Our current motorcycle

That's our old (new) Gold Wing. As opposed to the newer (our old) Gold Wing that we sold.

This motorcycle has opened up some new possibilities for Cliff.

See, the one we sold had to be taken to a shop for any sort of repair. That includes having new tires put on. The spark plugs were impossible to find, on it; even for Cliff, who has always tinkered with such things.

No so, with this 1982 model. Cliff bought a Clymer book, and after browsing through it, is confident he can tear into any part of this motorcycle and put it back together again. So this one is not only something to ride, it's a hobby in the same vein as the old tractors Cliff has spent so much time restoring.

We requested and received a J. C. Whitney motorcycle catalog. Wow, there are all kinds of goodies and extras for our old bike, at comparatively reasonable prices.

We're going on short rides two or three times weekly, just like we did with the other 'Wing. There is a noise that Cliff can't quite identify that nags at him (motor noise? vibration in the frame?); because of its age there is, in the back of our minds, the thought that this motorcycle could fail us, leaving us stranded along the roadside.

Hey, if it quits, it quits! We'll ride until it does so.

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Now playing: John Prine - It's a Big Old Goofy World [Live]
via FoxyTunes

Our new (old) Honda Gold Wing

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Now playing: Dan Crary & Doc Watson - Whistlin' Rufus/Ragtime Annie
via FoxyTunes We had a 1996 Gold Wing that we enjoyed greatly. My husband, on a lark, suggested I put it on Craigslist for what I considered a ridiculous price. It sold, and we paid off some bills. There were several factors involved in the sale, one being that Cliff was having some light-headed spells. Another was the fact that every time you turn on the news or read the paper, a motorcyclist has been killed or maimed. Then there's our ages; Cliff says his reflexes aren't what they used to be.

Labor Day weekend as we listened to motorcycles passing by on the scenic byway in front of our house, we grew increasingly depressed about the situation.

So we went, last weekend, and bought a 1982 Gold Wing. We rode yesterday and today. Cliff says it's actually more comfortable, to him, than the newer one we sold. It's easier for him to handle. It goes half again as far on a gallon of gasoline. Cliff can do a lot of work on this motorcycle himself; the 1996 was impossible. All knowledgeable people told us, "Don't touch it yourself, you'll just screw it up," so it had to be taken to the shop for everything. Which seemed to cost $400 every time.

Now, for my part, I was having some trouble on this bike with one of my arthritic knees. I think I've solved the problem by taking along a cushion to sit on, so my legs aren't bent at quite such an extreme angle. At least it worked fine today. The seat isn't quite as comfy, but the ride is every bit as smooth as on the model we sold. We can't go as fast... 80 MPH is the highest the speedometer goes... but I don't like going too fast anyhow!


It's nice to be back on the road again!


I think we can live with this old bike just fine!