Is there such thing as too many motorbikes?

I pulled out my working motorcycles from my barn on the weekend and took them all for a spin, one after the other. I live on a gravel road in the country, so I don't worry about the fuzz being around the corner...no doughnut shop for miles and miles.

Started off with my little '81 Z50 that I bought for the kids a dozen years or so ago. It started this year on the first kick. Great little bike, I've rebuilt the carburetor, changed oil and adjusted a few cables here and there over the years...basically an indestructible little machine.

Next I was zipping along on my '65 Honda Sport (S65), this bike has such a fun feel to it. Not much more than a bicycle with a 65cc engine, but it feels so sporty! It runs well as I've rebuilt the carb on this one, changed oil and adjusted the valves. It's up on list of repairs though as second gear is shot on it, a common problem on these bikes (so I'm told).

My '64 Honda Cub, with a push rod 50cc wasn't amongst my running bikes, but it's close...just waiting on some points to arrive. I rebuilt the top end, new valves, new rings, honed and new gaskets. Changed the kickstarter shaft and of course all new gaskets as the cases had to be split for this one. It had an odd set of points, that I had to order...for some reason there were three different styles of points on these bikes.

I fired up my '78 KL250 Kawasaki that I had purchased while living in the Yukon Territory. This bike carried me long in the back country, on top of mountains, plateaus above the tree lines where the vistas were endless
I had left this one untouched for many years, but brought it back to life a couple of years ago. A real Man's bike, you can feel every bump on this bike, but it gives you good feedback and has been a dependable bike that I've owned for 15 years.

Another first kick start for my '79 XL250 Honda. 1485 kms on this bike, I somehow managed to buy this from a guy for $450. He had bought it from the original owner then parked it in his backyard...uncovered for an entire winter! Such a shame with such a pristine bike. Anyways, the gas went bad, seized the carb slide and he sold it thinking it was beyond repair...I happily bought it, cleaned the carb, changed the oil, adjusted the cam chain and it's a real prize of a bike. Nice ride, the 23" front tire is a little goofy though.

The only two stroke in my "collection"...if you want to call it that, is my DT175 that has made a showing on this site recently, thanks again for all the advice on this one. It runs okay, but it's in line for a new crankcase seal. This is a really fun bike, I've put new rings, piston and honed the cylinder. It has a new eBay carb on it.
Can't wait to get this one going again.

XJs...I have four of them. Although I think I have a buyer for my '84 XJ650 Maxim.

My '85 XJ700 is designated to be my rider this year, it's made a showing on this forum as well. I picked it up in Quebec for an incredible $250. See my previous posts about this one. It's proven to be a great bike, can't wait to get it properly on the road.

I have an '83 XJ750 Seca that is still in my barn. A complete bike that I won't be getting to this year...maybe in the winter. This has the typical things wrong with it...rusty tank, gummed up carbs, it had been sitting out in the elements for a few years.

My dentist gave me his '82 XJ750 Maxim. We get along famously. He thought it would be funny after one of my cleaning sessions to present me with a new toothbrush, some dental floss and the keys to the Maxim. It has a new Kerker exhaust on it and needs a little work as it was the victim of a low speed drop. I like this bike and have it up on the list for next month. I'm looking forward to making it a long distance cruiser.

In the past year, I've sold another 5 or 6 bikes to pay for parts and such for my other 11.

Good thing I have a barn...lots of room left for a few more...

I'll post some pictures next.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention the '82 Suzuki GN125 I rebuilt for my daughter. Nice little bike with electric start. Had to do the top end on this one along with a starter clutch, stator and the fork seals are next. She loves it.

Here's part of the "fleet" (the working bikes)

 

What do you have in your barn? (shed, garage, driveway).

 

Is there such a thing as too many bikes? I guess 366 would be too many. That last one would never get ridden!

 

Nice! There is a number to shoot for

 

Whenever I tell the wife about my dreams of "Garage-Mahal" she assumes I'm joking. "Why would you want so many old bikes? You'll never ride them all?" I'm sure shes got shoes and purses she's never used before!

 

I wanna grow up to be like you!

 

Hogfiddles does this sound like you Dave?

 

Having too many bikes is like having too much money or too much fun. I understand the situation, I just don't see the problem.

 

Perfect response bmarzka lol.

 

That extra bike could be rode every leap year.

 

Now there's positive thinking Lostboy haha

 

I'm stealing that expression! A classic!

 

You are perfect the way you are kwes, not growing up is key

 

I'm limited to the storage space at my home, especially sense my wife took back half the garage. I currently have the following:
78 XS1100E

80 SX1100 LG

81 XS1100 SH


3 - XJ1100's all are the current projects




83 XJ750 started its life as a Midnight Maxim


80 Honda CB650c


72 Yamaha Mini for my youngest daughter (who now wants a bigger bike)


72 Susuki 125 for my 16 year old (it still needs some work)

 

Nice! I'm impressed on what you've been able to fit in half a garage TCoop. Thanks for the pictures, nice set of bikes.

You need one of those "Garage-Mahals"

(I did warn that I'd steal that expression from MattiThundrr)

 

My wife suggested that I build a shed out back. The city says that I can build a 15 X 12 shed with out a permit so hopefully bu fall I'll have it done.

