Two days ago we were hit by the biggest snowstorm of the year, but today we reached 60 and I could smell spring in the air. Spring means lots of good things, from warmer weather to more sunlight to blossoming trees and so much more, but for me, the best thing of all is getting back on my motorcycle. I have an '04 Triumph Bonneville T100, just like the one pictured but a few years older. Clearly it's got a vintage look to it; it doesn't look much different than the ones Steve McQueen used to ride so passionately. Before I take it out, though, I need to get it up to Wexford, PA, to have the dealer give it the once over, because I don't know the first thing about keeping my bike running smoothly and safely. It just so happens that my boss has a Ducati 749S that needs a little love, too, and there's a Ducati dealership in Wexford as well. It might even be the same place -- I'm not sure. So we're going to take our bikes up at the same time in the back of his new Toyota truck, which is supposed to arrive in a week or so. What a sight that's going to be -- a vintage looking Brit bike, bare bones as a new bike gets, and an Italian work of art and speed that's worth nearly three of my bikes and goes nearly twice as fast.
Bossman likes his Duck, and I think it's pretty cool too, but as far as I'm concerned, my Bonnie is the best bike in the world. And when I fire it up and feel the fresh West Virginia air flowing up my sleeves, and across my face, that's when Spring will really be here for me. I'm not sure how much longer I can wait.
Friday, March 9, 2007
My Bonnie
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9 comments:
My dad was a flat tracker and owned a few street bikes, when I was in Highschool he had a 750 Bonnie, I was 16 and my folks were out of town for the weekend. I behaved badly , went to bed slept woke up showered, and hopped on the Bonnie for a ride and to dry my long parted down the middle hair.
About twenty minutes into the ride the rear wheel locked up as did the engine and I skid to a stop from sixty to zero in ,I dunno how long but pretty quick. I was near a farm house so I walked up knocked on the door and the man that answered helped me load the bike into his pick up. We chatted on the trip to my folks house , he was a Harley Rider, (no electric start) he refused money, a real biker.
My dad was not to pleased, but it turned out the mechanic diagnosed that the engine seized because it had no oil...I was off the deep shit list onto the shit list...I love the old triumphs and the new retro ones, the ones that fill themselves with oil.
Sounds like your dad's bike was hibernating just like mine is now. At least I left last season's oil in it, though. (Or did his leak out? I know how those old Brit bikes were.)
Man, this really makes me wish I were more of a "biker" guy. I know exactly squat about bikes, but I do like things "retro" and simple. If I was gonna buy a bike, I think those new Indians are the ones that seem the most "me." However, you certainly make the Bonneville a hell of an attractive option! I'm psyched for you to get yer ride on! (safely, of course).
Zee, you always consider a new Royal Enfield. You can pick one of these babies up for about $5 grand. Hard to believe it's a brand-new bike.
We never really figured that one out, someone aint talkin'. To this day I am still to blame. The subject is not on the favorites list.
Yeah, thats what I'm talkin' about! Nice bike!
I just hung up the phone with a guy who was robbed at gunpoint and was supposed to testify tomorrow. The defendant pled guilty today. When he heard the news, he was ecsatatic. Not just becuase the guy pled, but because he could now use the vacation day he took for the trial to take his brand new motorcycle on its first jaunt. I immediately thought of this blog.
Talk about a reversal of fortunes. At least the bastard didn't steal his bike at gunpoint!
You need to get over to your old house on Louise and see the one Chris is rebuilding. I can't remember the year, but it seems like late 50s or early 60s sounds right.
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