2 Wheels Good. 4 Wheels Bad.
Well, Ive become very involved with motorcycling this year.
With the price of the gasoline, and travel in general, I take my bike to work every day, and have mapped out the most economical method to take the kids back and forth, and get the wife and I to work in the most efficient and cheapest fashion.
Over all, we have saved anywhere between 20 to 30 dollars per week since March by doing this. All in all, since I started riding regularly in March, I have clocked nearly 3000 miles in just about 5 months. Not a lot, but regular riding is what saves the gas.
As best as I can guess. this has saved us 10 tanks of Gas in the Jeep Liberty ... about 600.
Of course, I have made a few longer trips on the bike. Memorial Day was a trip to Washington DC for the POW MIA Rolling Thunder 0run for the wall. It was a great trip, and I plan to make it every year in the future. 250 miles route trip - 1 day.
I also hit the HOG PIN STOP at the Greensburg PA African American National Motorcycle Rally. 500 miles round trip - 2 days
I do plan to continue to ride through the Fall and Winter when weather permits... Since I have the bike.... and warm clothes, and a wind shield.
Im ready for it.
Well, also I have gotten a second Bike. This Bike is a 1986 Honda Rebel - CMX 450c. It sat under a tree and was stored away outside for many years. I found it on craigslist.com and think it was providence... as I have been looking for a Winter Project.
I poured about 1/4 gallon of gas in to the tank, and it poured out right on the ground. Holes in the tank. I came to find out that this is a notorious problem.
Within a week, I had bypassed the tank, and put in new spark plugs and a battery. The engine turned over perfectly. I let it idle for about 60 seconds and shut it off, and began disassembly.
I think I have settled on a bobber themed bike. Im still uncertain what type of fenders to install... mind you this is a long term project... that requires much time, and more money. As for time, Im open ended. As for cash, I have budgeted 1000.00 over the life of the project. Im sure that will go up, as I get closer to the end... but that will come later... at the end.
I have discovered the following in my internet travels and research on this model.
1) Its rare. Only built 2 years. 1986, 1987. Mine happens to be an 86. Which is perfect as Ive already named the bike... '86'd.
2) Because its rare (and old) parts are an even rarer, and expensive commodity. This may bite into the budget (at the end)
3) Its metric - Dang it! More money needed to buy more tools!!!
4) Not only is it metric, very few parts from other bike types will fit this. Prime example, the gas tank.
5) There is a significant Rebel rider group, active and friendly, easily found online.
Well, I will post a few pics in the upcoming days to show the status of the bike...
With the price of the gasoline, and travel in general, I take my bike to work every day, and have mapped out the most economical method to take the kids back and forth, and get the wife and I to work in the most efficient and cheapest fashion.
Over all, we have saved anywhere between 20 to 30 dollars per week since March by doing this. All in all, since I started riding regularly in March, I have clocked nearly 3000 miles in just about 5 months. Not a lot, but regular riding is what saves the gas.
As best as I can guess. this has saved us 10 tanks of Gas in the Jeep Liberty ... about 600.
Of course, I have made a few longer trips on the bike. Memorial Day was a trip to Washington DC for the POW MIA Rolling Thunder 0run for the wall. It was a great trip, and I plan to make it every year in the future. 250 miles route trip - 1 day.
I also hit the HOG PIN STOP at the Greensburg PA African American National Motorcycle Rally. 500 miles round trip - 2 days
I do plan to continue to ride through the Fall and Winter when weather permits... Since I have the bike.... and warm clothes, and a wind shield.
Im ready for it.
Well, also I have gotten a second Bike. This Bike is a 1986 Honda Rebel - CMX 450c. It sat under a tree and was stored away outside for many years. I found it on craigslist.com and think it was providence... as I have been looking for a Winter Project.
I poured about 1/4 gallon of gas in to the tank, and it poured out right on the ground. Holes in the tank. I came to find out that this is a notorious problem.
Within a week, I had bypassed the tank, and put in new spark plugs and a battery. The engine turned over perfectly. I let it idle for about 60 seconds and shut it off, and began disassembly.
I think I have settled on a bobber themed bike. Im still uncertain what type of fenders to install... mind you this is a long term project... that requires much time, and more money. As for time, Im open ended. As for cash, I have budgeted 1000.00 over the life of the project. Im sure that will go up, as I get closer to the end... but that will come later... at the end.
I have discovered the following in my internet travels and research on this model.
1) Its rare. Only built 2 years. 1986, 1987. Mine happens to be an 86. Which is perfect as Ive already named the bike... '86'd.
2) Because its rare (and old) parts are an even rarer, and expensive commodity. This may bite into the budget (at the end)
3) Its metric - Dang it! More money needed to buy more tools!!!
4) Not only is it metric, very few parts from other bike types will fit this. Prime example, the gas tank.
5) There is a significant Rebel rider group, active and friendly, easily found online.
Well, I will post a few pics in the upcoming days to show the status of the bike...
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