| A Vintage State of Mind |
 Maybe I am getting old….well, I am actually, as I just realized the other day that in August I will have been riding motorcycles on the street for over 40 years! Where have all the miles, motorcycles (28 different ones) and the time gone? The good news? I still have my hair, or helmet hair but that’s a good thing. As is 40 years of priceless memories. Another recent revelation is that it seems whenever I visit one a motorcycle dealership fewer of the new models really appeal to me anymore. When I ride either of my two vintage bikes; a Guzzi 850 Le Mans-III or my 1978 BMW R100RS Motorsport to any bike night gathering or local destination (like Alice's in Woodside California) it's the vintage bikes that I'm drawn to. Not the latest, fastest sportbike or cruiser.  Take the new 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 for example. It is, by any standard an exceptionally modern, sorted, fast and practical motorcycle but have you seen it in person? It looks like something drawn for the latest Transformers script with its sharp, angular tank, funky exhaust and a menacing “insect-like” profile. I have sat on them, inspected them from every angle and sorry, despite the great, out the door deals Kawasaki is offering these days, I just can't see myself owning one. Why do you think we like to own and ride vintage motorcycles anyway? The answer is simply, because we choose to. We may like uniqueness of the model, the history of the marque, or the fact that showing up anywhere on one will  almost guarantee that you’ll be the subject of conversation, questions and general admiration. If you are like me, then odds are you also probably enjoy other vintage items too; like classic cars, wristwatches, antique furniture, ceramics, pocket knives and firearms. I haven’t been to his house in a few months, but the last time I was there my good friend and VMOL partner Nolan had on display his collection of vintage cameras and radios. Because of my international travel schedule for business, I choose not to own a car. My wife drives a 2006 Mini-Cooper-S, a ‘nuovo retro’ of a previous model legend. When I am in town and it is raining or cold, I drive her restored 1967 Mustang Coupe. There is something very satisfying about driving a 43-year old classic car on the road. Even my daily mule and two-up long-distance bike (a 2007 Harley Road King) has been modified to appear like an older ‘motor’ edition. I have powder-coated (in black) about ten formerly shiny chrome bits to give it the retro-look that seemingly everyone is drawn to.  There are however, a couple “new” modern classics that really appeal to me. One is the Moto Guzzi V7 Classic/V7 Classic Café, the Triumph Bonneville “Basic Black” and the café-flavored Thruxton. In typical Bloor tradition the Triumphs are impressively finished, and all have those beautiful, overall design lines that flow and just plain look like a motorcycle should. Both the Guzzi and the Triumphs do a fine job of beckoning one back to the days of the original V7 Sport and 1967-70 Bonnevilles, models from both marques  that no question were, are, and will remain highly desirable and collectible. Back in 2001, I owned and rode a modern Triumph Bonneville and they are great all around motorcycles. The modern Bonnie's can be ridden reliably and without fear anywhere, anytime. A good friend of mine in Portland, Oregon has modified the counter-shaft sprocket on his three-quarter liter Bonnie to lower engine RPM's on the freeways. He was with us last August when we completed a 2,600 mile trip around Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia. Other than a dead battery in Cranbrook, BC, (his fault actually, as he sheepishly admitted to buying a cheap battery), the bike stormed the roads in grand fashion and overall just performed flawlessly.  The third bike is the new Royal Enfield Bullet - which now comes with fuel injection to meet -I believe- even the most stringent California CARB laws for emissions. The bike has true appeal and is very pretty in the dealer-supplied café garb, but since the Enfield is just a 500cc single and a little anemic on the interstate, I would opt for either the Guzzi or the Triumph for overall practicality. Two other honorable mentions are the Ducati Sport Classic GT1000 and the Harley Sportster “Nightster” model. The latter is the more retro of the two in my humble opinion, but it’s hard to argue with their appeal.  So, you have two options these days. One, actually owning and riding a true vintage bike and two, by choosing one of several “modern-retro” motorcycles available today. Either way, you’ll be guaranteed to begin enjoying life in a vintage state of mind. JJ Cerilli
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