A Most boring subject

[solo1]

                                                         Am I a Gearhead?

Looking back after finally selling my last bike,  I thought about how many vehicles both two and four wheels that I had since I got my license in 1947.............Almost forgot,......... there was a three wheel in there also.

Bikes:
1947 Whizzer motorbike ( a slow moped)
1935 Harley 45 flat head ( a slow wornout v twin)
1946 Matchless 500 cc thumper ( lots of fun)
1979 Yamaha SR500 thumper (more fun)
1973 350 Honda twin ( the vibrator)
1980 Yamaha 550 Seca (a smooth runner)
1982 Honda 900F ( hard starting in winter)
1982 Honda 900F ( another hard starter in winter)
1986 Honda Gold Wing Interstate (one of my favorites)
1991 Honda Gold Wing Aspencade( too much tupperwear, too many gadgets)
1992 Honda ST1100 ( A bear to change oil and filter, headlight bulbs $36. ea!)
1992 Kawasaki KLR650 (another nice thumper)
198?  Honda GB500 ( classic thumper, should've kept it)
1997 Honda Valkyrie ( favorite of all bikes, kept the longest)
2006 Suzuki Vstrom 1000 ( an almost perfect bike for my senior years)
1997 Valkyire with Motorvation Spyder sidecar. (Nice setup but not for me)

Probably wrong on some of the years, Happy to mention this to take out the joys of fact finders finding me wrong. LOL.

Cars:
ARE YOU READY?
1929 Chevy (broke rear axles regularly, not for an 18 year old hot rodder)
1935 Chevy Master Deluxe (knee action three door, the fourth door fell off)
1936 Chevy standard (only ONE wiper blade, two came on Master deluxe.  Oil eater)
1936 Olds (Blew the connecting rods on Christmas Eve)
1949 Olds Rocket 88 ( first ohv V8, high compression, favorite old car)
1953 Olds Super 88 ( a dog with a Buick three speed manual tranny)
1942 Pontiac ( was in fire, radio knobs were blobs, caught on fire again)
1946 Pontiac six ( hohum car)
1957 Dodge shift on the dash (very good in snow)
1955 VW 'Bug”  ( 32 horses, cruise and top speed was the same, 62mph)
1948 Buick (Smooooth straight 8 but a dog)
1938 Ford business coupe (flat head V8, buggy springs)
1953 Ford six  (rods hammered when cold)
1955 Ford Fairlane Custom ( nice running but average)
1965 Ford Galaxie ( the new super soft wallowing ride)
1983 Dodge Shelby Charger ( 2.4 liter four cylinder,  front wheel drive, blue and grey racing stripes, motto was “It ain't just the Paint”  Oh yes it WAS just the paint!)
Toyota Echo, echo, echo. (Fantastic gas mileage, 42 mpg with AC on)
1999 Mazda MX5 Miata(  previous owner screwed it up but ran good after my mods.  Good for golf cart paths)
2011 Mazda Three ( The 'wide grin' car with not enough leg room for me)
2012 Mazda six (Plenty of leg room, great handler, Zoom zoom)
2002 Mazda Miata LS. (Finally, I fell into buying a great used car and top performer in handling)

Trucks
1956 Ford utility bed pickup with auto tranny and Thunderbird engine (Rode hard and put away wet before I bought it)
1953 Ford truck, six cylinder (also hammered con rods when cold)
1963 Ford long bed, 352 V8 GAS HOG( ½ ton with manual four speed granny gear??why??)
1983 Toyota long bed ( the bed rusted out after a dog peed on the wheels)
199?  Toyota club cab truck.(nice truck with V6, ran great)
199? Toyota T100 Truck. (Mark and I supercharged it. Good horsepower but auto tranny didn't like it)
1973 Dodge pickup, 318 V8.( ran ok but kept spare ballast resister for coil.  Also damn hard on rear wheel bearings and universal joints)

Gee, I guess that I WAS somewhat of a gear head. I did most of my own work until I got older.  The VW bug got me 40 mpg until I found out that it had a hole in the intake manifold.

This record of my vehicles is for my kids but I'll post it here anyway to bore the living snot out of all of you.

Wayne, solo1

[Spirited-6]

SHOW OFF !  Gotta love it.  
You have me by some, no a lot of some.

No it makes me wonder why I did not do the things that you did ! Was it because I was trying to raise a family and build a Company ? It`s been a long road the last several years , and I`ve had 80 of them. Kudo`s my Brother .

[Alien]

Nice collection!  I'll play.  Keep in mind that most of these were straight across trades or flips.  I'd buy a beater, fix it, sell it and buy a slightly nicer beater.  Also, I'm 39 years old, so this list may be amended at a later date.

