Times were much different then. No one really carred about the accuracy of TV shows, especially kids. There was little parts networking back then so everything was McGuivered. The Information Age hadn't arrived so most everything we did to our bikes was trial and error. Bikes were simple and easy to work on and tuning was always done via butt dyno.
I bought a new 73 Sporty when I was 17. My third street bike but first new one and traveled around the west on it. By any standards it was not an ideal tourer, but being in my late teens that didn't matter. It was only 20lbs heavy than the BMW. Other than AMF forgetting to install all four piston pin clips, it held up well.
Touring in those days was also different. Paved roads were not very good and many roads were dirt or gravel. People were giving and friendly. We stayed many a night in barns, small town jail cells (voluntarily), parks, small bike shops, etc. and did odd day jobs for money and food. Repairs were made with whatever was at hand and ingenuity.
So I'd have to say the Sporty was an adventure bike, along with all my other bikes in that era.
(-1 for not knowing TCB).
at the pins joke.
Awesome pic!
