| Jim and Jo Bikes Gone By |
1972 Honda CB 350
The first real motorcycle I owned was a 1972 Honda CB 350. It was a major step
up from the Allstate 250 that I had ridden in mid 60’s and the Silver Pigeon 50 I
rode when in high school. It actually was a great bike. I rode it almost daily to
work and to school at U. of L. in the evenings. Gas was not the issue then. It was
just plain fun and parking at U. of L. was much better than a car.
The first real motorcycle I owned was a 1972 Honda CB 350. It was a major step
up from the Allstate 250 that I had ridden in mid 60’s and the Silver Pigeon 50 I
rode when in high school. It actually was a great bike. I rode it almost daily to
work and to school at U. of L. in the evenings. Gas was not the issue then. It was
just plain fun and parking at U. of L. was much better than a car.
1974 Kawasaki KZ 400
In 1974 I bought the only Kawasaki I ever owned. I sold the CB 350 and purchased
a brand new KZ 400 thinking I would get a real powerhouse. It actually ran only
slightly better than the 350 and was taller. I cut the seat down and had it recovered
but was still on my tiptoes. It was in my opinion a mediocre ride, lots of vibration,
not a lot of comfort, but they were cheap. I kept it until some friends and I were
sitting around and decided we would ride our motorcycles to the Grand Canyon the
following week.
In 1974 I bought the only Kawasaki I ever owned. I sold the CB 350 and purchased
a brand new KZ 400 thinking I would get a real powerhouse. It actually ran only
slightly better than the 350 and was taller. I cut the seat down and had it recovered
but was still on my tiptoes. It was in my opinion a mediocre ride, lots of vibration,
not a lot of comfort, but they were cheap. I kept it until some friends and I were
sitting around and decided we would ride our motorcycles to the Grand Canyon the
following week.
Honda 550 F Super Sport
I really did not want to ride the KZ across the country so on the next Tuesday I
traded it in at Greenrose Honda and came home with a brand new Honda 550F
Super Sport. This was in my opinion a major step up, plenty of power and
smooth. My first 4 cylinder bike.
We left for the Grand Canyon that Friday after work. On Monday morning we
were in Flagstaff, Arizona and the valves were clattering like crazy. I knew that
there was some kind of maintenance due at 600 and a 1000 miles and I was
pushing past 1500 miles at the time. I stopped in at the Honda dealer in Flagstaff
and talked to the mechanic. He asked how long I had owned the bike and I told
him not quite a week. He asked where I live and I told him Louisville. He said
“Kentucky?”, and I said yes. He explained I was overdue for the first oil change
and the 1000 mile valve adjustment. He explained how to adjust the valves and I
bought a filter and oil from them. I adjusted the valves and changed the oil in the
parking lot and was on my way again to the Grand Canyon.
The trip was great. We did over 800 miles the first day out and I discovered the
seat was somewhat softer that sitting on a rail fence, but not much. It was still
better than the KZ. I was loaded with all the camping gear hanging off the bike
and riding 2 up. What a trip, but that’s another story for another day. I had
flashbacks when watching the Wild Hogs movie.
I really did not want to ride the KZ across the country so on the next Tuesday I
traded it in at Greenrose Honda and came home with a brand new Honda 550F
Super Sport. This was in my opinion a major step up, plenty of power and
smooth. My first 4 cylinder bike.
We left for the Grand Canyon that Friday after work. On Monday morning we
were in Flagstaff, Arizona and the valves were clattering like crazy. I knew that
there was some kind of maintenance due at 600 and a 1000 miles and I was
pushing past 1500 miles at the time. I stopped in at the Honda dealer in Flagstaff
and talked to the mechanic. He asked how long I had owned the bike and I told
him not quite a week. He asked where I live and I told him Louisville. He said
“Kentucky?”, and I said yes. He explained I was overdue for the first oil change
and the 1000 mile valve adjustment. He explained how to adjust the valves and I
bought a filter and oil from them. I adjusted the valves and changed the oil in the
parking lot and was on my way again to the Grand Canyon.
The trip was great. We did over 800 miles the first day out and I discovered the
seat was somewhat softer that sitting on a rail fence, but not much. It was still
better than the KZ. I was loaded with all the camping gear hanging off the bike
and riding 2 up. What a trip, but that’s another story for another day. I had
flashbacks when watching the Wild Hogs movie.
