1976 Ducati 860GTS Bevel Twin kick start Classic motorcycle riding 2026-09-24 | 1976 Ducati 860GTS Bevel Twin kick start
Riding Moto Guzzi Breva 750 in the Autumn Classic motorcycle riding 2025-10-20 | I rode my Breva 750, a bike I haven't had much opportunity to ride, through the mountains where the leaves are beginning to change color. I can't expect a loud, crisp exhaust sound, but I enjoyed the smooth and quiet ride.
Early autumn in rural area - Moto Guzzi California II Classic motorcycle riding 2025-10-16 | On my island, the leaves are slowly starting to change color.The maximum temperature is forecast to drop to around 10°C by the end of this month, so after finishing work in the morning, I went for a run around my neighborhood before work started again in the evening.In the rural area where I usually go for a run, the rice harvest is over and preparations for winter seem to be underway.
Norton 650SS on a mountain road Classic motorcycle riding 2025-10-07 | In between my busy work schedule, I rode my Nord Dominator 650SS on mountain roads before the autumn leaves change color. The Featherbed frame turned corners well, just as its reputation had promised.On the way down, I spotted a juvenile red fox.
Ride BMW R27 small single 250cc Classic motorcycle riding 2025-10-02 | Since I rarely get time off for work, I had the time to ride my motorcycle on a clear autumn day, so I rode on my small-displacement single-cylinder R27. This engine has a heavy flywheel, so it accelerates slower than a scooter when you first start moving, but it has good grip even at low speeds, and once it gets going, it has good power up to high rpm. Also, because of the rubber mounts, I hardly felt any engine vibration.
Riding on a sunny autumn day - Moto Guzzi California II Classic motorcycle riding 2025-09-24 | After a string of night shifts, I woke up in bed at home for the first time in a while to a crisp, clear autumn day. After a leisurely breakfast and taking care of the cats, I pulled my Moto Guzzi California II out of the garage. Unlike my new small twin (Breva 750), this big twin, typical of Moto Guzzi, was slow to respond to the throttle until the oil warmed up, giving it a sluggish feel. It was a stark contrast to the fuel-injected Breva, which boasts sharp throttle response even immediately after starting.After about 20km of riding on country roads, even in the cold temperature, the engine oil finally warmed up, and the bike finally began to perform at its best. That said, the camshaft shape and carburetor diameter are different from those on the Le Mans 3, making for a somewhat idyllic yet powerful ride.I had plans for the afternoon, so it ended up being a short, two-hour, 100km ride, but my soul was filled with the joy of riding a Moto Guzzi.
Moto Guzzi Breva 750 test run Classic motorcycle riding 2025-09-14 | I bought a Moto Guzzi Breva 750 from a shop in central Japan, about 1,300 km from my home, and took it for my first road test ride. I'd already had the oil changed and the engine started, but my goal was to identify any issues with on-road riding.The simple problem was that the right rearview mirror wasn't securely attached. I fixed this by tightening it with the motorcycle's onboard tools. The second issue was a tendency for the bike to jerk at low speeds. I fixed this by tightening the throttle body air screw after returning home. I rode it slowly, making figure-eight movements without using the clutch, and it was very smooth.My impression of riding it on the road was that it had little vibration, very smooth acceleration, and a quiet exhaust. I could still feel the distinctive Moto Guzzi heartbeat, albeit slightly.This Breva appears to have been left unused for a long time, so I plan to take my time and ride it while I work out any issues.
Newcomer, Moto Guzzi Breva 750 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-09-12 | I found a small Moto Guzzi Breva 750 for sale at a reasonable price, so I bought it. Even with the FI, the left and right sides were out of sync, so I adjusted it and the throttle response improved.It may be too much to expect a small twin to have the tractor-like tenacity of a Moto Guzzi big twin, but I would like to try riding a Moto Guzzi like the V50 NATO, which is not available in my country.
