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What Brand Bike Did You Ride Prior to HD?

Back in the early 70's I had a new Kawasaki 750 triple cylinder two-stroke. It was crazy fast and I got a pile of tickets, the worst of which was 65 over in a 45 zone. Sold it and became responsible but I always missed riding. Bought the King in 08 after not riding for 34 years. Now I barley go the speed limit. I guess in some cases, wisdom comes with age.

In 1971 it was a BSA 250 thumper then a 650 BSA Now a 2005 softail springer and a 2006 rk police bike.
 
Started on a Cushman Eagle scooter, have no idea what cc it was.
moved to a Honda 305 and then a Triumph Bonneville. Then my Uncle Sam came and asked for my help. Four years later Uncle Sam said I didn't need to help him any more. Shortly thereafter, another Triumph 650 was resting in the garage.
65Triumph650.jpg



After a year or so, she got lonely so I bought a Yami 125 Enduro. A couple months playing with that and it just didn't seem fast enough. So a 175 kit was installed. Interestingly, a week or so after it was running I came across a sweet deal on a Yami 250 motocrosser. Sold the 175 to my brother and bought the 250.

One day a guy showed up at the quarry where we were riding and had a 56 Panhead in the back of his truck and dirt bikes on a trailer. I wandered over to look at it and fell in love. Turns out it was for sale. A week later the Triumph was now my other brothers best friend and I had a 56 Panhead. :)
56Panhead-Orange2.jpg

My1956Panhead.jpg


After 2 years, .50 over jugs/pistons/cams and a lot of fun miles a friend of mine was selling his 72 Sporty. Yep, sold the pan (wish I hadn't) and bought the Sporty. Many years/miles/mods on that baby before marriage and adulthood made me 'be responsible'. (yeah, the 69 396 Chevelle went away too :(
SPORTSTER2.jpg



Fast forward just a few years, all 4 kids have made it thru college and 2 of them have their own families. Stopped into a Honda dealership and saw a Sabre 1100 with a sharp looking red and flame paint scheme. Bought it and spend 2 years trying to make it something that it just was never, ever, going to be.
Sabre10B.jpg



Sold it and bought my Deuce. I'm now happy again. :s
BIKE-JULY2008A-1.jpg
 
Learned to ride at age 55 on an 05 Honda Shadow Sabre. Got tired of trying to turn it into a Harley (bagger, pipes, history, etc.) and sold it to help pay for my 09 Road Glide.
 
If I can remeber that far back

1st 1953 BSA C15 250 cc
2nd 1958 AJS 650 cc with sidecar
1973 Norton Commando 750
1973 HD sportster
1968 HD Shovelhead chopper
Long break for kids to grow up
1977 Honda Goldwing GL 1000
2005 Suzuki Boulevard C50
2002 HD Road King
Boy I feel old !
 
In order since 1972 1969 kaw 175, 1971 honda 450, 1978 honda cb750, 1978 hd xl1000 custom, 1980 yamaha xs1100, 1997 suxuki 1400 intruder, 2001 yamaha vstar 1100, 2003 honda vtx 1300, 2007 harley davidson Road King (flhr)
 
1. 196? 55cc Yamaha
2. 196? 80cc Yamaha
3. 1966 305cc Yamaha Bear
4. 1979 XS650 Special Yamaha
5. 1980 XS1100 Special Yamaha
6. 1985 My son was Born
7. 2009 H-D FXDC
 
First bike was a 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550 was standard when i first brought it from a mate at work, Wanted to get a Harley but wasn't in a position to do so and it had been about 20 years since i road a bike, After some customizing and about 4 years riding day in day out all weather i finished paying child maintenance, So i thought have been without the money for the last eight years i figured i would treat myself and brought my ride, and it has been worth the wait..


Cheers

Johno
 
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