Me during my troubled youth, Japan circa 1980/1

Remember how I mentioned in some thread I was in Japan during the bosozoku heyday of the mid 70's to mid 80's?

Well, now that I'm back at my Mom's house in Kamakura Japan, I found this pic of me during high school. I'm the one on the left, wearing the leather jacket. The flagpole equipped Suzuki GSX400E was my ride at the time.

Enjoy your laughter.

WPBill wrote:

Remember how I mentioned in some thread I was in Japan during the bosozoku heyday of the mid 70's to mid 80's?

Well, now that I'm back at my Mom's house in Kamakura Japan, I found this pic of me during high school. I'm the one on the left, wearing the leather jacket. The flagpole equipped Suzuki GSX400E was my ride at the time.

Enjoy your laughter.

Man you weren't kidding... :laugh: :laugh: I have seen pictures/movies of the bosozoku but now I can can say I know (?) someone who actually participated...

What's a bosozoku? :huh: And... what's with the "flag pole"?

datsun 510??? gs450es...they would munch starters....i hope you got a haircut...things go full circle..looks like my nephews today.....nice picture

Hawaii MCAS Kaneohe bay 1978.

Bluemeanie wrote:

What's a bosozoku? :huh:

Man i wish i was born sooner. The 70's and 80's was a great time to be in japan.

My best shot at explaining "bosozoku": often used to describe japanese motorcycle gangs. Originally known as "kaminarizoku" which roughly translates into "lightning speed tribe" (correct me if im wrong). Although different from the bozosoku of the 70's, they usually ride high-reving japanese street bikes with very loud exhausts and elaborate custom parts, such as elevated headlight cowling and high-back seats. They often drive around at fairly low speeds reving their engines in very short and fast bursts.

I have a lot an interest and respect for the bozosoku from the 70's, but today's bozosoku are nothing more than annoying in my opinion. Just loud obnoxious teenagers. I wish i could have been here in the 70's.

When I was in Iwakuni in 79/80, most of the gangs rode Harleys and Beamers. I saw very few large Rice Rockets (400-750) on the road.
This is me about 1983

This is me in 1983:

Patton wrote:

What the HELL is that ??? :ohmy: