1) the Motorcycle:

I want to build a Motorcycle;

Been retired from a job I loved about 20 months after a 32 year career. What I loved about the job was it allowed me to solve problems. Problems that had impact on the facility I worked at, problems that would effect the community I lived in and problems that impacted the people I worked with. I guess I enjoyed the challenge and that people trusted me to find solutions. Retired I initially focused on my health, my home and my family. My son played high school baseball and I watching him play and as retired I did not miss a game. Now heath is good (still need to work on a healthier diet), home repairs have slowed, and there will not be any college baseball (however I'm still hopeful). So I needed something I could focus on.  I have had a motorcycle since I was 15 years old. First was a Honda 90 which I road to high school and my various jobs. Next when I went to college I bought a used Honda CB 350 with a fairing and hard bags.  After college and into my dream job I bought a new Kawasaki KZ 1000 which I fully dressed with, at the time the only real option, a complete Vetter package, fairing, bags, and trunk. I put over 75,000 miles on the KZ until I ran into a wall in Yosemite. The KZ got me hooked on sport touring, it took me to the Canadian Rockies, Montana and other great trips. So my next bike had to fill that void, be reliable, and fun to ride. In 1985 I bought my new BMW K100rt. I loved this bike. It was everything I needed and I put over 90,000 miles on it. Just before I retired  I bought a 2005 Ducati ST3. This is a beautiful and fast motorcycle. The plan was commute to work on the BMW and on weekends quick road trips on the Ducati.

When retirement came earlier than expected the need to commute was gone and I had two motorcycles with different purposes. My spouse and I would use the BMW for trips and I would use the Ducati for quick errands. Those errands had to include hills and back roads because it hated being under 4000 rpms.

Again 20 months into retirement I needed a project and I decided to build a motorcycle. The 1985 BMW K100 is a great bike but the idea of stripping it down to become a cruiser or Bobber I just couldn't do it. But to buy another bike, bring my collection to three, was not going to happen.  So I gave the BMW to my brother, problem solved. Now I needed another bike.

I wanted a bike big enough to tour, fun to ride and that is or could be good looking. I like the looks of the Harley Davidsons but there are so many and all my friends have them. The Goldwings are the ultimate in touring but so big and again it seems everyone has one.  So I was thinking maybe I could blend and come up with something I could build myself and meet all my needs. The Honda Valkyrie could meet that need but if I just wanted to buy a bike what kind of project would this be.

So I started my look for an older Goldwing.  I initially found some on Craigslist in my area. There were two 1987 GL1000 for $600. But they were a mess, stored outside, no title and would not turnover. I offered $300 for both thinking I could build one from them, but no deal so I left. As I researched Goldwings I decided I would focus on six cylinders like the GL1500 and GL1800.  Well the 1800s were all more than $9000 and all too nice to cut-up.  Looking at local GL1500s I found one with 100,000 miles, that ran, and had a clear title. It has problems and needs a lot of work to even make roadable, but that means I could feel free to cut it up. Also most of the Goldwing tech and plastic (fairing, bags, and trunk) can be sold on E-Bay. I made a low ball offer and got it.

 I ordered a shop manual, registered it as non-op with the DMV and my project begins!!!