I think the re-born Triumphs are DEFINITELY sweet! I never had a thing for them, but they are still sweet!
First bike I rode was a friend's Honda 125--no idea what year. That was 1976.
In 1977, I bought my first bike, a 1971 T-250 Suzi. I'm currently extending my 30-year long restoration project on it to 40 years!
Then I bought a 1981 Yamaha 650 Maxim that gave me nuthin' but trouble. Kept breaking exhaust studs, needed a new cam chain, and frequent valve adjustments--using shims. Its picture made the Washington Post twice. I never did, though.
Traded it on a NOS 1991 Venture Royale. A 1300 V-4, a detuned extended V-Max 1200 engine. Never quite liked that bike, and changing the rear tire was an all-day affair unless you were a pro, in which case it was a half-day affair!
While I had the Venture I found a 1981 Yam XS-400 at a yard sale for $200. Needed the carbs cleaned and a new battery. GREAT hot-weather bike when stopped in traffic as it didn't cook you the way the big bikes do.
Bought a 2002 Yam FZ1 and wife said: "Two (running) bikes, max!" so I sold the Venture and never missed it.
Then I got a 2004 Yam FJR and the XS-400 went for 3x what paid for it.
Now FZ1 is at our beach house in the Bahamas and it's finally giving me SERIOUS trouble...after all, it didn't run for 2 years, since, following our last visit in July 2019, there was Dorian that September, and when I got down in November, I had bigger fish to fry than the bike. We were just down there this month for 2 1/2 weeks. My wife can work from there. And, after working on fixing all KINDS of problems after 18 months of, well, not exactly neglect--just couldn't get there, I finally took on the bike.
Despite the battery tender, it needed a jump but started. I went to check the tire pressure and the valve stem on the rear snapped off! So I had to pull the wheel and take it to the ONE shop on the island changing tires, hoping they could handle a motorcycle wheel--they could and replaced the valve.
But checking the bike now for things that wouldn't pass inspection, even in the Bahamas, the front hand-brake light switch wouldn't work. So off it came, carefully disassembled and soaked in vinegar. Then off I went to Marsh Harbour to have it inspected and re-registered. Web site said Road and Traffic open till 4...sign on the door said "Close at 3"--"Welcome To The Bahamas!" (BTW, now foreigners can no longer re-register vehicles without a Bahamian driver's license, so I had to get one of those, too. I don't actually have it--just a receipt showing a valid DL #. I MAY get the license in a week, a month, or a year--"Welcome..." you know the rest!)
On the way back I noticed a little gas on the floor under the house. Next day, bike cranked, but wouldn't start, then wouldn't crank at all--and the leak was worse.
I went to take off the tank...and the front hex bolt's head stripped! For the first time ever a reversing tool (kind of like an Easy-Out) actually WORKED. Then it turns out there was a tiny hole rusted in the tank! So I started emptying the tank...and the top of the gas can split along a seam--THANKFULLY only on the top.
Now I have to figure out how to fix the tank...and not blow it up! There are 3 basic options: special tank-repair epoxy, brazing, or welding.
Meanwhile I'm pondering why it won't crank even with plenty of juice. Fuse? Solenoid? Starter? Wiring? I don't know. It once looked like this, me riding The Tail of the Dragon at Deal's Gap, NC. But the salt air has damaged the finish.
Meanwhile I was terrified to ride the FJR during the pandemic--what if I fell, badly? Been there, done that on the FZ1 in 2004--6 months P/T. Still it's a beauty!
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."