My first motorcycle. It was given to me when I was 12 years old. Since it didn't run I learned patience and a little mechanical skill "helping" Dad get it going. I rode the wheels off in a vacant lot across from our house in San Diego.

I rode this little bike at nearby construction sites until I was old enough to get my motorcycle license.

This is my first street bike. Back in those days, I thought a 250 single was a "real" motorcycle. It looked good and sounded great (especially with the "shorty" muffler I put on, later).

This is my 2nd road machine. With the Suzuki I could keep up with the "big boys". Originally it was blue. I don't know what came over me when I painted it metallic brown. My sister Erica shows it off.

I loved this bike! I rode it from Saint Louis, MO to Washington, DC . The trip was 903 miles in less than 24 hours. This time I repainted it from turquoise and white to a dark metallic green. Notice the twin disc front brake that replaced the stock 4L shoe drum.

I bought this in Houston, Texas to commute.

This was my introduction to shaft driven bikes.  I replaced the stock 3 into 2 exhaust with a 3 into 1. It had a nice growl.

I liked the XS750 but it lacked "get up and go". I solved that problem!  I later added a color matched Vetter Windjammer fairing and lowers.

This bike was a basket case project that my father helped me put back together.  The '74 model was the last without electric start. It had a 5 speed with right side shifting.

My third Yamaha in a row. It was the fastest thing on two wheels, back then.  To date I've never owned anything that can match the FJ in acceleration or top end. Glad I got that out of my system!

An excellent machine. I bought this bike in 1992 and sold it in '94 to finance the purchase of my Ducati 906. It's the only motorcycle I sold for more $$$ than I paid for it. The fellow that bought it also "moved up" to a Duc!

This is the way my 906 looked when I bought it in '94. My daughter, Bess, is test driving it to make sure I didn't get a lemon.

Just a little toy I picked up and kept for a year or two. With the "clutchless" transmission it was simple enough for my daughter, Anna, to ride around the yard.

After a couple of painful 1,500 mile trips on the Ducati, (groan) I decided to do the long distance thing right.

This little bike started out as a basket case. My Dad did most of the work and then lost interest. I finally talked my father out of the scooter. And now it is finished. Cute, huh?

What can I say? The nostalgic looks and incredible performance won me over.

For my two girls to ride.  Bess has her license and Anna got her learner's.