The official post pics of your first motorcycle thread! [Archive]

FastDoc

06-10-2013, 10:50 PM

This might be fun! We did this some time ago with first cars.

My first 'motorcycle' was a early 70's Rupp minibike similar to this one, but mine was obviously not pristine.

Mine was green with a black plastic tank and a Tecumsh 4HP engine with a pull starter.

Mine did not have rear shocks, and the chrome muffler exited under the seat.

I had so much fun with that bike.

The seminal event of puberty for me was riding Beverly Schmelnick around the neighborhood. She was much more beautiful than her name would suggest. We got 'chased' by the cops (suburban New Jersey) and I ducked into Marino Caraballo's yard and hid the bike behind his garage.

Beverly was excited by the 'bad boy' stuff. That was not my first kiss, but my first good kiss, and to this day one of my best.

My mother made me sell the Rupp.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/spring%202013/1969RuppRoadster-Mark_zpsda38ed5c.gif (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maule/media/spring%202013/1969RuppRoadster-Mark_zpsda38ed5c.gif.html)

bogieboy

06-10-2013, 11:01 PM

First bike i ever got was an old 79 xl75...me and the cops had a reputation...that continued to the forst bike i actually bought, my x18 pocket bike......LOL Then i gor something i could plate and still piss em off...

MICRider

06-10-2013, 11:08 PM

I'll play! :)
The first bike I had was one of those homebuilt looking mini's with a Briggs and Stratton motor. Unfortunately, it was broke more than it ran, and it had a sticky throttle and no brakes... NOT the best combination! I used to run it into the woodpile to stop it. Come to think of it, maybe that's why it was broke down all the time? :lmao:

So, I will actually class my first bike as my venerable old 71 CT70. Ruby red and purred like a kitten. Many many miles were spent on this bike and all of them were good :yay:
http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx261/MICRider/70ct70.jpg (http://s762.photobucket.com/user/MICRider/media/70ct70.jpg.html)
(Not my actual bike, mine was a little more beaten up, it's still waiting for me to finish my repower... Lol!)

SpudRider

06-11-2013, 12:31 AM

My first motorcycle was a 1979 Honda CB400TII. I had a lot of fun on that motorcycle. :)

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20CB400T%2080.jpg

FastDoc

06-11-2013, 01:02 AM

This is going to be fun. Keep them coming guys!

Weldangrind

06-11-2013, 01:59 AM

Mine was a '71 Indian Bobcat with a 100cc Morini Franco engine. That little two-stroke would haul! Mine had a chrome tank, and I loved it.

My Dad was "cleaning up" one day, and he threw it in the dump. >:(

http://www.indiandirtbikeparts.com/sitebuilder/images/Indian_Bobcat_1971-600x539.jpg

tecnolli

06-11-2013, 02:12 AM

My first motorcycle was a Puch Maxi S, it has a 50cc two stroke, mine had spoke wheels. My mom didn't want me to have a motorcycle and my dad played deaf. So i took my 400 Deutschmarks and came home with the Puch. Man, i felt like king of the road. The bike was really reliable and i rode it for one year before i bartered it for another two stroke, a Hercules Prima 5. One of the biggest mistakes in my life.
Those were the days... :)
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2561/puchmaxis.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/puchmaxis.jpg/)

katoranger

06-11-2013, 09:30 AM

I had a seventies minibike with a 3hp briggs. Then an XR75.

The first bike I bought was 1975 Honda CB200T. I would like that back. Will see if I can find some pics.

FastDoc

06-11-2013, 12:37 PM

Kato, your first bike was similar to my 1972 CB175! One of my favorite bikes!

Tecnonni, The Puchs (and Motobecanes) were the coolest thing a kid could have when I was in High School. Indeed I would still love a chance to ride around on one.

Weld, your dad's 'cleaning' policy would not fit in with all us parts hoarders here on Chinariders! LOL!

Spud, that's a pretty sporty looking 400!

The 1st 'real' motorcycle I learned to ride on belonged to my friend Tom (a Christian, BTW) when I was a freshman in college. It was a 1978-ish Honda 400 Hawk :-)

SpudRider

06-11-2013, 12:48 PM

...Spud, that's a pretty sporty looking 400!

