Cars and bikes I’ve come across in my travels

I cannot believe it myself, still, I guess it is from another century, like me, but I, as an apprentice, installed these phones and switchboards, time moves on and waits for none of us. The only benefit to a Telecom apprentice installing these archaic pieces of telecommunications history was that you would spend hours (on Government time) teaching sweet young operators how to use this new-fangled equipment after hours.View attachment 96545

At least you blokes have 911.

Waiting for the numbers to drop there is like:

9 = Are you sure you want emergency?
1 = Fuck yeah
1 = Hurry up fuckers
 
My niece has bought a 2020 Royal Enfield 650 GT Continental - yet to do the 2-day training course and get her L's, so I had to ride it home from Geelong to Melbourne. Took the long scenic route so I could give it a good shakedown. Conclusion: a very refined and very capable moto, sensible power and very easy to ride. No fancy gizmos other than ABS, suspension and handling were nicely set up. More than happy cruising at 120kph+.

What really impressed me was how smooth it was. A parallel twin with a 270 crank and balance shafts - it was remarkable. I wish the SFQ was half as good in the vibes department. Only major negative was the seat - effing awful, like a rounded plank, but easily fixed with properly sculpted and softer foam. I can see a very big market for their bikes where people want to enjoy riding but don't want something styled like a Transformer with a rev-hungry engine. Royal Enfield have nailed the classic look. You can see the British design influence - and Harris designed the chassis.

For A$6k she got the bike (rego, RWC, new tyres, 7300km) plus full two-piece quality leathers, Alpinestars boots and gloves, a second pair of shorter boots and a second pair of heated touring gloves, Dri-Rider wet weather gear, a back protector AND a $1200 Shoei flip up helmet!! Older guy selling - had too many old injuries and was no longer able to enjoy it.

What's not to like.
 
'Panel beating,' I believe, is an Australian term for an automobile body repairman. When I was an apprentice many years ago, attending a trade school, I can remember the 'panel beaters' repairing a very beat up Monaro, the project looked very similar to this item, a piece of art for sale in a local gallery, 5 figures $$$$$.
 

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My niece has bought a 2020 Royal Enfield 650 GT Continental - yet to do the 2-day training course and get her L's, so I had to ride it home from Geelong to Melbourne. Took the long scenic route so I could give it a good shakedown. Conclusion: a very refined and very capable moto, sensible power and very easy to ride. No fancy gizmos other than ABS, suspension and handling were nicely set up. More than happy cruising at 120kph+.

What really impressed me was how smooth it was. A parallel twin with a 270 crank and balance shafts - it was remarkable. I wish the SFQ was half as good in the vibes department. Only major negative was the seat - effing awful, like a rounded plank, but easily fixed with properly sculpted and softer foam. I can see a very big market for their bikes where people want to enjoy riding but don't want something styled like a Transformer with a rev-hungry engine. Royal Enfield have nailed the classic look. You can see the British design influence - and Harris designed the chassis.

For A$6k she got the bike (rego, RWC, new tyres, 7300km) plus full two-piece quality leathers, Alpinestars boots and gloves, a second pair of shorter boots and a second pair of heated touring gloves, Dri-Rider wet weather gear, a back protector AND a $1200 Shoei flip up helmet!! Older guy selling - had too many old injuries and was no longer able to enjoy it.

What's not to like.
Test rode one a few years back and came to the same conclusion Quentin! If I didn't already have far too many bikes, I'd have one in a blink, along with a Kawasaki W650/800.

While the Triumph twins offer a higher grade of finish, roughly €5000 worth, the RE offers a great bang-for-buck. And I'm not really sure if such a retro-cruiser like the Street Twin desperately needs almost 100hp. May be nice, but not really necessary imho, I didn't find the RE lacking for what it's intended.

piet
 
Test rode one a few years back and came to the same conclusion Quentin! If I didn't already have far too many bikes, I'd have one in a blink, along with a Kawasaki W650/800.

While the Triumph twins offer a higher grade of finish, roughly €5000 worth, the RE offers a great bang-for-buck. And I'm not really sure if such a retro-cruiser like the Street Twin desperately needs almost 100hp. May be nice, but not really necessary imho, I didn't find the RE lacking for what it's intended.

piet
In Japan, Kawasaki sells an upmarket W800 called the Meguro after their first incarnation. More classic styling and nicer paint and a few other details.IMG_0273.jpegIMG_0271.jpeg
 
A few shots from the IOM motor Museum.
 

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I think it went years ago- old man Murray would give you a tour and knew all the bikes- some of them are now at Sammy Millers ( Bert Fruin 4 etc) but it was jam packed with interesting stuff people had donated, I remember Hailwood sent his spark plugs with a nice letter , it was fantastic .
Yes, have to see the fruin 4 one time too, thank you Exmoor!
 
I think it went years ago- old man Murray would give you a tour and knew all the bikes- some of them are now at Sammy Millers ( Bert Fruin 4 etc) but it was jam packed with interesting stuff people had donated, I remember Hailwood sent his spark plugs with a nice letter , it was fantastic .
Geez, I'd travel miles to see a couple of Mike's spark plugs!! :eek: !nteresting, or what?! The letter ... absolutely.
 
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