Buying bikes

[Arby]

After reading Dean's post about the new 1200R for sale at SJBMW, I began thinking about some of the unorthodox methods I've used over the years to buy bikes. I'm sure others here have too. I'd like to hear about them, but I'll start it off with a few that come to mind.

In 1973, we (me, Judy and the two little girls) were visiting family in Florida . We lived in Maryland at the time. I was an avid motocrosser in those days. The new Honda Elsinore was the new king of m/x, but Yamaha had a much better (IMO) bike on the market, the limited production first run YZ, which was about $600.00 more expensive that the Elsinore or the standard Yamaha m/x. Which meant about a 50% price increase for the YZ over the standard model or the Honda.

But, apparently, thay couldn't give the YZ's away in Florida, as I found one priced the same as the Honda's or the Yamaha m/xer's. I had to have it.

I borrowed the money from my brother, who we were visiting, bought the bike, totally disassembled it, packed it in the trunk of the '73 Plymouth Duster along with all the family luggage and hauled it back to Maryland .

Talk about an accomodating wife!!!:)

Some years later, towards the end of my m/xing days, I was riding Montesa's. I had an excellent '77 Montesa VB 360, but was considering a new 1980 VF 414 F. I had struck up a relationship with the Eastern distributor for Montesa up in Hatboro Pa and could purchase directly from them if I needed/wanted parts or bikes. I was on the fence about buying another new bike, or just keeping what I had. I was racing the senior class by then and just wasn't as enthused as I had been.

I was in the heavy duty wrecker business then, and we had a lot of accounts that sent us on interstate tow jobs. Early one Saturday morning I received a call from one of my best customers. They had a over the road T&T that had been in an accident on the NJ Turnpike. They sent a tractor up to get the loaded trailer, but wanted us to get the wrecked tractor asap and bring it back to their regional terminal near Baltimore Md.

I still had the VF 414 F on my mind when I got that call and started thinking how small the detour would be to stop by Hatboro Pa and pickup my new bike, well, you know, since I was already in the area.:)

I called Cosmopolitan Motors in Hatboro PA to see if they would be open (it was a Saturday) and would be able to load the bike on the side of my large heavy duty wrecker. Which, it turns out, they could.

I proceeded to NJ, got my tow job hooked up and secured and headed south. I then made a slight detour past Phila Pa, picked up my new bike and headed back to Balto. I then made a slight detour past my house, where my best m/x buddy helped me lift it off the truck and into my garage. The bike was still in the crate, which made it easier to handle. I then proceeded to the trucking terminal to drop off my tow.

Again, it helped (a lot :)) to have an understanding wife.

In the late '90's, Judy and I did a tour of the SE coast, starting SC and working our way north along the coast to Ocean City Md, where hooked up with friends for a big car show that weekend, plus Judy and I rode up to Harrington, Delaware for the half mile National that was running that weekend.

We were riding the '83 Suzuki 1100E that i'd bought new 15 years earlier , and up to that point, had been perfectly happy with.
But, on this trip, I decided it was time to upgrade to something else. (There had been other bikes in that time period, but they all got sold, while the 1100E stayed. )

On the way home, on a whim, we stopped at the Harley / Buell dealer in Savanah Georgia. They had a Billet Metallic(silver grey)Buell S3 sitting there with a heck of a discount on the price. We worked out a deal where they would order in the tour package for me, (hard bags, higher bars,etc) along with a Corbin seat and backrest for mom. I gave 'em a deposit and we worked out a date for me to pick it up.
We were living in Florida by this time and it was (is) a 750 mile rd trip to get the bike.

I was riding as many of the AMA National Dual Sport rides as I could in those days, and I knew we had one coming up in Refro Valley, Kentucky. On the way home from Renfro Valley, we detoured to Savanah HD, loaded up my new Buell along side my muddy DR 350 S, and all the goodies they had ordered for me, and headed back to Florida.

Again, it really helped to have an understanding wife :)

The last deal I'll mention, for now, at least, hapened in the early '00's. I just happen to be surfing ebay. I gave a really cheap bid on an almost new HD softtail standard located up near Chicago. I was mildly surprised to hear that I was top bid. I wasn't even a Harley guy, but that was OK. A deal's a deal, I thought.

A bout a day later, I get a message from a guy up near Detroit, that even though the reserve hadn't been met on his "99 900 SS Ducati, I was the high bidder and could have it if I wanted it. In truth, I could see me riding a 900 SS Ducati more than I could see me on a Softtail Harley, so I said OK.

I made a deal with Allied Van Lines to ship both bikes, and as luck would have it, they both arrived at my shop on the same truck. Both of them clean as a pin and well worth the price, assuming of course, you needed a nice HD and 900SS. :)

Ditto on the understanding (and long suffering) wife :)

That's enough of mine for now. I know I can't be the only one to make deals like this.

RB

[Deans BMW]

Great stories Arby. I think that I might have a few to tell but need to do it later, have to run off to the San Mateo M/C show.

[DarthRider]

Here's one on a friend of mine...

In the mid eighties I acquired a complete basket-case 1971 Norton 750 Commando "S" model, that was about 1/4 restored, and I finished it. It was a really nice bike and turned out well, and won 1st & 2nd place trophies at Norton National Rallies and several more at regional rallies. It had the most beautiful sounding stock exhaust I ever heard on any motorcycle!
The hardest part of the resto was getting the correct yellow paint...I learned there are hundreds of variations of yellow, many virtually indistinguishable, and all the colors of the rainbow, plus black & white are used to formulate them! It was expensive to have it blended but worth it. I had a perfect "sample" on the backside of a side-cover and we used that to modify a Corvette yellow...perfect!
http://mrcycle1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/MISC/CommandoS-003/681492727_WVoDk-S-1.jpg

My then 15 year old son & I enjoyed several days on that bike, exploring the Colorado Rocky Mountains and I loved it! But 3 Nortons was 1 too many and I had the hots for a lovely blue R100RS, so I reluctantly sold the bike to a friend I knew would give it a good home. The bike is actually still running around the Fort Worth/Dallas area and sometimes shows up at area rallies.

