Story time!! YOUR chance to tell us all about those biking days long gone by!!

[cowpuc]

If you owned one - please tell us a story about it!!!

 

Our leader, Mr. Freebird, posted a recent thread asking to share about all the Yamaha's we have owned in the past (thanks Don, GREAT idea!!) - a bunch of us have been having a BLAST over on that thread - here is a link to it in case you missed it:

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?117643-What-Yamaha-bikes-have-you-owned

 

In that thread - @videoarizona, one of our members, wrote a short story about riding his AWESOME 1969 twin cylinder 250 Yam Street Scrambler back in the day - wayy cool.. While posting some pics of brochures of Yams from back in the day in that thread something occurred to me.. I said to myself: "why not start a thread with a pic of a an old scoot from my childhood brochures and see if one of you lop eared varmints actually owned one and could tell a story about it".. Also,, if you have a picture of bike that you have never owned and would like to hear first hand stories of what it would have been like to own one - feel free to post up a picture!

Sound like fun?

 

Since our Bossman's thread is all about Yamaha's - I think we should stay away from overlapping his thread and start off with something different,,, lets begin the journey with:

[Eck]

Well, back when I was a younger, like most any average man, I seemed to always have this strong urge to ride many a different model. I tried many different ones and found that some models came stock with lots of "eye candy" that just stood out and made a man drool just to look at it, and others you could tell were getting old, worn out and road pretty hard. Basically , not worth fooling with.

 

I really cant say I was never satisfied with any of the rides I had in my life, but I can say the best ride I ever have is when I ride my Goldwing.............

 

 

 

So ....what the heck were you thinking........................

[cowpuc]

Well, back when I was a younger, like most any average man, I seemed to always have this strong urge to ride many a different model. I tried many different ones and found that some models came stock with lots of "eye candy" that just stood out and made a man drool just to look at it, and others you could tell were getting old, worn out and road pretty hard. Basically , not worth fooling with.

 

I really cant say I was never satisfied with any of the rides I had in my life, but I can say the best ride I ever have is when I ride my Goldwing.............

 

 

 

So ....what the heck were you thinking........................

 

No idea what I was thinking Eckster,, call it good enough on your story (THANK YOU MY FRIEND) even though it twernt about no lil Ducati..

 

Lets switched gears and see if any of these lop eared varmints has a story about owning one of these..

[eagleeye]

So you want a Ducati story huh?

 

Well, back in the late 60s I had a Ducati Mountaineer, 90cc.

It was a dual purpose bike of sorts. It had two rear sprockets and a chunk of chain to add for using the larger sprocket for off roading.

I used to ride that thing in the local enduros. Never really did very good, but had a lot of fun.

On one particular day, I was getting close to the finish, but the last bit was on a short stretch of road. I saw a guy along side of the road that I had seen off and on during the day, so I was going to stop and see if I could give him a hand. Well, the old guy following me in a CAR, didn't stop when I did.

The next thing I know I'm flying down the road. (literally) So the way this played out was, the bike landed on it's left side, sliding, with me lying on the right side, and when WE came to a stop, I rolled off.

It must have been quite a sight to see, cause cars and trucks stopped. Well, they hauled me off to the hospital, I really wasn't hurt too bad. The bike was quite a mess though.

Can't say I know what ever happened to the old guy that hit me, but did get some compensation for the bike. As I recall, me and my cousin fixed it up somewhat.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

[cowpuc]

So you want a Ducati story huh?

 

Well, back in the late 60s I had a Ducati Mountaineer, 90cc.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]104789[/ATTACH]

It was a dual purpose bike of sorts. It had two rear sprockets and a chunk of chain to add for using the larger sprocket for off roading.

I used to ride that thing in the local enduros. Never really did very good, but had a lot of fun.

On one particular day, I was getting close to the finish, but the last bit was on a short stretch of road. I saw a guy along side of the road that I had seen off and on during the day, so I was going to stop and see if I could give him a hand. Well, the old guy following me in a CAR, didn't stop when I did.

The next thing I know I'm flying down the road. (literally) So the way this played out was, the bike landed on it's left side, sliding, with me lying on the right side, and when WE came to a stop, I rolled off.

It must have been quite a sight to see, cause cars and trucks stopped. Well, they hauled me off to the hospital, I really wasn't hurt too bad. The bike was quite a mess though.

Can't say I know what ever happened to the old guy that hit me, but did get some compensation for the bike. As I recall, me and my cousin fixed it up somewhat.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

I KNEW someone on here had a good ol Duc story rollin around in there somewhere,, and see,, that weren't so hard twer it!! PERFECT you Eye of an Eagle varmint you!!!

 

Ya know what Steve,, when I first noticed that you had responded to this I got all picturing you leaning over the bars of a Widow Maker H2 750 Kawi, kissing the front fender while banging 5th gear on a 1/4 mile drag strip just reaching for all your worth for a 10 second win!!!

