Wife found a way to get me out of the house

[Checker]

It had been years since I rode a motorcycle, then yesterday the wife says, "let's go pick up something I got for you". She knows I have been wanting a bike. Yes, I had a great Easter holiday.

[blackcat4866]

Wow, what a wife. Hey, you haven't introduced her to me yet...

Happy Easter! And watch those ramps... =^..^=

[prntrfxr]

Cool! what a sweet ride, checker. I got my eye on a Honda Shadow, but its a want not a need, so it wont happen for some time. Enjoy! but be careful. Motorcycles dont get much respect from those who drive "in the cage"

[Checker]

I figured I'd follow up to this since owning this motorcycle has become my biggest hobby. I've done a lot of work to it ... and I do all the work myself. Thought I'd throw a before and after shot up and show off my handy work.




Of course, it is always a work in progress but aside from riding it, working on it is extremely rewarding. I'd recommend getting a bike and turning some wrenches to anyone.

Going for a 400 mile ride today ... see ya!!

[blackcat4866]

It looks great!

I have to ask though: From a mechanics point of view, how do you justify removing perfectly good working parts to install other perfectly good working parts? I hope to someday have both the time and extra money to fix things that don't need fixing.

It sounds like a fun hobby. At least for now I consider my main hobby to be getting more than 5 hrs sleep before heading back to work.

My apologies for being Johnny Raincloud. I just want to hear your reasoning.

[Checker]

It looks great!

I have to ask though: From a mechanics point of view, how do you justify removing perfectly good working parts to install other perfectly good working parts?

That is not a bad question, nor do I take offense. Certain items help to improve horsepower (like the exhaust) which is important for someone as heavy as me. Other items are to improve handling and comfort (like the extended front end and handlebars). Other items improve safety or just make the bike look more the way I want it to. Like many hobbies people may have, it is not so much the end product as it is the effort getting there that is satisfying.

Mechanically I have never had to take the bike to the shop. I can completely strip and rebuild the engine, program the fuel management system, and stay on top of all the routine maintenance.

Then there is the RIDE! Yesterday I rode over 400 miles through some of the most beautiful scenery Texas has to offer. A small group of us making stops along the way for photos, meals, and friendship.

Maybe biking is not for everyone, but it is the single most rewarding pastime I have ever encountered. I think it has a lot to do with age. I am close to retirement and I look back at all the years I wasted worrying about my job and the junk that goes along with it. I've concluded that my job is the LEAST important thing in my life and what I do with MY time is the important thing. It is an unfortunate fact that living takes money, but I am lucky in that regard because I have never not been able to make money.

Geez Backcat, I'm starting to rant ... sorry.

[Mr Spock]

I would of kept the original handle bars and seat but otherwise a nice ride....

I just wish I could get one....

[prntrfxr]

Everyone has their favorite stuff they would add or do different. I personally like saddlebags (not the ones that came with it though, highway bars, & luggage rack. LOL...and maybe ghost flames on the tank. I'm not sure I liked what you did with the handlebars either, but that's me and this is YOUR bike, Checker. Don't let anyone dis you for it, either. Thank God it's not a crotch rocket. Those things should be taken off the road.

@ Blackcat: People make modifications to cars. Add rims that "Bling", fancy paint jobs, and make hot rods out of old cars. Those mods are done usually to perfectly good cars. The same goes for motorcycles. Usually the goal is to get as much chrome on it as possible or as much noise coming out the pipes as possible, but some of it does improve performance. This is the reason I don't own one (happy riding behind the boyfriend on his bike), it is a very expensive hobby and frankly I don't have the time either. I like the Honda Shadows cause they are shaft driven so they require less maintenance and they are a bit smaller, but Harley's are the top of the line when it comes to bikes.

[Checker]

Cool! what a sweet ride, checker. I got my eye on a Honda Shadow, but its a want not a need, so it wont happen for some time. Enjoy! but be careful. Motorcycles dont get much respect from those who drive "in the cage"

Hope you get that Shadow. Jeff, a friend at work, has had one for several years now and he has it dressed out for touring kind of like the way you described you'd like yours to be (except the paint is still factory). Nice bike, way smooth compared to a Sportster and much easier to ride. I recommend to just take the plunge and get one; a new one. You will be VERY glad you did.