Subject: An Introduction
Author: Tom Bowes
Date: Jan 6, 2001, 9:49 AM
Post ID: 1704776138
Greetings,
Chalk up another new member, although I have been lurking for about the
past two months "reading the mail". In the past few months two Guzzis
have found their way into my garage; a 1982 V50-III with under 900
original miles, affectionately known around here as "the rider", and a
cruddy, albeit complete 1970 Ambassador with 22000 miles, aka "the
fixer". After several years of repairing and restoring vaccum tube type
amateur radio and audio equipment it was time for a new hobby, so here I
is!!!
Actually, I have wanted a Guzzi since I was a teenager, but never had
the dough, a place to keep one, a sympathetic spouse, etc.. This created
certain uneasy tensions within my being since I have always been around
bikes in one way or another since my youngest days. My great-grandfather
was James Goulding of Goulding sidecar fame. This also means that my
great aunt and uncle were Dot and Earl Robinson, who made their mark
racing Harleys, and owning the Harley franchise in Detroit from the 50's
to the 70's. Both of them rode well into their 70's and always
represented the more genteel element of the H-D crowd. (They would've
made great Guzzi riders!)
As for me, I am an electrician-turned electrical instructor, affiliated
with Local 58 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in
Detroit. My days are spent twisting young (and old) minds as to the ways
of the wiley electron and its cohorts. I presently teach the third year
curriculum of our apprenticeship program, which includes electronics,
blueprint reading, transformer connections, load calculations, and
welding. My students all recognize me as the man who single-handedly
reinstituted prayer in the schools! (Happens every test day!) I also
hold an FCC Amateur Extra class radio license, which I've had for about
the past 6 years. I don't get on the air much, preferring the projects
and troubleshooting aspects of the hobby more than the conversational
end of things.
At of today, the V50 is patiently waiting for warm weather, and for my
son and I to complete a motorcycle safety course. The Ambassador is in
pieces out in the garage with various parts waiting to go to the media
blaster, chrome plater, powder coater, painter, etc.. I am planning on
doing all of the mechanical/electrical work and polishing, but will be
subbing the painting out to another party, probably Mark at Moto Guzzi
Classics, once we agree on a paint and color scheme. With some luck the
bike should be ready to ride in 4-6 months, maybe sooner, but I plan to
make haste slowly. The goal is to be able to have my son and I ride the
two Guzzis out to the national rally in July. This afternoon brings the
promise of inhaling mineral spirits vapors as I painstakingly clean 30
years of accumulated crud from the various bits and pieces of the
engine, transmission and swing arm. How I miss summer with its ever so
much easier ritual of grease removal via Gunk and the power washer!
I suppose that you all are going to get tired of my questions ad
nauseum, but I will at least try to research the archives before letting
loose with a really dumb inquiry. Kudos to those responsible for
establishing this list dedicated to these fine old machines. May we all
enjoy a high signal to noise ratio here in the loopframe group.
Best Wishes
Tom
kk-@home.com
Shelby Township, Michigan