Brad The Bike Boy: It was 20 years ago today........

Friday, July 4, 2014

It was 20 years ago today........

That I started on this Italian motorcycle adventure. July 4, 1994. I had been working on cars with a fellow named Rob (now the mechanical side of Guzzi Spares Australia) and he owned a 907. He found himself working at Moto Italiano after taking the 907 in for a service and finding they were in need of a mechanic. Then about a month after he started, the other mechanic left. So he rang me to see if I wanted to try bikes. I went and had a look and a chat and then got a call to say that there was a Ducati training course in a bit over a week and if I was interested I should really be there. I was, and then I was.

The first day was an M900 service, and my introduction to 2V desmo. I learnt some new stuff (which I promptly forgot). Day two was a first service on an 888, back in the days when first service meant a full valve clearance service. Actually, the only difference between a 1,000km service and a 20,000km service (1994 model, probably 15,000km for one year only) was a fork oil change, now that I think about it. As we were pulling it apart, I opened the throttles, looked down the inlet ports and fell in love. As an engine guy, it was a most wonderful sight. I still service that bike.

The training course also coincided with the first 916 in Australia being at the dealership. I had no idea what it was, but everyone else seemed to think it was pretty special.

Of course, by the first time I had to do valve clearances on a Ducati (a 2V, probably an SS) I stood there with a dopey look trying to remember what it was I was meant to do. Funny, but I find 2V valve clearances almost therapeutic these days.

I think the first bike I rode after servicing it was a Moto Guzzi T3. Probably a dark green one. Compared to the Ducati, the Guzzi were pretty similar to a car in many ways so much of it made sense servicing wise. But I hadn't done a lot of road riding at all up to that point, and when I got back to the workshop I asked Rob if he could go for a ride on it because there just had to be something wrong with it. Nope, just a Guzzi. I did come to love them. Well, most of them. Some anyway.

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The 851

The 400SS

I bought this 400SS (genuine 93 model Australian delivery! Woo hoo huh.) after seeing it in Ebay for what was possibly an good price. As ever, good was too good to be true. Badly repaired and rusted out fuel tank, badly repainted side panels, lots of km (83,000 of the bastards), etc. You know, the usual. Purchased in October 2012, as of now (Jan 2014) I've nearly finished a major service. The cam timing is done with some of the Madasl adjustable pullies that have been drilled in 4 different settings for easy dyno testing. And I have some 900 headers to try a 40mm dual exhaust set up on it (ala M400). Not a great deal of progress for 15 months, so it's taking on a long term feel. There's an F1 endurance style seat base (more taper at the rear) and front fairing sitting around, which will require frame mods to fit. It's a bit of a mental sticking point as this time. But hey, it's not like I can devalue it much more.

The Mighty KR1S 250

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