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Getting back on the bike
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Terry Walters New MemberHey, Terry from south Texas. I got my first bike in 1965, when I was 12 (yes, I'm that old), when my dad decided it was time for me to pick up a few skills. He paid $5 for a Honda 305 Dream in a washtub, and brought it home to me. He told me if I could get it running, it would be mine. I spent most of that year trying to figure out where all the pieces went, and how things worked. I never got it running, but had tons of fun messing with it. I don't know what happened to that first bike, but over the next couple of years Daddy brought me several old basket cases like that, until finally in 1968 I managed to get one of them running -- an old Harley 250 Sprint. Daddy came home from work and found me riding it around the yard. That was fine, but the first time I took it out on the road, he sold it. He wanted me to know a little about mechanicing, but he didn't want me on a motorcycle. As soon as I was married, I started bringing home old bikes (mostly Hondas, but also a couple of Yamahas and a Ducati). I'd tinker with them and ride to work on nice days, and things like that. In 1990, I sold my last bike -- a 1980-something Yamaha 750, and haven't been on a bike since. No real reason, just life, y'know? Fast forward to this past week. I was gifted a 2002 Honda Shadow 750 ACE by somebody who owed me a bunch of favors and couldn't afford to repay them. I had seen the bike running as recently as two weeks before, and when I got it, it spun over, but wouldn't start. I knew nothing about the Shadow, but hey, free bike, right? Now, after tons of videos and online articles, I realize I have my hands on a pretty decent ride, for a cost that even a broke old man could afford (free, remember?). ANYWAY, one of my early discoveries while finding out about the Shadow was TJ's videos. He quickly turned into my new favorite Youtube personality! So, here I am. My summer plans have changed significantly, with less time spent in the garden and more time going into that bike. I have lots of plans for it, all of which will no doubt change as I get into getting it running and cleaning it up. It hasn't been cared for and it shows, but it seems to be a solid bike, and I'm looking forward to the adventure. After all these years, I don't think anybody can believe how fast I got back into motorcycles once this thing showed up in my driveway. Looking forward to spending time on this forum, and most likely bugging everybody to death with newb questions. I guess I'll shut up now. As I'm sure y'all can tell, I tend to be long-winded. L8r.
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TJ Admin Staff memberModeratorMember who has the rights to delete posts, and ban members form forum if they violate the rules.
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Terry Walters New Member
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Terry Walters New Member
