Newbie from Ireland - no bike, yet!

Hi folks, my name's PJ from Ireland, I'm 44, and I'm an alcoh..... hang on! Wrong forum!!

Well I have developed a strong interest in getting a new bike, but gone are the days of aching backs and warp speeds, as I'm getting too old (and MrsMac says "NO"), so I've been looking at STs & GLs.

My last bike was a Honda VFR, but that's gone a good few years now, as kids and finances took over.

I reckon I'll be in the buyers market for a bike in about 2 - 3 years, as I went back to college to do a degree, and realise that a job might help me pay for my new bike.
First, I'll have to get a shed/garage beside the house for the bike, and all going well, I'll have that before next Summer.
Any advice of workshop tools/kit/layout would be very welcome, especially if it's a bargain!

My initial look at GLs has me drooling at late 90's 1500s, and the prices for these seem fairly reasonable (budget will be €6-7k, may even get an early 1800 when the time comes?).
Again, any advice from members, especially from Ireland, UK & Western Europe, regarding prices and models, would also be very welcome.

I've been a casual visitor to this site, for a few years, but now I'm determined to reward myself with a new (to me) bike, and who better to talk to, than other GL owners???

Hope to get to know ye all better over the next couple of years.

PJ.