I'm turning 56 and Reminiscing...

I'm turning 56... so I'm reminiscing the milestones during 39 years of
Riding and Racing...

1963... Built a minibike from Popular Mechanics plans... sorry no pic...


1964... Hanging from a wire fence is where my first Honda 50 ride
ended... I was so over overwhelmed by the massive 3.5 HP... OK this is
not as easy as it looks... no pic...


1965... I had a choice between Tohatsu Yamaha and Suzuki but it was a
used 4 stroke iron barrel push rod Honda 50 that won...


1966... Honda S-90 my first new bike... I would get up in the morning
and just ride all day anywhere a tail wind blew... across the Bay Bridge
it didn't matter... just going 60 mph was enough of a challenge out of
8HP...
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/1966RedS90.jpg


1966... Honda CL160... wow real power for giving Mary rides... in fact
our first kiss was on one of our rides...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/MaryLarry1966CL160Honda.JPG


1967... After we got married and moved to San Bernardino... Mary wanted
to take a pic of the CL160 jumping over her...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/HondaFlyingOverMary.JPG


The USAF sponsored a gymkhana or skills test... I surprised to take 4 of
the 5 trophies... I always think my riding sucks...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/HondaCl160Trophies.JPG


The CL160 was good on jumps but poor on landing... it would bounce three
times before settling down...
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/HondaGettingAir.jpg


1969... The first Busy Little Shop was the front room to our rental
home... the Land Lady... Laura... went nuts as she came in and saw the
bike in parts... I hung a lamp shade over the frame to lower her
anxiety... Laura swore I was a Hells Angel...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/FirstBusyLittleShop.JPG


1970... Kawasaki 350 BigHorn... I was asked to perform movie stunt work
for a Air Force Now film but after my wheelie crash the USAF enlistment
board denied my request for enlistment based on their initial perception
that I had "no personal concern for my safety"... My film director had
to set the record straight...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/AirForceNowFilmCrew.JPG
http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vf&user=netters2&category=ShopPics&file=AirForceNowFilm.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/WheelieCrash.JPG



1972... CR 250 Husqvarna... raced CRC SoCal Motocross...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/1972CR250Husqvarna.JPG
http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vf&user=netters2&category=ShopPics&file=250HuskyTrophy.JPG
http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vf&user=netters2&category=ShopPics&file=3rdPlaceTrophy4thRace.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/1972MXracing06.jpg


Second Busy Little Shop in the spare bedroom of Land Lady Laura's second
rental home... she was still hoping we move the bike outside and make
room for a nursery...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/SecondBusyLittleShop.JPG
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/250HuskyBusyLittleShop.JPG


Mary's first and last motorcycle... 175cc Kawasaki...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/Marys175Kawie.JPG


1976... WR250 Husqvarna... my version of a street legal dirt bike...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/1976WR250Husqvarna.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/HuskyWheelie.jpg
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/Racing250Husqvarna.JPG


1978... First time over the ton was on Waldo's Ocelot faired Z1
Kawasaki... I felt good but thought the speed was crazy...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/WaldosOcelotFairingZ1.JPG


1979... While stationed in Japan I bought a CR250R Honda direct from a
Honda factory worker... I think he pilfered all the extra parts... I
just wanted to tag the CR for the street but the Japanese government
turned me down 15 times... So I raced it at Fuji black sandy MX park...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/FactoryPartsCR250RHonda.JPG


3rd Busy Little Shop inside our home in Japan... P5 Ushihama Heights
Tokyo To...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/BusyLittleJapanShop.JPG
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/CR250RHondaBusyLittleShop.JPG


1980... Z400FX Kawasaki... Japanese 4 unique to the home market... I
painted the wheels School Bus yellow and installed a Honda fairing and
tail cowl... It was deemed Circus Wheel K-Bike... the Saitama Honda
factory workers got a kick out this and blessed the frame with one their
stickers off the assembly line stating "Honda Motors LTD"...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/BobLarrySuzukaTrip.JPG
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/MaryZ400FXKawie.JPG


1981... While stationed in Wichita Kansas I ordered a new GPz550 from
East Side Honda... 3 days late I was off for a 1500 mile round trip to
New York and back... next summer I rode home to California and back on
leave...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/Larrys1981GPz5501.JPG

http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/KellyLarryArkansasTrip.JPG


1986... XC400 Husqvarna... made it into a street legal dirt bike... I
rode mainly at Little Sahara State Park... It was a daily hide and seek
battle with the rangers in their dune buggies because I would jettison
the mandatory whip antenna in the sand to keep it from whacking my helmet...
http://www.touroklahoma.com/Pages/stateparks/parks/lsspbig.html


1984... VF500F Interceptor... my first love affair with a V4...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/84VF500FHondaInterceptor.JPG


1988... 86 VF500F Interceptor from Golden Gate Cycles... I made this
into famous Belt-0-Ceptor... I racked up 98,000 trouble free miles...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/HondaBelt0Ceptor.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/BeltCloseUp.jpg


1998... 94 RC45 found in Tijuana Mexico for 8K...
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/twowheeldeal.htm
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/MrRC45BazarDeMexico.JPG



Juan Riuz Mr.RC45's prior owner...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/JuanRuizMrRC45Larry8KHandShake.JPG


I'll have that key now Juan...
http://www.fox302.com/userdata/netters2/files/ShopPics/HandingOverMrRC45Key.JPG


Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
1952 De Havilland Chipmunk...
Yank and bank your brains loose...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/
http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vg&user=netters2

 

I betcha a mint S-90 would be worth a LOT of money.

