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The Motorcycles Over The Years
I've been in love with motorcycles since I was a boy, never really thought of it as a "lifestyle" as people sometimes do today. Always thought it was just a guy thing but recently while on a motorcycle trip to Northern California I rediscovered a couple photographs I remember seeing when I was a young boy. The quality isn't great because the originals are very small (wallet sized), and very old.
The two pictures here are of my grandmother sitting on a motorcycle, we are only able to identify the motorcycle as an Indian due to it's distinctive front suspension, and my grandparents (William and Ruth Irving) along with another gentleman posing for a picture at a ralley somewhere. Both of the pictures were taken @1923. I remember seeing another picture of my grandmother sitting in a motorcycle sidecar wearing large gauntlet gloves, but have been unable to locate that picture so far.
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My first bike was a 1967 Kawasaki Samurai 250cc. I rode it through most of high school, took it up to northern Ohio with me for the summer after graduation. And finally sold it when I went into the navy in October 1971.
 1967 Kawasaki Samurai |
While in the navy I bought a 1971(I think) Honda CB350, rode it all over southern California until 1975. Yes Virginia, I was an original SQUID - a young sailor on a motorcycle. - Sorry but no pictures of the bike have survived all these years.
No Wing - No Prayer
After 23 years without a bike, and having yearned for one for the past 10 years.......I found one that I loved. It's a 1997 Honda Shadow ACE (American Classic Edition) VT1100C2. A freind of mine had it, he was selling so he could buy a Harley. I knew how well the bike had been cared for, and the price was right. When I got the bike, the custom paint job had already been done. As well as the install of the Cobra drag pipes (and carb re-jet), the small luggage rack behind the seat had also been removed and a pillion seat with sissy bar/padded backrest had been installed.
After I rode it a bit, I decided I wasn't really happy with the handlebars. They were very wide, cruiser style bars. I replaced them with a set of pullbacks from a 1997 Honda Shadow Spirit. I also installed a set of hi-way pegs so I'd have a place to put my feet on long trips to ward off cramps, etc. On one of the bike runs we attended, Julie bought me a nice set of saddlebags. I had to install a set of rear fender rail extenders (to move the turn signals back 3 inches) so they would fit. I've just been in love with the bike and have been riding about a thousand miles a month between my commute forth and back to work, and our weekend rides with the group from work.
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 Apache Goldrush Run |
 Hooters Run |
 Apache Goldrush Run |
After riding the Honda Shadow for the last three and a half years, I decided it was time for a change. The economy changed, as well as the latest fads.....so a new ride was in the cards.
I traded my faithful Shadow in on a 2002 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce. It's got the Twin Cam 88B, electronically fuel injected engine and LOTS of chrome. This thoroughbred has only been in the "stable" for a short time, but has been a true pleasure to ride.
Added the tall backrest and pad, and a pair of Screaming Eagle 2 Slashcut Slipon Mufflers.
Updated Pics of the luggage rack, and windshield. Put the heatshields back on the pipes 'cause Julie keeps melting her boots on the pipes.....
Julie and Steve outside Sedona Arizona April 2004
NEW - NEW - NEW
After riding the Deuce for about 3 1/2 years, running about 20K miles on it....I realized that the style of riding that had gotten me into a Harley to begin with (long distance touring) was even more important now that I was retired. Sooooo, in August 2005 I traded the Deuce in on a new bike. Another Harley...just love 'em.
The new bike is a 2005 Electraglide Ultra Classic (Geezerglide), Harley's top of the line touring bike. Don't ya just love a black motorcycle??
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Besides tons of storage capacity, this fuel injected bike has cruise control, AM/FM/WB/CB/CD and XM Radio. Also has helmet installed audio which allows the rider and passenger to listen to music, talk to each other on the intercom or even bike to bike communications (if you're wearing a helmet) Only mods I've done is the install of the luggage rack on the tourpack, install of the rider's backrest, and the install of a set of footpegs on the engine guards. I doubt if I'll be fiddling with the pipes, so far it's been REAL nice to be able to hear the radio while riding.
Julie and I rented a bike identical (except for color) to this one right after I retired for a trip to eastern New Mexico, she's never been able to ride far on the back of a bike but after twelve hours in the saddle of an Ultra.....she didn't have any complaints at all. She's ridden with me more in the last three months (on the rental and the new bike) than she has on my last two bikes put together (in six+ years).
Just some of the rides I've taken.
Arizona Tour with Irvings, Ashcrafts, and Murrays - November 2000
Breakfast in Yarnell - August 2002
Dinner in Cottonwood - September 2002
Columbus Day Ride - October 2002
4th of July 2003 - California Ride
September 6th, 2003 Flagstaff Ride
Under Construction - 1/16/2006
Copyright 2000 - 2003 - Steve Irving
01/16/2006 09:05:18 AM
