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The prodigal Bronson
GUIDO has been out shopping, without adult supervision. It should be banned…
Mac the Valk, my long-loved Valkyrie Interstate touring partner, has been on the chopping block for a while now. The last 1000km ride confirmed the decision. It performed faultlessly, was fun with friend Ms J as co-pilot, but the passion had gone out of the relationship. The daughters have grown up and no longer come for long rides, which took a lot of joy out of owning it.
I listed the Valk at a low price with MT and Bikepoint, figuring I’d got my money’s-worth over 50,000km-plus together and would prefer to see it go to a new home soon rather than hang around trying to screw the last dollar out of it.
Brett the baker, an entrepreneur from Queensland, all six foot four of him, rang to say he wanted it. To prove that, he flew down with son Mitch within 48 minutes (okay, it might have been hours…) rode it, asked spouse Julie to wire the money, and they toured back to Briz from Melb. He rang a few days later to check in once he got home (very happy), and emailed pix of Mac, polished to within an inch of its life, sitting in its new shed. Hearing and seeing the bubbling enthusiasm made up for the moment of deep loss when I watched them roll out the driveway and turn north.
What now? I seriously considered another classic motorcycle – something more practical than Winston the 1947 Sunbeam. On the short list were a nice T150 Triumph from the helpful Jon Munn at Classic Style in Vic, and even a clean second-gen RE5 Suzuki rotary from another outlet.
Then temptation got in the way. I’m a sucker for big sports tourers and spotted a super-low kay Blackbird at local dealer Redwing at the right price. I’ve owned one before, called Bronson, on which I had all sorts of adventures and loved dearly. And sold it – a decision regretted ever since, particularly when I heard the new owner binned it within a month.
While another classic would be nice, I have a low thresh-hold when it comes to being rooted around which any, repeat any, classic model can do without even turning a wheel.
There was also the amusement factor – having a Blackbird and Hayabusa, sworn enemies when they were released over the years, sharing a shed had appeal. (“Careful, they’ll fight,” warned fellow Lemmings MC member Morley.)
What really tipped the balance was the advice from classic guru Phil Pilgrim, years ago, when I asked him, “How did you and your mates get your collections together?” That was after touring his friend’s fleet behind a modest house in Ballarat, with gear you had to see to believe. His answer was simple: “Buy what you like when you can afford it, then hang on to it.” Those words led to me buying my second Hinckley Triumph Daytona, Ted the 1200. And have now added a Blackbird to the shed.
Spannerman and Rob Smith have tackled me on this. The latter recently offered, sarcasm dripping from the phone, “So let’s see: you have a super fast 1200, a mega-fast 1300 (Hannibal the modded Hayabusa) and now bought a super fast 1100. Err, why?” Simple really: lust. The justification is the Hayabusa is my sport bike, the Blackbird my all-rounder mount and the Daytona a spare in case of emergencies.
The final hurdle was getting the ’Bird past Ms M snr. She gave me that, “For a moment there I thought you said – no, hang on a minute, you’re a blithering idiot,” treatment when I announced the joyous acquisition. Thank heavens she rides. The next day, I dutifully rolled the freshly polished electric blue toy out of the shed for an inspection. She wandered out looking wary, then settled into the saddle, worked out it fitted her and started making happy gurgling and “I can ride this too” noises. She was hooked.
Welcome back, Bronson…
You’re always welcome to get in touch via the palatial MT offices at locked bag 12, Oakleigh 3166; Or on the wire via guy.allen@traderclassifieds.com.au.
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