Time to pack it in.

It's been one of the toughest, yet one of the easiest decsions that I've ever had to make, but I've decided to hang up the helmet. The morning after the accident I woke up and decided that I couldn't put my wonderful family and this tired old body through this pain again, so it was time to quit.

Some will undoubtedly ply me with wise sayings like getting back on the horse that threw you, or point out to me examples of people who have ridden well into their old age.

All of this is fair, but they don't apply to me.

Fact is, I have enjoyed an exhilirating 37 years of riding and I can, and do, leave with no regrets (except for the amount of time that my hedonistic passion has kept me away from my wife and children). Yes, there's a couple of things on my bucket list that won't get done - ride Tasmania, ride around Australia, but I can live with that.

I've commuted, scratched, tracked and toured. I've used the bike every opportunity that I could, and, yes, I've MADE opportunities as well. I've ridden in sun, rain, sleet, ice and every other condition as well.

I count myself incredibly fortunate to have had the myriad of experiences I've had, and to still be alive after the ferocious event of a fortnight ago. I know some riders who have only been able to ride for a few years before they have had to pack it in.

So, what do I have to complain about? Nothing.

I cherish every memory and I am grateful beyond words for the wonderful friends and acquaintances that I have been able to make. The support and encouragement that I have received since the accident from my friends and mates and even people I have never met, has been overwhelming. It has proven what I have always said that motorcyclists are the best people on the planet. Harley or Honda, scooter or full-dress cruiser, you meet the nicest people on motorcycles.

Cant argue with that, feel better m8 and take care of the family.

Well,

This seems like a very rational decision. I'm glad to hear that you are leaving with good memories.

Take care and enjoy life!!! ...

C

Sounds like you are making the decision for all the right reasons.

I've witnessed some horrific motorcycle wrecks over the past two years, and had one of my own six years ago.

I've taken breaks but can't shake the power the sport has on me. As I get older I certainly hear that little voice in the back of my head more often saying "make good decisions, slow down, take care…."

Good for you.

All the best.

All the very best Phil.

It's been great reading your stories.

Made me think a thing or two.

:beer: Here's to you and life's next adventure.

37 years eh! Well it's about time you quit you greedy bastige! At least you didn't get cheated overall. I didn't get started until I was 50, so I guess by the time I reach 87 I'll be fed up too. :cool:

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride! :fing02: :fing02:

Brian

Excellent run you had there and fantastic family to put up with it! :fing02:

Congrats on your decision and thanks for sharing your thoughts on it all with us!

Please remain a member here and keep sharing those 37 years of experience that you have accumulated with the rest of us! :beer:

BR

PS heal quickly and fully!

37 years eh! Well it's about time you quit you greedy bastige! At least you didn't get cheated overall. I didn't get started until I was 50, so I guess by the time I reach 87 I'll be fed up too.

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride! :fing02: :fing02:

Brian

PS. Man, it's deja vu all over again, feels like I've already said that before... :comp13:

DDO-VFR

37 years eh! Well it's about time you quit you greedy bastige! At least you didn't get cheated overall. I didn't get started until I was 50, so I guess by the time I reach 87 I'll be fed up too.

Life is a journey, enjoy the ride! :fing02: :fing02:

Brian

PS. Man, it's deja vu all over again, feels like I've already said that before... :comp13:

I'll certainly be retaining my membership. My passion for the V4 remains unabated. Thanks for the good wishes, guys.

I for one say that you have to do what you believe is right for you and your family. This goes for every decision that you make in life. Good luck, and I wish you the best.

Hi RC,

I understand the dilemma. My accident was early in my riding career and was a wake-up call. I also remember the day my firstborn understood what sport his daddy was into when he saw me leave on a circle tour around Lake Superior here in Minnesota. I remember thinking, should I throw in the towel before he wants to do this as too? Now, two sons are riders (15 and 11) and I think I've committed them to the sport... Sometimes wondering if it is best. We have had great times though!

Consider being a Honda aficionado by reading, posting, and maybe restoring an older bike (and selling it). Buy a fried VF and take it apart for the fun of it. Build a V4 lawn tractor or something!

Just don't walk away from what you love, even though you won't be on the road anymore. I respect your choice and encourage you to keep connected to the nicest people.... Blessings.

