Traitor

I must be a traitor. I just purchased my second motorcycle. And I don't even know how to ride a motorcycle yet.

I can't help it. I look at the total picture of vehicle collecting and I see motorcycles as a growth niche in the future. While gas prices are down, they are sure to rise again. Motorcycles go a lot further on a gallon of gas than most cars. Motorcycles seem like a good bet as an investment, too. I have been offered a $3,500 profit on the '40 Indian Chief I purchased in June and turned it down. The new bike is a just-about-perfect, low-mileage '99 Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter 1500. It is so nice I'm sure I could sell it for $2,500 more than I paid. I don't want to do that.

The Antique Automobile Club of America (www.AACA.org) recently added a motorcycle wing to its museum in Hershey, Pa. This was done in conjunction with the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (www.antiquemotorcycle.org).

Owning a motorcycle is a great way to "stay young" at 61 years old. As a kid, I watched the big Harleys and Indians owned by members of a local motorcycle club cruise in holiday parades. Now, I can go cruising myself (after I take the Motorcycle Safety Course). 

If you're interested in collectible motorcycles, the best source of info and ads is Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader (www.walnecks.com).