The 1st 'real' motorcycle I learned to ride on belonged to my friend Tom (a Christian, BTW) when I was a freshman in college. It was a 1978-ish Honda 400 Hawk :-)
If sounds like you learned to ride on a Honda Hawk very similar to mine, Doc. :) I had a lot of fun on that little bike. I was living in Pennsylvania, and I rode my Honda Hawk all over the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West, and even into southern Ontario. :tup:

FastDoc

06-11-2013, 12:48 PM

My first real bike was a 1980 Suzuki GS1100E.

I ran the odometer up to 75,000 miles on that bike but I did not get it new. In it's day it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world, and had 100 HP and weighed maybe 550 pounds. I named it Rosalita (Rosie for short) in accordance with the Springsteen song. That bike and I were in most of the states, and crossed the country together.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/spring%202013/gs_zpsc4fd8f19.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maule/media/spring%202013/gs_zpsc4fd8f19.jpg.html)

SpudRider

06-11-2013, 01:21 PM

My first real bike was a 1980 Suzuki GS1100E.

I ran the odometer up to 75,000 miles on that bike but I did not get it new. In it's day it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world, and had 100 HP and weighed maybe 550 pounds. I named it Rosalita (Rosie for short) in accordance with the Springsteen song. That bike and I were in most of the states, and crossed the country together.
That's a beautiful motorcycle! :) I bet you regret selling it. ;)

I loved the standard seating position on the old street bikes. :) However, the wind could beat you up with the upright riding position on the "naked" bikes, which had no fairings. When traveling over 45 mph for any length of time, the wind would buffet your chest quite a bit. ;)

FastDoc

06-11-2013, 01:34 PM

I sold that GS to my friend Ira.

He rode it from my home in San Francisco to Bangor, Maine where he lived. No troubles. Last I heard she ran over 100,000 miles when I lost track of Ira.

I did a valve job, head gasket and new rings and a hone when she had about 40,000 miles and that was the only service, other than routine, she ever needed.

When I was touring on her, I fitted a Slipstream windshield, and Chase Harper soft luggage.

cheesy

06-11-2013, 04:02 PM

I'll have to dig through my parents photo albums to find pics of my first two bikes. If there are any, they'll be black and white. So, with no pics to post, I'm not tellin'.:shrug:

katoranger

06-11-2013, 05:23 PM

Here is one like my CB200T. This one is alot nicer.

bogieboy

06-11-2013, 05:34 PM

found pics of my xl75...right before i gutted her for her heart....LOL the engine went into my gocart build...

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu346/bogieboy01/PhotoZoom-45.jpg

FastDoc

06-11-2013, 06:06 PM

The XL 75 was neat. Imagine, street legal too!

Kato, Little Sweetie, my 1972 looks similar to your bike. Similar color also. One of the most elegant beautiful bikes.

bogieboy

06-11-2013, 06:16 PM

just something wrong about street legal and a 75cc bike on 17/14 rims....

Krasi_BG

06-12-2013, 04:42 AM

Can I interfere with some "communist" stuff? :D

Right after I got my license many years ago, I began riding my fathers' MZ ETZ150 which looked like that:
http://media.snimka.bg/3244/012743912.jpg
http://media.snimka.bg/3244/012743916.jpg

This is not the one, but ours was the same red. It was a 150cc, 2-stroke mean machine :D I really miss it as I'm getting older...

zingshoen

06-12-2013, 06:42 AM

the MZ is a cult thing. in case this is not known:

The MZ two-stroke engines (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_engine), developed by engineer Walter Kaaden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Kaaden), have influenced motorcycle racing for decades. His 1961 125 cc race engine design was the first to achieve an output of 200 bhp (150 kW) per litre.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MZ_Motorrad-_und_Zweiradwerk#cite_note-MCS-1) His revolutionary two-stroke system was copied widely in the 1960s by Japanese manufacturers. Suzuki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki) two-stroke engines became competitive in motor sport only after they gained possession of Kaaden's MZ design secrets from racer Ernst Degner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Degner) after his defection from East Germany in.[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MZ_Motorrad-_und_Zweiradwerk#cite_note-7) MZs were ridden to 13 GP victories and 105 rostrum places between 1955 and 1976. (from wikipedia)

Weldangrind

06-12-2013, 11:05 AM

That MZ is a cool bike! I like the unconventional tank shape and the riding position. The Suzuki TS bikes switched to a reed valve in '77, and I wonder if that's the design element that was copied from the MZ. I know that my little '77 TS185 is a rocket for the engine size, and it makes noticeably more power than the '76 model.

