“Gnocchi, Gnocchi, Gnocchi…”

WHOO HOO! I took the Guzzi out for a spin. Nothing seems to stop that bike. The Harley always requires a new slow jet after I let it sit without fuel stabilizer. The Guzzi will run on sludge. And it has a huge battery that holds a charge way longer than the Harley.

I love both of these bikes. The Harley–people won’t believe this–is refined, ergonomically perfect, and extremely comfortable. The Guzzi is coarse, snarls like a leopard when you hit the throttle, and responds like it’s made of air. When you throw it around, you don’t even feel the weight. And unlike the Harley, it has no footboards to dig into the pavement when you try to turn.

I need new side covers. The ones Guzzi makes are just no good. They press against the underside of the seat, and in time, the pressure tears the plastic, and they fall off. There’s a guy who makes sturdy fiberglass replacements. I need to email him and get it over with. Right now, I have only one cover. Tacky.

I’m still using my old helmet. The visor won’t open, but other than that, it’s as good as it ever was. I guess I can take my time waiting for a deal on a new one.

I have a cover and a disk alarm now, so theoretically, I could keep one bike outside, ready to go. It’s hard to choose. The Harley is a more expensive bike. But the Guzzi is a classic; all Guzzis are, as soon as they’re made.

It occurred to me that I might be able to machine parts for these things. Stuff like foot pegs. Something to think about. Stainless is not expensive, if you look in the right places.

Wish I had more time to ride. You can’t ride in the daytime here and enjoy it unless it’s cool, and in July, that isn’t going to happen. August is worse. I prefer to ride at night, but I get to bed very early these days.

I think I’m going to start riding to church. It’s an evening ride, most of it is highway mileage, and it sure beats quick trips to the grocery. I guess it’s okay. They seem pretty casual up there.

Time for dinner.