By Jessica Prokup, Editor

Yup, that's how I feel every time we close an issue. It's the end of a battle, a test of endurance. Yet, every month, we somehow manage to cross the finish line with most of our wits intact and the magazine on its way to the printer. If you're within 10 blocks of our office, you can probably hear me sigh with relief. Then we all catch our breath and start over.

Well, at least one part of my life sees some closure on a regular basis. That kind of distinct start/finish doesn't always apply to motorcycle projects. Nevertheless, some of us take on multiple projects, often starting a new one before we've finished one that's in progress. Yes, I'm including myself in that group. And, yes, I'm still working on the Beemer.

For those of you who didn't follow the foreshortened story in past issues of RoadBike, here's a recap: A few years ago, a builder friend of mine, Jeff Schroeter, took a Sawzall to my '00 BMW R1100R. We created a convertible frame, designed a new tail section, built a unique exhaust, and redid the bars. But about halfway through the project, I ran into some complications, and the poor bike has been languishing in a dark corner of Jeff's shop ever since.

Jeff and I took the project as far as we could, and it's been up to me to find someone to take care of the last pieces. My main excuse, until now, has been that I'm too damn busy working on magazine projects to remember to take care of my own. But the whole thing's back in the works, and, hopefully, I'll be writing up the feature story before Christmas. I know -- I said that last year.

In the meantime, I'm digging into two other projects. One involves my long-term Kawasaki Z750 tester, which needs some suspension upgrades and a few comfort features. I'm doing research and collecting parts, and I plan to run the wrap-up story later this year. The second project involves my other personal bike, an '05 Suzuki SV650S bought used (read: crashed) from a track school. This is a bike I've always dreamed of owning, one that suits me well. It's getting new bodywork, a slip-on exhaust, suspension upgrades, better brake lines, maybe some new controls, and, hopefully, a dazzling paint job. Still collecting all the parts for that one, too. I might even finish it before the Beemer's done.

Do I have a tendency to take on too much at one time? Perhaps. But I'm not the only one around here who can't stop messing with motorcycles. In fact, Steve Lita's list makes mine look like cake. When I asked him what he's working on, he initially responded with four things: an '04 Kawasaki Z1000 streetfighter project; a '99 Kawasaki ZRX1100 JMC aftermarket swingarm upgrade; an '82 Suzuki GS1100 low-buck drag bike build; and an '85 Suzuki GS700E/Bandit hybrid streetbike. After a pause, he added that he'd like to finish hopping up his '84 Honda Nighthawk S for a possible trip to the Honda Hoot. Oh, and then there's the '85 Kawasaki KZ1000P copper-bobber police bike.

As for Trish, she's still modifying her Honda Shadow ACE 750. She recently installed a set of Hard-Krome Kickers and swapped the Thunder Mfg. Teardrop air kit with the same company's Odyssey kit. As I write this, she and Steve are mired in rejetting and tuning the bike on a dyno. Look for the story in a future issue.

And, because tending to her own bike isn't enough work, Trish has been dreaming up more ways to modify her partner Mary's Suzuki Bandit. Parts that will soon be integrated into the Red Bandit include a Clear Alternatives integrated taillight kit, Holeshot Performance bar risers, Galfer brake lines, and possibly a Hayabusa shock (inspired by the Maximum-Suzuki online forum).

In addition, we're all in the midst of finishing the BSA chopper project and doing a low-budget customization of a Suzuki C50. And, to top it all off, we've been given an '06 Honda Shadow Aero to customize for a build-off at the Honda Hoot (see hondahoot.com for details). We're working with Raw Design in Stamford, Connecticut, to create something absolutely outrageous. Check in at our website (roadbikemag.com) for updates on our progress.

So, if you've got lots of bike projects and planning to do, pick up the pace and know you're in good company. Hope you enjoy the issue. RB