Hi all, new member, longtime 888 owner.
Some background:
I came into some money in late 93 and decided to buy my dream bike. I was watching Doug Polen mop the floor with everyone else on his Ferracci tuned 888 in AMA superbike, so the choice was pretty clear. The sales guy at the duc dealer tried to tempt me with promo pics of the then-new 916, but I stuck to my guns, ordered a LTD, and got #44.
Life was good:
very good:
but then...
Long story short, a dumptruck driver tried to kill me twice, and almost succeeded the second try. Because I crossed a double yellow to avoid the first attempt, I was found at fault.
That was in september of 02, since then, I got the fuel tank repaired by a local metalworking guru, got the chassis checked (and OKed) by GMD computrack, and pulled the rear top end to install MBP collets. Other than that, Ive not been able to afford to do much of anything other than grab the occasional cheap, damaged bodywork part off ebay. Its not that Im poor, I make decent coin....I just have spent all my play money on other bikes thru the years while the 888 sat, but thats about to change.
Two recent events have rekindled the project:
I bought a house. While it seems odd, this actually improved my financial situation.
A friend bought a 996, the engine of which had been replaced because the original had major transmission damage. He got the original engine in the deal, albeit in parts, and was kind enough to give it to me.
So thats where I sit now. I got a new basement (with a house on top) thats perfect for the project. I got some spare spending money, and Im itching to get it back on the road, even if its secretly 996cc.
As of now:
lots to follow...
