RETROTOURS NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2023
I know a rider, nick named “The Ditch Rider” who has a gorgeous Honda Shadow Aero. Due to some physical issues, ‘Ditch’ no longer feels comfortable riding his 2 wheeler. He tried adding a sidecar, but when this proved to be impractical and/or beyond his means, he hired me to install a Voyager Trike Kit.
This kit adds outrigger wheels to the motorcycle, which actually is then a 4 wheeled vehicle, but in looks and handling, it closely resembles a conventional trike. The kit was not too difficult to install, and I was quite impressed with the quality of the kit and the comprehensive installation instructions. I test rode it 20 or 25 miles and it was a freakin’ blast to ride, and as stable as can be. I have plenty of sidecar experience, but not much on trikes. It got me to thinking maybe one day I will be physically unable to handle a two wheeler safely. Like ‘Ditch’. Come to think about it, there is no maybe about it; we will all get to that point if we live long enough. What then are the choices?
One could stop riding. A sidecar outfit might be another choice. A trike or a conversion kit like the Voyager might appeal to some. I have often thought that a small motorcycle, like a 250cc, or even a motor scooter might be the answer. Hey, I’m not proud, I just want to ride until a ripe old age.
The new touring season begins in a few weeks. We are down to the last rebuild and should be ready in time. This morning was a cool, very sunny Sunday, following a very rainy night. It was the annual ‘Blessing of the Bikes’ at The Power Place: a local, modern Christian church built into an industrial steel building on the edge of town. The congregants are mostly handsome young married couples, and many have small children. Services include a LOUD (Christian) rock band, and the enthusiastic members hold their hands high and sing along. There is a definite spirit here, such that, reputedly, it is not uncommon for someone to break out into “speaking in tongues”.
Although I am not especially religious, I am invited every year (2023 is the 14th) to bring a few old bikes and set up a little table so people have something to look at. One year I brought all Italian bikes, another blessing featured British bikes, and another Japanese bikes. This year the turnout was unusually high. The church goers inside did their thing while we, the less observant motorcyclists, milled around outside looking at the 150 or so bikes (yes, mostly Harleys) that were parked in neat rows, and enjoyed the fine sunny weather. Finally, the service concluded, and blessings were bestowed on bikes and riders. Hot dogs were then served, and everyone went home, most likely the long way.
My display this year included 4 Yamahas from the RetroTours collection, and the following write up:
THE MOTORCYCLE War of the 1970’s: HONDA VERSUS YAMAHA
The 1970s was a decade of intense competition and development, not only on the race track, but also on the street. Honda was The Leader going into turn one, but Yamaha was a close second and the two giants waged a war of speed, with new models flying off the assembly line in rapid succession. Yamaha literally declared war on Honda and in the trenches, along the front line, were these four models from the tuning fork company.
1973: The opening salvo from the Hamamatsu factory was the TX750. Clearly aimed at the then dominant British big twins, the TX featured an advanced engine balancer system that allowed riders to enjoy 750cc of twin cylinder torque from a narrow vertical twin without the inherent vibration woes. Allow wheel rims, a rigid frame, and no oil leaks put Yamaha on the map early in the decade.
1976: The RD400 is a two stroke twin. With 400cc and a rubber mounted engine, this lightweight buzz bomb was a real giant killer. It had fantastic handling, great brakes, and with its auto-injection total loss oiling system, it used less engine oil than a tired 4 stroke. Best of all, the simple 2 stroke design, with no valves or cams, allowed for inexpensive production costs. Early versions sold for $890, and could beat most 750s.
1977: The XS 650 was really a Better British Bike. It was quieter and more reliable than a Triumph or BSA. It didn’t leak and it had electric starting and disc brakes. Reliability was a given, and the electrics never failed. This model alone may have been the final nail in the English motorcycle industry’s coffin. It was produced for over a decade in various versions, and Honda definitely noticed.
1977: Yamaha’s XS750 was an early triple. The three cylinder design gave the low end torque of a twin but also the high rpm characteristics of a four. It was only slightly wider than a vertical twin, and significantly narrower than a four. Was it perfect? Maybe, but to put the icing on the cake, Yamaha gave it shaft final drive, allow rims, and disc brakes front and rear.
SAMPLE THESE AND 20 MORE GREAT BIKES FROM THE PREVIOUS CENTURY.
JOIN IN ON A RETROTOUR.
MEET NEW FRIENDS. ENJOY REAL ADVENTURE.
RIDE A PIECE OF THE PAST
ON THE PATH LESS TAKEN
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DON’T WAIT UNTIL ITS TOO LATE!
RETRO-ADVENTURE-TOURS.
Sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of nowhere.
Sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, we find ourselves.
