So, like any parent fearing kid, I have always been mesmerized by motorcycles.  Growing up, my parents had motorcycles.  I remember their bike sitting the garage.  Sure, Dad would break out his Harley on the weekends.  Some of my fondest memories are when he would pick me up from elementary school on his bike.  I would get to ride up high, squinting my eyes at the gale force of 30 mph winds and leaving finger nail imprints on his back.  My mother used to ride as well, she had a Honda of some sort.  I have no memory of that bike ever being ridden or started.  But I have seen baby photos with me in a baby seat strapped to the back of the Honda.

I had these visions of turning 16, getting my drivers license and then "inheriting" one of the bikes.  Even if I had to rebuild it myself.  I had my sights set on being a motorcycle pilot.  But, life does not always work out that way.  For whatever reason, Dad ended up getting rid of both bikes.  I was upset.  By this time, I had convinced myself that one of those two-wheeled machines was mine!

All through high school I would drop hints about getting a motorcycle - and the answer was always the same, a resounding "NO! NEVER! Too Dangerous"  blah blah blah.  Being a good son, I filed my plans of  motorcycle acquisition away to be looked at a later time.

College came, and went.  A few times I got close to just buying a bike and not telling the parents.  But I knew that wouldn't last.  They would find out somehow.  Besides, they were still financially helping out with my education.. I didn't want to jeopardize the money!

College graduation came, and I went off and got a job.  Unfortunately my new job required a lot of travel.  My career path progressed and I was shipped off to so many places around the US and South Pacific doing lots of interesting projects as a consultant.  Even though I was no longer dependent on the parental units for support, I never was able to get the three main vectors of motorcycle ownership to align: Being home longer than a weekend, a place to store the bike (was living in an apartment with high theft) and financials. 

Finally, in June 2002 all three of the ownership vectors aligned. My travel dropped to about 50%, I had extra money and was planning an exit out of my hellhole apartment.

I started looking.  I knew that I did not want a "sport bike".  I am not a speedball by nature, and really had no desire to 0 - 100 with enough acceleration G-force to peel my lips from my face.  So, I started looking at the Honda Shadow Spirit series of bikes.  I was in love.  The sales rep at my local dealer was sure that he had sale - I had come to test ride the bike several times.  It was as good as sold.  

Until on a lark I decided to visit the local Harley-Davidson dealer.  I always knew about Harleys - mostly from my Dad.  I knew the attention they commanded, and I also assumed they were WAAAAYYY out of my price league.  But still, it would be fun to go look - right?

So, I am at the HD dealership, looking over their wares. And thats when I found the Sportster line.  I didn't know that HD even made a bike like this.  I was in love.  I loved the look, the sound, the feel - everything.  I shopped around and found Sportster 1200S.  It was bright yellow, and was an '01 model with 12 miles on the Odo.  Wait, what the heck is the dealer doing with an '01 model on their lot in June of '02?  The bike was priced to move.  The 100th anniversary edition bikes were arriving, and the dealer wanted to get rid of the '01.  I asked why was this bike still on the lot.  The HD dealer told me a story about how this was a contest bike and had been on display tour in various locations around the US. Since the '01 and '02 were mechanically identical, they left this bike in its display case for a few extra months.  But now that the '03's were being shipped, the display case had to be updated. So, they take it out and sell it as "new" at a discounted price.

Whatever.  A good story, I have no idea how true it was, but I didn't care.

So, in June/July of 2002 I became the proud owner of a 2001 Sportster 1200S.  Dream and life goal accomplished.

The following pages act as not only an area to brag / show off, but to also serve as work log of my bike.  Its really for my own purposes, but why not share!