Pics of my old bikes pre-Kiwibiker

[MD]

If this is boring for you then use your mouse and move on.
I've been scanning old family pictures to make a digital backup and decided why not throw some of the old 80s and 70s bikes on to KB. Most people now have heaps of digital camera pictures going back 4 or 5 years only. I'm disappointed that like most young bods I never thought about taking pictures. Live for the moment as teenagers do.
See, I've had a few cruisers and three 500cc twins! What gives there?
Not a single off road shot. Guess I would have trashed any camera taken off road. Not one from my novice racing at Ruapuna and Levels (the 400/4). Had an XL100, 175 (written off in Waimakariri river)and 250 (stolen). Had three SL125s. Looks like that's one in the wheelie down Dad's driveway in full safety gear note- togs and jandals. Them were the days before the pc brigade arrived.
In order of ownership; CG110, CB400/4, Z650 (broken leg!), CB750F see the front wheel is touching the motor (another broken leg, getting the hang of it by now), Yam XS650 Custom (In London, I rode to work that day in the snow)

[gijoe1313]

Nice! Bit of historic archiving there - classic, including the hairstyle and 'stache! Did ya have a change of heart and get them lopped off for the wheelie in the last photo? (or izzat the new invisible riding gears?)

nice one Stewie, nice one!

[MattRSK]

Your Old!..........

[Hitcher]

Seeing that CB400/4 brings back some memories.

[MD]

Honda VT500 dyna-wide-glide-rod. Yeehah.
The Harley, need I say what model and yet another 500 twin (Suzook GS500) then another, Kawasaki ER5.
Notice the well trained guard dog. Always turned up when he saw a camera.
Bugger, forgot to scan the CB400 single. Back in a minute.

[terbang]

Those CB 400's had the sexiest header pipes that I've ever seen..!

[oldguy]

Love the ol 650, I had the later model with the twin dics up front.

[merv]

Had three SL125s. Looks like that's one in the wheelie down Dad's driveway in full safety gear note- togs and jandals. Them were the days before the pc brigade arrived.

Geez man at least I wore jeans then as safety gear on my XL175 http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...9&d=1153900842

[MD]

Trusty GB400 single. bought this brand new. Amazing tank range.

[MD]

Seeing that CB400/4 brings back some memories.

Yeah, one of my all time favourites. Most at that time went for the RD400 two stroker but I felt the 400 Four had class and cornered much better. At Ruapuna they made us push start for some of the racers. Impossible to do on the CB400. So my mate and I would run along beside the bike, wait for the screech of all the 2 strokes firing up to hide the noise of our electric starters.
The z650 was a power beast. The Honda 750 was a ... don't know? I fell asleep whenever I approached it.
Looking back the seventies were the best decade to be a teenager. Best music, best fashion sense (yeah right) I had long hair! good dope and petrol was $1 a gallon. That's my white TR6 in the garage. What a life that was. Go dirt riding all Saturday and take the girlfriend out in the convertible on Sunday. And yes, TR6s were just fine for bonking in. Never did find the back seat though and don't get a high heel through the soft top.

[Maha]

Cool pic's MD, love the GS500 and the Honda VT, thanks for sharing those with us, you must have been stoked with each and every one of them...

[MD]

Those CB 400's had the sexiest header pipes that I've ever seen..!

Beautiful weren't they. Sometimes when I gave it a full clean I would remove the tank and would ride around the block with no petrol tank to puzzle the neighbours. Looked weird but kinda cool and it could go quite a way on the carbs only.
Who remembers kick starts. That's the funny shiny stick on the rear righthand side of the motor for those raised on electric starts.
Pleased some of you enjoyed seeing these snaps. Just wish I had taken more- or even one of some bikes!

[Ixion]

Wodda ya mean, "remembers kick starts" I've still got 'em.

[MD]

Cool pic's MD, love the GS500 and the Honda VT, thanks for sharing those with us, you must have been stoked with each and every one of them...

That Honda VT500 was a rare bike. Most around were the VT400 and 750 customs. For the early 80s it was hi-tech with water cooling and shaft drive. Maintenance free stuff. Loved it aswell. Reasonably quick for the time. Super reliable like most Hondas.Traded the VT up to the Harley 1200 then traded up again to the GS500 (joking peps). The Harley was a beautiful machine, nice apple red and loud pipes. Brings back happy memories seeing that picture. The wife used to say I would be half way into town and she could still hear me. Bastard for the neighbours since I only travelled by bike and went to the gym at 6am every workday. It only had the 8.5L tank. For real I pushed it all the way up the Ngauranga Gorge once for fear it would be nicked if I went for a can of gas. Only to get to J/ville and realise I could have easily walked it on the flat towards the Petone gas station- doh! Did a few long Nth and Sth Island trips on the Harley. Never broke down once out of town thank you very much. But boy did it make up for it at home. In the end I asked WMCC for a permanent Monday workshop booking and bulk purchasing for their pick ups.

[MD]

Nice! Bit of historic archiving there - classic, including the hairstyle and 'stache! Did ya have a change of heart and get them lopped off for the wheelie in the last photo? (or izzat the new invisible riding gears?)

nice one Stewie, nice one!

Like the hair! You're lucky I wasn't wearing my bell bottoms and platforms.
Who needed a helmet with a mop like that. bellbottoms were a pain on the bikes- caught on the kick start when you came to a halt.