Re-living my youth through the motorcycles I used to ride as a kid.

[lrutt]

I've spent some time over the last 10 years, looking for and acquiring the bikes of my youth. Not necessarily THE exact bikes, but bikes like I had in high school, like I first learned on, my first big bike.

I just finish the restoration of a 1965 Honda CT200, like the first bike I ever rode. It was my Grandpas and I was 8 years old. Will never forget that as it started my life long obsession with motorcycles. He ended up giving this to me when I had to move to Canada and it got beat through the bush up there until I passed it to my brother when I left there in 72. Here it is in all it's cast iron, push rod glory. A lot of work in this bike, trans and engine rebuilt, complete wheel tear down and full frame up resto. But what a glorious little ride it is.





This mates up with THE actual second bike my Grandpa had, a 1970 CT90. I acquired this bike literally in boxes as it was totally trashed by his nephews after he passed away.



I also restored an old 1971 Yamaha RT1B enduro like I had in high school, what a 2 stroke beast. I got into...and out of....a lot of trouble on that bike.



I still have my first 'big boy' bike I bought in 1978, my 1976 Honda 750. Still all original and over 30k miles. I bought this bike for $1000 the week my son was born. Only had 1000 miles on it. Great bike. 



I managed to get back the little Honda 50 I bought my son when he was 6 months old. It was a basket case then but I rebuilt it and he rode the crap out of it for years. Ultimately I got divorced and this bike went through 2 other marriages of my ex-wife before it ended up a heap in a barn. She would NOT give it to me to restore so I contacted her 3rd ex-husband and he gladly gave it to me. She was pissed when she saw pictures of it restored yet again. It sits waiting on grandchildren.



Lastly the other bike that we had on the farm, my cousins little Honda 70. This was not just a play bike, it was as much a work bike as well as it was great for checking irrigation wells etc. Every kid that came to the farm rode the hell out of it. Untill the kick starter broke. So it sat in a corner of the barn until I picked it up this last summer. It's in the queue for restoration.



And lastly, my dads old bike. 1977 BMW. He rode this bike a lot of years, since 1980 I believe. But he's in his 80's now and just not confident on it. So I'll go through it and get it back on the road.



 This will be this falls project bike.

This will pretty much complete my collection of the motorcycles that directly have impacted my life. It's really fun to bring these old heaps back to life, especially that CT200. It would have been destined for the scrap heap. 3rd gear cluster and shift fork shot, broken piston, bent forks, bent swingarm, generally beat to hell. But all the key parts were there. I just enjoy going back in time when I ride these old bikes.

If you've ever thought of getting a project to re-live some part of your youth, do it. It's very therapeutic.

[Lannis]

That's really a great story and great photos.

I've often thought about doing what you've done, but I'm afraid it would get in the way of my regular riding bikes.

Mine would be a Rockford "Chibi" 60cc, a Yamaha CS3 200cc electric start, and a Yamaha R5 350cc twin ....

Lannis

[Dharma Bum]

Nice work!  I wouldn't mind finding a S90 and converting it with a Van Tech frame like my second bike.  My first bike?  An ex flat track Triumph Cub that had been put back on the street.  You couldn't give me enough money to ride that one again!

[menzies]

My first bike was a 59' Triumph Tiger Cub bought in 1960, 13 years old, a lot of memories but you could not give me one today.

[Bonafide Bob]

I have a 1977 R100/7 the same color as yours, I bought it new almost 38 years on 8/17/77.

[zedXmick]

Very cool story and pictures. That honda 750 is beautiful.

[Penderic]

Great to see all those restorations of your first bikes! That is a wonderful way of remembering those important memories and events of your life!

Salute!

 

[canuck750]

Great storey, real nice collection of living history

[lrutt]

When I was on the farm, as a youngster, and after high school as a farm hand, I'd bet I rode a million miles sitting on those hard metal racks of those 90's. My Grandpa would haul me all over hells creation on that bike, taking care of cattle, checking irrigation wells, to and from the tractors etc. I think my ass still has permanent indentations from those metal bars. I spent a fair bit of time riding them myself as well. I recall my Grandpa on that orange 90 and me on the 70 herding cattle from one pasture to another. He'd get up in the lead and he had this call he'd do and those damned cows would follow him anywhere. I'd bring up the rear making sure the little calves followed suit. Calves are one of the stupidest critters there is I swear.

So many memories.

[Groover]

Great story, and good job making this happen.

[Triple Jim]

That's a beautiful collection of motorcycles.  I know the feeling of reliving youth, but in my case it was simpler.  Until I got the Mille a couple years ago, my H2 was the only motorcycle I ever owned, and like your title says, every time I ride it I get a little flash of memories from long ago.

[Lannis]

When I was on the farm, as a youngster, and after high school as a farm hand, I'd bet I rode a million miles sitting on those hard metal racks of those 90's. My Grandpa would haul me all over hells creation on that bike, taking care of cattle, checking irrigation wells, to and from the tractors etc. I think my ass still has permanent indentations from those metal bars. I spent a fair bit of time riding them myself as well. I recall my Grandpa on that orange 90 and me on the 70 herding cattle from one pasture to another. He'd get up in the lead and he had this call he'd do and those damned cows would follow him anywhere. I'd bring up the rear making sure the little calves followed suit. Calves are one of the stupidest critters there is I swear.

So many memories.

I'm sure your Grandpa had done the math, and keeping you was cheaper than keeping a border collie ... !   

[LongRanger]

Great story and pics! Thanks for sharing. What's the backstory on why Honda initially called it a CT200 (and not a 90?)

[lrutt]

Great story and pics! Thanks for sharing. What's the backstory on why Honda initially called it a CT200 (and not a 90?)

Don't know, their little step through 50's etc. were all C100's, C105's etc. Even though they were only 50's, 55's, 65's etc.

Not until about 66 did they actually seem to go to real engine size designations, ie CT90, CB450's etc.

The old dreams were CA77's. Have no idea how that fit and that lasted until 1968 when the CB350 came out. And it was really only a 326.

Guess you'd have to ask old Soichiro that question but that might be kind of hard to do.

[MGPilot]

And lastly, my dads old bike. 1977 BMW. He rode this bike a lot of years, since 1980 I believe. But he's in his 80's now and just not confident on it. So I'll go through it and get it back on the road.

Surprise him.....add a side car. 

Either as a driver or passenger, if he's spent that much time on two wheels....

[balvenie]

You bought your Six Month Old son a motorcycle? Reckon that makes you a master of forward planning
Very nice work on those bikes too by the way and thanks for reminding me that I used to like fettling mine until temporary disability overtook me a while ago.

[lrutt]

You bought your Six Month Old son a motorcycle? Reckon that makes you a master of forward planning
Very nice work on those bikes too by the way and thanks for reminding me that I used to like fettling mine until temporary disability overtook me a while ago.

It was $50 and get it out of my garage type of thing so done deal. I'd hold him on the seat with one hand and put around. He'd laugh the whole time. I know I know,,,,bad parent.....I went through a hell of a lot worse than that on the farm.

[gutzi]

My recent nostalgia experience was getting a 1967 Honda CL77 305cc scrambler.  Always wanted one of these back in the day and finally ran across one.  Getting pricey though.