StillwaterVFR

Hi RC,

I understand the dilemma. My accident was early in my riding career and was a wake-up call. I also remember the day my firstborn understood what sport his daddy was into when he saw me leave on a circle tour around Lake Superior here in Minnesota. I remember thinking, should I throw in the towel before he wants to do this as too? Now, two sons are riders (15 and 11) and I think I've committed them to the sport... Sometimes wondering if it is best. We have had great times though!

Consider being a Honda aficionado by reading, posting, and maybe restoring an older bike (and selling it). Buy a fried VF and take it apart for the fun of it. Build a V4 lawn tractor or something!

Just don't walk away from what you love, even though you won't be on the road anymore. I respect your choice and encourage you to keep connected to the nicest people.... Blessings.

Thanks, mate, that is excellent advice. I'm certainly not severing my connection with motorcycling, and, especially VFR'S.

37 years is a very respectable riding career. Good luck to you and remember...you can always change your mind, no law against that is there? But if you persist in this most un-gratifying course of action, you need something else to pour that energy into, maybe boating? Flying? Skiing?

Find something new and cool to do.

Best of luck!

37 years is a good run, you've obviously thought this decision through and chosen your priority...your "retirement" is well deserved my friend. Good luck and live both long and well.

I echo everyone's comments above, it sounds like you have made the right decision for you and your family. It may be tough though next summer when you see all those bikes out and about - hell even after a few days 'grounded' I start to miss my bike.

Take care and stick around for sure :fing02:

Its so easy for us to say from the comfort of our keyboards "NO, just get back on a bike"

But you know whats best for you and your family. The good thing is you dont have to give VFRD up, and lets face it, most of us type more than we ride anyway :laughing6-hehe:

whatever you do, enjoy it and enjoy your family.

Good Write-up on Your decision. Having ridden for 40+ years myself, I understand every word. Had it not been for Car Racing as part of my living (...sometimes most all of it), and developing a mindset of having to "strap back in regardless", I too have had "motorcycle wrecks/experiences" that would have made it very easy to walk away from the Sport I love. My Life I view in various Motor Sport Chapters...each one a Great Experience, and each one gradually became a "closed chapter"....GOOD LUCK on Your NEW CHAPTERS......skuuter.... :fing02:

I'm home. Released from hospital at lunch time today. Can't even BEGIN to tell you how good it feels.

Great news! :cheerleader:

But a long way ahead I think........

Dutchy

Great news! :cheerleader:

But a long way ahead I think........

Indeed, but it has to be done, eh?

God speed a fast complete recovery for you! Important decisions come when we have moments of clarity and know absolutely that we are making the right choice. Enjoy your family. Our time with loved ones is always far too short and they (or you) can not be replaced. Memories are wonderful but empty compared to the reality of having those we love still with us. Bless you and your family. Enjoy every moment with them!

Friend, enjoy your life, and a speedy recovery. I find it hard to believe when I look back at some of my "scrapes" that I am still here. I grapple with my passion for motorcycling a great deal.

years ago, the local tuner wanted me to go racing with him. He used to tell all of the other locals that I could "ride the wheels off that thing", referring to my VFR. In that same time frame, during my more squiddish years, I ran off from a turbo RX7, flaunting my power to weight by wheelying away from every stop light that I waited for him at...turns out the fellow was in from Charlotte. He caught up to me at a bar, and bought me a couple G&Ts (I used to drink and ride...already confessed the squiddish ways), and asked if I "could drive a car like" I "rode that bike". My response that I could run anything with wheels faster than anybody else apparently intrigued him. He then asked if I wanted to come to Charlotte and back that up in a Roush Racing car...I never went, but struggled with the decision for a couple weeks. I was getting my Biochemistry degree, working two jobs and hoping for medical school then (15-16 years ago). I was concentrating too much on running around on that bike, getting to work, school, etc.

Now, I am back in school, and I prioritize school and family way ahead of bikes...so I don't ride as much as I used to. Maybe 4k miles this year. I have a Yamaha XT600 that need some love and some riding, a 90VFR that need rebuilding (started, never finished), my wifes rebel gets some love now and then, and the 98VFR that I go to school on most days gets a little love, but no *real* riding.

What's the point? You have your priorities in the generally accepted correct order. Enjoy your life. If you choose to come back to riding, it will be there. If not, you have dared something for 37 years that many are to afraid to even try. You have lived life probably more fully than many will ever know. Share that with you family! I may quit, for awhile, or for good - who knows!?- just because I am prioritizing other things. I have been thinking about it. Not there yet, but we shall see! My priorities were wrong then, but I liked it. They are different now, and I like the way my life is. It's better now than ever. Wish I could ride more, but like the Stones say "you can't always get what you want..."

