after 16 years, I`m back

[jimmy j johnson]

16 years ago, I put a sheet over my beloved Big Eleven. One of those things, building a new house, new wife, new family things, I`ll get back to it later. Later finally came. A coworker convinced me to let him take the bike over the winter and resrore it. He brought it back the other day, and I was shocked. She looked as good as the day I parked her. He fired it up and told me to take it up the road. Shoot, it still had 1987 tags on it. Well, before ya know it, my cap was on backwards, and I was puttering down the road. After a mile at 30 mph, I turned around. My 50 yr old blood began to tingle, and I launched it. A 6500 rpm power shift to second brought the fontend up about a foot, the hat`s lost for ever, and I`m right back where I always should have been. Sorry for ramblin on , but I just found this place, and hope some one understands. By the way, my scooter`s only got 14,000 original one owner miles on it. Thanks for listening

[rockyr74]

Way to go Jimmy ! It sure is good to be back in the saddle after so long. Wheelies at 50 - that is very cool. Better than Viagra. Be sure to sign your organ donor card if you are gonna wheelie around without a lid !

[tradeshowjoe]

good story Jimmy. Keep sharing.

[sixtysix]

[strom]

Originally posted by sixtysix

[skippy344]

Welcome back JJ!

Glad you are back on the bike.

I sold my XS850 in '97 and bought Scorpion on Feb of 2000. Those two years w/o a bike darn near killed me!

I can't even imagine sixteen years!!

Ride safely..... ditto Rockyr74

[Robert Haller]

Welcome Jimmy,

I had a similar experience. After riding for ten years, I got married and bought a house - I didn't ride at all for the next two years. I finally got caught up enough to get back on the road and bought my XS11. I ride now more than ever.

[jimmy j johnson]

Thanks for the good words guys. I`m all legal now with new tags, and I dug around in the attic and found my pair of old Kiwi helmets. Started to go for a spin, and my 14 year old daughter said "Daddy take me!" Put her in a leather jacket and boots, and away we went. What a rush.

[uk1.1s]

In the breeze

Great news Jimmy - sounds like the storage didn't affect it too much.

Not had too many breaks from bikes since I started riding - but even after a few weeks it's like coming home....

Enjoy!

[REFFI]

Jimmy, spring for new helmets. Mine is only 4 years old and I'm going shopping this coming weekend for a new one. Helmets don't last.

[strom]

Yep.. a decent helmet hels. I got me a Schubert Concept. Dunno bout its avaliability in US. A german thingie.

LP

[jimmy j johnson]

I`ve been browsing around for new helmets for a while now. Somewhat overwhelmed. Any suggetions? I really hadn`t planned on spending $600 for a pair of hats. I still believe in a $25 helmet is for dummies, but wow! I wasn`t ready for the sticker shock of some of todays top of the line lids.

[sixtysix]

I use Shoei helmets, I paid $300, for a new RF800, about 3 years ago. Then I bought another new one for $200 about 1.5 years ago when they quit making them. We just bought a looks and smells like new one of ebay for $70. Sure it was made in '00 and is used (I would say worn maybe once or twice) and it came with a $50 irridium shield. So what i am saying is there are some good deals on ebay, BUT know what you want! An RFR does not fit like an RF800, but an RF800 fits like an RF900 and takes the same shields. You will have to do some research find out what you want and what size fits and wait for a cherry one to come on ebay and then e-snipe it. Or they are selling new ones on ebay as well. If not try

www.helmetshop.com

Or look for closeouts at www.denniskirk.com, www.accwhse.com

[sixtysix]

Oh and BTW only buy a Snell rated helmet. Shoei recommends replacing your helmet every 5 years (If it is worn daily I would say this is probably not a bad idea) but one stored inside, out of the sun and ozone and sweat, might last a good deal longer.

I paid $300 just to get this lid painted....I don't think i will be throwing it out anytime soon:

[rockyr74]

Shoei and Arai are top of the line, but big bucks.
AGV makes a nice lid for cheap. Try them on like you would shoes. All heads are different.

I lust for a Shoei, but cant pry the money out of my wallet quite yet. Shuberts are distributed in the US - My beemer dealer has them. They have a way cool built in sunvisor like a fighter pilot and the flip up chin bar that is quite popular.

Ruv that helmet paint, 66.. Zoinks indeed.