Bikes in order:

1991 Honda 250 Nighthawk (Good to learn on and that's about it)
1984 Honda Shadow 700 (Fun, comfortable and a lot faster than the 250)
1985 Honda Shadow 700 (parts bike that I ended up riding for a while)
1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 (Lots of fun, lots of work)
1992 Kawasaki KZ1000P (Ex police bike, great commuter)
1982 Yamaha Virago 750 (Got it for free, got it running and gave it away)
1974 Honda CB750K (rode this for a while before I built a chopper out of it)
1974 CB750 Chopper (40 degrees of rake, springer front, rigid rear, hand shift)
1991 Harley Davidson 883 sportster (Are you kidding? Small, slow  WTF?  I need a real motorcycle!)

Currently Owned:

1998 Honda Valkyrie (The Mothership!  Best motorcycle I have ever ridden.  Went to Hawaii with us when we moved there and came home with us when we moved back. will never be sold because I can't imagine anything I'd want to replace it with.)

Cars and trucks in order (mostly):

1949 Chevrolet 4 door sedan (bought when I was 17, never got it running)
1966 Volkswagen Beetle (set up for handling, it was a hoot on mountain roads at least downhill)
1983 Toyota 4X4 truck (great little truck)
1967 Chevrolet 3/4 ton 2wd (good truck, manual everything)
1973 Ford F250 2wd (390 that always overheated)
1970 Chevrolet 3/4 ton 4x4 (Best truck I ever had.  I miss it)
1965 Oldsmobile 442 (swapped in 455, stupid fast, someone else totaled it for me.)
1980 Toyota Celica (Woo!!  Air conditioning!!!  Boo, motor exploded!!)
1975 Chevrolet Camaro (meh)
1970 International scout 800A (very whipped, didn't have it long)
1975 Buick Lesabre convertible (traded the Scout for this, traded this the next month)
1977 MGB roadster (Lots and lots of fun once I added ground straps everywhere)
1978 MGB roadster (Came with the 77 for parts)
1980 MGB Roadster (bought it for the OD trans which I swapped for the one in my 77 then sold)
1972 Buick Sun Coupe (slow...dear God was it slow.)
1970 Toyota FJ40 (straight six, 3 speed, slow)
1951 Willys 4x4 Wagon (Had plans for this but a cross country move forced a sale)
1975 Jeep CJ5 (v8, 3 speed, a friend totaled it for me.)
1966 Ford Mustang (not my style, kept it for a few weeks and traded for a Jeep.)
1984 Jeep CJ7 (Good rig, kept it untiol I bought my first new car)
1999 Dodge Cummins Diesel 4x4 (first new car, great engine, crappy truck)
1991 Mazda Miata (Great car!  Everything that the MGB could/should have been)
1954 Willys 4X4 wagon (Bought from an aircraft mechanic who built it.  I now refuse to fly)
2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Second and last new car, loved it but sold it to pay for my wedding.)
1970 Baja Bug (Damn, these things sure got a lot smaller since high school!  Didn't keep long)
1977 International Scout II (great rig, lots of rust, new wife not a fan)
1979 Toyota 4x4 truck (owned it for a month, reliving high school)
1972 Toyota FJ40 (V8, 3 speed, rust)
1984 Chevrolet K5 Blazer (meh)
1976 Toyota FJ40 (straight Six, 4 speed, no rust.  I miss this one)
1972 Chevrolet c-10 2wd (good old truck)
1973 International Scout II (345, 4 speed.  Sold when we moved to Hawaii)
1995 Chevrolet 1500 4x4 (sold when we moved to Hawaii)
1985 Jeep CJ7 (Bought in Hawaii when we moved there, sold when we left.  Perfect island rig)
2006 F350 4x4 (Bought to pull a travel trailer on a vacation that never happened sold)

Currently Owned:
1950 Chevrolet 2 door sedan (Hot rod project nearing completion!)
2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 (Loved this truck, someone else totaled it, but I may fix it yet)
2003 Mini Cooper S (Fast, fun to drive, uncomfortable as hell)
1997 Toyota Land Cruiser (Factory lockers, expedition build in progress)

[solo1]

Wow, Alien quite a list and you're younger than me.
My 2013 Mazda Six and the 2002 Mazda MX5 should take care of all my needs now. Both are very responsive, the Miata even more so. Both are reliable, Both have low miles, and both are serviced by a tech at a dealer whom i trust.

