Suzuki 2 Strokes

Been sitting here thinkin' about the early days. I lost 2 friends to bike accidents in the early 60's while I was still in high school (graduated 64'.).
1963. Johnny Tooperenze. 650 Triumph Bonneville. Hit the Parkway entrance way too fast. Hit the curb that launched him off the bike and he hit an 8" x 8" parkway sign post head first. He was wearing a helmet but that didn't help much. Broke his neck and died at the scene.
1964. Toby Silva. Shiny new Yamaha 305. Trying to fine tune the carbs while riding down Bay Avenue (country road). Lost control and the tree he hit didn't move. Also dead at the scene.
So next time you think "I'm gonna hit the next curve a little bit harder", rethink!!. Especially on these antique rides like ours. Is it worth your life?
All modern bikes are street legal road racers. But our old sleds are not. They were the tourers of that era and should be ridden that way.

Well said. Thankfully I haven't lost any friends to motorcycle accidents but I do always find myself thinking that if I do go into a corner too hard and wreck the bike may never recover. You're right, these are very old machines, and finding parts can be difficult and expensive. So I take it easy on the road and leave aggressive riding for the dirt bike track. It hurts less.

Josh

Hey, I'm on the main road now!