 

Thanks! That made my day...
I am celebrating my 37th year of riding, and I have to admit, I am looking
forward to the next 37 years years of rding!
whee!

--
Jim Stinnett
VTR!000
R!!00RS
YZF R!
http://moto-rama.com

 

My heart bleeds for you....



--
Jim Stinnett (vintage: 1952)
VTR!000
R!!00RS
YZF R!
http://moto-rama.com

 

Only 35 years here. You guys are getting old but holding up well!
lol

Dave Pedersen
03 Hayabusa

 

Nope. I was given an S90 a couple of years back, restored it using NOS parts
until it was perfectly original and as new. Couldn't get more than $700 for it,
which allowed me to break even. That is, with my labor being FREE and the
bike being FREE.

A friend of mine is a smallbore Honda freak, owns many rare models, has even had
some on display at the AMA museum. He grew up on an S90. He built a totally
tricked out S90 with a vintage big bore and stroker kit, polished alloy rins,
all sorts of period trick parts on it. The thing was incredible. Immaculate.
He displayed it in his living room. He sold it for $1,500, iirc.

 

<snip>

Cool look back Larry.

 

Happy B-Day!

 

(snipped for space)

First, you are just a youngster at 56..

Second, even with you being a youngster, you started earllier that I did..I
started at the beginning of the 70s, went down through the 70s, that took a
very long layoff, real long. Then had to learn this new kind of ridin and
bike.

Your resume is excellent. All good moves, all the good experiences. No
wonder you are an expert rider..

Since you are turning 56, let me give you a little tip on how to preserve
the vitality, and spirt, if you don't mind!

You have to exercise, that is a pure de must. Even more so, than you were
younger. An exercise program that includes, weight training, stretching, and
some cardio, at least 4 times a week, for at least half hour sessions.

Eating right, stay away from junk food, eat junk food sparingly..Fruits and
lots of veggies.

Get the rest, the body must get at least 7 hours of sleep.

Lastly, don't worry about things to much. Do, what you can, and the phuck
it!! (smile)..

The exericise bit does a lot, it removes stress (important), it IMPROVES the
body to the point of getting better, no matter at what age. Yes, I am
turning 64, and my body is in better shape than I was at 25, and still
getting better..

And exericise lets you handle the sportbike better, ride it longer, and
enjoy the ride better..

Enough lecture for today grasshopper!! (big grin)

Congrats on you turning 56.. That is a milestone in itself..

Getting ready to hit the twistees hard in about 2 hours! Life is sweet!


ceh
2001 GSX R1000
2003 RC51
(63 & fast)

 

Surprising....

Still would be nice to tool around on one.

 

Hope I'm riding like you guys when I get that old. Hell, I hope I can ride
like you guys at my current age!

 

Here's to the next 39 years Larry

Tony (31 years and counting.)

 

You had to remind me that I bought my first bike 38 years ago, Jim.
'-}

Rich, Urban Biker

 

Gee thanks...
(creaking)

--
Jim Stinnett
VTR!000
R!!00RS
YZF R!
http://moto-rama.com

 

<snip>

Congratulations, and many happy reruns - uh, returns.

Al Moore
DoD 734

(who just turned 56 himself, a few months back...)

 

2004-1963=41 The mind is the first to go ;-)

Thanks for sharing. Wish I had as many pics of my riding through the
years. Started on a friend's minibike in 1964 here.

 

Cool... but no updates to your timeline in the last 6 years now? Time
for a new addition, wouldn't you say?

Don't stick with that RC45 so long that you get bored and do something
crazy like converting it to belt drive, that would just be a pity.

 

I had calls from several people when I turned 30. I didn't think
anything about it. Their calls were what make me remember it to this
day. Didn't think much of 40 either. No biggie. Maybe a little more
thought about it than 30 but again not any mile stone kind of
reaction. Approaching 50 is another thing.

Like someone grandmother said once, you're still a 17 year old (or 19
or whatever was the big teen year) inside. Implying that your residual
mental image is of yourself at that age even when your body traps you
inside and quits working like it should.

 

I thought I was a grown-up when I was in my 30's. And I never thought
I'd be thinking of those years as "a long time ago."

They were good years. I enjoyed them. They're over, and that's good,
too.

Motorcyclically, I was 30 when I bought my first freeway-legal bike, a
Honda CL350. I rode it up to Vancouver, down to LA and over to Reno.
I never imagined I would want anything bigger.

Now I ride a 750 Virago and can't imagine having anything smaller.


Rich, Urban Biker

 

Now *THAT* woul be cool. Also, building custom saddlebags for it, and milling a
billet aluminum cup holder....