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Jul 2, 2012 | 04:20 PM

squirrelrequiem

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From: Devon, UK

Another newbie

Hi, I don't know how I've not come across this forum before... My main ride is an 05 RKC. But I've also been riding a Guzzi 750 Breva - well it is a V Twin, it just points in the wrong direction.

Why these two bikes? Well, I'm just about to tell you. But first, the reason I found this forum was that I've just swapped the Guzzi for an Iron and I was looking up how to clean the finish on it. Several days later, I'm still logged in and reading the 'DIY Mods' thread over on the Touring section and I can't see some of the pictures. I believe that's because I need to have posted at least 5 times. So....

(to be continued)

Last edited by squirrelrequiem; Jul 2, 2012 at 04:54 PM.

Jul 2, 2012 | 04:28 PM

squirrelrequiem

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From: Devon, UK

....I'll split this up. Anyway, I used to live in the Midlands in the UK. There I had the Road King and a Ducati crotch rocket. The Duke was kind of fun, but also kind of dangerous - I rode it like a teenager. So mostly I liked to cruise around on the bagger.

I worked in the UK health service and had the pleasure of having to travel all over Derbyshire, which has some great biking roads. In fact, I used to get my PA to organise meetings so I got the best routes. But the British NHS is very dear to the heart of our politicians and they love nothing more than reorganising it to make it 'better'. That gives people like me in their 50s a chance to leave them to it and relax into retirement. So that's what I did. Anyway...

Jul 2, 2012 | 04:36 PM

squirrelrequiem

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From: Devon, UK

... we thought we'd take the opportunity to move house and bought a cottage in Devon, just on the edge of Dartmoor. I sold the Duke - it was too difficult to move two cars and two bikes down here. And anyway, for a while The Lovely Sharon was renting in Devon while I was still in Derbyshire, then I was renting in Derbyshire after we'd sold the house and bought this one, while I was finishing my work commitments.

Now Devon has some pretty small, winding lanes and the Road King is a bit ponderous for weaving through the holiday-makers in the summer. Also, the new house didn't have a garage. The Road King I had parked in a neighbours garage while I was still in Derbyshire. I am very grateful to them for that but by the time I finally got down here permanently, it was going to be akward to get it out from in amongst all of their stuff every time I wanted a ride.

Another solution was needed.

Jul 2, 2012 | 04:43 PM

squirrelrequiem

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From: Devon, UK

So I bought an old Guzzi that was cheap, a bit tatty but would be ok sitting outside in all weathers under a cover. It was great for tootling about the lanes and over the moors. I found myself a favourite place on Dartmoor where I could go and read a book half-way through a beautiful ride: A favourite beach and a favourite coastal ride.

But the damn thing started playing up and failing to start. After leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere a few times I started to find myself going out less and less. And last week I'd had enough and decided to change it.

At the same time, we're coming to the end of having a garage built - 7.5m by 13.5m so there's enough space for a few bikes. I casually mentioned to The Lovely Sharon that I was thinking of swapping the Guzzi and tht maybe another Harley would hit the spot. She said it sounded like a good idea so the next day...

Last edited by squirrelrequiem; Jul 2, 2012 at 04:54 PM.