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riding back in the day

Started by Vsekvsek, December 29, 2013, 12:43:36 AM

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Vsekvsek

my dad told me after ww2 when he got out of military in 47 he had a pile of cash. Got off a troop transport in SFO and had the option to take a train back to Omaha NE but instead bought a Harley left over military surplus like $50 and proceeded to ride across country. I asked him where he stayed back then when traveling. He said back then there where no such thing as KAO's and mcdonalds and hotels. When you where done riding for the day you pulled over and slept along side the road. there wasnt constant traffic like today. You slept in your clothes. If you where lucky you had a blanket. no tents. There was one point where he ran out of gas and he had to walk two whole days. He said he started riding with a bunch of guys that preceded the hells angels. They started to get rougher and rougher so he ditched them and got married and had kids. rest is history.

I dont even know if I could be with out my starbucks every couple hundred miles-lol. My how times have changed
89 fj
09 wr300 husqvarna

Bones

My old man was a biker back in the 50s and used to tell stories how the bikes he and his mates rode would take up the width of a whole city block when parked up. All the makes of the time were there, Triumph, BSA, AJS, Ariel, Vincent, etc.....

The local cop used to walk up the footpath with a steel rod in hand much to the amusement and jeering of the crowd and poke up exhaust pipes to make sure there was some sort of baffle in there. Apparently one mod they used to do was drill long ways through a penny, put wire through it, and mount it somehow near the exhaust so that it would spin and create a whistling sound when revved.

Top speeds of 90 mph, no radars, no helmets,  cheap petrol, no harassment, not many cars to worry about, not a care in the world......unlike now, don't even think about doing 90 mph/145kph, because of all the speed cameras about the place, helmets compulsory, petrol prices sky high, harassed if you ride in a group of more than 3people, everybody in cars out to get you.... Mmmm if only they made a time machine.
                                                              Tony.
93 fj1200
79 suzuki gt250x7


Too young to be old but old enough to know better.

The General

Quote from: Bones on December 29, 2013, 04:13:10 AM
My old man was a biker back in the 50s ... one mod they used to do was drill long ways through a penny, put wire through it, and mount it somehow near the exhaust so that it would spin and create a whistling sound when revved.

                                                              Tony.
....Sounds like a good mod for a Harley!  :lol:
`93 with downside up forks.
`78 XS11/1200 with a bit on the side.
Special edition Rocket Ship ZX14R Kwacka

oldktmdude

Quote from: Bones on December 29, 2013, 04:13:10 AM
Top speeds of 90 mph, no radars, no helmets,  cheap petrol, no harassment, not many cars to worry about, not a care in the world..... Mmmm if only they made a time machine.
                                                              Tony.
Tony, one thing you forgot to mention, SHIT ROADS.    Pete. 
1985 FJ1100 x2 (1 sold)
2009 TDM 900
1980 Kawasaki Z1R Mk11 (sold and still regretting it)
1979 Kawasaki Z650 (sold)
1985 Suzuki GSXR 400 x2 (next project)
2001 KTM 520 exc (sold)
2004 GasGas Ec300
1981 Honda CB 900 F (sold)
1989 Kawasaki GPX 600 Adventure

oz.fj

Quote from: oldktmdude on December 29, 2013, 05:00:31 PM
Quote from: Bones on December 29, 2013, 04:13:10 AM
Top speeds of 90 mph, no radars, no helmets,  cheap petrol, no harassment, not many cars to worry about, not a care in the world..... Mmmm if only they made a time machine.
                                                              Tony.
Tony, one thing you forgot to mention, SHIT ROADS.    Pete. 

Time goes bye, but some things remain the same.
Darran
89 FJ 1200 Shiny Black
89 FJ 1200 x 3 Red White Silver
92 XR 250
Life is pretty straight without twisties

oldktmdude

Quote from: oz.fj on December 29, 2013, 05:08:09 PM
Quote from: oldktmdude on December 29, 2013, 05:00:31 PM
Quote from: Bones on December 29, 2013, 04:13:10 AM
Top speeds of 90 mph, no radars, no helmets,  cheap petrol, no harassment, not many cars to worry about, not a care in the world..... Mmmm if only they made a time machine.
                                                              Tony.
Tony, one thing you forgot to mention, SHIT ROADS.    Pete. 

Time goes bye, but some things remain the same.
Darran
Darran, you may be right but as far as riding bikes on todays roads, I don't have any complaints. In general, our roads are very bike friendly. It's the stupid speed limits and car drivers that make riding on modern roads far less pleasant than it should be.  Pete.   :ireful:
1985 FJ1100 x2 (1 sold)
2009 TDM 900
1980 Kawasaki Z1R Mk11 (sold and still regretting it)
1979 Kawasaki Z650 (sold)
1985 Suzuki GSXR 400 x2 (next project)
2001 KTM 520 exc (sold)
2004 GasGas Ec300
1981 Honda CB 900 F (sold)
1989 Kawasaki GPX 600 Adventure