Honda CB 750 K
Next bike was in 1979 when I sold the 550 and moved up to a CB750K model
Honda. This bike was really fast and still smooth. I put a small Vetter Quicksilver
sport fairing on it with a small windshield. By then I had figured out that bugs in
the teeth at highway speeds was not all that much fun.
I put about 30,000 miles on the 750 and enjoyed it greatly. However, two up, I
wished for a bit more comfort and power. At about 70 – 75 miles an hour, it had an
annoying handlebar buzz. Faster or slower and it went away, but that was the best
cruising speed on the open highway.
Let’s not forget the chain. I would burn through an “O” ring chain in about 10,000
miles, even with additional lube. By then you were starting shaft drive motorcycles
and I was tired of noisy chains.
Next bike was in 1979 when I sold the 550 and moved up to a CB750K model
Honda. This bike was really fast and still smooth. I put a small Vetter Quicksilver
sport fairing on it with a small windshield. By then I had figured out that bugs in
the teeth at highway speeds was not all that much fun.
I put about 30,000 miles on the 750 and enjoyed it greatly. However, two up, I
wished for a bit more comfort and power. At about 70 – 75 miles an hour, it had an
annoying handlebar buzz. Faster or slower and it went away, but that was the best
cruising speed on the open highway.
Let’s not forget the chain. I would burn through an “O” ring chain in about 10,000
miles, even with additional lube. By then you were starting shaft drive motorcycles
and I was tired of noisy chains.
Honda GL1100 Gold Wing
In 1981 I brought my first Gold Wing. It was a standard GL1100. It was so
smooth you could hardly feel it run and on the way home I spooked myself
because of all the power. Mind you the standard model did not come with fairing,
windshield or any luggage...or a chain. It was all engine and smooth brute
power. What fun. I soon mounted a Vetter Windjammer fairing and put a set of
hard removable bags on it.
A little trivia here. Did you know that the 1981 Gold Wing was the first Gold
Wing made in the USA? They moved the production of the Gold Wing from
Japan to the US and designed an all new model.
I Joined GWRRA in 1982 and began to really try to see the country. This bike
had some interesting rides, among them a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway that
ended in an incident with a road closed gate. It was early morning and there
were patches of fog. I came out of a tunnel and around a tight turn right into a
fog bank. I rolled off the throttle and at about 30 MPH saw the road was
completely blocked by two metal gates with a chain in the center. I locked up and
skidded in a straight line right into the center. The chain broke and I knocked
the gate open. I came to a stop and fell over. I was in such shock I did not put my
feet down as I stopped. I got the bike up and surveyed the damage. It smashed my
fairing and the instrument panel and cut the front brake lines.The rear brake
worked and the bike started. I rode at 25 MPH down off the mountain into
Ashville and found a Kmart. We stuck in a car headlight and used duct tape on
the fairing. Heck they do it in NASCAR. The mechanics got me a brake line and
patched it. I called my insurance company and they said I could leave it there to
be fixed or ride back and get it fixed. I rode back to Louisville at speeds under 65
MPH. At 65 the fairing was a bit unstable. It did a bit over $1100 in damage but
it was fixed good as new in a couple of weeks. Pretty tough bike.
I Rode that Wing till about 1987 and put 55,000 miles on it. I had slowed down
my riding because of work and other things and traded it for a car. It was the first
time since 1972 that I did not have a motorcycle.
In 1981 I brought my first Gold Wing. It was a standard GL1100. It was so
smooth you could hardly feel it run and on the way home I spooked myself
because of all the power. Mind you the standard model did not come with fairing,
windshield or any luggage...or a chain. It was all engine and smooth brute
power. What fun. I soon mounted a Vetter Windjammer fairing and put a set of
hard removable bags on it.
A little trivia here. Did you know that the 1981 Gold Wing was the first Gold
Wing made in the USA? They moved the production of the Gold Wing from
Japan to the US and designed an all new model.
