A couple months ago I was riding around town on a 1983 Yamaha Riva 80 scooter, which I lovingly referred to as Spandy. She taught me how to ride a motorized, two-wheeled vehicle and a lot about how people driving cars can be real assholes. She brought me to school, to work, and just about anywhere in the city I wanted to go. One of the main things she lacked, though, was power. Putting up Market Street and onto Portola Drive proved to be a bit of a challenge for ol' Spandy. I quickly stopped caring about the line of cars trailing behind me as I shouted words of encouragement to my bike all the way up the hill.
Soon I began checking out every scooter and motorcycle in sight. One day I laid eyes on a beautiful Honda CB360T parked on campus. I fell in love like I'd never fallen in love before. I couldn't get that bike out of my mind! Spandy was fun, but that Honda was the coolest bike I had ever seen. Suddenly I wanted to go faster up hills, hug corners, and wear leather. I wanted a motorcycle.
Right now it couldn't be better timing for me to invest in a motorcycle. I live in a relatively safe neighborhood, ie. not the Tenderloin; there's ample parking in front of my house; and I have amazing friends who know everything about motorcycles. More pressingly, I have a hole burning in my pocket for that very model I fell in love with a couple months ago. I was scouring Craigslist, checking upwards of fifteen times a day. I was determined to find my motorcycle soulmate again! Meanwhile I signed up for the motorcycle class to teach me the basics of riding a clutch and bypass the driving test for my M1 license. June 28, 30, and 31 I'll be in class, and while I'm a bit nervous about it, I feel as though my experience riding Spandy prepared me for the feel of a motorized vehicle between my legs. hah.
I called a guy about a 1972 Honda CB350 cafe racer last Thursday, which I ultimately didn't have a desire to buy. I expressed my desire for a 350 or 360, and just my luck, he happened to be selling a 1975 Honda CB360T! Sonja and I rushed over to check it out. I couldn't believe my eyes...it was in perfect shape! Less than 1300 original miles, no rust, seat in great shape, ran well. Sold for $1800 - it was mine!
My dad and Sonja's boyfriend Jhase suggest I keep the fairing (windshield) on because it's a collector's item and will be helpful during long rides, which I plan on taking. Jhase is hooking me up with his painter so I can match it to the rest of the bike. I'd rather not look like a '70s police woman cruising around town! The plastic shield on the fairing is etched with an odd, flowered tribal design, resembling that of a tramp stamp. Jhase also suggested I name the bike Tramp Stamp because of the ridiculous etching. Love it! This name will probably stick because it's that hilarious. There are a lot of things I have to get done before I start riding it everywhere, and while Jhase started rattling off a long list of things for my to-do list, I only really remember that a paint job and new tires were among them.
view of Tramp Stamp from my window
Now with a new motorcycle comes leather. While its purpose is protection, who says you can't be safe AND be stop-dead-in-your-tracks hot? I have to do some boot shopping before driving class and I'll be looking for a killer lace-up, leather pair. Girl on a Motorcycle will serve as inspiration.
Soon I began checking out every scooter and motorcycle in sight. One day I laid eyes on a beautiful Honda CB360T parked on campus. I fell in love like I'd never fallen in love before. I couldn't get that bike out of my mind! Spandy was fun, but that Honda was the coolest bike I had ever seen. Suddenly I wanted to go faster up hills, hug corners, and wear leather. I wanted a motorcycle.
Right now it couldn't be better timing for me to invest in a motorcycle. I live in a relatively safe neighborhood, ie. not the Tenderloin; there's ample parking in front of my house; and I have amazing friends who know everything about motorcycles. More pressingly, I have a hole burning in my pocket for that very model I fell in love with a couple months ago. I was scouring Craigslist, checking upwards of fifteen times a day. I was determined to find my motorcycle soulmate again! Meanwhile I signed up for the motorcycle class to teach me the basics of riding a clutch and bypass the driving test for my M1 license. June 28, 30, and 31 I'll be in class, and while I'm a bit nervous about it, I feel as though my experience riding Spandy prepared me for the feel of a motorized vehicle between my legs. hah.
I called a guy about a 1972 Honda CB350 cafe racer last Thursday, which I ultimately didn't have a desire to buy. I expressed my desire for a 350 or 360, and just my luck, he happened to be selling a 1975 Honda CB360T! Sonja and I rushed over to check it out. I couldn't believe my eyes...it was in perfect shape! Less than 1300 original miles, no rust, seat in great shape, ran well. Sold for $1800 - it was mine!
My dad and Sonja's boyfriend Jhase suggest I keep the fairing (windshield) on because it's a collector's item and will be helpful during long rides, which I plan on taking. Jhase is hooking me up with his painter so I can match it to the rest of the bike. I'd rather not look like a '70s police woman cruising around town! The plastic shield on the fairing is etched with an odd, flowered tribal design, resembling that of a tramp stamp. Jhase also suggested I name the bike Tramp Stamp because of the ridiculous etching. Love it! This name will probably stick because it's that hilarious. There are a lot of things I have to get done before I start riding it everywhere, and while Jhase started rattling off a long list of things for my to-do list, I only really remember that a paint job and new tires were among them.
view of Tramp Stamp from my window
Now with a new motorcycle comes leather. While its purpose is protection, who says you can't be safe AND be stop-dead-in-your-tracks hot? I have to do some boot shopping before driving class and I'll be looking for a killer lace-up, leather pair. Girl on a Motorcycle will serve as inspiration.
Love it! I always wanted a girlfriend w/ a motor bike! I just can't tell Brad you have one or else he'll think I approve of him getting one ;) Unlike you, he has no interest in the aesthetics like leather.. he would be trying to pop wheelies on the freeway and use fiona and jeepers as props to jump over. Haha! Congrats!! Can't wait to see it!
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