And so it begins-new to me CB750 project bike in the storage shed

A friend and his wife recently let me know he had a project bike for a chopper build.  Unfortunately he won't be riding anymore, as I met them after he was in a very bad motorcycle wreck.  He is being medically retired from the Marines and didn't want to move the bike back across the country and offered it to me.  Not wanting to take advantage of his misfortune, I offered to trade for it instead of just picking it up.  Saturday I took a Fender 12-string guitar and one of my custom cigar box guitars to their house and picked up the bike parts he had.  He threw in some Harley take-off parts, mainly some pipes and heat guards, but I left the quick release parts for Harleys as they could sell those quickly.

What he had was a torn down Honda CB750.  While many of the smaller parts were left at their long-term home by the military movers, the main parts are all there.  Tight 1976 single overhead cam engine, frame, front forks with wheel and tire, rear tire and sprocket and a few other pieces!  Since the rear swingarm and shock weren't included, the first order of business will be either replacing that or getting a weld on hardtail to make it a "roller".

So the bottom line is I own a cruiser again after a month or so of not having one but it's in parts in my storage shed.  The plan is to finish restoring the 1994 Connie while riding Miss Swail, my 1986 Connie while planning what the first version of the CB 750 will be and accumulating parts.  Next winter I'll assemble the chopper at least to a street legal and running bike, then sort out what to make it into.  Initially I'm planning on my standard black rattle can paint job, wrapped pipes and no frills.

I'm guessing it will cost me about another $1000 to get to that point, meaning I'll still be under $1500 since the 12-string was a Craigslist find and the cigar box guitar was probably only $50 in parts or less to make.

Let's get choppin'!

Phooey-not riding today

Another beautiful Saturday here in San Diego, but I've got lots to do, and almost none of it is motorcycle maintenance!  Cleaning out garage slowly but surely, replacing the strings on a 12-string guitar I'm trading for a chopper project bike (more on that if it happens!) and other similiar projects.

Not fun, but has to be done.  Later.

EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run route check and other musings

Saturday I went out on my first long ride in a few weeks.  I super-slabbed down to Sweetwater Harley-Davidson where they were getting ready to host a wounded warrior type event.  I got to speak with Jim Greenwood, a long-time friend and their event manager.  While he was very busy with the upcoming event later that morning we visited briefly and he put out more flyers for the EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run on August 2nd, 2014.  I walked around a bit talking to a fellow CMA member and other riders.  When their ride took off it was also the same time as our "kick stands up" KSU time, so I rolled out to pre-run our route.  We aren't changing things up too much through the card stops, but I also wanted to do some riding!  Since I have "Columbus Disease" I also wanted to ensure the route wasn't too technical, had too much traffic or hard to find turns.  Actually it's the opposite-many of the turns are at "T" intersections, so even without stars, a sextant and charts I was able to run the route.  We also avoid freeways for 2/3s the mileage, so it will be a good nearly 90 mile ride between the two dealerships.  The ride ends at the new San Diego Harley-Davidson dealership.  So if you are anywhere near San Diego the first weekend in August, come out August 2nd to the 2nd Annual EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run!

The third card stop is the Poway VFW Post 7907, aka "my post" as I am a lifetime member.  For a number of years I knew we had a motorcycling living legend as a member but had never met him.  Well, Saturday as I enjoyed a short break from the ride and a cup of coffee, one of my friends said, "You know Everett is here, don't you?"  I said no as I hadn't met him so I didn't recognize which WW II vet across the bar he was.  So I was introduced to Everett Brashear, AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame member and fellow Naval mine-countermeasures warrior!  88 year's old but still sharp and has a grip that nearly broke my hand.  I wish I hadn't been on a timed run or I would have stayed half the afternoon listening to his stories of working for just about every motorcycle maker of note and helping clear south Pacific islands of mines during and right after World War II.  I hope to see him at the post again, and want to invite him to be an honored guest "dealer" at the card stop.

Sunday I didn't ride nearly as far but after supper went out to the bike to ride him and noticed it had cooled off just enough to be great for riding.  So I turned left instead of right and took a short loop I enjoy riding.  On the way out I noticed a Dad with at least one daughter riding a pee wee sized dirt bike.  I smiled inside my helmet and made a note to slow down on the way back.  Well sure enough on the way back I saw it wasn't just one little girl on a small dirb bike, but her sister was also turning laps around their field, but she was on a dirt bike with training wheels!  What an awesome Dad-so I slowed enough to shout, "You win awesome Dad of the weekend!" which made him smile.  So the cycle begins again-Everett Brashear telling me of his racing exploits before any of us were born while a Dad teaches his little girls how to ride and potentially race.

In the wind, or in the air-