Al Flavells

I have lost count of the bikes I have had over the years. I started biking at 16 with a much sought after Fanatic caballero. (It would leave Yamaha FS1E'S and Honda SS50'S for dead, if any of you reading this are old enough to remember them).
At 17 I progressed to a Yamaha DT175 trail bike, which was great fun. I passed my test on this, then went to Chris Sharpe's bike shop in Oadby, and part exchanged it for a CB750K7.
This bike was bored out to 810cc, and how I didn't kill myself on it is any ones guess. I got bored with bikes quickly in those days, and swapped often, but my favourite was always the Kawasaki Z650. I have had the pleasure to have owned 4 in all. Various models, (Only one at a time though).

I had a break from biking for about 5 years, after being attacked by a Volvo and spending 9 months recovering. At this point my wife, Kerry, and my children thought it was time I grew up.
I must say, at the time I was inclined to agree with them. By the summer of 2003 I had convinced Kerry that I needed another bike to commute into the City, as car parking was becoming more and more expensive.
I set my heart on another Z650, and spent the next few weeks driving all over to find the right bike. Unfortunately I bought the wrong bike (according to my wife), because it was just too good to use on any days where there even looked like there may be a chance of rain. So it lived in the garage, and only came out with the Sun, which defeated the object of the exercise. But to me it was like being 18 again. An F2 in fantastic condition. 2 previous owners, the ORIGINAL 4 -2 exhaust, and a few tasteful modifications, easily the best 650 I have owned

I had told Kerry on several occasions that I intended to own a Harley Davidson at some stage, before I hung up my leathers for good. I even took one out for an afternoon from Sycamores at Uppingham. I loved it, but couldn't convince Kerry that it was a sound investment. I resigned myself to keeping the Z650, and put all thoughts of Harleys to the back of my mind.
Christmas 2004 came round fast, and before I knew it we were all opening our presents. I opened one from Kerry. It was a die cast model of a Harley Sportster. The tag read 'Now you've got what you always wanted'. 'Very funny'. I said.
She told me to look out of the front window. There on the drive was a brand new Sportster tied up with orange ribbons. She had bought the bike without me knowing, and had it delivered to a neighbours house.
The neighbour then pushed it over and left it on the drive on Christmas morning. What a woman !
What a turnaround, from a wife who had an unhealthy dislike of motorbikes. Fantastic ! The only down side to all this is the Z650 had to go.
Never mind, I'm off to the Alps in May for its first big adventure. Can't wait

The update to this story is that Al found the 883 Sportster a bit underpowered and he secretly wished she had got the 1200 instead. Well Kerry must have read his mind cos after Al put the 883 away in a locals garage she had part chopped it for the 1200 for Xmas 2005. And as a present for 2006 he got - no not another bike - but some Screamin' Eagle pipes!!

Al I'm waiting for a photo!