I tried to buy a "Garage-Mahal" a few years back. The house had 2600 sq ft with a two car attached garage AND a 45 X 20 shop. Only problem was our current home would not sell.

 

Too many bikes? That's like having too many memories.....
I love your collection and although I've owned only a couple of those in your stable just looking at them brings back memories for me........
I wish I could accumulate copies of the bikes I owned in my young youth and young adult life and there were PLENTY! [basically in order: Brigg& Stratton (x3+), CT70, Yamaha CHAMP, SL70, XR100, Can-Am 175? (x2) DT175, YZ465, SR500, XS750(x2), KX250, XS850, KZ750, XS1100, SECA 650, XJ 550 (Current), CT70 (Current)] I'm sure there was at least another Yamaha or two and maybe even a Kawasaki I've forgotten....

I've been searching for a Yamaha 1100 to add to my small collection but found a Seca 750 that looks like it needs saving so I think I'm gonna go and get it! I don't believe my wife would allow me to catch up to you in quantity of motorcycles but I sure wish I could.... I'm gonna keep looking for the 1100 even if I do go and get the SECA.

Enjoy that great collection!
Kurt

 

I found that if you ignore the death stares and don't engage in discussions about your hobby, and occasionally have bike friends turn up at your house so she thinks it's part of your social group you can get away with having lots. I have 50 odd in the garage which I have accumulated over recent years. When I have time I'll stick up some pictures. The set includes

Yamaha
XJ750 81 model
XJ650LJ
XJ900 in bits - long term project build number 128 so I have to restore it.....
RD250LC
RZ250 34J
RZ250 1XH
FZR1000 - 1987 model
FZ750
LB80 II
XT250
YZF750R 1994 with the silly paint scheme

Aprilia
RSV Mille
RS250

Kawasaki
GPz600R
GPz750A
GPz900R
GPz1000RX
Z1300
KR250 A1 x2
ZXR750 H1
Z1A
GPX750R
Mach 3
G7
KLR650

Honda
NSR250
CB900F2
CBR1000F 1987 model
VF750F
VFR750F
CBX750F
CX500B
C92

Suzuki
GT380
Katana 1100
Katana 750
RGV250
GSXR1100 1987 model

And the Eurotrash as my mates call them -
Ducati
Panigale S
900 MHR
860 GT 1974 model very early one
750 F1
Pantah 500 SL
851 Strada
900SS 1994 model

Moto Guzzi Le Mans III, a BMW R1100S and K100 and a Laverda 750S Carenata.

Keeps me occupied on weekends........ Like you I love my ride days

 

Too many ladies? Yeah... that one could be possible!

 

Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

 

No, I'm only at 28, 8 running, 7 registered, 4 on the road.....

 

..."only at 28"...sheesh!

But, I guess compared to pkay's fleet we all have to step it up a little

 

Thanks Kurt, great list

I remember a kid in the hood getting a little Keystone mini bike from the sears catalogue with a Briggs and Stratton engine on it. I even remember the price in the catalogue: $179. That kid was the envy of the area with his "freedom machine"

 

Nice fleet and good variety and if your still married you have a wonderful partner

 

Wait? You guys would only ride one a day?

 

" Beware the man with one gun - he knows how to use it"
does the same apply here?

 

I ditched the car about year ago and now only ride a bike - nothing beats looking at the robots in their cars stuck in the traffic as you quietly filter through..... So I get to ride one every day and wouldn't miss it for the world!

 

Toomanybikes..... Yup, that's exactly right---- and after a certain point, mine lost track of what ones I actually had. Then I REALLY started loading them in. Now when (Rarely) she starts getting antsy, I just happen to have "just sold a good part and I'm gonna take you out for dinner". A good dinner at a local Mexican joint usually suffices, and it doesn't cost me much either, but it redirects the attention quickly

Dave

 

Good strategy, Dave. I'm gonna keep that one in my back pocket for the future!

 

No no no I meant you'd only ride one bike a day. If I had enough bikes I would ride multiple a day to show them off.

 

Normally one is too many

 

Okay, had to make it an even dozen...picked this one up today for $300. It had sat in a guy's garage for 15 years. It even came with the original tool kit and owner' manual. The goofy looking "custom" back rack will go...

'83 Honda VT500FT Ascot

 

Nice scoup and looks like paint is all original

 

Thanks Toomanybikes.

I was lucky enough to catch this one early. It does look nice and has the original paint (not faded) and it had the registration papers. It will have the typical problems that a bike has from sitting for so long. i.e. clogged carb, rusty tank, stuck calipers, dead battery, bad oil, gooey brake fluid. I'll check the brakes and go through all the maintenance routines, but I think it'll be a nifty bike. It has 16,000 kms on it (about 10,000 miles), so the motor should be in fairly good shape.

 

Nice pick up. Your lucky those go for about 1500$$$ here. Or more.

 

Thanks XJRider92117

Sometimes these little gems come up and you can be quick enough to get to them first. An old Scottish guy was selling this one, it was a two hour drive to get it, but worthwhile (well, I'll see once I've cleaned the carbs and see if it runs okay)

 

Sir, I bow to you! I have 4 and the wife is getting ready to buy me a cot for the garage! Kudos to you.

 

Only 4? I have 28, and some guys here got me beat by a mile

 

13ish

 

See? The answer is a resounding NO

 

One-ish... definitely such a thing as too few motosikkles!