My friend had a dozen or so old Brit bikes already, most basket cases, several rollers and a few runners. But nothing as nice as that yellow Norton. He also had a wife who was all over him about too many bikes...the garage was full and she was pissed about having to park her car outside.
He sheepishly asked me if I would keep it a week or so while he smoothed things over with wifey. I said sure.
Only he chickened out of even asking/telling her about the new Norton.
And *very* sheepishly asked if he could take the bike home one piece at a time, hiding the parts & bits amongst all the others. His plan was to re-assemble the bike over time, and wifey would somehow never notice the gleaming fresh Norton that slowly materialized amongst all the beaters! Desperate situations call for desperate means. I understood his dilemma and was happy to be co-conspirator.
I thought if that ridiculous ruse actually worked, I'd use it myself sometime, as Betty was also seeing "too many" motorcycles!
So he took a few pieces home over a month or so, then took the gorgeous yellow tank home and hid it under a blanket. A few more pieces followed.
Then wifey confronted him, informing him that she'd been onto the scam all along. And she had particularly noticed the tank...imagine that!
Then she floored him when she said it looked like it was going to be the "prettiest" of any of his bikes and why didn't he just bring all of it home and put it back together!
So he did, they both love the bike and she rides with him often. But only on the yellow Norton!

I never did get to try that with Betty...

[DarthRider]

Wow, Arby, I just noticed something...your post with tales of Yamaha, Montesa, Suzuki, Buell, Harley Davidson & Ducati. All in one story/post.
Outstanding!
My favorite Kool Aid flavor is to take everyone they have, mix them up and drink it...delicious!:beer:

I'll have a Bultaco story for you later...:linzi:

[Sir Limpsalot]

I can't compete with any of this. All I've ever done is go to a dealer for the particular machine I've convinced myself will enrich my life forever and.. and.. bought it. Boring.

There is a tale though, of a more enterprising man than I. He wanted one of the first 500cc Mach3 Kawasaki's. These were available in the USA many months before they made it over here, so, he hatched a plan. A cunning plan.. Back then the Daytona 200 was the first big meeting of the year and a couple of British firms ran trips there. Flights, hire cars, hotels were all included in the (quite reasonable) price. Our hero fetched up at Daytona and hot footed it to the nearest Kawasaki agent, bought the bike of his dreams and promptly took it to pieces. Not entirely y'understand, but into "large lumps" as we used to say. These lumps were distributed amongst his fellow enthusiasts on the flight home as "hand baggage". (Can you imagine getting away with it now? No, me neither! But they were simpler times..) All went well untill he was forced to pick up a complete Mach3 engine from the luggage carousel at Heathrow :).
The ploy worked though. He had the first Mach in the UK, maybe in all of Europe, and set many a sprint record with it.

Si.

[Donson]

TSA: "What is in the bag, Sir?"
Traveler: "Thats Me kwacker, Mate".
TSA: "Security!".

[vintagemxr]

I guess I'm like Si, no real adventures in actually buying a bike, new or used. An old friend in Nevada has '70 Bultaco Pursang that he's offered me though, so there's still a change for some sort of adventure as I'm not sure how I'd get it home or even what I'd do with it except drool on it when it got here.

the other Doug

[Donson]

Doug....You could RIDE it home! That would be a story worth telling!

[Boxerboy]

Great stories lads. The UK import one is a beauty!

I don't have anything particularly special top add, but a couple of quirky circumstances.

My first bike was purchased via a chance meeting with a University acquaintance in a pub. He had failed his course and (unbeknown to me at the time) was depressed. He had joined the Orange People, a religious group that wore red/orange and couldn't have things of other colours. He had a black Suzuki X7 2 stroker for sale. Long story short, I bought it for a steal, as he had to fly interstate to relocate for the Orange People. Unfortunately, he suicided 3 months later. RIP Mark.

Next quirky buy was a R100RS. The guy paid $7K for it (overpriced) but the thing wouldn't idle. I had test rode it when it was initially available. Anyhow, I was between bikes and was looking for another R100RS and became aware of this one. It had been for sale for a few months, and his price had come right down. The poor idle persisted and was the reason he couldn't sell. Upon viewing the bike, I noticed it had strange spark plug caps on it. On a whim and a prayer, I offered him even less, which he accepted. As soon as the bike was in the shed, I swapped the caps over, and guess what? It idled beautifully. BIG smiles!:)

Those two stories of thrifty purchases are offset by a couple of costly ones, of a bike or two that looked great, ran fine, but ended up being money pits. We live and learn.

[Donson]

In 1975, I was on My second bike, a 1969 Triumph Trophy 250. The local gas station where I hung out hired a new mechanic. He was a Musician, and raced MGB's. One day, He showed up on the most beautiful bike in the world. A 73 Kawasaki Z-1. It was custom painted, black and gold. The story was, He lived in long Beach. He bought the bike , the first one at Long Beach Kawasaki, and began riding it everywhere. Two weeks after He bought it, a VW rolled over in front of Him on an on-ramp. The door flew open, and He removed the door with the bike. He woke up in the hospital with two compound fractures and a severe concussion. While He was mending , He had a friend remove the head and take it to the Friend of a Friend, one "Pops" Yoshimura.Pops ported and polished the head. Another Friend did custom paint. Rick said"I want it black and gold". The painter had free reighn to do as He wished. He painted it several times before He was happy. Multiple coats of black lacquer, with a gold panel on the tank and tail piece. The gold panels were a Triumph metallic gold, and the panels were outlined with a hand applied red pinstripe. In 75, Rick was going through a divorce and needed money. I bought the Z-1 for $1800 with a little over 5000 miles on it. I installed club man bars, and a 1/4 cafe fairing, with a smoke windscreen. The Z-1 was My life for the next 25 years. For some reason, I don't know why, I put it in Walnecks and a collector drove from Florida to pick it up. My Friends couldn't believe i sold it. Neither can I. I have enough parts right now to build a couple of 4 cylinder Kawasaki's, but My heart still belongs to that 73 Z.

[vintagemxr]

Doug....You could RIDE it home! That would be a story worth telling!

Makes my ears ring just thinking about such a thing!

the other Doug

[Donson]

Makes my ears ring just thinking about such a thing!

the other Doug

Huh? Speak up, damhik!

[Arby]

OD, that Pursang would look good in your garage, I'll bet! Matter of fact, I'd love to have the yellow Norton, the Z 1 and the Pursang!

