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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 3, 2016 9:57:22 GMT -5
Right behind you Leo, I'm turning 69 at the end of January .  I do understand... "It's all downhill now..." Thank goodness for flat-floor scooters for old geezers with too much arthritis to climb onto a big bike!  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 3, 2016 9:26:16 GMT -5
It's Christmas time. And, it's fun to tell younger folks fun stories from the distant past. This may get long, but I think those who missed growing up in the 1960's will enjoy it. Today, all sorts of riders enjoy all sorts of bikes... scooters, cruisers, crotch-rockets, etc. and think little about being "accepted" by others. That was not so in decades gone by, and we have Honda to thank for the "enlightening" of the masses... Yup! 
Yes, I well remember when there were NO Japanese bikes. REALLY!Somewhere around the early 1960's the Asian invasion began, with HONDA firmly in charge. That little step-through 50 was as the Arabs say "the camel's nose under the tent" and soon the whole camel would be welcomed into the living room. Early on, Honda wisely chose a good ad agency to build their image. They KNEW their products would never get existing American riders off their Harleys and Brit bikes. They needed to create a totally NEW market from scratch. To accomplish this, their marketing pros came up with the iconic slogan: You meet the NICEST PEOPLE on a HONDA."
Imagine that! America back then firmly believed you'd meet the WORST people on a MOTORCYCLE. Not usually true, but due to movie images, firmly accepted by "proper Americans". After all, haven't you SEEN Marlon Brando in "The Wild One"
Well, in a very short time, the little 50cc wheezer morphed into a  , then came the 160, 250 and 305 and the amazing 450cc twins. Finally around 1969, came the revolutionary 750 4-banger. Kids LOVED 'em. Police didn't even mind 'em too much and PARENTS grudgingly accepted them. Honda dealers continually heard dad say: "I won't let MY kid have a MOTORCYCLE, but he CAN have a HONDA".
Like "KODAK" becoming a generic name for all cameras, and "COKE" sufficing for all cola drinks, "HONDA" suddenly became generic for all Japanese bikes. If it was clean, had electric start, turn-signals, quiet muffs, didn't leak oil and didn't look like a Hog or a Triumph, it was a HONDA. Even if it was made by Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, etc. It WAS still a HONDA. And after all, you meet the nicest people on a HONDA.
This was a serious phenomenon! Around 1967, I had begun wearing a helmet after seeing the demise of some riding pals. I proudly pulled "Old Blue" into the driveway of a girl's family to take her for a ride. Her Dad was NOT impressed... The initial conversation went something like this... "Nice to meet you sir." Ugh... Hmmm... WHAT is the THING on your head, boy? A crash-helmet? Yeah, I saw and heard that contraption when you pulled up. A decent person would NEED a helmet just to be safe LOOKING at it... Ugh.. Helmets... leather... boots... You MOTORCYCLE boys look like Nazi storm-troopers. If you want to take MY daughter for a ride, you get rid of that MOTORCYCLE and get a HONDA. The boys who drive HONDAS look like proper college students... they don't wear that Halloween costume garb. They wear crew-cuts. And Madras shorts. And clean, white polo-shirts and sneakers. No, my daughter is NOT getting on ANYTHING that you need to wear a HELMET to use.
..."But SIR, a Honda IS a motorcycle!" Naah... Whatsa matter with you, boy? You must be brain-rattled from the noise of that thing.
"Not really sir. I'm a "proper college grad" myself.Then you should know decent boys ride HONDAS; not MOTORCYCLES.
Cheesh... did those Honda marketing boys do a job or what?I well remember early Honda print ads. They featured collegiate-looking guys in wash-pants or shorts, Madras plaid, or polo-shirts, books on the luggage rack and absolutely NO helmets, boots, gloves or even sun-glasses... All those accessories harkened back to MOTORCYCLE riders... And HONDAS were Hondas. NOT motorcycles. Sometimes in a Honda ad, there would be a saccharin-sweet, virginal college girl in a blouse and skirt, side-saddle on the passenger seat, in a world of her own, her head leaning dreamily on the clean-cut guy's shoulder, and holding her books in her lap as they buzzed down the boulevard. And always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS in bold type: "YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE ON A HONDA".
