#restoration

I credit my early foundations in motorcycling to my beloved Suzuki SV650. Like with any sport, you need to learn the basics before you can progress to the more advanced stuff, and while my motorcycling career progressed on a number of different motorcycles over the years, my foundation was solidly built on my humble little SV.

Serge Bueno made the trans-Atlantic move from France to California to open an upscale motorcycle restoration business that is making a big splash in the SoCal scene.

I am an evangelical motorcyclist. It’s an unsettling realization. I’m not entirely comfortable in that role, as being an evangelical anything can be something of an annoyance at times, but when I consider the facts, there is no denying it. I try to curb my preaching so as not to be overbearing. But if I detect the slightest interest from a potential new rider, or an ex-rider who wants to come back to motorcycling, I don my Vanson frock of Two-Wheeled Salvation and grab the tie downs. I’m just hardwired that way. If I see an opportunity to increase the size of our flock, and spend somebody else’s money in the process acquiring a new-to-them motorcycle, what’s better than that?

Now in it’s sixth year, the Quail Motorcycle Gathering just gets bigger and better. But not too much bigger. More than 250 machines were assembled on the green grass carpet at the Lodge, and between participants and spectators, there were some 2500 attendees. While not quite at capacity, there was still sufficient space to move about, and just enough time to fully enjoy the panorama of motorcycles and people. And both in such variety! Think Renaissance Faire for motorheads.

I knew Rodney Dickinson (name changed to protect the guilty), we had gone to church together for years and to be honest I had always thought he was a bit of a tool. Now he was at my door, hat in hand, asking about an old AMC Javelin I had in the driveway. No, he didn’t have any money but he had an old motorcycle. Would I be interested in a trade?