I drove the Miata today and it seems to get almost as many compliments as my Valkyrie did.  Most people, mainly women, however relate small with 'Cute" and don't realize that Miatas will give almost any expensive true sports car a run for their money except in flat out horsepower.  Light weight, excellent well thought out independent suspension,(NOT McPherson Strut) combined with excellent brakes and a motor that wants to rev.  It works for me.

[Alien]

Yep, I really liked my Miata.  Some days I think about getting another one for my wife and I to enjoy together since she doesn't ride anymore.

[Kep]

I have a shorter list ...and memory..haha.

        Bikes
1969 Harley Davidson 65cc
1976 Honda 360T (got clocked at 110 mph and got off with an inspection sticker violation ?)
1978 Kawasaki KZ750 Twin ( like riding a sewing machine)
1997 Honda Valkyrie Standard ( Currently and best of all)

        Cars
1968  Pontiac GTO
1971 Opel GT (what a piece of CRAP !!)
1970 Pontiac GTO
1976 Ford Grand Torino Sport
1970 Pontiac GTO (Crazy fast Trans-Am/Corvette eater)
1981 Chevy Chevette ( put over 300,000 on this )
1987 Chevy Celebrity Eurosport (quick for a 4 cylinder)
1991 Ford Aerostar
1994 Ford Windstar
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
1987 Chevy Corvette (never got a speeding ticket..should have)
2010 Dodge Grand Caravan

       Trucks
1990 Ford Ranger
1996 GMC Sierra (Georgeous truck ..traded it for the Corvette)
1997 Ford E-350 Van ( HVAC business service van ..270,000 miles on it)
2000 Ford E-350 Van (current HVAC service van)

[Alien]

That's interesting about the Opel GT.  I've always kind of wanted one but don't know anything about them.

[Pappy!]

How in the Hell do you remember all of them??

[art]

Quit a list but your a little older than me,I didn't start until 1959.           50 Chevy with bad clutch, Plymouth called the lopsided junker, two 53 Olds 88s, 48 Buick super,loved it, 64 1/2 mustang, 63 ford Galaxy XL500, fast, Jaguar XKE,faster, traded my 66 Norton Atlas for it. Fiat,POS, Datson 510,nice,  57 Olds 98, 72 Pontiac station wagon, 66-67-70 mustangs,   trucks 72 Datson,70 Chevy, 89 GMC van, Dodge van,more junk, GMC Sonoma, Kia sportage,worst of all, 89 F150.  Motorcycles- 65 Honda 305, 66 Norton Atlas,British electrics,junk, 89 GW, 95 GW, 89 Shadow Aero, 02 Valk. I did most of my own repairs even the Jaguar. Did a complete rebuild on the engine and trans. Cost too much to bring it to the dealer. Don't even want to do repairs anymore.                                                             

[Jess Tolbirt]

i had a little over 200 cars up to 1997 and lost count after that,, if its had 4 wheels i have probably had one,,talking about cars made in detroit,, never had a vette tho,,my 2 favorites were my 62 falcon and my 54 ford crown vic..

o wait, also i got my grand daddys 57 olds 88,, loved that car..

[solo1]

Jess and others.

Here's a pic of my favorite old car.  I bought this 1949 Olds Rocket 88 in 1954.  The 303 ci V8 OHV was the first in GM's V8 series.  I loved this car, it would go compared to all the others in that ERA.

The original color was black.  i was working part time in my brother-in-law's body shop and i hand sanded the whole car down and my brother-in-law painted it in six coats of hand rubbed lacquer (I did the hand rubbing)  A beautiful finish in 1953 Kelly green Olds color.

I resurrected an old print and ran it in Photoshop to bring the original color back. Badly faded print but the paint is correct, ignore the foliage color.

i 'won' quite a few informal drag races  with it before the 1956 Chevy came out, couldn't beat the Chevy Corvette engine.

[RainMaker]

There's a barn find on Ebay (4 door, not a coupe) if you want another.  Good looking car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-Eighty-Eight-/161710028202?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25a6ab35aa&item=161710028202

When the day comes and I stop riding the Valkyrie, I'm probably going to just drive the mini-van.  Or be taken for rides in it. 

[fudgie]

I only have trucks as I hate cars. 

Had-
1960 Chevy Apache 3/4 (awesome hauler but topped out at 60 mph)
1985 S-10 Tahoe (was dads truck)
1994 GMC S-15 4x4 (awesome)
2001 Pontiac Firebird Convertable (technically the wife bought it. Awesome car with 33 mpg)
2001 Chevy Z-71 (ok truck, sold it in divorce #1)
2001 Chevy Blazer (Kits truck now)

1972 Honda CB350 (uncles I found in the barn after 20 yrs. Started 1st try after new battery. He still has it)
1994 Honda VLX 600 (great bike)

Have now-
2004 GMC Sierra Z-71 (Love it!)
1998 Valkyrie Tourer (eh its ok  )
2012 Honda Shadow Aero 750 (ex #2's bike. For sale really cheap!)