Gotta say though,, getting run over by a car while running an Enduro on an old Ducati is RIGHT THERE TOO!!

Good story brother!!

[bongobobny]

Firsrt Yamaha KI had was a 125 that never made it on the road while I owned it. The second was an XS500

[uncledj]

First Yammy was an early 70s MX90. I rode it quite a bit, but it never ran right. I kept messin' with the points, which sometimes helped, but I was only 12, so messin' was about all I could do. Second Yammy was about 8 years later, and was a TT500. which was a very capable hill climber. My buddy and I used to go out to the quarries....town was actually named "Hillsville"......which is where I learned to hill-climb. It's amazing what you can ride a motorcycle up if you have the right bike, skills, and lack of common sense. (And a big set of cohonies)

Had a bunch of fun on that bike.

Next Yammy was my First Gen. The most recent / last Yammy is my Second Gen. (Black Cherry)

I love me sum Yammies......

[cowpuc]

No Kawasaki Widow Maker riders from days gone by... Anybody got a story about owning one of these?

[Condor]

Geeze!!!! I wrote this long story about running out of gas late on a Sunday night on my Ariel Square Four in the late 50's and it's disappeared?? Did I forget to hit the post button?? Oh, I remember. I left the page looking for a pic to post, and when I came back it was gone..... :-( So I said screw it...

[videoarizona]

Can't comment on that little scoot @cowpuc but can relate some weird stories on bikes from my past.

 

Storytelling time!

 

Riding the Honda 160 from college in Boston to home in New Hampshire one winter day. Gotta tell ya...when we stopped at a coffee shop to warm up...I had to slide my hands off the handlebars...I couldn't uncurl my fingers. Boy did they hurt when they started to warm up!

 

Or...

 

riding a Norton SS out of Providence one day...hit the freeway north to Boston and opened her up. Speedo needle climbed so fast, I got off at next exit, turned around and went back to friend's apartment. Friend sold that scoot to a numb nuts who decided to saw a telephone pole in half in North Carolina a few days later. The bike was still in friends name so he got the news.

 

Or...

 

Picking up my first new scoot, the Yamaha YDS-6C from Boston Yamaha. The chief mechanic was on the Daytona race team and when I asked him to changed the rear gearing so I could cruise more comfortably on the highways, he said "Why?" "You can't break that motor...just let her rev. She will do 75mph all day long." So off I went after break in and went across country to Mississippi to help a friend build a house there for his in-laws. (on way, got a ticket for passing on the right in Parsippany, New Jersey. I was walking the bike along the right side, motor off, to a gas station where I parked it to wait out a traffic jam. Didn't want to overheat with that motor! Got out of ticket since a lady I was dating at the time...her mom was a judge in Parsippany. One phone call.)

From Mississippi, I rode out to Arizona where my love affair with this state started in 1969. Riding the beautiful two lanes in the mountains and desert was like a dream on two wheels. Oh...on that trip out...riding near Tucson at night on I-10....it was a bit spooky. This was new country for me...No one on the road....and I could see shadows of "things" to my right on the edge of the road. Lordy...imagine my surprise when something appeared to jump out at me as I whizzed by! Then another....and soon another! Well...I slowed down and saw what was causing my young heart to beat like mad....a dam Saguaro cactus, tall and lean with arms hanging out!! By the side of the road. They stood 10 feet tall and sure looked menacing to my tired eyes! Needless to say I got a good laugh out of that. But one other thing that stands out as I crossed Texas, is how the towns were always off in the distance. The freeway bypassed most of them. You could see the town glow from miles away....and then had to take the by-pass exit if you wanted food or gas. Dam lonely country on a bike back then out in the West!

 

Or...

 

Riding a BSA 441 Victor in the Agua Fria riverbed outside of Phoenix one nice day. We were riding the sand and dirt...jumping the little hills there that are left from erosion. One jump I do remember vividly was when I crested the top and looked ahead...there was no top...just straight down. Well...needless to say, the 441 was a bit of a nose heavy beastie and down I went. Was able to ride home but have no idea I or the scoot weren't mangled. Got rid of that scoot quickly.

 

Or...

 

The first time I twisted my right hand after I got my 89 VR. Such a rush! Pure, smooth power from 25 mph to over 90...and this was on the entrance ramp to the freeway! Hit 5th and said "WHOA!". Speedo was at century mark....Yikes!

 

Many more stories and great memories... but it's time to head to Phoenix to help with mom-in-law....so who's next??