Winding roads in early autumn Moto Guzzi California 2 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-09-11 | The scorching heat of summer is over, and we can feel the signs of autumn. For the first time in a while, I went for a ride on a winding mountain roads on my Moto Guzzi California II.There's no drama, no music, no narration, just a video of me riding a Moto Guzzi.
Light rain in the countryside - Moto Guzzi California II Classic motorcycle riding 2025-08-28 | It seems that the heatwaves of summer are over, with temperatures recently reaching 15-17°C in the morning and 25-27°C in the afternoon, perfect for an air-cooled twin. After work, I took my California 2 for a ride through the rice paddies in the countryside, despite the light rain. The rice ears are starting to turn yellow.
The joy of continuing to ride classic motorcycles Harley Davidson WLC Classic motorcycle riding 2025-08-19 | The joy of classic motorcycles isn't just riding them; it also includes tinkering with them, such as maintaining and repairing them. To do this, you need time, money, knowledge, and skill, but I think the most important thing is passion. As you get older, it tends to become increasingly difficult to maintain your passion. Still, when I'm relieved from work, I naturally open the garage door and look at my motorcycle, or take it out and start maintaining it for the next outing, and I find myself so engrossed in the work that I forget the passage of time. I don't think I'll be giving up this enjoyable hobby anytime soon.
Norton Dominator 650SS Classic motorcycle riding 2025-08-09 | My 1965 Norton Dominator 650SS passed inspection, so I took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood for the first time in a while.It's not a large bike, so it's easy to ride. The 650cc parallel twin engine produces power at low RPMs, so for normal riding, you can leave it in fourth gear and just operate the throttle. At higher speeds, it can rev up to 5000 RPM, but on regular roads other than the highway, 3000 RPM is sufficient for acceleration. Its frame and suspension, known as featherbed and roadholder front fork in the 1960s, are still very smooth, even when cornering or on gravel roads.
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 - Winding Road Classic motorcycle riding 2025-08-06 | Riding a Moto Guzzi on a winding road, with its powerful torque accelerating from low RPMs, provides plenty of fun and satisfaction, even at low absolute speeds. The Le Mans 3, designed for high-speed cruising, also provides riders with a fun time on winding roads, with its excellent cornering ability and powerful acceleration.In my current social position, my income will decrease significantly after I turn 70, making it difficult to maintain multiple motorcycles. Therefore, after a difficult decision, I decided to give up my beloved Le Mans 3 and head out on a winding road for one last ride. Unfortunately, the road was closed just before my destination, so I had to turn back, but I realized what a fun motorcycle it was.
Riding on a forest road in summer BMW R27 1965 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-08-01 | On forest roads with lots of loose rocks, there's a risk of damaging the oil pan, so I rode on a Border Patrol-spec R27 that's equipped with an oil pan guard. Similar to a Moto Guzzi Big Twin, it has ample torque even at low speeds, and its light weight and easy foot reach make it easy to ride on rough roads.
Heading home from the lake - Moto Guzzi Le Mans III 1984 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-07-27 | I left at 5am to ride along the east lakeside forest road, rode 280km round trip, and returned home at 10am. On the way back, it was quite hot at 33°C, and both the rider and the bike were overheating.This summer has been an unusual one, with the maximum temperature being higher on the island where I live, located at the northernmost tip of Japan, than in the southernmost region, which is in the subtropics.
Riding Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 on the East Lakeside Forest Road Classic motorcycle riding 2025-07-25 | A friend of mine told me, "You'll be able to enjoy your old Moto Guzzi on the East Lakeside Forest Road," so I went for a ride early in the morning. Sure, some parts were muddy and slippery, but most of it was gravel or crumbling pavement, and the scenery was amazing.
Mount a Gopro on the shoulder strap, Norton 650SS and BMW R27 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-06-29 | As summer approached and it got hotter, I changed from a full-face helmet to a jet-type helmet, so I mounted a GoPro on the shoulder strap of my backpack to check the video and audio.I used a Norton 650SS and a BMW R27, both made in 1965.Every year, on Sundays in early summer, the roads become congested in the afternoon with cars and motorcycles returning from tourist spots to urban areas.
