Got my Kawasaki Vulcan out too. Battery stored inside as well all winter. Had to run a trickle charge on it - but once I got it in, the thing fired up first try (the stable I put in the gas before winter sure did prevent headaches). Nice ride in the country.
I am hoping to trade it in this summer for a Harley (if the money allows such a thing). I started riding bikes when I was 10 years old. Started on a Honda trail 70. Been through many of them over the years. Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Hodaka, AJS, Enfield, BSA, Norton, Triumph & lastly a Harley (well actually it WAS an AMF). Most of them were dirt bikes until I turned 20 or so (Motocrossed back when the bikes only had 4 inches of fork travel). A 12 year lull for reasons I cant quite put my finger on (except perhaps an X-wife that hated motorcycles). Got this Kawasaki last summer for a song - in a basket more or less. It runs great and looks good - but nothing like a Harley. Prices sure have gone up over the years. I would still like to find an old pan or knuckle - but the new Harley's are real quality machines now. Two of my co-workers own Harleys. One owns a full dresser, and the other a soft tail custom. They look at me sort of odd riding on my old Kawasaki - but will ride with me as long as none of their friends are around. The old super glide I had was not a very quality machine. I worked on it much more than I rode it. Also didn't get much for it when I had to sell it. The AMF logo killed Harley for much too long. I sure hope nothing like that ever happens again. Saw an old Indian Chief for sale here last weekend. They want 20K for it (it's not worth it).
I still know where a old farmer has a 80 flathead engine sitting under an old metal bucket in his field back in Oklahoma. Why - I have no idea. I also don't know why he wont sell it to me. I think it was because I dated his daughter, and things didn't work out between us. I was young and didn't know the lord back then. Well, it's just a hunk of rust now anyway. Now let me tell you about the 67 vette that's sitting in a hay barn..........NOT! (the engine story is true............it really is).
AWAY SHE WENT!!!slipped on my new riding jacket;and off I went-
SUCH A good feeling to have it out to ride again....BEST PART:I BY-PASSED THE GAS STATION!!!