Alive Again



It's been a good 10-months since I aquired this '82 Honda CB750 Nighthawk, after it sat behind an auto shop in Suwannee for, well, God knows how many years. I've only been able to sporadically wrench on it, as time and money allowed, but today marked a milestone.

The bike is alive again.

I took it out for a short check ride, which was exciting for me. Yet it revealed several issues. The bike idles way too high, and I'm having difficulty dialing it down. The brakes need bleeding and adjusting, and the front fork seals are gone.

But the bike is alive again.

Hard to believe that I was 18-19 years old when this bike was built. It bears the scars from decades of  use and maybe abuse, and obvious neglect in recent years. So the thrill of getting it out on the road again was palpable.

Ansley's boyfriend wants to buy it, and plans to keep it here so he can ride with me until he's more comfortable getting out on the roads himself. That's fine- gives me reasons and opportunities to ride it more myself! Gotta keep it in good working order for the young man...

A Pair in the Basement

My basement make-shift shop is looking a little crowded these days, with two early 80s era motorcycles, and a 1954 JC Higgins bicycle. I've now had the 1982 Honda Nighthawk for 8 months, tinkering as I have time and resources. I also have been working on the 1981 Suzuki GS850L for a little over 2 months, in my rare spare time as well. The bicycle we picked up a few years ago at a bona fide barn sale, and I clean and polish on it in the winter months, after Lisa enjoys riding it around in good weather.

With my dad's help, I've been through the carbs a couple of times on both motorbikes, and worked on various other ailments common to old, neglected cycles. Good winter projects both, that I literally paid nothing for one, and next to nothing for the other. Hope to have them both running soon, for someone to enjoy in the Spring.

I'm learning much, every time I take on a new project. I've precious few natural or experiential skills mechanically, but the more I learn, the better I get, and the more confidence I build. The reward comes when they are back on the road, and in an enthusiastic new owner's hands.

It's Complicated...

I've had a crazy busy past couple of months, with precious little time to work on these motorbikes I'd hoped to get running before summer's end. Finally, I just prioritized them, cleared some time and space, and got to work.

First order was to trace the source of the big Trophy's issues. After replacing the side stand switch, ruling out the neutral switch and clutch safety switch, I had to try to trace down the side stand relay. I soon discovered my VIN model didn't have one, but rather has the relay incorporated into a module called the igniter-

In tracing the wiring harness, I discovered it was all the way forward in the front fairing, behind the dash, necessitating a complete removal of all forward fairing to access. I trailered the bike down to my mom and dad's place, so I'd have more room to work, and could elicit his help with it. Module is out, and will have it tested by the guys at Hourglass Cycles this week.

I also finally got in the rebuild kits for the carbs on the little Honda Nighthawk. I started on them last night, replacing gaskets, needles and screws in each carb. The ubiquitous kits had more parts than I needed, yet was lacking a few did need. Nonetheless, I think I can complete them with extras I have from previous bikes. We'll see...
Still hoping to have both bikes finished before the end of the month, Lord willing. Could really use the money, and need the space back as well. Nights and weekends, until they are done.

Opportunities

As well as recently returning from 15 days abroad (see my other blog), I've also been afforded several more opportunities that I am greatly looking forward to working across the summer and beyond.
An old friend called me up out of the blue, wanting to get rid of a motorcycle. It needed some work, of course, and he just didn't have the time or space in his garage to tinker with it anymore. A 2002 Triumph Trophy, to go along with the 1982 Honda I'm still working with (see previous post below), and I have a full basement!

I've also been offered the opportunity to write monthly for Born to Ride magazine, a great regional publication in the southeast, as well as ongoing opportunities to contribute to Motorcyclist and Cycle World national magazines. I'm grateful for these doors that have opened, and excited to see where this all may lead.

My friends at Phoenix Roasters are about to experience an explosion in growth, as they pioneer nitrogenated cold-brew coffee, and expand into other markets with some of the best coffee on the planet. As operations expand, I may have opportunity to work more with them, which I would very much enjoy. I love these guys, as friends and brothers in Christ. Phoenix has been my church family since leaving the vocational ministry, and they all mean the world to Lisa and me. As the coffee side grows, I look forward to helping any way God may lead.

Exciting times. Plus, I got another "clean bill of health" with another bladder scoping the other day. Living one day at a time, following Christ, making the most of every opportunity.