Encountering young deer Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-06-27 | In recent years, the population of wild deer and bears on the island has been increasing, and deer in particular can be seen frequently, even during the day.
Day touring Moto Guzzi California 2 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-06-21 | I had heard that there was a forest road with a good view in the southern part of the island, so I wanted to try it.The weather was nice, so I went there for a day trip after work at night. I chose a route that would take me from the west coast where my house is, through the inland area, to the opposite coast, and then back inland from there. It was foggy in the morning where my house is, and the temperature was 22°C when I left at around 10:00 a.m., but when I went inland, it was sunny and the temperature rose to 28°C, so I only had a short-sleeved T-shirt under my leather jacket. The opposite coast was covered in fog and the temperature was low at 19°C, but in the inland area where the forest road is, it rose again to 26°C. The area where the forest road is located is mainly agricultural, so the road is maintained for agricultural purposes. However, there are few signs, so first-time riders can get lost. I also took the wrong farm road, which ended up leading to the forest road. Somehow, I managed to reach the same west coastal area as my house. As expected, the temperature near the sea is low at 21°C and makes the body cold, so on the way home I went north along the coast wearing a long-sleeved shirt under my leather jacket, and took a shortcut inland around the base of the peninsula that juts out onto the west coast. In June, the sun sets late at 7:30 p.m., so it was still light when I got home, but the temperature had dropped to 19°C. The engine characteristics of the Moto Guzzi California II are suitable for long distance trips, including unpaved roads, because it has power even at low speeds. Thanks to this, I hardly felt tired even after riding 540 km in 9 hours with almost no breaks.
Forest road riding Moto Guzzi California 2 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-06-20 | The weather was nice today, so I went to a forest road in the south of the island that I had always wanted to ride. Since it was a forest road in an area far from my house, I ended up touring 540 km in one day. I'll show you the trip on another video.In places where the gravel was deep and difficult to ride, I chose to ride on the grass in the center of the road, so the body did not shake. Also, on downhill slopes, thanks to the Moto Guzzi integral brake system, the wheels did not lock even on gravel or wet surfaces, so I had no worries.
Ride around in the season of fresh greenery Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-06-14 | I had some free time, so I took my Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 out of the garage and took it for a ride around here and there.
Looking for a new back road - Norton Dominator 650SS - Classic motorcycle riding 2025-06-01 | After finishing my late-night shift, I looked up and saw a clear sky. The temperature was 9°C before sunrise, but as soon as the sun rose, it rose to over 15°C. After breakfast, I headed straight to the garage, took out the Dominator that had been sleeping next to the WLC, checked the oil level and tire pressure, and then went to the back road that I couldn't go to last year. There was a gravel road on the way, but it was easier than I thought it would be because the grass hadn't grown yet.
Riding Harley Davidson WLC 1943, an old side-valve twins Classic motorcycle riding 2025-05-27 | I thought I should run my 82 year old motorcycle that has been sleeping in the back of the garage every now and then, so I went for a 20 mile run to test the Linkert M88 carburetor after adjusting it. In early spring, as the temperature rose, the mixture became richer, causing the engine to snort and the plugs to get sooted, so I adjusted the slow speed needle valve to make the mixture leaner. There were no particular problems during today's run, and the plugs were burning normally.
Moto Guzzi California 2, Riding up and down the mountain pass Classic motorcycle riding 2025-05-26 | ...
Moto Guzzi California II 1986 - Spring half day ride - Classic motorcycle riding 2025-05-23 | It was the season of fresh greenery, and although it was only a half-day trip, I rode my California 2 from the inland forests in the southwest of the island to the coast.
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3, a fun ride in early spring Classic motorcycle riding 2025-05-14 | It's finally the season for riding motorcycles even in the north, but I couldn't take a break and finally managed to ride Le Mans 3, albeit for a short distance. In the limited time I had, I rode all over the place, including on back roads, but for me, the Moto Guzzi is still a fun motorcycle to ride.
