Two years ago I bought my older brothers motorcycle. The deal was that he could buy it back anytime he wanted to, and at the same price more or less.
He had an idea that he wanted to try a Honda Africa Twin instead of his Moto Guzzi. The Honda never really caught on, so he sold that after only riding it for about a month or so. I called him and reminded him that he could get his old bike back - so the bike went back to him again.
Now he has bought himself a Yamaha SR 500, and he seems to be pleased with it. He lives in a city, so an upright sitting position and a bike that is a bit shorter geared is better suited for his commuting than a 1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II (There is a Le Mans I fairing on it).
I on the other hand thrive with a bike that requires a crouched riding position, can do 50 mph in 1st gear and feel as stiff as a railroad sleeper to sit on.
So I have yet again bought it from him.
This time I am going to put in a new set of piston rings in it, because it spills out oil like crazy. It is a common thing for old Guzzis to do that since a lot of them were born without air filters, and instead they just had an open intake with a small mesh screen to sift out birds and stray cats etc.
Hopefully the weather cooperates, cause good motorcycle weather is also good weather for working on the small barn at the summer house.
The following motorbikes can also be found in the pictures (somewhat hidden):
Lambretta Li 150 series1, 1959
CZ 125, 1965
2 x JAWA 634 (350 cc), 1977 and 1978
Moto Guzzi Le Mans II 1978
Dual ignition and open air intake.
Not ideal for city driving, but for small roads it is perfect.
Moto Guzzi V7 Sport 1973 (US model)
V7 Sport
Something this beautiful has to come from Italy.
Sweet bikes. You should bring them to Spain, there is much better motorcycle weather here. I'll keep a good eye on them for you!
ReplyDeleteHow very nice of you :-)
DeleteI should actually drive them to Spain, but I doubt that I would earn a lot of points at home for doing that.
Cheers
Jonas
Good luck! The weather here has been seasonable as far as temperature, but we've been getting a little bit more rain than normal. At the same time, since I've seeded the yard and planted a new vegetable garden it is definitely welcome.
ReplyDeleteAs far as motorcycles, I had a dirt bike when I was younger, but I've always been afraid to ride on the street in traffic; there are too many maniac drivers in this part of the country :)
Bill
Thanks
DeleteWe have had incredible weather here in Norway today. I just hope the fine weather will also be in Denmark.
Riding in street traffic certainly requires sort of a defensive riding style. Like you say there are many maniacs out there, and sitting on a bike isn't the best protection..
I hope you'll have luck with the vegetable garden. Fresh homegrown vegetables are great.
Brgds
Jonas
You're a lucky man, Jonas!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite weather forecast says 53 hours of sunshine in northern Denmark in the next 4 says. Drive carefully!
Cheers
Pedder
Hi Pedder
DeleteI like that forecast :-)
If the weather is nice Thursday I might take a ride on one of them.
I get home tomorrow evening around midnight, so that is a bit late for thundering the small roads.
Cheers
Jonas
All these bikes yours? And I thought I had the collector bug :-)
ReplyDeleteHere the bikes are on the roads, have been on/off for a little while but temps are raising week by week. On a sunny day you can expect lots of riders itching for the roads.
I also spied with my little eye a Vespa scooter in the background...
Bob, who does not ride but Heather used to loves to ride bikes
Hi Bob
DeleteThe CZ 125 is not my bike (it is hiding in the upper right hand corner on picture No 2) It belongs to my younger brother who lives in Japan. It will e part of our vehicle pool when Laura turns 18 and can ride a small motorbike.
But all the others are.. (Actually there is also a Jawa 1967 and a Dnepr + sidecar stowed away on the premises)
The scooter in the background is a Lambretta. The engine is seized, but hopefully one day I'll find the time to repair the engine and get it back on the road.
The problem with collecting motorbikes vs planes is that they take up a lot more space, but apart from that it is pretty similar.
Brgds
Jonas