Garage Days Re-Revisited: What Bikes Share Space with Your Harley?
This automotive journalist’s garage is filled with two-wheeled fun machines — but only one is a Harley-Davidson. Here’s why…
I love Harley-Davidsons, but I’m a motorcyclist more than a “Harley guy.” What I mean by this is that I appreciate all different kinds of motorcycles. It just so happens that Harleys are among my favorites. In fact, my tastes are kind of all over the place.
This got me thinking, and wondering how many of H-D Forums‘ readers are like me? How many of you have other two (or three) wheeled machines in the garage? Now’s your time to shine — post those other bikes in the comments section below, and let us know what else you ride. We’d love to see it.
This post also serves a dual purpose. As I write this, I’m preparing for American Motorcyclist Association’s Vintage Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The event is set for July 5-7 in Lexington, Ohio. It’s a weekend-long party, surrounded by cool, rare, and just plain weird motorcycles.
The last time I went, I saw a Rokon and a Husqvarna two-stroke within an hour of entering. The next day, I was woken up by a Penton racing a Hodaka by my campsite. Many of these motorcycles are for sale, and most of the weekend is spent inebriated to some degree.
I’m a motorcyclist more than a ‘Harley guy.’ I appreciate all different kinds of motorcycles. It just so happens that Harley-Davidsons are among my favorites.
There is a good chance that I will buy another project bike I don’t need. By chronicling my projects here, I’ll have some degree of accountability, and an easy way to remind myself that I need to finish up my old projects before starting any new ones.
Accessing the Inventory
2000 Harley-Davidson XLH883 Sportster Hugger
This was my first motorcycle ever, and I’m glad that I still have it. Owning a Harley-Davidson, especially a Sportster, was a long-standing dream of mine, and I was excited to have a more-or-less blank canvas upon which I could build my dream bike.
When I first picked it up, it was covered fender to fender in touring accessories. I decided that I wanted to transform the bike into a street tracker, so I began stripping it down little by little while riding and enjoying it.
I’ve done a few mods here and there, like converting back to mid controls from forward controls and installing a new seat. This year, I’m determined to finish the project, with cut fenders, lower bars, a dual disc front end, mag wheels, and a fresh paint job.
2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R
Back in my high school days, motorcycles were strictly forbidden by my mother and four overprotective older sisters. I didn’t know a lot about bikes, but the first time I saw a picture of a Z-Rex, I was hooked.
The ’80s retro sportbike styling and metallic lime green paint drew me to this bike, and the specs were mind-blowing. An 1164cc inline four, producing a whopping 122 horsepower. Zero to 60 in three seconds flat. A quarter-mile time under 11 seconds, and a top speed near as can be to 150 miles per hour.
This was the beast I hoped to tame someday, and I’m thankful to have it in my stable now. It’s a clean, low-mileage bike that doesn’t need anything besides some gas in the tank and some twisty backroads to gobble up. Expect a more in-depth post comparing my two dream bikes (this and my Sportster) soon on H-D Forums.
2007 Vespa LX 150
This one is sure to make a few of you scratch your heads. I love scooters, and Vespa is to scooters what Harley-Davidson is to motorcycles, complete with their own dedicated fanbase and culture.
Scooters are a lot of fun for running errands around town. They’re also great learning tools that allow you to get practice riding two-up or understanding cornering dynamics.
The LX 150 uses the smaller frame of the 50cc Vespa, with an engine that’s three times as large. I’d hesitate to call it a “hot rod,” but its light weight — especially when compared to my Sportster or my Z-Rex — makes it an absolute hoot to throw around corners. With the bigger engine, it’s got more than enough power to keep up with traffic, too.
This one just needs a little tune up this year, with fresh fluids and new rubber. If you’ve never ridden a scooter, give it a shot. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!
1980 Puch Maxi
Here’s another weird one. I never in a million years thought I’d be a moped guy, but here I am. My girlfriend’s late brother owned one of these, and I rescued it from her parents’ garage before they threw it away.
I decided to restore it, and the most cost-effective way to do that (wink wink, nudge nudge) was to buy another one in good shape, hot rod it a bit, and transfer the clean stock parts over to her brother’s bike.
That “parts bike” is the bike you see here. I added the cafe-style seat, rear shocks, chrome front fender, and fork brace. It just needs a few odds and ends and some carburetor work to be 100%, and then I can focus on bringing the other one back to life. With just 49ccs, it’s no speed demon, but like the scooter, it’s an entertaining way to zip around my quiet neighborhood.
So there you have it, my own personal Island of Misfit Toys. Remember to post your bikes in the comments below, as well as what you like most about them! I can’t wait to see what H-D Forums‘ readers ride.
Photos: Cameron Vanderhorst for H-D Forums
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