Another Best of Show

Last weekend was the the big Fellowship of Christian Athletes car show in Hartsville, SC. This year I decided to do something a bit different. Instead of entering one of my old Japanese motorcycles, I removed the luggage rack and handlebar risers from my main commuter bike the Royal Enfield Interceptor and polished the heck out of it.

Ooh shiny!

Took the top spot in the bike class, out of 10 or so motorcycles that showed up. It was a great day. Here’s a few more shots from the event. It happens every year the weekend before Father’s Day.

May 2023 Motorcycle Updates

Just thought I’d post a line or two about what’s happening with the bikes around here.

1982 Honda Passport

On Saturday May 20th my little Street Cub project from my last post took a best in class award at the 2023 VJMC National Rally. We had a great time at the rally which was held in Eufuala Alabama this year.

A real Dream of mine.

A few months ago I finally got my hands on a nice early Honda Dream. This is a 1962 model CA77 It would actually start but wouldn’t idle or charge a battery. I went ahead and installed a VM22 Mikuni carburetor on it and got it running well. The original ignition switch fell apart so I rewired it with a modem switch and a solid state regulator – rectifier and now it’s extremely reliable. One day I plan to take care of the cosmetics but it’s fun to ride like it is. It’ll never be purely stock again but it will be very nice one day. I’ll tell you more when the time comes.

1983 Honda VF750F Interceptor

At the Fast Lane swap meet during Daytona bike week this year I snagged this ratty old Honda Interceptor to keep my Royal Enfield Interceptor company. It was dirt cheap because it had no title but after a thorough carburetor overhaul and a new fuel pump it ran good enough that it was worth it to go through the “barn find” title process. The paperwork finally came through this week so it’s time to get it safe and ready for the road.

That’s it for the day, thanks for reading!

The Honda SL100K2

Well I finished The Honda SL100K2. It looks really good and I’m very happy with the way all the cosmetics turned out. It really did wind up making me work much harder that I really wanted too but I wound up with a brand new looking old motorcycle that would start on the first kick.

Right hand view of the Honda SL100K2
<The Honda SL100K2 of 1972>

It fought me all the way to the bitter end, I thought I had it running perfectly but then the very last part that I had not replaced yet crapped out on me. The original stator worked well at first but after I let the bike sit for a month or two between the VJMC National Rally and the Vintage Honda Rally at the Copperhead Motorcycle Lodge it quit on me and killed the battery.

left side view of The Honda SL100K2 fully restored
<the Honda SL100K2 of 1972>

First I tried a reproduction stator from eBay but the wiring colors didn’t match and the appearance of the wiring plug and sheathing didn’t match the original so I put it on the shelf and ordered a N.O.S. replacement from David Silver Spares & put on it. If anyone in the Continental U.S. would like to buy the reproduction stator from me, I’ll take $50 shipped just to get rid of it.

In the end I accomplished my goal to perform an award winning restoration from one of the biggest turds to ever come into my workshop. This little Honda SL100K2 picked up an Award of Merit at the 2019 VJMC National Rally and another at the 2019 Vintage Honda Rally.

award wing restored Honda SL100K2
<award wing restored Honda SL100K2>

What’s next for this little machine? Well that’s up to the new owner as I sold it during the Barber Vintage Motorsports Festival in October of 2019. I’ve got several new projects in the works and needed some money for them. So keep your eyes open for the next Motopsycho project bike.

1928 BSA Sloper “Ameila”

Every now & then you get the pleasure of seeing a truly rare old bike that is unusual even amongst pre-WWII antiques. This 1928 BSA Sloper is such a motorcycle. First built in 1927 the BSA Sloper features an overhead valve 493cc four stroke single engine with approximately 20 horsepower.

BSA Sloper at Rails & Roads
1928 BSA Sloper

It’s amazing how elegant these old bikes look and it’s hard to believe that this was considered to be a utility machine when it was introduced. Top speed is a reasonable 75 mph, with front and rear drum brakes to bring it to a stop. The rigid frame is fairly typical of the time with steel tube construction.

28 BSA Sloper green
28 BSA Sloper left side

Leading the way up is a sprung girder front end, the seat is generously sprung to compensate for the lack of rear suspension. I really love the small details on the old bikes like this one. Here (below) you can see the exposed intake valve spring visible over the top of the AMAL carburetor that has a side mounted fuel bowl.

