My Story:
Almost every bike since my Vespa scooter has been a Cafe racer. The first 3 "real" bikes I rode were 500cc singles (Ariel, Gillera , and Royal Enfield). The 1956 Enfield Bullet was my first motorcycle. I put on good tires, low bars, a pipe w/reverse cone megaphone, and I updated the engine with a high compression piston and bigger valves. It was pretty cool and I wish I still had it. Next, a "cleaned up" Honda 305 Super Hawk (first time any of us heard 10,000 rpm on the street.)

I quit the street in 1970 because, it seemed, there were too many cars. I rode dirt-bikes for 7 years then came back to the street with a fairly radical Yamaha RD350. I got my 1975 Ducati 750 Sport in '82 and Ducati has been my favorite bike ever since. I bought a new, '83 Honda VFR 750 because the mags said it was great. My 8 yr. old Ducati was better.

I started road-racing in 1983 at age 45 and raced the Ducati for 4 years (4,000 miles) with only minor repairs needed (2 shifter springs). After 3 heavy crashes (two on the street), I quit riding for 7 yrs. I got back on the road with a Triumph 650 Bonneville and "putted around" for awhile. I bought a '95 Ducati 900 SS/SP in '96 after I found that the old '75 Sport was then too "manly" (uncomfortable) to ride very far in one sitting. The new Ducati allowed me to ride enough to get my skills back. I've been sport riding again for about 4 years.Next season, I plan to put more miles on the old 750 Sport. I love the sound and feel of both Ducati's.

It was only after I started racing that I realized that motorcycles were my real passion and not just a substitute for the sports car I couldn't afford. I still can't afford a FAST sports car but would like to have a 1953 Ferrari 375MM , and a Lotus 7 or Elise (in addition to my '59 Porsche 356A) to drive when I get old.