I'm afraid I'd have to keep at least one bike so I could say to myself "I can ride anytime I want"  

Probably would never do it if I hurt so bad, but just knowing I can makes all the difference in the world to me.

Same goes for at least one car, one gun, one knife, etc....

Since you are asking us instead of a bunch of non-riders I think I know what you want -- justification to keep riding.

My father survived Omaha Beach.  After the War he joined the Detroit Police Department.  In the '50's he survived a heart attack.  And then another.  The doctors told him what he would have to give up to live.  He told my mother, "I can't do that."  "So don't" was her reply.  His last heart attack was in '62.  Is life so precious that we must give up doing what we love to prolong it?  My father did not think so.

What is the purpose of life?  I cannot accept that the purpose of life is simply to live and produce more life. For me, the purpose of life is to enjoy this great Earth and to help others to see the joy and beauty so that they too can enjoy their brief existence.   We cannot choose how we die.  We can choose how we live.  You can choose to ride.  Or you can choose to sit on a porch swing remembering how you used to ride.  No one can choose for you

WD only you can make the decision.  If you want to ride then start out slow and see how it feels.  I personally would rather take small trips than no trips at all.  I never imagined when I started riding how much a part of my life it would become.  Everytime I have an errand to run or have to go somewhere I always ask myself do I have to take the Mustang or can I take one of the bikes.  Only you know your limitations.  Personally I would at least try riding.  Remember that you haven't ridden in a while and your muscles are not use to it anymore so you will be sore and uncomfortable at first so start slow and build up to longer trips.  Hope that you are able to get back on your iron horse and enjoy it as much as you use to.  Good luck and ride safe.  Toadie aka Kim

WD, from what I know of you from all your posts your life has revolved around riding. As a newbie I am amazed as to how much riding has become a part of my life in only a year and can only imagine what it means to you. I've got a bad right hip that hurts to the point of where I have to pull over sometimes and walk it off, I still am planning to ride as long as I can. All I can tell you is that if you can ride then ride. Even short rides are better than nothing. Hope you can get back in the wind soon, Ed L.

[Risk riding the rough rider bobber, or go ahaead and sign it over to my stepson and get another bike? What would you folks do if in my situation? I'd love to keep riding, not sure I can.]

Sign it over to your stepson and get yourself a bike with standard ergos so that your body weight is oriented forward over the tank into the handlebars instead of compressed downward  through your lumbar vertebrae into the saddle.  With the pegs under your feet  instead of out in front, you'll be able to rise ever so slightly out of the saddle as you go over bumps, and ride in good health for many years to come!

Lee

Go with a normal bike with good suspension - add more with a solo spring seat - and keep riding.  You like to chop them up then do it - make one that will discourage any bumps from getting to your back.  Add air suspension!

Best of luck with it WD!

I'm looking at getting an older CB750 or similar. I like the older lines. Maybe I'll have to investigate the newer Trumps.  I like the BMW tourers, but, man alive, that's a chunk of change.

I wonder of the late neighbor's '50 Chief would work? Can get it for next to nothing, hasn't been run since about 1970, at the latest...
-WD