Our New Ride -- Lucille

Remember how I keep alluding to a super sweet thing we drove to Indiana for last month? Well, here she is! In all her glory! A 1972 Honda CB 350 motorcycle!
Probably sounds a bit crazy to some, but I've always wanted a classic motorcycle. My papa had one (an orange one) that I remember seeing at my grandparents' house when I was itty bitty, and I always thought they were so neat. Of course I've also always been terrified (They don't call them donor-cycles for nothin'!) I even sold my pink scooter like 4 years ago because I was a bit scared to ride it in traffic! But after riding in Florida I really wanted something that I felt attached to. I started looking for one and actually found it incredibly quickly. This one had just been listed a few hours earlier and it was a steal. The price was out of the world. I showed Mike and he loved it just as much. We called up the owner that night (about 8:30pm) and we were on the road headed an hour north of Indianapolis just 12 hours later. 
We've played with her a bit at home, traded out some bits and bobs, and made some adjustments. I like that it's just a 350 because I feel like I can handle it without being overwhelmed, but I need some boots with a little bit of height. (The saddle is a bit tall for me at 5'2"-ish, so it's not the easiest to move with my feet.) It really seemed like fate because just a day or so later a motorcycle safety class came up on Groupon for half off. I eagerly snagged one because I'd rather spend 2 days learning the ins and outs of all motorcycle safety biz before getting on the road. I don't want to put myself (or anyone else) at risk. I was supposed to take the class a few weeks ago but the rains were insane. I'm holding on to it for a good weekend and I'm going to make the most of it!

We're really excited about this little thing and I can't wait to work on it more with Mike. I know most people won't find it quite as exciting as we do, but we are in love with it. We really want it to be our exit vehicle for the wedding, too! 
Overall, it was a random last-minute roadtrip well worth it!

45 comments:

  1. I love motorcycles! My dad has one and I am crazy for driving with him!

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  2. Haha, I just love you and your spontaneity! You dream it and you make it happen. Good for you. :) I love the idea of it being the exit vehicle for your wedding, I can already envision the photos!

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  3. How fun! It's almost identical to my dad's old Honda. I'm like you though…I know they are fun and I so enjoy it, but they always frightened me. Still do :P

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  4. That is so exciting! My Dad has a touring bike also named Lucille, which was also used in the wedding photographs/exit strategy for his and my step-mother's wedding! I myself am hoping to get my M license this year, I have always loved motorcycles. In the US is there no graduated license for motorcycles? Here there is a written test and a road test as well.
    --Erin

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    1. There is an M class license required, too! But if you take the motorcycle safety course by a certified instructor then you're exempt from both the road + written test :) You spend a hefty portion of the 16 hour class on the bike itself learning to maneuver

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  5. Ahhhh so cool! And it looks so beautiful too, what a treasure! Congrats!

    xo
    http://kittysnooks.blogspot.ca/

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  6. Congratulations! Love to hear more about your adventures riding.

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  7. OMG, I LOVE the idea of it being your exit vehicle for the wedding. I can just see the pictures. Congratulations & enjoy it in good health (and safety)!

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  8. OMG I LOVE the idea of it being your exit vehicle for the wedding. How fun & what a gorgeous photo op. Congrats & enjoy it in good health (and safety)!

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  9. Haha, I love the idea of this for your exit vehicle. Very cute.

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  10. What a gorgeous bike! I absolutely understand your excitement--I've always wanted a motorcycle, and I've always wanted to ride the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado (check this out: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1SKPM_enUS423US423&q=million+dollar+highway&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=775&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=RKsSUKWMG4q08AT-vYCIBw). It will be an excellent "Just Married" getaway vehicle! :)

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  11. wow, what a cool purchase! LOVE the idea of using it as your exit vehicle!!!

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  12. It will be a great exit vehicle! I love motorcycles, but am scared to ride one. I guess I need to grow a set and give it a whirl. Congrats on your new ride :)

    Adrienne
    What Lola Wants

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  13. Yay, it's a beauty congrats! Motorcycles are so awesome, my dad has one and whenever I visit home I always go on a ride with him. And when we come back my brother and Mom are waiting for their turns too. We all like them. :]

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  14. awesome! that is one gorgeous motorcycle (:
    xo, cheyenne

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  15. Very cool! I've always wanted a classic motorcycle too! This one is a beaut! You may have to hang up your cute dresses and wear some jeans to ride it though, no? ;)

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    1. Oh yeah! It'll be a new era of jeans, boots and jackets for this lady! haha So far I've found a (decent) pair of boots and i have 1 pair of jeans. but I need to prepare!

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  16. This bike is beautiful! Congrats on your find, be safe and enjoy it! :]

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  17. So exciting - what a find! I love classic moterbikes! Hope you have lots of fun adventures riding it and think it will be a perfect wedding exit!
    Lianne x
    rubyrubyslippers.blogspot.com

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  18. 0.0 I'm so jealous what a beauty!!

