3 minute read
BACK IN THE DAY
Where the photos are blurry but the memories are clear!
Riding under the watchful eye of my father — who died Dec. 2021 in a motorcycle accident at 80 years old — I was about 4 years old in this picture, riding a Montesa Cota 25…a kids’ trials bike. As you can see, there’s no way I’m touching
the ground, so dad put the training wheels from my first bicycle on the Montesa. Full disclosure, I couldn’t do the mental math for a clutch at the time. This became my dad’s pit bike during his road racing phase, though it was stolen off his trailer in a hotel parking lot during a weekend trip to Road America. Fortunately, he found a Suzuki JR50 shortly after that I really took to, and I started whizzing around on that. It’s been two wheels ever since!
Steven Kohlscheen
My first bike was a modified Honda Trail 90 in the early ’60s. This photo would be circa ’68.
Steve Bauerkemper
In 1968 I found an old engine in an alley and carried it home. My father taught me about four-cycle engines and helped me rebuild it. The front fork came from my sister’s bicycle, which I sawed off to use (got in big trouble for that!). Found scrap metal and welded up a frame with a friend’s Dad’s buzz box. Couldn’t find his welding mask, so we taped a bunch of sunglasses together and put them on a piece of carboard with a hole cut in it. Don’t remember where the wheels came from. I still have the forks and centrifugal clutch hanging in my shop. Must have liked the project, because after 50-plus years later I’m still an avid “American Motorcyclist.”
Drew Gatewood
Thanks, Drew! Is your sister still mad? —Ed
My first bike was a ’71 or ’72 Yamaha 60. That’s me and my little brother on board.
Donald Coffel
My first bike was a 1955 Allstate motor scooter around ’73 or ’74 when I was 13 or 14 years old. Had a string running under the brake pedal and back to the carb since the throttle cable was broken. Took it down the gravel road in front of my house, which had a sharp turn. Did fine going down, but on the way back the string got snagged, so I blew through the curve. First ride; first wreck.
Joey Cocanougher
My first bike was a 1981 GS1100, which I bought used in about 1986. Bracket raced it for years!
Davey Jenkins
I’d just turned 15 and could ride with a beginner’s license, and my first bike was a ’63 Yamaha YG1. Here I’m on my way to my summer job.
Barry Ferris
Note the old 1955 Pontiac
Pathfinder in the background! —Ed.
Borrowed $50 from my parents to buy this bike in 1975 and learned how to pay off a loan and ride. Paid for it by doing chores like mowing lawns, etc., and recycling cans and bottles. Priceless days!
It all started on toys, wearing dresses and leather jackets. And the toys just kept getting bigger! Nowadays the toy is a Gold Wing.
Bonnie Bower Sheffe
I think my dad put this minibike together. On my first ride I whiskey throttled into the chicken-wire fence.
Sherry Soliz
Bought my grandpa’s 1962 BMW R27 — pictured on it here when I was younger — when I turned 16.
