Tom in Virginia Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 (edited) Bought this motorcycle in 1979 from a guy in Marion VA. I was 22 years young. Rode the heck out of it until winter of 1982. That was shortly after my oldest son was born. The bike took a back seat to other life priorities (and my wife's insistence that I give up road bikes until both of our sons were grown). She was okay, however, with riding the dirt instead. So the Eldo got shuffled around, into sheds, onto and off front porches, finally into a garage I built. At one point I tried to give it away. Gratefully I never carried out with that plan. Once I retired I still didn't have time to restore so I ended up hiring a guy to handle the task. Here's a pic I took couple of weeks ago on Fort Monroe, Hampton VA of her in fully restored condition. She rides like an old bike, brakes and all. But I love her. Told the wife I'm gonna make a room in the house so she can stay warm and dry each winter. Ha!, she said "no". Edited August 20, 2020 by Tom in Virginia spelling 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoguzzi Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Beautiful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 How many people are ahead of me on the "If you ever decide to sell it . . ." list? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Beautiful! I have wanted one for a long time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80CX100 Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 What a beautiful bike and story! I agree, you need a heated ground level space for a special bike like that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
po18guy Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 The house would profane that beauty. You need a shrine! Covered, insulated, heated and A/C... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom in Virginia Posted August 20, 2020 Author Share Posted August 20, 2020 4 hours ago, docc said: How many people are ahead of me on the "If you ever decide to sell it . . ." list? The line is long. I told my son's they could decide between them who gets it when I'm gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 45 minutes ago, Tom in Virginia said: The line is long. I told my son's they could decide between them who gets it when I'm gone. Well, then, I'll be first on this list, "If you ever decide to sell it . . . I'm taking you out behind the shed and beat some sense into you!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Phil Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 6 hours ago, Tom in Virginia said: Bought this motorcycle in 1979 from a guy in Marion VA. I was 22 years young. Rode the heck out of it until winter of 1982. That was shortly after my oldest son was born. The bike took a back seat to other life priorities (and my wife's insistence that I give up road bikes until both of our sons were grown). She was okay, however, with riding the dirt instead. So the Eldo got shuffled around, into sheds, onto and off front porches, finally into a garage I built. At one point I tried to give it away. Gratefully I never carried out with that plan. Once I retired I still didn't have time to restore so I ended up hiring a guy to handle the task. Here's a pic I took couple of weeks ago on Fort Monroe, Hampton VA of her in fully restored condition. She rides like an old bike, brakes and all. But I love her. Told the wife I'm gonna make a room in the house so she can stay warm and dry each winter. Ha!, she said "no". I love it when people keep a bike or car for a significant percentage of their life. A tangible, physical connection to their life journey and history. I've sold so many things over time and all I have to show for it at the end of the day is some soulless cash in the bank. Very nice. Phil 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom in Virginia Posted August 20, 2020 Author Share Posted August 20, 2020 1 minute ago, Lucky Phil said: I love it when people keep a bike or car for a significant percentage of their life. A tangible, physical connection to their life journey and history. Very nice. Phil Rode it from Idaho to Virginia in May 1980. 2200 miles in 3 days. Back then I was pretty tough. Now at 63, if I do 400 miles in a day then I'm done for a few days. Wouldn't trade my memories on this bike for anything. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 Dissected aortas , detached retinas , cartilage gone ............ Every man has his Kryptonite . Last year I dropped my V-Strom under the carport . after 4 attempts to get it up , one of my neighbors picked it up like it was a bicycle . 4 chiro visits later , I know better ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom in Virginia Posted August 21, 2020 Author Share Posted August 21, 2020 44 minutes ago, gstallons said: Dissected aortas , detached retinas , cartilage gone ............ Every man has his Kryptonite . Last year I dropped my V-Strom under the carport . after 4 attempts to get it up , one of my neighbors picked it up like it was a bicycle . 4 chiro visits later , I know better ! I feel ya! 14 misc surgeries, need another 3 to get both my hands right and 2 more on my knees. Can't pick a box of milk outta the fridge but I CAN still twist the throttle! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 Beautiful, unique and a very classy bike. Never seen one quite like it or nicer. Yours is a very inspiring story....well done, Tom! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 22 hours ago, Tom in Virginia said: I feel ya! 14 misc surgeries, need another 3 to get both my hands right and 2 more on my knees. Can't pick a box of milk outta the fridge but I CAN still twist the throttle! 14 ? Did they make a show about you starring Lee Majors ? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 I am going to advertise ......... FYI , If you have carpal tunnel problems , a chiro can fix it if it is not too far gone . If you have the surgery , you will be "fixed" but you not be able to pick up the carton of milk either . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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