FastDoc

06-12-2013, 11:26 AM

I like the MZ's also.

The only place I lived where I ever saw many of them though was Tel Aviv. I don't think I've ever seen one here.

Maybe a Skorpian.

Are Mu-Z and MZ the same?

SpudRider

06-12-2013, 11:29 AM

Can I interfere with some "communist" stuff? :D ...

Of course. ;) Most of us here own Chicom (Chinese communist) motocycles!

:lol:

FastDoc

06-12-2013, 11:30 AM

And a rifle or two....

bogieboy

06-12-2013, 11:44 AM

And a rifle or two....

no chinese guns in my house....LOL i do have a lovely indestructable russian Baikal MP153 shotgun though...

FastDoc

06-12-2013, 12:03 PM

Krasi_BG

06-12-2013, 02:09 PM

I like the MZ's also.

The only place I lived where I ever saw many of them though was Tel Aviv. I don't think I've ever seen one here.

Maybe a Skorpian.

Are Mu-Z and MZ the same?

Yes. After the "change", MZ was privitized and even had a Malasian (I think) investor. That's about when the name changed. They had some nice models using Yamaha 660cc single, e.g. Baghira. And even a very cool 1000cc parallel twin tourer.

But all that is now in the past. I think few weeks ago there was a press release that they are finally bankrupt (again) and the factory is shutting down.

bogieboy

06-12-2013, 02:30 PM

The Chinese SKS's and AK's are pretty sought after in terms of build quality. Ironic but they seem a notch better than other eastern Block units. The exception would be a Russian SKS which is the best of it's breed.

this vid is what sold me on the baikal....russians know how to make a reliable shotty...thats for sure, especially an autoloader....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt1QV3DFUrQ

Trailbikeryder

06-12-2013, 05:27 PM

I've been digging... I found the picture of me on my first bike. It was a 1982 Yamaha XS 400. When I bought it in 1990 for 1500 Marks the bike had 82000 Km on the odometer. After I think 10000 Km and a year I sold it to a friend. He wrecked the bike soon after that. He had been drinking and ran into some signs at a intersection. He didn't get hurt luckily. The bike landed in a junk yard.

http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o741/trailbikeryder/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Power1%20iMac/First%20Bikes%20and%20cars/eric02_zps2da69bb4.jpg (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/trailbikeryder/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Power1%20iMac/First%20Bikes%20and%20cars/eric02_zps2da69bb4.jpg.html)

FastDoc

06-12-2013, 06:58 PM

Those who have known me for a while will recall that I also had a 1982 Yamaha, just like yours. I did a restoration on it, rode it for a year or two and enjoyed it very much. Sold it for a profit :-). Nice bike!

edtardo

06-12-2013, 08:10 PM

FastDoc

06-12-2013, 08:48 PM

LOL! At least whatever you hit you won't be going too fast ;-)

SpudRider

06-12-2013, 11:25 PM

I'll join in on this. My china bike is my first bike lol. Nothing like learning to ride on a chinese death machine.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/092.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/092.jpg.html)
That's not a "death machine." ;) That is a very worthy first motorcycle, and it will take you to many wonderful places a street bike will never visit. :)

katoranger

06-12-2013, 11:29 PM

My lifan looked just like your bike. It hauled me about 11K miles.

Trailbikeryder

06-13-2013, 06:06 AM

LOL! At least whatever you hit you won't be going too fast ;-)

Exactly!.. When I go to my local Bike meet. People say "your bike is nice, but too slow". I then say "If I wanted to go faster I would be here with my 800cc bike!".

FastDoc

06-13-2013, 12:13 PM

My slowest bike is my 1972 CB175.

I might say it is also my favorite to ride.

It all depends on the 'mission' ands what you intend to get out of it.

My Q's topped out maybe in the mid 60's. They would have made lousy sport or touring bikes but for what they were they were excellent and a pleasure to own and ride.

