That was a very enjoyable listen. No CBT in 1980 when I started riding either but I did the RAC/ACU training as a parental condition of getting my shiny new Honda H100.
1971 my friend showed up riding a Mobylette, his elder brothers, I had a ride, then a while later found one for myself for $20. Father very encouraging. Started work, BSA Bantam, then Honda 175 twin. Loved the ability to travel the country, I was everywhere, never home. Then XL350 with road tyres etc, 2 years overseas came home bought SR500, then 1986 a BMW R80. 4 years ago a Suzuki GSX650R, I did 900km last weekend. I'm 67yo. Oh, all this is New Zealand. I did buy SS50 for my sister about 1975, loved that too.
Uncanny. My first bike was also a 1974, gold SS50, 4-speed. Bought 2nd hand for my 16th birthday in 1980. I loved it! - Still have bikes now at 58 years old. Once it's in your blood, that's it!
Your dad was a good man 1972, I bought a Puch Maxi for the same reason, just to get to work. The bug soon bit and here I am still riding 50 years later.
My First Bike was also a SS50 4 speed. I loved it. It wouldn't keep up with my mates Casal Phantom 5 or the FS1E's so I put a bigger carb from the SS50 5 speed on it and a front sprocket with 1 extra tooth to gear it up a bit. It could just about keep up the the rest of the gang then. I learnt a lot about engines from that bike as I had to rebuild the top end having holed a piston. I wish I had known I could have put a 70cc top end on it back then. About 10 years ago I turned a C90 into a C125 with a LIFAN engine, that was lots of fun too. All this watching UA-cam is encouraging me to recommission my VFR750 this winter, it's been just sitting in the garage for far too long.
Funnily enough I used to have a Honda SS50 five speed, it was back in the 70’s I holed my piston also but increased engine capacity to 65cc. From that point on I was able to keep up with the 2-Strokes while going out on rides and not constantly changing gears as before.
Had a 1977 Suzuki A100 myself purchased in 1998, rode it day in day out as main transport, 26 years and various bikes later and I'm still riding..... Can't see myself stopping any time soon!
Since I can remember, always was on bicycle. Love the two wheelers. All my friends where going to play football but i was going for a ride in the neighborhood. If i saw a motorcycle parked anywhere, my eyes was always on it. You can say that I was biker before I was biker 😀 .. Anyway .. It was quite a journey until I've got my first bike. There was no one to help me and was from poor family. I got my A license early on but get my first bike on 20, it was old beat up Kawasaki KZ 250, fun times. I was on and off with motorcycles over the years for various reasons.
Dave, my first bike was a 1981 Honda CM400T. And that self same bike is in my garage today. I ride it on short jaunts around the neighborhood about once a week. I have two other bikes now that are my road trip bikes, but the Honda will forever be my first love.
My brother had a green ss50 but was knocked off by a van on his way to work and spent three months in hospital with pretty serious injuries, didn’t put him off and he just bought a new Triumph a few months ago. I never had a 50cc started with a 200cc Kawasaki but quickly moved on to a 250 super dream and then up and up. I was the opposite to you in a way and would be out whenever I could no matter the weather. My dad had always been into bikes so he collected from the shop but basically showed me how it all worked and off I went. Luckily never had an accident still ride now doing lots of miles many on a Blood Bike or touring or just getting around, would always take the bike rather than the car when I can.
Hi once I got the bike and spent some time on it I loved it. It was my only transport and like you I then rode in all weathers, rain, wind, snow, ice the lot. I got frost bike in my hands riding back from Bridlington one winter in rain and snow. I didn’t pass my car test until I was 25, and that was only so I could drive works cars if I had to. I have passed my IAM bike test in 1979, long before the car test. Ive had Blood Bikes on my radar for a while, I retire in just under 2 years and going to go for it then. Which area do you ride Blood Bikes in? Ride safe, Dave
@@thatblokeonamotorbike I recall in the late 70’s coming home from work (my only transport as well) in heavy snow I can understand the frostbite because I was freezing, gear wasn’t so good back then and of course never had the money for the best stuff either. I’m Blood Biking in Scotland now, been doing it a few years having retired a several years ago, need to have IAM or RoSPA and get retested every three years although sure every area is different, most likely down to insurance. Well worth it and it’s voluntary so can suit yourself on how much or little you do. I do at least once a month but often more have ridden 600 miles over a few days, good in summer but getting to winter now not so enjoyable especially if it’s very wet.
