Guzzi Calif 3 (late 80s, early 90s)
It is the one I preferred for its good driving position, its aesthetics, its
nervousness, its handling, its low consumption and its melodious song. I
forgave him for his little problems, his broken cables and his firm suspension
(maximum distance before a stop 500km).
Good comfortable motorcycle, I used it daily to go to work at 50km. I had a
severe mess due to a car that made a sudden change of direction. Despite its
apparent robustness it was fragile seemed to pose maintenance issues. By its
maneuverability it allowed me to avoid many accidents.
Without a garage and unwilling to take the risk of leaving a motorcycle outside
in the bad weather of Normandy, I bought a Chappy 80 cm
3
. It is a fun and reliable device. The only problem was related to the
automatic fuel valve (see Urals).
Triumph Speed-Twin (70s)
After a period of abstinence from motorcycling, I acquire a near-wreck of
Speed-Twin from 1955 with a valid registration document. After a bit of
mechanics and electricity accompanied by super high voltage discharges (it
shakes a magneto), the machine rolls correctly. I use it to go to work and
immediately pass for an original or even an asocial. It must be said that the
oil leaks are such that wearing rubber boots is recommended, I exchanged them
for city shoes to work. I had made my adjustments to favor the couple, which
allowed me to make gun starts. The vibrations regularly broken down the
machine, which lost parts that had to be recovered because they were not found
on the market and the internet did not exist. I had to part with it when I had
to move from the east of France to the west and from a house to an apartment.
Moto MZ 125cm 3 (late 60s)
My first new motorcycle, the one with a balance fork and the
headlight attached to the tank. Comfortable it does not have the robustness of
the Lambretta and does not like the mountain. It was not possible for me to
climb (2) the Ventoux. It was with her that I had my first bowls: slipping
under a truck (on the ice), my head on a sidewalk (with helmet), smashing the
back of a caravan; all without physical harm. Youthful ardor is dangerous. As
the power was very low, I took the turns with angles of hell.
It was a gift from my father when he went to the car. With this machine we
(already married) climbed the passes of the Alps with a load of camping,
without problem but at a reduced pace. The most delicate point was the candle,
as on all 2 times.
Scooters and motorcycles were out of fashion. It was the great era of the 2 CV
and the Solex.
It is the one I preferred for its good driving position, its aesthetics, its
nervousness, its handling, its low consumption and its melodious song. I
forgave him for his little problems, his broken cables and his firm suspension
(maximum distance before a stop 500km).
Honda 750 XLV (late 80s)
Good comfortable motorcycle, I used it daily to go to work at 50km. I had a
severe mess due to a car that made a sudden change of direction. Despite its
apparent robustness it was fragile seemed to pose maintenance issues. By its
maneuverability it allowed me to avoid many accidents.
Yamaha Chappy 80 cm 3 . (early 80s)
Without a garage and unwilling to take the risk of leaving a motorcycle outside
in the bad weather of Normandy, I bought a Chappy 80 cm
3
. It is a fun and reliable device. The only problem was related to the
automatic fuel valve (see Urals).
Triumph Speed-Twin (70s)
After a period of abstinence from motorcycling, I acquire a near-wreck of
Speed-Twin from 1955 with a valid registration document. After a bit of
mechanics and electricity accompanied by super high voltage discharges (it
shakes a magneto), the machine rolls correctly. I use it to go to work and
immediately pass for an original or even an asocial. It must be said that the
oil leaks are such that wearing rubber boots is recommended, I exchanged them
for city shoes to work. I had made my adjustments to favor the couple, which
allowed me to make gun starts. The vibrations regularly broken down the
machine, which lost parts that had to be recovered because they were not found
on the market and the internet did not exist. I had to part with it when I had
to move from the east of France to the west and from a house to an apartment.
Moto MZ 125cm 3 (late 60s)
My first new motorcycle, the one with a balance fork and the
headlight attached to the tank. Comfortable it does not have the robustness of
the Lambretta and does not like the mountain. It was not possible for me to
climb (2) the Ventoux. It was with her that I had my first bowls: slipping
under a truck (on the ice), my head on a sidewalk (with helmet), smashing the
back of a caravan; all without physical harm. Youthful ardor is dangerous. As
the power was very low, I took the turns with angles of hell.
Lambretta 125cm 3 scooter (early 60s)
It was a gift from my father when he went to the car. With this machine we
(already married) climbed the passes of the Alps with a load of camping,
without problem but at a reduced pace. The most delicate point was the candle,
as on all 2 times.
Scooters and motorcycles were out of fashion. It was the great era of the 2 CV
and the Solex.
Cyclo Mercier borrowed from my father (late 1950s)
This French-made cyclo (Saint Etienne), allowed me to make a trip to Germany
with a friend. It was the time when Adenauer and de Gaulle sealed the
reconciliation of the 2 countries: great trip with a very warm welcome. The
cyclo suffered and finally we came back by train.