I am glad you are out of the hospital. All the best on your recovery! Good luck on the next phase!!

Glad you are on the road to recovery. Best wishes. Enjoy life. I would not have any regrets either.

Glad to hear you're home. It's a very understandable decision, and I'm happy it turned out to be a fairly easy one to make.

I hope I'm never in a position where I have to make that call, but in choosing between riding and my family I can guarantee family would come first. :fing02:

Why am I not surprised that, of all the forums in which I participate, the wisest, most sensible and most sympathetic advice and good wishes that I have received have been on this one? You guys are a blessing and an inspiration. Thanks so much.

rc36Honda

Why am I not surprised that, of all the forums in which I participate, the wisest, most sensible and most sympathetic advice and good wishes that I have received have been on this one? You guys are a blessing and an inspiration. Thanks so much.

See? That's why you can't just quit now!!! Gotta stick around!!! laughing6-hehe.gif just kidding. As for an inspiration, be careful who you are referring to; I would be very careful to what people like timmythec0p, skuutertrash, BR, Dutchy and a few others say and do... :) biggrin.gif

I do wish you best, and I sure hope that you are truly happy.

C

PolarBear

rc36Honda

Why am I not surprised that, of all the forums in which I participate, the wisest, most sensible and most sympathetic advice and good wishes that I have received have been on this one? You guys are a blessing and an inspiration. Thanks so much.

As for an inspiration, be careful who you are referring to; I would be very careful to what people like timmythec0p, skuutertrash, BR, Dutchy and a few others say and do... :) biggrin.gif

I do wish you best, and I sure hope that you are truly happy.

C

.......... :laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe:

Know the feeling pal. It's YOUR head that has to be at peace with this. :fing02:

Stay safe, brother.

Good luck on what ever new hooby/endeavor you might take in the future!

I too have slowed down quite a bit with my riding the past few years. Just way too busy at work most of the time that it sucks most of my remaining energy to ride, even on weekends. Family priorities have also factored in much more in the last few years.

The super crazy traffic and loon drivers that seem to be populating the roads in the bay area had also made riding such a chore that I totally gave up commuting to work on my VFR, lest I get killed on the road by these yohos! I still manage to squeeze in a few rides during weekends but nowhere near as much as I used to. I even often find putting on and takin off my gear a tedious and tiring chore these days. Gone are the days I would throw on the gear in a few minutes and and go riding, even sometimes at very odd hours of the early morning (3:00AM rHighway bombin rides) to satisfy my need to ride. I also had begun to hate leading rider strings down the mountains as I feel that "strafing" mountain twisty roads on 8/10ths and higher modes will eventually kill me. It's been mostly lone and tailgunner rides for me recently.

Another possible reason for my dampened enthusiasm for riding the VFR is my rediscovery of racing bicycles from my college days,

[image: DSC02003.jpg]

[image: DSC00156.jpg]

so classic race bicycle restoration projects and riding them had kept me distracted away from my VFR for the last two years now.

Yep!, I understand where many are coming from when they start thinking about hanging up the gear for good........I dunno, but I'll go riding this weekend to see if I can shake most of these "cobwebs" off and light the fires again?? It's been over 35 years of riding all sorts of motorbikes for me It will be a sad day for me too when I finally do hang it up!

Beck

95 VFR

'Tis a sad time for me, too, but, at the same time, I am completely content. Funny, eh?

skuuter trash

As for an inspiration, be careful who you are referring to; I would be very careful to what people like timmythec0p, skuutertrash, BR, Dutchy and a few others say and do... :)

hey Skuut, they are talking about you over here...........

You just KNEW that that was going to get a reaction, didn't you?

How honorable!

Well, it's been a while since I checked in with you guys so I'd better bring you up to date. It's 12 weeks last Monday since my accident and I continue to make steady, if not spectacular, progress with my recovery. X-rays today confirm that the bones are healing and that no movement of pins, plates, etc has taken place. As a result, I have been given permission to go full weight bearing on the right leg. That means that I can start to walk and that I can start physio to assist that process. Part of physio will be strenghening and flexibility and also getting wasted muscles back into trim again after nor having been used for a while. So it's all good and the doctor was pretty amazed that I'd made this much progress in under 3 months. Onwards and upwards!!!

rc36Honda

Well, it's been a while since I checked in with you guys so I'd better bring you up to date. It's 12 weeks last Monday since my accident and I continue to make steady, if not spectacular, progress with my recovery. X-rays today confirm that the bones are healing and that no movement of pins, plates, etc has taken place. As a result, I have been given permission to go full weight bearing on the right leg. That means that I can start to walk and that I can start physio to assist that process. Part of physio will be strenghening and flexibility and also getting wasted muscles back into trim again after nor having been used for a while. So it's all good and the doctor was pretty amazed that I'd made this much progress in under 3 months. Onwards and upwards!!!

