Ever since I was a kid I have had a huge fascination with motorcycles. Some of it was the fact that I never had one. My best friend had one for a while, and I rode it like it was mine. When I was 14, my dad bought the scooter my friend had at the time. He in turn got a brand new one. After a few months, someone sabotaged it. I couldn’t get it started again. I ended up selling it for $400 and bought a Sony Discman with it. That’s right kids, CD players (especially portable ones) used to be really expensive.
It was a worthy investment. I had that Discman for around 10 years. I left it doing what it did best, spinning CD’s to play for customers at Big Red Liquors.
Back to the point. That seed that was planted in me as a child never went away. I don’t know if it was my mind yearning for times gone by, or if I just enjoyed motorcycles that much.
Due to my epilepsy, nobody felt comfortable with the idea of me even owning one, let alone riding one. I understood, but wasn’t happy about it. Since I’ve had my VNS implanted, I’ve only had 1 seizure due to me not taking my medicine.
A friend of mine was selling his motorcycle, and what blew me away is that it was my wife who suggested I look at it. Any previous attempts to bring that subject up would be presented with “the look.” I decided to pass on his, but since I had her “on the line” I thought I would keep looking, and I ended up falling in love.
I found an 1982 Honda CB750SC, commonly known as a Nighthawk on Craigslist. It wasn’t perfect, and it’s almost as old as me. The owner had done some customizing to it, which really makes it stand out. After some back and forth about hearing it run, which I finally did, I bought it.
There’s just something about newer motorcycles that I just don’t like. I think a large part of it is the lack of chrome and character I see in affordable models. Harley’s look nice, but I’ve already got 1 mortgage.
As of right now the motorcycle is in pieces. I’ve had to do a complete cleaning of the carburetors, the front brakes are not working and I’m having some work done to the plastic panels on it.
I can’t wait to get out on the road with her. I just need a good name. I’m hoping to have it road worthy by mid summer. Just enough time to get some riding in.