Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild (Easy Rider) (1969)

[Huntindave McCann]

Ya baby!! 1969 was the year I graduated from high school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egMWlD3fLJ8


In case you haven't figured it out by now,,,,,,,,,,,,,, this post is not duck related. [laugh]


Many many moons ago, I was on a road trip from Iowa to Colorado. I was riding my 1985 Yamaha FZ750. It was a fast bike, water cooled, in-line 4 cylinders with 5 valves per cylinder. But,,,,,,,, I was looking for a new bike, something a bit heavier, with a little less road vibration. So,,,,,,,,, I'm on this road trip, title in hand and checkbook in my pocket. Tooling across Kansas on my way to Colorado Springs. Went thru a little podunk town out in the middle of nowhere, drove past a farm implement dealer on the edge of town.


Whoa!! slow down, hit the brakes, I'm sure I saw a Yamaha Motorcycle sign under the implement sign. Pulled in and yes he sold motorcycles. Yes, he had a 1100 Virago on the showroom floor. Yes, we made a deal right then and there. I was the proud owner of a brand new shiny 1100 Virago model year 1995 with zero miles on the odometer.


Fast forward to 4 years ago. I'm getting a bit older, don't feel as comfortable (safe) riding as always, bike gets parked and I start it up now and then. The years go by and my bike just sits there. Dusty, with fowl smelling rust and gasoline in the fuel tank.


Just a few weeks ago I decide to do something about the situation. I do a complete teardown of the fuel system. Removing the carbs on this V-twin is no easy task. Everything is cleaned, spic and span like new and put back together with new parts as needed.


I am 99.9999999% confident in my mechanical skills but, there is always that tiny voice in the back of your head casting doubt. Turn the key, listen for the fuel pump to get up to pressure, hit the start button and,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, vroom, she fires right up like the first day I got her!!! woot woot


Some of the crud from the fuel tanks (2) one main tank and a reserve tank. Amazing what a 5 day soak with vinegar will remove. Flushed and soaked for another 5 days. Tank came out sparkling on the inside.







I will say the twin carburetors on this bike are probably the most complicated carbs I have ever had the "pleasure" to rebuild. Thankfully a couple of YouTube videos, prepared me for the process.

This was just the crud under the secondary diaphragm.






Eventually all the parts showed up and everything went back together with only one or two hiccups. Once again, she purrs like the sweet ride she is. [cool] [cool]











"Get your motor running, born born to be wild" [whistle] [whistle]

PS; My oldest daughter has not yet decided if she is comfortable letting her 12 year old son ride with me. Time will tell, I do understand her concerns. I have had a few close calls over the years.

My other son-in-law, married my youngest daughter, totaled his Harley when a deer ran into the side of him going down the road. My son-in-law had a slow recovery and neither he or my daughter have ridden since. (they each had a motorcycle and their daughter was also along when it happened)

 

[SJ Fairbank]

Nice story Dave. The bike brings back memories, although I was more of a dirt bike guy. Haven't been on one in twenty plus years now, too risky for my old bones. [smile] Seeing your carb photo reminds me I have to pull the carb off my golf cart (don't say it), it wasn't run for a few years and there's jelly in it. I kind of enjoy a carb cleaning, just enough labor to feel like I did something and satisfying when the machine fires up. I hope.

Speaking of risky, as I headed for old fart status I needed to scratch a lifelong itch. Just before hitting 60 a couple years ago I learned to fly. Not that flying a telephone booth with wings is risky like riding a bike. [whistle] Just ask the 20-nothing year old flight instructors, brimming with wisdom and youthful enthusiasm. The first plane I flew was considerably more experienced than my instructors, having been built the year I got my drivers license in 1976. It's all good though, even an old Peter Pan can fly.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Dave

Nice write-up. What are you plans for the bike now? Going to ride it some or just keep it for nostalgia sake? Or maybe sell it and buy a tad bit safer three wheel motor cycle?

Eric

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Dave

Nice write-up. What are you plans for the bike now? Going to ride it some or just keep it for nostalgia sake? Or maybe sell it and buy a tad bit safer three wheel motor cycle?

Eric

I have decide to ride it at least another season. On a related note, I have been having serious pain issues in my hip(s). To the point I needed to apply a topical pain cream to sleep at night, to get up in the morning and again during the day. Finally forced to see a doctor. Long story short, I don't have a hip joint issue, I have a lower back issue.

Physical therapy has been prescribed. I go in 3 times a week and also have been assigned exercises to do 3 times a day at home. The goal is to (A) regain core strength to support my spine (B) regain flexability in the entire spine and range of motion.

The program is working and I am seeing much improvement. It is now once again, possible for me to swivel my trunk and move my hips without pain. Being able to freely twist my trunk, neck and hips has made a huge difference in safely riding my cycle. I love tooling down the road on it. I just hope I can avoid getting a 105mph speeding ticket. [whistle]

PS; My granddaughters husband ( they are 21 and 22 years old) is just chomping at the bit to buy my bike. I told him he has the right of first refusal if and when I decide to sell.

 

[Rod VanZile]

Dave,

This is a timely post. I"m 66 years young and have the urge for a motorcycle again. I grew up riding Honda SL dirt bikes. Or I guess enduros. Street legal bikes that took us everywhere. All my friends both male and female rode and terrorized the neighborhood. We had trails in the surrounding woods and fields. We were famous for running from the local sherriff. This was before we had drivers licenses. After we were legal in the early 70's our gang would tie sleeping bags and pup tents to our handlebars and rear fenders and head up the west coast of Michigan. Holland the first night, Muskegon the next. We rode a crisp 45 to 50 miles an hour on geared down sprockets and knobby dirt bike tires. I am in search of a Honda SL 125 from the early 70's. I don't even care to ride it, I would be happy just to look at it in the garage.

Thanks for the non duck related post.

RVZ

 

[Al Hansen]

I enjoyed that read, David. Did you ever go back to that Colorado area again? I remember 1969 because that summer I worked for the Alaska Fish and Game dept and they flew me to Kodiak Island where I stayed for 63 days. It was full of excitement since they flew me to all areas of that gorgeous island and I vividly recall spending 63 nights in my sleeping bag. We worked in teams of two normally for a week or two looking for illegal fishing operations during the salmon run. During the end of July and or beginning of August we were out in the Deadman's Bay area of Kodiak and had 13 brown bears feeding from the creek that flowed into the Pacific Ocean. It was at this site where I happened to walk within 12 feet of a sow and her cub. I think you know I am bald---now you know why!
Al

 

[Huntindave McCann]

I enjoyed that read, David. Did you ever go back to that Colorado area again?
Al

Al,
I have a cousin who lives on the side of a mountain, just off Hwy24, 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs. Yes, I do get out there on a semi regular basis. In my younger years I might drive straight thru, now days, not so much.

 

[Jim S]

Good to see an old bike pulled out of the corner and be brought back to life! It's a good looking machine! If I happen to get up your way on the bike I'll look you up and drag you out for a ride.

Ride Safe!

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Good to see an old bike pulled out of the corner and be brought back to life! It's a good looking machine! If I happen to get up your way on the bike I'll look you up and drag you out for a ride.

Ride Safe!

"Old bike" Things get that way when we aren't looking. The NADA book has it listed under "vintage". Good thing I'm not listed in any book.