Almost forgot to post these pictures from the last Piston and Pints gathering in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. Lots of motorcycles and riders showed up on a range of machines and with varied experience. Has turned out to be a good place to listen to stories.
All true.
Dave Dix made his first appearance (I think) on his ’98 Ducati 748. Dave still has me confused because I have him fixed in my head as a BMW GS rider. So far he’s shown up with a Honda CRV, a scooter, and now a Ducati.
Maybe the BMW will appearance next time.
When I arrived and saw Ken Hull doing Harley repairs I thought he was instituting some new tradition by providing mechanical services at Pistons and Pints.
No.
He was fixing a defective fuel shutoff valve I think. Or showing off his mechanical skills. Or maybe both.
No repair is complete without adding rocket fuel to the tank. I think he was pouring a 20 year-old single malt scotch into the tank. Harleys are odd machines. Turned out it was 100 octane aviation gas or rocket fuel. He’s like most Harley riders and thinks those tired old engines actually require something stronger than kerosene to run.
Bruce made an early departure on his Kawasaki Versys. Nice red bike shining in the strong evening sun.
Jeff runs the local automotive repair facility in Boalsburg but seems to find time to change the appearance of his ’81 Honda CX500 Deluxe. It’s looking more and more like a cafe racer to me but what do I know. I ride a Vespa.
Cool bike regardless.
John ( I think that’s his name) takes the award for the biggest bike at the event — a 2012 Yamaha XT1200Z Tenere. Thing seems huge. He has a folding ladder in the sidecase to facilitate mounting. Not sure how he gets the ladder back in the case after he’s on the bike.
I have a soft spot for these kinds of giant machines — the big BMW Adventure, the KTMs, the Vespa GTS — they all seem inspired by John Deere or Kubota. Real do anything go anywhere motorcycles.
The highlight of the evening for me was eavesdropping on a conversation revolving around how to explain to their significant others that they would be ditching their current rides in favor of a Vespa.
Serious business takes place at Piston and Pints.
I’m going to screw up two names here due to my incompetence with a pencil and paper coupled with neglect is asking for names.
Reta (?), kneeling with the red shirt, is a motorcycle mechanic at Kissell Motorsports with a special affinity for anything Ducati. He’s been at the last two get togethers and I’ve watched how people pick his brain for free advice.
I’m waiting for an attorney and rheumatologist to show up.
Dave came with his 2004 BMW R1150 RT. Another fine entry from the Teutonic motorcycle manufacturer. My father “worked” at a BMW plant after WWII. I never quite figured out what the US Army was doing in the place in 1946. Should have quizzed him while he was still around.
Craig Kissell and his wife came in motorcycle style when they pulled up in Triumph Bonneville with a sidecar.
John Dickison pulled up a few minutes later with his BMW with an elaborate Oxford sidecar. I’ve piloted three different sidecar rigs with a brand new URAL being the latest. They are definitely an acquired taste.
John has taken a big bite.
Kris (left) and Jim made their second appearance at Piston and Pints. Kris is an MSF Rider Coach and I heard a few people muttering something about having to wear a helmet. I didn’t get the impression Kris would preach to the unwashed crowd in attendance. She was one of three who showed up ATGATT.
She should talk to Ken though. He still believes he’s 17 and indestructible. Don’t tell anyone this but during a conversation some months back Ken expressed his freedom from helmet or gloves or boots while riding his Harley. Or something about freedom. When the conversation turned to a Ducati he said he would wear a full helmet, riding suit, the works. When I suggested his choices about gear had nothing to do with safety or freedom but were all about style he went to the quiet place men do when confronted with uncomfortable realities.
Maybe I just imagined that. But I digress.
Kris arrived on this orange 2009 BMW K1300S.
Jim came on this fine looking 2005 Triumph Tiger 955.
John Dickison and Ken Hull. I think John has ridden around the world a couple times now. Or at least has done some high mileage riding, Saddle Sore 1000, stuff like that. His wife Tracy is an MSF Rider Coach but hasn’t taken a bite out of the sidecar apple yet. She’s still on a BMW though.
The only other scooter was Paul Ruby’s ’65 Vespa All State. Weird to hear a two-stroke motor with all the motorcycles.
So keep in mind, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 5 to 8pm. Always room for more bikes and scooters.
What’s the location? Pardon if I missed it… Looks like a good time!
Dear Scooter in the Sticks:
This post was a radical departure from the normal stories that get the headlines here. I was expecting a picture or two of a scooter in the mist, or a tree out in a field, or a road twisting to the horizon.
And here you are, the guest celebrity chronicling a mini-rally. I am impressed. I’m even more impressed that you got all the names, faces and bikes right. (I never manage that.)
Oddly enough, I was yesterday on the telephone to an old friend of mine, who goes by the name of Stitches. We were talking about the Honda 500 with the heads that stuck out on the side, as one of Honda’s best machines.
I loved these pictures of bikes and smiling riders out in the country. It looked like a great event.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
C: Piston and Pints takes place on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 5 to 8 pm at Ken Hull’s garage in Boalsburg. The garage in on Rockey’s Alley and Academy Street between Pine Street and Main Street. Easy to find.
Mr. Riepe: Perhaps one of these evenings it will be foggy and I can’t get pictures more in line with your expectations.
It is a nice event. I understand there will be a moto police officer at the next one. I’ll get to inquire about all the loopholes in the law…
Wow, it’s so cool to know there’s such a moto society back home. Lynne and I are deep in the Alaskan off road on a rented KLR. See you at the next P & P.
poppawheelie: Ride safe, keep warm, and give the Grizzly Bears a wide berth!
Steve,
Not sure how I missed this one, but you’ve got a great group of machines and people that sucked me in. That CX500 cafe build struck me. That’s got to be one of the few machines I haven’t seen (until now) that’s been bent toward the form of cafe. Looks good, though.
That’s also a hell of a collection of machines. I’m trying to find a good bike night here in Kansas, and I’m not sure if the selection will be so diverse. It’s definitely not on the road. Two sidecar rigs? I like to look at them, though I’m not sure I could ever run one.
Brady
Behind Bars
That IS cool! I am curious though, about John with the Yamaha – is he disabled in any way so he needs a ladder?
Brady: It’s been an interesting event. Each time a bit different in tone and focus, each time a slightly different mix of riders. The conversations go in wildly different directions.
I have to post the pix and comments from the last one. I’m getting behind…
Wanderer Roy: I was making a joke about the tall aspect of John’s big Yamaha when I invoked the ladder.
John with the Oxford sidecar lost a leg in a motorcycle crash a few years ago. He has his rig set up so he can continue to ride with his right leg.