Those sugary, clean-cut, innocent naïve ads encouraged the most DANGEROUS riding habits imaginable, but they seemed SO wholesome, and they won the hearts of America... and changed the image of bikes forever.
No longer did you have to look like a Mongolian warlord to ride a "sickle". No longer did you need protective gear... THAT was for macho thugs... You could now forget all about dangerous, leaky, noisy MOTORCYCLES with their nasty image, and aura of instant death and dismemberment... And, instead, ride a HONDA. Honda "drivers" were safe. They never crashed. They were clean and respectable. The ads SAID so, SO it MUST be true... right?Well, the things we bikers noticed most about those clean-cut Honda boys was that while they didn't have helmets, or goggles, they always had rolling-papers and "birth-control" stuff handy. Maybe daddy was right after all, about innocent Suzy being much safer on a boy's Honda... Duh...  But right or wrong, 1960's Honda marketing paved the way for it to be "OK" for "decent people" to ride a "HONDA"... And over the years, a little bit of it trickled down to bikers of all persuasions.
So, you meet the nicest people on a Honda. Sometimes! And I've met some nice people on a chopper. And a bagger... even a crotch-rocket. And over the last eight years, I've met the nicest people on a SCOOTER. But, if it weren't for that incredibly patronizing, discriminatory brain-washing ad campaign SO long ago, most of us on two wheels today would still be "second-class citizens" with targets on our backs... And Honda would never have created the non-Harley, non-British bike community in which even we scooter-jockeys participate.
So, ride safe this Holiday season, and don't encourage Suzy to ride side-saddle behind you with her books in her arms... And while you're at it, meet some of the nicest people, on whatever they ride or drive  Leo (turned 70, and feeling a tad OLD these days) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 2, 2016 22:29:21 GMT -5
You don't see a Helix too often anymore. They really sort of started the whole "big scooter" genre long ago... They have a great rep for lasting forever, and have the flat floor I like, but DANG... They are SINGULARLY ugly... LOL!
I know Helix riders love them, and looks aren't everything. If I snagged one cheap though, I do believe I'd pull the plastics and try for a "nekkid" rat-look! I've seen a few of them minus the bodywork and they look sorta "steam-punk cool"... Like something from a locomotive factory from the 1800's.  If you're old enough to remember the sixties' Honda "Dream" motorcycles, they were probably even uglier than the Helix, and, just as good! They "morphed" into the 160 and 305cc Super Hawk, and Scrambler models which made up in spades for the earlier Dream versions. They looked GOOD (sorta "JapaBritaEuroUSA" cosmetically) I had a 305 Super Hawk in 1968 and must admit it MAY be the BEST overall motorcycle I ever owned. It was handy: "bicycle-light", 100% reliable and absolutely bullet-proof. And it would actually cruise 2-up at 75-mph... Wish I still had it! When it's all said and done, Hondas are HONDAS and HONDA started the whole Japanese bike revolution long ago. They are still at the top of the heap, and Honda fans will always forgive their occasional "strange looking" offspring. All these scoots are good reminders of how many bargains there are out there on clean used scoots! My old Grandvista fits into that genre perfectly. (like with the Helix, I can't see how butt-ugly the old Mouse is when I'm riding... LOL!) You do NOT have to spend $3,4,5, 6, 7-grand or more to have a first-class bike (scooter OR motorcycle).Dang, this 2-wheel world is FUN!!!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 1, 2016 22:23:41 GMT -5
VERY interesting! I like it a lot...THAT being said, I do NOT like the idea of having to PAY for a whole motorcycle to use for donor parts... PLUS the $40-grand or so for the scooter. THAT being said, IF I was wealthy enough to pay THAT kind of money for a sort-of one-off, semi-handmade scooter, I'd probably pay a pro bike shop to build me something like the Accura-V6 powered custom scooter a local kid made around here... Hey, if you're going to spend the price of a total custom-build, you might as well have a total custom-build.
