7 years ago Mrs Chalk had a Yamaha Fazer 600 (foxeye) and I had the Fazer 1000. I also had a Gen 1 and Gen 2 Tuono, CB1300S, FJR1300, KTM 950 SM in short order and putting 1000's of miles on them. I thought I missed that power.

5 years ago I wrote off her bike, unfairly using it as a winter hack ...(taken out by a cop ?!?). She had loved it and missed it. I felt bad about her losing her bike.

4 years ago I bought a 2009 660 Tenere just as we were emigrating.

For the last 4 years, overseas, I've been faithful and only ridden this 40+bhp baby and bonded with it because I've learnt to relax and enjoy the view at a gentlemanly pace of life. Mrs Chalk often remarked about 'one-day, riding again'

Today, I picked up Mrs Chalk's 40th, surprise, birthday prezzie.....another Fazer in pippy mint, original condition and rode it the 60 miles to a storage unit for the big day reveal in October.

Oh dear, oh dear.....It's only 90+ bhp, in a 6 speed box but it has truly re-awakened the dragon after 4 years of pottering about on a single.

I'm now selfishly looking at the market / trading in for my own old school carbs ride ZRX1200 / Fazer 1000 ....and which of course can't appear in the garage before her own birthday reveal in October, just out of politeness.......Or can it?

Forgive me Father for I have sinned!

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I have a lot of growing up to do. I realized that the other day inside my fort.