if you need something, don't be afraid to sing out.

What I need so far...

• Windshield
• Mirrors
• Throttle Cable
• Adjuster for Clutch Cable (near lever on handlebars)
• Handlebars (I may have some buried in the basement...somewhere from a '71 Kawasaki 21 I used to own but never got running)
• Headlight Assembly
• The thingies on the top of the Triple Tree that hold the handlebar

So far, that's about it, but I haven't tried to start it yet (prolly tomorrow) and I haven't really started taking things apart yet.

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I think it can help any new or old rider that sees it, and I'm glad you are still around and willing to share it.

I am a new rider and my first time going faster than MSF class speed (parking lot course), was last Sunday morning at 9am (low traffic).   I just bought my 2001 Savage and in order to get it home, it was a difficult choice of going at twice the speed I've ever ridden at, or through heavier traffic downtown.  The whole time on the beltway, my wife was following about a block behind me and the trip was exciting but uneventful, as it had be, or else my wife would have made it impossible to keep the bike.  But she did not notice as I certainly did, when I fixated on the last elevated two-lane ramp, left-curve outside jersey wall at about 55 mph, which was the speed of the other traffic.  And the bike, I mean I, did not lean fully into the turn, so we quickly headed for the wall... it was very scary as I rolled off the throttle and leaned as much as I dared.  I didn't and I couldn't push the left handlebar into the left turn - instinct told me that I would steer into the wall...  instinct gave me brain-lock and I had NO thought or memory from class instruction of handing a fast curve.  Instinct allowed me to lean away from the wall but it also prevented me from steering into it in order to initiate or help the lean.  

It hammered home the MSF class lesson, to look where I want the bike to go, look into my turn.  And practice practice practice.  I won't be going on the highway again anytime soon, and not without a lot of curve practice.

I am NOT comparing my experience to yours and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Ero -- two quotes, the first from George Harrison:

"With every mistake we must surely be learning."

and the second from Formula 1 driver Stirling Moss:

“It is necessary to relax your muscles when you can. Relaxing your brain is fatal.”

Ride safe and ride well!

Heya all!

Thanks for all the words of encouragement! I was surfing the forum while doing hand and wrist exercises and had to put away the green "silly putty to respond. I really miss riding and have been going crazy watching all the bikes and seeing the leaves start to change. I really hope I can get back on the road before it gets to cold!

Ero, I remember the first time I rode from the parking lot I practiced in a block down the road to get gas. I thought I was gonna die for sure. Then a few days later, I challenged myself to go out on "the 4-lane" and again, at 50mph, I was certain the end was near.

Interestingly enough, two years later, as I crossed over the edge of the road, into that ditch, my thought was "!@#$!@!! this is gonna HURT!" Not that I was gonna die. And waiting for the ambulance, I was more upset about being tied down and taped to the back-board than anything else.

I'm pondering a bigger bike. Something I can ride to Charleston, SC on. I made the mistake of sitting on a tricked-out Venture in the show room. <sigh>