Grad School and You with a motorcycle. advice requested

[Augustus]

Where are you, and what do you want to sell the SMR for?

[Pedro-bot]

Can you work at all during your program? I say keep it dude. 

[powerhammer]

Austin, TX is where the bike is.  listing up on other bikes for sale already.

[akmnstr]

Tuition will be paid for through a guaranteed assistanceship only need money for fees/books/rent/steel/gas/food/etc.

Steel?  Going to be doing some welding in grad school?  Coool

[powerhammer]

MFA in Metals, but more specifically blacksmithing.

the name isn't just for scaring off women.  it's a tool i use to shape hot steel.   

[silentbob]

I got stuck in traffic on the highway the other day and basically rode the grass to the access road and jumped the curb into the Arby's parking lot to cut through the strip mall lot and get to work.  It's the bike that makes you do that, not the rider. 

I know what these bikes will make you do all too well.  I can ride my 1098 like a little old lady if I want, but the moment I get on the Husky all bets are off.  Suddenly, riding up a staircase seems like the logical thing to do.

The cheap used bikes seemed to have jumped up this year along with gas prices. Last year I could find plenty of bikes for $500.  This year I can't find anything for under $1000.  Also keep in mind that the Husky is new, is bullet proof, and you have all the maintenance items already.  The Husky is also easy on gas and tires.  A $2000 beater can run you double in tires, brakes, chain, battery, and other unexpected small stuff.  If you sell the Husky for a loss, re-pay the loan, buy a beater, fix the beater, you will end in the same place financially and still wanting the Husky back.  Now, you might luck out and find an awesome deal on a really cherry bike but you will only end up saving a $1000 or so.

Throw a 15 tooth sprocket on the front and have the seat re-done by CeetMan and you'll be fine. 

[psychochild]

what school you doing blacksmithing at?  Im a senior in a foundry program at Alfred University,  if you think buying metal stock is expensive try buying 50lb ingots of bronze.   

[James.M]

Im a undergrad and in a little debt, I plan on being done so I can just do grad full-time w/ no job and no debt...

so whatever it takes you to not be in debt, thats my vote. =(

[powerhammer]

what school you doing blacksmithing at?  Im a senior in a foundry program at Alfred University,  if you think buying metal stock is expensive try buying 50lb ingots of bronze.  

should be around $8/lb unless you're getting a bulk price or raped even worse than that.  hell i just bought recycled steel for 24cents/lb which is triple what i was paying 5 years ago when i started doing this stuff.  talk about suxor. 

I've done some bronze casting at my undergrad art school, it's fun as hell if you ask me and you can get some insanely awesome results.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is the only Grad school in the country that offers and MFA in Blacksmithing.  The school itself isn't hard to get into but that department/major is when they only have 9 grad students allowed for the program at a time.  2 slots opened this fall and i either got super lucky or better at what i do to get one.