The Norfolk to San Diego Trip
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We were moving from Norfolk, VA to San Diego in 1977 and had the house up for sale (by owner). Asking $3500 for our equity on a VA note. Time was getting short (3 weeks to departure) and we hadn't had any serious lookers. Finally a family shows up that is really interested - 2 visits. So I'm not surprised when I get a call from the guy to make me an offer. He hums and haws and chats about motorcycling and then says he can only come up with $3000, I pause because I don't want to sound too eager (I was jumping for joy!), and before I can say "I'll take it." he says, would you consider taking my motorcycle as the $500 balance. I was really happy with the CB350F and didn't really want another bike but I figured what the hey, may as well take a look - it's a freebie.

So I truck over to the guy's apartment and he has this thing in the kitchen! It's a showroom clean 1973 Honda CB500F with 3500 miles. He's garaging it in his kitchen because it had been vandalized; there was a cut in the seat cover and on the rear tire. Now it's my turn to hum and haw and finally I say "okay". Jeez! I was so excited on the way home I couldn't concentrate. Good thing I didn't jump a curb.

Motorcycle Towing Insanity

Sagging Springs

Two Bike Tow

Hitch Detail

Young Faces

Young Faces 2

Oh boy, we're moving across country and I have 2 motorcycles! Selling the house was going to prove easier than trying to get a fair price for the CB350F in 10 days. My dad said he would like to have it, but he is in Kansas City. I had a small utility trailer but couldn't get both motorcycles to fit. I finally engineered a tow bar system both motorcycles hooked to the rear bumper of my 1967 Ford Falcon. First I tried one bike and took it for a test drive. Then trialed the other bike and satisfied myself that this rig would work. Moving day comes and while the movers are loading the van I'm loading the car. Finally, with both bikes on the rear bumper, and the car loaded with the 3 kids, the wife, and all of the accoutrements of traveling across country, I back out of the driveway. The car drags and gets stuck in the gutter. Seems that I didn't think too hard about the loading on the rear suspension. What with the bikes, people, luggage, tools (this was in the days when I never went anywhere without the ability to rebuild and engine on the roadside) I probably had a 1500-pound load on the back of that poor old Falcon.

Patty and I unload all of the heavy stuff and start moving it forward. Everything small enough goes in the engine compartment, the toolboxes end up in the passenger floorboard (Patty still talks about having to ride 1500 miles with her legs all cramped up). We finally get the load adjusted where the old Falcon isn't dragging the ground and away we go. (SIDEBAR-In writing this I realize the stupidity of this action. I am amazed that we didn't blow a tire.)