@@SouthWest-jj8yu Gear has got much better, especially now we have heated clothing. I'm defiantly going to have a go with the blood bikes, keep up the good work mate and stay safe out there.
Dave this is an absolutely marvellous story, beautifully told! Your parents sound lovely. What a brilliant introduction to motorcycling.. My own story is somewhat different as I was obsessed with motorcycles from the age of eight after buying a copy of 'The Motor Cycle' while waiting to get on a coach with mum and dad to visit Wookey Hole in Somerset. For me, two wheels - originally a bicycle - was about freedom and adventure, getting out into the countryside from what seemed to me a claustrophobic Portsmouth. All that was well over 60 years ago but I still enjoy the freedom of two wheels whether powered or pedalled! Thank you for sharing your story. Loved it!
Lovely story...enjoyed listening to it. I started out on a Honda CG 125 in early 80's to get from Pudsey to school by Harry Ramsden's in Menston. At the weekends I'd be over at mate's in Ilkley, Otley and Poole in Wharfedale then exploring Dales. Hugely jealous of one mate who just managed to learn on a Honda 250 Super Dream just before the silly 125 learner limit came in. Cheers
My first bike was a Malagutti 50 Trial Bike. i was about 12 years old. Seized it up, my first bike legal on the road was a 1978 Fizz, didn't like it, too small and too gutless, so i sold it and bought a W Reg Suzuki TS50ER, still a bit slow but way better than the fizz, bigger and more comfortable. Then i got a C Reg Ts50X, even bigger and even more comfortable. then i got a W Reg Suzuki GP100 with a Micron, I loved that thing. then i went on to a Suzuki X7 with all speeds and K&N's, Lovely thing, Finally finished up with a RD350lc. Didn't have that for long and sold it. and i think you can Guess what happened next, i got in to a relationship and had kids. no more bikes, The End.. now i'm 54, my kids have all grown up and got their own families, my woman hoofed off with another guy 10 years ago, i live alone and not well, failing health.
This was my first bike as well, it was Kermit Green. I remember lying across the tank, going downhill and actually hitting 60mph. Those were the days 🙂
I wish I had never let mine go. Bought for £205 new, I did 75K miles then sold it to my brother to £100, he did another 20k and traded in in. Like you say, those were the days
My first bike was an SS50. Bought it from a Farmer, ran great when I went to see it. Got it home, would it start, no chance. He had drained all the petrol.
I purchased my SS50 brand new in 1974 , I was 17 years old after a week my twin brother decided he wanted a bike but his choice was a yamaha fs1-e but for some reason the bike dealer put him off the yamaha and he purchased a honda SS50 same as mine in blue a while late I was riding my ss50 on an early evening ride nice dry evening when I hit a pot hole last thing I remember is the back off the bike leaving the tarmac next thing I am on my knees I had on a helmet with a clip on tinted visor a t shirt ,jeans and normal shoes ,injuries were a deep gash on my left [ needed four stitches] elbow razor rash on left wrist, minor mark on my chest my helmet must have been knocked backwards and been forced downward it sliced into my chin leaving an angry gash across the front of my chin I never wanted to ride a bike again but my twin brother told me ride around the block [damage was minor a broken front indicator lens easily fixed a day or two after the accident ] he said you will regret it if you dont so I got on that bike went around the block and was hooked . I moved up to a honda CB200 GSX1400S [3] Honda Transalp GPX750 Kawasaki and my dream bike a Suzuki GSX1300 B-King purchased in 2013 7 miles on the clock 3 years old bought from a dealer in Liverpool best bike I ever had .
That was a very enjoyable listen. No CBT in 1980 when I started riding either but I did the RAC/ACU training as a parental condition of getting my shiny new Honda H100.
