Introduction- It's Just Me

I didn't come from a long family history of  motorcycle riders. As a matter of fact, not in my nuclear nor extended families, to this day, still no one else in my family rides. I can remember back when I was in second grade, my neighbors let me take the reigns on their Honda Mini Trail in the nearby church parking lot. Later, my sophomore year in high school, rather than going to class, I took a terrifying ride on the back of a friend's bike. (Two weeks later, he totaled his bike.)

I kind of fell into motorcycles by accident. Back in 1986, when I went off to college, I started buying motorcycle magazines and reading them with voracious vigor. I was very interested in the up and coming Honda Hurricane and the front swingarm suspension design of James Parker, but mostly interested in frame designs and the physics behind motorcycles in general.

One day, I rode my bicycle down to the local Kawasaki/Husqvarna dealership to go sit on some motorcycles. Out in front, I spotted a used red Yamaha RD400. I asked about the bike and if I could take a test ride. The bike was on consignment and the owner was asking $500 for the bike. The shop owner told me sure, they give test rides- I just needed to wear long pants and have at least a motorcycle riders' permit. I told the guy, "No problem! I'll be back tomorrow!" Five minutes later, I was across the street at the local DMV taking the permit test (without studying). Of course I passed with flying colors. I returned the next day with pants and my permit and took a ride. I was in love! I had always been attracted by the looks of the RD400. I offered $400 and the owner took it.

Besides learning how to not kill myself on that old RD (and believe me, I had lots of close call lessons), I learned how not to be afraid of working on the bike. It's okay to break things- most things can be repaired- it's only money. After years of enjoyment, I retired the bike, as it was constantly trying to kill me. I tucked her away for later days, believing that someday, I would restore the bike.

In 2001, I bought another street bike, my Suzuki SV650S. That was an awesome bike! After using it as strictly a commuter for years, I finally started doing some serious mods, preparing it for the track. I learned how to do some serious wrenching on that bike. With that bike, I actually changed out the cams and did some carburetor modifications. I also learned how to change out and install tires.

Well, eventually the racing tuck of the SV started hurting my back. One 80-mile day of commuting on it would put a pinch in my lumbar for three days! I decided it might be time to find a different kind of bike, if I wanted to continue to ride. So I started looking for a little Harley Sportster.

I went down to the local HD stealership to kick some tires and sit in some saddles. I liked the Iron 883 a lot, so I started looking on Craigslist for a good deal. Since the bike had been produced for the past six years or so, finding a used one wasn't a problem. Eventually, I found a 2010 Iron being advertised for $6900 at a used car lot. The bike was a repo from Arizona, but had a clear title. It was a little sun beaten, so I haggled him down to $6200. Now that was a steal!

Well, now it's time to learn how to work on American bikes. I'm excited about the new direction I'm going in. The sitting position is much better for me with this bike- I can ride for hours and still my back is fine. The bike is definitely not perfect and there is much room for improvement, so in time, I'll do a few modifications that will make the bike even better. But for now, I'm totally digging this bike!