Giving up.

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It is wth some regret that I am ceasnig my association with my Commando. I went for a ride a couple of days ago to catch up with a friend for coffee. I wobbled my way there and wobbled my way back. Entering my carport, I fell off at low speed and couldn't get up. It required my son and a neighbour to get me up and around and get me seated and into a chair. My balance mechanism appears to be not at it's best. So, I've decided that the time has come. Minor damage to the bike, basically a bent footpeg which will be replaced. I do not have the capacity to either maintain or wash/polish it anymore either. my riding days are done. I recently found out that my grandfather on my mother's side died when he was hit by a car while on his bike at 65 years of age. I turned 65 a while back and have no desire to tempt fate. I intend to get a few jobs on the bike done and polished to within an inch of it's life and then put it in the classifieds. Such is life. I'll still be hanging around keeping an eye on things Norton so I'll see you guys around Good Luck !
 
I am sorry to hear this, but can understand. I'm sure it is a tough decision to make, but It sounds like your body is telling you it is time.
 
Sorry to hear that.... I'm 68 and fall off at slow periodically, but mostly this is limited to the fat girl. Not ready to give up though.... just getting faster recognizing what's happening and tossing my legs up out of the way.... The fat one tends to slam down so I have to be wary. Glad you weren't injured.
Damn! That's a tough decision for a rider to make.
 
I agree with Lineslinger, a sound decision. You have to know your limitations.
 
Going to be a sad day for us all to make that decision , I’m not far off myself .... good luck in your future , we have all learned some from your posts , thanks for sharing over the years ! Take care , and hope to see you on here .... never know what coming down the road until you see it .....
 
Yep - there's a point where you just decide it's time to quit an activity. Whether it's riding motorcycles or going up on ladders (me)! I have friends in their 80's who still ride and one in particular who can/does ride alone for 2k+ miles but that is pretty unusual. OTOH, I personally know a 50 year old former Moto GP world champ who will not ride motorcycles on the street at all!

Good luck!!
 
A sad day, certainly, but well done for having the common sense and fortitude to shout: 'Enough'..
(I'm going to polish mine on that day and keep it as an ornament :) )
 
It is wth some regret that I am ceasnig my association with my Commando. I went for a ride a couple of days ago to catch up with a friend for coffee. I wobbled my way there and wobbled my way back. Entering my carport, I fell off at low speed and couldn't get up. It required my son and a neighbour to get me up and around and get me seated and into a chair. My balance mechanism appears to be not at it's best. So, I've decided that the time has come. Minor damage to the bike, basically a bent footpeg which will be replaced. I do not have the capacity to either maintain or wash/polish it anymore either. my riding days are done. I recently found out that my grandfather on my mother's side died when he was hit by a car while on his bike at 65 years of age. I turned 65 a while back and have no desire to tempt fate. I intend to get a few jobs on the bike done and polished to within an inch of it's life and then put it in the classifieds. Such is life. I'll still be hanging around keeping an eye on things Norton so I'll see you guys around Good Luck !
Fullauto,
I feel your pain. I haven't ridden for over a year and I used to ride almost every day. The riding was not a problem, I feel like I was riding quite well. Like you, it was in the parking lot, driveway, garage or shop that I was falling down. Falling down at low speed or stopped is humiliating and can be expensive too. If you care about your motorcycles it's a hard choice to keep falling down or stop riding. If you're like me, the thought of giving up wasn't ever on your mind. I'm telling myself this balance and strength problem is going to go away and I'll be riding again soon, but the clock keeps running. I even stayed off "Access Norton" mostly because of the embarrassment from not being a rider. I've always been rather "rabid" when it comes to riding. I rode when others wouldn't and never wanted to be the guy sitting on the sidelines talking about "back when...". Sorry to hear that the same is happening to you (and others) . I'm not giving up yet. The desire to ride is too strong.
Be safe, Charlie.
 
Damn, that must be disappointing. I feel for ya.

I figure I'll wake up one day and not remember I own a motorcycle. At 70 I've noticed a serious loss of strength, but I can still ride. I attribute that to cycling, and just being an ornery old cuss.
 
I too offer my best wishes for your next endeavor. I have always liked your no BS, tell it like it is responses even when I was on the receiving end. Your innovation producing the best head a Norton has ever worn will be one of your legacies that will live on. I respect your decision to stop riding, it sure beats being scraped off the pavement. If you haven't already read "Big Sid's Vincati", it tells a similar tale.

Before I gear up for a ride I ask myself, is this my day to die? Only once in the last 20 years did I get the feeling that it might be; pushed the bike back into the garage, next day no response of any kind to that question.

You may have already considered this, but what about a sidecar rig?

In any event please continue contributing; your knowledge and experiences are also part of your motorcycle legacy. I would really enjoy reading the story about producing the head from inspiration to testing.

Best regards,

Bill.
 
Being a stubborn asshole has helped or hindered me a lot..... The vote is being tabulated still.
 
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Very sad to hear this mate
It will come to all of us in the end
All the best
 
Not too long after WW2 Jimmy Doolittle made a bad landing in his civilianized B-25. He went home and mailed in his pilots license to the FAA.
If he can stand down so can any of us.
Correct choice. You retired undefeated!
 
Thats a sad thing to read, but a decision that only you can make.

I am 64, and ride regularly. I use a Triumph Scrambler for commuting into London for work.

Regular riding is good, when I wasnt riding every day, I soon felt rusty when I did ride. I think the mental activity required is good brain exercise, got to keep your wits about you, certainly in traffic.
 
I am over 80 and still riding, but my days are numbered.

I have always been crazy, but not stupid! When the signs tell me when to quit, I will. It is good you have responded to the signs.

Keep perusing this Forum, chime in from time to time, and continue to share your knowledge and expertise.

Slick
 
Sorry to hear this, but we all will have to make this decission sooner or later.
This said, I cringe with the idea to give up motorcycling.
However, it would be wise to stop before something seriously goes wrong, we all must know our limitations.
 
Good call. No need to stop, having that glorious wind therapy. I have mine all picked out....
I've ridden them several times. A great ride.


 
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