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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Scout63 on December 14, 2022, 10:39:14 PM

Title: Biker Therapy
Post by: Scout63 on December 14, 2022, 10:39:14 PM

I took a snowy day off today and headed west to Becket, MA to visit vintage bike expert Peter Talabach at his Mohawk Garage.  I was dropping off a bike for fettling, but really went there to spend a day being around Peter.  His gentle grace and willingness to share his knowledge are humbling. I was also lucky to meet new friends Carleton Palmer and Vic Olsen, who had dropped in from Vermont to drop off an old Norton single. They also know vintage machines as few do and were generous with their time, knowledge and friendship.  Add in my friend John Clark and Peter’s amazing machinist Andy, both of whom are (along with Peter and Carleton) accomplished Vincent roadracers, and it was a wonderful wonderful day.

I also picked up from Peter this ‘69 450 Scrambler while I was there   It runs great with a throaty bark.  Also just the right amount of rust everywhere and right side shift to boot.   Who says you can’t buy cool?


(https://i.ibb.co/rt59NDK/DFF177-CE-3-EC1-45-C6-8001-863592-E43694.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rt59NDK)

(https://i.ibb.co/fdMtMyn/92959580-74-FA-4889-A100-17-EBD3796146.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fdMtMyn)

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: s1120 on December 15, 2022, 04:55:55 AM

What a cool bike!!  Looks like it will be a fun back road bomber!

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: cliffrod on December 15, 2022, 06:36:19 AM

Man, I think you’ll really enjoy that Jupiter.  I like those earlier ones with the so-called beer can gauges.  I had a Bud & Bud Light labels on mine.  Always got a smile or two.   It’s just a fun bike that’s kind of invisible compared to the look at me Ducati models.  Time to just relax and enjoy it!

Very cool you crossed paths with Carleton Palmer while at Pete’s shop.  Good people to know.

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: mechanicsavant on December 15, 2022, 06:48:06 AM

It looks like a successful therapy session to me ! What’s that old helmet sticker ? “For some there’s therapy . For the rest of us there’s motorcycles “ :thumb:

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: kballowe on December 15, 2022, 08:55:08 AM

WoooHooo !  Pretty cool.

We're gonna need more pictures !

 :gotpics:

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: Shorty on December 15, 2022, 05:40:27 PM

Those green windows look familiar. Do they sell a lot of bikes on EBAY?

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: Scout63 on December 15, 2022, 08:49:03 PM

Quote from: Shorty on December 15, 2022, 05:40:27 PM

Those green windows look familiar. Do they sell a lot of bikes on EBAY?

I’m not sure Shorty.   I picked this bike up as a word of mouth purchase. Ben

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: moto-uno on December 18, 2022, 07:19:24 PM

  Well I hope for your sake it's a sh*t load smoother than the 2 450 Ducatis' I've ridden .
  They made my old BSA Lightning seem smooth ! Peter

Title: Re: Biker Therapy
Post by: Scout63 on December 18, 2022, 07:55:20 PM

Fair warning Peter. Thanks.  I’m guessing it’s pretty shaky.  But it just looks so good.