Hello/intro From Shinyhead In Thousand Oaks, California

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by Shinyhead, Oct 10, 2025.

  1. Shinyhead

    Shinyhead New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2025
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, California
    Hey gang,
    I'm new to the Triumph Forum. I currently have a 2023 Triumph Speed Twin 1200, 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCX, 1975 Ducati 860GT(still in the process of restoration, but really close to having it done) and finally a 1974 Hodaka Wombat 125 that is the latest project(all apart and in boxes).

    My currrent most fun bike to ride is the Speed Twin, however, as many have pointed out, the suspension SUCKS! I'm looking at getting Nitron adjustable cartridges for the forks and YSS shocks for the back from Ted Porter's Beemer Shop(He's been super helpful in the process). I'm planning on this being a game changer.

    I've been riding motorcycles for about 56 years - the first one being a Taco minibike that I managed to crash into the back of the garage on the fist day I had it, which was Christmas day. This was the best day ever and the worst day ever, all rolled into one, as I hit so hard that the forks bent back and jammed the wheel into the frame. I've been doing stupid/fun stuff like this ever since. I have done it with most types of motorcycles - trials, dirt bikes, street bikes, street track bikes, and mini super moto bikes that you ride like a crazed kid on kart tracks - SO much fun!

    I've have over a hundred bikes during my moto adventures, but at 66 I'm thinking that slowing just a bit might not be such a bad idea, as I'm not as strong and bulletproof as I was. This is why I have arrived on the Speed Twin. Still lots of fun, plenty sporty, a nod to old school while being modern enough (I do wish it had cruise control)and so small it totally reminds me of sitting on my mini supermoto bike, which was a 2001 Honda CR80. The Tiger is fun, but because it's so tall, it can be a bit unwieldly to move it around, so it might be a "short lister". I want to be the one manhandling my bikes, not the other way around.

    I'm looking forward to being a part of the group.
    Cheers!
    Shinyhead
     
    #1
    • Like Like x 4
    • Useful Useful x 1
  2. Regit nogara

    Regit nogara Active Member
    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2025
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    188
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    North, North Wales
    Welcome to the forum Shinyhead, From North Wales UK. Happy biking.
     
    #2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. Boothman

    Boothman Elite Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2023
    Messages:
    1,467
    Likes Received:
    1,118
    Trophy Points:
    800
    Location:
    Wigan
    Hi and welcome to the forum :cool:
     
    #3
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2020
    Messages:
    2,950
    Likes Received:
    4,700
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    AUSTRIA
    Hi there!
    Welcome to the forum!;)
    I love your intro!
     
    #4
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2018
    Messages:
    7,805
    Likes Received:
    6,627
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    Three Counties
    Howdy Shinyhead :cool:
     
    #5
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. Mrs Visor

    Mrs Visor Crème de la Crème

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2021
    Messages:
    2,871
    Likes Received:
    4,551
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    UK
    Hi and welcome!
     
    #6
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Bikerman

    Bikerman Life's not a dress rehearsal.
    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2014
    Messages:
    3,091
    Likes Received:
    3,617
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    Lincolnshire
    Greetings from Lincolnshire.
     
    #7
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2014
    Messages:
    10,610
    Likes Received:
    16,012
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    slough / burnham
    @Shinyhead Welcome to the family. Do tap the upload a file button bottom right and show us all some of your collection.
     
    #8
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2016
    Messages:
    14,086
    Likes Received:
    11,898
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    North West England
    Hi and welcome….,
     
    #9
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. Shinyhead

    Shinyhead New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2025
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, California
    I will as soon as I get a chance. Be back with photos soon...I have to pull bikes out of the garage.
     
    #10
    • Agree Agree x 1
  11. Baza

    Baza Elite Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2020
    Messages:
    3,049
    Likes Received:
    5,007
    Trophy Points:
    750
    Location:
    Amazing Grace
    Welcome to the forum. Many knowledgeable members on here so just ask.
     
    #11
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. Shinyhead

    Shinyhead New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2025
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, California
    Here's the goods...The Tiger and the Speed Twin, the Hodaka frame(all the other parts in boxes are equally as unimpressive) and the Ducati(about 85% finished). It's good to have stuff tto do in retirement and there's not shortage of that here.

    20251015_134754.jpg

    20251015_134821.jpg

    20251015_135027.jpg
     
    #12
    • Like Like x 3
  13. joe mc donald

    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2014
    Messages:
    10,610
    Likes Received:
    16,012
    Trophy Points:
    1,000
    Location:
    slough / burnham
    @Shinyhead Nice bikes. Thanks for sharing the fab pictures.
     
    #13
    • Like Like x 1
  14. Junglie25

    Junglie25 Carpe diem. Or if that doesn't work, carpe jugulum
    Subscriber

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2025
    Messages:
    118
    Likes Received:
    129
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    London
    Hey @Shinyhead, I used to work in Calabasas, though I'm definitely a Brit. I also restored, raced, crashed (several times), rebuilt (ditto) and then sold a Ducati 860, though mine was an SS... Small world :)
     
    #14
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. Shinyhead

    Shinyhead New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2025
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Thousand Oaks, California
    Hey Junglie25, I'm looking forward to riding it once it's done, but certainly I certainly won't be riding it fast. :rolleyes:
     
    #15
    • Agree Agree x 1

Share This Page