Good Bye Ol Friends

The time has come where I have to part with the old bikes. This is a good and bad thing but in the end, I have a newer running bike in the garage and she works!

The two bikes above are what got me started in the bike craze. I wanted something cheap to work on and to try to get them to run. Technically, I did get the 550 to run but it was never perfect. I gave it a few good years on that one and realized that I need more money, skill and time. This year, I just want to ride.

The buyer from Ohio came out on Sunday to pick up the bikes. Matt gave me a hand and took these pictures as well. Sad to see them go but as they left, I turned around and saw all that space in the back of my garage and my new bike sitting back there. I think I can get over the old bikes being gone. Now, how much longer till spring?

Holy Crap! She Runs!

I really need to get some new pics

After running to three area auto part stores for spark plugs, I ended up going to the closest motorcycle dealer, Nielsen’s, to purchase them. I then returned home to fix the bike and low and behold, the bike started.

I let the bike warm up for over 5 minutes and then got the bug to tame the wild beast. With layers of clothes and leather gloves (no good in the winter) I went around the block a few times. I came back with a frozen smile on my face. Amazing how just a mile ride can make your cheeks and ears frozen.

The bike is great and everything I thought it would be. The Suzuki 1200 is very responsive so that will take some time to adjust and the brakes stop on a dime. Now to either buy heated grips or just wait till spring for another ride. It is 10 degrees out. I think I can wait.

I Have A New Bike. Does It Run?

Where is Sean?

Well I finally did it. I bought a bike and brought it home today. My buddy Matt and I figured why waste a Saturday so we took off from work to go get it. It took a good part of the day because of the running around but it paid off.

The picture above is taken by Matt outside of my house. It is really cold out, I don't have gloves on, and I can't figure on how to release the straps. I am only smiling because I have a new toy and it is paid for. (yeah)

Now, does the bike run? He he. I started it at the dealer. I started it when I got home and one other time. My father in law comes over to see the bike and I can't start it. After talking to Matt and doing some reading on some bike forums, I find out that bikes do not like the cold weather. With me starting and stopping the bike, not letting her warm up, I think I fouled up the spark plugs. Good thing I freed up my Saturday.

Some funny quotes from today:
While taking Trent to the sitters:
"Trent, I am picking up a motorcycle today"
"For me" asks Trent"
"No, for me" I replied.
"Daddy" Trent asks," I want a blue one?"
"How about a silver one" I asked back.
"No" said Trent.”
"How about a gray one?" I asked.
"OK" said Trent.

Trent coming home to see the bike for the first time and sees that it is running.
"Daddy? Is that your new bike?"
"Yes it is" I replied"
"Good job Daddy" said Trent.

Matt, Daryl and I looking at the bike last night, Matt starts to take off some decals that we did not want on the bike. I look at Matt and said," What I am going to do now on Saturday?"

All In All, Not A Bad Weekend

My New Bandit, Well Almost.
click above to enlarge picture

Another busy weekend in the book. Saturday was non-stop for me. Started with an hour walk at 7:00 to a crisp cold morning then off to a breakfast Fest meeting. I highly recommend breakfast meetings when possible. People are less stressed in the morning and are more laid back but that's my opinion.

I went with my buddy and now partner in crime, Matt, to look at motorcycles. I think we were gone for over five hours and had nothing to show for it but miles on the car and a few new business cards.

The bike above is what originally got me to head north. It is in Waukesha Wisconsin. There are two fairly large used bikes stores up there about four miles apart from each other. The other is located in Big Bend. I still can't believe they have two used stores that close to each other. Oh, and both hardly had any Harleys. I find that odd since Milwaukee is around 30 minutes away.

Back to the bike, long story short, in cheeseland, the laws are forbidden to finance out of state people unless it is a car you are buying. Something I wish I knew before we started our journey.
It all worked out though. I was able to come up with the money so Matt and I will be going back in two weeks to purchase it. They are holding it for me.

Details on the bike: it is a 2003 Suzuki Bandit 1200 S. Less than 2000 miles on it and it still has a year left on the factory warranty left. It has an aftermarket exhaust pipe and windscreen. This bike is really clean and it looks like it has never been driven. Here is the kicker... IT RUNS! I am sure I will be posting more pictures in the weeks to come.