 

Happy Easter to all and be safe out there!

david

[cecdoo]

Well I started out on a 350 honda twin, it wasnt real fast but had alot of fun on it. Buddy had a P-11 Norton think it was a 68' that he sold me, warned me it was pretty fast, but I always was a slow learner? First ride took it to a nice straight stretch with a slight incline and nailed it, slid straight back on the seat and was hanging on for dear life, further back I slid, harder I was twistin that throttle and if you know anything about Nortons ya gotta step down to shift to 2nd, with your RITE! foot, really hard to do when all your weight is flying backwards. Finally clawed myself front enough to stomp down on the shifter and get it in 2nd before it blew up. Made real sure I was tucked up close to the bars with my knees sqeezin that tank whenever I opened her up after that. Center punched a little ole lady that turned rite in front of me into a Do Not Enter street. That was the end of that P-11. Next came the 650 Yamaha Special...

[Trader]

My first bike was a 67 450 Honda.

That was the model with the butt ugly "camel back" tank.

It had a 4speed tranny that meant you were moving at a good clip when you shifted out of first.

My buddy, Chris, had a 305 Honda Dream...unit body frame and all.

 

I only had the bike for less than a week when this true story takes place

We were out riding in the country when we met up with a guy on an enduro.

He said "wanna have some fun? Follow me !"

 

Next thing ya know we were following a trail thru the woods, my first time on dirt.....and then, like a monster rising above the trees was this hill...no..no...it was a monster!

 

It was barren of vegetation ...maybe above the tree line?

Sitting at the bottom and looking up it seemed that was a

possibility although in all honesty it was probably less than 40ft high.

there was a narrow path...more of a worn rut really with a rock sticking out of it that could tear out the underbelly of any street bike.

 

The guy on the enduro let out a whoop an took off scaling that monster like it was a city sidewalk.

 

Chris offered one last piece of advice...."keep your weight forward or you will pull a wheelie!"

then with dirt and gravel flying out like a speadboat's roostertail he bobbed and weaved his way up and over and disappeared from sight.

 

After what seemed an awfully long time, Chris appeared and stood at the crest of the hill, laughing, whooping and waving me to follow.

 

Now my mother didn't raise no fool...so like any intelligent person, I sat there pondering my options.

I could tuck my tail between my legs and return the way we came in to find my way out to the road...forever to be labelled "chicken".

 

I could trust that I was a natural born rider, a gymnast with superior physical conditioning in the prime of my life....knowing I was capable of handling anything that came my way. I could trust my friend that he would care for me as a newbie and not expose me to anything dangerous to me or my bike.

 

In hind sight...I never did consider why he was on foot when he finally reappeared at the top!

 

well...I just went for it. I had no idea how much traction I would or wouldn't have, and no idea of how much throttle I would need...so I just gave it all there was to give.

 

With the engine screaming ( and possibly me too) I launched off feeling the rear tire slipping and sliding under me.

 

I was WOT and to be sure I had enough momentum I even shifted into 2nd on the way up.

 

Now I have no idea how I avoided the large rock on the way up...I just know I MUST have seeing as I was still upright and moving higher.

I felt the front end getting lighters and lighter but remembered Chris' admonition to keep my weight forward so I was standing on the foot pegs with the handlebars near my midriff.

 

I crested that peak doing what I'm sure was somewhere just under the speed of sound and soared off into the unknown.

Now, My buddy Chris was a tall man....6 ft 2 or so...and he always liked to wear riding boots with heels to enhance his height.

I remember looking DOWN at him waving at me and thinking to myself "This looks pretty much like the same view as in a plane during take off".

 

I later found out he wasn't waving...more like just trying to reach up to gauge how far above him I was.

 

Remember...I was a newbie on dirt and had never jumped a bike before.

Remember...I was told to keep my weight forward...which I did....all the way.

 

Chris later told me my descent was somewhat reminiscent of a Kamakasi pilot on their final trip to glory and my normally beady little eyes had expanded into proportions not seen since Betty Boop.

 

Much like the Apollo astronaughts, as I returned to earth I realized that a nose first re-entry was not good.

I was about to get burned.

 

In in slow motion the front wheel made contact with Mother Earth and I could see the forks begin to buckle.

Then time stood still

For a split second I could see a debate about the laws of physics being conducted by the various members of that poor bike. "Let it be resolved that this idiot should die. Discuss"

 

Finally, everything that is good and right with the world prevailed and the front wheel popped up and out.

The bike continued on its path for a few more yards with the me just going along for the ride.

My feet were up around the rear signals and I was laying over the bars trying to decide if I should bail out or try to regain control. I'd like to think I was just doing a preliminary inspection of the front forks it in reality that is where the god of good luck came into play.

 

I rode that bike for a few more weeks before I sold it.

