I have met only a few of the forum people from here in town personally. CBJoe lives just blocks from me as it turns out. I've also met MCRider. Both are great guys.
I started riding when I was a teenager but then have just recently gotten back into it about a year ago when I bought my bike. When you have an older bike, you learn pretty quickly how to diagnose problems when they occur. Get yourself a manual (you can download a Honda shop manual somewhere here on the website for free).
Two shops that I've used alot here in town and really like are:
CycleOutfitters (South Madison....kind of your area)....great shop for helmets, jackets, and just general cycle merchandise, gear and maintenance stuff.
Cycle Recycle (East 10th street in the ghetto....kind of near my house)
http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/ This shop has anything and everything you will ever need for your old Honda. I've bought sprockets, tubes, turnsignal stems, a fairing, tappet covers, petcock parts....you name it, he has it and probably used and cheap. He can also order new stuff. The guy who runs the shop is a bike guru....however, he has some "personality issues"
Expect to have them open later than their posted hours, to wait in line, to allow him to be interrupted by phone calls, and to deal with a strange dude. The parts are cheap, though, and he is generally helpful and friendly. If you've never been to the shop, it's something you must experience at least once. Parts literally cover every surface of the shop (even the ceiling)....and he knows where everything is exactly.
There is a Vintage Bike Night the first Thursday of each month at Harolds Steer In restaurant at 10th and Emerson. Apparently it's been going on for a couple of years and I never even knew it...and that is like 6 blocks from my house. I went to the one in June and it is a neat event. People just ride in, walk around, eat, visit, drool, whatever. Come and go as you please. You should come in August.
Finally, go to
http://groups.google.com/group/indyvinmoto and sign up for the IndyVinMoto news group. You'll hear about all the vintage bike activities and stuff. There's also a TonUp club here in town, but I think most of that stuff is announce on the VinMoto board.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you're ever up for a ride. I'm in.
Chris
