I've put a little under 1,200 miles on since rebuild (beginning May '09). A couple of 200-milers, one to Luckenbach for Harvest Classic last year (didn't make it this year due to combination of back problem and failed (peeling) fuel tank coating (long sad story, it's being fixed), and one suprisingly boring ride to Llano for barbecue with local VJMC crowd. I was oldest rider, with oldest, smallest bike, they went too slow for me (speed limit). I "lone-wolfed" it home, lots more fun going 10-15 over, setting my own pace. Other rides local, mostly in neighborhood, 30 miles or so average. Too hot to ride again this summer, no fun riding into a giant hair-blower when temps are over 100 degrees. Fixed one small problem this fall, a clogged low-speed jet, then the peeling gas tank liner came up. Tank's been in the shop (I didn't do the coating, it was a well-respected local mechanic) for too long now, but hope to get in a little more riding before end of year.
I figure 1,000 miles a year's about right. The bike should last at least 20,000 miles, I'm hoping to last another 20 years 'til age 86. --Lee
This Year's Mileage?
Vince, this question brings up a lot of aggravation I've had getting my Dream back together since taking apart in the winter '07-'08 (can be read in restorations) but I won't go there. So I have been making do riding my overhauled CT90 and XR185---about 200 miles apiece---but I do miss the Dream (it was a rusty but dependable runner before).
That made me wonder how many miles it takes for the average guy to get a 305 type bike on the road. Other Honda's (anything newer and CT90's) are relatively easier to get parts for. What with having to go to Roseburg for paint or Eugene for parts, Medford for chrome and the lost year of chasing local incompetent painters I figure a have between 6 and 7 thousand miles so far! Also, how many restoration are not completed (at least as far as we know) because they don't have a work area out of the weather and distractions. I had a 4 stall fairly warm garage when I lived in town, and had 27 bikes at one time, moved out here in the country to retire and restore an old house (don't think I'd do that again) and keep only the dream and a few off-road toys and didn't understand how I would miss work (never thought I would say that!) and having a place to go in the evening for solitude and work on bikes. I worked on the house but should have enclosed a work room first. A man needs his "man cave"---as my wife calls it. For you younger guy's: don't let the woman talk you into getting rid of your bike or bikes, as it may be, you'll only have to start your collection all over and you wont' be any good for her or yourself,till you do---all that growling and snarling! My wife is all behind me now (with a boot on her foot) of getting the Dream running and finishing the work room; anything as long as I "get out of her hair". All kidding aside, this thread also encourages me to keep going even if I'm an "old dusty fossil", according to my kids, especially, Lee--- I get this mental image of an old "Grey Beard" with open face helmet, scarf flowing into the wind, on his shinny CB305, flying by these proper, full-faced helmet wearing, speed abiding, VJMC'ers on their modern CB750's, GT380's and KZ750's. It's either ride to work or work to ride. Clarence AudioMark, that tracker looks bad-ass, I bet you get a lot of comments on it.I'd bet a small fortune(the only kind I have) that's the only CL-72 there. I'd love to here how it sounds. Try doing a you tube clip for us.................................D
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
