It sure was windy!!!!

TJ gets a Superhawk!

TJ sends me this text a few days ago about seeing a craigslist ad for a 1966 Honda 305 Superhawk for sale over in Iowa. I told him not to pass it up because it's a really good price. So the next day I'm meeting TJ at his place and taking this truck for a spin.

We head over to Avoca Iowa where we meet an individual named "Johnny Lightning". A very interesting fellow indeed and had a few neat bikes from a few different makes including a Russian Dirt bike. He shows the Honda and proceeds to tell us everything he knows about that Honda. For being somewhat crude, he seemed like a nice enough fellow.
When it came time for someone to take it for a spin, between me and TJ, I was the only one with the license to ride. Being very very nervous I started out as easy as I could. I definitely did not want to scratch up this moving antique, and I also wasn't wearing a helmet. haha
Shifting through all the gears and back down again, I tried to really get a feel for how this bike rode. I must admit it didn't handle like newer bikes, but truly was a great feeling to ride it even though I was freezing cold.

We got the bike loaded up with the help of another individual named "Big Dave". Big Dave had two things going for him, he had ramps and could lift the bike with ease. Very helpful when loading.

The unloading once we got back was a concern of mine. We only had 2 guys to unload it, instead of 4. We also didn't have a set of ramps like Big Dave had. The way back we brain stormed on how we are going to get this bike off this truck. Using a thick piece of plywood and the little lip just outside the garage we backed the old Honda off the truck. Little by little, inch by inch we eased her back into her new home in TJ's garage. A much more fitting home for that monster rather than the dirty shed it was living in before. I was very glad to get it to Omaha and into our possession.

TJ tells me he is hoping for a complete tear down and rebuild. I really can not wait to see that completed. E

A nice evening for a HighLife at the Silver Spoke Saloon.

Wes and I rode out to the Silver Spoke last night for a test run. The sun was out and it was just warm enough to get riding without being chilled to the bone. Both bikes sound and run great! There are still a few issues to be worked through but I'm confident we will have these beauties road worthy within our scheduled time frame. First big adventure will be at the end of May through the first week in June. We hope to take a few shorter trips before hand so we can get a good feel. Here are some photos outside in the parking lot. E

More photos from last summer....

All these photos were taken by my friend Heidi. She has awesome talent. Her photography website is heidihoffmanphotography.com

Thanks for looking! E

Betty is ready for the road!

It's been a long winter and finally I finished the bike and took her for a spin. It was bit cold on the highway but the 65 mile ride was worth it. Snapped some pics of Betty in her finished state.

First post from Western, The CB500 "Betty"

A friend of mine was harping on me to help him find an old Honda to work on over the winter. i rode my CB350 up to visit him a few hours away and parked it out front of the bar to talk motorcycles over a few brewskies. the next day when i was taking the last turn before the highway toward home i saw a CB500 four outside at a yard sale. well my first thought was "awesome, i found a bike for my friend". i parked my 73 CB350 in front of the house and walked up to the bike. a man on the porch shouted "we wondered when you would stop by to checkout this bike". hu? how did this guy know me. he went on to explain that he was at the same bar last night, saw my bike, and the group of them agreed that if anyone was to buy the 72 CB500 i was going to be me. he explained that it was his brother's bike which he had purchased new in 1973. sadly his brother passed away a few months back so his estate was being sold. i offered him 1/2 what he was asking since i'm a broke college grad, he gladly excepted saying his brother would be happy to know that the bike was in good hands. it started right up after some idle adjustment and my friend & i rode both bikes back to my place. while filling up with gas a guy got out of his car and said "whoa, i just stepped into the 70's! nice bikes guys, good to see somebodies keeping these classic bikes going." needless to say i kept the CB500 and sold the 350 twin to my friend. first things to go: two-up seat, big crash bar, rear lowering brackets. here's some pictures of the bike from 10/04/09. Its gone through many changes since then.

How my CB750 was... (Eastern)

(1972 Honda CB750)

This is my Honda as it stood last summer. I had a great time touring the many different lakes and parks that surround Lincoln NE.

I need to make a list of all the maintenance and aesthetic chores I plan to invest in my bike in order to prepare it for the miles ahead. As they are completed, I'll cross them off. Consequently, Ill be adding and editing this post from time to time.

E

Maintenance:

Adjust the clutch
Adjust the timing
Adjust the Cam Chain
Adjust the valve clearances
Rebuild the barrings (front and rear wheels)
Replace the spark plugs
Replace the spark plug boots
Adjust the air-idle screw on one of the carbs
Reinforce Hard bag brackets

Aesthetics:

Replace Stator Cover
Chrome Headlight Bill
Paint for Tank
Paint for Side Covers
Paint for Hard bags
Chrome Plating for Bag Cages
NOS Exhaust (2 of 4)
Replace clubman bars with eurobars
Add bar end mirrors

Intro

In the spring of 2009 my good friend TJ found a listing for 1972 Honda CB750. I did not know, at the time, that this Honda would be the finest thing I own. I hope it can be the trusted steed and travel companion I need to get me through this chapter in my life.

Wes on the other hand already had red Honda 350 which he sold so he could upgrade to his current Honda cb500. Wes is much more mechanically inclined than I am but the great thing about these motorcycles is that you can really tinker with them yourself and come away with a great running bike. I hope with persistence and a little guidance, I can easily maintain this wonderful motorcycle.