Pics of your previous rides. Push to 20K posts!

[Tropic traveler]

2005 Triumph Rocket III




Kim's 2005 Shadow Spirit 750




My '97 Valkyrie Tourer now belongs to OLDFRT.




Kim's 1998 Valkyrie Tourer.




My 1999 Standard converted to a Tourer.

Post yours!

[Pappy!]

I really hadn't ridden since living in the Bahamas and the roads over there were so bad you couldn't go fast enough to hurt yourself. After that, early 70s,  for a short while I had a Bultaco 350.....cantankerous beast at best and knew I would get hurt off road on that thing. What the Hell.....I got into fast boats. APBA closed course, offshore, distance records, and finally drag boats. Started flying again as well....a lot more than I had been.
Anyway....When Lesa and I started dating she mentioned that she had a bike and that she had been riding most of her young life. That got me thinking. I had quit the drag boats and really didn't have the money to fly that much anymore. What the Hell....motorcycles it is.

2004 Learners bike.....Kawasaki Vulcan 1600. The one that got me going again.







Top heavy torque monster. Not much horsepower but it let me know I was where I wanted to be.

[Pappy!]

Since we are trying to go after post count........
While riding the Vulcan I was remembering walking into a Johnson Outboard dealer down in Winter Haven. The year was 1997 I think.  He was a Johnson dealer and sold motorcycles as well.
I had raced against him for several years in closed course racing and he was as bull headed about whos lane was who's as I was. We rubbed gunnels on more than one occasion.
Anyway.....out front was this motorcycle.
It was huge and it had a huge engine in it. Now, I have always been an engine guy. Grew up around engines, I took both airframe and powerplant courses while getting a degree and love the powerplant course the most....specially the turbines. Anyway, this engine was huge and had a carb for every cylinder...all 6 cylinders. I love big complex engines, always have.
Although I was there at the dealership to take care of a technical issue on a Johnson engine I couldn't quit asking questions about that bike and engine. I knew, even though I was raising a son and had a family and obligations, that I would have one of those bikes one day. A Valkyrie.
Every day I rode the Vulcan I remembered that visit and that Valkyrie. I wanted a Valkyrie. I joined the forum. I started inquiring. I was told to start on smaller motorcycles. I met Eddie on the forum! Eddie told that bunch something like "The guy has a bike, flies planes and ran drag boats...I think he can handle the bike" or something like that. Thanks Eddie! Screw small bikes!! I started my search and around 6 months later I found the color combination I wanted. Unfortunately it was 70 miles South of Austin Texas. No problem, on December 12th on a Friday evening after work I flew out there, met and stayed with the guy that owned it and was up at 6AM the next morning on my very own Valkyrie....and a car tire.......trying for that day and part of the next to outrun a nasty cold front on my way back home to Florida. 1150 miles or so later I had my keeper bike.

Previous owner, at his home in Texas. MY Valk, packed and ready to come home.



New Owner!! With the start of an 1150 mile grin. Was so cursed cold on the way back I couldn't find a single Harley to embarrass.



At a rest area....super windy and cold as Hell.



Florida State line. First time for that bike. Had fun that morning in the fog and light rain, then wind  all across Alabama and a bit of Missippi. Was just getting ahead of that cursed front again when I took the picture.



Anyway the rest is history. Started finding the Florida bunch and riding!
So.....don't blame me.....its Lesa's fault!

[_Sheffjs_]

 



















Captain Smelly!!

[Pappy!]

Since I figured out early that V-Twins are pretty boring powertrains (to me) I wanted to explore a bit. I needed a "fixer-upper"
The chrome was perfect as was the paint except for the damn skull thingy on the tank. A non running 1994 3rd Gen. Magna with pretty low miles that had been sitting. V-4 engine, producing around 78hp at the rear wheel. Was a blast to ride, silky smooth, and Lesa absolutely loved this bike. Caught Hell when I sold it! I had more fun with the Harley boys on this bike than any other so far. Am thinking that they saw two small cylinders on one side.....Most didn't know what it was.