As for its being the quickest scooter on the planet, I doubt if it's as fast as the big motor Italian scoots... but is IS neat, it IS one of a kind, and it IS a magical mix of old-school and modern technology. It WILL have a "money-is-no-object" buyer-market, albeit small. I imagine Jay Leno already has his order in... One thing for the SCOOTER connoisseur to consider is that this little gem is probably a clutch-n'-gears setup rather than a CVT "twist-n'-go" drive-train. The existing monster-scooters with 700cc class engines mostly use our favored twist-n'-go controls. I think clutch-n'-gears may turn off some wealthy riders who want a $50-grand SCOOTER. Lots of PLUSSES, a few NEGATIVES and a LOT of MONEY!Yeah, I DO like it, but I also like a Lamborghini... Probably won't be buying one of them on Social Security either... LOL! Ride safe, even it you ride one of these exotic beasts, made from pure "unobtainium"... Leo (happy to have even my old ride) in Texas
PS: THOSE are SOME pix!!! So good, I thought they were high-end computer-graphic illustrations, but they appear to be mega-clean photos! My hat's off the photographer!!!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 29, 2016 23:14:03 GMT -5
"No doubt Rockford was macho... But there's just something about Oscar's totally believable "I just don't give a crap" attitude that comes off as "casual macho""Both Rockford and Oscar lived their lives with minimal interference from women (as bachelors). That is a macho way to live. Yup... What he said! |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 29, 2016 0:54:07 GMT -5
No doubt Rockford was macho... But there's just something about Oscar's totally believable "I just don't give a crap" attitude that comes off as "casual macho"... I'm a James garner fan, but I'll vote for Oscar.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 27, 2016 22:20:14 GMT -5
Nice post! You always make me feel like I'm riding along with you. I enjoy that! Congratulations on your new job! These days, jobs are as scarce as honest politicians... LOL!
Have a Thanksgiving bone!
Ride safe,
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 23, 2016 21:41:51 GMT -5
The new Honda Rebel 500 is SO interesting that I did some Internet research... I found a pseudo "official" Honda site showing all sorts of pix, and outlining most everything EXCEPT price...  . While I do NOT expect to see these "project" bikes any time soon at my local Honda shop, they ARE interesting...
Here's the "Rebel 500 X project"... Ape-hangers, shorty fender, vintage-style "trumpet" exhausts and other custom touches:
Here's the "Rebel 500 P-40 project"... A little old-school "Flying Tigers" look: And here's MY favorite doodad which IS available on a new Rebel... The iconic pillion pad for a passenger:
To me, a bobber/chopper NEEDS the pillion pad so a passenger can be hauled.Now, as for SPECS...! The little beastie cranks out 44hp and over 30lb/ft of torque. MORE than some competitive 750's. And, the Reb weighs only around 400 lb; little more than my 250 scooter! The motor is tuned differently from its "CB" brothers, being set up for low-end grunt. The writers say it should out-run many 750's in a drag-race! HMMM... This little bike looks "gooder and gooder" all the time.For a "proper bobber" it's all wrong... Ducattiesque exo-frame, strange tank, liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine rather than a proper air-cooled V-twin... Yet, SOMEHOW it STILL all comes together and looks right! And, first glance at it's specs indicates it could ALSO have plenty of 0- acceleration, and well over 100-mph top-end with that elusive (but oh-so-necessary) -mph freeway cruise not often found in bikes under 900cc. I'm likin' it more and more, but STILL want to see what it costs... With all the bobber mavens on the site, I couldn't resist posting these intriguing pix and "factoids"... I'll be interested in how it goes over in the marketplace... IF it's AFFORDABLE it should be a winner! Keep in mind some Harley, Indian and other Asian factory bobbers with bigger motors start WELL under $10K.
Ride safe one and all!Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 23, 2016 0:31:38 GMT -5
NICE lookin' fifty!You're going to like the Kymco quality and reliability. And, those wheels are plenty big for a fifty. My guess is that unless it's speed-limited to the 35-mph "mandate" it will likely have more speed than the run-of-the-mill 50.
While bigger wheels are an improvement at high speed and on bumps, smaller wheels are not a "deal-breaker". My old Kymco 250 Grandvista has only 12" rims but with good tires and proper balance, the old girl "grooves" at 70-mph as well as my old Harley Electra-Glide used to. At 60-mph she's like sitting in an easy-chair. I have to stick my head past the windshield into the wind to keep from falling asleep... LOL! Enjoy your swell new ride! Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 23, 2016 0:23:40 GMT -5
4950cycle,
Thanks for the heads-up! That's a trick I had not heard of.
