Too Much Thinking.....

[Paul in NZ]

I've been thinking lately - a long ride by yourself nearly always results in too much thinking but - more than that the Triumph rally made me realise that I'm just plain old and sad now. Hardly anyone rode their old Meriden bikes any distance, even fewer people knew just whats involved in doing that and I found myself, in short sitting with the old codgers talking about hard rides on hard bikes in the days when PVC was a modern wonder. Worse (for me) is that we had people there raving about their 'Bonnies' with no fuckin idea what a Bonneville was, where it came from and why it was built. (this is commentary btw I'm not miffed in the slightest by this)

On the way home I stopped at a gas station for coffee and fuel and there were some young fellas there on new bikes. I was travel stained and muddy from some gravel roads, luggage aboard and obviously travelling. I was not even fucking alive for them. No eye contact no hi how ya doin' goin' far etc so I just sat down and sucked down my caffine while the 'knowledgable one told the dumb one my bike must be a big single cos it only had one carb and wern't those old things odd looking - A glare from me and he didn't fancy his chances any more than that.... I mean I was right bloody there but as far as they were concerned - invisible.... How odd (I mean I'm hardly intimidating)

In short - I now find myself so far removed from the realities of mainstream motorcycling than I doubt I could find my way back even with a map and a guide and despite that, I'm as happy as a pig in shit.

KB on the otherhand has continued to grow in a different direction and is very much a reflection of the modern world.

And there is the crux of the matter - I know I had retired from the game a while back and was only really hanging around in the commentary box for the free coffee and bickkies but I think its time to retire from the game altogether and go sit in the pub with the other old jokers. Its warm there and the rose tinted specs are free with every jug of Tui.

Over and out.....

[jrandom]

Giz a go on yer bike, bro?

[scumdog]

You must be living in the wrong place - conversations start up evreywhere I've stopped (gas station, pub, whatever) and another motorcyclist hauls in, brand of bike doesn't matter - the natter starts up free and easy, the camaraderie (sp) of riding and all that.

And the rallies are even better, old friends everwhere and new ones to meet abound.

[Clivoris]

Shit mate, save the that thinking stuff for special occasions. You know, like when you need to choose between a superbike, GP or Isle of Man DVD. I promise to talk to you next time I see you. Be warned though, I don't have a clue about Trinumphs.

[Ixion]

'Oi, you, get back 'ere.

That's the trouble with you younger folk, no staying power.

The realities of modern motorcycling is centred precisely around where I is, and I ain't no modern reflection of anything. You've got a duty y'know, all that knowledge wasn't imparted to you just for y'own benefit, you are but the guardian of it, it has to be ahanded down. Otherwise, there'll come a time when no-one will even know what E3134 means.

And if y' drank proper beer, as in Speights, instead of that rotgut stuff, y'wouldn't have these silly notions.

Back on duty now, and we'll say more of this .

[007XX]

'Oi, you, get back 'ere.

That's the trouble with you younger folk, no staying power.

The realities of modern motorcycling is centred precisely around where I is, and I ain't no modern reflection of anything. You've got a duty y'know, all that knowledge wasn't imparted to you just for y'own benefit, you are but the guardian of it, it has to be ahanded down. Otherwise, there'll come a time when no-one will even know what E3134 means.

For whatever it's worth, I agree with Ixion.

I know bugger all about bikes (well, there is a discovery ), but I do love talking to people who truly know about them. And yes, I do really listen and try to learn along the way.
Hubby is the same, however being an engineer, he knows and understands what is being talked about...

If the "older generation" of bikers with knowledge decide to give up on the newer one, then I really think we will be missing out on so much.

May I suggest talking to those who actually do want to listen perhaps, rather than those few with an obvious lack of span of attention and shitty attitudes?

We are out there, so please don't go...(please see picture below)

[tri boy]

Paul, if guys like you dissapear into the dark corners of m/cycling, it would be a very sad moment indeed.
Screw what capt knob cheese, and his kerosene cowboy side kicks think.
If they can't regonise a seasoned rider when they see one, and have the respect for guys like you by acknowledging you and guy/gals like you, then they are wet behind the ears "wanna be gunna's". Not worth even wasting your time thinking about.

Kanny was gobsmacked by your bike, and those that were close by.
You guys are the very people who youth need to tap into to keep the real spirit of riding/living bikes alive.
Maybe you guys could organise a trial get together for those that want to admire your bikes and hear about the way it was. I wouldn't be able to keep karen away from such an event.(or myself).

Don't fade into the distance mate.

[Pwalo]

You must have looked far too intimiodating.

I hate to say it but I really like riding a newer bike. I can remember starting off with points, drum brakes, etc (and always having to carry a selection of sparkplugs and spanner on my old two strokes).

This new fangled EFI, dual front discs, monoshock rear suspension, might catch on.

I fondly remember the good old days, but thinking of having to kick start my old four stroke single brings me back to reality.

[James Deuce]

Hey!

Here I am looking at saving up for a Moto Guzzi V7 because it's the coolest of new group of old-school replicas so I can be like my mate Paul-in-NZ and he's going to stop talking to us modern types.

All your story goes to show is that you can meet cocks anywhere.

Bloody typical male menopause rubbish.

[MIXONE]

Being a TRIUMPH man from wayback I can totally relate to you and your bike.
Not many years have passed since I used to do ave.20,000 k a year on my old T140 as it was my only transport.Commuting.touring,rallying and partying and always with a good toolkit along for the ride.The old bugger only had to be trailered home only once after blowing 2nd gear!I bet I could still rebuild the clutch in the dark though.(as in the side of the road at night).Still I love the new Ts as well.Just treat the wannabes how they treat you cause there is still heaps of real people on bikes.
PS Saw your bike on the Toy Run and dribbled.Cheers mate.

[idb]

I hate young people!!!

[Lissa]

You should feel for people who ride GN's Paul. Not only are you ignored but sometimes you feel like people are laughing at you.

[Blackbird]

Otherwise, there'll come a time when no-one will even know what E3134 means.

2 per bike, with 4 matching followers And what's more, I still have my 3TA and multiple model Truimph 650 manuals in pristine condition. I'll bring them up to coro for you to have a look at Paul. Much better than Playboy in terms of getting a hard-on.

Less of this old and sad business Paul. I'm a sight older than you and still manage to span old and new machinery

[yod]

come live in the manawatu

we talk to anyone and everyone and we even have old people....you'll fit right in

met a chap at the taihape bp a couple months back with a '73 zooki GT750 3-cyl 2-stroke....now THERE'S an interesting machine....

[James Deuce]

met a chap at the taihape bp a couple months back with a '73 zooki GT750 3-cyl 2-stroke....now THERE'S an interesting machine....

New-fangled water cooled rubbish