Coming to Abu Dhabi almost four years ago was a good thing for me, in many ways. Sure, the job is great, but like many people who find their way across to the other side of the world, I was escaping a problem. It had been consuming my existence; it was costing me money and my social life; I needed help.
I couldn't stop buying vehicles.
Luckily, I finally decided to take the Middle East plunge, and I got rid of my utilitarian Subaru Outback, my cherished 1965 Triumph Spitfire and my beloved motorcycle, a 1987 BMW R100RS (I had also sold a couple of other cars in the years before that). I would miss the last two rides, but I felt unshackled, like a weight had suddenly lifted off of me. I was free.
Of course, I had to buy a bike when I got here, so I added a Beemer F650GS, just to get around on. Then, with the heat getting to me, I picked up a lovely little Alfa Romeo Spider just last year. That's fine; I could stop there, no problem.
Of course, I still check the classifieds board in a supermarket, just to see what's for sale and for how much; you know, because I'm interested. Occasionally, I'll log on to dubizzle.com or some other used car website; just out of curiosity, you understand.
And so it was that, while surfing the net, I just happened on a 1994 BMW K100RS, a sport touring bike just a bit newer than the motorcycle I had owned. But this one was in need of, shall we say, more than just a spot of polish.
It was a lovely bike in its heyday; an oil-cooled four-cylinder with a black sport fairing, ABS and decent power; but it had fallen on hard times. The ad said it didn't start, the fuel filler cap wouldn't open, it hadn't been ridden in a couple of years, and a few other little tidbits that would be a warning sign to walk away for others more sensible than I might be.
And that's when I realised the itch that I wasn't scratching suddenly became all too apparent; and all too unbearable. I'm sorry - I just couldn't help myself.
The price was right, and I even knocked it down to just more than Dh3,000. There was no time to get it checked over properly - normally the smart thing to do before a purchase - but at that price, I could afford to be foolish. I was feverish; I wanted it.
Unfortunately, with no tools and, more importantly, no place to work on the bike (though I am entertaining offers from any generous, interested Motoring readers with a garage; just putting that out there …), I had to send it off to a shop in Musaffah, where it resides while I wait for the verdict on what it will take - and what it will cost - to get this Beemer on the road. I honestly have no idea right now what will happen, and I don't even know if I can get it registered properly, but the monkey on my back needed a new set of wheels.
Project Special K is now underway; wish me luck. And if you know of any mid-Sixties American cars for cheap, drop me an email. Just to keep me in the loop, obviously.
