Yesterday's Ride Out

Had quite an enjoyable bimble out yesterday, using the excuse that I need to
get some new gloves (m'boy seems to have acquired by Belstaffs, and my
Gerickes have never really been that comfortable)

Anyway, 1st stop Onyerbike, nowt in the gloves line of any interest, but I
spotted this gorgeous little bike on the forecourt, a Moto Guzzi Breva 750.
Never been aware of this model before so had a good look, sort of looks
similar to my CB, but in an Italian stylee. Not a bad price either (under
£5000 ISTR). I have now mentally filed that one away for future reference.

Went on to Street Machine in Aylesbury, again, nothing of any note in the
glove dept, but in the corner of the showroom was (for me at least) the
ultimate SOB. It was a 1993 1100 Zephyr, 1 owner, 16500 documented miles,
never been out in the rain. I had a sit on it (it was bloody huge compared
to the CB). Sales chappy spies me and goes over it's history (he sold it
when it was new), and wants £2600.00 for it. This seems a lot for an 11
year old bike, but this one did appear to be a bit special, if I'd have had
a spare £2600 in my wallet I would have bought it on the spot. Oh well, at
least I have now sat on a Zephyr, I'll keep looking for an old and shite
(and cheap) one as a stable mate for the CB (and TS).

So, on to High Wycombe (luvverly place it is (not)), and Brian Gray
Motorcycles. He has really moved with the times, he used to operate from a
small backstreet place by the station when I was a lad, and now has a mega
showroom in town. Still no joy on the gloves front, but he had one of those
50cc retro racer Honda Dream's in the showroom, a miniature work of art. He
has sold 3 of them, and reckons the buyers have no intention of riding them,
but have them as artworks, prolly adorning snooker rooms or sommat. Anyway,
a truly lovely little bike (single cylinder, twin exhausts). Whilst there
he profferred a deal on a new CBF600, very tempting, but the Guzzi still has
the edge.

To finish off, I thought I'd try something new, so ventured back to Bicester
on the M40, my first motorway journey. It was, erm, interesting, very
strong crosswinds and rain, but no "oh shit" moments. Bloody glad I fitted
the flyscreen too, by ducking down under it the wind blast was kept to an
acceptable level. Also, the cheapo £50 jacket I bought at Ally Pally rocks,
no leakage at all and toasty warm.

All in all, a good Saturday, all I need to do now is start saving the
pennies for the Guzzi.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My Bike 2000 Honda CB500
M'boy's Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X

BOTAFOT #140, DIAABTCOD #26

 

A personal definition...

Classics can carry black number plates, SOB have suffix year letters.
Anything else doesn't and isn't.

 

Hmm; that was almost exactly the response I'd considered. The Zephyr
was one of the first 'Retro' bikes though so I guess it's sort of styled
like a late 70s/early 80s kwak should be.

Didn't Windy have one of them once? I seem to remember following her on
it somewhere or other.

 

It was 11 years old, doesn't that qualify
mind you, it wasn't shite, but it was quite old and a bike, so 2 out 3 can't
be bad.

--
Dan L (Oldbloke)
My Bike 2000 Honda CB500
M'boy's Bike 1990 Suzuki TS50X

BOTAFOT #140, DIAABTCOD #26

 

That's true. When he wasn't riding bitch with Tabs.

Fucking hell. Wonder who's next from that ride out...

 

wrote

From the moment they met in the Little Chef their fate was sealed...

 

I wonder if it's like "The Ring"; you know, a crap and implausible film.

 

reference.

I think they're lovely, TOG curses them for the bastard offspring of the V50
and casts nasturtiums on their likely reliability. I too have the Breva
mentally filed away.

 

What about in the back of Champ's car?

 

Caaahhhnt!