So, this month’s editorial is dedicated to all the motorcycle enthusiasts around the globe that I have had the privilege and honor of “connecting with” during the last few years. People like Jim Bryant of JIMBO’S Classic Sidecars. Jim lives outside of Beijing, China and runs a successful business where he buys and sells not only Chinese-made CJ-750 motorcycles and sidecars, but also retro-fits BMW engines into these bikes to make them more reliable and roadworthy. His clients are global; mostly ex-pats who are working / living in Beijing and need some two-wheeled fun during their assignments abroad. Jim is a real gentleman and enthusiast and I really hope to see him again in the near future.

You can read more about Jim and his unique business here: http://www.bmwsidecar.com/

The second person is my good friend Kuan Shing Tern and his lovely wife Yuanli of Taipei City, Taiwan. I first met Kuan through www.wildguzzi.com while he was modifying a Moto Guzzi Sport 1100 with a few custom touches and we quickly became Guzzi brothers. I had the opportunity to not only meet Kuan on several occasions, but ride with him and the famous “469 Club” through the busy streets of Taipei and the mountain roads outside the city. Kuan runs a successful commercial lighting design business, but his passionate is about motorcycles; Ducati and Moto Guzzi in particular.

The third person is the newest “Guzzi brother” whom I also met through www.wildguzzi.com. Phang Chong Lai (pronounced “pong”) lives and works in Singapore as an electrical engineer in the fiber optics industry. He's also a real motorcycle enthusiast and the proud owner of two modern Kawasakis and a 8v Moto Guzzi Griso – a rare bike in the states and even more rare in Singapore! It was the rainy season during my visit so we did not have the opportunity to ride together, but over dinner we engaged in “bench-racing” at its highest level. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit and like Kuan, hope to meet someday for that overdue ride.

Although I have not met him in person, another honorable mention is our good friend, VMOL supporter and publisher Brian Hough. Brian puts out “The Master Link” the magazine of the vintage motorcycle club of South Africa. Our VMOL articles and photography have been featured in their publications for over a year now. I have commented to my partner Nolan on more than one occasion just how cool it is to be recognized and be part of another vintage motorcycle club half way around the world!

I feel very fortunate to have met and interacted with the motorcycle enthusiasts I mentioned above. When Nolan and I started VMOL back in June of 2008, our vision was “to build a global bridge” connecting the vintage motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide. It appears we are well on our way toward achieving this important goal.

In closing, thanks to global travel, the internet and social networking sites like Facebook, the world is not so small anymore. Vintage motorcycles are not just about the machines, but also about the people who ride them and the camaraderie they share with other enthusiasts. It’s a good time to be alive, active and most importantly, “connected and involved” in the motorcycle industry!

Until next time, RIDE SAFE, enjoy the journey, and we'll see you down the road! JJ Cerilli