BSA Sloper
AMAL carb on BSA Sloper

This next shot gives you a close up of the fuel tank and gear shifter The green paint with gold striping is gorgeous and of course I really like the BSA logo with the 3 rifles.

BSA Sloper

I’d like to thank the owners for making the trek to South Carolina to bring this bike to the Rails & Roads Show and allowing me to feature it here. This machine was restored in Europe and imported to the U.S. in 2017. I even have a link to the video giving the start up procedure to show.

 I sincerely hope you have enjoyed seeing this 1928 BSA Sloper, let me know what you think in the comments and remember if you appreciate what I do here and you like to shop on Amazon you can click on the ad links to help support this site.                                                                                                             Peace Y’all

2nd Annual Rails & Roads Show Results!

Now that the 2nd Annual Rails & Roads Show is in the history books it’s time for me to let those of you who weren’t able to make it or stay to the end what happened.

Rails & Roads Show Honda TL250

Last year we didn’t have any Kawasaki motorcycles at all but this year Team Green was well represented by some fantastic machinery including an H1R road racer

H1R Rails & Roads Show

First I’d like to thank everyone who came out & brought a bike. Second I’d like to thank our generous sponsors & door prize donors;

1. The Motorcycle Law Group      
2. Carolina Honda    
3. T&T Distributing
4. Grainger    
5. Bryan Bentley (Swamp Fox Motorcycle Restoration)

Over 300 people cast ballots for their favorite motorcycles in each category this time. Thank to all of you as well. Some of you may have noticed that on show day I was a little bit sick as I’m suffering from a sinus infection that made speaking and thinking difficult so I apologize if I made a mistake or 2 . Without any further ado let’s get to the results of this years show.

Rails & Roads Show Harley Davidson

Class 1; American

In the right of the photo above is our third place winner, the 1989 Harley Davidson FLHTCU of Glenn Black. On the left side of the photo is the Second place winning 1977 Harley Davidson XLCR owned by Keith Seymour. First place went to the stunning red 1952 Harley Davidson K model that belonged to Carl Senne shown in the center above. Unfortunately no Indians ,Popes or Excelsior Hendersons made the show this year.

Rails & Roads Show BSA Sloper

Class 2; British/European

Last year this class had a good mix of iron from across the pond, but this year only 1 Moto Guzzi showed up to stave off the British domination of the class. Third went to Ben Doar’s 1966 BSA Thunderbolt. In second place was the 1969 BSA Thunderbolt of Scott & Robin Dials. First place went to the bike featured above, an immaculate 1928 BSA Sloper owned by Robin & Scott Dials.

Rails & Roads Show Honda

Class 3; Japanese 1-200cc

This tends to be my favorite class probably because I own at least 4 or 5 small displacement machines. Third place went to Gene Morgan and his 1983 Yamaha MX100. Everybody loves a Honda CT70 and Dan Mcqueen took 2nd place with his very nice 1973. First place went to bike pictured above, the exquisitely restored 1965 Honda CB160 belonging to Bryan Bently

Rails & Roads Show Hercules

Rails & Roads Show H1 Cafe Racer

Class 4; Japanese 201-600cc

Folks I have a confession to make, I really screwed up this class & that’s why you see 2 pictures above. It was hot that day, and if you were there you know that I was sick but there really was no one that I could hand my responsibilities off to. A serious clerical error was made while I was in a fog of antihistamines & borderline heat stroke. I was so excited to see the Hercules & it’s Wankel engine that when I asked the displacement the owner said it was 300cc, so my fevered brain stuck it into the Japanese medium size class. Hercules is an orphan brand but it’s a German brand not Japanese. Even so the results of the voting will stand & I’m not going to change a thing, just wanted you to know how a German built motorcycle wound up winning a Japanese class. My apologies to anyone who is upset with me & I shall endeavor to do a better job in the future.

At any rate class 4 finished up like this third place went to the fantastic Kawasaki H1 of Chip Tucker. In second place was the fantastic 1971 Kawasaki H1 of Mike Mcsween, (see above) In first place was the 1975 Hercules of Ryan McKeitham

Rails & Roads Show Kawasaki

Class 5; Japanese 601cc & up

These are the big boys, and there were some truly heavy hitters at the Rails & Roads Show this year.  No Kawasakis were present last year but this year they made up for it with a vengeance.

