[mountain CBR]

Mountain CBR here.
I’m 72 today…..

Ski season is over, so off to Snow Bowl Road on the San Francisco Peaks….

It’s been a long journey with Motorcycles. I’ve always had an interest in cars and racing. Souped up some old fords as a teenager, raced a ’56 Ford at the Columbus Motor Speedway and was on a NASCAR pit crew…..

BUT….for some unknown reason I bought a motorcycle in 1973, I was 23.
I had never been on a motorcycle until I rode that Kawasaki 400 Big Horn Enduro out of the Dealership…Falls Church, Virginia.

Shortly after that I went to California, pretty much on a whim, with all my possessions, a motorcycle and the clothes on my back. Two weeks later my bike was stolen.

The insurance got me a 1974 Yamaha XS650 vertical twin…

I began riding around the South West, Vegas, Zion, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico….

Then came a 1976 Kawasaki 900 Z1….
That bike went from Mexico to Canada on the West Coast and then coast to coast a couple times…..
With stops such as Yellowstone along the way….

Snow on the Continental divide….

It wasn’t long till that bike was stolen. A 1977 Yamaha 750 triple was next.
Malibu Canyon, Southern California….

Then I met my wife of 45 years, Cathie...

 

[mountain CBR]

By now I was very busy as a freelance Illustrator for most of the car and motorcycle magazines. Did some test rides for Rider Magazine….
Photo shoot in Death Valley…..1979….

1980, My art work for Kenny Robert’s promotional brochure….

For the 1980s and 90s life got even busier. Buying cars, houses and having 4 different businesses that also required a lot of travel, and a major move from SoCal to Flagstaff, Arizona, that left sparse time for riding.

2009….back on the bike as much as possible…just for fun, not basic transportation….
Track Days at Firebird Raceway, Phoenix, Arizona….

In 2009 I purchased my current Honda CBR1000rr.

It has been through numerous paint schemes, but this is the most current….

I guess I’ll just keep ridin’ !!!!

If you are interested in my slice of Motorsports history from the 70s and 80s from a visual arts perspective, you are welcome to visit my website. www.grandcanyonart.info
Be sure to click on the links at the top....First 20 years....editorial and advertising.

 

[jjscsix]

Great post. Happy birthday!

I thought I was doing my part at 69. But a few days ago I hooked up with a local group who told me I have to be retired and on Medicare to ride with them. As I introduced myself to the group I discovered there is a guy 96 years old in the group. He was sitting there with a WW II Veteran cap on. He was riding a BMW 800 GT. He rode 150 miles with us and kept up fine even in moderately spirited curves and a couple of blasts up to 90 mph.

 

[jjscsix]

BTW, your Yamaha looks very much like the 78 I had.

And your camping bike reminds me of mine. The Z1 is my friends

 

[mountain CBR]

Hey Jim.... where is that group?...maybe I should join too....LOL
That is in fact a '78 XS750 Yamaha.
The old pictures are a hoot aren't they? The young guys are goin'....WHAAAATT!!!
I'm guessing from your signature you have or had a C6 Corvette. I just sold my C5 a few months ago.

 

[papper]

Happy Birthday Mountain!

 

[arthurY]

Mountain CBR here.
I’m 72 today…..
View attachment 265018

[...]

"Most guys are Wrong ..."
Therefore, you are not like most guys !

Happy Birthday! Wish you many more years on 2-wheels.

PS: I once said you look like Dustin Hoffman, now that I see your other picture, you look like the younger version of Al Pacino.

 

[mountain CBR]

LOL

 

[OldsCool]

Happy birthday!

 

[J D]

Happy Birfday..! 🤩

 

[vfrcbr919]

Happy Birthday!! I just turned 47 and I always think I will outgrow my sport bikes, but you give me new encouragement to keep riding them!

 

[mountain CBR]

Glad to see some "Vintage" guys still riding. Sometimes the bikes come in and out of focus, but if we stay in pretty good physical condition, we can ride as long as we enjoy it. I always figure, if I can make the younger guys work a little harder to stay ahead of me on the twisties, I'm happy.

 

[FlaCracker]

Hope you had a fantastic Birthday Mountain CBR
Thanks for sharing all those photos and your website
Much respect!

Keep on Truckin’ man!

 

[CRVZYcbr]

Wow such a cool story! I think I know that bike shop in falls church va. Hahah. I’m from VA. Your story is inspiring and really awesome. Hopefully one day I’ll get to ride my bike across the country.