First Bike!

Purchased my first bike about a month ago, and I knew it would be a project from the get-go. A new battery, set of plugs, and set of tires later, and I am currently riding and patching up problems as they crop up. the info on here has already been invaluable. I know I will need plenty more advice when I tear down and rebuild this old beast once the snows come and I no longer want to ride every day.

 

Congrats. Just sit back and enjoy the ride now. I mean that literally and figuratively. These old bikes sure do make life interesting as new surprises pop up here and there. Best of luck to you. Ride safe.

 

Congrats, make sure that you have new brake lines, shoes and pads. That is one surprise once it creeps up you may to be able to handle twice.

 

While you're busy catching up on maintainance you can get some riding time in by taking an MSF course. It will make you a better rider (and driver) even if you have taken one before.

 

+1 on MSF course. Most people I know who ride have taken it and I have never met anybody who regretted the class

 

I started riding 35 yrs ago, no MC license, no MSF course, just hoping I didn't run out of luck BEFORE I gained the experience to survive. Well I did. And I got my license, and I learned tons on the race track
Me playing on a buddies brand new bike(see the yellow key tag :lol: )


Her waving to the camera on the low side while leaned over in the turn!


Me at speed on the Aprilia RS


Her on her 275 RWHP Nitrous Busa after becoming the fastest Woman in Texas on a street legal bike


Me trying to launch it short wheelbase


So yeah, we have what it takes to go fast on a track, but survival on the streets?
Well that my friend is what MSF course is about, teaching you how to stay alive in traffic. Things to watch for and most importantly
HOW TO NOT END UP DEAD!
Almost everyone of us would love to do the things above, but those skills don't keep you alive in 5:00 traffic!
I can't make a strong enough recommendation as to the value of taking the MSF Course, except
Do you want to survive the ride and come home to those you love?

Congratulations on scoring a very cool bike! Welcome to the site, welcome to Bikes! Looking forward to seeing you around here!
And post some pics! I love seeing these bikes!

 

Yeah, I gotta get that MSF course scheduled, and I get it free from my work(military). The brake lines, fluid, and caliper are on my list for the winter, because the front caliper bleeder valve is rusted and stripped from the DSPO, and its gonna take a bit of doing to get all that properly squared away... On a positive note, I found a great mechanic nearby my workplace who I visit on the regular with all my newbie questions, and so far he has the patience to walk me through all my restoration projects. One question though: how does one go about ordering from the xj4ever catalog? I have my eye on one of those filter conversions, but dont know how to order through this website.

 

Send a PM to member "Chacal" or email to info@xj4ever.com. Tell Len what you want. He usually responds within 24 hours.

 

PM member "Chacal" as to ordering from XJ4ever.com.

He is great, offers great advice, is always fast with shipping, has the right parts, and will not rip you off.

No other source for parts for these bikes even compares.

+1 on MSF. I raced motocross as a teen, had street bikes until I got the 3 M's (marriage, maturity and a mortgage) Now that 30 years later I am rid of two of the M's I got my license back and was required to take a MSF. Really a great thing, just wish they would make the same course for auto drivers to take.

 

Check the XJ4Ever site and determine the parts you need 1st, then send a PM to Chacal with that list, tell him which bike year/model you are buying parts for and he will send you his paypal information to finish the deal. Its not like buying from Amazon, but it works.
I am surprised you, apparently being active military, can ride without having taken the MSF (or base equivalent) class first. I thought they were pretty strict about that sort of thing.