    Xo Sahra
    EffortlessCool

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  19. OH MY GOODNESS. So cute.
    I am huge motorcycle daughter, too! Congrats on the bike!

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  20. She's beautiful! And it doesn't sound crazy at all. I have considered getting an older honda bike too.

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  21. Kudos to you! I've always secretly wanted a motorcycle, but I'm also terrified. I'm sure you'll be an excellent (and adorable) driver! Be safe!

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  22. thats in really great shape. we have a lot of motorcycles - (my husband builds custom bikes.) the newest one to the collection here is a 76 honda 200. so its even a tad smaller than your engine and its super fun orange. i'm looking for a 70-73 honda passport right now - those have 70cc engines- so they are more like scooters then a motorcycle. good luck with yours! i can't wait to see more pics of you riding.

    trisha @ http://veranellies.blogspot.com

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  23. nice! I built an old '72 CL 350 with an ex a few years ago! What fun! Cafe bikes are the best! Be safe!

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  24. this is the last thing i imagined haha so awesome! i've been riding bikes since i was little, my dad is a crazy gearhead/mechanic. i've always wanted a cool little vintage motorcycle, love her name! i crashed out on a man-sized bike one time, my short self has to touch the ground! i'm pretty terrified of riding around in traffic but i need a little bike/scooter for short trips to main st.

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  25. Lucille is my dogs name lol. That's where my blog gets it's name. It's a very pretty bike! Worthy of the name I think ;)

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  26. That's so awesome! My better half as a CL 250 and I have an 883 Harley Sportster. Definitely worth the trip!

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  27. oh heck yes! nick and i have been looking for a smaller vintage motorcycle for a few months now but haven't found the right one yet. ohmygosh i am so excited for you guys— how fun!

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  28. Oh,THAT looks fun! My stepdad has a Honda motorcycle,too. He actually gave it to us last week. It needs a lot of work,though. Gah,that's so awesome! Congrats! :D

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  29. Ooh she's beautiful! And who says black and brown don't go together?! I have a 1999 CB 250 named Ruby, I'm a beginner too so she's great as she doesn't go too fast!

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  30. Dude, we totally have the same motorcycle! Same color and everything!

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  31. That's awesome! I'm so jealous haha, I want a bike so bad! Do you have a photo of your old pink scooter? I'd love to see it!

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  32. Pretty bad ass, girl! My boyfriend has a Harley and I've always wanted to learn to ride. His is a little too heavy/tall and nice for me to tool around with but I hope to get my own one day.

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  33. SUPER JEALOUS! I've got my license because I used to have a Vespa. I just need to find a sweet ride.

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  34. This is the exact bike I want for myself! No joke! I'm not too particular about the exact year or anything-just as long as it's a classic. My boyfriend and I have been talking about it for months. Congratulations! She's beautiful :)

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  35. I love this! I have never really thought about owning one, but they seem like they would be pretty awesome to ride. I love riding a jet ski, and I guess it's essentially the same thing, just on water :) haha

    Congrats on the great find! If I even see you out riding in Nashville, I'll make sure and wave!

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  36. Aw! I love this! It reminds me of the motorcycle Steve rides in The Avengers! I'm def too scared to ever own a motorcycle (no judgement to people that aren't - that's just me!) but if I ever did, I think it'd look a lot like this one. ;)

    Also: that would be such an adorable/fantastic getaway vehicle for your wedding! LOVE that idea! <3

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  37. Oooh - she's a beauty! :) The mister and I have a 1977 Honda CB750 - perfect for weekend camping getaways! Unfortunately, we took a spill about a month ago that I'm still recooperating from - still love the bike, but my learned-it-firsthand advice is to always wear a leather jacket (and gloves, especially because you work with your hands - they're usually the first to hit the ground), and get a full helmet (not a beanie, every paramedic told me they're useless) preferably with a pull-down face visor...to be extra safe. :) Have a blast!!

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  38. Ahh so excited for you! That is a lovely bike. I work at a Triumph dealership so I'm kinda a sucker for classic motorcycles :) I hope you have tons and tons of fun riding!

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  39. I always find it cute when classic motorcycles, which are almost cruiser-like in built, are branded with a girl’s name. I don’t think it taints the bike’s reputation at all. In fact, if anything, it even gives the motorcycle a more striking charm. First, master the art of driving Lucille, before you move onto more adventurous riding. Bearing in mind the importance of safety can help you enjoy each ride to the fullest. ;)

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  40. I love vintage motorcycles too! My father handed me down his vintage motorcycle when I turned 18 and I can’t explain what I felt that time! I still have it and I’m planning to pass it on my son when he turns 18.

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB