Speaking of First Ride

[Downeaster]

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but most of last Summer and Fall, I had a lot of hand pain that the Doc attributed to arthritis. For the last 3-4 months it's been much better.

After my ride yesterday, it's back. Logical I guess, making a fist to hold the handlebars for an hour or more each way.

I'm taking this as another indicator that it's probably time to sell the bikes. Dammit. I use my hands for too many things to sacrifice grip and dexterity just for the temporary joy of a ride.

Putting feelers out about replacing them with a SXS just to have something to bomb around in. Maine law prohibits them on public right-of-way except in very specific circumstances, but the local constabulary takes a pretty lax attitude about it. In the "thinking about it and checking details" phase at the moment. No firm decision yet, but to be honest, it's just delaying the inevitable.

 

[Downeaster]

Well, younger grandson got approved for a loan to buy the FJ off me (at the friends and family price, of course) and will take possession Sunday if things go as planned.

I have approval from the CFO to "reinvest" the proceeds in a used Jeep. Shopping for a CJ or a Wrangler, stock-ish (if such a thing exists) and it MUST have a clutch. The 4.0 I-6 would be ideal, but I'm open to whatever for the right price. As long as the frame is good and the body is reasonable, pretty much everything else is negotiable.

Need to sell the Ninja to complete the Funding Plan.

 

[Jim]

Had 70-something CJ-7. Straight 6. Lovely thing... an absolute blast to drive and easy as they come to work on.
Sucks 'bout the hands. I feel ya...

 

[Downeaster]

I will be keeping/finishing the CX650 so on those occasions when I just can't stand it any more, I can go for a ride.

 

[bosco659]

Sorry to hear about the hands @Downeaster. That's good that you have another hobby / fun vehicle in your sights. I have the bikes and an ‘89 Toyota Supra as toys (plus the beetle once finished). I often think of the day when it’s time to say goodbye to the bikes. That’s why I think I’ll keep the Supra. I think I’ll still be able to drive the car after my bike days are over. Sucks getting old.

 

[Downeaster]

Sucks getting old.

That it does, but I had more than 55 years of two-wheeled fun with nothing worse than a little Honda Rash and a few pair of ruined skivvies. Plus, it beats hell out of the alternative. So far, at least...

 

[Mailman]

Still…..a Jeep sounds like fun! I do hope you’re still going to hang around the forum.

 

[WideAWAKE]

My old CJ7 - traded 2 surfboards for it!

If Maine is anything like CA with emissions I’d suggest either finding an early CJ7 or CJ5 that is emissions exempt.

I’d also hunt for one with a fuel injection throttle body swap already done. It does wonders for starting.

I had to go fuel injection on mine to get it to pass emissions. It’s about $1100 for parts and a weekend of wiring to do the swap.

It was a great one to take out on the sand dunes at the beach.

 

[Downeaster]

Still…..a Jeep sounds like fun! I do hope you’re still going to hang around the forum.

Oh, fer shure. Too many great people (and great bikes), I'll leave here when they carry me out...

@WideAWAKE that's exactly the Jeep I'm looking for. No overdone lift or tires, just a nice, basic fun ride.

 

[Downeaster]

{Sniffs, wipes tear from cheek...}

Grandson just rode off on the FJ. Big chapter of my life comes to a close. That FJ was the most bike I've ever owned and the source of the most grins ever.

I hope he enjoys it half as much as I did.

Also sold the BMW for Dale the Builder that we've been trying to sell for 3 years. Just had to wait for the right guy to come along. Paid full asking price and never batted an eye. I did help the deal along by throwing in some riding gear I'll no longer need and giving him a helluva deal on trailering it home for him. 100-ish miles one way. That'll put a little commission in my pocket as well.

Now all I need to do is move the Ninja.

 

[Downeaster]

Grandson just texted me that he got home safely on his new toy. He said "This thing is dangerously fun!"

Exactly right, if you give your inner child too much leeway, it WILL get you in trouble. Nice to know he's enough of an adult to realize that.

In other news, I'm going to have to rethink this Jeep thing.

Neighbor has a 2000 Wrangler, 4 banger and a 5 speed. Stock except for bigger tires.

He was kind enough to let me take it for a test drive. Very first observation was that it's not really built for 6 foot 200 pound rednecks like me. Seat all the way back, elbows bent at a less-than-comfortable angle, WAY closer to the steering wheel than I prefer.

Second, it's not all that easy to get in and out of, partly due to overall space, partly due to the seat bottom being even with, if not below, the door sill.

Third, and this is probably due at least in part to the big wheels and tires and/or the 127,000 miles it has on it, but you have to actively think about keeping it between the lines.

The four-holer is a gutless wonder but that's to be expected.

I'm in no rush, I'll look at other options.

 

[WideAWAKE]

All your observations are bang on!

I’m 6’2 and 200lbs.

Mine had a cup holder that was installed on the left side of the drivers seat that I thought was an anti theft device because I smashed my knee on it every time I got in the jeep.

The fact you kinda sit in a bucket with your feet below the door makes it a bit of a climb in / climb out situation.

I got my steering situation as dialed as possible and it still felt like driving a marshmallow. I upgraded to a detachable sway bar which really helped. But yeah, you definitely gotta be paying attention while driving.

A CJ5 is about 5” shorter than a CJ7 so even less leg room.

I think the wrangler has more of a dash than the CJ7 so that may make it feel a little more cramped.

CJ7 has a flat and flush dash with the windshield.

Once you get the hang of it it’s not too bad.

They make step rails for the side to get in and out easier too.

 

[bosco659]

Grandson just texted me that he got home safely on his new toy. He said "This thing is dangerously fun!"

Exactly right, if you give your inner child too much leeway, it WILL get you in trouble. Nice to know he's enough of an adult to realize that.

In other news, I'm going to have to rethink this Jeep thing.

Neighbor has a 2000 Wrangler, 4 banger and a 5 speed. Stock except for bigger tires.

He was kind enough to let me take it for a test drive. Very first observation was that it's not really built for 6 foot 200 pound rednecks like me. Seat all the way back, elbows bent at a less-than-comfortable angle, WAY closer to the steering wheel than I prefer.

Second, it's not all that easy to get in and out of, partly due to overall space, partly due to the seat bottom being even with, if not below, the door sill.

Third, and this is probably due at least in part to the big wheels and tires and/or the 127,000 miles it has on it, but you have to actively think about keeping it between the lines.

The four-holer is a gutless wonder but that's to be expected.

I'm in no rush, I'll look at other options.

I recall way back when I was into 4wd trucks (but not Jeeps), it was a common occurrence for these vehicles to handle rather poorly. Wide tires on uneven roads made for some interesting drives. Mind you that was back in the ‘80’s. I’m sure tire and suspension tech has come a long way since then.

 

[Mailman]

When I first started as a Mailman, I used to drive a Jeep. They were built on a CJ5 chassis, with right hand drive and automatic trans. They were already worn out by the time I hired on, they were all road wild, you hit a bump or a pot hole and it would abruptly change directions! They had a nice tight turning radius. But the thing I hated most was it had a low roofline , getting in and out of that truck 300 times a day…..I think left me with a permanent dent in my forehead!