How Fixing a Vintage Motorcycle Inspired a Career Change

Shasta Smith put years into restoring her 1972 Honda, emblazoned with her signature number 5. It inspired a passion for vintage motorcycle restoration that led her to open a repair shop and venue space in Sacramento, Calif. Photo: Ryan Angel Meza for The Wall Street Journal.
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[@richardcarr7557]

Great to see all those old bikes being brought back to life! Love your dedication and passion 👏

[@ajittffcure]

Wow! Just wow! Shasta your bike is super cool. I love the look of it and how it looks while you ride. Just beautiful...the colour, the tone, etc. It is really remarkable that what you re doing with your passion... to find out about your motorcycle repair and restoration venture! Cheers to Vintage Monkey!

[@ajaymanoj3527]

Oh I love how bold she is . Its amazing .

[@G58]

My first bike was a CD175, the early retro single carb version of Shasta’s bike. Vintage Monkey is now officially on my California venue list, if the powers that shouldn’t be ever allow us to fly again. Thank you for sharing this inspirational story

[@phillipcox516]

I receive great pleasure from tinkering with my old bikes, and a lot of satisfaction. The older bikes are so simple. AUS

[@dCephei]

Earning from what you love doing is where I'd like to be someday...

[@Darkest_Soul_187]

Only if you're self employed. If you work for someone else they can make you despise even the job you like. Been there, done that

[@standavison2321]

I love also the vintage motorcycles ...its fantastic to see her on moto bike ...respect .. from belgium !

[@coloradokid1346]

That is an awesome story. She knew her passion and that is two wheels.

[@part380]

Inspirational story . . . Go Shasta!

[@stancoleshill8925]

Good for you girl. I just bought a 1979 Honda CB750 and I am restoring it to original. I also had a Honda CL 175 and it was one of the best bikes I ever owned. Would like to find another one. Also had 3 Honda 450's. Another great bike. My prize restore is my 1970 Norton Commando 750 Roadster which I still own.

[@christopherpeninger324]

I think she's got a cool thing going.

[@hueyw1916]

my first bike was a CD175 (single carb version) and it was totally bullet proof. Amazing little bike and already retro styled from new! Those Hondas had unburstable engines. Great memories!

[@Fabianweso.]

I have the same model and year as her 175, and I love it

[@SeymourCycleWorks]

Love it! I started tinkering with old bikes which lead to starting a business as well. Thanks for sharing this story as it always helps to keep inspired!😎👏🏼🤘🏼

[@slow_bike_show]

Woah I know your work!! Your vintage board track bikes are amazing!!!

[@tensortab8896]

First bike was a CB350. It was awesome. Quick, light, easy to work on.

[@joeyong1418]

Awesome, I'm a big fan of cafe racers and plan to restore a Honda Cb200 here in Malaysia.

[@grahameanderson6913]

Nice story, congratulations and thank you for sharing...

[@jappiemoto]

I’m curently restoring a mz 125rt love that thing

[@dugwthree]

i like it.. looks fun to ride

[@BitterDawn]

Awesome stuff, very cool little bike. 72 CB500 here, just learning the character of old bikes but I dig it. Super cool story, it sounds like an ideal life. I like her strong presence and character, plus brains and beauty..and passionate about motorcycles?! Triple threat.

[@Glasshousebc]

Fabulous... well done for following your passion... keep enjoying your journey.

[@decadantdog4444]

What would make that little bike sound really good would be a crank and cam from a Honda CD175. 360 crank. It will sound like a little Triumph!

[@terrykrall]

My first was a Kawasaki G3SS. 89cc and would do 70mph. A little Japanese demon! It had an oil pump, oiled the fuel mix automatically. I would play with the engine, take the head off... disassemble the brakes and hubs. Lots of fun. I went to college and about that time my little brother mentioned it and asked if he could sell it to a friend. I agreed and have regretted it ever since. I still have the title and memories.

[@aarongluzman]

Sweetheart 🌷💖💖🌷 Outshone In distinction & character Her eyes…are shining Radiant light Her innocence, compassion Everlasting Love, Amor Bravo Shasta Smith 🎩💎❗ ©...Aronne

[@joezambrano9651]

Thank you for sharing this amazing stuff with us it's very intriguing..

[@MusicandMonsters]

That was awesome!

[@henrysmith5604]

Very impressed

[@Nifilheimur]

The coolest woman on the planet!

[@silversun371]

Groovy girl&bike...great inspirational story...

[@mmotorcycles9497]

Amazing shop.

[@zebulon9307]

3:29 - what make is that red motorcycle sitting on the workbench? Sidevalves?

[@findingretreat]

wow u inspire me

[@bikerwilli9130]

wonderful Bike

[@fwefhwe4232]

love from India

[@gerokron3412]

You meet the nicest people on a Honda :D

[@mihaibara8479]

What is the exact bike model you have? It looks super cool

[@georgevprochazka5316]

5 is on my Cafe too !

[@powmanmoto]

Holey Monkey! I didn't know this was nearby. I was just in Sac the other day! On my bike of course. 🏍🏍🏍❤️

[@kevinbrislawn5918]

Awesome woman

[@jmcat8713]

Nice!!! keep on Rockin ! 59Club Spain

[@kevinbrislawn5918]

I miss my 2 stroke Yamaha RD-350... 1970 model

[@SaulHudson69]

Going there soon

[@kellybikeco]

cool!

[@richardlawless3989]

Love it!

[@Geraldbux0401]

She is a redhead, gosh they're so special.

[@richcampus]

RHD (?) Blood Type

[@harry5128]

Okay virgins

[@rattlecan53]

So what's the HP on your CL and what gearing are you running? My race bike makes right at 24 hp and we usually run a 17/35 for most tracks. Top speed is about 90 mph on a long straight like at Road America.

[@evaristegalois6282]

Pretty cool

[@user-zm8rt7mo2f]

Que hermoza tumoto

[@noobrider9864]

Respect

[@ohenegyapong7819]

YES!!! 🙌🏾💥💯💥🙌🏾

[@aioloshernandez2242]

Lo primero que necesita para reconstruir una bicicleta, además de la bicicleta misma, es un manual de servicio adecuado.

[@billmago7991]

I ride a1970cb175 to work everyday when I don't ride my 62cb72 or my 80 Yamaha 125 ,all stock though

[@larrytownley2231]

My first was 1947 Indian chief !!!

[@breakfast00club..11]

Where in CA are you

[@musahyder11]

Love it

[@dalilagodinez7269]

You and me both sis 🤙😔

[@naythechocolatehead]

She’s intense

[@juan-im6do]

OH YEAH YEAH

[@JR-bj3uf]

I do worry about who will keep and ride the BSA, Triumph, Velocette and Norton motorcycles currently slumbering in old Boomer's garages.

[@stancoleshill8925]

1:38 Amal carbs.

[@NabeelAhmed-ln3fw]

3:09

[@overlanderengel5787]

she is scrambling )

[@pericogonzalez8067]

look in youtube : suzuki gs 1150 e is great

[@Kevin_747]

I prefer old bikes and thats all I have. New bikes are as bad as new cars, rolling computers.

[@richcampus]

~●~VINT-AGE~●~ ~○~MON-KEY~○~

[@richardnelson581]

A Honda cb175 quick ,really?

[@richardnelson581]

Try an rd 350 Yamaha 😳

[@shivamshukla9233]

Plz adopt me

[@ransom4734]

Rip journalism. They are showing meaningless news

[@francispetaluma]

ha! so true!