Four bikes today

I've ridden: my entire fleet.

Took the 'crosser out for the first time in months. It seems that I
haven't spontaneously developed a massive MX talent in those months.
Odd, that.

Home, bath, leap onto the Guzzi; quick visit to bike show. Crept home
mostly revving it in first but occasionally coasting in neutral.
Bollocks.

Hurried trip Cambridge on the Tuono to get there before the shops
shut.

Brief interlude of Being a Responsibel Parent, then out for a very
quick blast on the R1.

Today made me idly (very idly) wonder: what's the greates number of
different bikes any UKRMer has ridden in a day? I'd guess that the
-OSM HAGM-fests would make up quite a number.

Oh, production-testing or mechanicing doesn't count unless the bikes,
or the tales, are weird and wonderful.

Away you go....

 

Let's see. In 1998 and 1999 I helped organise a test ride day for the Honda
Owners Club, held at Moreton in Marsh.

The bikes there were: SLR650, VFR800i x2, Blackbird x2, CBR900 x2, Pan
Euro, Valkyrie, CBR600F, Hornet, Varadero, Africa Twin, CB500.

My current bike, despite being a HOC event, was a TDM850. So that's 12
different bikes on the same day over a 15 mile loop from/to M-i-M.

--
wessie at tesco dot net

BMW R1150GS

"Wessie is a lovely man with many wonderful qualities" TM Blaney

 

Something like 15, I think.

Ah, bollocks. Michelin Radial tyre launch at Misaon, some 20 years ago.
Bikes included Laverdas, Bimotas, Honda VF1000F2, GPZ900R, Magni-framed
BMW 1000cc twin (still pinned in my memory as one of the best bikes I
have *ever* ridden) and (utterly bizarrely) a Yamaha 1200cc Venture
Royale.

 

Something like 15, I think.

Ah, bollocks. Michelin Radial tyre launch at Misaon, some 20 years ago.
Bikes included Laverdas, Bimotas, Honda VF1000F2, GPZ900R, Magni-framed
BMW 1000cc twin (still pinned in my memory as one of the best bikes I
have *ever* ridden) and (utterly bizarrely) a Yamaha 1200cc Venture
Royale.[/QUOTE]

I so nearly said 'and no journalists, neither'.

Err, so what was so great about the BMW?

 

I so nearly said 'and no journalists, neither'.

Err, so what was so great about the BMW?[/QUOTE]

You've noticed the 'Magni' part? Have a google for Arturo Magni if that
doesn't ring a bell. He knows/knew a thing or two about making shafties
handle.

 

I had a suspicion that was it.

 

So what sort did you get? Obviously the standard screaming and puking
variety.

 

It was. The bike was something like 50-70lbs lighter than stock, and
handled with incredible precision. The engine was stock R100RS, so had
plenty power and torque given the low weight.

No rear end jacking from the shaft... It was just fabulous to ride.

 

I had a nice chat with a guy on a Guzzi Magni on the choob over to Chimay.
Seems to be pretty extensively hand-built, and still supported by the
factory. He had a broken minor fairing bracket, which was soon to be
replaced by a new and improved version. Good it was, and I'm thinking about
Guzzis again...

 

They're certainly supposed to be...

I think looking at the prices for Magni stuff should very much keep
that in the "thinking" bracket...

 

"He's a killer queen..."

 

Anyone here ridden a Krauser BMW? The one with the pink triangulated frame?
I can't remember if it did anything special with the swinging arm.

 

For the last couple of years, I've been sticking random quotes from song
lyrics in my sig. Finally, someone has noticed. I'm not sure whether I
feel a sense of achievement, or a little sad now that it's over. Possibly a
bit of both.

 

Oh, I'd noticed a few to be honest.

I'm sorry if it's over. I'll miss it.

 

You never said.

I'll try to keep it going. It won't be the same, but maybe, if some people
understand, that'll be enough.

 

Well, no.

I'll do my very best.

 

'It's a.... baby!'

He's called Thomas [1].

He started off all right but seems to be getting:
a) more wakeful
b) more pukeful
c) more wriggly
d) more demanding of attention
e) louder
f) heavier.


[1] It was stamped on his arse. Above the words 'Made by Palitoy'. [2]
[2] I made all this up. Apart from the Thomas bit.

 

I'm sure I spotted one or two of the early ones. Honest.

 

That's good to know. You'll have to concentrate, mind. Don't think I'm not
grateful, but things are slipping past you unnoticed.

 

Jeeze.

Er...

"Every saturday night I felt the fever grow".

Look, I know the words aren't in the right order but I'm sure most of
them are in that song.