• Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to register so that you can join the community and use the numerous features on the site. After registering, don't forget to post up an introduction!

my dads old bikes

birdwh

0
Joined
Mar 3, 2003
Messages
203
Reaction score
0
Location
Leander, TX
Thought someone might find this interesting. I was visiting my dad this weekend and we talked about his old motorcycles. Here they are in order owned:

Zundapp DB205 or DB255 (1955 - he was 14):
http://www.zoci.org/histories/db205.htm

Ariel Square Four 4G MKII:
http://www.mathewscollection.com/Motorcycle_Ariel.htm

Triumph Trident 1969 T150:
http://www.triplesonline.com/images/bikes/69T150a_6.jpg

Moto Guzzi Touring (unsure of model#): I think this was the model that the motorcycle cops in that old 70's "CHiPs" show rode at some point - except it had a large full front fairing, harley straight pipes and harley hard saddlebags - all custom painted pearl white.

It got wadded up into a ball, he rebuilt it and painted it metallic blue - then sold it a year later. That was the end of motorcycling for my dad. I remember being 7 and whining to go with him on a trip, then I whined on the trip when I got scourged by the New Mexico sun and sand (full-face helmets and proper clothing were unknown).

Will
 
They don't build them like they used too!

Howdy,

:tab Man it is amazing to read about those old bikes. When I look at the level of technology we take for granted now it blows me away to think what they made do with back then. Think about how many people now think a bike of 600cc or less and 75-100Hp or less is pretty much a beginners' bike! Amazing. Of course the down side to all the new technology is that it takes a lot more investment to get a new bike up and running and to bring it to market. So we have fewer and fewer small manufacturers. Even Eric Buell had to sell his financial soul to Harley to bring his bikes to market.

:tab It would be awesome to see someone figure out how to bring bike technology and manufacturing technology all to the point where they could do it for very low investment cost and still bring an awesome bike to market. A total revolution in the production process so to speak. Think of being able to go to an online store and picking out the specifics of your bike!! I'd like this color, these style rims, this sized engine, these clip ons, this windscreen, this pipe, this brand of tires, blah blah blah... Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it ;-)
 
>> Zundapp DB205 or DB255 (1955 - he was 14):
http://www.zoci.org/histories/db205.htm

Ariel Square Four 4G MKII:
http://www.mathewscollection.com/Motorcycle_Ariel.htm <<

I remember both of these bikes, especially the Ariel Square four. It was a pretty monsterous bike for its time. I still remember the sound those things made... sounded like an MG.


>> I remember being 7 and whining to go with him on a trip, then I whined on the trip when I got scourged by the New Mexico sun and sand (full-face helmets and proper clothing were unknown). <<

When I was a teen in the early 60's, we rode with zero protective gear.... no helmets, nothing. I'm still amazed I made it past 20 alive. Today I go nowhere unless fully suited up, even if it's just down the street.

The sweetest bike I owned as a teen ager (and the only new bike I've ever owned) was a Honda 305 Superhawk. It was an amazing machine that was technolgically very advanced for it's time. My older sister recently came across a picture of it ( http://www.hal-pc.org/~mmcham/305hawk.html ). It was especially amazing to me because not only did it haul ***, it leaked no oil, had an electric starter, and fired up everytime. I'm afraid I couldn't say that about the 3 Triumphs I had prior to the Superhawk.
 
Back
Top