Old Rider, new Shadow part one

[Espiritus]

This is a post to comply with the rules. Ordinarily, I am not an avid "rule follower" but find that in order to post replies or input my opinion, I have to post three notes in this area. This is post one.

I rode in the 70's, being one of the first women certified to teach MSF on an Air Force base, said base being Yokota AB, Japan. Quit riding and sold the bikes when my then 3-year old burned his hands on hot pipes.

Reentered biking in the late 90's to the chagrin of all my family who assured everyone who would listen that "mom had just lost it." And well I might. I reentered by buying a "bike in a box," project, actually, it was in five boxes. A 1979 Yamaha 750-triple. It had been disassembled by a guy with aspirations but not dedication, who bought a large assortment of NOS then forgot where everything went. I got it for $150 and I put it together, with the help of the xs11 and triples forums. . .in my living room. I have pics to prove my insanity. But, hey, the kids were all gone (four: two Air Force, one traitorous Navy after she finished college and the final in college), no one visited that I had to impress, and it looked good against the rock wall.

I sold it at a profit to buy another Yamaha, 2003 vstar 650. Too low, too little power, and PURPLE. It didn't last long. I bought it from a woman who had dropped it on her first ride, and didn't get on it again. My mechanic friends all told me I should turn myself in for STEALING it. . .and since I only paid $1100 for it, they were right. I was ashamed of myself, but it was winter and bitter cold in northern Indiana where she lived.

Sold the Vstar to steal another bike, my current 2005 VT1100C2. It had 8,200 miles and the loudest pipes available. It is also that macho black with orange flame. Not my idea of color or sound, but at $3200, it was hard to pass up. Sold the pipes right away and went back to stock pipes. I figure that being able to HEAR was more important than being heard. I did install a loud HORN to rid myself of that meager roadrunner "beep beep." Why is it that motorcycle companies don't put a REAL horn on these things?

Anyway, bought the Honda in April and to date have doubled the mileage. Made several long trips between Louisville, KY and Montgomery Al to visit the grandchild, Virginia to visit the daughter (bah, Navy), various long runs to eat Moonburgers and Apple Pies, and daily commutes since the college son blew up his vehicle and "borrowed" the family van.

Mileage is only known because of the routine maintenance. I am not a odometer counter. I ride because I prefer riding to caging.

But, it does make me cool. . .

[rogheir]

Thank you for your service Espiritus. Im U.S. Army veteran and ride a 2008 Shadow. I rode Triumphs, BSA.s and Hondas before i went to active duty. Lest We Forget.
Roger

[Espiritus]

USAF, December 1972 - December 1982. Was in Japan in support of Vietnam forces, Tachikawa hospital. Was there when the Flying Tigers did their miraculous baby-lift and processed evacuated civilians in Subic Bay after the fall. . .never, ever forget. We were warriors.

Sorry. Just returned from a holiday party on Maxwell AFB, as the guest of my deployed son's spouse. He is deployed to the Philippines, of all places, supporting the communications. Of course, he is currently digging folks out of the mud after that typhoon blew thru this past week. It's pretty awful. Suddenly the Philippino's who have been demanding we leave, are begging us for assistance. . .we gave them back all our bases. Odd how everyone wants to be our friend when they need something.

Now, about that "forgiveness" stuff. . .