Good luck w/ your PT, just remember that you can do anything if you want it bad enough and go through the work to get it. I hope the flooding isn't anywhere near you and that you have an amazing new year. Tom

Best on your decision. No one has to ride - and hopefully it will speak to you to resume doing so in the future. Even though I have not suffered what you have been through, I know my day to turn in my helmet is coming. I am doing phys therapy now just in the hopes of being able to continue to ride. I was skeptical of PT at first, thinking it was just snake oil and hype, but subsequent to shoulder surgery several years ago and six months of PT I'm now a convert. I went from about 60% range of motion to 95% and felt pretty good about it. Now the PT is to heal a torn elbow which is preventing me from fully squeezing the front brake lever. You will lose range of motion and flexibility from inactivity and the PT is a must to get it back. It can be boring, lonely drudgery. It can also be uncomfortable and even painful. But my best advice is "do the homework" that they give you - each and every day. Hang in there - don't quit. At some point it may seem "good enough" and there will be a thousand other things to do - that's when you have to re-double your efforts - and you will get better - hopefully back to 100%. Here's to a speedy recovery. And who knows - maybe when Honda releases the 8th gen you won't be able to resist! :biggrin:

RC, Like all here have stated - I wish you well and admire your wisdom. We're all going to face the day when what we like to do most is not the responsible path forward. I can't help but wonder how guys like you can continue to offer that insight to others like me. So I hope you stay on the forum nnd chime in. Just because you stop riding doesn't mean your views are not welcome - on the contrary I know I'd benefit.

So get well and hang out - give us a few reports on recovery...

Willy

+1.gif on what was said....

Hope your recovery goes well.

Well, it's been over a year now since my accident. People say to me, "Gee, it doesn't SEEM like that long." to which I reply, "No, it seems WAY longer!" But I continue to heal well and now have my doctor's permission to go back to work as a substitute teacher, the job I was doing before the accident. I no longer require a walking stick and can walk some distance unaided, although I do tire quickly due to lack of fitness/stamina.

For a long time after the accident I felt completely disconnected from motorcycling, like a switch had been turned off. Well-meaning friends brought me motorcycle magazines, books and videos which remained unviewed. Once I started getting out of the house a bit I found that just seeing a motorcyclist do what motorcyclists do made me cringe. They weren't doing anything unsafe or dangerous, but my mind immediately would conjure up the worst scenario. It was a very difficult time, like a significant part of my life had been robbed away, in an instant of time.

With time, these feelings have moderated and now I only look at other motorcyclists with a mild envy rather than fear.

I have taken legal action against the truck driver involved in the accident and the company for which he drives as well, but, my solicitor tells me that these things can often take years and I will have to be patient and wait until I have healed as much as I am going to so that proper assessments can be made about how disabled I am as a result of the accident.

I can tell you (although I am sure you already know) that the support and love of my wife and family has been critical in my recovery process. To them I owe far more than I can ever repay. I can also tell you (and you know this too), that nobody, but NOBODY, looks after their mates like motorcyclists do. Despite my positive attitude and extreme motivation, I can tell you that I wouldn't be where I am today without the support and encouragement that I have received from my motorcycling friends, both the ones that I know personally and the ones I know through forums like this one.

As I began to get more mobile earlier this year I found that the days were very long and boring. So my wife, the gem that she is, said to me one day, "Why don't you see if you can fix up that bike you have out behind the shed?" What a clever thing she is! In 1995 I was given the boxed-up remains of a Kawasaki race bike that my friends in Canberra built for an endurance race here in 1981. It was always my intention to restore it "one day" and looking back on it now, it seems to be just the right time to do it.

So, in May I started to strip the frame completely, assess what needed to be done and actually see if a restoration was possible. The results have been stunning. Not only is the restoration well-progressed, but it has grown from being a small project under my pergola to keep me busy while I recuperated, to a world-wide internet phenomenon, with people as far afield as the USA and the Netherlands following the project, offering help and advice and donating valuable and often unobtainable parts in order that the work continue. To say that the reaction to the project has blown me away is the understatement of the year.

