My intro (short version)
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I was born and raised in south Texas, lived here in Laredo all my life except 4 years in the NAVY.
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Married, 5 kids, 8 grandkids, EVERYONE in this family rides, the older boys also help around the shop.
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I've owned 161 bikes in over 45 years, still have 28. I have mostly classic Britbikes, some classic Japanese & Italian, and a couple of new-ish early 2000s (Triumph Legend triple & Kawasaki ZRX1200R).
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I've done a bit of vintage roadracing on a scratch-built Triumph Bonneville 650, basically bone stock, in AHRMA Novice Historic Production Heavyweight. Took 5th in the championship as a rookie, racing only half the season against MUCH nicer equipment including hot-rodded (allowed in the class) OHC 750 fours and the odd 750 triple, with experienced riders aboard. Still had the time of my life. Also got to race a half season on a borrowed Kawasaki H1R 500 triple in Formula 500, took 3rd in the championship against deep-pocketed experienced riders. The topper was riding "monkey" on a Formula 1 sidecar at Willow Springs in 2010; that rig took 1st in the championship, helped by our 2 class wins that weekend.
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I've been a Navy aviation ground support electrician, owned an HVAC business and a personal computer business, I've been in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, energy auditing, and commercial construction, and managed a networking, surveillance and access systems company. Now I have my own classic & vintage motorcycle restoration & overhaul business (going on 12 years).
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Now, I'm getting a '92 TDM that is in excellent shape and ran in the Colorado 500 (so I've been told by the previous owner whom I've known for 15 years). I was doing a "resurrection" for the former owner, then he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I've already cleaned the carbs and fuel tank, now he's brought over a new battery & fuel tank pickup assembly (the original filter screens were completely perished).
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Anyway, I'll be considering a tuned header exhaust system and perhaps airbox & jetting mods, as this forum's experienced team will help me decide. I know better than to just dive in and start butchering stuff.
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What a pain to get at the carbs & battery - have to remove all the bodywork! No worries, you do what you've gotta do.
Â
Thanx for allowing me in, I hope I become a positive addition to the forum.
Â
I was born and raised in south Texas, lived here in Laredo all my life except 4 years in the NAVY.
Â
Married, 5 kids, 8 grandkids, EVERYONE in this family rides, the older boys also help around the shop.
Â
I've owned 161 bikes in over 45 years, still have 28. I have mostly classic Britbikes, some classic Japanese & Italian, and a couple of new-ish early 2000s (Triumph Legend triple & Kawasaki ZRX1200R).
Â
I've done a bit of vintage roadracing on a scratch-built Triumph Bonneville 650, basically bone stock, in AHRMA Novice Historic Production Heavyweight. Took 5th in the championship as a rookie, racing only half the season against MUCH nicer equipment including hot-rodded (allowed in the class) OHC 750 fours and the odd 750 triple, with experienced riders aboard. Still had the time of my life. Also got to race a half season on a borrowed Kawasaki H1R 500 triple in Formula 500, took 3rd in the championship against deep-pocketed experienced riders. The topper was riding "monkey" on a Formula 1 sidecar at Willow Springs in 2010; that rig took 1st in the championship, helped by our 2 class wins that weekend.
Â
I've been a Navy aviation ground support electrician, owned an HVAC business and a personal computer business, I've been in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, energy auditing, and commercial construction, and managed a networking, surveillance and access systems company. Now I have my own classic & vintage motorcycle restoration & overhaul business (going on 12 years).
Â
Now, I'm getting a '92 TDM that is in excellent shape and ran in the Colorado 500 (so I've been told by the previous owner whom I've known for 15 years). I was doing a "resurrection" for the former owner, then he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I've already cleaned the carbs and fuel tank, now he's brought over a new battery & fuel tank pickup assembly (the original filter screens were completely perished).
Â
Anyway, I'll be considering a tuned header exhaust system and perhaps airbox & jetting mods, as this forum's experienced team will help me decide. I know better than to just dive in and start butchering stuff.
Â
What a pain to get at the carbs & battery - have to remove all the bodywork! No worries, you do what you've gotta do.
Â
Thanx for allowing me in, I hope I become a positive addition to the forum.
GrandPaul
Author "Old Bikes"
Does not use emoticons
Author "Old Bikes"
Does not use emoticons

