There's something really cool and creative about building a motorcycle your way. I mean, the limit is only set by a few short things that are on that list of what makes a motorcycle a motorcycle. And makes it go, too. I've seen many crazy custom bikes over the years, and some are far from practical or comfortable or both. But that's hardly the point.
The beauty is in the details, and in the doing. And because we can, we do. Well, they can and do. I'm just here changing hours and money into a hunk of noiseless metal and rubber. And that exchange rate isn't what it could be, that's for sure. Learning.... I'm learning.
But it's something I've discovered about myself. Well, I think I knew of this pattern long ago actually. I was building my own 'replica' of an R2 unit. When I was 12 or something.
I got that project about 90% finished, too.
Ha! Well, just kidding. A bit. Though I do remember a kitchen project in Chicago that never quite did get that crown moulding up. Hmmm.
So, the aforementioned and admitted lacking in the final yards department notwithstanding, I think too it's that there are other hobbies I enjoy. I jump from one to the next. It goes in stages. Distracted by the latest shiny object perhaps, I dunno. I enjoy music and have been dabbling in that more lately. I like to paint and have been wanting to do another for months now. This build has made me frustrated many times, but it's not because it's hard or costly- it's because I don't know the answer to the questions.
In the end, after all is said and done, I'm glad I did this build. I'm glad I spent this time and these moments. I like motorcycles, always have. The thing is, I like riding them, too. And this one is still far from that part. If I had another one that did run, that did start upon request, that did want to accompany me to that sunset on the horizon... well, this build would be in a completely other part of my brain. It wouldn't so much get it done so I can ride again. It would be more art than conquest.
That part of being counted on- to run, to start, to go when I'm ready to go. That's riding. That's the part I miss. That reliability and eagerness to go forth and conquer some miles.
Setting aside my reality for a moment, I do love that there are a lot of different styles of bikes right now. I love the idea of one day owning two at the same time. A daily or weekender that's causal and easy and comfortable but still with a sense of style. The new Triumph Thruxton or even that Bobber that's coming soon. I'm attending a launch party for that one the weekend after next. Saturday date night with me and a new bike... Hmmmm.
The second one? Well, I miss my MV Agusta F4 Strada for sure. That Italian thing gets me with cars and with the slightly more affordable motorcycles. Always dug the Ducati twin sound, so this beauty would do nicely to get back to some weekends at 5:am carving up the canyons when the tourists and boat trailers haven't shown up yet. I've not so much the type to take this beauty to the local bar hangout and gawk at it from stop light to stop light, though that has it's moments. I'd rather get it out there to those places God intended it to be ridden, in it's element and as it's designed to do.
There's the added bonus of full leathers that gets me closer to Vader cosplay than I will in any other walk of life, that's for sure.
I'm enough of a stuffy designer know it all type (not really) to have an opinion on design choices of bikes throughout the years, and some of them I really don't appreciate. My (previously owned sadly) 2000 MV Agusta still looks like it's brand new. The above pictured Ducati is a 2007 model. See? I'm a stickler for what looks good in my own head. Plus the new Panigale's exhaust is just so much weird and poorly designed drivel.
See, told ya.
I've also not the rider that needs 100% of a bikes capability and so therefore needs the latest and greatest of braking or engine technologies to succeed. I've done track days are they are marvelous fun and will do more in the future. On those canyon roads it's a lot more like 85% limit and it's a lot more fun that way. Plus it's a lot more fun still being around for my family, too.
Then there's the other project, someday. A really beautiful one... A Moto Guzzi. An MV Agusta perhaps. Something exotic, something beautiful in it's simplicity. This one? This one will go in the living room. This one is art.
Maybe I will need three bikes then.
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