It just didn't seem to handle very well after that.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Trader

[cowpuc]

WOW ZZZZZZZZZZZ WOW WOW WOW,, NOW WE'RE COOKING WITH FROZEN FINGERS AND BENT FORKS!!! @Condor, sorry about ya losing your story my good friend cause we sure would have enjoyed reading about life with your Square Four brother!! I have ALWAYS loved the looks and sound of those sweethearts.. FYI - something I have learned when dealing with these computers and after having done exactly what you are talking about (several times as a matter of fact) is that I now open a new window - open my email - copy/paste a copy of the story into my email and send it to myself for a backup.. Has saved me from loosing everything should my computer decide to get even with me for torturing it.. I usually only find this necessary if I have started something on here and had to leave it for any reason - or if its an exceptionally long story....

GREAT STORIES YOU GUYS and all the participation is greatly appreciated.. Now, quoting that lop eared varmint @videoarizona - "so whose next"?

 

Need a primer?

[videoarizona]

Steve, gotta tell Ya...I had tears in my eyes from your writing. funny as heck!!!!

[NewbeeMC9]

Had one of these, not in this good of shape.

 

My buddy was going to take it for a ride and the gas tank was off, so he put it on. As he was putting it on the truck, I said start it, make sure it runs. So he did. Well the bike reves up, and I should note here that I had bought a new kill switch but hadn't put it on yet, so he tries to pop it in first gear to stall it. Well it took off with the old drum brakes and the worn out drum. The throttle cable was on the outside of the tank so it was lifting the throttle. And he takes off with his eyes quite wide, and as he turns to miss the truck it opens the throttle and he really jumps. Fell by the road in the neighbors yard and i ran over and picked it up with the clutch in put the front wheel against the big oak tree and went to second. That didn't stall it., 3rd... nope... 4th, finally. Also with the help of the rut that it dug. Had to tell the neighbor and get some dirt to fill in. I think she planted flowers. My buddy said he pictured himself heading down the interstate to run the thing out of gas . There's more but who's next.

 

http://tenwheel.com/imgs/a/a/w/p/i/1982_husqvarna_xc250_survivor_museum_runs_title_ahrma_vintage_mx_cr_cz_3_lgw.jpg

[mraf]

The year was 1972. I was still in high school and had a chance to buy a 72, 350 Kawasaki from my friend. He was good enough to offer it to me on the payment plan. I was hooked. It was a screamer and when it hit its powerband wheelies were no problem. Now my friend who sold this 350 to me went out and bought a brand new 72, 750 Kawasaki. Holy shmolie! Was that thing fast! Wheelies were nothing. I had to have one. It was not until the following year that I could afford to buy one by bank payments. It was used but looked like new. We had a blast riding and racing them. Once in a while we would ride to Thompson dragway on wednesday night for run what you brung night. The stats on the 750 if I recollect were that it would run a 12.4 1/4 mile. We always said that the only way it would run that in the 1/4 was if it was up on the center stand and kicked off for the start at wide open throttle. LOL But I have to say that I did run 12.4 1/4 mile run one time at Tompson but I recieved no MPH with that run just the time slip. When I bought my 750 I was told that the guy who had it before me was waiting for his new bike so I couldn't get it for a couple of weeks until it was turned in and gone over by the dealer. Like I said earlier it was not new when I picked it up but looked new. Now looking back on it I believe that it was damaged but repaired. The engine case has no numbers on it. Just blank. Upon massaging it through the years I have also learned that it has bigger jets in the carbs than stock. Now the year was 1974 when my buddy and I decided to go on a whrilwind tour of the west on our 750's. It was a blast and we seen everything once that me and the wife have seen by going west twice to see. Yellowstone {back when there were Bears everywhere} Carlsbad Caverns, Badlands, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Salt flats, Stayed in a fenced in area in the middle of nowhere at Rocky Mountain Natl Park. I didn't give it to much thought why it had barbed wire around the top of the fence. But looking back on it now it was to keep the bears from dragging you away in the middle of the night. LOL. When we were in Texas stopped at a red light {it was 110 degrees} I looked down at the tach and it was barely above 0. Them air cooled cylinders were really loose with the heat. I recieved a speeding ticket in the state of Colorado. Took the trooper in a unmarked car about 30 miles to finally catch up with me because of the curvey roads { I thought I'd seen that car in my mirrors miles ago} and when he did he was not a happy camper. He was judge, jury and executioner. He followed me to the post office and made me mail my fine to the state before he would let me go. After I got home about 2 months later I recieved a letter from the state of Colorado to never drive in their state again.LOL Pubic enemy No 1 LOL What a trip. I've got some pictures of that trip . I dig them out once in a while. Now what happened to that bike you ask? I still have it and I have my buddys too. I've told the wife I'm going to clean it up and put it in the living room some day. She dosen't think thats funny. Mine is still in very good shape, clean the carbs, new plugs, new battery and it would run again. My buddys which I inherited is all there but is in need of a total going over. That is my 1972 750 kawasaki story and I'm sticking to it.