1971 my friend showed up riding a Mobylette, his elder brothers, I had a ride, then a while later found one for myself for $20. Father very encouraging. Started work, BSA Bantam, then Honda 175 twin. Loved the ability to travel the country, I was everywhere, never home. Then XL350 with road tyres etc, 2 years overseas came home bought SR500, then 1986 a BMW R80. 4 years ago a Suzuki GSX650R, I did 900km last weekend. I'm 67yo. Oh, all this is New Zealand. I did buy SS50 for my sister about 1975, loved that too.
Uncanny. My first bike was also a 1974, gold SS50, 4-speed. Bought 2nd hand for my 16th birthday in 1980. I loved it! - Still have bikes now at 58 years old. Once it's in your blood, that's it!
Hi thanks for the comment, you're right, one biking gets into you, you are done for. Wish I still had my SS50, ride safe, Dave
Your dad was a good man
1972, I bought a Puch Maxi for the same reason, just to get to work. The bug soon bit and here I am still riding 50 years later.
Once you get the bug you are lost, but very very happy
My First Bike was also a SS50 4 speed. I loved it. It wouldn't keep up with my mates Casal Phantom 5 or the FS1E's so I put a bigger carb from the SS50 5 speed on it and a front sprocket with 1 extra tooth to gear it up a bit. It could just about keep up the the rest of the gang then. I learnt a lot about engines from that bike as I had to rebuild the top end having holed a piston. I wish I had known I could have put a 70cc top end on it back then. About 10 years ago I turned a C90 into a C125 with a LIFAN engine, that was lots of fun too. All this watching UA-cam is encouraging me to recommission my VFR750 this winter, it's been just sitting in the garage for far too long.
Hi James, the things we did years ago. go for it, get the bike back on the road and enjoy. Ride safe, Dave
Funnily enough I used to have a Honda SS50 five speed, it was back in the 70’s I holed my piston also but increased engine capacity to 65cc. From that point on I was able to keep up with the 2-Strokes while going out on rides and not constantly changing gears as before.
I had a 1970 SS50 5 speed. 6hp at 11,000 rpm!
Had a 1977 Suzuki A100 myself purchased in 1998, rode it day in day out as main transport, 26 years and various bikes later and I'm still riding..... Can't see myself stopping any time soon!
Since I can remember, always was on bicycle. Love the two wheelers. All my friends where going to play football but i was going for a ride in the neighborhood. If i saw a motorcycle parked anywhere, my eyes was always on it. You can say that I was biker before I was biker 😀 .. Anyway .. It was quite a journey until I've got my first bike. There was no one to help me and was from poor family. I got my A license early on but get my first bike on 20, it was old beat up Kawasaki KZ 250, fun times. I was on and off with motorcycles over the years for various reasons.
Dave, my first bike was a 1981 Honda CM400T. And that self same bike is in my garage today. I ride it on short jaunts around the neighborhood about once a week. I have two other bikes now that are my road trip bikes, but the Honda will forever be my first love.
Hi
I found your channel when i was looking for info on BMW RT. Very interesting content. keep up the great work.
My brother had a green ss50 but was knocked off by a van on his way to work and spent three months in hospital with pretty serious injuries, didn’t put him off and he just bought a new Triumph a few months ago. I never had a 50cc started with a 200cc Kawasaki but quickly moved on to a 250 super dream and then up and up. I was the opposite to you in a way and would be out whenever I could no matter the weather. My dad had always been into bikes so he collected from the shop but basically showed me how it all worked and off I went. Luckily never had an accident still ride now doing lots of miles many on a Blood Bike or touring or just getting around, would always take the bike rather than the car when I can.
Hi once I got the bike and spent some time on it I loved it. It was my only transport and like you I then rode in all weathers, rain, wind, snow, ice the lot. I got frost bike in my hands riding back from Bridlington one winter in rain and snow.
I didn’t pass my car test until I was 25, and that was only so I could drive works cars if I had to. I have passed my IAM bike test in 1979, long before the car test.
Ive had Blood Bikes on my radar for a while, I retire in just under 2 years and going to go for it then.
Which area do you ride Blood Bikes in?
