The Nimbus Ride - June 18

Hartland, June 18

Miles has four Nimbuses, and suggests we take the two slightly ratty ones to go see Brian Keating, a local collector/motorcycle trader. It's been a while since I rode a Nimbus, but this one has a really strong'n'smooth engine, and without a windshield I can ride it fine up to 43 mph (70 km/t). But man, what a difference from the MZ: Comfort is down significantly, especially for my delicate behind, but those 22 HORSEPOWER! So much more than the MZ! And it has a BOTTOMLESS PIT OF TORQUE, that allows me to accelerate uphill whenever I feel like it, always in top gear.

We get to Brian's place, where for me the 3-cylinder Harley, the Kawasaki W2 (copy of the BSA A7) and the drag bikes are the most exiting. Seeing Miles' old Indian Four in all its unrestored art deco fendered glory is nice too. That was one he bought some years ago, after it had been standing partially submerged in a basement somewhere in Illinois. On the way home we stop at a few places for me to take photos, and for Miles to pick up a key and a book. Stopping here and there ensures that we get caught in the rain a few miles from home, so now I've been riding in the wet twice on this vacation. Only 5 minutes this time, but it still counts.

The W3 version of a Harley-Davidson Shovelhead. 

When Kawasaki got into the four-stroke market, they license built what was essentially a reliable and oil tight version of the BSA twin. 

Brian Keating with his 1901 Keating motorcycle....

....and here with a 750 cc Harley shorttrack racer. Being in this business of buying and selling motorcycles, you get to keep the best stuff for yourself.

Amongst the collection's many antique bicycles is one where the rider just would step down on the pedals.

In Connecticut front license plates on cars are not required, so a relative of Brian mounted this small painting instead. Fans of The Grateful Dead will recognize the violin player from 'Blues For Allah'.

Above and below: Outside the shop of 'Volusia County Customs' stands this 45'Dodge ratrod, which has a '57 rear portion of a Pontiac, the hood of a '56 Chevy Bel Air, and 1-ton dualies putting down power from a 406" Ford big block engine. Note the Nimbus' funky sidebags.

Unusual but impressive looking Church in Plainfield, New Hampshire. Turned out that Miles wasn't particularly impressed with the people running it. 

For two dollars I'll gladly ride a horse through here, if I had one.