*Takes bow*
I guess after that introduction i should fill in a few details... and how i ended up here.
Yup. Im a bike nut. I love all bikes, but more recently ive been treating early 90's bikes like Pokemon... Gotta have 'em all! This has been great, but alas, my garage is not large enough for my wants and ambitions, so something had to give. I sold my old faithful CBR600F to an older gent who is looking for a return to biking after some years off. He came around, asked all the right questions, asked if i would sell it, took it on a test ride and before i knew it we had agreed a price.
At that point i no longer had a daily runner for work. Ouch. Didnt think that one through eh?
The ZXR was in pieces - a simple service was fast becoming a total overhaul - clutch seals, brake pistons, head-race bearings, forks, wheel bearings, chain and... blah blah. Not the air/oil/plugs i was expecting. I raced that through and with my neighbours help got it together in time. First day into work on the zxr, and i was soon reminded why its not a daily runner. It hates traffic. Heavy clutch, race ride position and its a heavy monster until it starts singing 8k and up. I had to face facts, i needed a new ride.
A close friend of mine called. We often chat about bike related topics and between us we have a little pot for investments. He knew of someone who had an old bike for sale, it had been modified a bit, but sounded like the solid machine. Should he buy it. My first reaction was... No. Swapping bike parts does not always make them better. I looked up the book value and casually threw him a figure. Thought nothing more. 2 days later we caught up a again and he started quoting some interesting engineering facts - something my friend doesn't do often, clearly information from another source. I was at that point intrigued, and when passed details of a website containing some more info, i then realised this was not another unstable mongrel let loose on the streets, it was done properly. The only way ANYTHING should be done on two wheels.
I did some more research, had a chat with the specialists i have the pleasure of working with and agreed this could be something out of the ordinary. Something loved, something crafted and due to unforseen circumstances, was in need of the attention it deserved. In the back of my mind, i was thinking it could also solve my daily runner issue. Seemed like a good opportunity, go and find out more.
As you guys may already know, a meeting was setup, subsequently moved due to the bike being damaged under its cover. That action alone was enough for me to be confident the owner cherished this bike. Who would go to the trouble of putting something right with the intention of selling it? Then it came to me.... I had that week. New wheel bearings and a caliper service on the CBR 'cause i wasn't gonna let him ride it until it was right.
From that point i knew a simple fact. If you love something enough, you never give up on it. It gets anything it needs. And George is one of those rare breeds who understands this.
Every part of that bike has a story attached. Every part has been examined, machined, recorded!, with the intention of improving the design faults into a solid work of art that puts a grin from ear to ear. I dare say there is pre-George history that nearly ended this bikes life *cough* but through the devotion of one man this has become more than the sum of its parts. And i can see that. I hope i can treat her to the love and devotion she deserves, as she is soon to become MY daily ride. Honestly? After my ride home Sunday night, I cant wait.
So. Here we are. The CBR, for another few days before it goes to its new owner (and a run to the TT this year i hear!), the ZXR which is reserved for a few special weekends when time (and traffic) are not an issue, until the autumn when she too will be passed on, and the new foal in the stable... to my friends disgust... George's FZR.
Introduction done. I will pop in and post updates and developments and probably blog things as they happen, but my real life (and the wife) does get in the way garage time sometimes
i have time, she's going nowhere in a hurry
George, i'll check in every now and then and let you know how we are getting on.
