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All and all, I would rather have someone turning me back, than someone telling me no problem, and then flunking the job. As for DIY, it is not as easy as it seems. You could be a motorcycle enthusiast with little mechanical and technical knowledge. Inflating tires, topping off oil, those are not drawing too much in terms of basic understanding and experience. Thankfully, you can find videos on Google, and download the workshop manual too. But there are limits to what you can do that you have never done before, and just reading about it does not tell the full story. Most motorcycle manual draw on the fact that you understand the operation described. To me, having someone who can at least show you the ropes is important. Including in terms of safety. You don't want to find the hard way that what seemed to be so simple turned out to be a nightmare because you did not understand what it was you had to do. When I was in my battle tank factory, we used to travel to the regiments for a "train the trainer" job. In the military, all the steps were precisely described and illustrated with pictures. Nevertheless, they mechanics still managed to find new ways to destroy things.

I always thought business attracts business. When I go to MPH, they have a six weeks wait which they hope they can shorten. Their workshop is always full of oldies, any brand. Of course, Houston is special in that there are a lot of guys with multiple toys and loose cash. I can see why MPH does better. They simply concentrate a lot of business because they do things others don't. But they have those guys which have a lot of experience, and they most likely don't come cheap.

The refusal to work on a >10 years old motorcycle is relatively new to me. Coming from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, finding someone to work on your older motorcycle seems to be less of a problem. When I left, you still had plenty of "brand-less" motorcycle garages that would perform any kind of repair on just any kind of motorbike irrespective of production year. At least, they would tell you that finding the parts may not be cheap or fast. But they would not turn you back based on your bike's age. Imagine you go to the hospital, and they tell you they are sorry but they only treat patients below a specific threshold. I think I understood why when I realized that most of the workshops employ unskilled workers, with one serious tech that supervises a bunch of those low pay grade guys. In 2020, someone did not properly tighten an oil filter. I caught it in time (not my car) as the oil level was low but the low pressure warning was not lit. Of course, human error is always possible. I am obviously not painting every Motorcycle workshops with a broad stroke, but I can make the difference between MPH and the casual dealerships when it comes to personnel. The workshop is always the first place I want to visit.

I delivered four "Scura" with my Le Mans this morning! Move to H'town and you will get yours delivered too next year.

Unfortunately, not. I was going to get rid of my car to make room, however it is more difficult to part with it than I thought it would be. The lithography found its way inside the house, by special authorization...

Here it is, framed and really stunning! I was going to purchase the other remaining one, but someone beat me to it.... as usual, the frame cost twice as much as the lithography! the glass that covers it, is special in that it protects from UV's and does not reflect light... museum grade, but hey, it is really looking good! I like the narrative too: -"The International Favorite Road Burner"! it really reflects what it represents to me... I should have taken a picture of it in front of my Le Mans before hanging it on the wall....

To bring more emphasize on the topic: (both homemade)... Here's the Le Mans! Here's the Scura!

However, think about it.... If you are talking shop with someone who does not you, when you say Le Mans, chances are he/she will understand what it is about. Scura? does not have the same magic; unless of course, you are with a V11 addict !

I am the Man.... nothing can break me down! I got gas in the tank, money in the bank, and I ride a V11 Moto Guzzi!!! I am the MAN! you can't break me down!!!

