Ok, step one is done. NOW what?
I'll never forget the day Michelle (my wife) said to me "why don't we get a motorcycle". Two years of persistent bike talk finally paid off. It was on a Sunday night, Thursday I had my bike.
I found the BMW, a 1976 R 75/6 (AKA Screamin' Mimi) via Craigslist from a retired guy named Jack. I drove a rented cargo van out to eastern Connecticut with absolutely no expectations, and no idea what I was getting myself into. No license to ride, no permit. I didn't really know how to ride a motorcycle... but I new I wanted one, and by the end of the day I knew I wanted this one. She was gorgeous, the paint and chrome was near perfect. Jack really cared for her. He was the second owner. The fist owner was another retired guy from Pennsylvania. I have come to learn these older guys really know how to take care of their bikes. Now the responsibility would soon be mine.
I asked him to start her up, the engine hummed as he took it for a test ride doing figure eights in the parking lot of his condo. We talked for about an hour, going over all the history and details of the bike, he showed me a hand written "bible" of every part, oil change, and tune up she has ever had since 1976, receipts and all. Jack threw in a set of spare tires, a sissy bar, some luggage cases, a huge stack of Airhead magazines, and the deal was done.