[_Sheffjs_]

Love the Magna    some really cool stock dual color options like the Valks

[sixlow]

My story is kinda like Pappy's but shorter, I had a Big wheel as a kid, then just 3 or 4 yrs ago I got into MC after my loving wife wanted her hubby to ride. I always had wanted a Valkyrie trike because I knew I wasn't confident in my 2 wheel ability but once she said that I knew there is nothing I cant learn to do so I signed up for riding class and proved myself right. Knowing the Valk wasn't for beginners I started off with this V star 650.(big guy little bike) Gained confidence and after 6 months or so I went for my first Valkyrie. I think you all know the rest of the story.
no pic yet.

[Valkahuna]

My journey would look a lot like Jerry's. Started with Honda 50's and 90 step-through so. Also CB160. Lots of dirt riding on anything from Yammy DT125, DT250, and then DT360.  Some others I can trembler since I did not like them, and owned for a short time only. Example: Bultaco, and others.

Also throw in 2  1/2 years of riding the wheels off anything in Okinawa. Heck, I even turned a 305 Honda Super Hawk into an off roader. Had LOTS of different bikes in Okinawa. Why not, they were cheap! Many times when guys went back Stateside, they would just leave their rides there with you for next to nothing, or sometimes even nothing.

After the military came bigger stuff. HD '63 Pan Head, Norton Commando, Norton 750 cc Scrambler, BSA, Triumph, Yammy XS11, Honda V65 Sabre, Honda XL500, XR500, Yammy IT460, IT490 (cursed near killed me and seriously broke my leg). Then went to 3 wheelers for the dirt. Then more HD, Valkyrie, BMW, HD, Indian. It's been a blast, and still is. I don't "bounce" off trees, berms, rocks, etc near as well as I used to, so...no more dirt! It's been 53 years of 2 wheel adventures. Only thing better than the bikes have been the folks riding them! Many right here in Florida!!!

[Pappy!]

Then I thought to myself....Okay I like straight line performance what about all around performance. For the most part I really didn't like the looks of most BMW bikes. One kind of stuck in my head as being not too bad and the specs on the bike were great. 1150ccs and a 1/4mile time of around 12 flat. Not bad. In came the BMW R1150R. Smooth performance and a very linear torque curve. Very quick but nimble as well. It also was in need or repair, owned by a doctor's husband who taught over at UCF and was on the board. Of course he would own a BMW! Fix it?....nope. Hell he wasn't even aware one cylinder wasn't running at idle until I told him and proved it. He tried to fix it himself with (what else!?) spark plugs. He met my price after that attempt.





This was a great all around bike. Heated grips, good storage, couple of windshields came with it. Bad part was this constant forward lean with pressure on my hands all the time. Poof....gone.

[reclaimerroger]

