Discussion
While I got a Cushman Scooter when I was 13 ($50), I also came by a Harley that year. In those days (I'm 82 now), the carnivals had big board lined drums about 30 or 40 ft or so in diameter that motorcycles raced around, rising all the way to the top out of centrifugal force. The feature was called "The Wall of Death." One day I was exploring the woods behind the area a carnival had been a few days before. I came upon an old Harley board track racer that had been abandoned back there probably due to a thrown rod or something. I pushed it a half mile home and put it in my basement which fortunately had an outside entrance. During the next month or so I started taking it apart out of curiosity. The years have faded how far I got, or what I ended up doing with it. It was a memorable experience though.
My first bona-fide motorcycle was an indian Brave 250cc flathead at age 16. Since that time I have owned everything from a Vincent Black Shadow to a Honda CBX 6 cyl. - probably thirty or more. I sold my most recent bike, a 1,200 cc Harley Sportster last year. Lately, I've been keeping my hand in the hobby by cutting out 19" motorcycle replicas on my homemade CNC plasma cutter.
Unfortunately, I have no photos of my old Indian Brave, but here is a 1953 photo of me on my Cushman:
My first bona-fide motorcycle was an indian Brave 250cc flathead at age 16. Since that time I have owned everything from a Vincent Black Shadow to a Honda CBX 6 cyl. - probably thirty or more. I sold my most recent bike, a 1,200 cc Harley Sportster last year. Lately, I've been keeping my hand in the hobby by cutting out 19" motorcycle replicas on my homemade CNC plasma cutter.
Unfortunately, I have no photos of my old Indian Brave, but here is a 1953 photo of me on my Cushman:
A friend of mine, who is heavily into the hot rod scene, is good friends with a family that still operate a "Wall of death". They do the tours of the modern "retro festivals" and hot rod/classic American car meets. I may be wrong, but I think they still run an old Indian in the shows.
Sadly, gone are the days of finding anything desirable in the woods. My other half's brother told me how he got so fed up of his first Triumph that he threw it in a hedge. Just as he was walking away, the homeowner appeared shouting at him. The chap then asked if he wanted to sell it, which he then did... for something like a pound.
Sadly, gone are the days of finding anything desirable in the woods. My other half's brother told me how he got so fed up of his first Triumph that he threw it in a hedge. Just as he was walking away, the homeowner appeared shouting at him. The chap then asked if he wanted to sell it, which he then did... for something like a pound.
On the subject of Early Rides, here's one I was too dumb to keep.
When I graduated from college, in 1963, I bought a slightly used 1962 Chevy Impala with a 327/300 and a 4 speed. Over the next 5 years, two 409s and a 283 also occupied it's engine compartment. In 1968, I traded it (with a 409 engine) to a guy about my age for a Vincent Black Shadow he had tried to turn into a chopper. It had ape hanger handlebars and a slick on it. I got a pile of fenders and other parts, as well as the big 6" 150 mph speedometer.
This being over 50 years ago, I had no idea what the Vincent would eventually be worth if I returned it to stock condition. I ended up trading to another guy for a cheesy Hilborn injected 396 Chevy powered Altered drag car. Heaven knows what I ended up doing with that.
This would not be the last object to slip through my fingers over the years, but it was one most distressing.
Below are photos of the Chevy and the Vincent.
When I graduated from college, in 1963, I bought a slightly used 1962 Chevy Impala with a 327/300 and a 4 speed. Over the next 5 years, two 409s and a 283 also occupied it's engine compartment. In 1968, I traded it (with a 409 engine) to a guy about my age for a Vincent Black Shadow he had tried to turn into a chopper. It had ape hanger handlebars and a slick on it. I got a pile of fenders and other parts, as well as the big 6" 150 mph speedometer.
This being over 50 years ago, I had no idea what the Vincent would eventually be worth if I returned it to stock condition. I ended up trading to another guy for a cheesy Hilborn injected 396 Chevy powered Altered drag car. Heaven knows what I ended up doing with that.
This would not be the last object to slip through my fingers over the years, but it was one most distressing.
Below are photos of the Chevy and the Vincent.
mak said:
I'm not old enough for black and white but that's me at 18 years of age, i part exchanged it for a mk 1 rs turbo at 19 . f
k me a whish I still had that car amongst most other things I've sold over the years 
That is a cool picture, I always wanted an NS400 when I was a similar age. Insurance back then was the killer. I remember insuring a GPz1100 at age 18 in 1990, I think it was around £600 for 6 months at 3rd party only! k me a whish I still had that car amongst most other things I've sold over the years 
I also an Escort RS Turbo in the early 90s, but it was the Mk2. 
Waynester said:
I've tried to do some maths, its hard when I cant even remember my age I think my pic was 1988, we both have the tight fitting bleached jeans so it looks like you might be out of fashion by a year Cracking pick, where has life gone
mak said:
Waynester said:
I've tried to do some maths, its hard when I cant even remember my age I think my pic was 1988, we both have the tight fitting bleached jeans so it looks like you might be out of fashion by a year Cracking pick, where has life gone
Indeed, 30+ years have literally gone by in a blink! The body may have aged, but mentally I’m still about 12
archie456 said:
Andy XRV said:
Agreed, but it could also be an TX500
It's very likely an XS650, it's a very distinctive engine.I still shoot B&W film today. The lack of colour and detail probably makes the bike look in better condition than it actually was.
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