I'm really enjoying getting to know everyone so closely.
"It's my name, nuff said."
Mine started out in my grandfather's garage in the early 80s. Having started a family young by accepting my brother and I into his life, my dad (not the sperm donor, but a real father) had parked his old Honda Hawk semi-chop in his parents garage and left it there indefinitely. Growing up, my brothers and I always went out into my grandparents garage to sit on the bike and pretend we were blazing down the freeway, taking twisties, etc. The middle brother became very talented at imitating the sound of tires screeching around a tight turn.
Years later, after my learned interest and natural inclination toward tinkering/mechanics/ etc had taken hold I was told that my granddad was clearing out the garage. Immediately I asked if he was getting rid of the bike. Not only did I get the (completely rusted, locked up motor and all) hawk of my dad's earlier years, I also got a 74 CB350F that wasn't running.
That was senior year of college and I missed many classes, was late to work more than a few times, and slept very little over the 3 month period when I rebuilt the 350 from the frame up with my limited knowledge of motorcycle mechanics. Sold that bike to my brother for $200 after graduation (and a gift to myself of a 2000 Honda ACE 750 deluxe) and he immediately dumped it. I moved to Charlottesville VA that year, gave up the job offer as a financial consultant, and began a 3 year, low/no paying career as a road manager/ merchandiser for a struggling regional band. Having no place of my own (lived on couches for a long time) I had to get rid of the ACE, store all my tools, parts, etc and wait until things got back on track to feel once again the thrill of riding on 2 wheels that you've breathed life back into.
A few years ago i finally had my own place again with a tiny little basement (entry way for about 6 feet was only 4' tall) and my brother (yes, the one that killed my first rebuild) calls to tell me a friend has abandoned a 78 CB 750 in his yard a few months back, he's moving and can't take it. Do I want it?
It was running within a week and I knew what I was going to do. As this site made it possible for me to get the girl running so quickly I signed up with a handle describing where I intended to end up. That way I couldn't back out if it got a little hard (I had to learn how to weld, buy tools, etc.).
In short, I live in C'ville VA and built a chopper.
I guess I could have save some time and just said that, huh?