I've had a great variety over the years.
Started with a Lambretta scooter.  Then a Ducati Monza.  First new bike was a "64" Triumph TR6. Also had a "63 Corvette coupe at the time.  (sure wish I still had it.)
Gee I got married. Next year bicycle and VW beetle
Five years later divorced--had to have something to ride bu had very little money. Very used Yamaha 250 dirt bike. Loved hare scrambles with it.  Then got a "68 XLCH.  What fun that was racing during the day shifting many times with the gear shift on the left and the brake on the right then go out at night with the XLCH with the brake on the left and the shifter on the right.  A couple of embarrassing moments. Finally  could afford a new bike in "72 and got a CB750.  Did a lot of traveling and hated chain maintenance and longed for a drive shaft.  Only things available at the time were Guzzi's and Beemer's. One junk the other grossly overpriced. When the Wing came out in "75 I practically broke the dealers door down to get one.  Within a month had a flat rear tire. Nobody had 17" tires.  Honda's brilliant idea to make the bike lower to attract more riders bit me in the ass.  I waited almost 6 weeks to get a rear tire.  In the meantime really got bit by the off road bug and had to try everything.  Got a TL250 Honda trials bike.  Well with my coordination that was a joke but a real fun bike to ride just not compete in a sport that required ballet like moves.  Got a XL250 and enduroed for a few years.  Then got a Husky 250 to try MX.  Quickly decided that it was taking me longer to heal than to repair the bike after races so gave that up. Only off roading lately is with my Suzy King Quad.  On the street scene I got a "84 Wing that I rode until 2003 when I got my first Valk.  A 2000 I/S.  What a machine.  Absolutely loved it.  Old age and foolish youth started to catch up.  One knee replacement and another needing replaced led me to the trike thing.  I foolishly did not research trikes enough and thought I need reverse with a trike.  I bought a "98 Wing two wheeler and had ordered the trike kit.  While waiting I ran into a guy with a Valk trike. Told him my Valk was the best bike I had ever owned but bad knees etc. led me to trike route.  Needed reverse etc.  He said you do not need reverse with a trike.  Explained to dense me the real hard part about backing the Valk up if you are not astraddle it is trying to balance it and push it back at the same time.  With the trike one hand on the handle bar and one on the back and push.  Well I lived with the Wing for five years and did enjoy it but like a first girlfriend the Valk kept calling me.  I would get online and drool.  Finally caved and bought my current ride as a two wheeler 200 miles from home and had it converted.  Now I am a happy Valker again.   
This might not do much to add count to the posts but is sure added content.
Hope to see you all on a ride soon.

[_Sheffjs_]

I love to hear the bikes that you all had before my time and I can relate to the many DT and YZ 2 stroke Yamies I had like mentioned. 

OK Grumpy, I know you had some good ones.      I was riveted when you told me about the (I think) 650 Shadow and the dual tanks? 

[Bronxboy]

Mine started with a Kushman Mini Bike, then a Elsanor Dirt Bike. Graduated to a 1975 Z-1 900 which I had for awhile. Got Married  "Dumb Arse" had a few kids and life got in the way of all the fun.

Thank God the 7 year itch came along and I was Divorced  , Payed out the Arse for Child Support from when my kids were 6 & 3 yrs old till 21 Thanks NY. Soon as the screen door hit me in the Arse I went out and bought a Quad...Quadzilla, it was something I could enjoy and take my kids out on for rides on the weekend.

The only thing was Quadzilla was a 500cc 2 Stroke insane machine that did 115 mph stock     Let's just say it was the most fun u can have with your clothes on.

Now that I was single again and lovin life, I purchased a Yamaha XZ 1100, very nice shaft drive machine. Next in line was a Roadglide HD, another nice road bike, always loved the fairing on that bike.

Met another Gal in the late 80's and moved in with her because it was about time to screw things up again...lol  went out and bought another Harley, this time a 1986 FXR Lowrider it was a beautiful Liberty edition. Sunk lots of money into it and kept it till I moved here in 93.

Out riding one day I caught a glimpse of this beautiful bike, went over to talk to the guy about his Valk. Well that was the start for me, bought my first Valk Standard kept it a few years, sold it and regretted it immediately. Bought a Brand New Triumph Speed Triple, thinking I was 19 yrs old.

That one lasted about 1 yr and it was gone. Bought another Valk 98 tourer kept it and got smart this time and did not sell it when I bought my 04 FJR. Had both bikes for awhile and was very happy. Started doing a lot of out of town work and was always gone, so U guessed it, sold both of them.

It took about another few years before I bought my 3rd Valk, it was a beautiful decked out 2000 Interstate Green & Silver. Kept that one for a few years and of course sold it because I was not doing much riding and the bike was sitting around collecting dust. Fast forward to now and on my 4th and hopefully last Valk, which by the way is the one machine that fit's me like a glove.

I will never swear that this will be with me for as long as I am ridding, but I am very happy and would not sell it for another bike. I would just keep both this time around, as I have way more time to enjoy riding than I ever had. I am sure I am missing a couple of in between bikes, but we all seem to have one thing in common, we realized that we love to ride and it doesn't matter how u get in the wind...  