You can (if you wish) read about the whole thing, on my blog site where a special chapter is set aside to documenting the project as it proceeds.

http://www.halfofmyl...ax-restoration/

Amazingly, this project has rekindled my passion for motorcycling to the extent that I am seriously thinking about riding again as well, something I thought would never happen.

Thanks for your time again. And thanks again for all your good wishes. They really do mean a lot to me.

You can find me on Facebook...Phil Hall

And here's the link to my Facebook bike restoration album. You don't have to be a FB member to view it.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150247885815757.378368.785170756&type=1&l=b7713afe52

Love it! Will be joining the throngs in following the restoration.

Do you happen to know Kevin Whitby?

The Phantom

Love it! Will be joining the throngs in following the restoration.

Do you happen to know Kevin Whitby?

Heck, yes. Known him for years. Great guy.

I though you would. I met him about ten years ago through the VFR scene, we are in touch from time to time. He is indeed a great guy.

I have a great photo of him sweeping through the Cutting at Bathurst in 1976, on a 250 Yamaha IIRC? His ever-growing collection of British bikes is certainly impressive!

What an amazing idea to restore an old bike to it's original glory as is the builder himself likewise restored to his original passion. There's a story in there you should keep a journal. Never know what you'll have on your hands when you're finished. Keep on keeping on. There's an old expression for you.

VFR Capt.Bob

What an amazing idea to restore an old bike to it's original glory as is the builder himself likewise restored to his original passion. There's a story in there you should keep a journal. Never know what you'll have on your hands when you're finished. Keep on keeping on. There's an old expression for you.

I am keeping a journal on my web site (the address is above). Shortly I'll be porting the whole thing to a dedicated web site just about the bike. And, yes, it will be restored to exactly as it was in 1981. "Keep on keeping one" was the motto of Dulux paints here in Australia (a long long time ago)

Good on ya Phil - I'm really happy for ya mate!

I hope to be hanging up my helmet having the same mindset as you do right now.

Truth is, that there are plenty of things to do other than ride motorcycles.

Enjoy your "retirement" and have fun doing all those other things!

Best of luck to you!

rc36Honda

https://www.facebook...57&l=1978cfa9e7

Cool pic! I was wrong about the photo I have of Kevin - it was from a race at OP not Bathurst:

[image: 6287900882_71f965c208_o.jpg]

Wow, that looks awfully like one of my photos from Oran Park, or you were standing right beside me when you took it!!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150336665210757&l=91a1698b6c

Here's my photo. Taken at Oran Park, November 1976. The first road race meeting for Wayne Gardner, incidentally.

rc36Honda

https://www.facebook...57&l=91a1698b6c

Here's my photo. Taken at Oran Park, November 1976. The first road race meeting for Wayne Gardner, incidentally.

It's the same pic, you must have shared it with Kevin at some stage. I pestered him to show me something of his racing days, and he sent me that :tour:

Tell him Murray says g'day next time you talk to him!

Snap!! Judging by the much better condition of your copy over mine, I'm guessing that yours was a scan off the original print that I would have given him back in 1976. As you can see from my copy, the emulsion on my negatives hasn't survived the years well. I'll say Hi. :)

whilst there are indeed plenty other hobbies outside motorcycling, I must say that riding a motorcycle is the best fun you can have (with your clothes on that is) :-)

^^^^^ wot 'e said!! :rolleyes:

Well, it's time to check in again.

The Shadowfax restoration is complete, and you can read the whole story on my web site. It was a truly amazing experience that culminated in its display at Eastern Creek in March, my good mate, Dave Quinn getting to do some laps on it during lunch time on the Saturday (in company with Kiwi legend, Graeme Crosby) and winning two trophies in the Show and Shine on the Sunday. All of this on the weekend before my 63rd birthday which was on the Monday, what a birthday present, eh?

The other news is that I have decided to ride again and have purchaed another VFR with which I am reacquainting myself with the roads. I can't ride long distances yet as my pelvis gets very sore after about 100 miles, but I'm building up my endurance and I hope to get back to some touring one day (though, if I don't it won't especially trouble me).

I'm getting my head around riding, still being ridiculously careful, of course. My good wife is still a bit apprehensive, but I think she realises that statistically I stand a great chance of riding for the rest of my life in perfect safety.

