Hallo sandgroper
I have replied to your message to me that I called "New English Bloke - Not New England Bloke" or something along those lines.
In answer to your question the bike was in storage for about 10 years because there are no parts available here, and people flatly refuse to send stuff here as it's so corrupt they don't get to the buyer (I totally understand that). As for what I've been doing with my life, well you can read about it in a book I've written that'll be out in the new year. It's not exactly my memoirs, I'm too young for that and don't intend to snuff it any time soon. But it's a proper book - 175,000 words and might shock some, or at least make me unpopular, hahaha. What have you been up to down under mate?
Love to see some pics of your bike. You say you're looking forward to riding it, me too, except I've got a spark problem. sandblaster has uploaded a lot on electrics and I'm going to follow his advice and get an OHM meter. I don't give up easily, just need persistence and patience.
I can understand why you didn't go travelling with your boss, and he sounds like a right pain in the ar_e. Have you travelled to the UK ever? I used to meet tons of Aussies, especially when I lived in London, mostly in Earls Court. Back then a lot of them had relatives in the UK also, I think they were originally "Ten Pound Poms" LOL!
What have you got to do to your bike to get it going? Good to chat to a fellow newbie btw!