| Don and Renee Bikes Gone By |
1954 Simplex Servi-Cycle
Don got his first used motorcycle when he was eleven years old. It was a 125cc,
belt driven Simplex. Simplex motorcycles were built in New Orleans until 1960
and are the only motorcycles ever built in the America South.
He traveled countless miles up and down the gravel, country road in front of his
house and used the bike to go frog gigging, bringing home the frog legs
hanging on a wire strung between the handlebars. At age twelve, Don was even
allowed to ride his motorcycle to school on a two-lane highway…without a
helmet or a license. It is a wonder he ever lived to be thirteen.
When it was time for a driver’s license and a car, the Simplex was sold.
Don got his first used motorcycle when he was eleven years old. It was a 125cc,
belt driven Simplex. Simplex motorcycles were built in New Orleans until 1960
and are the only motorcycles ever built in the America South.
He traveled countless miles up and down the gravel, country road in front of his
house and used the bike to go frog gigging, bringing home the frog legs
hanging on a wire strung between the handlebars. At age twelve, Don was even
allowed to ride his motorcycle to school on a two-lane highway…without a
helmet or a license. It is a wonder he ever lived to be thirteen.
When it was time for a driver’s license and a car, the Simplex was sold.
1968 Honda CB77 305 SuperHawk
It was after college, marriage and children before Don acquired his second used
motorcycle, a 305 SuperHawk. One of the pictures is of our youngest son, Richard,
age three and half years, sitting on Don's SuperHawk.
Don enjoyed the bike and used it for recreation. Occasionally, when a baby sitter
could be found, Renee was able to ride as well. In those days, both rode without
helmets on the country roads surrounding Lexington, Kentucky.
One winter when Don decided to do some work on the SuperHawk, he disassembled
and painted it in the living room. A living room with wall to wall white carpeting.
“But I put down a tarp.”
We owned the SuperHawk for a little over 3 years before Don came home from work
one day announcing that with three young children to raise, he had sold his bike.
It was after college, marriage and children before Don acquired his second used
motorcycle, a 305 SuperHawk. One of the pictures is of our youngest son, Richard,
age three and half years, sitting on Don's SuperHawk.
Don enjoyed the bike and used it for recreation. Occasionally, when a baby sitter
could be found, Renee was able to ride as well. In those days, both rode without
helmets on the country roads surrounding Lexington, Kentucky.
One winter when Don decided to do some work on the SuperHawk, he disassembled
and painted it in the living room. A living room with wall to wall white carpeting.
“But I put down a tarp.”
We owned the SuperHawk for a little over 3 years before Don came home from work
one day announcing that with three young children to raise, he had sold his bike.
1979 Yamaha 650 Special
It was 1997 with the children grown and most moved out on their own before we
purchased another motorcycle, a 1979 Yamaha 650 Special with only 8,000 original
miles on it.
Renee’s sister took the picture of us on the Yamaha, dressed in leather with black
helmets and dark visors. We look like two alien bugs!
Both of us love the bike and use to ride it often. We even took it on a four day trip
as far as Virginia, leather saddlebags filled, more items strapped across the gas
tank, luggage rack mounted on the back with items stacked sky-high behind Renee.
It was so top heavy, how we prevented tipping over, I do not know.
We both love vintage bikes, still own this motorcycle and ride it occasionally. It is a
fun little bike.
It was 1997 with the children grown and most moved out on their own before we
purchased another motorcycle, a 1979 Yamaha 650 Special with only 8,000 original
miles on it.
Renee’s sister took the picture of us on the Yamaha, dressed in leather with black
helmets and dark visors. We look like two alien bugs!
Both of us love the bike and use to ride it often. We even took it on a four day trip
as far as Virginia, leather saddlebags filled, more items strapped across the gas
tank, luggage rack mounted on the back with items stacked sky-high behind Renee.
It was so top heavy, how we prevented tipping over, I do not know.
We both love vintage bikes, still own this motorcycle and ride it occasionally. It is a
fun little bike.
1987 Honda XR 80
About the same time we acquired the Honda 750, we also got this used Honda 80 dirt
bike. Renee does enjoy driving this one around the back field and our grandsons
love to play on it when they visit. Since we still have young grandsons, guess we will
be keeping this one for a few more years.
About the same time we acquired the Honda 750, we also got this used Honda 80 dirt
bike. Renee does enjoy driving this one around the back field and our grandsons
love to play on it when they visit. Since we still have young grandsons, guess we will
be keeping this one for a few more years.