Short adventure rides and hikes, cherry blossom season - BMW R27 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-05-02 | As we get older, our physical strength declines more than we think. I hiked a trail through the forest up to a peak facing the sea. The area that used to be a parking lot is now overgrown with grass, and I parked R27 against a tree.The cherry blossoms in the nearby park are in full bloom right now, and many people are visiting to enjoy them.
Morning run Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-05-02 | Although the cold weather may bring snow to the mountain passes, spring is definitely on its way. The higher mountains are still covered in snow, but most back roads are now open to motorbikes.
Spring 2025, Norton Dominator 650SS Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-26 | The temperature is rising day by day, and the snow that remained on the back roads is melting. The amount of water in the rivers that flow with meltwater is also increasing. The trees in the mountains are starting to bloom and new pale green leaves are beginning to appear, signaling the arrival of spring.I usually ride a Moto Guzzi, but sometimes I take my 650SS out of the garage and take it for a short ride.
Enticed by the springtime warmth Part 2 : Moto Guzzi Le Mans III Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-23 | The sea is also changing from the rough winter to the calm of spring.Ezo red foxes are coming out onto the roads even during the day.
Enticed by the springtime warmth Part 1 : Moto Guzzi California II Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-23 | The long winter is finally over, and the long-awaited motorcycle season has begun. At this time of year, if I have the time, I'm dying to go for a ride on my motorcycle, even if it's just nearby.The remaining snow has melted from the back roads, and thankfully, more places are now passable.
Winter closure lifted, road to the observation deck, Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-17 | The road to the observation deck at the top of the mountain, which had been closed during the winter, is now passable. However, the road is covered in places with fallen larch leaves wet with melting snow, so I had to be careful not to slip as I climbed.Also, the road to the entrance to the observation deck has sand that was spread during the winter to prevent slipping, and it has accumulated not only on the edges of the road but also in the middle, so care must be taken when choosing a riding line.
Back roads are still closed due to remaining snow, BMW R27 1965 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-09 | As the number of days when the maximum temperature reaches 10°C has increased, I decided to go to a back road in the mountains for the first time in a while, but there was still a lot of snow remaining and I couldn't pass through. The snowmelt water has increased the river water level, and I could really feel that spring has arrived.
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 with over 90,000 km Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-07 | Although there are signs of spring, there is still a lot of snow on the roadside.Still, the roads are dry, so I take my motorcycle out of the garage between jobs and try to ride it as many times as possible.
First ride on a Harley Davidson WLC 1943 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-06 | I took the awakened WLC for a ride on a nearby road. The Side Valve Twin ran stably even in low temperatures.
1943 WLC Awakens Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-02 | This side valve twin was imported from the USA in 2014 and has been overhauled ever since. This spring, it woke up without any problems and idled smoothly.
Riding Moto Guzzi California 2 on a sunny early spring afternoon Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-01 | Motorcyclists who live in areas with long winters that prevent them from riding their motorcycles are probably looking forward to the arrival of spring. I, too, have been looking forward to the season when the snow and ice finally disappear from the roads and I can ride my motorcycle again.During this time of year, even if the temperature is low, I ride around on my motorcycles on sunny days, forgetting to eat lunch.
Norton 650 Twins in early spring Classic motorcycle riding 2025-04-01 | Immediately after importing from the UK I replaced the front and rear tires with Avons, and although the front tire lasted longer than the rear, the front tire also wore down and I replaced it with cheaper Bridgestone. After the work was done, I rode 650SS around the neighborhood.
First Run 2025 Moto Guzzi LM3, Norton 650SS and BMW R27 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-03-29 | It was below freezing in the early morning and snow was piled up, but as the sun came out, the road surface dried and it was possible to ride a motorcycle if you avoided the frozen areas in the shade. I took out the three motorcycles that had been hibernating in the garage and took turns riding them. By the time I got on my last R27, the weather had turned bad and it started to snow. Still, the season for comfortable motorcycle riding had come around.
2025 Norton 650SS Awakening Classic motorcycle riding 2025-03-28 | The cold rain at the end of winter washed away the remaining snow and de-icing agent on the roads, so I waited for the weather to improve and installed the battery on my 650SS Dominator that had been hibernating in the garage, and started the engine. It idled smoothly as usual.
