What TigerJ said. As a developing enginenut, I craved an engine on a bicycle and along came a crippled Whizzer for 13.00. That one was fixed and enjoyed and along came another to get a cure. These were traded to friends and in all 5 Whizzers passed through before an upgrade to Cushman scooters to serve the paper delivery, then a Famous James 125, then a pile of 1938 H-D big twins that yielded 1 running machine and spares and we were loving the chase. Realized that these machines all had a personality unlike the ones before and it was satisfying to bring one back to life and experience a degree of mastering of the animal. Loved the great diversity in designs we met and enjoyed curing their notable illnesses, because we were perpetually short of funds and the affordable machines were well worn before us. The repair skills and the studies of design necessary encouraged me to advance in welding, machine work, and machine repair. My efforts were rewarded by my finding similar work in industrial maintenance but never far from a good motorcycle or engine. Here 65 years later I look back and consider myself blessed beyond understanding with the pleasure I've had from the world of motorcycling. Have owned 1 new cycle (1972 T100R),Have several (various)waiting their turn in the shop. Have never paid for cycle or automobile repair. I consider the motorcycle/rider the highest level of bonding between man and machine. The current level of society over here with the machine sophistication, low level of guidance of young people toward mechanical skills training, and the trend toward planned obsolescence of vehicles has taken a toll on the number of young people able and willing to manage their vehicles. Please excuse my long windedness-we could talk a while on this.