[image: SAM_0542.jpg]

Here's the two albums that contain all the Shadowfax pictures.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150247885815757.378368.785170756&type=3&l=b7713afe52

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150551903550757.444622.785170756&type=3&l=67fa6fa5a8

Here's the Shadowfax.

For many of us, we can get to a point that maybe its time to stop. I think i saw on another forum that someone was pulling the pin because they had just lost the incentive to ride. A few other people chimed in & said the same thing. So giving it up for your family is a lot more honorable. We all live with knowledge that its not if your going to go arse up, its when. Bike riding takes commitment, we all know its dangerous (or should) & a pretty decent stack after a good innings would make anyone think that there are more important things. Sh*t, how old is Stoner?

Good luck mate.

Welcome back.

rc36Honda

I can also tell you (and you know this too), that nobody, but NOBODY, looks after their mates like motorcyclists do. Despite my positive attitude and extreme motivation, I can tell you that I wouldn't be where I am today without the support and encouragement that I have received from my motorcycling friends, both the ones that I know personally and the ones I know through forums like this one.

Amen brotha! :smile:

Amazing support from our community! I doubt I would still be riding w/o it! :tour:

Glad to see your back, riding or not. Good to hear from you!!!!

BR

That's a pretty good story! Welcome back to the road, keep us updated

Great that you're back riding as it sounds you've still got passion for it. And it's a 4th gen too! Congrats! :fing02:

Chuck

Not that you ever left RC - but as said... Welcome Back!

Your wise views and your work to get back on the road is a good encouragement for the rest of us...

Well done!

Ernie

Welcome back! I understood your reasons for hanging it up, and it's great that you're riding again. It's excellent that you didn't let the crash turn you off from riding for good.

And speaking of excellent, what an incredible job you did on the race bike rebuild project! :smile: That bike looks absolutely amazing. It must have felt awesome to fire it up and see how well it ran. Congrats on that tremendous job! :fing02:

Amazing build and rehab for you.

Welcome back to the VFR fold, congrats on the sweet looking 4th gen.

Welcome back! Take it easy and get comfortable on the bike again so you can enjoy it.

C

Welcome back. You've overcome a lot. Congratulations and safe riding.

Ooooooooohh.... What a lovely NACA....... :-)

Good on ya RC - some days are diamonds hey mate - having your mate do those glory laps on your newly restored racer must've been really very special ... let alone your concourse winnings :happy:

That 4th gen looks like a brand-spanker! ... how many clicks has it done?

Actually, mate, it's got 145k on it, but I'm only the third owner and it has been very well looked after, FSH, $1300 spent last year on a suspension rebuild, etc, etc..

Glad to read that you are doing much better. If you wish to ride again, or Not, that has to be your decision & yours alone or you will never be happy with it!

Back along arse tyme ago after a bad wreck, I gave up riding for my family, so I understand.

But for me the children are grown & mostly on their own, & life's priorities have changed for me. So earlier this year I made the decision to ride again, & am happy to be riding agian, for me it is as close to the freedom of flight as I will ever get.

Sincerely,

Paul

Pretty much mirrors my experience, Paul. Anyway, I'm going to keep working myself into the riding scene again and see what happens. That way, as somebody here said, like you, when I do decide to go it will be on my terms not somebody else's.

Good stuff Phil.

How'd you go with chasing up a decent inner rear guard for it?

Murray

Actually quite well, Murray. After being told by everone that they weren't available, I called in to a wrecker in Sydney while my brother was looking for something for his bike and I asked, just on spec, as you do, and, blow me down, he had an unmolested one up in the rafters which he sold me for 80 bucks. So it's fitted and looks heaps better!

Good stuff, actually I just saw your post at Ozvfr; I'm v4racer there - I'll keep that NOS inner guard for a rainy day :)

Why I haven't replied to this thread I do not know. Much belated welcome back! So sad to read the start of this journey, but it looks like you're entering a beautiful "twilight", not to say you're past it. I think you're regaining it and more! Awesome work on the Kwaka and excellent choice of model VFR.

I was at this years Island Classic, was it there? Will it be at the next one? If it is and you're there, I will come and say g'day for sure.

Welcome back on the road!

I, for one, am simply glad that you approached the whole subject as you did.

Along the lines of Paul's response, there are few things sadder in life than someone who does, or does not, do something simply because they're too proud/stubborn to recognize that it's perfectly fine to change your mind.

I will be at the Island Classic next year, and I will bring the Kawa, even if it's only for display purposes.