Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Since 1969


A  L  O  H  A !

" Story of My Bikes"

" A motorcycle functions entirely 
in accordance with the
 laws of reason, and a 
study of the art of 
motorcycle maintenance is
 really a miniature study 
of the art of rationality itself. "
Robert M. Pirsig, 
'Zen and the Art 
of Motorcycle Maintenance'







" Most motorcycle problems 
are caused by the nut
that connects the handlebars
 to the saddle. "
                  Biker Lore

That is my first bike:
1969 Suzuki.
What a faithful little pony!
My first motor vehicle,
and the freedom it brought.

Then for some years
I did not have a bike.

But when I met my blog-
invisible husband, his
1973 BMW motorcycle
was one of the reasons
he was The One!

" It takes more love 
to share the saddle 
than it does to 
share the bed. "
                Biker Lore

Legendary rides
together!










" Four wheels move the body. 
Two wheels move the soul. "
Biker Lore


Once established on Oahu
in the 1980's
I got this tough
Honda Magna:
Low & Strong & fast!
The bike that helped me
start a Women's
Motorcycle Club!

The winged woman
was my idea.
"Holding up Oahu!"
someone else added.
The rest is history.

We had to negotiate
the bottom "Rocker"
'Aloha State' with the
local outlaw clubs.
No two clubs can
claim the same turf.

It took some guts
to call ourselves a 
MC [ motorcycle club ]
because a lot of biker guys
didn't like it!





We did it anyway!
We rode hard.
We got the Respect.










Gene in his hangar

 Pilot/ mechanic who builds
aircraft and BMW motorcycles
from parts; Here Gene is completing
MY lilac 1973 BMW with the shiny
'Toaster Tank' My 1990's bike.
That it an even older black
'Shorty Tank' behind my seat.

Thanks blog-invisible husband.
Thanks, Gene!













" There are old pilots
and bold pilots;
but there are no old
AND bold pilots. "
            Pilot Lore

Look at those jugs!
(Boxer engine, based on
old, basic aircraft engines)












The BMW was a collectors item.
It deserved a garage.
It got very tall and heavy
as years went by.

2010
I switched to this 
Yamaha Zuma 125 Scooter,
a tough little punk
faster than most sports cars.
Zippy Fun!










I fancied myself quite HOT!







But probably looked more - 


So three weeks ago,
a big SUV
made a left
right into me.

I'm OK.

I was hurting quite a bit,
but that is not what this
blog is for.

Celebrating how THRILLED
I am to be OK,
and how I am out of pain:
THAT is worth sharing!

Thing is, I don't have a bike
for the first time in decades.

Feels strange.

Insurance wrote it off,
"Totalled" it,
and is sending me a check

Will I get another bike?
Ever?
Will I wait a while?

Who knows.

Here is the music
that started it all. . . 
in 1969. . . 

                    PEACE, cloudia







21 comments:

Fireblossom said...

Girl! Are you okay? Way back in 1986, a car made a left into me while i was on a regular ten speed bicycle. I got thrown a long way, banged up but basically okay. it was scary and I still remember it clearly.

eViL pOp TaRt said...

Cloudia, I had no idea! I really, really hope that the pain is past and you are recovering. You were brave to try a motorcycle to begin with; much less ride for a long time and with the serious bikers. Do be careful; and hoping things will be good.

That was a nice MC patch! Rjde on.......

eileeninmd said...

Hello Cloudia, here I was trying to picture you on lovely lilac bike and then I read about the accident. What a scare, I am so glad you were ok. I am sure that was painful. Take care! Have a happy day!

EG CameraGirl said...

OH my goodness. Glad you are okay. Sorry your bike is totalled though!

Teresa said...

So sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you're all right. Love the photo history of your bikes!! Awesome!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Scary stuff Cloudia, sooo happy you're OK, don't think I can cope with any more bad news. Do you think you'll get another, maybe the universe is sending you a message not to!

21 Wits said...

Oh my goodness! How thankful that you are alive and well! It's got to be a bit of a challenge sharing the streets there (I've read about how crazy busy it is) and being hit by a gigantic SUV is not a good thing so often. Times have changed from those blissful carefree riding days.
I haven't been on for years, my son sold his, and ours in collecting dust in hubby's shop. Even our little red 1988 scooter sits, sad and lonely. Hmmmm... food for thought.

Nancy Chan said...

Good to hear you are alright except for the pain. Riding a bike is fun but can be dangerous.

RedPat said...

I'm so glad you are okay, Cloudia! Traffic seems to be so different these days - fast, more vehicles, big trucks, etc. Be safe, dear!

Cloudia said...

Thanks Friends!

FilipBlog said...

Super to see so many different people on a bike.

Greetings,
Filip

Elephant's Child said...

I am so glad you are ok.
Many years ago my partner was knocked off his bike. When he got himself up off the road he wandered over to the woman who had hit him, to say he was ok. She was on the phone to her husband, and as he arrived he heard 'I've hit ANOTHER motorcyclist darling. What should I do?'
Sigh.

William Kendall said...

Ouch! A friend of mine got hit by a drunk driver- the bike got totaled, and to this day he uses a cane to walk, but says it could have been a lot worse.

Brandi said...

I'm sorry you got hurt, Cloudia. I'm glad you are free of pain now.
Brandi

Tom said...

Hey wild one!

DeniseinVA said...

Glad you are okay after your spill. Must have been very scary. Enjoyed the history of your bikes. Take good care and keep safe :)

Small Kucing said...

Hope you are okay, Cloudia. Speedy recovery to you.

Pierre BOYER said...

Great !

Pierre

magiceye said...

Hey Cloudia!! Good to know that you are good!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and best wishes to get the new ride!!

Namaste /\ from Mumbai
Aloha!!

orvokki said...

Aloha!
This is really nice post.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

From the sound of your voice, Cloudia, I'm thinking you will get another bike, if that's what you want. Your too tough a spirit to not do what you want. Gentle healing hugs to you.