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I went to the former MPH Cycles Inc. place yesterday, with the Le Mans just to stretch its legs since the Quota seems to be the one I always revolve around. It is still operating as Mike Haven Automotive. I don't know if Mike still has an interest in that place, but it is open and running for cars exclusively. The Hempstead setup does not look like a real business, rather like someone with some extra space offering services. When I went there, Davey was working on a BMW, on a little patio in the front of a shed. This is why I got the feeling they were winding down their activity. Sort of selecting what they want to do, and how they want to do it. I may be wrong, but the new setup does not give you the feeling they want to resume what they used to do at the previous location. Davey is the one working on the bikes; Even at the old location, Mike seemed to only work on the cars. But he did provide expertise when necessary. The distance is not the main drawback. But they are not in town, they are in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by farms. I understand they are working from home, it is very convenient. It also probably fits their new business model. But looking at it, they are not setup yet.

I like driving with the windows open and adjusted properly to limit wind noise around town, not at highway speeds. I like resting my arm on the door sill. Easy to do on my 2007 Chevy pickup but very uncomfortable on newer cars because of the higher belt line. Car designs have changed over the last decade or so and sleekness trumps convenience. Tiny ribbons of glass seems to be the trend now.

Back to stay so shouldn't be a problem.

Some people like to drive past things, others like to drive through them. I find there is a time and place for each. One of our vehicles is a Jeep, with the top off and doors off you really drive through the world, not past it. Very much like riding a motorcycle, without the need for all the gear. Drop down into a gulch and feel the temp change. Head over a mountain, it changes again. But not everyday, not every trip, is a naked Jeep trip.

How much (if you don't mind ) did they cost ?

So far this doe not hold true above the Equator .

Heh he. I got to ride a mates PE400 ( detuned mx for enduros ) and that was a torque monster with quite the Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde personality too.... Great times!

Hope you can hang around for the Tattley Rappit (NZ Moto Guzzi Rally) on Labour weekend at Methven

Just reviewed this entire thread after the Lemon Drizzle Gang video came up. Pretty amazing that @wavey_davey1 performed this "recommission" in three months! I thought that these links to the video belong here . . .

It's been several years since I've stopped into Mike's place in Hempstead...we had a few guys drop in one time for a little rendezvous. He's not too far off the route we do from time to time from Hempstead to Belleville, we swing right by the road to his house. Agreed, it's a bit of a stretch to get there, and logistics are a bit more of a challenge. I'm lucky to have a motorcycle trailer stored at a friend's place so I could drop off a bike there if needed. Let me know if that becomes an issue for you...easy enough to arrange it. Perhaps he can only do so many jobs...did you get the idea that Mike would be doing the work or Davey from time to time?

@docc it's a great book, well written. Actually should be a movie. IIRC, the expansion chamber, power valve and rotatory valve were invented here...inspired by the V1 rocket. Betrayal and tragedy are in the offing. As well as inventiveness with poor resources....

Are the NOS or take-offs from a parts bike? Did you have to order the plates as right and left part numbers and the pins as separate numbers?

My sideplates came today from TLM Netherlands. They took the nuts off the pivot bolts. I am angry, and my email said so. I am still angry. I didn't need the side plates or the footpegs, or even 2 pins. I needed a pin and a nut. Angry

I had to laugh at your comment, "And it gets worse." Makes me think of this Tom Clancy quote:

Very good read, @docc better than plenty of fiction.

this: Spying and racing and WWII and Communism and Suzuki. And it gets worse. https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Speed-Biggest-Scandal-Motorsport/dp/1844259757

It was the legendary shooter Elmer Keith who wrote a book but the title, "Hell, I was THERE!" applies equally to Kevin Cameron.

They don't use air, but fat from your love handles to inflate it.

You still get free air on every gas station on the highways in France. They also have rest areas, with tables, so you can take a break and relax a little bit. None of the gas station around me have that. And yes, free air does not exist at gas station, you needed four quarters to inflate, with most of those stations out of order. There is an exception, though. Costco offers free air to anybody. So you can as it was meant to, fill your tan and check your tire pressure.

I knew that was coming. I should've said like the two hybrids in my garage.

Geez I just posted it too...didn't show up in my 'unread topics'. Great video.

What, like this? or maybe more like this?

Could be because of the exhaust note. My Stelvio sound pretty nice with the GPR pipe, the new one sounds like a Toyota.