Let's say you just got burned out and needed a break from working on your bike, fell into a depression, had a stroke, who knows. How long have you let a bike sit before getting back to it? What's the longest?

 

I have let a bike sit for eight months because I needed repair. Bike was fine when I was ready to ride again. That was in the late 90’s. I am going through something similar now. I think the last time I ride was in April. Once again, I need repair, not my bike.

 

After I crashed in May, it took almost three months to get the painted parts and for the dealer to put it back together. It was just about the same amount of time for me to heal and be able to ride again.

Over the last fifty years of riding, any time my bike has been down, (which has not really been very often), it's at the top of my list to get it back on the road. I mostly do my own work, so waiting for parts is usually the only thing that might delay me.

 

At 7 weeks now because of Shoulder surgery.


bspencer

 

After I shattered my leg, as soon as I could make my leg work well enough to shift...about 6 months. Even then, I rode my Evo bagger because it had a heel shifter. Couple more months after that to get back to the Shovel, which is toe only.

I still use the heel shifter whenever I'm on the Evo to this day. It's habit now.

 

61/2 years to get my engine back on the bike---do I get a prize?

 

5 minutes...then she was done nagging to help clean the house.

 

Till the next day and I could trailer it to the shop. Now luckily I have a spare so if one does have to go to the shop I can still ride

 

Fortunately I've not had a major medical issue or injury that fits the situation and since I was 20 haven't always had the money for upgrades, but I have had money for repairs.
My problem is the opposite, if I have a failure or suspect and issue, I start tearing down right then. Longest wait is for parts.
Even when I buy a project bike, what I might plan to be 3 to 6 month is usually completed in 1 to 2 months.
So I guess the longest for me would be pre-internet after seizing an engine racing and that would be a 2 week wait for parts.

 

2003 I found myself bereft of any money and just about without a pot to pee in and a commute of nearly 100 miles twice a week. Winter time the worse time was doing the commute at half past four in the morning with an outside temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius. Riding for necessity was not a pleasurable experience for me. The bike I had was a 1995 Triumph Daytona and it was 2004 when the fuel tap diaphragm went. I had enough money then to buy an old shark-nose 1982 E21 BMW.
The bike then sat in the garage untouched for 9 years until I decided it was time to revisit motorcycling and ride for pleasure. Diaphragm kit, new tyres, carburettors stripped down and sonic cleaned and a servicing later it was back on the road, sold it and then began my first foray into Harley ownership!