OH NO. NOT AGAIN
If you are brave enough, bold enough, or just dumb enough, you may still be riding that vintage old school classic. Be it a 1979 Harley , a 78 Honda CB, or even my punk orange Suzuki GS, you will have the need to fix things. Old bikes have things that break. Its that simple. Broken, shot, worn, rusted, busted, or whatever you want to call it.
We have a bond with our vintage bike. Its a constant reminder that we are growing older and we too need some TLC . It seems that with every trip or every month of steady riding, i find myself performing online searches for parts, components, or forums. A motorcycle that is 30, 40, or even 50 years old is going to have bits that brake. You may even be the butt of some humorous attempts from your pals “Broken again??” Only to point out the obvious. “Why don’t you just buy a new bike?” Yeah, maybe eventually, but the love affair with the old bike is one that includes other words like : therapy, DIY, satisfaction, nostalgia, and freedom.
The Little Things
There are costs with any motorcycle. Some more than others. Its just that in the case of the vintage bike, its the most random stuff as well as the normal things (oil changes, valves, air filters, stators, and even clutch..
Following my first attempt to cross the state of Kansas, i had a first hand slap in the face with the BROKEN side of things. My speedometer cable. REALLY! A speedometer cable broke. My rear break locked up (broken master cylinder).
With all the issues and all the need for home spun and web searched repairs, the one thing that doesn’t brake is my will . There is a joy to riding this old bike that outweighs my griping because i need to look for 1 goofy screw or a way to patch a piece of exhaust . It keeps me riding and riding something with character.
Broken is a temporary state. Fix it and ride it more!
Just be safe out there.