My Suzuki VX800 Motorcycle
1991 Suzuki VX800
It’s spring, 2001.
I haven’t owned a motorcycle in 18 years, but had recently got
the “itch”. Not sure what to buy – but with family
expenses knew it would be something used. Stopped to see a
motorcycle or two, but nothing seemed to be in very good shape.
One day on my way home from work I saw a nice looking red
“standard” bike on the side of the road on a knoll above the
highway. I was about half a mile from my house! A couple of days
later, on the weekend, I stopped up to see it. This is what I
saw.
Yes! 3961 miles!!!
Now, I had no idea what this
VX800 was, but I liked what I saw and wrote down the contact
information. It turns out, the contractor who built my house and
lived a few houses up from me was selling the VX. We talked a
bit, and he loaned me his complete collection of magazine
article reprints so I could read up.
Within a week, it was mine.
I had received some valuable input on things to check from the
VX list server on the internet. I took her out for a test ride
and wrote the check.
Can you imagine accidentally
running into a VX with 4000 miles on it, and buying it without
really knowing what a great ride it is?
I didn’t realize it, but
the fork seals had failed, so I had the local dealer replace
them. I also had a leaky shock, so got a new set of
Progressives. Cleaned up the VX, bought protective gear and
enjoyed getting familiar with riding again!
As you might be able to see
from the pictures, the right brake lever was bent – so in 2002
I replaced that, as well as the bias ply tires with a new pair
of Dunlop D205’s. This
is what the VX looked like in 2002-
“Self portrait”
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