Two Wheel Tuesdays

When I was shopping for my current motorcycle, a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, that year model was color Persimmon Red. Red is my favorite color, but I had other plans.

I bought the bike and a few months later decided to change the fuel tank and all the side panels; and transformed my bike into a black model. This was my plan all along. The color change transformed the bike into a different animal.

While looking at some of my old pictures yesterday and talking to a friend about bikes, I realized that I've been riding motorcycles for a long time. This year marks my 50 years on a motorcycle. My friend asked how I plan to celebrate this milestone. Let me think about it and I'll get back to you, I said.

Two Wheel Tuesdays - Tales From The Garage

One of the highlights of my last trip to Puerto Rico, was to introduce my grandnephews to motorcycles for the first time.

It was great to see them enjoying themselves at the motorcycle garage, getting their hands dirty playing with tools. Both of them already have their own set of plastic screwdrivers and hammers, but nothing compares to holding in your hand real tools. The look of joy on their faces when they tried to start one of the scooters, and ride it inside the garage was priceless.

I'll never forget the first time my father taught me how to work in a small AM transistor pocket radio at his radio and TV repair shop. I was about 9-years old. Those are memories I will cherish forever. I sure hope my grandnephews first visit to the motorcycle shop was as memorable as mine was at my father's radio/tv repair shop.

Two Wheel Tuesdays - Washington Crossing State Park

One of the most historic locations in our area is the Washington Crossing State Park. George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776 allowed his army to strike the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton, NJ. It secured the Continental Army's first major military victory of the war during the American Revolution. 

The Washington Crossing Park is one of my favorite places to visit, because for many years it hosted a motorcycle vintage event called Gathering of the Nortons. It was held in April at Washington's Crossing State Park, just north of Trenton NJ on the PA side of the river. 

Once a year thousands of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts gathered to celebrate all things motorcycle. All bikes were welcome, but especially the Brits - Nortons, Triumphs, Tritons, Royal Enfields, BSAs, Vincents, etc. Good food, good people and if you're interested in old iron, it was an amazing event. Only rule was that you had to ride it in, no trailering.

It is a beautiful park, lots of open space to spend a pleasant day in nature to relieve stress; where people bring their families to relax and forget about life's problems. 

Two Wheel Tuesdays - Biggest Motorcycle Regret

My biggest regret was selling my 1972 Kawasaki 750 H2 triple. It's a long story, but that bike gave me many years of fun memories.

In 1979, I was working as a technician at the Honda motorcycle dealership in my hometown. That same year American Honda had introduced the Honda CBX six-cylinder engine. It was their flagship motorcycle. It was designed to give Honda bragging rights about the fastest production motorcycle in the late 70's.

In my infinite wisdom, I thought I could purchase the Honda CBX with the measly wages I was making at the dealership. I was so naive, that I gave my bike away for measly $650.00 dollars. Like I said, it was my biggest motorcycle regret in life.

Two Wheel Tuesdays - Philadelphia Museum of Art

Two Wheel Tuesdays is a weekly celebration of riding motorcycles. Much like the annual ‘bike to work day’, it is an opportunity to join a community of folks and ride your motorcycle to work instead of driving your car. 

As a weekly event, Two Wheel Tuesdays is a great tool for building community around motorcycles. 

The following two pictures were taken around ten years ago at my favorite museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. When I traveled to the Netherlands in 2006, the Anne Frank House was under renovations, therefore I was unable to visit. 

What Is Your Favorite Museum In The World?

Two Wheel Tuesdays

The last three images I am including on this post were taken between 1976 and 1986. As you can tell, I have been riding Kawasaki motorcycles for almost 50 years. I purchased my first dirt bike motorcycle in 1974, at the tender age of 19.

The top picture is a replica of my first 1972 Kawasaki 750 Triple that I was lucky to encounter a couple of weeks ago at a motorcycle vintage gathering. It was my first street bike motorcycle, and the first love of my life. 

One of my favorite quotes is : "You don't stop riding when you get old. You get old when you stop riding." The best is yet to come!