FastDoc

06-13-2013, 12:34 PM

Enjoy the (Chinese) ride. Never let anyone tell you what you like or don't like ;-)

FastDoc

06-13-2013, 06:09 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/maule/spring%202013/f019_zps2e7ea9b2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maule/media/spring%202013/f019_zps2e7ea9b2.jpg.html)

For Kato.

The only pic I have of 'Little Sweetie'.

Her first show is next Thursday.

When I was at this event last year (Hogs And Dogs) I noticed there was no other bike in her category even remotely in her league. Easy trophy;-)

FastDoc

06-13-2013, 06:10 PM

It's not easy to get 2 heavy tourers, two dirt bikes, Little Sweetie, a trailer, a pickup and a sports car into a 3 car garage, but I have a system ;-)

FastDoc

06-13-2013, 06:11 PM

Note matching helmet(s) LOL!

cheesy

06-13-2013, 09:07 PM

Okay, I spoke with my folks and there are no photos of my first two bikes. Probably just as well as they'd be B&W 127 or 620 prints(gave away my age). So, guess I'll tell.:shrug:

Bike #1 was an early 60s 50cc Ducati 2 smoke. It was part of a lot of three bikes my Dad bought at an auction for something like ten bucks(Mom was sooooo happy).:D The Ducati was the most complete of the three, missing the rear wheel and the thumb shifter cables(seriously, shifted by the left thumb. N-1-2-3).:hmm: One of the other bikes, I think it was a Sears Moped, had a rear wheel. It ended up on the Ducati. Dad cobbled something together for the shifter. I think that bike model was probably the inspiration for the phrase, "Ducati. Making mechanics out of riders since 1946." I fixed it more than I rode. When it ran, it was a blast on the trails near the house. When it didn't.....let's say it contributed to the development of my picturesque speech at a young age.:ohno: Don't remember what happened to it. Probably just as well. Emotional scars and such.;)

2nd bike introduced me to the charm of Honda. A 1967 S90. Paid a summers worth of grass cutting money for it from one of my Dads' co-workers. That $50(again, showing my age) got me the bike, a set of off road sprockets(40mph), hi speed sprockets(72mph), shop manual, half dozen tune up kits, extra front and rear tire and a stock exhaust. :tup:The bike was fitted with the SL90 upswept exhaust and a knobby rear tire for light dirt riding.

I rode for it 3 years. Actually rode it from my parents place to my grandparents place.:crazy: 600 mile round trip.:crazy::crazy::crazy:
Dad made me sell it when I got my first car. Wasn't too happy about it, but I sold it for 3 times what I paid for it. That $150 put a lot of gas in that 1965 Merc Marauder.(Dang, showing my age again):hi::hi:

katoranger

06-13-2013, 10:25 PM

Doc. My cb was the same color. Even in its rough condition I had alot of fun on it. I was 16. Bought it and a Honda Accord on the same day. The bike was more reliable.

FastDoc

06-14-2013, 01:31 PM

Kato, I posted some more pics of the 175 in the 'Pictures' forum.

Cheesy, those bikes sound awesome. Can you find a pic on line that simulates your Ducati?

Epic trip on that little Honda. Honda's, particularly of that vintage, are excellent bikes.

FastDoc

06-14-2013, 01:32 PM

I would totally be game to take a long ride on a little bike like that, but The West does not lend itself well to slow travel.

cheesy

06-14-2013, 06:16 PM

Cheesy, those bikes sound awesome. Can you find a pic on line that simulates your Ducati?

Here ya go, Doc.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/8748_zps1625a42b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bikamper/media/8748_zps1625a42b.jpg.html)

Took a bit of a google search to find it. Same color, too. Not listed on the Ducati site, probably don't want too admit to it.:D BTW, it was known as the Ducati Falcon 50. You probably don't want to know what my dad and I called it.

Here's a stock photo of my S90. Picture a bobbed rear fender and an up-swept exhaust. Right color, too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/bikamper/index_zpsf65bde7f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bikamper/media/index_zpsf65bde7f.jpg.html)

I have never considered another long distance ride on a small displacement bike. I didn't really learn because a did a 1200km ride over four days on a bicycle. The only real difference was that it wasn't noisy.