It's spring time, and I finally decided to bring my motorbike down from the Peace River region to sunny Edmonton. I have been slowly rebuilding it over the past 10 years and hope to finally have it insured again. As with anything old, it is hard to find parts for it. This is why my late father (God rest his soul) and I invested in a second bike for parts.
Now a flash back. I bought my second vehicle in the spring of 1992. Only 7 year younger than I was, I fell in love with a '81 Yamaha XV750 Motorbike. It's street name...one of the first Virago's on the market. It had a red tank and chrome fenders and even though it didn't run 100% top shape, I found what would be my first interest in mechanics. My dad and I repainted the tank blue, found new decals for the side, and with a little work, got that bike purring like a kitten...a lion sized kitten. It felt great, riding free with that bike.
But, as sad love stories go, I was riding one evening in 1998 and fell victim to yet another new driver with no eyes out for a bike. I was side-swiped at about 50 km/hr...or so the cops told me after they loaded me into an ambulance. I suffered only a cracked ankle and some road rash, but my Virago suffered more. My knee had dented in the tank, the electronics were a nest and some of the engine was ripped in two...along with my heart when I saw it again. Insurance gave me $500 for the damage...calling it a write off. I used that money to buy an old secondhand '82 Virago which was not taken care of by it's owner.
I lived in another province now but had no place to keep these two bikes, so my dad held on to them for me. Each visit, I would spend a few hours out in the garage with my dad. We took the engines off both bikes and tore them apart...bit by bit. We would examine the parts to determine which one would best work and slowly between the two of us put an engine together again. We chose the best of two frames, and put the newly frankenstiened engine into it's position there. The chrome fenders went next, followed by a very long and draining process of testing the wiring for shorts.
Because of the distance and my decision to go back to school, the Virago took a back burner. My youngest brother took interest in the bike and when my father grew ill...he started to work on that bike. Now it's been nearly a year since my father passed away to be with the Lord and I have the bike here in Edmonton with me. It runs, but still has a few final challenges to overcome.
My brother decided to buy himself a brand new bike. He got a Yamaha V-Max. When I was younger, I always dreamed of owning one and now...the next time I go to Dawson Creek, my brother can rub my nose in the fact that he got one first. He asks me why I keep this old Virago when I could just sell it and buy a new bike. I ask the same question sometimes... I guess it's the history we have. I've had that bike since I was 17. I'm going to be 32 shortly so that would be 15 years. It's old but it still sounds great. I start then engine and it still roars. Since bringing it to Edmonton, I have replaced the exhaust pipes. I'm having a little trouble with the fit, so I might have to exchange them. Then it's off to the inspection shop.
Now a flash back. I bought my second vehicle in the spring of 1992. Only 7 year younger than I was, I fell in love with a '81 Yamaha XV750 Motorbike. It's street name...one of the first Virago's on the market. It had a red tank and chrome fenders and even though it didn't run 100% top shape, I found what would be my first interest in mechanics. My dad and I repainted the tank blue, found new decals for the side, and with a little work, got that bike purring like a kitten...a lion sized kitten. It felt great, riding free with that bike.But, as sad love stories go, I was riding one evening in 1998 and fell victim to yet another new driver with no eyes out for a bike. I was side-swiped at about 50 km/hr...or so the cops told me after they loaded me into an ambulance. I suffered only a cracked ankle and some road rash, but my Virago suffered more. My knee had dented in the tank, the electronics were a nest and some of the engine was ripped in two...along with my heart when I saw it again. Insurance gave me $500 for the damage...calling it a write off. I used that money to buy an old secondhand '82 Virago which was not taken care of by it's owner.
I lived in another province now but had no place to keep these two bikes, so my dad held on to them for me. Each visit, I would spend a few hours out in the garage with my dad. We took the engines off both bikes and tore them apart...bit by bit. We would examine the parts to determine which one would best work and slowly between the two of us put an engine together again. We chose the best of two frames, and put the newly frankenstiened engine into it's position there. The chrome fenders went next, followed by a very long and draining process of testing the wiring for shorts.
Because of the distance and my decision to go back to school, the Virago took a back burner. My youngest brother took interest in the bike and when my father grew ill...he started to work on that bike. Now it's been nearly a year since my father passed away to be with the Lord and I have the bike here in Edmonton with me. It runs, but still has a few final challenges to overcome.
My brother decided to buy himself a brand new bike. He got a Yamaha V-Max. When I was younger, I always dreamed of owning one and now...the next time I go to Dawson Creek, my brother can rub my nose in the fact that he got one first. He asks me why I keep this old Virago when I could just sell it and buy a new bike. I ask the same question sometimes... I guess it's the history we have. I've had that bike since I was 17. I'm going to be 32 shortly so that would be 15 years. It's old but it still sounds great. I start then engine and it still roars. Since bringing it to Edmonton, I have replaced the exhaust pipes. I'm having a little trouble with the fit, so I might have to exchange them. Then it's off to the inspection shop.
I look forward to riding again. It will be one of the first times I ever ride in the big city. I've taken a few spins since it came up here and already I felt the adrenaline rush that I've missed all these years. Other than a few rides here and there, I haven't really riden in almost 6 years. I've gotten married since that accident and my wife has been supportive. Not all women like motorbikes. My wife was one of them. She still is scared, but she has seen me when I ride...and I think she understands.
