Alright folks, today was vintage bike day! Woke up early feeling that itch to ride the ol’ trusty Honda. First thing? Dragged my butt out to the garage where this 1966 CT90’s been sleeping. Dusted off the seat real quick with my sleeve – gotta keep her lookin’ decent, ya know?
Waking Up the Old Girl
Crouched down next to that kickstarter like I was talking to an old buddy. Gave it three solid pumps:
- First kick: Just a sleepy cough noise
- Second kick: More like whheeze
- Third kick: VROOM! That little engine caught right up like it ain’t skipped a beat since ’66
Seriously, she fired up smoother than my neighbor’s brand-new lawnmower. Let it idle for five minutes watching blue smoke puff out the tailpipe – that old oil smell takes me back every time.
Shaking Off the Cobwebs
Pulled her out into the driveway and hopped on. Felt that classic CT90 seat crackle under me – gotta love original vinyl! Thumbed the gearshift down into first with that satisfying clunk sound. Eased out the clutch and…
Damned if this old bike didn’t crawl forward smooth as butter. Took three slow laps around the block just letting everything warm up proper. Hear that engine? Pure sewing machine tick-tick-tick noises – unreal for something older than my dad.
Proper Road Test Time
Got bold after those warm-up laps and headed for the backroads. Found a nice gravel path outside town – exactly what this trail bike was born for. Did this exact routine:
- Dropped into second gear climbing a dirt hill
- Felt rear tire spin just a smidge
- Leaned forward like I was 15 again
- Zipped right over the crest like it was nothing
Was grinning like an idiot when I hit pavement again. That 90cc engine hummed along at 45mph no sweat. Passed some dude on a shiny Harley at a stoplight – gave him a wave like “Yeah, this jalopy’s still truckin’!”
Proof in the Parking
Rolled back into the garage an hour later. Killed the engine and listened to the ping… ping… ping of cooling metal. Not a single hiccup the whole ride! Leaned against the wall sipping a cold drink while wiping her down again. Key takeaways still blowing my mind:
- Original points ignition still sparking perfect
- 56-year-old carb sucking fuel cleaner than my coffee maker
- Gears shifting crisp despite looking at retirement age
Finished wiping fingerprints off the tank thinking: Damn thing’s older than my mortgage and rides better than my daily driver. Gave the headlight a pat before walking out. See ya next Sunday, old friend.