Great stories guys, I know there's a couple more of 'em lurking out there!

RB

[Donson]

Arby, the Pursang would look good in the living room. Right in front of the fireplace. Why let the Women do all the decorating?

[Deans BMW]

Back in '76, I think, before the R100RS was available in the US, BMW's were available in Germany a full 6 months before they were available here in the US. This was primarely due to the time it took for motorcycles to go thru all of the approvals required to be legal here.

We, (San Jose BMW) then the worlds largest BMW dealer had Mike Krauser disassemble one and stuff it in the center of an ocean going container full of Krauser Bags, we were either the sole US importer or one of the two Krauser importers at the time, don't remember. Any how, we had a R100RS months before anyone at the time. Cook Nelson came up for his first impression test ride for Cycle Mag.We were never able to sell that bike because it wasn't legal, we road it all over at the because all it took was a dealer plate. We eventually parted the bike out as RS unique spare parts were not available when the first bikes started to appear at BMW Dealers.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Dean, how did you find Cook Neilson? He was something of a hero to me back then with his #31 Ducati. Later, long after he left Cycle magazine, some British hack claimed he was a self centred jerk. As I am unlikely to meet him and make my own mind up your input would be of interest..

Si.

[Deans BMW]

He was good with us, possibly because at the time, we were doing so much extreme work on the old Airhead engines and we were racing AMA Superbike competively. Our shop was an enthusiasts wet dream.

[vintagemxr]

Dean, how did you find Cook Neilson? He was something of a hero to me back then with his #31 Ducati. Later, long after he left Cycle magazine, some British hack claimed he was a self centred jerk. As I am unlikely to meet him and make my own mind up your input would be of interest..

Si.

Si, I don't mean to butt in on your question to Dean but I had the adventure of knowing Cook when he was still at Cycle Magazine. I even met him one Sunday, long about 1974 I think, and introduced him to the new sport of hang gliding (I'd gotten mixed up in hang gliding because the doctor said I was hurting myself too much riding motocross). Cook mentioned the hang gliding thing in passing in an editorial a couple of issues later. Anyway, a few years ago I blogged about my memories of Cycle Magazine and Cook Neilson. I described him thus "Cook Nielson was funny, candid, sharp tongued, occasionally rude, and funny". The rest of the piece is here. (http://40on2.blogspot.com/2005/01/mouse-in-corner.html)

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

Thanks Doug, that was exactly what I was looking for. You're quite right, of course, in what you say about "Cycle" being the best magazine of that (or possibly any other, in my view) era. Sadly missed. About the best magazine I can find at the moment is "BIKE". But it's not the same thing. Not the same at all. I shall delve deeper into your blog..

Cheers,
Si.

[Deans BMW]

Doug, I am ashamed to say this is the first time I have read some of your writings in your Blog. An understatement would be to say that I am mightily impressed. Your story about Cook and the gang at Cycle Mag brought back into focus those heady and ever so exciting days of motorcycling and the California scene of the 70's.

It is clear that you were totally captured by those exciting times in that exciting place combined with the emergence of the modern motorcycle world that overcame so many of us as well.

[vintagemxr]

Doug, I am ashamed to say this is the first time I have read some of your writings in your Blog. An understatement would be to say that I am mightily impressed. Your story about Cook and the gang at Cycle Mag brought back into focus those heady and ever so exciting days of motorcycling and the California scene of the 70's.

It is clear that you were totally captured by those exciting times in that exciting place combined with the emergence of the modern motorcycle world that overcame so many of us as well.

Dean, I'm glad you enjoyed the piece about Cycle. Sadly, you're not the only one who hasn't read my blog, millions of other motorcyclists haven't read it either and I'm sure are poorer for it. I shall keep blogging in hopes that they one day stubble upon my ramblings.

the other Doug

[DarthRider]

Dean:

Doug, I am ashamed to say this is the first time I have read some of your writings in your Blog. An understatement would be to say that I am mightily impressed.
Now you see why I said the other day that Doug is the best writer we've ever had on the Cafe':eusa_clap:

[Deans BMW]

Dean:

Now you see why I said the other day that Doug is the best writer we've ever had on the Cafe':eusa_clap:

No kidding Dave, I am completely impressed.

[vintagemxr]

:icon_redface:

Kind words, Dave and Dean, but I've read so many things here by others that made me think "Gosh, I wish I'd written that!"

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

And I've seen many things written here that made me think "Gosh, I wish I could even spell that!"

Never mind. Just harking back to your "Cycle" piece, the bit about Gordon Jennings and the Velo Thruxton made me smile. He would be in a position to know, he once raced one in one of your big-money events. Cal Rayborn passed him so often he was moved tp remark "I didn't know Velocette had a team here.."
I'm sure Gordon was right in his sumation of the Velo though, they did require an "expert touch" to keep them sweet. Although I still think the Gold Star was probably worse in that respect.

Doug, why don't you post some of your old blog stuff here? Like all forums we have quiet times, of course we get a sudden rush of interest when someone buys a new bike, or if an especially long awaited new model in announced, but in the winter when people aren't riding much it would be fun to have some of your well written memories here.

Si.

[vintagemxr]

And I've seen many things written here that made me think "Gosh, I wish I could even spell that!"

Never mind. Just harking back to your "Cycle" piece, the bit about Gordon Jennings and the Velo Thruxton made me smile. He would be in a position to know, he once raced one in one of your big-money events. Cal Rayborn passed him so often he was moved tp remark "I didn't know Velocette had a team here.."
I'm sure Gordon was right in his sumation of the Velo though, they did require an "expert touch" to keep them sweet. Although I still think the Gold Star was probably worse in that respect.

Doug, why don't you post some of your old blog stuff here? Like all forums we have quiet times, of course we get a sudden rush of interest when someone buys a new bike, or if an especially long awaited new model in announced, but in the winter when people aren't riding much it would be fun to have some of your well written memories here.

Si.

Si, without spellcheck I'd be doomed. I'd never get anything written because I'd spending all my time looking up half the words in the dickshunary.

