Coyote Chris
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I remember the twin jet 100! And so many other two stroke bikes of the era....back then, we all worked on our own bikes....points, plugs, condensor, de-carbon the heads.....adjust the chains....change the tires....My first bike was a 1966 Yamaha YL1 "Twin Jet". I rode it every chance I got. One day, I was sitting in traffic and a car hit me from behind. The little Yammy got considerably shorter. Still miss that bike.
I was too young and dumb to think smoke was bad. The power to weight ratio was good.....but the brakes didnt match the power......Other than for off road riding I was never a fan of two stroke road bikes and in the early days Honda's were my choice of motorcycles. Later when the other Japanese companies started to build four strokes I also bought those. Never could stand the blue exhaust smoke, the ring a ding ding sound and the lack of low end power. They were fast though once you got the rpm's up.
The good thing about learning to ride on a bike where the "power to brake" ratio was way too high was that even now, I dont go anywhere near the danger zone where you are outriding your brakes.....maybe that has helped keep me alive...I rode the H1 when it came out. It was aptly nicknamed the widow maker. Too much power for the frame and brakes, but it was a hoot!
Mike
I was like you Warren, pretty much a Honda guy. We made fun of the two strokes and called 'em "ring-dings". Then along came Suzuki with the X-6 Hustler and gave us Super Hawk owners a run for our money. It was quite a hoot to open the throttle on the Hustler and hang on to the handlebars when she "came on the pipe"... even more so with the Kaw H1 which was downright wicked. I finally caved and bought a Yamaha 175 dirt bike and loved it. I still think that the best dirt bikes are two-smokers.Other than for off road riding I was never a fan of two stroke road bikes and in the early days Honda's were my choice of motorcycles. Later when the other Japanese companies started to build four strokes I also bought those. Never could stand the blue exhaust smoke, the ring a ding ding sound and the lack of low end power. They were fast though once you got the rpm's up.
Hey Buddy.....that sword cuts both ways....I don't remember much from 1966.... cuz I was 2.
Actually, If I were honest with myself, there are very few I would really and truely want back.....I had a 100cc single after the twin, then a 185 and a 250. I then switched to Suzuki, Had a 380 triple and a 550 triple. Both two-strokes. Finally, a 650 Tempter twin four stroke. I used a dial indicator to get the exact firing mark on the triples, and used the 6 cylinder scale on a dwell meter to set the points. From then on, timing took just a few minutes. I would love to have any of them back. (The past always has a rosier hue than the present.)
I had a Yamaha 175 Enduro (I think that is what it was called) and rode trails through the deep woods in southern Illinios....not fast....but it was fun....I was like you Warren, pretty much a Honda guy. We made fun of the two strokes and called 'em "ring-dings". Then along came Suzuki with the X-6 Hustler and gave us Super Hawk owners a run for our money. It was quite a hoot to open the throttle on the Hustler and hang on to the handlebars when she "came on the pipe"... even more so with the Kaw H1 which was downright wicked. I finally caved and bought a Yamaha 175 dirt bike and loved it. I still think that the best dirt bikes are two-smokers.
Mike
I always thought a red BSA Lightning was the best looking bike ever back then.....but I was very happy with my Brit racing green Yamaha 650 Twin....My first bike was a '65 BSA Thunderbolt that I bought in 1967. Although I have never owned a two stroke, I have ridden a few.
An original H1 didn't handle that badly if it had good swing arm bushings in it. The problem, besides the crappy suspension and brakes, was that the bushings were nylon, I think.
Not sure I'll make it that long.. lol But, I'm sure gonna try.Hey Buddy.....that sword cuts both ways....
Actually, I am glad I lived when I did....I saw and did alot....I am not so sure I want to be around when you are 68......
If I knew I was gonna live this long I would have taken better care of myself!Not sure I'll make it that long.. lol But, I'm sure gonna try.