Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery

**Oakie** · 5th April 2017, 19:38

Went to Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery on Saturday to cast an eye over the 60 odd '70s to '90s Japanese bikes they have on display. http://motorcyclegallery.co.nz/ Now I've never defined myself solely as 'a biker'. Even though I started riding nearly 40 years ago, a 'biker' is only a small part of who I am. Because of that then, I was profoundly surprised at the emotions and memories that got dragged up in the hour I spent at the gallery. Memories of people and events as well as bikes I've owned since 1978.
- An example of the first bike I ever owned (Kawasaki 100)
- and the third bike (XL175)
- and the eighth (CB400/4)
- the first bike I ever lusted after CB400/4 (again) ... the one I lusted after it was red and had those 4 beautufully curved header pipes...
- a battered old 'Team Toad' bike (RD400?). Significant because it reminded me of a girl I went to a Post Office course with in 1978 - she was involved with the team on some level
- the bike I love the look of most (Kawasaki ZIR in 'Ice Blue') ... and this one was the crazy Turbocharged one which gave me such a horn that I had to walk around the rest of gallery carefully in case I knocked the bikes over

There was also a bunch of other bikes that bought back memories of the good old days ... and as I type this I can still see the pristine pair of blue RD350LCs and the collection of race bikes.

Turns out that biking is more in my blood than I gave it credit for.

Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery is well worth a look at it if, like me, you were bought up on the Japanese bikes of that era.

**rastuscat** · 5th April 2017, 19:41

Those LCs were awesome. The 250 and 350 both.

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**Oakie** · 5th April 2017, 20:06

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Those LCs were awesome. The 250 and 350 both.

The local bike cop in Oamaru had one back in the day. I think he had the 250. Regardless of the model though, I'm sure he would have been able to write himself a few tickets. I mean they weren't made to go slowly.

**rastuscat** · 5th April 2017, 20:07

I got in a power of poo on a mates 350. Only got caught when I slowed down.

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**AllanB** · 5th April 2017, 21:14

He has a nice collection there. Well worth a trip down memory lane for $15

**Oakie** · 5th April 2017, 22:28

Nice use of the word 'Gallery' in the title rather than 'Museum' too. Much more like wandering around looking at art works than a set of dusty exhibits.