Great story about Gordon Jennings. No wonder he held ill will for the Thruxton. I wish I had more stories about Jennings but either I've forgotten the details or I was too awestruck to remember very much, and it's not like we were great pals or anything. In my somewhat ordinary life I've managed to cross paths with lots of people who where not ordinary and significantly excelled at one thing or another or were famous, but mostly I just have little anecdotes at best, of my encounters with them. Example: During my very brief stint at Yoshimura Racing I met Pops once. He smiled, shook my hand, seemed very polite, even shy. No great story to tell beyond that although I noticed on the way home that my bike ran better for some reason.

Anyway, I'm not opposed to re-posting some of the old blog stuff here but I know darned well that others (you know who you are) all could spin out far more and better stories than I if they'd set to it. It's not like this is the most shy and reticent bunch on the Internet. I've brushed up against some interesting folks (in a non-TSA sort of way) but I'm guessing the other guys here could recount plenty of stories if they thought about.

Or maybe we need to start some thematic threads like "Bikes I Didn't Buy" or "Animals I Have Hit With My Motorcycle."

the other Doug

[Arby]

OD, since you're an early 70's m/xer, and somewhat of a historian, here's a question for you. Do you have any info on whatever happened to Gary Robinson, the team manager and design engineer for Can Am back when Gary Jones and Jimmy Ellis were winning the AMA 250 National Championships on CanAm's?

I got to know him (somewhat) here in Florida in the late 80's/early 90's. He was in charge of a R&D facility for CanAm watercraft (SeaDo) located on the Indian River in Grant Fl , but also rented a warehouse nearby with a shop set up for his personal projects. A very interesting guy , I thought. As an example, he had a bunch of the bikes that Gary and Jimmy rode to those championships sitting right there in his shop. Somehow, they never made it to the crusher as intended. I lost track off him when he moved out of the area.

Any ideas ? I tried google, without much success.

RB

[DarthRider]

OD, since you're an early 70's m/xer, and somewhat of a historian, here's a question for you. Do you have any info on whatever happened to Gary Robinson, the team manager and design engineer for Can Am back when Gary Jones and Jimmy Ellis were winning the AMA 250 National Championships on CanAm's?

RB
Arby, I don't know about that but I clearly recall my frustration when the 175cc white-tank Can Ams came out in the early/mid 70s and started passing my 175 blue-tank Penton on the scrambles tracks!:ricky:

[Dirty Doug]

Arby,

I remember both Garys and Jimmy from racing back on the left coast in the early 70's. I always raced the open class but do remember those CanAms. They had so much power that they could pull most open class bikes at the time. I think their main downfall was the handeling. They never quite got it right as I remember. Didn't Jimmy Pomaory ( sp ) ride for them at the time? Somehow I remember it that way but remember I've had a couple head hits lately and I'm still a little fuzzy from the surgery.

On the longer courses they were a force to be reconed with like Carlsbad but didn't perform as well on the tighter courses like Indian Dunes. As Dangerous mentioned they were a blaze on the hair scrambles where a lot of the riding was WFO. I'll check some of my old pictures when I get back home and see if I have some of the Cam Ams. I seem to think I do but damned if I can remember where.

[Deans BMW]

I never cease to be amazed at the talent that our little band of "Cafe" Bros posess. The sum of the varied experiences are just amazing. I am completely humbled by the citizens of this community.

[Arby]

A friend of mine was a sponsered District 7 expert on a 250 white tank CanAm. He let me test ride it and it scared the dickens outta me. Between the light switch handling, and the even more so light switch power, I couldn't do a thing with it. I couldn't wait to get off of it , actually.
My early production 250 YZ was a pussy cat compared to it. Anybody who was used to old school European 250's wouldn't know what had hit 'em if they tried out that bike.

But getting back to Gary Robinson. He not only had the factory CanAm's in his personal shop, but apparently, according to him, he was involved with Sputhe Engineering when they were developing the 4 valve XR 750 style heads for the old iron head Sportsters back in the day. According to him, HD was funding that R&D work, while another company was working on the EVO engine concept. As we know, the Company decided to use the EVO design, and dropped the funding for the R&D on the Sputhe heads. That ended his involvement, but he had a few of the Sportster test mules fitted with the Sputhe heads in his shop as well.

Meanwhile, he and his son were building (and raced) a Bultaco Metralla for Daytona in the vintage road race.

Another project he and his son had going on in their personal shop, was they were building what was basically a heavy duty truck street rod. They took a stock B 61 Mack (a late 50's early 60's standard of the industry) work truck, stripped it down, and installed the running gear from an almost new FreightLiner truck. Air Ride rear suspension, modified 400 hp (855 ci) Cummins engine (including a long ram intake manifold of his own design) . He had a special aluminun radiator built and also had to extend the frame to the front due to the larger size of the Cummins engine. Of course, this also required a longer, one piece, modern style, flip forward hood, which they built by hand and couldn't be told from a factory unit.

Meanwhile, at his day job, he was developing all the new stuff for Seadoo Watercraft.

The guy was just a heck of a hands on engineer. I really enjoyed talking (and listening)to him.

I'm interested in hearing what he's been up to since then.

But I'm still interested in hearing more odd ball bike buying tales, too! :)

RB

[Deans BMW]

To date, I have bought either 4 or 5 new bikes sight unseen and without so much as a test ride until I drove it away, two of which were my 03 R1150R and my 05 R1200ST.

[panthercity]

My favorite new bike story was recounted by George Mastovich(sp) IIRC a few years back.

George had heard about the NEW 6-speed R1150RT and had to have one. He got the first one to come into his local dealership. Uncrated it and assembled and serviced it himself. Took pictures and rode it home.

In his brag fest on the IBMWR list, someone asked him how much he paid for it.

"$27,000" he answered.

We were all stunned and questioned his sanity.

He replied, "It came with the Ethan Allen Bedroom Suite option."

[socalrob]

:rofl:My bikes have all come with the Horse option.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Arby, I'm sorry I sort of hi-jacked the thread when Dean mentioned Cook Neilson (did you know his real name was Clarence? I think he sort of kept it quiet..). It seemed too good a chance to miss. I'm glad I asked because Doug chimed in and I got exactly what I hoped for.

I hope you find someone who knows what happened to Gary Robinson. There might be something here that helps..

http://www.canned-ham.com/racing.htm

Si.

