Times Have Changed
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Get 'em stories coming...Enjoyed reading all of it.
Never experienced trouble or hassle with anybody when I ride. Only one time with cop who pulled me over for not wearing DOT Approved helmet as he was cool about it. We discussed and talked it over thoroughly with no hard feelings, gave me tix and parted ways with handshake.
Thorey
Never experienced trouble or hassle with anybody when I ride. Only one time with cop who pulled me over for not wearing DOT Approved helmet as he was cool about it. We discussed and talked it over thoroughly with no hard feelings, gave me tix and parted ways with handshake.
Thorey
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
Yeah, there were some cool things about the 'good ole days' but there was a lot of bullshit, too. Just like y'all have said, bikes got hassled a lot back then - yeah, even Hondas. Today the technology is better, we're better fed, better cared for, and better maintained - but we've lost a lot, too. The freedoms we used to take for granted are quickly eroding. The respect we had for each other is diminishing. The 'open road' is becoming one big clogged artery.
Of course, the population of the country has more than doubled since 1950. That's a metric **** ton more people in the same space. And there's no end in sight. I don't think we're gonna end up like Soylent Green anytime soon, but I can guarantee you that things are gonna get worse before they get better.
The only thing I know for sure is that the present day is always someone else's 'good ole days'...
Of course, the population of the country has more than doubled since 1950. That's a metric **** ton more people in the same space. And there's no end in sight. I don't think we're gonna end up like Soylent Green anytime soon, but I can guarantee you that things are gonna get worse before they get better.
The only thing I know for sure is that the present day is always someone else's 'good ole days'...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Lot of us that started riding in the 60's had 305 Superhawks. I'd like to ride one today and see if they're really as fast as I seem to remember. They were supposed to do 0-60 in 6 seconds, faster than my 883 today. But I can also remember spending a lot of time laying on the tank, trying to do 60 against a headwind. Covered a lot of states on that bike, and some were the coldest and wettest trips I ever took, was before I had decent riding clothes and windshields.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 460
Likes: 20
From: Manitoba, Canada
I don't know how fast my FXD is - I am not immortal anymore and haven't tried it
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 94
From: SE Michigan
I caught the tail end of all that. I remember the cops being a pain in the "butt" to you if you had a bike. I had a Honda 350 and a Triumph Bonneville in high school, and I had long hair. I was the guy that freaked out parents for that reason only.
I do miss old school bike shops too, all the cool parts and "junk" all over the place. You could hang out and shoot the bull and fix your bike in the parking lot.
I do miss old school bike shops too, all the cool parts and "junk" all over the place. You could hang out and shoot the bull and fix your bike in the parking lot.
Last edited by Larry64; Oct 29, 2015 at 01:00 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 472
From: CC TX
Lot of us that started riding in the 60's had 305 Superhawks. I'd like to ride one today and see if they're really as fast as I seem to remember. They were supposed to do 0-60 in 6 seconds, faster than my 883 today. But I can also remember spending a lot of time laying on the tank, trying to do 60 against a headwind. Covered a lot of states on that bike, and some were the coldest and wettest trips I ever took, was before I had decent riding clothes and windshields.
And the 305 Dream in Red
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 460
Likes: 20
From: Manitoba, Canada
Got one of those in the shop right now, a 1967. I have done the mechanical restoration and it gets painted this winter - Candy PURPLE!
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Lot of us that started riding in the 60's had 305 Superhawks. I'd like to ride one today and see if they're really as fast as I seem to remember. They were supposed to do 0-60 in 6 seconds, faster than my 883 today. But I can also remember spending a lot of time laying on the tank, trying to do 60 against a headwind. Covered a lot of states on that bike, and some were the coldest and wettest trips I ever took, was before I had decent riding clothes and windshields.
Pic below is Fresno to Death Valley and back in 1968.
I'm on the right, my Mom is in the middle, and my riding buddy on the left, with his BSA chopper. He got pulled over by EVERY CHP that saw him. What a hoot!
My folks were on their brand new 1967 Sportster. How about my Mom's riding outfit!!
Last edited by IdahoHacker; Oct 29, 2015 at 03:29 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
There wasn't anything that could take the Superhawk in 1/8 mile, even a Corvette, but the Vet would be passing me at the 1/4 mile mark. With my chin on the tank, my Hawk would top out at 116 MPH.
I don't know how fast my FXD is - I am not immortal anymore and haven't tried it
I don't know how fast my FXD is - I am not immortal anymore and haven't tried it
Had a '71 Honda 350, real quick to 60, never could reach 100 with it. Handled like it had a rubber section in the middle of the frame, thought it was a big step down from the old 305.
305 Dream... As long as you didn't hit something bad enough to bottom out the suspension, that rode like a Town Car on two wheels. Not very speedy, but some guys put the SuperHawk dual carb setup on them, and then they'd move out pretty good. On the highway they'd put about anything but small scooters to shame for gas mileage; cruise about 60 with no wide open, could get over 75 mpg. Strange looking, but they rode nice, handled decent. For those that don't know, Honda Dreams had a single piece stamped sheet metal body and rear fender for a "frame" (wreck the fender, you needed a new frame!) and the engine hung off the front of it, no tubes under.
