| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
In 1997, my right ankle was crushed in an Industrial Accident. When I had healed enough to get off crutches, I found that I couldn't drive a car without considerable pain, but, if I didn't use the rear brake much, I could ride a motorcycle comfortably. I had sold my FLHS a few months previously to finance a trip to Australia, and had been planning to get another bike when I got back. Unfortunately, the accident happened before I could make a purchase. A friend of mine had two BMWs; an R100 RT that she used as her main bike and an R60/5 that she had acquired, but didn't ride much. In an incredibly generous gesture, she gave me the R60 so I'd have transportation. I rode that bike until I got my S3-T the following Spring. The friend, in the meantime, got busy with Life and she got away from riding. She sold her R100 a couple of years later and has remained bikeless. Her life and mine diverged for a few years and we didn't see much of each other. Last Summer, I had been talking to her and she told me she'd like to get a bike again, and do some casual riding, but her finances were really tight. I told her that I'd keep my eyes open, and when I saw a good deal, I'd let her know. In looking for a bike for her, I considered her riding history, and the fact that she hadn't been on a bike in over a decade. I know that the bike she had liked the most and was most comfortable on was her old CB550 Honda Although she had had three different BMWs, she never warmed up to them the way she liked that Honda. I also kept foremost in my mind that she was a re-entry rider. I didn't want to get a bike that was too big or too powerful. If she's going to get back into riding, I want her to have fun. Last week, I picked up a 1981 Yamaha 650 Maxim from an older gentleman whose wife didn't like motorcycles. He had owned the bike for 20 years, and rode it only occasionally. I looked at it, and when we put jumper cables on it, the bike started and ran smoothly. It was filthy, but it was pretty much all original; right down to the mufflers. There's a bit of rust here and there, but not an excessive amount. I put my Battery Tender on it without much hope, but the battery charged up after four days and is holding a charge. Just for kicks, I started cleaning it, and it's really cleaning up nicely. When I'm done, it won't look quite like new, but it'll be a pretty machine with a patina of age. I think she'll enjoy riding it. As much as I dislike BMWs, that R60 that Kathryn gave me back in '97 was a Godsend, and it enabled me to have transportation. This Yamaha is the payback. I hope it rekindles the flame and that Kathryn once again gets to experience the sheer joy of riding. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
 That's great! It's better to give! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
...and post some pics | ||
| Fahren |
Sweet. Big thumbs up. | ||
| Buellish |
Way to go Crusty! | ||
| Satori |
Very Awesome! | ||
| Reindog |
Crusty is one of the reasons why Badweb is such a great place. The giving and generosity of Badwebbers is almost unparalled. Thanks for sharing, Crusty. | ||
| Teeps |
Right on! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Nice one John. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Well played John. I won't tell anyone, you DO have the Crusty reputation to live up to..... | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Your a hell of a guy Crusty! Good on ya. Karma can indeed be good sometimes  | ||
| Bads1 |
good for you john | ||
| Brumbear |
Class act Crusty Class act | ||
| Gunut75 |
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| Luftkoph |
Good job son | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Way to go, class all the way! | ||
| Ourdee |
I had a CB550 for a while. Very enjoyable bike. Thank you Crusty. | ||
| Blake |
Unfortunately, I think the only thing I've ever given Crusty is a hard time. Great story John. Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Where is the "like" button!!!! | ||
| Reindog |
Hey, FMJ!!!! | ||
| Buelldawg |
Bravo! |
