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I just received the fourth bike for the collection that I am putting together, and I am thrilled. The bikes that have had the most affect upon my motorcycling history are the Honda CB750, Goldwing and CBX! I just received the new to me, 1972 Honda CB750, and now I have all three!
Back in 1976 I wanted a motorcycle, but coming off of a divorce I couldn’t afford one. I wanted a Harley, but they were too expensive. So my bro Doug lent me the money to buy a used 1972 Honda 750. Doug and I then started our club, the Road Toads, and motorcycle touring became a reality for me.
We would ride to work all week then do hundreds of miles on the weekends. It went through several iterations, starting with putting just a clear windshield on it, then a full handlebar fairing, saddlebags and a scoot boot (that’s what we called the tail bag back then). After I crashed and destroyed all of those accessories I turned it into basically a sport bike of that time. No fairings or bags, low handlebars, 4 into one exhaust and I started to love to attack the twisties!
After riding tens of thousands of miles on that bike over the time I had it I wanted something faster. I had become a Honda enthusiast, and Honda had come out with the Goldwing. The Goldwing was a naked standard bike that had 1000cc! I sold my 750 and bought the Goldwing in 1977.
We hope to have all my bikes on display soon. It should be interesting to see all together what made this motorcyclist’s dreams come true.
Ps: Regarding my sore butt because of my long ride, I wore a pair of bicycle riding shorts this time and it literally solved my dilemma. I used to use them in the 80’s on long rides and they work great!
Ducati Test Rider Alessandro Valia reveals how the Ducati Superleggera V4 was born
Costing $100,000 and limited to just 500 units, the first Ducati Superleggera V4 has rolled off the production line in Bologna, with the owner of bike 001 invited to the factory for a special delivery ceremony.
The carbon-framed missile is the third of Ducati’s super-exotic Superleggera series, all developed by test rider Alessandro Valia.
2014 saw the birth of the first Superleggera , based on the V-twin 1199 Panigale and a riot of magnesium, from chassis to wheels. That was followed in 2017 by the all-carbon 1299 version and now the Panigale V4 gets the 'superlight' treatment for the first time.
All 500 Superleggera V4s will be powered by a tuned 221bhp V4 R motor and will again be a smorgasbord of carbon, weighing just 159kg dry. Performance is fruitier still with its lightweight titanium race exhaust fitted (231bhp/152.2kg dry).