Daytona 1999

The weather could not have been better. Unlike Daytona of just a couple of years ago where they had record low temperatures, this year we had temps in the mid-80's and clear cloudless skies. Did I mention to pack suntan lotion and a wide brimmed hat? No? Well, take this from a burnt biker... pack them.

Troyce Walls had taken care of the logistics of getting everything together with the powers that be at Daytona and we were in a pretty good high traffic spot. Not hard to find at all. When I arrived I found a goodly number of members with their bikes.

Some photos of the VJMC display.

Troyce had brought a passel of 'em. I wasn't surprised since Troyce OWNS a passel of 'em. I remember He brought his Bridgestone 350GTR cafe racer there, a CB450, a Yamaha SR500 and an his Yamaha XS650. Also, I met Troyce's lovely wife Lori there too. I had never met her before but recognized her from previous VJMC photos.

Richard Stevens of Merritt Island, Florida was there with his first restoration. It was kind of fitting too since the 1966 Honda S90 was his first bike. He did very nice job too, I might add.

Richard and his 1966 Honda S90.

Bob Quigg of Titusville, Florida was there again too. Bob had brought a favorite of his this time. A Japanese domestic model 1974 Honda 250 Elsinore street bike.

Bob Quigg and his Elsinore.

 
Paul Enz, Mr. Honda CB160 himself, brought his... what else? A very nice example of a blue 1965 Honda CB160. It was great to finally meet Paul and share his thoughts on the Suzuki 1400 Intruder, another bike he has owned for some time.

Paul Enz and his Honda CB160.

Marty Landry of Orlando, Florida brought the very famous and very often photographed 1967 Suzuki TC250. This was the "scrambler" model of the X6 Hustler we know and love so much.

Norm Smith of Bradenton, Florida, a new VJMC member, brought his 1961 Honda CL72. A very nice 250cc bike. Norm is a very personable guy who also shared his hobby of collecting vintage transistor radios with me. He brought two of the books he authored on the subject with him.

Norm Smith and his '61 Honda CL72

It was also great chatting with Lori Walls about motorcycles. I didn't know it but she owns four motorcycles herself. A 1965 Honda CB160, 1977 Honda CB400F, YG5T Trail 80 and a Cagiva Allzzura 650SS. Of the four she finds the CB400F to be her favorite. She is in good company on that score. The CB400F is one hell of a street bike.

I also had the opportunity to ask Lori the question that I'm sure has popped into everyone's mind who knows Troyce Walls and his passion for vintage bikes. "Lori, how do you deal with Troyce's hobby and remain sane"?

Well, it turns out that the first time Lori stopped by Troyce's house when they were dating, she found three three motorcycles parked on his front porch. I guess you could say that the young lady walked into that marriage with her eyes wide open! It also seems that her first experience was on a CT model Honda when she was about eight years old. Her relatives who she was visiting at the time had one and let here ride it. To listen to her tell it, a lifelong biker was born that very day.

If you come to Daytona you will find Daytona is very much a Harley-Davidson event, period. We Japanese types are tolerated but its their show and the best thing is to sit back and watch the show, and a show it most indeedy is! Before anyone dies I think they should walk Main Street, Daytona Beach, Florida at least once in their lives. It is not a sight to be missed.

Some photos of Daytona Beach. Notice there is no automobile parking allowed. Bikes line the streets.

First of all, you have to understand that it is not enough to just 'ride' a Harley into Daytona for Bike Week. Oh, no my friend! You have to 'be seen' in the proper outfit with the proper tattoos. You say you don't have the proper duds and your arms are nothing but bare wimpy patches of pink skin? No problem, buddy. There are shops galore to buy those threads and rent those tattoos. You say you want a beer? How about walking down to one of several nice street bars to be served by extremely scantily clad young ladies sporting their thong bathing suits? Yes, friend, Daytona is something else again.

Is Daytona nothing but biker gangs waving knives and guns at each other? Nope. It is a family event above all and that fact really surprised me. Sure, there were the scruffy biker types but they were vastly outnumbered by the professional crowd. Heck, I saw families there where the two year old had the complete Harley-Davidson outfit on. I guess that probably cost Mom and Dad $200 only to have the kid outgrow it in 6 months. Go figure. But after I thought about it all I figured the crowd kind of made sense. After all, how many scruffy bikers have the stretch on the credit card to buy $35,000 motorcycles and $2000 in accessories? If they did have it I believe their parole officers might ask impertinent questions about such purchases.

Oh, yeah don't forget to take a ride on the beach while your there. It costs $5 a day for a beach pass but hey, you're only in Daytona once a year. It also is a great place to park your car since there is NOWHERE to park in the downtown area. Everything is wall-to-wall motorcycles. I am not kidding!

Some shots of the beach. Just drive along the Atlantic Ocean and take in the sights. Very nice. The privilege will also set you back five bucks.

The local news says they estimate about 400,000 motorcycles show up for Daytona, about 350,000 of them Harleys.

Will the VJMC be on the infield of Daytona National Speedway next year? Maybe not. Daytona officials have gotten quite greedy and want you to fork over $25 to get in. That is $50 for two days of VJMC action. Too rich for this enlisted man's taste. Next year it just might be VJMC Deland, Florida and the auction. Deland is only 10 or 15 miles from Daytona anyway and is held during Bike Week too. Kind of get the best of both worlds.

But enough of all this. Just make it down next year. Shake off the ice and snow and cruise VJMC style with your favorite t-shirt on.

You ain't dead yet, ya' know.

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