I can't believe it has been this long, but four years ago, I actually paid money to go into indentured servitude. Her name is Marie, and when the weather is good, she comes out and makes me want to spend money on her. She is not a bad mistress, though. She never asks for it, nor does she trade for it (like too many other girlfriends I have had). No, she takes care of me no matter what, and that is why I do it. My last purchase for her was a trunk that will hold my backpack for work and hopefully not make her look like she has a big butt. Granted, she is getting a little older, so maybe that should expected. The picture below is taken at an angle that she finds very slimming, so we are still on good terms.



I took this picture a few times with a star filter, but the chrome reflected so much light that I couldn't see the bike through the stars.

The trunk serves another purpose. Annie has been looking forward to being tall enough to ride on the bike. I think she is there, and wanted to provide her with a backrest to make her feel secure (you can never truly be secure on a bike, you just have to feel like you are).

The slavery/servitude comes from the impulsive need to keep her clean. I started cleaning her yesterday afternoon, and finished it this afternoon. As diligent as I try to be, she has spots on her from corrosion, and even some rust spots. Damn it. I have spent way too much money on her, but that's just the way it is when you own a beautiful bike. She gets me to work and back with half the fuel cost as the truck (Stitch). So, I continue to do these things. While I was cleaning, I realized all the things I have done to her. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I'll confess the following:

o Replaced the stock exhaust with Thunderheaders
o Replaced the stock foot boards, pegs, and passenger boards
o Replaced the stock lenses with smoked ones
o Installed rings around the lights
o Installed a fork lock cover
o Replaced the stock handlebars with beach bars
o Replaced the stock front fender skirt with a custom
o Replaced the stock license plate bracket with a slanted one
o Replaced the stock bulbs with LEDs
o Installed custom electronics to turn on the rear lights when the brakes are applied for improved visibility, as well as a module to regulate the LEDs
o Replaced the stock throttle and clutch levers with custom ones
o Replaced the stock brake fluid reservoir covers with chrome ones
o Replaced the stock seat with a Corbin custom seat so my butt would stop falling asleep on long trips
o Added brackets and highway pegs to further reduce my butt-sleeping problem
o Installed chrome covers on passenger footboards
o Installed 2-up system for additional (removable) parts on the rear of the bike
o Purchased luggage rack
o Purchased trunk for rear of bike (just did this)
o Installed accent LEDs that look really cool in the dark (like I drive at night a lot)
o Had the Big-Bore kit installed after the mustang freaking blew me away on the road (this was a big one)
o Replaced the stock mirrors with some cool ones I found on E-Bay
o Added a pouch to the windshield
o Installed high-performance air filter
o Installed a racing tuner to better mix air/fuel
o Added some bags to hold small stuff on the rear engine guards
o Added bolt cover kit to hide the nasty heads of bolts
o Replaced the handlebar handles with custom ones
o I have three helmets
o Bought day/night goggles
o Installed chrome covers to special places on the brakes
o Installed front axle-nut covers (twice)
o Installed battery charger module for long stays in the garage (sinful, I know)

Holy cow, I think that was fairly exhaustive. I don't want to go into what it has cost me, but I stay by the point that she takes good care of me, and will take care of Annie when she starts riding with me.

Heavy Metal Thunder...