Show your other bike(s) - What else do you ride?

Being 74 isn't the primary reason - not having ridden on the street since 1968 is the major issue. Also, everything I rode before emigrating in '68 was on the left side of the street, had right-side, 1-up/3 down shift pattern and left side rear brake. I'd have a tough time learning the current layouts. Also, switching over to the US side of the street was manageable when sitting in the US driving position in a car, as there is a continuous visual reminder.

acotrel said:

Ken, Your comment :
'This is a naked 1999 R1 Yamaha that was built up from a crashed bike. It's a serious hooligan bike, but way more power than I need (did I really say that?).'

I'm 74 years of age and I've promised myself that before I die, I will ride an R1 at Winton Raceway. Most bikes I've ridden in the past have been old nasty garbage. And I'd just like to find out what a good bike feels like. I once rode a VFR400 Honda along one of our local winding roads and I was most impressed with the handling.

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I'd agree with that sentiment. I was fortunate enough when I was still racing to have opportunities to ride some really good modern race bikes, and I have to be honest and admit that they really are way quicker around a race track than the vintage bikes we so love. On the other hand, the vintage racing scene was much more appealing to me than the pro racing arena in the US, so that's where I ended up, and never regretted it. Probably had something to do with my skill level too. I wasn't exactly a threat to Kenny Roberts and other top riders at the time. Although I was pitted across from Kenny once at Laguna Seca, and he wandered over and said nice things about my Norton.

For now, though, when my focus is on fun street riding, as cool as the R1 is, it really is more power than I need. I recently traded bikes with a friend for the return leg of one of our Sunday rides through the local twisties, and ended up on a modern Yamaha WR 250 dual sport with a new set of sticky street-oriented rubber. I was absolutely amazed at how much fun it was. Light weight and great handling made it a pleasure to throw around, particularly in the tighter, slower corners. The power was a little underwhelming, but still adequate. There's a lot to be said for light weight and modern suspension.

Ken

frankdamp said:

Being 74 isn't the primary reason - not having ridden on the street since 1968 is the major issue. Also, everything I rode before emigrating in '68 was on the left side of the street, had right-side, 1-up/3 down shift pattern and left side rear brake. I'd have a tough time learning the current layouts. Also, switching over to the US side of the street was manageable when sitting in the US driving position in a car, as there is a continuous visual reminder.

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I can understand that one. I spent a lot of time going back and forth between left and right shift bikes, and eventually got used to the switch, but I do recall crashing once in Phoenix after getting off the Norton and jumping on a Yamaha for the next race. I still remember running straight off the track into the brushland while trying to figure out which foot to use and which direction to shift.

Ken

I did that on the Norton once after riding my Suzuki GS 1100 for most of several years. Plowed into a turn, shifted up rather than down and flew straight into a hedgerow. Bike was little worse for wear, but I was pretty beat up for a few days.

frankdamp said:

Being 74 isn't the primary reason - not having ridden on the street since 1968 is the major issue. Also, everything I rode before emigrating in '68 was on the left side of the street, had right-side, 1-up/3 down shift pattern and left side rear brake. I'd have a tough time learning the current layouts. Also, switching over to the US side of the street was manageable when sitting in the US driving position in a car, as there is a continuous visual reminder.

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Frank - I grew up riding in Seattle and moved to Auckland about 11 years ago. The road side switch is no big deal, as you have driven a car in the us for the past four+ decades it is really only placement in the lane that goes against "nature" here - not what side of the road you are on.

Switching bikes does catch one out for foot controls, and it takes me a couple mins to remember not to shift the brake pedal on my Duc after riding the Norton for a couple of days, and vice versa.

My advice would be get a pre 74 bike, fit with a starter kit, and go. That way the shifting is like instinct, and you already have the road-side instincts pre-wired, dont you? Then all you really have to remember is which side of your lane you want to be in.