I too had to mix two different weights in my old 150 to get the best all-round performance. Something to try.
My Wife's computer won't work anymore with "updated" Internet mumbo-jumbo. My son gave her an old one he was going to throw out... Cheesh! It's got Windows 7 and works fine. He replaced it with some wonder-whiz-bang bazillion megaweasel Darth Vader gaming computer... Whatever turns you on... It looks like used PC's have absolutely NO value, so, you might find one gathering dust in some family or friend's digs.
Any others with slider advice for 250's, please let us know...
Thanks!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 21, 2016 20:55:00 GMT -5
Doggone if Honda didn't pull one off here! Triumph, Indian and now Honda making a modern bobber! Even with the exoskeleton frame, strange shaped gas-tank and finless liquid-cooled engine it STILL looks "right" as a modern-day Americanesque pseudo-bobber... I like it!
I'd prefer the 500cc mainly because it's a twin. Bobbers are just cooler with two pipes... LOL! I can't help but think it might be influenced a little by the new Indian Scout (another modern, liquid-cooled bike with old-school looks). The 300 should be pretty frisky, and the 500 should be downright quick. It will be interesting to see what they COST... The original Rebel 250 was "the poor-boy's Sportster" and pretty affordable. This new one appears to be a lot more high-tech, and will likely be a LOT more pricey.
Would I ride one? Sure! I'd just paint the tank to match the frame so its shape sorta "blends in", add wide-whites, red-stripes on the rims and "broomsticks" drag-bars and move the headlight on top of the bars. Then lose the front fender I'd be good to go! As soon as I got rid of the arthritis that keeps me on flat-floor scoots... And could pony-up the bucks for the new bike... Not too likely, but I do like the bike! Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 21, 2016 20:34:43 GMT -5
OK, so "Sideshow Bob" is a CARTOON character... I still like him! Of course, I'm also in love with Marge Simpson's blue beehive hair...  Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 21, 2016 20:25:52 GMT -5
Kymco is like Smith & Wesson... As soon as they came out with a new gun everybody liked, they dropped it. Kymco does that too... Cheesh! I loved the Kymco 700cc "My Road" and it got dropped. Probably legitimately for poor sales, though. I'll never know why that beast didn't sell. You can STILL find NOS 700's on the floor as low as $4,000... A whole lotta scoot for the bucks! Suffice to say most everything Kymco is pretty good while they make it... LOL! Of course, they DID make my stone-age Grandvista for a LONG time... At least until they figured out only riders built like an orangutan (long waist, short legs and long fingers) were a "good fit" on 'em... Yeah, that's me but at least I had my tail removed... A 13.5 hp 150 is pretty exciting! Almost as much power as a Chinese 250! It should be everything the 150 rider wants, who so far has only wished for more than 10hp. Whatever you're ridin', enjoy the ride! Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 18, 2016 1:49:35 GMT -5
Kat... Have a bone for taking care of Mama!
I do understand missing the old car. My "Clark Griswold Family Truckster" wagon finally died last year. I miss that old boat-anchor a lot!
Seems like even the iconic Griswold family wagon morphed from a Ford Crown Vic to a Taurus wagon in the "Christmas Vacation" movie.
Give Mama a hug...
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 18, 2016 1:45:19 GMT -5
Well... Close, but I'll go with Herb... I actually had a sport-coat just like that one back in my macho days... Wore it to work riding my Hog, as VP of an ad agency...
The busy plaid pattern didn't show the stripe of "schmootz" up the back from the rear tire... LOL!
I even had a couple of 3-piece suits like that, with 6" collared dress shirts and bell-bottoms! EEEWWWW! The bad taste of the 60's and 70's hard to get out of your mouth...
Ride safe, dress weird...
Leo
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, then came the 160, 250 and 305 and the amazing 450cc twins. Finally around 1969, came the revolutionary 750 4-banger. Kids LOVED 'em. Police didn't even mind 'em too much and PARENTS grudgingly accepted them. Honda dealers continually heard dad say: "I won't let MY kid have a MOTORCYCLE, but he CAN have a HONDA".