I need a bike!

[Grinch]

I need a motorcycle! Want to know why???
It's looking like I will have to transfer to Everett Community College (from Skagit Valley) if I want to start a nursing program before the fall of 2005. This means turning a 60 mile daily commute into a 120 mile daily commute! Especially with the rising price of gasoline, I intend to do the bulk of my commuting on two wheels. While it's fun and comfortable, my VTX is just not the best bike for this job. So I'm looking for a bike - and just about anything will fit the bill... sport bike, tourer, naked... doesn't much matter. I'm looking for something that is (or can be made to be) somewhat reliable and cheap to run... and something I can throw some saddlebags onto. As long as it will run on the freeway!
I can't afford much, either. I'm a student... so... What I'm hoping for (absolutely best case scenario) would be a free bike. Something that's collecting dust in a barn, shed or garage. Next best would be a long term loan in exchange for maintenance. If I have to buy it, the seller would have to be willing to accept payments on it.
I know I'm asking for a lot... but I also know that this community is really well connected, and even if there are no members that have something like this, someone may know someone or may have seen something! Even if it's not (immediately) rideable, I have a truck and trailer... I can (and will) pick it up anywhere in the state. So if you know of something that might work, please let me know! Thanks!

[Winter Lion]

Hi Grinch, how ya been?

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/1116r60a-med.jpg

A guy i met online just gave me this beemer, i have to pick it up in minnesota, its got a flat tire and been in storage 2 yrs. Don't know if that front drum is conducive to freeway driving tho. He said it looked like that going into the shed, anyways. 69 is the year, i think. OMG! Is that thing pretty in its own way or what?

[Grinch]

So what would you like to do with this? Do you need someone to pick it up? Are you looking to sell it??? Let me know... direct email to tagamutt2@comcast.net

[Winter Lion]

Not sell, maybe give. I worry about how old it is and how hard parts would be. Those drums are mechanical not hydraulic.. It would be like throwing out an anchor that you forgot to tie a rope to. On medium hill, you would virtually have no brakes after they heated up. Maybe a mod to brakes, but look at it. might be a crime and then the Germans would get involved. Uh!

No, thats mostly crap, if you need for school, you need. I had the Navy pay for most of my education expenses, I know how tight it can be. I owed taxes on 8.00 one year. The next I made 90,000 as a Drivability Tech. at Ford. I will have to research a little thou. If its a classic or rare, be kinda dumb to ride it to school and park it in the rain.

The guy gave it to me because I offered to go get it with him. He was moved, I guess. He said it was karma, that I have it after that. lol.
I spend a lot of time watching his back in political essay type forums. Those euros can be mean and nasty. I probably earned it by now.