Joined
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38 Posts
My name is Derrick, 56 year old 150 lbs. I bodybuild for a hobby but have a difficult time keeping my weight up due to not eating enough. Beginning Rider of a 1982 Honda cm450, living in Terre Haute, IN. I have not accomplished much mechanical work in my life. Have changed carbs on a car engine but not much more than that since highschool, but I have some questions to ask, or to research. I can understand the theory behind things well. Mainly due to not having a right tool for a certain procedure, is the reason I have not much practical experience.
The reasons I am joining this forum is to gain information, possibly share some of my experiences, and I liked the couple of posts that I read, along with the lucid replies to the original Posts. Members appear to be welcoming to beginners as well as experienced riders.
I quit driving over 11 years ago due to a TBI suffered during a car crash. So not only have I not driven a car for over 11 years, I have not driven a motorcycle, ever! I found this 1982 Honda CM450 for a great price and in good condition after years of considering buying one. I was told by an experienced Rider that Hondas last forever. So I took the Chance and bought this one at the end of last month. I passed the driver's knowledge test last week. Then I passed the driver's skills test yesterday morning. And I passed the motorcycles knowledge test yesterday afternoon. Went and got insurance and the plates today. Had to work for four hours and then I got home and took the bike for a ride.
It would have made a normal man a nervous wreck. I was a little scared but my life has been one long adventure. I don't have much family so it would not hurt a great many people if I died. So I just try to make sure I don't hurt anyone and pay close attention to what I am doing.
I killed the engine two or three times. And took some wide turns on some deserted streets. On my second ride of the bike. The first ride was a hair-raising experience to drive it home after I bought it with no license, permit, or insurance. But it was only about 5 miles so I took my chances, After riding it around the parking lot for around 20 minutes.
This evening, After a half hour of riding I was ready to go on a busier street and to put gas in the gas tank. Then I rode around on some side roads for about an hour and then brought the bike home and parked it.
It has now been 5 days since I wrote the above. I have been very busy, but riding the bike to work, instead of my bicycle. I'm off this evening so I am able to post my first post here.
Every now and then I forget to pull in the clutch to shift gears. But I am getting much better at that. I talked to a man that has experience, he told me I'm not doing much damage when I forget to pull in the clutch. And that it will not go into gear if there is a problem. I've experienced that twice. But it is always at the front of my mind when I'm riding now. The man also told me that I should look into investing in a much bigger bike soon if I plan to make long trips. Do to more power needed on highways, the vibration of a smaller bike getting to you, and the wine of the engine with high RPMs at highway speeds.
1 problem I'm having is making a sharp right turn from a standstill at a stop sign. I'm planning to take the next educational course available, if I can afford it.
I did the penny test on my tires and noticed that I need a new set today. it is raining now so I'm not going to ride the bike until it is dry. I'm leery of losing traction.
I have noticed that I like riding at night, a little bit better than riding during the day.
I pray everyone is having a good day today.
The reasons I am joining this forum is to gain information, possibly share some of my experiences, and I liked the couple of posts that I read, along with the lucid replies to the original Posts. Members appear to be welcoming to beginners as well as experienced riders.
I quit driving over 11 years ago due to a TBI suffered during a car crash. So not only have I not driven a car for over 11 years, I have not driven a motorcycle, ever! I found this 1982 Honda CM450 for a great price and in good condition after years of considering buying one. I was told by an experienced Rider that Hondas last forever. So I took the Chance and bought this one at the end of last month. I passed the driver's knowledge test last week. Then I passed the driver's skills test yesterday morning. And I passed the motorcycles knowledge test yesterday afternoon. Went and got insurance and the plates today. Had to work for four hours and then I got home and took the bike for a ride.
It would have made a normal man a nervous wreck. I was a little scared but my life has been one long adventure. I don't have much family so it would not hurt a great many people if I died. So I just try to make sure I don't hurt anyone and pay close attention to what I am doing.
I killed the engine two or three times. And took some wide turns on some deserted streets. On my second ride of the bike. The first ride was a hair-raising experience to drive it home after I bought it with no license, permit, or insurance. But it was only about 5 miles so I took my chances, After riding it around the parking lot for around 20 minutes.
This evening, After a half hour of riding I was ready to go on a busier street and to put gas in the gas tank. Then I rode around on some side roads for about an hour and then brought the bike home and parked it.
It has now been 5 days since I wrote the above. I have been very busy, but riding the bike to work, instead of my bicycle. I'm off this evening so I am able to post my first post here.
Every now and then I forget to pull in the clutch to shift gears. But I am getting much better at that. I talked to a man that has experience, he told me I'm not doing much damage when I forget to pull in the clutch. And that it will not go into gear if there is a problem. I've experienced that twice. But it is always at the front of my mind when I'm riding now. The man also told me that I should look into investing in a much bigger bike soon if I plan to make long trips. Do to more power needed on highways, the vibration of a smaller bike getting to you, and the wine of the engine with high RPMs at highway speeds.
1 problem I'm having is making a sharp right turn from a standstill at a stop sign. I'm planning to take the next educational course available, if I can afford it.
I did the penny test on my tires and noticed that I need a new set today. it is raining now so I'm not going to ride the bike until it is dry. I'm leery of losing traction.
I have noticed that I like riding at night, a little bit better than riding during the day.
I pray everyone is having a good day today.