Apparently, the British government voted it in July this year. 2035 for Motorcycles, 2030 for cars. As a side note, in Europe, July and August are traditionally the months when people are on vacation. It is not unusual for governments there, to vote on bills while nobody is attentive. I have not done due diligence to verify this information, I don't know if it is confirmed or not. All I know, is that a law already existed that set the end of ICE powered cars in 2045. The current administration simply pushed up the dates. Things can change again, nothing is cast in stone as they say. Installing Echarging stations in lieu of Gas ones implies to have an adequate power grid. So far, Motorcycles had been left out, but I expect the British decision, if confirmed, could attract some attention. If I am correct the EU has set laws of its own, but so far, the motorcycles have been left out. We can expect this will change in the future. If I was the CEO of a motorcycle company, we are almost in 2022, I would certainly be wary of making major investments. Usually mid term vision is 5 years, but there is no telling what can happen. Some of our motorbikes could still be usable. I think Germany has an exemption in place for vehicles 30 years and older. Will that be the exception or the rule? Maybe we should anticipate our purchases of new/old bikes and not wait for models that may never come out? it seemed to me so obvious that Piaggio would use the new Moto Guzzi V100 engine to release newer iterations of older favorites, such as the Le Mans. Will this still happen? I don't see the USA embarking into this crusade just now, but we have all seen what happened recently in Tennessee; largely attributed to the unusual warm weather. What is your opinion about purchasing new vehicles? Personally, I am not planning to purchase any new four wheeled vehicles in the future. This was a decision that I had taken after my last acquisition in 2016. I had decided it was going to be the last "new" purchase. Next purchases would only be "used". I don't know for motorcycles though. What about you?

The BMW GS was a trend setter. When it came out, won the Paris Dakar, suddenly everybody wanted to own one. The commercial success created that frenzy. All motorcycle manufacturers made their own variation on that theme. The GS is still the leader today. What the owners do with them? I don't know; but I suppose if you live deep in the heart of Texas, you can use it on some of those Farm to Market roads that have no asphalt on them.

Those contemporary MVs look very good, I am not certain if they really are meant for the long run though. Let's see when Mogo Tuzzi comes up with a Le Mans using their new V100 engine... As for Ago's autograph, it is a shame, because Mino is not getting any younger, and with this never ending pandemic variants going around, the probability to see him again soon are not great.

Why not? I mean, everybody dreamed about a Ducati at some point in time... I did, but that was then. As ever, I seem to prefer the ripe stuff rather than the new.

I carry a spreader plate with me. Just like the crane people do with their outriggers.

The guy who posted the video seemed to have been the one who shot it. I checked his other videos and he does not appear to be trying to market anything. The lady wearing Barry Sheene's appointments must have had them already. I don't think she could get to a prop store to get a riding suit and an helmet her sizes. I asked her about it, let's see if she replies. I modified my post after I found out the Superveloce belongs to her, and one of the only 75 made. Therefore, there is no doubt the outfit is hers too.

Ice is treacherous, I have ridden on snow before in the 70's. Not by choice. I was at work and it snowed. I had to go back home. It is not that complicated or difficult. At the same time, riding a 350 two stroke is a lot easier than a heavy V11.

I have been once to Wisconsin, to visit the HD plant in Milwaukee, long time ago. I usually test my summer riding gear during winter. This is the only way to truly find out about how the ventilation works. I have worked in countries where winter is extremely cold. Nothing beats multiple layers. I try to apply this to everything, such as underpants and under gloves. Making sure nothing that I wear impairs riding. I think the governor of Texas said their would not be any more power shortages due to the weather this year. I don't have a problem not having power; I have lived in countries where you actually don't have power every day. No water is the cumbersome issue to tackle. I did fill in the bath tubs last year, before black out.

Strange choice for riding an Agostini commemorative motorbike...

I met Barry for the first time in 1972. I was 16 years old. He was starting from the front line in 250cc. Someone close to me showed him a cigarette, and he actually left the line to get a drag.... I spoke to him several times when he came racing in France, back then, you could access the riders.

No, her name is Claire.

Ah, USD is the official USDollar currency moniker. Acronyms can be misleading.

I'd prefer this.... Do you recognize the helmet?

It is still art on wheels... you can get that spare tank to make it easy on anx... I think it is well positioned with regards to the competition. If you compare with the new Triumph Tiger wet weight of 525 lbs. KTM Adventure 1290 wet weight is 551 lbs. Seat eight 34.6 inches. I think they all target the same people. Including the 15k price mark. But the Ducati is made in Italy.