Manky's XS650 Yamaha

[Manky Monkey]

Tom needs a little while to come up with the cash for the XS & I'm not desperate for it, so for the time being it's still in my garage.
A local pub, 6 or 7 miles outside Basingstoke, has started a monthly charity bike night, so I took a ride over there this evening.
First time I'd ridden it in the dark. The lights are fine, it fired first kick, even with an audience as I left the pub, (normally guaranteed to let you down at that moment. The guy who left just before me on a brand new Kawasaki toppled over at the junction at the end of the street, in front of the onlookers), & it ran absolutely fine there & back.
I'm sure it's doing that just to annoy me

[Manky Monkey]

.

[mrhutch]

But did you enjoy riding it ??  did you get that buzz? 

[stinkey]

Will he admit it ?

[Manky Monkey]

Hmm, kinda. It was a nice evening for a blat, even with a few spots of rain on the way home, & I only rode a few miles each way so not long enough for it to get uncomfortable or whatever.
I'm happy to ride it locally, but wouldn't say it excites me.
Pleasant, but no real buzz.

[Manky Monkey]

So. Another chapter closed today.
Having spent bloomin' years of my life building this thing, I found I just didn't enjoy riding it. Not just this bike, but 2 wheels in general. It just doesn't do it for me any more.
After a lot of soul searching, I decided to sell it. Local guy, Tom, who stepped in & finished the last bits & pieces when I lost interest in it, really wanted to buy it but just couldn't raise the cash. Our own Mr CopperSmith has tried to buy it several times & today he finally succeeded.
He arrived with a van & the Junkyard Frog is now tucked up in his garage in Plymouth. I've already swept the rented garage out & handed back the keys. Time to hang up my helmet & move on to other things.
I hope it brings you lots & lots of smiles Steve

[BikerGran]

If he enjoys riding the bike you built then you can enjoy the fact that you built it!   I do understand that when you've done, you've done. 

[the coppersmith]

Just had a little ride, neighbours curtains are twitching, oh no not more noise from number 1 

[the coppersmith]

Thanks Andy it is in good hands, impressed with it already. I have to learn how to squat real low now, and being deaf, as you found out today, noise, what noise

[Manky Monkey]

[the coppersmith]

First twenty minute ride, bit wobbly, but never stalled it. They have just resurfaced the industrial estate loop, so did a couple of laps.  Helmet is falling to pieces, need a nice new one, oh and I burnt my jeans leg, nice to be a biker again. Traffic warnings out all over Plymouth, beware the grey haired old git 

[morrag]

Hey, be careful who you call a grey haired old git!! ....not that I have too much grey hair even, these days ...Morrag

[minimutly]

Well that's nice, a story with a happy ending. And we get to see it now and again.
Well done both, two happy Monkeys.

[Manky Monkey]

Yeah, be careful Steve -& have fun!

[the coppersmith]

The wife is struggling with this bike. " Its complete? you can ride it? needs nothing modified, changed, fixed? this just isn't you, what is happening?"