1972 Honda CB 750
A year after we purchased the Yamaha 650 Special, Don purchased a Honda
750 that needed some work. He had plans to work on the bike, repaint it and
recover the seat. His grand plan was to fix this bike for himself and teach
Renee to drive the Yamaha 650. He began by disassembling the 750. As you
can see by the picture, that is where it remains to this day.
Anyone in need of parts?
A year after we purchased the Yamaha 650 Special, Don purchased a Honda
750 that needed some work. He had plans to work on the bike, repaint it and
recover the seat. His grand plan was to fix this bike for himself and teach
Renee to drive the Yamaha 650. He began by disassembling the 750. As you
can see by the picture, that is where it remains to this day.
Anyone in need of parts?
1989 Honda GL1500 Gold Wing
Don always said he wanted to travel across country on a motorcycle. After the
trip to Virginia on the Yamaha 650, Renee started searching for a Gold Wing.
In 2003, she found a '89, GL1500 on Ebay. The Wing had been purchased new
in 1991, had 53,000 miles on it, was loaded with extras and had a matching
trailer. Don took one quick glance and immediately stated, “We don’t need a
trailer.” After several days and much discussion, we finally bid on the Wing,
won the auction and traveled to Albany, New York to pick it up. Since it was
Americade week, we decided to travel on to Lake George, New York and attend
Americade. We do not recommend going from a 650 to a 1500...with a trailer,
and then immediately attending a rally in a small town with thousands and
thousands of other motorcycles.
We really enjoyed this GL1500 and took many a trip on it traveling into
Canada, all the states of the northeast USA, most of the southeast states and as
far west as Yellowstone National Park. That trailer we didn't need came in real
handy.
In 2006, we traded it in for our present motorcycle, a new 2006 Wing. As we
pulled away from the dealership seeing our beloved GL1500 sitting there,
Renee got a little teary-eyed and asked Don, “Won’t you miss it…even a little?”
Don’s reply was, “Nope.”
Don always said he wanted to travel across country on a motorcycle. After the
trip to Virginia on the Yamaha 650, Renee started searching for a Gold Wing.
In 2003, she found a '89, GL1500 on Ebay. The Wing had been purchased new
in 1991, had 53,000 miles on it, was loaded with extras and had a matching
trailer. Don took one quick glance and immediately stated, “We don’t need a
trailer.” After several days and much discussion, we finally bid on the Wing,
won the auction and traveled to Albany, New York to pick it up. Since it was
Americade week, we decided to travel on to Lake George, New York and attend
Americade. We do not recommend going from a 650 to a 1500...with a trailer,
and then immediately attending a rally in a small town with thousands and
thousands of other motorcycles.
We really enjoyed this GL1500 and took many a trip on it traveling into
Canada, all the states of the northeast USA, most of the southeast states and as
far west as Yellowstone National Park. That trailer we didn't need came in real
handy.
In 2006, we traded it in for our present motorcycle, a new 2006 Wing. As we
pulled away from the dealership seeing our beloved GL1500 sitting there,
Renee got a little teary-eyed and asked Don, “Won’t you miss it…even a little?”
Don’s reply was, “Nope.”
2006 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
On May 25th, 2006, we purchased our first new motorcycle. A Dark Red Metallic,
GL1800 with matching Bushtec trailer and we love it more than words can say.
After a little more than 2 years, it has over 30,000 miles on it. We have traveled as
far west as the state of Washington, into British Columbia, Canada and taken it as
far south as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
Many memories have been made on this bike taking trips and riding and camping
with Chapter A members. In the years to come we hope to make many, many more.
On May 25th, 2006, we purchased our first new motorcycle. A Dark Red Metallic,
GL1800 with matching Bushtec trailer and we love it more than words can say.
After a little more than 2 years, it has over 30,000 miles on it. We have traveled as
far west as the state of Washington, into British Columbia, Canada and taken it as
far south as Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
Many memories have been made on this bike taking trips and riding and camping
with Chapter A members. In the years to come we hope to make many, many more.
1972 Suzuki TS 250 J
This photo was taken in 1978, about six months after the 305 SuperHawk was
sold. During those many years when we were motorcycle deprived, whenever
we rode up from Lexington to Louisville to visit family, Don would ride Renee’s
uncle’s Suzuki dirt bike.
This photo was taken in 1978, about six months after the 305 SuperHawk was
sold. During those many years when we were motorcycle deprived, whenever
we rode up from Lexington to Louisville to visit family, Don would ride Renee’s
uncle’s Suzuki dirt bike.
| Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW! What a ride!" Don and Renee |
