My first motorcycle was a Honda CB 160. I bought it used. It was a basket case. It was a white bike and the owner took it apart and painted it blue. He never put it back together. I bought it in 1968 for $60 and put it back together. I then bought two Honda Rebels 250's their special edition models and had them in Bahamas where 250 was the largest bike you could have. They looked like a Harley Sportster. Harley sued Honda over this and Honda had to tone the bike down. Back in the states I had a Kawasaki Vulcan 750 at the time. Loved that bike. Just sold it to a neighbor two years ago. Had only 13K on it. I had the Vulcan and a 1930 Ford Model A Fordor. They were my daily drivers.
THIS is a real blast from the past. When I got home from the Navy in late 1963, all my English sports car pals were riding Honda 55's tricked out for trail riding... except the guy with money. He rode a Matchless with high pipes! The next year, they graduated to 305 Super Hawks... except Mr Matchless. He moved over to Ducati, and a Scrambler just like the one lurking at your side, Donald. My second bike was a black Ducati Scrambler ($600+/- out the door, no mirrors, no muffler, "street legal"... then) also.
It borders on unthinkable that Herb Uhl is not mentioned here. If not for Mr. Uhl it is anyone's guess just how much time would pass before a proper 'trail bike' was brought to market.
