New moto search

Well, with the advice (and surprising archive of motorcycle knowledge) of my awesome friend, Thom, I am beginning the great search for my next bike. Ever since I got my last moto, I have dreamed of taking long trips, though the farthest I have actually ever gone was to Half Moon Bay a few years back on Highway 1. Which was beautiful. BUT, I have bigger dreams, farther destinations to travel and nights to spend looking up at the stars, thus began the motorcycle camping trip fantasy. Trumpets! Flower petals! Sparkle! I love camping and I love fishing. I love traveling and I love motorcycling. It makes sense. Next summer...somewhere between here and there, my friends and I will meet up half way and motorcycle-camp the shit outta that place! In the meantime, these are some of the bikes I've been looking at this week...some are out of the question and some I don't think I would make it on the highway without developing what might look like Parkinson's. Ideally, I'd like a vintage Honda, maybe a 350..maybe something over 500, but no more than a 750 (according to Dave)...which I actually think is crazy for my frame, and possibly something made after '72/'73 because of the new front disc brakes, spending $1000-2000. But I don't know much about anything yet. Just these bikes...

In San francisco, '74 cb360, not on the market yet, great compression apparently, only 4K miles, all electrical good and some dents, apparently ridden often. Said probably wants about $2000.

In San Jose, '72 cb350, been sitting a year, $1000. Looks nice, but don't think I want to deal with a sticky front brake lever or same ol problems I had with my last 350...

Thom thinks I should buy this, 1972 Moto Guzzi El Dorado, $4200. It is a monster, out of my price range, um, kinda badass, and kinda demonic...or as he put it, "the RV of 70's Italian Motorcycles". Maybe one day. Maybe chestnut.

And then there's this guy who just popped up today on Craigslist. I am interested for sure, but it is more than I want to spend...or is it? 1976 cb550, been sitting covered in a barn for ten years...and is in mint condition, supposedly, all OG parts and ohhhh so classic. Which I am a sucker for with most anything. $2595. Maybe will call tomorrow and schedule a test drive...more to come.