Adventures on the Old Girl, and with the Old Girl

[Hoosier Tom]

A gal I work with, her father, Warren, who is in his 90's, was a ground crewman to the B-29 "Strawberry Bitch" in WW II.

HT

[sarals]

I brought the Old Girl back to the museum today. I did ride her around a bit before I stopped at the museum. She's so much fun! She's not terribly fast, or better described "quick", but she sure sounds like she is with that exhaust note and intake honk. Let her idle, though, and she's as docile as they come. I've noticed that as she gets warm, the clutch gets a little grabby and the brakes are not exactly linear. Hey, she's an Old Girl, right? What she is is a wonderful piece of engineering, an important bike in the history of motorcycles, and mostly, she's an old friend. She's happy to be running and ridden, and I'm happy to oblige! For a time she's going to be on display, for others to enjoy. Neal, who owns the museum, has told me that she elicits all sort of positive comments, and most have to do with how folks remember the Superhawk from their youth, and how she brings back great memories. It warms my heart to hear that. I positively believe now that she's too important and too nice to leave sit in my garage, hidden away. She's where she belongs.

So....I've got to find another old bike. As soon as the time is right, I will.

[G-Man]

Sounds like the Old Girl is getting the attention she deserves. Plenty of visitors and the occasional canter....

Be careful if your next one is an Old Guy. They have a tendency to multiply..... :-)

G

[sarals]

Ha!!! Graham, don't they!!! On top of that, I'm being "encouraged" by Neal, who owns the museum, to bring back another bike!! Hey, I'm still working on the Hawk. "Not classic enough", I've been told!

[G-Man]

You need a 1961 CB72 or a 1960 Dream....... :-)

G

[sarals]

Dream? No. Not my style. CL72. Hmmm! CL77. Hmmm again!

[sarals]

I visited the museum on Sunday to see the Old Girl. To my chagrin, the owner of the place puts her outside, parked on the street. She only sits out there Saturday and Sunday afternoons, BUT. I looked her over and she was dirty from sitting outside. What really caused me concern was that there was a scratch on the right muffler. Like something metallic had rubbed against it. I was pressed for time, so I didn't get a chance to address those issues. I'm going to, but it made me think that the bike is out of my hands, so I really don't have control over how she's treated. I have a feeling the museum feels she's a rider (she is, but...), so they sort of treat her like one. It's not my museum, and I didn't stipulate how I thought the bike should be displayed or treated. I really think, after stewing about it over the past week, that she needs to come home. I need to know what's going on with her. Besides, I do like to ride her every now and then.