Moto Guzzi California II first run in spring 2025 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-03-16 | It hasn't snowed in the past few days, and the weather forecast says that the temperature will rise to 1°C during the day today, so for the first time this year, I took my Moto Guzzi California II out of the garage and rode it around the neighborhood. The whole area was covered in snow, but thanks to my winter clothes I didn't feel cold, and I was able to enjoy the heartbeat of my Moto Guzzi for the first time in a while. It will start snowing again from tomorrow, so it will be a week before I can ride it again.
Moto Guzzi California 2 Awakens Classic motorcycle riding 2025-03-01 | It's March now and the sun is getting stronger, so I started the engine of my Moto Guzzi California II that had been hibernating in the garage. It's a 1986 model, but I think it will run well this season.
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 has also waken up Classic motorcycle riding 2025-03-01 | I had a long break from work, so I woke up my Moto Guzzi from hibernation in the garage. Now all I have to do is wait for the snow on the road to melt.
BMW R27 1965 Border Patrol spec, 2025 First engine start Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-21 | A strong cold wave that is said to occur once every 10 years has arrived, and we have had blizzards for the past few days. The sun has finally come out, so I took the R27 out of the garage, installed the battery, and started the engine for the first time this year. As usual, it continued to idle calmly. After that, I removed the battery again and put it back into hibernation in the garage.According to the long-term weather forecast, spring is expected to arrive earlier than normal this year, so we may be able to ride on the roads in about a month. I can't wait for that day.
Moto Guzzi California 2 without windshield Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-07 | A while after I bought the Moto Guzzi California 2, I tried removing the large windshield. It gave me a better view and made the bike feel lighter. The California II is originally a touring bike, but without the windshield it becomes a motorcycle that can be enjoyed on windy roads. This video is from that time.Finally, I installed a small windshield to protect it from insects and rainwater, and that's how it is today.
One Day Trip, 1943 Harley Davidson WLC Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-07 | One summer day, I decided to go on a 300km day trip on my WLC. I passed through the interior of the island, went out to the west coast, then went back inland on the way home. It rained on the way, but the old side valve twin ran well.
1986 Harris T140 riding on mountain road Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-02 | The Harris T140 has a 5-speed with a slightly cross gear ratio, which means that when riding on mountain roads like this, you can use the RPM range where the engine's horsepower is strongest, making it easy to ride.
Harley Davidson WLC riding vide, shot with an old GoPro in 2015 summer Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-02 | It's been snowing heavily these past few days and I'm exhausted from snow removal work. During the winter, I edited some videos I had taken in the past. This is one of them.However, the sound quality isn't very good because I hadn't established a recording method at the time.I remember that it was a low-horsepower side-valve twins with only three gears, and there was a big difference between second and third gear, making it difficult to ride on mountain roads.
Harley-Davidson WLC riding video, Fall 2015 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-02 | This video was shot on an old motorcycle made in 1943 with an old GoPro.
1988 BMW R100RS in 2016 spring Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-02 | I have ridden a BMW R100GS and an R100RS, and I used the R100RS for long distance touring. I replaced it with a Moto Guzzi California II and sold the R100RS. This video is from when the R100RS was still in use.At the end of the video, I've added a photo of the area around my house this morning. I can't wait for this heavy snow to melt so I can ride my motorcycle again.
The first long distance touring on a newly purchased second hand Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 Classic motorcycle riding 2025-02-01 | During the winter, when I can't ride my motorcycles because of the snow, I wait for spring to come while editing video files that I shot a long time ago with an old model GoPro.This is a video of a long distance touring trip of more than 300 km one way to the southern tip of the island on a seaside road in Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 that I had just purchased used. I was young at the time, so even with the original clip-on handlebars, I didn't get too tired. Now that I am almost 70 years old, I have replaced the handlebars with a more comfortable shape.You may find this video boring, as there is no music and the sound and picture quality are not very good. But for me, it was a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