I Joined GWRRA in 1982 and began to really try to see the country. This bike
had some interesting rides, among them a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway that
ended in an incident with a road closed gate. It was early morning and there
were patches of fog. I came out of a tunnel and around a tight turn right into a
fog bank. I rolled off the throttle and at about 30 MPH saw the road was
completely blocked by two metal gates with a chain in the center. I locked up and
skidded in a straight line right into the center. The chain broke and I knocked
the gate open. I came to a stop and fell over. I was in such shock I did not put my
feet down as I stopped. I got the bike up and surveyed the damage. It smashed my
fairing and the instrument panel and cut the front brake lines.The rear brake
worked and the bike started. I rode at 25 MPH down off the mountain into
Ashville and found a Kmart. We stuck in a car headlight and used duct tape on
the fairing. Heck they do it in NASCAR. The mechanics got me a brake line and
patched it. I called my insurance company and they said I could leave it there to
be fixed or ride back and get it fixed. I rode back to Louisville at speeds under 65
MPH. At 65 the fairing was a bit unstable. It did a bit over $1100 in damage but
it was fixed good as new in a couple of weeks. Pretty tough bike.
I Rode that Wing till about 1987 and put 55,000 miles on it. I had slowed down
my riding because of work and other things and traded it for a car. It was the first
time since 1972 that I did not have a motorcycle.
1989 Honda Pacific Coast 800
My bike-less years lasted until 1989 when I saw a picture of the PC 800 in a
magazine and got the fever again. I went to the local Honda Dealer in Hikes Point
(Ward Brothers, I believe it was) and wanted to see one. They did not have any yet.
I ended up putting money down and buying one from only the picture.
It took months to get one in and when it did arrive it was as beautiful in person as it
was in the picture. I still think it was one of the best looking motorcycles ever built.
It was an awesome ride, it handled great. A good cross between touring and sport.
Again however, it was not great for two up riding. The way it was geared with
800cc, it just did not have the power for two up touring.
My bike-less years lasted until 1989 when I saw a picture of the PC 800 in a
magazine and got the fever again. I went to the local Honda Dealer in Hikes Point
(Ward Brothers, I believe it was) and wanted to see one. They did not have any yet.
I ended up putting money down and buying one from only the picture.
It took months to get one in and when it did arrive it was as beautiful in person as it
was in the picture. I still think it was one of the best looking motorcycles ever built.
It was an awesome ride, it handled great. A good cross between touring and sport.
Again however, it was not great for two up riding. The way it was geared with
800cc, it just did not have the power for two up touring.
1975 Honda GL1200 Gold Wing
In the meantime, sometime in 1995 I ran across a great buy on a 1975 GL1200
Gold Wing, just the thing for two up riding. I purchased the GL1200 and was
immediately hooked again on the smoothness of the Gold Wing. I put about
20,000 miles on that one. It gave me the itch for more power and more gadgets.
I started riding with the GWRRA again and wished I had a CB and, gee, an
intercom would also be nice.
In the meantime, sometime in 1995 I ran across a great buy on a 1975 GL1200
Gold Wing, just the thing for two up riding. I purchased the GL1200 and was
immediately hooked again on the smoothness of the Gold Wing. I put about
20,000 miles on that one. It gave me the itch for more power and more gadgets.
I started riding with the GWRRA again and wished I had a CB and, gee, an
intercom would also be nice.
GL1500 Gold Wing
In 1997 I purchased a GL1500 and, wow, talk about powerful, smooth and quiet.
Cruise control, radio, tape player, CB...this was a real touring bike. I added a
matching Cycle Mate trailer a year later. Let’s see the country…
The GL1500 was, and still is, probably the best interstate cruiser that was ever
built. It’s one big, heavy, smooth bike.
This one made a few trips out west and on one trip it went up Pikes Peak. It did not
like the high mountains above 8000 feet. You could tell a noticeable power loss. It
could have used fuel injection.
In 1997 I purchased a GL1500 and, wow, talk about powerful, smooth and quiet.
Cruise control, radio, tape player, CB...this was a real touring bike. I added a
matching Cycle Mate trailer a year later. Let’s see the country…
The GL1500 was, and still is, probably the best interstate cruiser that was ever
built. It’s one big, heavy, smooth bike.
This one made a few trips out west and on one trip it went up Pikes Peak. It did not
like the high mountains above 8000 feet. You could tell a noticeable power loss. It
could have used fuel injection.
2001 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing
Then they came out with the GL1800. Now we have the handling of the PC800
with plenty of power for two up touring as well. With the Wing now sporting a
new suspension, radial tires, fuel injection and more power, in 2002 I couldn’t
resist a deal I ran into at the Kentucky District Rally. Gary with the Air Rider
folks had a bright yellow GL1800 with an Air Rider covered seat. It already had
driving lights, Tulsa windshield, CB radio, only 3000 miles and it was for sale.