[Tropic traveler]

Better pics of Kim's 750 after the wreck fix & restore job.





Sad day pic. 

[Pappy!]

Yep...and if I remember right that 750 was on loan to a needy relative out of the goodness of your heart?

[Pappy!]

15 posts now!
I remember thinking....hey, if my V-4 750 put out 78 at the rear wheel then how about those VMax engines? They should be a fun bike! I started my search and ended up trading with a guy that had a 2006 VMax. He liked my BMW and wanted it bad. Deal time. There is something about seeing one. Those unmistakable twin faux air scoops, and the sound, and the acceleration. You knew you had one Hell of an engine under you at all times. Ready to put a smile on your face or send you to your maker at any point. I remember not having a firm grip on the bars one time and nailing it in 2nd gear. Big mistake! That big upturn in the driver seat is there for a reason....to keep your butt on the bike. Had a lot of fun on this single purpose bike but to me it was like the Bultaco, I knew it was more than capable of hurting me and I really didn't feel like taking the time to prove it wrong.
Plus....you can pull up to a light against any HD and you would swear that you were invisible! Was like they couldn't acknowledge your presence. The kids on the zip splats however were a different story.....Hey, it was just a bike!

[Grumpy]

Here is my oldie, parked it 9 years ago. Was a sweet old bike.  1988 Shadow VT800c.
I still have it, but needs the motor rebuilt.

[Tropic traveler]

Yep...and if I remember right that 750 was on loan to a needy relative out of the goodness of your heart?

Yep. A car chase involving the Palm Bay police with the perps forcing Kim's brother to lay down the bike. He got some nasty road rash but recovered well. Bike would have been a total if insurance was involved. Had to pay $250 to get it from the tow company. Trailered it home.


Tore it down.


Replaced & cleaned damn near everything I could unbolt.




Somebody got a nice custom 750 with only 49K miles. Traded it in on Kim's F6B along with her Valkyrie at Champions Honda in Eustis.

Still like the classic look of those 750 Shadow Spirits. If it just had a nice inline 4 instead of that twin!  

[Flrider]

Most of you guys have been lucky to have had a long list of bikes through out your life, good for you guys.  

I did do some riding as a teenager on my cousin's Bultaco, lots of fun and kind off planted the motorcycle bug for years to come.
Family, kids and work kept me from owning one until 2006, kids were older and I finally felt like it was the right time to buy my first bike.

So got my blue VTX 1300 on Ebay from a seller from Ocala and you guys know how it goes, I quickly jumped into making it my own and adding a bunch of add-ons  





Fast forward to 2010 and I was involved in an accident, I was out of commission for three months so I spent the time planning my next direction and on line shopping  

So ended up going black with different fenders, handlebars, exhaust and a bunch of other items, oh and Blacking out the motor  



Then went the bagger way





I always wanted a bike with a little more hump and I had seen the Valkyrie and its big motor and was intrigued by it.
A friend invited me to the Porkies Bike Night in Apopka and there happened to be a Valk Standard there that night, the owner left in the middle of the festivities and when he left, everyone noticed with some turning their heads and some trying to ignore it   but I knew and they knew that the Valk was a bike to be recon with.
Guy must have had Mark T's exhaust with trombones in them  
I turned around and said to my friend "I am going to own one of those bikes one day".

So my search started and ended up buying my 99 Black Interstate from and auction company in Georgia, bike came from up north and had been laid down on the right side, hooked up my trailer and picked it up. A little elbow grease and about $500 paint and body work and it was back up and running.



So when I said I was going to "own one of those one of this days", I was partially right, I bought a 97 Standard and did my thing to it.



Added bags, and then sold it to a friend who still has it and absolutely loves that bike.



So, I found a Valk I could not pass up so I made myself wrong again

[Grumpy]

Here is one I restored a few years ago, honda cm450a   Automatic bike.

[Valkahuna]

Picture of my '63 HD Pan Head I had long ago. Good memories.