Well I did it.

[SeaCat]

That's right I bought me a bike today. I had seen the ad for it on Craigslist the other day and sent the owner an E-Mail. We finally got together today and I checked the bike out.

It's a little rough but no more than I would have expected for a bike this old. (1983 Honda CB750C.) The paint on the tank is a bit faded and it has some surface rust here and there. The owner fired it up and it sounded great, a lot quieter than I expected with it's short exhaust. I had my wife climb on behind me to check out the seat and she found it more than comfortable.

Then the guy offered to let me take it for a short spin to check it out. I readily agreed and grabbed my helmet from the back of the car. (I had put it back there just in case.) I gingerly backed it out of his driveway then took off down the street. At first I didn't think it was shifting as I didn't hear the usual clunking sound from the transmission. Then I looked at the speedometer and realised I waas doing 40 in a 20 zone. Looking around me I saw there was no traffic so I grabbed the brakes to check them out. Wow is the only way I can describe it.

I put the bike through it's paces. I tried to lug the engine out, and almost did. I pulled some tight turns and it felt very comfortable doing them even though it was the first time I was on this particular bike.

I rode the bike back to the guys place and parked it. Then we got to talking. I offered him the amount he had it advertised for and he accepted. ($1450.00) I wrote out a check for $500.00 and we'll pay him the rest on Wednesday when we pick up the bike. (He couldn't hang around today to do the paperwork and I didn't have my leathers with me.)

Naturally there are some things I have to do to the bike when I get it home. Two that are high on the list are to replace a broken brae light len on the cargo box and the other is to pull the handle bars back about two inches.

After that I plan on getting a windscreen and saddle bags.

When I can play with the pics I'll download one here.

Cat

 

[Guest]

Congratulations!

I know you've been looking for awhile - can't wait to see the pictures!

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Well done Cat. I'll stick with my car though

 

[jomar]

Congrats. Safe toolin'.

 

[rgraham666]

Sweet. Congratulations.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Congratulations, Cat!

Sounds like it's in great shape. That's so much better than purty.

 

[SeaCat]

Thanks all.

I'm happy to get this. I have been looking for a bit and have been disapointed by what has been offered in my price range around here. This bike though is great.

I forgot to mention that I did take it out on one of the ain roads around here. (Not smart I know, I wasn't wearing leathers just a sport shirt. At least I had a helmet on.) I waited for a clear space and turned onto the road. Before I knew it I was up to 50 and the bike was just humming along. A light ahead of me turned yellow so after looking behind me and seeing no one there I grabbed the brakes again. I wanted to see how this thing slowed down. The bike was solid and I found myself pulling more and more brake. I stopped the bike in less than half the distance than I had expected without a wobble or the back end breaking free. I had to motor up to the stop light.

The bike is just so comfortable for me, even though the handle bars are a bit wide for my comfort. (Like I said, this is an easy adjustment.) If I had thought to throw my leathers in the car I would have paid it all today and rode it home.

Im thinking I'll be putting a lot of miles on this bike and having a whole lot of fun.

Oh and for being careful, I am one of the most cautiouse drivers you will ever run into. That being said, I know the risks and accept them.

Cat

 

[starrkers]

But, but, but you didn't tell us what colour it is!

Congratulations cat. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

 

[SeaCat]

But, but, but you didn't tell us what colour it is!

Congratulations cat. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

Blue and Black.

Cat

 

[starrkers]

Argh, knew I shouldn't have let hubby see this thread - now he wants me to get all you blokes hunting up an old Harley for him - he refuses (and I wouldn't let him either) to pay $17,000 for a 20 year old one out here.

 

[cantdog]

Argh, knew I shouldn't have let hubby see this thread - now he wants me to get all you blokes hunting up an old Harley for him - he refuses (and I wouldn't let him either) to pay $17,000 for a 20 year old one out here.

You know, Harley motorcycles are better investments than stocks, bonds, or gold. Buy a number of top end Harleys every year, put them away in a safe place. In ten years or twenty, the motherfuckers will appreciate in value tremendously.

 

[SeaCat]

Lets see if this works. My new bike.

 

[glynndah]

Anyone else kinda worried about opening a SeaCat thread with that title?

Way to go, SeaCat! I'm glad you got what you wanted for Christmas!

 

[starrkers]

Anyone else kinda worried about opening a SeaCat thread with that title?

Way to go, SeaCat! I'm glad you got what you wanted for Christmas!

Nope. I guessed straightaway it was the bike

Thumbs up, Cat. It looks to be in mighty fine order.

 

[Lisa Denton]

http://www.picsaway.com/uploads/bike1a-a7793956ff.jpg

It looks great Cat!!!!!!

Congrats and I am glad you checked out how it handled and that it was safe right away. I know you are gonna have fun but when I saw the cargo box I thought of how economical it will be, trips to the grocery store and stuff you are going to get great gas mileage WHILE you are having fun.

One thing, until you get used to driving it with your wife's extra weight she should get some knee pads just in case you get off-balance and drop it. How ya'lll test drive the knee pads (?) is up to ya'll, but might be fun also.

Congrats!!!!!!!!

