OLD FAITHFUL

There may have been a conspiracy at work in my garage. The Moto Guzzi Eldorado, that saucy madam, started it by blowing the starter relay. The Convert persists in spraying a mist of oil on my right shin, no matter how many times I check the gasket and seal the valve cover. The Nuovo Falcone’s gearbox needs some attention and it blew the indicator clicker on the last day of my recent trip to Quebec. And the Quota, lovely bike that it is, is just, well... modern.

Since my dalliance with scalpels in the spring, the 750S had lingered in the garage virtually unridden, mainly because of my bifurcated ribcage and the amount of weight the riding position places on the arms and chest. Today, I dragged it blinking into daylight. I hadn’t touched the battery since riding it briefly in February, but it started immediately.

Six hours and a good few road miles later, I’m in love all over again. A wise person might have worn something a little more suited to late October in Canada than just a T-shirt under my leather jacket. But then, when have I ever allowed wisdom to intrude on my discomfort?

I had seriously been thinking about selling the 750S. It’s my most valuable bike and the cash would go a long way towards buying some bloated two-wheeled road couch for cruising those endless North American highway miles. But no: it stays. It’s such an enjoyable, reliable, oil tight, good handling, bend swinging, great noise making, bum flattening, back stretching little rocket that there is no way I’m getting rid of it.

Do you have an overlooked bike in the corner of your garage or shed? Perhaps it’s time you pulled it out and took it for a ride. It might remind you of why you bought it in the first place.

Yes! In fact there are several really great bikes in The Shed which really do deserve a few road miles. Hmmm, which one to tackle? I’ll go for the Matchless G80 – the electric start one. Tell us about yours, Gentle Reader? Frank W