Anticipation

I can feel it building. You know how you really want something, and that desire almost begins to hurt? Well, that's where I am right now. If only I had the cash in hand.

Wishing, and hoping and planning and... Yeah, it's crazy to think that way, but I can't help it.

My plan is to wash the bike, inch by inch, making it gleam. I will probably need a new gas tank and perhaps new pipes (the tank has a couple of small dents in it and the pipes have a couple spots of rust) but overall, the bike is in remarkably good shape.

According to the guy who I am buying it from, he bought the bike from a guy who bought it in 1985, rode it for about a month, tipped it, and decided to store it in his barn. There the bike sat for approximately 19 years until it was rescued by JR.

The bike needed some minor repair work, but was in excellent condition. Having only a couple thousand miles on the bike, he immediately did a complete tune up, replaced some bushings (corroded with age?) and fixed the seat (which had become home to small animals over the years). He added a saddlebag (included on the bike now) and replaced the front and rear wheels. Apparently, if you leave a bike sitting on the wheels, its not so good for them. New brakes, and the bike has been running great ever since. I went over to check the bike out and was pretty impressed. He told me of the long road trips he had taken with the bike, the small amount of problems he had experienced and I could tell he was sad to see it go.

His loss, my gain. :)

I've got a count down going, an internal clock that nags me constantly. My mind works feverishly, thinking of ways to get the money sooner. Those convenience checks from my credit card which showed up almost weekly a month ago are out of sight right now, and chances are I would run right to the bank and use them to buy this bike. Included of couse are the outrageous fee's attached, plus a higher interest rate. Patience, rabbit.

Only a few more weeks..

The Bike...

This is my motorcycle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

Technically, it's not mine yet, but come the end of August, first week of September, I'm buying it from a fellow I work with who is giving it up for 800.00. It's a 1985 Yamaha Maxim XJ 700c.

I know squat about motorcycles, save for the fact that I have always wanted one. I was married for 7.5 years, so a motorcycle was out of the question. I was focused on school so a bike was out the question too. It was never financially feasible, and to be honest, I was alittle scared. Working as a paramedic, I saw the results of good bikes gone bad, throwing their riders, fracturing femurs, cracking skulls. It was enough to put me off for wanting one. Not to mention, the helmet messes up perfectly coifed hair!

Finally I am at a point in my life where I can get one. I am almost done with school, (after this long, re-entering society is going to take some adjustment) and as a graduation present, this is my gift.

I am also getting a heavy duty riding jacket, a pair of riding gauntlets and a DOT approved full head helmet. All for $75 green.

So, I have been doing the research, finding out exactly what it's going to take to get on the road. A Motorcycle rider's course is paramount ( soon to be scheduled here) which costs $195.00. They provide the motorcycle, a little 250cc job that will get my feet wet. Of course there's insurance at 214.00 for the year, and then the license and registration, which all adds up to about $1300 green. I have $1500. set aside for the bike because it's going to require an oil change and a new back tire. Everything else is golden.

I'll be back again to post pics of the bike, links to applicable web sites ( there aren't a lot of 1985 Maxim XJ's on the road, but there are groups out there.) and other fun stuff.

Until then, ride on.....