[Jess Tolbirt]

Jess and others.

Here's a pic of my favorite old car.  I bought this 1949 Olds Rocket 88 in 1954.  The 303 ci V8 OHV was the first in GM's V8 series.  I loved this car, it would go compared to all the others in that ERA.

The original color was black.  i was working part time in my brother-in-law's body shop and i hand sanded the whole car down and my brother-in-law painted it in six coats of hand rubbed lacquer (I did the hand rubbing)  A beautiful finish in 1953 Kelly green Olds color.

I resurrected an old print and ran it in Photoshop to bring the original color back. Badly faded print but the paint is correct, ignore the foliage color.

i 'won' quite a few informal drag races  with it before the 1956 Chevy came out, couldn't beat the Chevy Corvette engine.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that car!!!!

[Hooter]

Can't remember all of everything I've had.  I do however remember my first wife!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I don't know if I can remember them all (vehicles not wives) but I will try.
71 Suzuki TC90
72 Yamaha R5B
74 Yamaha YZ125
70 something Kawasaki 225
76 Honda XL 125
76 Honda CR250
77 Yamaha 750
79 Yamaha 750
79 Honda 400 hondamatic
01 valkyrie standard
99 valkyrie I/S

59 Chevy apache 3/4 ton
61 VW bug
69 Chevy caprice
61 Chevy 4x4 (348 v6)
72 International Scout
82 S-10 4x4
57 Chevy 210 SW (still have)
93 dodge Dakota 4x4
95 Chevy astro van
99 Nissan Altima
2005 Nissan Titan
06 scion xb
01 mercury gran marquis
89 Winnebago warrior

Just 1 wife 

[Serk]

Heheh... I tend to find what I like and stick with it a long time...

Bikes:
1980 Yamaha XS11 Special
1998 Honda Valkyrie

Cars:
1976 Dodge Dart (Flat 6 with 4 speed manual, it was a hand me down)
1988 Toyota MR2
1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo
2008 Nissan Altima

[The emperor has no clothes]

Heheh... I tend to find what I like and stick with it a long time...

Bikes:
1980 Yamaha XS11 Special
1998 Honda Valkyrie

Cars:
1976 Dodge Dart (Flat 6 with 4 speed manual, it was a hand me down)
1988 Toyota MR2
1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo
2008 Nissan Altima

You started riding on the Yamaha 1100 ? I would have killed myself for sure. Almost did myself in a couple times on the Yamaha 350. 

[Serk]

Heheh... I tend to find what I like and stick with it a long time...

Bikes:
1980 Yamaha XS11 Special
1998 Honda Valkyrie

Cars:
1976 Dodge Dart (Flat 6 with 4 speed manual, it was a hand me down)
1988 Toyota MR2
1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo
2008 Nissan Altima

You started riding on the Yamaha 1100 ? I would have killed myself for sure. Almost did myself in a couple times on the Yamaha 350. 

Yup, but I also didn't start riding until I was almost 30 (Which is a good thing, dunno that I'd still be around if I'd started riding when I was younger) and at the time I was 6'7" and 320 pounds... A 350 wasn't gonna cut it for my physique...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Heheh... I tend to find what I like and stick with it a long time...

Bikes:
1980 Yamaha XS11 Special
1998 Honda Valkyrie

Cars:
1976 Dodge Dart (Flat 6 with 4 speed manual, it was a hand me down)
1988 Toyota MR2
1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo
2008 Nissan Altima

You started riding on the Yamaha 1100 ? I would have killed myself for sure. Almost did myself in a couple times on the Yamaha 350. 

Yup, but I also didn't start riding until I was almost 30 (Which is a good thing, dunno that I'd still be around if I'd started riding when I was younger) and at the time I was 6'7" and 320 pounds... A 350 wasn't gonna cut it for my physique...

that makes sense. I was 16 and 135 dripping wet when I had the 350 Yamaha . Also not very bright when it came to speed and daredevil moves 

[solo1]

Great postings!

I started out slow with the '35 Harley ( 1100 Yamaha, Wow!)  The flat head wasn't much faster than the Whizzer.  It had its advantages tho. If I was tailgated  due to slow speed, I simply pumped up the Coleman style oil pump on the tank and gave them a sample of good ole Harley blue smoke.