! You are right! They suck in the cold and snow though. Especially when you commute in with your wife....for 25 miles each way. That commute can be as silent as a bike ride...each way...if things ain't work'n out....if you know what I mean.

[hitorque]

also have original trail 70 my wife had new when she was a kid and a cx500 a friend left me when he recently passed away , and also redoing a 73 xl100

[Stev-o]

I think people that do not have motorcycles are insane!

The real world! You are right! They suck in the cold and snow though. Especially when you commute in with your wife....for 25 miles each way. That commute can be as silent as a bike ride...each way...if things ain't work'n out....if you know what I mean.

been there!

[MRieck]

 If you guys knew the stories from my little community from the 40's and 50's concerning "bikes" ....so many of the older gals in my Church used them to get to the Framingham GM factory etc......all year round.  ::)Incredible.  Lot's of stories.

[MRieck]

I think people that do not have motorcycles are insane!

The real world! You are right! They suck in the cold and snow though. Especially when you commute in with your wife....for 25 miles each way. That commute can be as silent as a bike ride...each way...if things ain't work'n out....if you know what I mean.

been there!

Oh boy....I hear ya.

[mick750F]

  Jeebers Mike!!! You're all revved up...leave those kids alone...after all they're just another brick in the wall....Hollowdays okay fer ya?

Mike

[MRieck]

 Jeebers Mike!!! You're all revved up...leave those kids alone...after all they're just another brick in the wall....Hollowdays okay fer ya?

Mike

Nice Mike... hello and Merry Christmas to you and the pooch. I'm still waiting for that F2 head.

[mlinder]

I guess I'm insane. :/

I haven't owned a car in 7 years. I live in the Pacific Northwest. The 'newest' bike I've ever owned is an '80. I do at least 30k miles a year. Probably more. Some of the bikes don't have odo's. :/

Hi Mike.

[MRieck]

I guess I'm insane. :/

I haven't owned a car in 7 years. I live in the Pacific Northwest. The 'newest' bike I've ever owned is an '80. I do at least 30k miles a year. Probably more. Some of the bikes don't have odo's. :/

Hi Mike.

You are officially "Insane" Mark. Feel better bro.

[mlinder]

I might buy a van this month...

To move motorcycles that won't move under their own power...

[mick750F]

 Jeebers Mike!!! You're all revved up...leave those kids alone...after all they're just another brick in the wall....Hollowdays okay fer ya?

Mike

Nice Mike... hello and Merry Christmas to you and the pooch. I'm still waiting for that F2 head.

   Thanks for your greetings bro and right back at ya! Most likely your aren't going to get an F3 head when the time comes but a K8 instead.
Mike

[HondaMan]

  Jeebers Mike!!! You're all revved up...leave those kids alone...after all they're just another brick in the wall....Hollowdays okay fer ya?

Mike

Nice Mike... hello and Merry Christmas to you and the pooch. I'm still waiting for that F2 head.

   Thanks for your greetings bro and right back at ya! Most likely your aren't going to get an F3 head when the time comes but a K8 instead.
Mike

That's OK: "M" can make them work just as well. 

[fasturd]

I have to admit that primary isn't the same as daily. I ride a SOHC nearly everyday of the riding season. They have proven to be very reliable (if well taken care of) and sourcing wear items has never been a problem. I have even done 3 Iron Butt events on vintage hondas but those were only 20 years old... Personally I like the adventure of not knowing for sure even though I am pretty confident my stuff will get me home. And when I ride them to work my customers go crazy telling stories and showing me their stuff.

[HondaMan]

....is insane.

I am!
I had to get a car when I got married, though.