One Old Man's Quest.........for 250 Mph.

[TZ750d]

I am quite old, approaching 75 years of age.

For many years I had the dream of going 250 mph
aboard a street bike, and I am happy with that.

Join me for a little story, and offer any comments at any time.

I will back up, and start at my beginning,
and if enough of you enjoy the story, I will continue
to offer my thoughts, my fears, my secrets,
and a bunch of what I have learned.

 

[TZ750d]

I started riding motorcycles in 1958,
when I was about 14 years old. I showed
absolutely NO aptitude whatsoever,
and could barely get around a corner.

I continued riding sort-of casually until the
mid 1960’s, just for cheap transportation, you know.




Then I discovered Royal Enfields.




My first real motorcycle purchase was a trade
in to the local Yamaha dealer in 1965, and it didn’t even run…..
Burned valve and head ! BUT, it was only $25.00………

 

[Cantab]

Cool , subscribed

 

[13013]

I'm in!

 

[dadofthree]

Will love it, I've made the trip to Maxton several times on the Busa to watch, had friends there running but never made a run. One of my personal goals, but I don't know that it will ever happen.

 

[TZ750d]

Thanks my friends....We are on our way !


That summer, while working as a life guard, I
spent evenings learning to work on
the 250cc single 4-stroke. I couldn’t afford
“Whitworth” tools, so I ground and filed down
all the bolt heads to fit my father’s meager
collection of American wrenches.




I had no tools of my own…………….

 

[nosbig]

Ok, I'm listening.

 

[Sputter]

I think I am going to like this!!!!

 

[mabupa]

Subscribed!!!!!

 

[TZ750d]

A local bike mechanic had a stash of RE 250 parts.

He offered me the needed head for $15………
or the whole engine for $25…….
Confronted with a lifetime of spares, I plunked
my money down and went away happy.

 

[TZ750d]

While I enjoyed the 250, I lusted
for something that was bigger and faster.


Later, I “turned” the 250cc single for
enough money to buy two (2)
non-running RE 700cc big twins.

I built up one to sell, and with that money,
built the other bike into a dirt bike, with
which I won my first race, a heat of scrambles, in 1967.




All without showing any talent
as either a rider or a mechanic.

 

[nosbig]

You won the first race you ever entered, on a bike you built. I would say you showed a bit of talent in both categories.

 

[TZ750d]

You won the first race you ever entered, on a bike you built. I would say you showed a bit of talent in both categories.

Thank you,
my friend !

 

[c10]

reminds me of camp fire stories as a young boy scout

 

[proud dad]

 

[GoldenChild]

.........

 

[TZ750d]

By 1968, I was living in a small apartment
in Sarasota, Florida, and rooming with a
high-school friend, who was a
drummer in a local band.

I was intern-teaching at a local high school,
and one of the regular teachers lived down
the street from my apartment.

She was the mother of Barry Oakley,
a base player in a band with a regional hit.

Barry and I became friends,
and through me, he took up
riding motorcycles.

 

[13013]

Shut up! Berry Oakley? As in one of the founders of The Allman Brothers?


For those who don't know Berry (from the Allman Brothers Band) died from the result of an accident on his Triumph.

 

[TZ750d]

OK.....bit of a digression here.............

I was a freshman at Florida State University
in 1962. Joining me on the Freshman swim team
was my friend from Largo FL, . Joe Papalardo.

Joe played in a "dorm band" that year, but eventually
left school to work and play in a
couple of bands in the Largo area.

Joe eventually was hired to play in
Tommy Roeman's band, "The Roemans.

http://www.m3cats.com/roemans_joe_pappalardo.htm

 

[13013]

:bounce: