It all started with a screensaver image of a Honda SL350 on my brother's computer that took me back three decades or so to my old bike.

A used SL350, my first "real" motorcycle -- after a Suzuki single cylinder something or other that probably made a couple of horsepower. I racked up countless miles on those two machines, and in the process hit the pavement and dirt more than once.

By the latter part of the '70s, I had obtained a used Yamaha 650. This was followed by an out-of-state job, marriage to a spouse positively against bikes, children, divorce, remarriage, downsizing and no bike. That was where I was for more than 20 years.

Then I saw that desktop picture. Was it possible? Could a working model of this bike be had today?

The crotch rocket evolution of biking didn't interest me -- no wish to ride laying down zipping over the highway. The Harley thing didn't quite do it either; almost, but just a little bit too heavy.

But a bike like the "SL" with the upright ride and moderate weight? Some searches on the Internet revealed the SL350 was a pretty rare bird, but the process had begun. Lack of ability to come up with even a moderate amount of cash kept me out of the private used bike market, but I kept dreaming and looking.

Finally, I found the Triumph Bonneville -- air-cooled, two cylinders, no faring and the upright seating position that appealed to me the most. Reasonable insurance cost and no-money-down financing have me riding again.

My 2009 T100 has not disappointed. While it is hardly a laser, it has plenty of go and a torque power delivery that I love. Not too loud, it sounds just right to me and is agile enough to allow me to choose my line through curves or avoid a road hazard. You might have guessed the retro styling suits me perfectly.

I've rediscovered what a pleasure it can be riding around, even commuting to work. Feeling changes in air temperature coming out of a valley in the morning or riding along a river road. The smells when passing restaurants, a backyard barbecue or wildflowers. The view at the crest of a wooded Pennsylvania, or maybe it was West Virginia, ridge seeing trees and fields in every direction with a few houses or barns.

Oh, the fever never leaves you and a relapse can result from just a picture on a computer screen.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.