This afternoon I went and got my motorcycle learner's permit, thus authorizing me to ride a motorcycle on the streets during daylight hours (but not with a passenger or on the freeway).
Then tonight I went and bought a motorcycle. I got this '81 Yamaha Midnight Special 750 off a guy who posted it on Craigslist:
My buddy Nate, who is an experienced rider, took it for a test ride and gave it the thumbs up. After the money/title exchange was made, he rode it back to his place (as my place is much farther away from where I bought it) and will be bringing it down to me sometime soon.
It ain't pretty, and it ain't fancy, but it's a goer. It needs some love, but I'll have all winter to work on it so I can ride next season.
I am a very pleased Mattbear this evening.
Very pleased Mattbear, out.
8 comments:
Dang man, that makes like 4 vehicles that move, and one that doesn't... time to start offloadin'. :) Seriously though, looks like a good bike, hope she treats you well. I'll have to make it up to check her out soon.
I've been feeling the biker itch myself lately... I went to one of Cyn's family reunions, and her grandpa's brother showed up (her great-uncle, I guess.. everyone calls him "Uncle Walt"). At any rate, he drives a '98 Honda Valkyrie that's been converted by Lehman into a trike. He's 71, has a long ponytail, and he's driven the thing all over the country.. "through 20 states", as he says. The trike has a huge tank with a flame job, is black and dirty, and he keeps this big wooden walking stick on the side. It looks very Mad Maxish.. you can picture him driving it straight into Black Rock City. In fact, he wants to go with us next year, if we go.
Oh, and he has this little dog that sits in a leather satchel he wears around his neck, sits in front of him while he's driving. He's quite the character.
At any rate, I covet his bike. If I can find another one of those for sale.. the damn thing's mine.
Welcome to another step of mid life crisis. Mine soon to follow hopefully.
I need a garage. Hell I need a life.
Memophage: Actually, given that the Suburban is sitting at my work and won't start, I have 3 vehicles that run and 3 that don't. I hope to soon have the Suburban fixed, and will be getting rid of the Saturn as soon as I dig up the title.
Uncle Walt does sound like a wacky guy. You know, Nate is talking about selling his Honda Valkyrie...
I would suggest you get a smaller bike to start with, man. The Valkyrie is not a beginner's bike. Those things are HUGE. And trikes really are not easier to ride. They are very tricky because they can tip over if you're not careful.
Wiwille: It's only partly mid-life crisis. I've wanted a bike since the first time my father took me for a ride on his little Suzuki 100, when I was just 6 years old. That gave me the bug. I just haven't been able to afford what is essentially a luxury like a motorcycle until now. I suppose I could have at various points, but there was always some higher priority. I'm just sick of not having one, so I made it a priority now - possibly in part because, yes, I am in mid-life crisis mode.
Get on the two wheels. Join me, my thrity-something brethren.
My wife won't let me have one... :(
Well I can get one anyways, however the heartburn and agrivation of her being on my back all the time isn't worth it.
So you going to come over and rev it in the driveway, so she can wonder if i'm going to get one?
-Psyber
where does the name mattbear come from? It better not be some cutsie name your wife gave you!
Ok, here you go...why I am Mattbear...that name wasn't given to me by my wife, but rather by a friend.
Many years ago, the missus and I lived in a big house we rented with her folks. Eventually, her folks moved out. Roommates moved in with us.
We always said that the house would be a democracy, but since Jen and I had lived there before, and our names were on the lease, we wound up always having to settle any arguments or disputes, and had to crack the whip about things like rent and bills. We became the de facto "parents" of the household. I got to feeling that way so much that I would come home and announce myself with, "Papabear's home!"
I started getting called that a little bit, but not much. Then one of our roommates combined it with my name and started calling me "Mattbear". That one just kind of stuck, and I have been called that a lot since then. I like to say it's because I'm mean and ferocious like a bear, but mostly people are comparing me to a teddy bear.
So, unexciting as it is, that is the reason I am Mattbear. Which has led to lots of confusion requiring my disclaimer, I'm not THAT kind of bear.
So Rawbean, how does one get a name like that?
Does it mean you’re a whole foods vegetarian kind of person or something else?
-Psyber
I think hers is a play on her name, Robin. I went looking through her early posts to find an explanation and found one where she used her actual first name.
Hopefully she won't mind me pointing that out here.
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