British Humor

[O'Callaghan]

There was a girl at our school whose mother drove a sidecar outfit. I think it was a Sunbeam S7, but it's hard to remember after all this time.

[Old Hippie]

But generally you guys seem to be picking on anything and everything British, and I have encountered some pretty awful US-made vehicles in my time.

I have an older Harley, my wife has a much newer Suzuki. She traded off her Harley for it. She is quite fond of saying, "Harleys always break down." To which I generally reply, "Not always. Just often enough to make life interesting."

Having chased electrical gremlins in the dark, rebuilt the carburetor in a driving rain storm by the side of the road, and used wire stolen from a nearby fence to reattach bits and bobs to the bike, I can honestly say that I would much rather have a machine in fine fettle that will stay that way. On the other hand, it's so stone-ax simple that I *can* fix it with a Leatherman Pocket Tool and some wire from a farmer's fence.

What creates problems, I believe, is when the owner's ability or inclination to maintain the machine is not matched by the machine's need for occasional maintenance. I'd find a less "interactive" bike a bore, my wife would push mine into the river.

:ootd:

[ohiopiper]

I can relate, but not to bikes. I have a hoby that is verbotten to discuss here. My choice of equipment includes an item that performs very well, but only with careful maintenance and skilled use. Many find the level of care and proficiency required to be a chore and so choose another item for their own use. To each their own.

I had a Yamaha Virago a number of years ago, a friend of mine had a Harley. I often told him my Yamaha was just like his Harley, only it was faster, lighter and didn't break down as often. We both PCS'd around the same time and sold our bikes rather than move them cross country. He got a far greater percentage of his money back on resale than I did. Pro's and con's everywhere.