I bought this 86 ATK about 12years ago, 560cc 4 valve. rebiult the rear shock and serviced the forks. Stripped the motor and did what was necessary.
Rings, hone, Clutch, replaced the Flat track cam that was fitted from new by the original owner, with a current model Enduro cam,
Timing belt, new 38mm Flat slide. She goes alright for an old bloke to ride. Or so I remember, last time I looked, the fuel line had desintegrated.
Single rear shock, and Disc on the countershaft.

bikes that are in my garage other than my Nortons,








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mudplugger said:

bikes that are in my garage other than my Nortons

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Very nice collection. I like the red Trail 70, always wanted one. My wyfe taught herself to rebuild the carb and shift with the clutch on one of those her older brother left in the garage when he left to college. Gad, I love that woman.

had a buyer for the little red Honda recently, collecting good prices in the uk now,found a mistake on the paperwork with the frame number, now a lot of hassle with the dvla. pity I cant get it out to your neck of the woods. blue one on its way to a new owner

I have 13 bikes right now. Here are some of them. I've had about 25 different bikes since I started riding again in 2012. A bit crazy but fun.

This is a 1987 Honda Hurricane that I'm turning into an RR MotoGP replica.



2004 Honda Shadow Aero Trike



2007 Honda 919 Hornet



This is a 2009 Suzuki GS500 that I bought to learn how to ride again after 40 years. It's my girlfriends bike now.



1998 Kawasaki Vulcan



1988 Honda Hurricane



1990 Honda CBR F1



A bunch of CBR's waiting for me to put them back together.

nice collection, any pics of your brit bikes. you certainly go thru them if you only got back on 3 years ago.

Hortons Norton said:

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Nice....

dennisgb said:

I have 13 bikes right now. Here are some of them. I've had about 25 different bikes since I started riding again in 2012. A bit crazy but fun.


2007 Honda 919 Hornet

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Thats a clean one. I had one. Probably the single best allrounder I ever had. Wife still says i should never have sold it.

Bought this 125cc China bike 3 yrs ago but rarely used it ,pretty gutless so gave her an upgrade.only the bare red frame, swingarm and bodywork Tank, seat, sidecovers and rear fender and tailight were retained. EVERYTHING else was replaced, Engine is Yamaha TTR250 with 315cc kit and Webcam camshafts,oil cooler, different carb also. the skinny front forks were replaced with 30mm units which are wider also to accept the modified CB450 front brake/hub, rear hub is local Honda unit with KTM dirtbike 2LS brake wider 18" alloy flanged rims with stainless spokes, and slightly wider tyres. my own exhaust, fork brace and steering damper fitted
Engine weighs 2kg more than the original Ace 125 engine, these engines with the big bore kit alone put out just under 30HP on the dyno, I can say without a doubt I'm getting more than this with the Webcams. it is unbelievable to ride.

That engine fits cleanly in that frame.
Very nice job, I bet it is a kick to ride.

Don, that is an amazing bike! Very cool, and you'll never park next to another one just like it, for sure.

Didn't get around to any painting last winter, so my 125K mile R90S is back out for the riding season. This thing has done just about everything, except run enduros. A little homely, but a fun ride.
Bill

My latest cheap play bike. It's a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 650R with 9,000 miles. A friend of mine bought it on a salvaged title after a crash that pretty much destroyed the fairing. He converted it to the naked bike style seen here, and then sold it to me for $1200. I've done a little more tidying up, and plan to do a bit more, but it's a rider, not a project. The tires were shot, but a friend gave me some race bike take-offs from an SV650 that have lots of life left in them. I have a Yamaha R! in similar configuration, and plan to sell it and replace with this bike. Still looking for something really comfortable for an old guy to ride while I finish my Norton, but without spending a lot of cash. Besides, it's just fun trying different bikes.

I haven't been able to ride for couple of weeks because of side effects from some nasty medications, but I'm over that now, so tomorrow I get my first ride on this bike.





Ken