Ride safe, Dave
@@thatblokeonamotorbike I recall in the late 70’s coming home from work (my only transport as well) in heavy snow I can understand the frostbite because I was freezing, gear wasn’t so good back then and of course never had the money for the best stuff either. I’m Blood Biking in Scotland now, been doing it a few years having retired a several years ago, need to have IAM or RoSPA and get retested every three years although sure every area is different, most likely down to insurance. Well worth it and it’s voluntary so can suit yourself on how much or little you do. I do at least once a month but often more have ridden 600 miles over a few days, good in summer but getting to winter now not so enjoyable especially if it’s very wet.
@@SouthWest-jj8yu Gear has got much better, especially now we have heated clothing.
I'm defiantly going to have a go with the blood bikes, keep up the good work mate and stay safe out there.
Dave this is an absolutely marvellous story, beautifully told! Your parents sound lovely. What a brilliant introduction to motorcycling..
My own story is somewhat different as I was obsessed with motorcycles from the age of eight after buying a copy of 'The Motor Cycle' while waiting to get on a coach with mum and dad to visit Wookey Hole in Somerset.
For me, two wheels - originally a bicycle - was about freedom and adventure, getting out into the countryside from what seemed to me a claustrophobic Portsmouth. All that was well over 60 years ago but I still enjoy the freedom of two wheels whether powered or pedalled!
Thank you for sharing your story. Loved it!
Thanks Peter, I really am glad my dad suggested a bike, I would have lost out on some really good times and people. Ride safe mate, Dave
Lovely story...enjoyed listening to it. I started out on a Honda CG 125 in early 80's to get from Pudsey to school by Harry Ramsden's in Menston. At the weekends I'd be over at mate's in Ilkley, Otley and Poole in Wharfedale then exploring Dales. Hugely jealous of one mate who just managed to learn on a Honda 250 Super Dream just before the silly 125 learner limit came in. Cheers
My first bike was a Malagutti 50 Trial Bike. i was about 12 years old. Seized it up, my first bike legal on the road was a 1978 Fizz, didn't like it, too small and too gutless, so i sold it and bought a W Reg Suzuki TS50ER, still a bit slow but way better than the fizz, bigger and more comfortable. Then i got a C Reg Ts50X, even bigger and even more comfortable. then i got a W Reg Suzuki GP100 with a Micron, I loved that thing. then i went on to a Suzuki X7 with all speeds and K&N's, Lovely thing, Finally finished up with a RD350lc. Didn't have that for long and sold it. and i think you can Guess what happened next, i got in to a relationship and had kids. no more bikes, The End.. now i'm 54, my kids have all grown up and got their own families, my woman hoofed off with another guy 10 years ago, i live alone and not well, failing health.
This was my first bike as well, it was Kermit Green. I remember lying across the tank, going downhill and actually hitting 60mph. Those were the days 🙂
I wish I had never let mine go. Bought for £205 new, I did 75K miles then sold it to my brother to £100, he did another 20k and traded in in. Like you say, those were the days
My first bike was an SS50. Bought it from a Farmer, ran great when I went to see it. Got it home, would it start, no chance. He had drained all the petrol.
I purchased my SS50 brand new in 1974 , I was 17 years old after a week my twin brother decided he wanted a bike but his choice was a yamaha fs1-e but for some reason the bike dealer put him off the yamaha and he purchased a honda SS50 same as mine in blue a while late I was riding my ss50 on an early evening ride nice dry evening when I hit a pot hole last thing I remember is the back off the bike leaving the tarmac next thing I am on my knees I had on a helmet with a clip on tinted visor a t shirt ,jeans and normal shoes ,injuries were a deep gash on my left [ needed four stitches] elbow razor rash on left wrist, minor mark on my chest my helmet must have been knocked backwards and been forced downward it sliced into my chin leaving an angry gash across the front of my chin I never wanted to ride a bike again but my twin brother told me ride around the block [damage was minor a broken front indicator lens easily fixed a day or two after the accident ] he said you will regret it if you dont so I got on that bike went around the block and was hooked . I moved up to a honda CB200 GSX1400S [3] Honda Transalp GPX750 Kawasaki and my dream bike a Suzuki GSX1300 B-King purchased in 2013 7 miles on the clock 3 years old bought from a dealer in Liverpool best bike I ever had .
FS1E, bought by my dad for £20 in 1984, then we bought a donor bike for £10 as the engine had run dry as the autolube had packed up!!!