[DarthRider]

Once I bought a bike in reverse, bass-ackwards, ass-backwards. You know, the cart before the horse. Busted-like.
In this case I bought the bike before I devised a workable plan to extract at least tacit approval from Betty. You know Betty...keeper of the books, keen of eye, sharp of tongue, defender of the budget, watch-hawk of the shop, nemesis of untold motorcycle dreams, schemes & adventures.

At one time or another I'd used them all. Every excuse, justification, rationalization, subtle deception, half-truth, ball-faced lie, devious trickery and once even...The Truth.
"Babe, this bike gets better gas mileage than the car and I'll ride it to work!" (Norton basket case), "This one gets better gas mileage than the other bikes and I'll ride it to work!" (BSA Spitfire roller), "This is a great deal and I'm sure to make money when I fix it up and sell it!" (Rickman Montesa MX bike), "This Ducati has much better brakes & handling than the other bikes and I'll be much safer on it!" (She didn't even pretend to believe that one), and finally, "Babe I have something to tell you. (wide eyes, thoughts of divorce.) Kawasaki has come out with the bike for me, the one I've dreamed of for years. (the '81 550 GPz.) I know we can afford it, I already bought it, I pick it up in an hour and I need a ride. (I expected the worst: Doom, disaster, divorce and no new Kwacker.)
Then, as is her wont, she surprised me with "Well, OK, if that's what you want. I'm sure we can afford it...what color is it?"
"Uhhh...red?" "Oh, that sounds pretty, let me know when we need to go get it!"
I knew she was just doing that to confuse me and keep me off balance and piss me off!

But that only happened that once. Back to the Backwards Bike:
I didn't really think I was going to buy it so I hadn't done due diligence and prepared Betty. I only hooked up the bike trailer to the truck that Saturday morning, "just in case".
It was a 197...4? Bultaco 360 Astro factory flat tracker. It had belonged to local flat track dude Richard Bates, owner of Bates Cycle Salvage and part-time pro, expert Class C racer who held a national number once, briefly. He had campaigned the bike for only half a season, then parked it when he got a sponsored ride on something else. Several years later a friend of his bought it, did a top-end job, rubbed on the cosmetics a bit and decided to sell it before it killed him.
360cc of wicked, nasty, evil & seductive Spanish horsepower & handling, still capable of winning an AMA national in the right hands. Silver, red & sexy...Akront rims, track-ready tires, huge Amal carb, compression release in lieu of brake (except an anemic little Earhart go-kart rear brake) and it all worked! What ex-racer/gearhead/classic bike collector/race fan could resist that combo?

He was only asking $500, took the $400 I offered and helped me load it up. All the way back from East Dallas to North Fort Worth I feverishly schemed. I came up with a few lame ideas but nothing more. I had no clue how I would get away with another bike now, the 2nd in less than 2 months. But I had hours more to work it out as Betty was gone shopping for the day. I'd have plenty of time to first stash the bike, then "think of something" before she got home. I relaxed...

Only she was delayed in leaving. By about 2 hours.
And as I turned up our side street, nothing on my mind but 3rd gear, full-throttle, feet-up slides on my new 360cc adrenaline pump...suddenly I was looking her right in the face!
Right into the piercing look of doom, the look a mother Eagle gives the snake that has just gulped one of her precious eggs. I stopped, not knowing what I was going to say. Betty was so pissed she didn't even stop, just kept right on going. On what turned into a major shopping trip!

But it all blew over soon and got "really OK" when I sold the bike a year later for $1000 to a dentist who didn't even ride, but had a big game room full of Bultacos and Mustang motorcycles. I'd rather it had gone to someone who was going to race it, but a grand's a grand and a "slightly used" Triumph was calling my name..."Uhhh....Betty..."

[Arby]

Dave, anybody in his right mind would have paid $500.00 bucks for a fresh 360 Astro!! Betty was probably just messin with you, she knew it was a good deal all along!:057:

PC & SoCal, thankfully my wife is too practical to pay for the options. Just because I'm willing to sell the farm for another bike, doesn't mean she's gonna add fuel to the fire.

Si, please chime in on any thread I've started with any comment or question you have. To me, this is just a conversation among friends. Detours are Ok and welcome.

Dean, I've bought my last two road bikes (used) sight unseen off fleabay. The 919 and the Rockster, one had 2050 miles and the other 1800 mi. The Honda was inTampa, the BMW in NJ. I was (and am) happy with them both.

RB

[Arby]

Si, i have an email in with the Canned Ham guy. Thanks for posting the link.

RB

[vintagemxr]

OD, since you're an early 70's m/xer, and somewhat of a historian, here's a question for you. Do you have any info on whatever happened to Gary Robinson, the team manager and design engineer for Can Am back when Gary Jones and Jimmy Ellis were winning the AMA 250 National Championships on CanAm's?

I got to know him (somewhat) here in Florida in the late 80's/early 90's. He was in charge of a R&D facility for CanAm watercraft (SeaDo) located on the Indian River in Grant Fl , but also rented a warehouse nearby with a shop set up for his personal projects. A very interesting guy , I thought. As an example, he had a bunch of the bikes that Gary and Jimmy rode to those championships sitting right there in his shop. Somehow, they never made it to the crusher as intended. I lost track off him when he moved out of the area.

Any ideas ? I tried google, without much success.

RB

Well, I'm glad others chimed in with the Can Am stories because I confess to knowing almost zilch about them. Won't claim to be a historian of any sort either, like most of the other guys I've just been around a long time and am also both blessed and cursed with a good memory for odd details, over which the accumulation and selection of, I seem to have no control. Yesterday a couple of youngsters (early 30s) stopped by on non-bike business and we were started talking bikes in the garage. Turns out one has a TL1000 and the other a Duc 999. They'd comment on something and I'd have a story, the conversation would shift slightly and I'd have another story. We bantered about for the best part of three hours as the flotsam and jetsam of my collected memories attached itself to their comments. Great fun. The one guy told me "We haven't had this much fun in months!" I said he needed to ride more.

