Dr. Harry Wong with his 1974 Moto Guzzi Eldorado. 

Bike: 1974 Moto Guzzi Eldorado
Owner: Dr. Harry Wong
Hometown: Redwood City, Calif.
Occupation: Chiropractor
Etc.: Wong has been offering free motorcycle riding clinics for 11 years at his office and is the owner of three loop-frame Moto Guzzis. A 1974 Moto Guzzi Eldorado was his first, and it’s still his favorite. Wong loves the Eldorado from every angle. Let us count the ways...

Professional: The doc appreciates the Eldo’s ergonomics. "The riding position is very relaxing, and I think it produces very little stress on your spine," he says. "You can lean a little forward, which is good. The position and height of the seat, as it relates to the floorboards and handlebars, just relaxes the back. And the seat is pretty cushy, too."

Rider: Wong says the Eldorado has generated plenty of compliments from riders of modern machines during group rides in the twisty, mountainous roads near San Francisco. "I actually surprise a lot of cyclists, because the Eldorado handles so much better than it appears it would."

Enthusiast: "I don’t have any prejudice against any bike, but I like this one because it just oozes a unique, Italian flavor. The bikes have soul, there’s no doubt."  

Mechanic: "The engine’s so overbuilt, it’s ridiculous. I’ve purchased three of these bikes from three or four states away, flew there one-way, checked them out, bought them and then rode them home. I might do that with more modern machinery, but I’d definitely hesitate to do that with most machines of that vintage." 

Read more about this motorcycle:
• 1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 

 
Greg Wassenberg and his Honda CBX.   

Bike: Honda CBX
Owner: Greg Wassenberg
Hometown: Salina, Kan.
Occupation: MRI technologist

Etc.: Greg Wassenberg wasn't bowled over by the Honda CBX, but it grew on him over time: “I first came  across the CBX after I graduated high school, and I liked it once I got over the shock of having that much engine on a bike," says Greg. "However, I preferred the look and feel of the Yamaha XS1100 and the Kawasaki 1000 LTD. Fast forward about 20 years, and I suddenly developed an intense desire to own a them in black. I started looking in '97 and finally found the one I own now in 2000. I justified the purchase by calling it a 40th birthday present to myself.’’

What was your first impression of the CBX? 
“Of course, the first thing that stands out is the engine. On the '79 and '80 models it was out in the open, in all its glory. I never got to ride one when they first came out, but I did get to hear one run and I was amazed at how smooth and how quiet it sounded, especially considering the fact it’s air-cooled and has all those parts moving around.’’

What kind of reactions does your bike tend to get?
"Most folks don't notice anything different until they start counting header pipes. Then they start asking questions. People who have been in motorcycling for a while notice it immediately. Then they start asking questions.”

What would you describe as a couple of the CBX's main strengths and weaknesses? 
“The CBX, though somewhat maintenance intensive, is quite dependable and tough. The '79s had a nasty habit of bending the No. 1 connecting rod if the bike was left on the sidestand with the fuel valve left on. Gas would drip into the No. 1 cylinder when the intake valve was open due to a lack of good drainage for the No. 1 carb. When you went to start the bike, you’d be trying to compress all that gas in the cylinder and a bent rod would be your reward. The '80-'82 models had a vacuum petcock assembly fitted to them that would only allow gas to flow when the engine was running. Also, the '79s had nylon bushings for swingarm bearings that basically disintegrated with age and/or abuse. The front forks were skinny for such a large bike and could adversely affect handling with a fairing or windshield installed. Honda responded in '80 by fitting air forks in the front and going to needle-and-roller bearings in the swingarm. Other than that, as long as the Honda CBX is given proper care, they are quite long-lived and reliable.”

Read more about the motorcycle mentioned in this article: 
• Yamaha XS1100 

Fritz Doernberger and his Ducati Silver
Shotgun.  

Bike: Ducati Silver Shotgun
Owner: Fritz Doernberger
Hometown: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Occupation: Retired machinist
Etc.: Fritz also owns four rare Parilla motorcycles

Friz Doernberger can trace his affinity for the Ducati Silver Shotgun back to an early age. He developed his love of Italian machinery after going with his father to a race meet in his native Salzburg, Austria, in 1948. He was unimpressed with German and Austrian bikes, preferring the dashing style of Italian café racers.

“It had to be a sportbike,” he says, “to look and sound like a race bike.”

Fritz acquired his first Ducati single, a 200cc Elite, after moving to Houston, Tex. “We went everywhere on that bike, pretty much wore it out,” he says. He now owns examples of both “narrow case” and “wide case” singles, including a 250 Mach 1 and a late steel-tank Mark 3D.

What’s the Ducati Silver Shotgun like to ride? “It’s wonderful,” says Fritz. “It’s really nice. The better chassis and stronger forks make a big difference over the earlier bikes. The 450cc engine is nice, too.”