TWO FOR THE ROAD
It must be an age thing.
I’m grey and old and
getting (more) portly and
I have two ’94 model
BMW R100LTs (one in
Australia and one in
NZ). I also have a BS3
Royal Enfield Himalayan.
These bikes suit me just
fine at this stage, and I
thoroughly enjoy them.
One of the BMWs
has what I’d call the
hint of a diff whine
on acceleration but
no dramas when not
accelerating hard. Any
idea about what might
be coming my way? I’d
rather deal with it before
I get stranded.
Also, what is a common
sparkplug equivalent for
the Himalayan? Bosch
UR5CCs aren’t common
in NZ, and my conversion
charts haven’t heard of
them yet.
I’d also love to get90 MOTORCYCLE TRADER
Spannerman
SPANNER’S SOAPBOX
Didyouenjoythe‘FirstTime’storyinMT#353?I
wasn’t as easy to assemble as you might think.As
probably noticed, most people’s first relationships
often don’t end well. We invited plenty of MTst
and contributors to tell us their story. Many
graciously did, but there were a few non-
starters. Consider the following note from
one of MT’s regular photographers: “As
exciting as it might be for people to
read about the absolute dumpster fire
that was my first girlfriend, I fear the
murderous rage it would inspire could
have negative effects.
“A l s o , I’d be worried about the legal
implications of publishing a photo of her/
it so forgive me for sitting this one out.”
It was interesting to read the stories of Kaz
and Sandy, two of our regular women writers.
Both had trouble starting to ride because of the
control of others. In Kaz’s case, it was a mother and
then her soccer-playing first boyfriend. I wonder how
many women never make it to two wheels for the
same reason. In Sandy’s case, it was the control of her
first boyfriend/husband telling her what and what
not she was allowed to do.
I understand the concern of parents for the welfare
of their children and this being translated into often
irrational ‘rules’ like, “Motorcycles are dangerous- you’re not to have one while you’re living in this
se!”Parentsgenerallyknowtheirinfluencewill
inish as their children grow older and become
e independent. Eventually, if the force is strong,
kid will get a bike whether the parents like it or
t. I suspect Kaz and Cam’s girls are going to grow
up in a very different household.
But what about partners who attempt
to exercise control over whether or not
you can ride? “I’m doing it because I
love you and I don’t want you to get
injured.” What you’ve got is a new
parent again and that’s what you were
trying to escape. ‘Love’ and ‘control’
are two entirely different things.
As is the way of the world, this control
usually manifests itself as the male telling
thefemale what she’s allowed to do. If the
male already rides, it probably makes this issue
easier but a non-rider, with all society’s prejudices
against motorcycles, is far more problematic. Maybe
you could just tell him to mind his own business.
Ok ay, MT has shown you ours and now we want
you to show us yours. Send us an image of your first
bike and first boyfriend/girlfriend along with a few
paragraphs explaining the images. We’ll run them in
MT #355.
Send them to [email protected], but
be quick because the deadline for the pre-Christmas
issue is short.Let the mechanicalmaster solve your woes. It might even be about your bike
Write to MT’s Mailbox at [email protected]
or Motorcycle Trader, PO Box 2094, Oakleigh, Vic 3166