3rd place in this class went to Kent Mangold’s 1979 CB750. 2nd place went to Chip Tucker and his gorgeous 1975 Kawasaki Z1B. Chip also took home the first place trophy with his 1983 Kawasaki KZ1000 Eddie Lawson Replica.

Rails & Roads Show custom cb350

Class 6; The Motorcycle Freak Show

Open to any truly custom motorcycle from anywhere this years class had winners from 3 different countries. From China was the Hardknock Kikker of Mike Krenger in 3rd place. From England came the 1969 Triumph TR6 of Steve Pope and the 1st place trophy went to well done Bratstyle 1972 Honda CB350 owned by Dave Mims

Last years best of show winner was a highly customized Honda but this year it went to the beautiful old 1928 BSA that won the British /European class. I’d like to thank the Dials for bringing it to the Rails & Roads Show, and we hope to see you again next year.

Rails & Roads Show Fundraiser

Let’s not forget the important part, we were able to present the South Carolina Railroad Museum with $501 in donations to go towards their operational expenses. And we are making plans for 2019 but are planning to move the event a little deeper into the fall to hopefully avoid the scorching hot temperatures next year.

SC Railroad Museum

Restoration in progress at the SC Railroad Museum

 

 

 

 

The 2015 Bull City Rumble

The 2015 Bull City Rumble

Every year for the last 11 years during the Labor Day weekend holiday the club Ton Up North Carolina has been hosting a great multiday event for vintage motorcycle enthusiasts in Durham North Carolina. The main focus is on vintage café racer styled customs, restorations, competition bikes, and vintage scooters. Ever since I discovered this event three years ago the Saturday bike show has been permanently added to my calendar.

<Durham NC September 5th 2015>

One of the great things I love about this event is the fact that every year at least one really oddball custom will show up. The top motor freak at this year’s show was a diamond plate covered Goldwing that had everyone scratching their heads.

<diamond plate Goldwing>

This being a café racer club there was plenty of fine British & European iron on display including an original unrestored 1983 Triumph TSS with electric start.

 

<1983 Triumph TSS>

Numerous Moto Guzzi motorcycles were on hand such as this T3 and this old Ambassador

<old Moto Guzzis>

I can’t tell you exactly which one of the two it was but one of these immaculate AJS machines that won best of show, both look so pristine I don’t think it matters

< antique AJS motorcycles>

Fellow VJMC member Mike McSween was showing his terrific pair of restored vintage Kawasaki road racers with his 1971 H1R 500, number 56 in the picture taking home first place. The other green jewel in the picture is his 1972 H2 750 triple.

<vintage Kawasaki Road Racers>

Anytime I get within a mile of a Vincent I have to take its picture. Even though I am normally a Japanese bike fanatic, Vincents like this 1952 model really are my ultimate dream machine. Perhaps one day…

<1952 Vincent>

The award for the best Japanese motorcycle went to this highly detailed & wonderfully conceived CX500 Honda.

< Honda CX500 Cafe Racer>

No matter what angle it is viewed from the artistry & talent of the builder is just amazing.

<custom CX500>

Until 2014 there was no class for American motorcycles and while this was still the smallest class it did attract some high quality equipment including a 1950’s vintage Indian and this fine looking Harley Davidson J model.

<Harley Davidson model J>

I must confess that when the American class was first introduced that I and a couple of others had mixed feelings about it. We feared that an influx of the so called American bikers would destroy the character of this event and make it into yet another chrome, mullet, & tattoo show for us (and our fat wallets) to stay away from. Fortunately this has not happened so far. I was there for nine hours this year and only heard one person make a disparaging remark about the motorcycles with superior engineering, handling & reliability. Since she was blonde I’ll forgive her for not having the intellectual acumen to understand that some of us view our motorcycles as something more than just a two wheeled “Members Only” jacket.

It was great having Rommel Harley Davidson there as a sponsor and I really enjoyed checking out the new Street 750 demo trailer that they had set up. Check it out on the video below at the bottom of the page.
Other motorcycles at the show that I really liked included this very tasteful black Suzuki café racer. These late 70’s & early ‘80s Suzuki cycles don’t get nearly the love from restorers or customizers that they should, even though they were probably the best all-around motorcycles of that time period.

<Suzuki GS cafe racer>

If you love vintage turbo bikes there were a Yamaha Seca & a Honda CX parked side by side on the street.