 

[popcorn2721]

Lets see if this works. My new bike.

brother, that is a sweet ride. My youngest brother used to have one (his was an'77 I think) kinda like that, it was the only bike Ive ever seen with a automatic transmission...they called it a "honda-matic". I got a chance to ride it out through the country a bit and loved it.

 

[rgraham666]

Lets see if this works. My new bike.

Nice.

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

My couple of cents' worth - Harleys are overpriced pieces of shit. But that's just me. The only reason you're paying so much is the name.

Bodyguard has a Kawasaki 1800 that people mistake for a Harley all the time until they get right up on it. It's all of 4 years old and cost a hair over half of what that old Harley would have cost you.

Cat - It's purdy considering it's age. Well kept for a ride that old. So.... When are you coming to see me?

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Anyone else kinda worried about opening a SeaCat thread with that title?

Way to go, SeaCat! I'm glad you got what you wanted for Christmas!

Nope. I guessed straightaway it was the bike

Thumbs up, Cat. It looks to be in mighty fine order.

It was either the bike or he went postal at work. I would have enjoyed reading about either.

 

[SeaCat]

Anyone else kinda worried about opening a SeaCat thread with that title?

Way to go, SeaCat! I'm glad you got what you wanted for Christmas!

LOL

I didn't thin of it that way but now,,,,,,,,,,


Cat

 

[SeaCat]

http://www.picsaway.com/uploads/bike1a-a7793956ff.jpg

It looks great Cat!!!!!!

Congrats and I am glad you checked out how it handled and that it was safe right away. I know you are gonna have fun but when I saw the cargo box I thought of how economical it will be, trips to the grocery store and stuff you are going to get great gas mileage WHILE you are having fun.

One thing, until you get used to driving it with your wife's extra weight she should get some knee pads just in case you get off-balance and drop it. How ya'lll test drive the knee pads (?) is up to ya'll, but might be fun also.

Congrats!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

I'm going to be taking my time on getting the wife on the back of this. I want to be comfortable with the bike first.

One of the things I'll be adding to the bike will be some hardbags. That will increase the carrying capability of it. (I will also be adding a windscreen.)

What should be fun and interesting will be picking the bike up. My wife and I will drive out there and my wife will follow me home with the car. (She hates to drive.) It will be made even more fun by the weather. It's supposed to be a bit chilly for here. (60-65 degrees.) I'll be happy to be wearing my Leathers. (But y gloves are unlined.) Now that temperature isn't bad but you have to remember I'll be riding. Wind Chill can be a bitch.

Oh and before I get my wife on the back of the bike I have to get her at least a helmet. (We can hold off a short while on a riding coat, she can always wear one of my leather coats.)

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

My couple of cents' worth - Harleys are overpriced pieces of shit. But that's just me. The only reason you're paying so much is the name.

Bodyguard has a Kawasaki 1800 that people mistake for a Harley all the time until they get right up on it. It's all of 4 years old and cost a hair over half of what that old Harley would have cost you.

Cat - It's purdy considering it's age. Well kept for a ride that old. So.... When are you coming to see me?

Let me and the boss lady get comfortable on it and you might just see me rumbling by one day.

You'll know that day is coming when I post a report about riding up to see my parents. (Melbourne)

Cat

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

Warn me ahead of time so I can try to get time off if I'm working. If you can. And if not, I'll see about maybe an extended lunch or going in late or getting off early or..... something.

 

[SeaCat]

Warn me ahead of time so I can try to get time off if I'm working. If you can. And if not, I'll see about maybe an extended lunch or going in late or getting off early or..... something.

Hell maybe I'll show up where you work in my old time leathers. (With my hair and beard that should scare the crap out of your bosses.)

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

So I went and piced up the bike this morning. Of course I would pick what turns out to be the coldest day in the past six months.

By the time we got everything ready, the bike paid for and the paperwork in my pocket the temperature had risen to a wonderful 45 degrees with a nice 20 MPH wind blowing. (This doesn't sound bad but I'm used to temps. in the 80's.)

I dragged my leathers on, pulled on the Helmet and gloves and fired the beast up.

Now remember, other than the Motorcycle Safety Course I took a short while back I haven't been on a bike in 20 years. I was a bit nervous to say the least. (Add to this the fact I was going to be watching my wife's driving behind me on the ride home. Like I said she hates driving and because of this she isn't the best or most confident driver out there.)

We pulled away from the guys house and off we went. It took me a couple of miles to get back into the swing of things. Then I found myself up and downshifting like I hadn't stopped riding. I did have some bobbles of course. I'm not the most confident at the stops. (I can stop the bike just fine, it's the getting the feet down smoothly.)

The breaking moment for me though came about halfway through the ride. I was at a stoplight when a car with a couple and their young children pulled up beside me. The kids were waving at me and the father looked over and smiled even as he shook his head. Then it hit me. Here I was riding a bike and wearing a style of coat that hadn't been made in over ten years. Hell both my bike and my coat were older than the couple driving the car. I had to laugh as I waved back at the kids.

The ride home was 30 miles and I had an absolute blast. Now the bike is parked in front of my car with it's new tag on it waiting for another ride tomorrow.

Cat