I liked Dave's recounting of bike buying justifications. I've used pretty much all of those myself. Never tried the truth, that nearly always seemed too improbable to work. Never bought a bike with an Ethan Allen option but some had add-on charges for new china, new dresses, and other relationship first aid items. I finally settled on a tactic of placing a bike brochure on the coffee table but for a bike more expensive than what I wanted. Then after the first round of concerns over the cost I'd scale back "my dream" to something that by comparison seemed more realistic. With Debbie, wife number three for me, I just tell her I've got the bug for the bike and she says "As long as you've got a way to pay for it." The tricky part is getting the money out of her savings account...

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

You know Betty...keeper of the books, keen of eye, sharp of tongue, defender of the budget, watch-hawk of the shop, nemesis of untold motorcycle dreams, schemes & adventures.


Only their names are different. "Linda, meet Betty. You'll get on well, you're very much alike".

Cracking tale Dave.

Doug, maybe Debbie recognises that if wives one and two had been more like her she might not even be number three?!

Si.

[Rchop]

So, I drive into town this morning to pay my water bill and stop by a little corner shop a couple of friends (Mitch and his dad, John) own where they work on their bikes and manage their construction business. John is in there pecking away at his computer beside a propane heater. It's about 27 F degrees out and bright and sunny on its way to a high of 32F today. We start jabbering about the bikes and I comment on John's "for sale" sign on his beautiful 2000 Heritage Softail Classic. He says it will be hard to sell this time of year, but he has only ridden it a few times this year and needs to sell it...to me! He knows I have been looking for something Deb and I can ride on. I laugh it off because his price is higher than I'm willing to pay and I throw out a low price $2200 lower than his asking price as I walk out the door. I hear him say that would buy it as I keep walking toward my truck. The closer I got to home, the more I was thinking about it; HD's, especially softtails, get a pretty good price around here! I got home and talked to Deb about it...we could take some money out of our savings and replace it within the next year. She agreed and I picked up the cold weather riding gear as we headed back to town. She liked it and I took it for a ride and brought it home! Brrrrrrrr, still trying to warm up. First order of business will be to install a plug for my electric vest and gloves.

http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/newhd.JPG

[panthercity]

..First order of business will be to install a plug for my electric vest and gloves.

http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/newhd.JPG

Second order of business, pillion accomodations. ;)

[Rchop]

A nice comfy rear seat and back rest came with the bike. Both are quick install/removal. Same with the windshield.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Randy m'boy, that there is one fine lookin' sickle. (Learning to call Harleys "sickles" was the first lesson in my night class "Understanding Americana". Learning to appreciate the visual appeal of Harleys was the second!) Are Harleys "impulse buys"? I've bought candy bars (lesson three) on impulse, but..

Seriously, it looks great!

Si.

[panthercity]

A nice comfy rear seat and back rest came with the bike. Both are quick install/removal. Same with the windshield.

:D

[Rchop]

Not really such an impulse Si, since I had been looking for a 2-up cruiser for Deb and I. I was seriously looking at HD's because I don't think there is a better, easily manuverable bike around for the type of 2 rider cruising we have around here. We have a lot of marginal condition (paved or chipped) backroads around here that meander through the woods and rolling hills. They are wonderful for scenic cruising and a soft riding, easily handling, low center-of-gravity bike is a plus.
Appreciating the beauty of a finely finished HD has never been an issue with me.

PS: I don't know anyone around here that calls them sickles, lol

The leather bags will probably go as soon as I can find a horse I can put them on.

[Donson]

Cool, Randy, another Harley 'guy, to take the heat off the rest of Us Harley types.:) I am sure You will be happy with it. I am sending You a big box of D0-rags, tassles, and ass-less chaps for Christmas!:028:

[Rchop]

Cool, Randy, another Harley 'guy, to take the heat off the rest of Us Harley types.:) I am sure You will be happy with it. I am sending You a big box of D0-rags, tassles, and ass-less chaps for Christmas!:028:

I had to buy the Harley to go with my "matte black" Shoei helmet Don. Thanks, but I'll pass on the other stuff :eusa_naughty:

[DarthRider]

That's the deal I'm going to be looking for in a year or two when my sister & BIL retire and move across the street from us here in the canyon.
Can you wind down Hooliganosity in 2 years?
Congrats Rchop & Debchop!:eusa_clap:

[Rchop]

Can you wind down Hooliganosity in 2 years?


It's easy with a bike like that Dave, you have to drive it slow to stay alive!

[1MPH]

Very nice looking bike Randy.
Congratulations and many happy (s)miles for you and Deb.

[DarthRider]

It's easy with a bike like that Dave, you have to drive it slow to stay alive!
Yeah, that's why I don't have one...I figure I better get my head re-calibrated before I take the plunge, and I have 2 years!

[vintagemxr]

Very nice ride, Randy. As much as I enjoy poking fun at Harley guys I'd be happy as clam to have such a nice machine in my garage. Harley's fit and finish is second to none.

Si, I haven't heard the term "sickle" used much since the early '60s. Same with "cycle." These days they just seem to be bikes or motorcycles although a few retro types will still refer to their bike as "my scooter." Over on your side of the pond the "motorbike" term seems to be the accepted standard, no?

the other Doug

[JCsman]

Obviously enough, I like it a lot. That thinking is exactly why I have the Electra Glide. The Street Rod was another consideration all together.

Riding with your partner is a danged fine thing.

[DarthRider]

Obviously enough, I like it a lot. That thinking is exactly why I have the Electra Glide. The Street Rod was another consideration all together.

Riding with your partner is a danged fine thing.
I bet that V-Rod is too!
For the record, Mr. Chop still has a Buell sport bike...that's why I can relate, and kid about his bike preferences. And yours, Mr. JCsman!:ricky:
And I was serious about a big-motor Harley Dee in a couple of years. I'd get an XR1200 tomorrow if I had Randy's dough.

[Donson]

Dave on a Harley. I cant seem to visualize that.....:):028:

[DarthRider]

Dave on a Harley. I cant seem to visualize that.....:):028:
Me neither, but I'm working on it...and gaining on it.
But I truly do understand why you boys all seem to have a bagger and...something else too, often more than one something else! I think I'll always need at least one bike that will go, handle & stop.:028:

[Sir Limpsalot]

Randy/Doug, my tongue was very firmly in my cheek when I wrote the "sickle" bit. That and the fact that we'd shared a nice, slightly woody, Cotes du Rhone over dinner (perhaps I shouldn't post when "under the influence"?). I just looked at the pic again and, even sober, it still looks fabulous.

