I am finally accepting my riding is over. When I pulled my VFR into the garage the last time I wiped her down like always and polished every curve, never suspecting it was over, never knowing that was our last ride. That was almost six years ago now. I still touch her every day, like always. I don't sit and stare in loving wonder like I once did, but she is still, like seemingly always, a part of my life, inseparable since I took her home one January day in 1997. There is no evidence time has passed that one can see, but I looked in the tank... and if my own reasons were not enough, the visible sickness there says she can no longer bellow defiance in gravity's face, she won't run right again until made well. I let her down. And I'm sad. But I will be seventy one my birthday, and though I am healthy at the moment the years certainly have other words for me... words that say 'Sorry, my friend, no more." Thirty five years of living for the next ride ended six years ago, though until now I have still been telling Her don't worry, we will fly again soon. So she waits... People have tried, certainly my wife has tried, to make me give her up. I couldn't. I wouldn't. How could I. But every day the truth of her own life has grown larger, and my own less, and I have had to come to this day, and this first post. She needs help and a home where tomorrow that voice can speak again as she stretches wonder over the world. Where to start....... I'm sad.
Good Lord Sir!!!!! I don't know where to begin!?! I hope I never have to go through that. The day I stop riding is the day that a)there are no roads, fuel or round objects to make wheels out of and b)the day I stop caring. I'm sure most on this board will be happy to try and motivate you to get back on that horse. I do apologize though, I have no words to "ease your pain" and without knowing the circumstances that have brought you to the place you are now I can't make a fair comment. Do tell (if you don't mind) what brought you to where you are.
Its not too often we see an eloquent post like that, Jefferson. Sorry to hear about having to give her up. I'm a mere 42, and although I've only owned my ride for 3 or so years, it pained me to think about giving her up once. Can't imagine what it would be like after all those years. If its any consolation, think about all the good years you had, and try to let her go on a good note. Find the "right" person - if she's been sitting that long, no need to part with her at the first yahoo that comes along just because he has some cash. I already have some aches and pains associated with "old" age, and a bad back that can sometimes leave me not walking for days at a time. I only hope that I can ride nearly as long as you did. My hat is off to you, sir.
Unfortunately, we all give up the things we give up with the onset of age and/or injury. I am sure that this is very difficult for you. For me, It doesn't seem that long ago that a 12 hour ride was relatively commonplace; now I'm really pushing it to make six without a lot of discomfort, and that's with a fairly rigorous exercise routine within the limits of what is still possible. As the other members have already said, be happy for the times that you have had. Think of how many people have never gotten around to doing the things that they wanted to do. Think of how often you have stopped for gas and complete strangers stop to chat for a bit; you can see in their faces that they would have loved to trade places with you. Take heart. The right person will provide a proper home.
This brought tears to my eyes, literally. Thank you for sharing your heart Jefferson. If I had the money I would bring her to my stable and giver her new life. Unfortunately it's all I can do to keep my own baby going... I know the right person will come along. As others have said, be glad for the memories and the fact that you did it, while most only talk about it....
Where are you located? If there were any chance that you were nearby, I'd be glad to clean the carbs and get it running right.
Jefferson I too sold off my road bikes about 13 years ago except for a few sentimental ones which don't start or move. I had started riding then racing bicycles. My health went down 4 years ago and I quit riding bicycles and got another road motorcycle finally my VFR. I am sixty now. My health has improved over the last month and I am back on my bicycles. We have a farm and ride both bicycles and dirt bikes on the trails. I ride my road bicycle to work. In order of preference, I like road bicycles, off road motorcycling, road motorcycling and off road bicycling. I rode my VFR to farm and around last weekend but otherwise it sits. I don't worry about it like I used to. Things change.
