Total Motorcycle Community Forums

An intro by way of a list of facts. Some, none or only one may interest you.

Started on a Yamaha SR250 Exciter at 18
Started an icecream business with the SR250 and a sidecar with a chest freezer.

Found a $50 sick 1979 Honda CB400. It needed a starter solenoid. Got another sidecar outfit out selling icecream. By the end of the first summer I had 2 more bikes, another CB400, and a 72 CB450 toc- fast!

And so in 5 years, I became a motorcycle mechanic, sidecar zealot, ice cream baron and proud owner of about 20 bikes (not all at the some time)- it was easier to go find another $200 old nail than do extensive work. I've pretty much specialized in the 400 bracket- mostly due to insurance brackets, but 78-81 Honda 400's because I know them, and hence love them like a well worn jacket.

Presently I've got a 63 Matchless G12 650, 78 KZ 650 (had 2), three running CB400's, Honda aero 80 (gift), a 78 CD200 Benley at my Gran's in the UK (cute as a button), and a very anxious landlord. I just sent my 52 Triumph 650 sprung hub to my friend in Wales for restoration (no skilled labour here for that vintage).

I had a MZ 250 Saxon tour back in Wales. Kept on the boil, it was a blast!
I've had an RD 400, a GS 400, VT600 shadow, CX500- oh I miss her so bad, a 250 rebel, and an extended loan of a 1100 Goldwing (oh the weight).

I used to teach, and ran a woodworking school, but am now running a demolition crew and salvage business- which is much easier to handle.

I use my sidecar outfit (78 CB400) for work- fully laden, it will carry as much as a small car, and carry two labourers, plus tools- sledges, bars lines, harnesses, first aid kit, kit bags, and has two car batteries for running 120V via an inverter so we can have lights for working in the basements and attics and a ghetto blaster for music to work to (Motorhead)

Pics can be found at my website redcoatphoto.com

I seem to have rambled. Anyone still awake?

Justin

to TMW.
Yahoooooo....another Vancouverite.

You certainly do have a variety of rides in your history.

Unfortunately yes I am still awake. Hopefully not much longer though.

Do you remember seeing Mr. Bunny Ice Cream sidecars in Richmond, Burnaby, Delta, Poco or Surrey 91-97?

From 91-97 I was living in Kitsilano. I didn't get out to the suburbs much. I think that was also the period of time I had no vehicle other than my mountain bike.

I don't recall seeng a motorcycle sidecar unit selling ice cream...probably because I wasn't in the neighbourhoods where you were.

Ah the old Honda CM400 series, arguably one of the most underrated and versatile bikes ever built, and in my humble opinion, THE MOST PERFECT bike to start and learn on.

My very first bike was a CM400 and I had two others I used as courier machines running from downtown Vancouver to the south side and UBC areas. Light weight, peppy for their day, good all round machine for city use. Thinking about getting another to fix up for the missus to be.

Take a look at the 50 50 Honda/Triumph thread in the garage section to see what I have begun on a CB400T1. Just starting to come together. Glad I'm not the only one to think these bikes are the best thing in their size range.

redcoat wrote:Take a look at the 50 50 Honda/Triumph thread in the garage section to see what I have begun on a CB400T1. Just starting to come together. Glad I'm not the only one to think these bikes are the best thing in their size range.

I popped into your site for a quick look-see and "borrowed" one of your pics as a teaching tool, hope you don't mind as I posted in your 50 50 thread.

Looks like we share a more then a few interest judging from you write up. Love the old 35MM SLR film camera's as well. When I was in the Army I had a nice little Pentax ME Super SLR that went every where with me. Pity it was stolen along with my lens and filters. And my photo of that time period went up in smoke in when a grease fire got out of hand. Now I use a digital more for snap shots. I like the way it easily fit in my jacket pocket and how easy it is to up load photos and play with the image with photo shop.

As for the CM400, it was a great bike, easy to ride, easy to learn on, very forgiving and simple to maintain. I got my first one after I blew the engine on my 5 Litre Mustang and needed cheap transportation to get to work on. Never rode in my life apart from bicycles. But bought a used CM400 and rode it home and learned to ride by on my own. Come to think about it, I didn't even have a learners permit back then. Not the smartest thing I have ever done, but at least I had the right bike for the job.

Personally I think Honda would do well by re-introducing an updated version of the CM series. Be a nice addition to the starter bike line up.

ceemes wrote:Looks like we share a more then a few interest judging from you write up. Love the old 35MM SLR film camera's as well. When I was in the Army I had a nice little Pentax ME Super SLR that went every where with me.

ME Super? Naw..... that's a "new" camera. I still use a pair of Spotmatics!!


Justin- sorry 'bout the slight threadjack, and welcome to TMW!