Doug, over here most riders will refer to their machines as simply "bikes". Non riders are more likely to use "motorbike". Once, and only once, have I heard the "proper" name. I was packing my panniers outside a Scottish B&B when a fellow guest, who'd given me the impression of being a long retired school teacher, passed by and said "Oh, a BMW. I did not realise that they made motor-bicycles".

Si.

[vintagemxr]

Si, I usually try to arrive at the Cafe with my tongue in my cheek but sometimes my methodical, inquisitive side shows through.

I've always found the differences between UK bike terminology and American bike terminology to be interesting, not sure why, but then I'm easily amused by anything to do with motorcycles. Panniers vs saddlebags is another one. Not sure if our Canadian brothers side with the UK, the US, or go their own way on such things. Speaking 'sickle, there's even a scene in "Then Came Bronson" where Jim Bronson corrects someone for using the term 'sickle. Donson probably has a script or video clip of it somewhere. ;-)

Never had anyone over here use the archaic "motor-bicycle" term on me but the question "BMW builds motorcycles too?" is one I heard many times when I was riding Beemers.
Anyway, we could probably put together a UK / American translation guide and see just how many differences there are. It could be the Cafe's service to humanity!

the other Doug

[Arby]

http://WWW.FRSENGINEERING.COM/newhd.JPG

Nice bike, Randy. You picked the right time of year to get a deal!

You and Miz Deb need to load that baby up and come to Florida next month for our ride to the Keys. I just had a couple cancel this morning by email. (We've got room to park your truck & trailer)

RB

[Rchop]

Thanks RB, I can't tell you how much we would love to come down there with you. Unfortunately, my class schedule, Deb's part time work schedule, and our lack of a caretaker for Ruffus, keep us from participating in any roadtrips for a while. When is the trip scheduled?

[Rchop]

Si, no offense taken from your post, it was taken in the humorous intent in which it was meant. I always like to think that we are interlopers when it comes to the "English" language. After all, didn't we all speak the same about 200 years ago? I always enjoy reading your posts and the posts from a couple of UK friends on FaceBook. Trying to figure out the meaning of your colloquialism and slang is a delightful endeavor. You always make me laugh out loud; so I say keep up the humor, even if it means you have to drink more wine ;)

[Deans BMW]

Si, no offense taken from your post, it was taken in the humorous intent in which it was meant. I always like to think that we are interlopers when it comes to the "English" language. After all, didn't we all speak the same about 200 years ago? I always enjoy reading your posts and the posts from a couple of UK friends on FaceBook. Trying to figure out the meaning of your colloquialism and slang is a delightful endeavor. You always make me laugh out loud; so I say keep up the humor, even if it means you have to drink more wine ;)

I couldn't agree more.

The day that I get to meet Sir Simon face to face will fullfill one of the top entries in my personal Bucket list. The picture will be hung with Honor in the MC B&B.

[Donson]

Keenan Wynn to Bronson in "the Old Motorcycle Fiasco". "I know a little somthin' about sickles". He pulls a sheet off His 1937 Bronze head Rudge Ulster, anxious to impress Bronson. (Wynn actually owned and rode the bike)

[Deans BMW]

Randy your new ride is beautiful.

I notice that it is sitting on your dyno..........................

[panthercity]

England and America are two countries separated by a common language. --George Bernard Shaw Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950)

[Arby]

Thanks RB, I can't tell you how much we would love to come down there with you. Unfortunately, my class schedule, Deb's part time work schedule, and our lack of a caretaker for Ruffus, keep us from participating in any roadtrips for a while. When is the trip scheduled?

Leave Malabar on 1/22/2011, spend 3 nights on Duck Key and tour the Keys by day, maybe track down Nail 24 for lunch or something , return to Malabar on 1/25/2011. Click on vrbo 148378 to view our accomodations, in case you change your mind.

RB

[DarthRider]

Sir Simon -

Re "sickle" or "motorsickle". I use that term once in a while, right here on the good ol' Cafe'.
Always in a tongue-in-cheek display of how we Americans, and some say especially Texans, have bastardized...I mean modified the King's English for our own use and amusement.
I know it sometimes gives you pause, and I love to give you pause (Andy too, but he is far to polite to take me to task), much like when I used to wear my pointy-toed Tony Lama cowboy boots to business meetings in New York. Our yankees have certain preconceived notions about Texans and I've always hated to disappoint them. They were always puzzled though, when they came to meetings in Dallas and I was wearing regular shoes!

The term "sickle" has it's roots sometime before the 1950s, I believe.
When I started riding in 1957 some of the old-dogs called their bikes motorsickles, or just sickles. Mostly though, they called them "motors"...as in "What kind of motor do you ride?" I finally weaned myself away from that around 1980! No one in my generation ever used the term sickle in normal conversation. Sadly, "motor" seems long deceased as well.
"Sickles" may have only been a Texas or Southern term, our accents and "lazy" speech patterns could easily morph motorcycles into motorsickles into sickles.

There is one other situation in which I use sickle...on the road at gas & lunch stops or pee breaks. Other riders there or I often strike up a brief conversation..."Nice day for a ride!", "Where ya' headed?", "Nice bike.", that sort of thing. If they are obviously long-time riders who will probably "get the joke", in parting I often say, "You boys be careful out there now, I hear them motorsickles is dangerous!" Si, if that sentence doesn't give you pause, I don't know what would.
Most will smile or chuckle and say, "Yeah, you too!" Sometimes I can just see from their expression it has triggered a memory of some old biker from their youth, or maybe their grand dad when they started riding, decades ago. And it's just sort of a mildly amusing inside joke two rider-strangers can share...sort of like a biker wave, I guess.
I would never say that to a young rider on a sport bike...he wouldn't "get it" and I would much rather be remembered as "the old bastard who passed him on the outside of a sweeper" than "the goofy old bastard at the gas station"!

I'm actually careful about how I write & speak, but I'm also comfortable using slang or colloquialisms, often as a way to quickly create a sort of easy familiarity with strangers of the type usually shared only with friends. If someone wants to think that means I'm a goober, that's OK because I know better and the joke's on them!