He had ordered a new demo bike and wanted to sell the 2001 before the new one
came in. He was headed for a rally in Springfield where he was to pick up his new
bike. I asked him how much since I had lusted after it when I saw it and sat on it
at their display at Wing Ding in Greenville earlier that year. He gave me a good
price and I gave him $50 (all the cash I had on me). He wrote out a bill of sale on
the back of an envelope, we shook hands, he headed west and I headed east back
to Louisville with the 1800. We agreed that I would send him a check when I got
to Louisville and he would send me the title.
Two weeks later it was registered in my name and I started adding chrome. I have
included a picture of the bike taken the day we bought it. I had the cycle mate
trailer repainted to match the yellow 1800 and we have a great traveling
combination.
It looks really plain in the early pictures compared to now. The latest addition
was an Ultimate custom seat with yellow accent trim and stitching.
Then they came out with the GL1800. Now we have the handling of the PC800
with plenty of power for two up touring as well. With the Wing now sporting a
new suspension, radial tires, fuel injection and more power, in 2002 I couldn’t
resist a deal I ran into at the Kentucky District Rally. Gary with the Air Rider
folks had a bright yellow GL1800 with an Air Rider covered seat. It already had
driving lights, Tulsa windshield, CB radio, only 3000 miles and it was for sale.
He had ordered a new demo bike and wanted to sell the 2001 before the new one
came in. He was headed for a rally in Springfield where he was to pick up his new
bike. I asked him how much since I had lusted after it when I saw it and sat on it
at their display at Wing Ding in Greenville earlier that year. He gave me a good
price and I gave him $50 (all the cash I had on me). He wrote out a bill of sale on
the back of an envelope, we shook hands, he headed west and I headed east back
to Louisville with the 1800. We agreed that I would send him a check when I got
to Louisville and he would send me the title.
Two weeks later it was registered in my name and I started adding chrome. I have
included a picture of the bike taken the day we bought it. I had the cycle mate
trailer repainted to match the yellow 1800 and we have a great traveling
combination.
It looks really plain in the early pictures compared to now. The latest addition
was an Ultimate custom seat with yellow accent trim and stitching.
Honda VTX 1300
Then there is the VTX. I thought I wanted a cruiser so I bought a VTX1300 Retro.
It was a beautiful bike and fun to ride around town for short trips. However, after
about 30 minutes you wanted off of it due to the seat and then there was the part
about riding two up again. This time on the first ride with Jo, about 15 minutes
into the ride she tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we could go back and get
the Gold Wing.
Shortly after that since my brother really was lusting for the bike, he is now the
proud owner of the VTX.
Then there is the VTX. I thought I wanted a cruiser so I bought a VTX1300 Retro.
It was a beautiful bike and fun to ride around town for short trips. However, after
about 30 minutes you wanted off of it due to the seat and then there was the part
about riding two up again. This time on the first ride with Jo, about 15 minutes
into the ride she tapped me on the shoulder and asked if we could go back and get
the Gold Wing.
Shortly after that since my brother really was lusting for the bike, he is now the
proud owner of the VTX.
| I hope you have enjoyed my memories of bikes gone by. They were all fun. My favorites are the GL1800 and the PC800. Many times I wished I had not sold the Pacific Coast and I guess I will try to wear out the 1800. Jim |
| Jo's Bikes Gone By |
1982 Honda GL500 Silver Wing
Let’s not forget the 1982 GL500 Silver Wing that we bought for Jo to learn to ride
on. I’ve put most all of the miles on it since she did not want to have to shift
gears. She ended up with a 2004 Aprilia S 500 scooter that we both drive.
Still have the Silver Wing. It’s now got just a bit under 15,000 original miles on it
and still looks like new.
Let’s not forget the 1982 GL500 Silver Wing that we bought for Jo to learn to ride
on. I’ve put most all of the miles on it since she did not want to have to shift
gears. She ended up with a 2004 Aprilia S 500 scooter that we both drive.
Still have the Silver Wing. It’s now got just a bit under 15,000 original miles on it
and still looks like new.
2004 Aprilia S 500
This is Jo's scooter. I have found the scooter is great fun around town in traffic.
Not shifting or holding in a clutch when stopped is actually nice.
This is Jo's scooter. I have found the scooter is great fun around town in traffic.
Not shifting or holding in a clutch when stopped is actually nice.