I have to admit that shiny new gadgets are cool. I updated my cell phone from the 80's with no camera and two ring tones to one from the millenium with a camera, but no internet. I'm a cheap bastard. I'd rather save money for motorcycle parts and restore some old Japanese rust heap than replace my I-Pod that is the same size as a pack of smokes (4 gigs no less!).
But when I saddled up to head to Seattle this morning that little voice in the back of my head suggested taking the car, rather than riding my 1976 Yamaha XS360. I trusted my trusty steed would handle the cold spring to Seattle. It did, most of the way. Once I hit the U-District my headlight went out. In a car, this isn't a huge deal. One a motorcycle it is a recipe for disaster.
So when I reached AltRider I tore into the headlight, dreading the tax I'd pay some Seattle fashionista accessory center for a new light. After running some scientific tests (holding the light terminals against a battery to light it up) I realized that the problem isn't the headlight, but instead a fuse.
One nice thing about technology is that is has really evolved in how it is delivered. New bikes and cars use special prong fuses that make a short circuit easy to trace and easy to fix. Let's just say that 1970's bike electrical systems are fairly simple, but never easy to fix.
Long story-short: I repaired the fuse and got my headlight back. That is just one aspect of trying to keep 34 year old machines road worthy and running well. If you want the nod of respect for running a vintage bike, you better have the wherewithal to now how to fix it. Otherwise, you're gonna get taxed.
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