Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
1971 Honda 175 1971 Honda 175
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Oct 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA
Posts: 1
1971 Honda 175
My husband and I have a 1971 Honda 175 and a 1971 Honda 250 with less than 1,500 miles on each and they are in great shape. My husband and I want to go traveling across North America on them for about a year. My dad thinks the bikes wont be able to handle it. We can not afford to buy a new/used bike. I would like to know your opinion. Will they make it?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Oct 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
Depends on how they've been maintained & stored?

If it were me, I'd give both bikes a thorough going over:

Clean out the fuel tank, fuel tap & carb
New cables & plugs
New oils
New chain & sprockets
New tyres - original tyres still on the bikes? Probably perished by now?
Full service
Take spare cables, levers & bulbs.
Overhaul the brakes

Your bikes are old, parts may be hard to locate at short notice. Buy them & take them with you or leave them with a friend to post on should you need them.

Replace tyres, chains, sprockets & brake parts - if they're still available for your bikes, they should be cheap. False economy not to replace perished tyres even if they still have plenty of tread left.

Before leaving on your trip, load the bikes up & go for ride, see how they cope with the luggage, weight, hills etc.

Neither bike is particularly powerful & will suffer from the addition of luggage i.e. not enough power for the weight. It can be done but choose & pack your luggage carefully.

Have you considered selling both bikes & buying one slightly newer & larger capacity bike for the trip?

Good luck
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Posts: 45
Absolutely they can make it! Parts for early 70's Hondas can be hard to find but motorcycle junk yards should have lots of them, and they will be very cheap.Travel as light as possible, and stay on the back roads and you guys will have a great trip.
Don't be paralyzed by doubt: if your trip "only" lasts three months before one of the bikes gets beyond help do you think you will consider the ride a failure? Who cares! Just have fun.
__________________
BLAME PATAGONIA
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London, England
Posts: 39
If they have less than 1500 miles on the clock they will not need all those parts. A routine service beforehand and during the trip is obviously sensible but they are virtually brand new and will easily make the trip. Barring accident damage, you should have no problems with breakdowns.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London, England
Posts: 39
PS but Steve is right - news tyres will be necessary.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Oct 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: montana usa
Posts: 547
If you have specific questions about your bikes feel free to email me.I have manuals and first hand experience with these bikes. My question is why? I took a interesting trip this summer on a 300$ 650 honda that cost me a new chain and tires. I just bought a 650 suzuki 4cyl shaft drive for 300$ and plan on riding it a bunch. A larger newer bike can make the journey a lot less stressfull. But the main thing is to take the trip. Stop in if you come thru Montana.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Oct 2004
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
Quote:
Originally posted by NHamilton:
If they have less than 1500 miles on the clock they will not need all those parts. A routine service beforehand and during the trip is obviously sensible but they are virtually brand new and will easily make the trip. Barring accident damage, you should have no problems with breakdowns.
Personally I'd think about about replacing the chain - why jeopardise the trip, the bike or even their lives for a length of cheap chain?

Not sure if these bikes have oil filters, I know my late 70's XL500 only had a wire mesh strainer? Clean it out, who knows what gunge has accumulated over time?

As Nate said, do the trip & keep clear of major highways. Even if you only travel for a few months, you're bound to have a great time.

[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 15 October 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 15 October 2004).]
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:24.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top