At the Crossroads (yes it's blues related)

[Paul in NZ]

Well the rally came and went… It was fun too… (but we covered that)

Now I have a question for the collective wisdom of the people here. It’s a serious question as well so even though you may feel compelled to supply me with some sort of witty retort, please resist as long as you can ok?

The Moto Guzzi LM2 was one of, if not the oldest bike there. Gazing about the parking lot it kinda stuck out more than a bit. Now I happen to think it’s a pretty cool old thing and it gets the business done (eventually). For years I considered this to be the ideal as a bike that an average bloke can maintain himself (it’s never seen the inside of a bike shop) and yet still do most things asked of it. I guess I kinda see now that someone that does all their own work and prep is actually a bit of a freak and probably seriously stupid… Or at least so far outside most peoples terms of reference as to be incomprehensible...

It’s funny…. The real classic bikers think it’s a modern cop out ‘cos it has stuff like electric starting, disk brakes and you don’t have to use a candle to light the headlamp. The modern bikers seem to think it’s a hideously unreliable slow old pile of crap… The thunderbikers think it's a sportsbike and possibly ghey.... I dunno... wierd... It just kinda seems to not fit in any place....

So, the question is thus….

Does it make you smile to see it still being used in (I hope) anger or is it getting sad to see a museum piece being abused? Should I just give up, pack up the tools and update this hard old thing and go all modern before it gets anymore embarrassing or should I keep it and just soldier on up the forgotten side branch of motorcycling until it eventually dries up…

I'm genuinely keen to hear what people think...

[Lias]

IMO If ya enjoy fixing it and playing with it, go hard. Really who gives a flying proverbial what other people think?

[Waylander]

You should always like the bike you ride. Who really cares what others think. I mean seriously if you cared what others think would you really be riding the bike?

[Quasievil]

Well the rally came and went… It was fun too… (but we covered that)

Now I have a question for the collective wisdom of the people here. It’s a serious question as well so even though you may feel compelled to supply me with some sort of witty retort, please resist as long as you can ok?

The Moto Guzzi LM2 was one of, if not the oldest bike there. Gazing about the parking lot it kinda stuck out more than a bit. Now I happen to think it’s a pretty cool old thing and it gets the business done (eventually). For years I considered this to be the ideal as a bike that an average bloke can maintain himself (it’s never seen the inside of a bike shop) and yet still do most things asked of it. I guess I kinda see now that someone that does all their own work and prep is actually a bit of a freak and probably seriously stupid… Or at least so far outside most peoples terms of reference as to be incomprehensible...

It’s funny…. The real classic bikers think it’s a modern cop out ‘cos it has stuff like electric starting, disk brakes and you don’t have to use a candle to light the headlamp. The modern bikers seem to think it’s a hideously unreliable slow old pile of crap… The thunderbikers think it's a sportsbike and possibly ghey.... I dunno... wierd... It just kinda seems to not fit in any place....

So, the question is thus….

Does it make you smile to see it still being used in (I hope) anger or is it getting sad to see a museum piece being abused? Should I just give up, pack up the tools and update this hard old thing and go all modern before it gets anymore embarrassing or should I keep it and just soldier on up the forgotten side branch of motorcycling until it eventually dries up…

I'm genuinely keen to hear what people think...

Yup it sticks out like a hairy tounge, but isnt that good, all of our bikes blended into a common quantity of modern motorbikes.
I think of your bike as awesome personally and I think it is a absolute credit to you, our bikes are temporary and disposable yours is a fine machine which has and will be around for many years to come, I respect you for the way you look after her.
I came down your way on a ride with a few of you, I was not to far behind you on my modern bike and I was ,at the time finding it a challenge to keep up with you, slow you are not.

Keep it love it and enjoy it.

I could not imagine you on anything else really, its kinda part of you and I think you think that as well ???

[Paul in NZ]

Keep it love it and enjoy it.

I could not imagine you on anything else really, its kinda part of you and I think you think that as well ???

Thanks Quasi, I really value everyones opinion but thats damn kind of you..

I do love it and when the crinks work out of my back I might think more kindly of the hard old bugger.... I reckon the problem is me, I think if I went to the gym and got rid of my big puku life would be easier... Anyone else do bike specific exercises?

Cheers

[White trash]

Well, if it hadn't of been a Guzzi, I woulda toilet papered it, but then I thought it might catch fire.

You know my thoughts on those bikes mate, just don't make me say it, someone might hear.

