Winter PMS

I have a case of parked motorcycle syndrome. I have been checking the late model cycle ads again this winter. It is below zero up here. I don't mind when it is fairly cold as I can go to the shop and work on projects for next summer. When it gets this cold I don't like to try to heat the garage. It takes a lot of fuel and still doesn't get comfortably warm for at least a full day. Once everything in the shop is cold just warming the air doesn't help. Getting the metal and concrete slab warmed takes at least a day.

Hence I've been reading old cycle magazines and watching taped races from years past. I am gathering parts to restore my 1971 Yamaha XS1. I like the early 650s and have one each of '71, '72 and '73. I don't have a '70 but I am not really interested either. I prefer the '71 colors and there is no real difference between them except for resale value. Since I don't intend to sell any of them the cash value is moot.

What constitutes value? As an affectionado of the older motorcycles most of what I have doesn't have flash appeal. I don't have the latest, coolest, most chromed or fastest of anything. Now that I am in my dotage much of that doesn't mean much. What I do have is some wonderful machines which have stood the test of time. Value for me consists of beauty, utility, reliability and, of course, relative price. A Ducati 916 is beautiful but lacks the other three. A Ural with sidecar has utility but I find them ungainly and not that attractive. A lot of machines are reliable but for one reason or another I don't find them practical or attractive. I have a very nice Suzuki GS850L that is for sale. Reliable as an anvil it doesn't stir me. I had an 850 G which I found to be a much better machine but still not inspiring.

The early Yamaha XS650 series meet all four criteria and are comfortable to boot. The Moto Guzzi V65C I have isn't as nice looking but is hands down a better machine in the other three categories. It has just enough power to be a very good all around commuter and the saddle bags, though not very large, carry enough for daily use. I generally carry a rain suit, a few simple tools, and whatever book or magazine I am reading. Weekends I carry a camera, lunch and a thermos. That still leaves enough room for a change of clothes if I decide to stay overnight somewhere. If it lasts as long as other Moto Guzzi products I have owned or that have been owned by friends it should last longer than I do. So why do I find myself looking over cycle ads this time of year?

What I really want is to go out for a ride. Since I can't do that I begin to think in fantasies. One way to do that is to look at the new, or late model, cycle ads. There's a 2004 Guzzi Ballabio holdover, brand new, within a day's drive. It's also 4G under new price. Now that is an attractive bike. I've read every article I can find about that model and it all sounds good. So am I very likely to peel out several rows of Franklins for this beauty? Probably not. I don't need another machine and the way I ride I don't need anything faster than what I have. But I still lust after machines. I love reading the articles. In every article it is always good weather, great roads. That's what I really want. Good weather and great roads. Maybe I'll start looking at maps instead of motorcycles. What do you yearn for this time of year? What substitutes help fill the void until the weather warms?

This weekend is the new cycle show. I generally go with friends. That helps. To look, visit, touch, dream. That helps. That and a trip to Mexico. Too bad I blew my airfare on a new WORKS shock for my FJ1200. My wife suggested selling a few machines. She also knows how hard that is. By the time I decide which I might be able to part with it and get it ready it will be warming again. It's nice to know that spring will come. If it doesn't warm soon I might just get crazy enough to sell a classic. I tried that years ago. I finally bought it back.
Keep warm and stay in touch. LN

Wetware

Today I had a glitch in my wetware. Computers have hardware and software. The brain is mostly water so I think of it as wetware. The glitch was my not understanding that I have been relegated to the sub-status of trailer trash.
We live in a Marshfield pre-built with full basement. I am happy with it as we live in the north and it is well insulated and comfortable in winter. I have not thought of it as a trailer but today I found out different. The faucet assembly for the bathtub sprung a minor leak. When removed it was obvious it would be easier to replace than to try to fix it. Zero maintenance means when it breaks it can't be fixed. I went to the local hardware store and found out that all the faucet assemblies had the three pipes in a straight line. Mine had the center one about an inch lower. The clerk took one look at it and said "Oh, that's trailer."
Knowing that there is a large "trailer park" in the next town I assumed that the hardware stores there would carry the appropriate piece. Wrong again. Same answer. "That's trailer." Being mildly irritated by this time I said "Actually it's from a Marshfield pre-fab home." His reply, "We don't stock trailer parts."
I eventually went to one of the major big box stores and found two matching items behind the rows of dozens of various faucet assemblies for "real houses." There was only one style and only two of them. I bought one and headed for home, 25 miles away.
When I got home and opened the package I found that it was missing one piece. The hot water valve popped off in my hand as the missing piece was the plastic nut that holds the valve in place. CRAP! Back to the store. Luckily no other unfortunate soul had bought the remaining unit. I traded for the faucet assembly with all its parts and returned home. It installed easily and I was finally able to have running water again.
I can't think of any reason to have all the tub faucets in America universal except those that are used in "trailers" other than to identify shoppers as "trailer folks." At least they didn't have security follow me through the store or clerks direct me toward the beer nuts.