Need advice

[650forlife]

I have been on this site for not that long. I mostly just read and look at pictures without much input or addition. I posted a while back about getting in a wreck and smashing my headlight/cowling. Never did manage to get that fixed. And now I am in deeper trouble.

Lets start story time shall we.

My kawi was purchased from my cousin. This is my first street legal bike that I have owned. Right when I got to the point when I started to think that it was time to buy a bike my cousin called me with some news. He has a traveling job and dose not use the kawi much any more. Then came the best part of the call. He would be on his way to arizona in a few days and would go the extra distance to drop the bike off with me if I could buy it from him for $1000.  I did some quick research. A 2000 KLR 650 with 28,000 miles well maintained for $1000. SOLD.  Two days later I got my first look at her. Faded green, worn tires, all stock with the only farkle being the cupholder on the front. I was on cloud nine.
The first months were amazing. Kawi showed me a whole new world in Los Angeles. I could get anywhere in a hour. I could ride curbs, dirt, street, anything.

Then the problem. $$$$$$$

I work a lot. I do. But it isnt enough.
I got new tires. Did the typical maintenance, of course doing all the work myself while hiding in my apt building parking lot. (we are not aloud to work on vehicles here)

Then I laid it down. New blinkers no prob

But now she needs more love than I can provide. After the wreck the headlight and cowling are still broken, hand guards are ziptied on, seat has lost its bolts, chain and gears are slipping, and the engine needs love. I however cant afford any of this. I have to move by the end of this month and have been taking public transit as the KLR is my daily transpo.

So klr world. I need help.   I know I have contributed as much here as some users have, And I am only a 22 year old rider (a punk kid to some) but I work hard for what i have and I cant imagine losing my Kawi. My first real bike. My freedom. 

Without it, I am a prisoner.

[rarepartbuilder]

hi 650
Life can  be frustrating.... but you need to take stock of what you do have...and since you posted as  needing advice... that's the free part in life... on the KLR site anyway.
On April 1st this year i "happened" into some posts of another KLR world member that was cut off and hit head on  by a left turning ford ranger truck... he posted pictures and his comments on the July 5th 2010 crash ... I will PM you the link so that you can reflect on how easy it is for you to put an able bodied plan together versus how others not so lucky had to figure out much much worse dilemmas from a hospital bed.
Advice..

*Find a friend/co-worker or relatives place to store your bike ..a safe place...even if you need a $5.00 tarp to keep the rain off the bike..  take off the screwed up parts..take a picture of them... then put them in a box.
 *Scout around for an autobody shop that needs help...not the ones behind the used car dealer ship... the type that refurbs cars for people trying to get a few more miles out of their buggies.
 All these shop owners are people that usually started from scratch and can sense enthusiasm in any form  ...  offer to trade off a few hours a week  by sanding down cars for paint preparation....show them your pictures of what needs fixed.. in turn.. they will show you how to weld/ fiberglass KLR things back together then paint them.
This is not riding the next day thing...  but it is a good feeling when you know things are "coming together" instead of sitting in dis repair every time you walk by the bike.
*find a crashed motorcycle junk yard. sprockets and chains are dirt cheap..especially if you offer to help or  remove the parts yourself.
*keep working on your project until it is completed.....
*ride on.. knowing that a broken bike was just a thing of the past.
bill

[650forlife]

UPDATE: Bought a metro pass. Tap card for people in L.A.

Just as other things in life I will have to ride this out. I have made it this far so I dont see any reason for this to stop me.

On a side note from that if any one needs any work done, I am available. I have experience in many different fields so please message me if you have a job needs doing. 

[rarepartbuilder]

great start .. we are all rooting for a good out come to the misfortune that came your way.

[CoastieShep]

Sounds to me like you've got a good head on your shoulders, and you're willing to work your butt off. Much more than most kids your age I think, who are expecting their parents to pay for them to go to college so they can drink and party for 4 years.

[trailwing]

The parts needed to fix the bike are probably a lot less than insurance & stuff.  You do have insurance, right?

 What part of L.A. do you live in?

[CB160]

Hey 650forlife,
What are you needing?
I'm a 20 minute ride west of you and have a garage/tools.   Drop me a line if you need some space n assistance in gettin' that bike safely rideable again. Most weekends are available. Let me know.

[trailwing]

Hey 650forlife,
What are you needing?
I'm a 20 minute ride west of you and have a garage/tools.   Drop me a line if you need some space n assistance in gettin' that bike safely rideable again. Most weekends are available. Let me know.

LAX?  Was that you I saw riding a KLR beside the flight line like Tom Cruise in Top Gun?

[CB160]

   Nope. wasn't me....I'd be the old fat guy on the rat bike puttin' along behind.....lol

[650forlife]

Sorry for the delay. Just got back into town.

So I think Kawi will be garaged for a while. I am moving at the end of this month to north hollywood area so she will ride in the truck to there. Once moved though I should be able to save a little money to get parts needed.

In other words im not worried. Ill get her back up and running soon. I have to, cant stand going this long without riding. Takes the fun out of the day.

Thank you all and hope to see you on the streets soon.