<Turbo Seca Turbo CX500>

Everywhere you looked there was a good selection of vintage & retro machines, fine people, good eats, and plenty of excitement, and I am already planning to return next year. Check out the Ton Up NC website at http://tonup-nc.blogspot.com/ for more information.

<at the 2015 Bull City Rumble>

I took so many pictures at the 2015 Bull City Rumble that I decided to put the best of the rest into a slide show.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


Here’s the youtube video that I made of the event. Watching this is probably the best way to get an idea of the scope of this event.

Destination Eustis Vintage Motorcycle Show

<Destination Eustis Flyer>

It’s time once again for the one of the premier shows on the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club calendar; The Destination Eustis Vintage Motorcycle Show! I attended this show last year and although I am unable to attend for this year I was so impressed that motopsyco.com is one of many fine sponsors of the event this year. At this time I am definitely planning to return in 2016.

Please note that just because this is a VJMC show does not mean only Japanese bikes, Bring out any old iron you have be it American, British, or European there are classes for everything as long as it is vintage!

Just a reminder that this Vintage Motorcycle Show will take place inside the Lake County Fairgrounds EXPO Building. It is a secure facility with the ability to load and unload motorcycles inside the facility in the event that it rains. This is a premier VJMC show venue. There will be no Bike for Sale signs on any bike entered into the show. Also only bikes entered in the show will be displayed in the main expo building.

Here’s a little walk through of last years show to give you an idea of the quality of machines you can expect to see there.

The International Motorcycle Swap Meet and Vintage Motorcycle Show is taking place at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Eustis, Florida March 6-8, 2015. This year’s event continues a legacy of more than 20 years of vintage motorcycle events at this location. We would like to thank the City of Eustis for graciously supporting this event. Once again they will host in our honor a Downtown Block Party on Friday evening, March the 6th. On Saturday, March the 7th local business will provide entertainment and local restaurants will open their doors for all event attendees. So come join us as share our event with the City of Eustis and their local businesses. 

For more information or to register for the show please click on this line.

 

67 Honda CL77 Scrambler

A few weeks ago I attended a small but but high quality motorcycle show hosted by the VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) of which I am a member. It was nice to see the other folks in the club at this meet which was held in conjunction with the Squealing on the Square barbeque festival in Laurens S.C.

<1967 Honda CL77 Scrambler Right>

Fantastic 1967 Honda CL77 Scrambler

One of our state field reps and one finest gentlemen you could ever hope to meet brought a portion of his collection. One of the bike he brought was this most excellent 67 Honda CL77 Scrambler. Since I have a soft spot in my heart (or is that in my head?) for this style of motorcycle no matter what it’s country of origin, year of manufacture, or even it’s condition I decided to take a few extra shots of this one and do a bike feature on it.

<all the gauges you really need>

all the gauges you really need

Need some parts for your Scrambler? Click here!
Even though they are all commonly called 305s today you can see that the original tank badges on this one call it out as a 300 cc. This badge is completely authentic but it is exactly the same engine.

<CL77 300 tank badge>

<Honda 305 Scrambler Engine>

Note the steering damper in the above photo. To me the early Honda twins like this are some of the finest looking engines ever built. The fact that nearly every surface on the cylinder and the head, except for the points cover are covered in cooling fins really sets it off from later machines.

<Honda Type 1 points cover>

Of course we can’t forget one of the coolest looking features of these old scramblers, the high pipes.

<Honda Scrambler High Pipes>

High Pipes Baby!

An interesting feature of these early scramblers is that the mufflers are not an integrated part of the exhaust system but were actually an add on that the owner could choose to install and remove at will depending upon where they were riding.

<more cl77 high pipes>

So when you see one out in the wild and it looks like this remember the muffler isn’t missing, it was optional.

Twin leading shoe drum brakes brakes on both ends were state of the art back in the 1960s, and are still reasonably safe & effective on lightweight machines like this for today’s traffic when set up properly.

<vintage honda twin leading shoe brakes>

Truly a handsome old bike from all angles so I am going to close out this post with a head on shot that I really liked.

<The 1967 Honda CL77>

The 67 Honda CL77

Peace Y’all

P.S. I am going to be accepting submissions and suggestions from other motorcyclists for this feature, please click here to reach the contact form on my about page, and let me know what you have, and if I think it is cool and/or oddball enough to suit my tastes it will be featured here..