[Ixion]

..
Does it make you smile to see it still being used in (I hope) anger or is it getting sad to see a museum piece being abused? Should I just give up, pack up the tools and update this hard old thing and go all modern before it gets anymore embarrassing or should I keep it and just soldier on up the forgotten side branch of motorcycling until it eventually dries up…

I'm genuinely keen to hear what people think...

Keep it, use it. Bikes, like men, die when they are relegated to museums or rest homes . Unless it is so slow as be a hazard, keep riding it. As to the maintain it yourself, I do all my own maintainence (exception for something like rewinding an armature).

Now't embarassing about it. You're a *real* biker, of the old school. And I have always found the the side branchs are where the interesting stuff is. Tis the boring conformists who can't see past the main stream. They miss out on the good bits.

Go the Guzzi !

[Paul in NZ]

Now't embarassing about it. You're a *real* biker, of the old school. And I have always found the the side branchs are where the interesting stuff is. Tis the boring conformists who can't see past the main stream. They miss out on the good bits.

Go the Guzzi !

Real biker? Doubt it.... I'm a bloody softy...

Side branches are OK until you get so far up them you can't find your way back to the mainstream.... Or even remember what it looked like...

I stopped buying regular bike mags last year... Think the new Triumph ST is ugly and thought a Dunlop 208 was a british airship from ww1.... Thats what is really worring me... I used to be quite keen on the latest and greatest, now I just go humph and look for my pipe...

[White trash]

I used to be quite keen on the latest and greatest, now I just go humph and look for my pipe...

.....and slippers.

[crashe]

your bike is your pride and joy......do not be put off by what others may think or say about your baby.... let others see the older bikes can still be seen on the roads.... its nice to see the older bikes still out there and lovingly looked after as well. Oh and it doesn't matter what speed she goes at either.... whats most important is that you still want to ride her.

[Wolf]

It would be a shame to put such a machine out to pasture. So long as you can maintain it, use it - and take pride in the fact that you can and do maintain it.

I had a Zundapp Bella 150 that I stripped and had painted/chromed/galvanised then I put it back together - it felt really good knowing I had done it and that I could pretty much repair anything on that bike. Much better than the fear that something will break and I'll have to pay someone an unknown sum to get it repaired.

Chatting with a bloke at the testing station on the weekend and his take on modern vehicles is "the minute they start becoming unreliable, get rid of 'em" because he hasn't the knowledge or tools to repair them. Like me, he prefers the older, simpler machines with less possible points of failure, easier to access components (have to go a way to beat the old Triumph Herald, there) and the ability to be able to tinker with it yourself - without requiring a full workshop, specialist tools and an engineering degree.

Modern vehicles are all well and good when they are in primo condition but eventually they will start to wear out and they are less tolerant of imperfections than older machines - also harder to repair.

I'd stay with the "old and reliable" that you can maintain/prep yourself.

[MSTRS:Me]

Viva la difference!! or summat...
Keep it/ride it with all the pride/satisfaction that comes from maintaining it yourself that the rest of us have forgotten (or never had)

[Ixion]

Real biker? Doubt it.... I'm a bloody softy...

Side branches are OK until you get so far up them you can't find your way back to the mainstream.... Or even remember what it looked like...

I stopped buying regular bike mags last year... Think the new Triumph ST is ugly and thought a Dunlop 208 was a british airship from ww1.... Thats what is really worring me... I used to be quite keen on the latest and greatest, now I just go humph and look for my pipe...

D.O.B 5th September 1956 says the profile. Barely weaned. So why're you cracking on like an old fella ? You young people today , blah blah blah.

Me, I figure wherever I am *IS* the mainstream. It's the other fellows that are lost. They'll find their way eventually.

Do whatever rocks your boat. If others don't care for it

And if you're feeling old, get a new(er) Guzzi !

[Paul in NZ]

.....and slippers.

Nah... Vicki has definately drawn the line at humphing in slippers... Not a good look apparently....

Paul N

(she won't let me build my own airplane either - I thinks she is getting bossy)

[Hooks]

Hey Paul, .... My old girl is only a couple years younger than yours .... And I wouldn't trade her for all the torque in Italy !! ... Ride the ride you like because that's what it's all about .... anybody that is going to knock you for what you do ride is either jealous or just plain pretentious !!

I think you have a great bike, it sounds great, looks great and still goes from A to B with the minimum of fuss .... enjoy it ...