Introduction for miwifri

[miwifri]

Hello Ducati lovers,
My name is Mike (miwifri), I live in a small town in central New York, USA called Westernville.
My current bike is a 1970 BSA 441 Victor Special that I bought used in 1972.  She is in dire need of restoration. 
My connection with Ducati is my brother desmo_profundis who, with his wife, owns a matched set of Monsters. 
My present involvement in motorsport is racing a cage with four wheels with NASA in the north east. 
I've been sniffing hard around the 696 and, pending my wife's willingness to tolerate what she considers another high risk activity, may succumb to this beauty.
Any advice for this aging petroburner is welcome. 

[somegirl]

Welcome Mike, nice to have you here.

I hope you keep us posted on your restoration project.    And feel free to tell/show us more about the car you're racing.

Good luck with the 696 shopping.  Most people here who have/had them really like them.  If you're really tall it might not fit you so well.  What kind of riding experience do you have and what type of riding are you planning on doing? 

You'll probably get more responses if you post up specific questions you have in the General forum.

Have fun and keep us updated!

[Slide Panda]

Yep, plenty of info on the 696 at this point.

And if you are documenting your resto - please share. There's a lot of folks on here who will be an interested an appreciative audience. Also, lots of talent on this board if you ever hit a sticking point. There's painters, fabricators, engineers - even a rocket scientist!

[miwifri]

When the BSA gets the restoration I will definitely try to post the before, during and after shots.  I'm kind of a dope with the computer but I'll go to the FAQs and figure it out.  Thanks for the encouragement and I'm sure the resources on forums like this will come in handy. 

Somegirl, My cage is a Honda S2000 that I run in Honda Challenge NASA NE.  My major riding experience on the street is far in the past.  I have occasionally been on a bike over the years and my interest in getting another bike has been growing recently.  I'm going to approach things pretty much as a newbie despite still having a license to ride.  I will start off with some of the safety and riding courses that didn't exist when I got started.  Actually, my wife would prefer that I keep my motorcycling at the track away from the hazards on the street.  I am also a driving instructor for NASA/PDA and I would definitely appreciate some of your guys teaching me the ropes at an HPDE (or is that HPRE).   [moto]

[somegirl]

Taking the refresher courses is a great idea.

Feel free to PM me if you ever get stuck with the photo phosting.

[Desmo_Profundis]

Hey Mike, It's good to see you here. Sorry I haven't had much of a chance to be on line lately but For Sure Welcome to the DMF!! 

[Beyote]

Hola Mike!!!

Great to see you here Son of Charles and Anita, Brother of Mr Freeze, born on the maiden flight of the B52 and coranation of Elizabeth II.

It would be awesome if you had a Monster. 

Galen and I are super stoked we should put a mod list together just for kicks.   

[Desmo_Profundis]

Hola Mike!!!

Great to see you here Son of Charles and Anita, Brother of Mr Freeze, born on the maiden flight of the B52 and coranation of Elizabeth II.

It would be awesome if you had a Monster. 

Galen and I are super stoked we should put a mod list together just for kicks.   

Not all correct but a nice attempt none the less BJ  , but yes, it'd be super cool if you got a monster bro.

[miwifri]

Yup, I'm serious about a 696. I don't know why but I could see myself on a red one (What not gray?!).  It seems so appropriate for a Duc and is quite beautiful, I think.  You boys know better than I, but this seems to be the light, great handling bike in this genre and that's what has always appealed to me.  Arun told me to give him a call about dealers near me and even suggested shipping a bike here.  I plan to call him soon. 

You may be wondering about how the Mrs. is going to take it.  I think she may be coming around, after all, she already tolerates my auto racing.   [moto]