Comfortably Retired vs Working Man

[Ricklin]

It's a bit of a wonder we lived through the era of those bikes, I reckon we are the lucky ones! Interestingly enough, the Japanese that made them were a hell of a lot smarter than we are. In Japan the limit is 599 cc engine displacement for motorcycles. They can make the crotch rockets but can't buy the fastest of them.

 

[Avator]

Had to sell my 07 RoadKing a few years back after total reverse shoulder replacement that didn't turn out too good. I bought his and hers atvs to replace it. Much better.. we ride in soft mud and don't fall over when I stop. Still have to put up with other idiots on the trails though.
Next we'll sell those and go full on geritol and buy a sxs.

 

[Twinkees_n_Pb]

Working man… at the rate of my being interested in most everything, will be working until I’m dead. Lol.

Agree with some of you members, less is always more, once you hone in on where you are in life and what really motivates you.

Since there’s talk of motorcycles here, yes my late model, M8 low-rider is my daily morning cup of coffee, and a ‘5pm yabadaba-doo’ machine. I always find a reason/errand to get her on the road.

 

[CMP-RR]

Anyone else remember similar bikes from the era of the mighty Kawasaki triples? The goes like hell, handles like crap bikes. My old GT 380 Suzuki was incredibly quick.

Yeah, I remember the two stroke triples. I remember the Honda CBX six banger too.
I had a new 1979 Suzuki GS1000E, which is considered a superbike these days.
We had airplanes too. Fun hobby but expensive. My wife flew a P-51 Mustang at the Oshkosh Air Show back in 1994. My final flight was March 2006 when I couldn't pass the flight physical.
We started riding HD motorcycles again in 2008 and quit in 2018 due to my health issues.
Now I fiddle with my 1911s and go to two different cardiologists, one being the "plumber" and the other being the "electrician". No joke, that's how they refer to each other.

 

[blackdog899]

Yeah, I remember the two stroke triples. I remember the Honda CBX six banger too.
I had a new 1979 Suzuki GS1000E, which is considered a superbike these days.
We had airplanes too. Fun hobby but expensive. My wife flew a P-51 Mustang at the Oshkosh Air Show back in 1994. My final flight was March 2006 when I couldn't pass the flight physical.
We started riding HD motorcycles again in 2008 and quit in 2018 due to my health issues.
Now I fiddle with my 1911s and go to two different cardiologists, one being the "plumber" and the other being the "electrician". No joke, that's how they refer to each other.

Flying … P51 mustang
damn you win

oooo speaking of 1911 s , my carry gun smaller would be nice but can’t get

 

[Avator]

Anyone else remember similar bikes from the era of the mighty Kawasaki triples? The goes like hell, handles like crap bikes. My old GT 380 Suzuki was incredibly quick.

Yep... I had a 72 H2 750 like the one in this pic. Crazy bike. 3 jug 2 stroke. If you leaned into a corner and gassed it up it would try to stand back up. Really had to push it down into a curve. I have a few stories about that one.

 

[blackdog899]

Yep... I had a 72 H2 750 like the one in this pic. Crazy bike. 3 jug 2 stroke. If you leaned into a corner and gassed it up it would try to stand back up. Really had to push it down into a curve. I have a few stories about that one.

View attachment 531606

In 1975 that was almost my first bike. It had a reputation then and was talked out of it. Bought a beginner bike 1972 cb350.
Got one the same color and everything in garage to get ready for spring. Ride it a little and reminisce then sell.
Sold my gorgeous 1975 cb 750 last year.

 

[Avator]

In 1975 that was almost my first bike. It had a reputation then and was talked out of it. Bought a beginner bike 1972 cb350.
Got one the same color and everything in garage to get ready for spring. Ride it a little and reminisce then sell.
Sold my gorgeous 1975 cb 750 last year.View attachment 531619

I bought that bike used from a dealership and some fool put armor all on the seat. When I took it for the first test ride I hit the gas and slid all the way back on the slick banana seat. If it weren't for those turn signals catching me behind the knees I would have been flapping in the wind. My buddies hated it when I got out front and gassed it.. that 2 stroke would belch blue smoke.

 

[CMP-RR]

Had to sell my 07 RoadKing a few years back after total reverse shoulder replacement that didn't turn out too good. I bought his and hers atvs to replace it. Much better.. we ride in soft mud and don't fall over when I stop. Still have to put up with other idiots on the trails though.
Next we'll sell those and go full on geritol and buy a sxs.

View attachment 531608

Nice Road King. I had a soft spot for the police bikes, my first being a new 2009 Road King Police Edition and the second being a 2013 Electra Glide Police Edition, bought in 2013 with only 600 miles on it.
My wife bought a new 2009 Softail Deluxe and kept it until 2019, a year after we quit riding. She just couldn't bear to part with it.

 

[CMP-RR]

Flying … P51 mustang
damn you win

oooo speaking of 1911 s , my carry gun smaller would be nice but can’t getView attachment 531598

Is that a Kimber? I don't know much about them but from what I've read, they're really nice.
In Amazon Prime's show "Bosch", Harry Bosch carries a Kimber TLE II with two extra magazines. Harry is left-handed but shoots right-handed, if I remember right.
On P-51s, the T-28 Trojan flies quite a bit like the Mustang. If you get a chance to fly in a T-28, TAKE IT! You'll have just as much fun.