Sunday, what can I say but it was a Bears win! That puts the Bears one win away from the Superbowl. My brother in law, Greg, joined me and my two co-workers Owen, Scott and his wife, Denise, at Flannigan’s. I cheated and had a few Sam Adams and wings. Scott supplied the victory cigars.

Sunday evening, Jenns family was over for a late birthday party for Jenn. Needless to say I was exhausted by the end of the evening.

Last Day With The Family / Bye Bye Bikes

This kids New Year is really taking off.... n'yuck n'yuck

Happy New Year! I survived the week at home with the family. We are still talking to each other and no blood was shed. I got most of my stuff done that I wanted to. Trent and I had fun this week at the parks. The garage is back in order and the bonus for me was selling both bikes to the same guy. He is from Ohio and is sending me money on Tuesday to hold the bikes, I hope.

The quote of the week came from Trent. After arriving home from his Aunt and Uncles, he walked into the room where the Christmas Tree was taken down and gives me this look of terror.
"Oh no! Santa is not going to be happy that the tree is gone!"

I almost wet myself.

Project: 5150

Project 5150 or as my 2 year old would say, "Varoom Varoom Daddy!"

If you read a few posts back, you know that today was the day that I bring home the "new bike". If you recall, this is the bike that my father-in-law- found at a local garage sale for $100.00. Who said in-laws were evil? After to come back home for the keys, I went at 8:00 this morning to load her up and bring her home to a dry garage. The bike has been left sitting outside with a bike cover for I don't know how long.

Shortly after I arrived home my in-laws, Daryl and Nancy came over. Jenn didn't tell me but the girls were going shopping today. That was a good surprise so the men took advantage of it to see if we could get the bike running.

Since the bike did not have a battery, in good ol' southern tradition, we jumped the bike from Daryl’s car. We have electricity! Next, do we have power? After yanking the carbs and cleaning, bolted back on, the bike started. (With a few kicks and some magic words and oh yeah, starter fluid). The bike runs! I could not believe it!

Why is it called "Project: 5150" you ask? The bike is going to need a good cleaning. That in itself is a project. I thought this being a good-sized bike, it needed to have a theme. I have always thought motorcycles and rock n roll go hand and hand. Growing up in my youth, I was a huge Van Halen fan. I still am today but I have moved on to other bands. I thought what a way to give back to a band that has given me so many memories when I hear one of their songs on the radio.

5150 comes from the California Code of the same name and was the source of a Van Halen album's title. The police code actually stands for "mental case" How fitting for a motorcycle. The main feature of this bike will be the gas tank. It will resemble Eddie Van Halens main guitar.



As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. I plan on bringing the bike to its full potential by next spring. Keep you fingers crossed!

Motorcycle Lesson 101

My first bike I bought in the fall of '04

Sorry for the strings of bike posts but had to share a lesson that I learned this evening. If you want to start a bike or a car or a boat for that matter, YOU MUST HAVE A CHARGED BATTERY! Maybe Tuesday it will start after I take it off the charger. Keep your fingers crossed!

Motorcycle Diaries - GS 550 and my new toy

What is missing from this picture?

Last fall, I bought my first my motorcycle. It is a 1981 Suzuki GS 550L. I don't know that much about working on bikes but it is something I always wanted to do. There is great information on the net and you can still find books for these bikes.

When I brought home last fall, on the back of a truck, it did run. It was not running right but it did run. It needed some major TLC as well. After a summer of cleaning and getting the correct parts, I think she is ready to hit the road.

As you can see in the above picture, I am in the middle of replacing the tire and chain. Today, the new carbs go back on. If all goes well, I might try to fire her up to see where I stand.

As luck would have it, my in laws come over Saturday afternoon while I am working on the bike. Daryl, my father in law, is holding a piece of paper in front of him. He is slowly telling me this motorcycle he found at a garage sale not too far away from here. It is the big brother of what I own now, the 1982 GS 1100E. (The link is exactly the same model and color).

The bike has a title. Here is the kicker. It is only $100.00. Naturally, I ask, what is wrong with it? Daryl said nothing he could see and the engine was not seized up. I went to take a look at it. It needs some major cleaning and a new battery but other than that, it looks like a great bike plus this is the bike I was looking to get a while back but they have always been overpriced. Needless to say, I bought the bike. I will be bringing it home this week. Now I need a bigger garage!