Posted by Bob Alcorn on September 24, 1999 at 01:17:41:
In Reply to: Curious about you guys posted by hogryder on September 22, 1999 at 23:36:14:
Hi everybody,
I'm a 51 year old (physically, not emotionally) native Long Islander (New York), and have been moving further east on the island to escape the congestion and traffic of the western half. I'm almost at the end now (about 40 miles to go) in a small town called Wading River. It consists of a general store, gas station, pizza parlor, and antique shop. These small shops are at the edge of two beautiful ponds, known locally as The Duck Ponds because of the hundreds of ducks that live there.
This is my 29th year of teaching social studies in a local junior high school. I've been married the entire time to a very understanding woman and have four children (24,21,18,15). I started riding a Yamaha yl1 Twin Jet 100 when I was 17, and moved up to a Honda CL160 two years later. Actually, there was a CB160 in between, but I never checked the oil-End of story. I still have the CL160 in my garage, although it's in need of MAJOR restoration. I haven't ridden it in close to 20 years.
Most people I know think I'm pretty weird (Maybe due to the fact I spend my working life around 13-15 year-olds). I've been sleeping almost every night in a tipi I erected two years ago in my backyard. I love the serenity it affords me. I think it's one of the most beautiful dwellings ever developed by man. This past summer, when I was on vacation (a major advantage of teaching), I got up early, jumped in the pool, dried off, and took the Savage for a nice ride out east. The sun coming up, the twisty roads, and the fact that so few cars are out at that time made this experience one I couldn't wait to repeat each day. And I did.
My other interests are computers (Macintosh only!), music (all kinds except Rap),reading (just finished "Rebuilding the Indian" which is a fantastic book about motorcycles and life), and watching baseball (Met's fan). Since I got the Savage though, most interests have taken a back seat to simply riding. I can't believe how much I love it. I've also learned to appreciate all bikes, particularly vintage ones. Just this past week, while I was sipping my coffee down by the Duck Ponds, I heard, then saw, a Norton Commando 750 go by. Later that day, I saw the bike parked in front of an old house that is being restored. I stopped to chat and discovered that the owner had just purchased the bike and had it shipped from Oklahaoma. It was gorgeous! I think I want one.
I'm planning to attend a talk tomorrow evening by the person responsible for choosing the motorcycles that were featurted in the Guggenheim Museum's exhibit "The Art of the Motorcycle." It should be interesting.
Oh, and I have two other bikes in my garage now- a beautiful red 1976 Honda CB400f on loan from a friend of mine. He says I can have it for $400, but I'm not too handy and it needs a lot of work. Cosmetically it's in great shape but has been sitting for ten years and the carbs are gummed up. The fuel tank is rusting inside, the muffler is shot, the front caliper needs rebuilding, and it needs new tires and battery. But 400 bucks may be a small price to pay for the privilege of looking at it every day.
The other bike is a black 1987 Honda Rebel 450 which I picked up shortly after purchasing the Savage. It's a nice ride, but it has no character. It's smoooooooth and comfortable (ho hum). It does serve the purpose of saving wear and tear on the Savage, since I use it mainly for commuting to work. I find myself thinking about the Savage and its "feel" when I'm on the Rebel.
Well, I really enjoy this forum and I want to thank Hogryder for coming up with this latest query. And I've never communicated with a real live gandy dancer before.
Thanks all and ride safe,
Bob A.