July 22nd, 2025
Here’s a photograph of me in 1970:
I was twenty years old. The motorcycle I’m sitting on is “Borokayam” — a 1967 Honda CB-160. It was my sole means of transportation. I drove it in all weathers and I drove it everywhere. I somehow managed to put in over 100,000 miles on that bike, going through three crankshafts, I don’t recall how many times, two gas tanks, and all manner of other replacements.
But in the early 1990s I stopped riding Boro and, when we moved to Oregon, I put him in the barn and forgot about him.
Then, for complicated reasons, I decided to restore him about a month ago. I’ve been working on him almost every day, and progress has been slow. He was filthy and needed a new paint job. I’ll document the process of restoring him here. I’m sad to say, however, that much of the work is water under the bridge and I don’t recall it clearly. I’ll do my best.
Painting
Front Forks
Fixing the Handlebar Switches
Throttle Cable
Headlight Assembly
Gasoline Tank
Front Wheel
Drive Chain
Rear Wheel
Ignition: Points and Plugs