 

[Ricklin]

Ahh, police bikes. Occasionally you will spot one in an early 70's movie. Moto Guzzi. I had two over the years, a 72 police Eldorado 850 disc brake (very rare) and a 76 or so G5 1000 the G5 was the same as the torque converter Convert, but with a 5 speed, not esp. rare but more Converts were made. Made a healthy profit on both bikes, the 72 Eldorado is unobtanium today, a guy in Scotland bought mine. Both were non runners when purchased, the G5 has a good story on that I will save for another day.

 

[blackdog899]

Is that a Kimber? I don't know much about them but from what I've read, they're really nice.
In Amazon Prime's show "Bosch", Harry Bosch carries a Kimber TLE II with two extra magazines. Harry is left-handed but shoots right-handed, if I remember right.
On P-51s, the T-28 Trojan flies quite a bit like the Mustang. If you get a chance to fly in a T-28, TAKE IT! You'll have just as much fun.

Yeah Kimber. Had since around 2001. It’s definitely not a show gun. I’m 5’9” 180 and can carry on waist with a T-shirt.
I was in a gun store I frequent to buy a sig 365? pocket 9mm anyway, the owner and workers necessarily so carry on job.
as we were talking I lifted shirt to show. They were very surprised it didn’t show and these guys check customers out.
Like I said before I can’t get another pistol after reading the handgun amendment form.

 

[CMP-RR]

Some stuff has to go away when you retire. This was our last boat. And yes, the Freightliner was the dedicated tow vehicle.

 

[blackdog899]

View attachment 531925
Some stuff has to go away when you retire. This was our last boat. And yes, the Freightliner was the dedicated tow vehicle.

Woah CMP , way outta my league. I’m just happy at my economic level I did what the rich do but downscaled in almost every way. Except the planes, oh those overseas trips and……and….

closest I came to a plane was in a friends. We got back from our self guided float trip in Alaska he was enthralled with the bush planes we chartered. He got his license bought a plane and rebuilt it in his 2 car garage.

 

[EPG]

Bought this FLSTC new in 1988, still riding it. EVO forever.

No helmet law in Connecticut. Beautiful countryside, hills and ocean.

Retired on 12/31/24 - it’s gonna be a legendary spring.

 

[KWK]

Anyone else remember similar bikes from the era of the mighty Kawasaki triples? The goes like hell, handles like crap bikes. My old GT 380 Suzuki was incredibly quick.

Ring Dingers!

 

[blackdog899]

Bought this FLSTC new in 1988, still riding it. EVO forever.

No helmet law in Connecticut. Beautiful countryside, hills and ocean.

Retired on 12/31/24 - it’s gonna be a legendary spring.

View attachment 531970

View attachment 531971

I’ve had 4 Harley’s. The paint is just so superior to any other manufacturer.
helmets ? As soon as I cross border to New Hampshire off it comes

 

[WNYBill]

I am 85 and have been a federal retiree for 30 years. Same wife for 64 years, we walked to kindergarten together. Two sons. Always lived beneath our means. Wife was a banker, so we tried to never borrow money. You earn interest, not pay it! All the toys were bought with cash. My dad and I built our house, the mortgage to finish it was $10K and we paid if off in 2 years. Home is WNY but we have lived in France and south Alabama. We have been very lucky!

I have few regrets; ageing is the pits, arthritis in my hands make delicate work very hard and slow and it takes days instead of hours to do things, first tool I get is a chair.. We live on the old family farm and I built a hunting shack behind our house on my 300 yard shooting range. Missed getting at least one deer 10 years ago when I had both hips done. Buck and doe this year. I use the tractor and front loader and wait for my son, our neighbor, to help. Grouse and quail hunting are things of only dreams. Still keep the 200 acres mowed and keep the roads up. Run the zero turn and 2 tractors, 50 and 70hp.

Life had been very good and owes me nothing. But I sure miss my departed friends. Have lived in our little town for 82 years, I am about the SENIOR citizen.

 

[KWK]

A great Harley jam I liked in the 80's
My preference was dragging my knees on a rice burner. Clip ons, solo seats, and rearsets.

I am 85 and have been a federal retiree for 30 years. Same wife for 64 years, we walked to kindergarten together. Two sons. Always lived beneath our means. Wife was a banker, so we tried to never borrow money. You earn interest, not pay it! All the toys were bought with cash. My dad and I built our house, the mortgage to finish it was $10K and we paid if off in 2 years. Home is WNY but we have lived in France and south Alabama. We have been very lucky!

I have few regrets; ageing is the pits, arthritis in my hands make delicate work very hard and slow and it takes days instead of hours to do things, first tool I get is a chair.. We live on the old family farm and I built a hunting shack behind our house on my 300 yard shooting range. Missed getting at least one deer 10 years ago when I had both hips done. Buck and doe this year. I use the tractor and front loader and wait for my son, our neighbor, to help. Grouse and quail hunting are things of only dreams. Still keep the 200 acres mowed and keep the roads up. Run the zero turn and 2 tractors, 50 and 70hp.

Life had been very good and owes me nothing. But I sure miss my departed friends. Have lived in our little town for 82 years, I am about the SENIOR citizen.

Bless you and your wife

 

[CMP-RR]

That's a really nice bike!
From a mechanic's standpoint, I liked the Harley EVO engine a lot better than the Twin Cam engine. As a rider, I thought the Twin Cam ran smoother (except for the counter balanced Softail bikes, which are smooth as glass!).
We always lived well within our means. That's not to say we didn't have loans on some stuff.
Our Cigarette was an older boat but it had nice outdrives and halfway decent supercharged big block Chevy engines.