But don't worry Si, your Amer-English and Tex-English are coming along quite well.
And you be careful out there now, I hear them motorsickles is dangerous! :remybussi:




.

[Rchop]

Randy your new ride is beautiful.

I notice that it is sitting on your dyno..........................

It's the only parking place available in the garage right now, Dean.

RB, thanks for the info, I'm sure I will be thinking about it more and more as we get nearer to the time. I may be planning a road trip with Christian Men's group to Mobile. We will have to see if the event schedules are conflicting.

[vintagemxr]

Keenan Wynn to Bronson in "the Old Motorcycle Fiasco". "I know a little somthin' about sickles". He pulls a sheet off His 1937 Bronze head Rudge Ulster, anxious to impress Bronson. (Wynn actually owned and rode the bike)

Ah, I knew I could count on you as soon as "Bronson was" mentioned! Side story: For my 16th birthday my dad took me to the Riverside 500 stock car race. Keenan Wynn participated in a morning celebrity lap of Riverside Raceway on his Rudge. As he rode by where we were sitting people waved and he waved back and yelled "Man it's COLD out here!" Funny how little things, snippets of old TV shows, obscure moments at a race, comments from non-riders at rest areas, stick in the mind down through the years.

the other Doug

[jb44]

Sir Simon -

Re "sickle" or "motorsickle". I use that term once in a while, right here on the good ol' Cafe'.

I've heard it since 1968.

"I don't want a pickle, just want to ride my motorsickle..."

Arlo Guthrie, "The Motorcycle Song"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g266Uwp6ZnI

jb

[Sir Limpsalot]

Funny how little things, snippets of old TV shows, obscure moments at a race, comments from non-riders at rest areas, stick in the mind down through the years.

the other Doug

Indeed. And your tale reminds me of a day at Brands Hatch in (probably) 1969 when Clint Eastwood was guest of honour. They always had a "star presenter" to give out the prize for the big race of the day. The "star" then traditionally did a lap of the circuit, with the victor, in the back of an open top car. Eastwood's pretty blonde wife went round in the car with John Cooper, while her husband took the chance of a ride on the new Norton Commando "S" type. No helmet, gloves, boots or anything, he gassed it round with the wind in his hair and a huge grin. The insurance people would've had a fit.. Eastwood actually bought (or maybe was given) an "S" type and kept it for years.

Si.

[DarthRider]

I didn't know Clint had a Norton. The "S" type is a good one for him.
Clint & Steve...two brothers from other mothers on Nortons & Triumphs.:ricky:

[Donson]

Ah, I knew I could count on you as soon as "Bronson was" mentioned! Side story: For my 16th birthday my dad took me to the Riverside 500 stock car race. Keenan Wynn participated in a morning celebrity lap of Riverside Raceway on his Rudge. As he rode by where we were sitting people waved and he waved back and yelled "Man it's COLD out here!" Funny how little things, snippets of old TV shows, obscure moments at a race, comments from non-riders at rest areas, stick in the mind down through the years.

the other Doug

Cool! Ole Keenan was a real one of a kind. About what year would that have been, Doug?

[vintagemxr]

Cool! Ole Keenan was a real one of a kind. About what year would that have been, Doug?

Would have been 1967, Don. About a thousand years ago, it seems!

the other Doug

[Donson]

Thanks, Doug, i will tell the other Bronson Guys about that, they will love it, as KW is the star of one of the "best" episodes!

[Rchop]

Between my class schedule and everything else that's going on around here, I was able to finish up the work on the Heritage Softail and hit the road. Deb and I went on our first ride together the Sunday before last and we couldn't be happier with the 2 up comfort of the bike. I don't know exactly what it is, the feel of the v-twin motor, the sweet sound of the exhaust or the solid handling at medium speeds...maybe all of those; this bike just feels right cruising the local back country 2 lanes at 60 mph. We are looking forward to spending some more time on it.

http://www.frsengineering.com/hd1.JPG

[Moose]

Impressive RChop. 60 mph through the hills of western Iowa on a Heritage Softail would be heaven. I see hundereds of them every Labor Day, everyone with a smile on their face. Moose

[jb44]

Excellent looking motorcycle, Randy.

I haven't had a cruiser in ten years, or a H-D since the late sixties, but recently they have been looking better and better.

jb

[Sir Limpsalot]

Randy, I wish you and Deb many happy times together on that fine machine. (Post pics!)

Si.

[Deans BMW]

Randy, so good to see you, that bike looks up to your standard, and of that I have no doubt.

Enjoy those plesent rides afternoon rides with Deb, that my friend is as good as it gets.

[Dirty Doug]

Randy,

Glad to hear from you. Looking forward to the next Maxton you attend.

Dirty Doug

[Rchop]

Thanks guys. Doug, I'm planning on taking the new bike to Maxton in May. Unfortunately, this will probably be the last year to run at Maxton. The Govt. contractor (Gryphon Group) has decided to increase their training at the facility and they are not going to let us use it after 2011. We are currently looking at other facilities that will be available to the ECTA for 2012. http://www.ecta-lsr.com/ more info at the ECTA site.

[DarthRider]

Randy, good luck in finding a new track...you can always come to the Texas Mile!:)

I sure like the looks of that bike. We're going to visit my Sis & BIL in Houston next month for a James Taylor concert. He has 2 big motor Harley Dees and I'll be checking out both on some long rides. I suspect one will be in my not to distant future.
He told me I have to wear a helmet and I had the coolest doo-rag all picked out.:017:

[Rchop]

I hear you Dave, I like the softail chassis(FLSTC) so much better than the FLH chassis like my 07 Road Glide. I rides and handles completely different, and the Heritage Softail is a very attractive model.

The ECTA is actively looking at other venues, including Wilmington Airpark in Ohio. I hope they can go to that one since it's only about a 5 hr drive from here. It's time for me to move on though. As soon as I run this new bike a few times, I'm going to sell it and hang up the leathers. I have a lot more things I want to do and freeing up the time and money used in racing will help. I will look forward to hearing your thoughts on the BIL's bikes. Like I said earlier, the softail is so much fun at reasonable speeds, I don't have a desire to go faster when I'm riding it....hmmmm, maybe it's just me, but I don't think so ;)