Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: injundave on October 17, 2018, 08:46:10 PM
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My daughter, Danika,well step-daughter really but who cares, is 20 years old and has been with me since she was seven. She has been somewhat unwillingly learning to drive cars but just doesn't seem to be able to get into driving. Recently she saw a spread on FB, which I was looking at, about a V50 which was rescued from the road to oblivion and turned into a very pretty, light blue and black, customised machine. She commented on how much she liked it.
I have a V50 mk2 which has been off the road since 2012. I then told her that, if she was willing to work with me to learn how to maintain it, ride it and, eventually strip and customise it, I would give it to her. To my huge surprise, she agreed. I am used to meeting indifference when making such offers as I also have six sons, not one of who shares my motorcycling obsession, hence my surprise.
Over the last six weeks or so we have:
Pulled the sump, cleaned it out, changed the oil filter and oil;
Stripped the carbs, replaced seals, gaskets, fuel lines and throttle cables;
Synchronised the carbs;
Checked and reset the tappets;
Changed the oil in the gearbox;
Removed and repainted the exhaust system.
In the process she has learned to use a torque wrench and has drilled and tapped a hole to cure a problem in the twist grip.
The bike started readily after six years and, with a little tuning, now starts immediately and runs really well.
Today she and I got on it and I took her to a local park, largely unused during weekday mornings. There I got off and put her on in control for the first time. She was a little nervous to start with but very quickly picked up starting and stopping and, before long, was riding in large circles and figure-of-eights, I set up some plastic cones and had her ride straight lines and then set up a slalom which she also rode. I told her about counter steering and, having tried both, she decided that she prefers to push rather than pull. After about 40 minutes we returned home. She will be busy tomorrow but we will return to the park on Saturday and, this time, take her mother too.
When we got home she told me that riding a motorcycle is much more fun than driving a car and that she loved her first ride. Honestly, I could not have removed the grin from her face with a shovel.
In New Zealand, any motor vehicle over 40 years old has a much reduced annual road tax. My T3 dropped from $750 per year to $54 per year. I guess officialdom thinks that old stuff doesn't get used. WRONG!!! Being an impecunious student Danika can definitely see the advantage in riding the V50, which qualifies for this reduced tax in 2020, rather than having a "new" bike. She saw a V7III Classic last week in a nearby motorcycle dealers. She quite liked it and she loves riding pillion on the T3 so I guess, in terms of MG she has been thoroughly corrupted and is starting to get there in terms of general riding as well, in the nicest possible way, of course.
Now, if I could just work out how to post photos I would put up a couple I took this morning. Added later: She just showed me how to put up pics. She is a young woman of many talents.
To say that I am proud and happy doesn't even begin to tell how I am feeling. Incidentally, in case you are wondering, despite riding on grass, she was wearing her leather jacket and gloves, her helmet and motorcycle boots. The only concession to temperature was heavy denim jeans instead of leather pants. She is far too precious to risk.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/fWp5y0/IMG-0485.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fWp5y0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/jEpikf/IMG-0489.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jEpikf)
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Nice story, you’re a good dad!
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A nice motorcycle story, and an even nicer father/daughter story! Thank you for posting.
Bob
Hudson, Ohio - USA
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Excellent!
PhilB
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Very cool that you got her involved in the refurb, too. Neither of you will ever forget this bond!
Rich A
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Wonderful :bow: Does she also follow the OKC Thunder?
Dusty
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Very cool story! Thanks for sharing.
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Wonderful :bow: Does she also follow the OKC Thunder?
Dusty
:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
Such a wonderful stepdaughter probably went to school with Steven Adams.
Great story Dave. Motorbikes don't have top be blokes only.
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And you'll remember this for the rest of your life.
Now if they have Guzzi Rallies where your at, she can easily be the youngest.
Here's my son at the Utah, Not A Rally. He liked it so much we went to the Nevada Rally a month later.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Motorcycle-Riding-Photos/Moto-Guzzi-Utah-Rally-2018/Saturdays-Ride/i-n7ZwtzB/0/4c3de28d/L/IMG_0411-L.jpg)
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Now if they have Guzzi Rallies where your at, she can easily be the youngest.
Just so happens, there is the annual Guzzi rally this weekend at Whakapapa, a ski resort in the middle of the North Island.
R U and/or your daughter attending, Smiley Dave?
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She and I are both working on Sunday so, not this year. Maybe next in the South Island.
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just :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Very cool.. :thumb:
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You're lucky. When my daughter hit sixteen I offered to buy her a Vespa and pay for lessons. Sadly, she declined.
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Dave, you lucky man, having such a treasure (not thinking about the bike)! Well deserved, I'm sure.
I'll bet your grin isn't any smaller than hers.
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Just so happens, there is the annual Guzzi rally this weekend at Whakapapa, a ski resort in the middle of the North Island.
R U and/or your daughter attending, Smiley Dave?
I was all geared up to go when my gearbox shat itself. Frankenbox is going back together now but even if I had had it back together in time I would not be game to ride it for that distance. Cobbled together from my box that keeps blowing 5th and a box Pete sent over from Oz that has been run without oil. We shall see.....
The Tattley Rappet is great fun. Peeed off that I ended up missing it this year.
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My daughter has become my constant riding partner, keeps me on my toes!
(https://thumb.ibb.co/fN9YmL/IMG-0018-Michelle-Mike.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fN9YmL)
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Now if they have Guzzi Rallies where your at, she can easily be the youngest.
Sorry Not Fishing. The youngest would be the daughter of the owner of Scooterazzi in Wellington. She has been coming to the rally on the back of Mark's bike since she was about 5 or so. Last year she had exams and couldn't come, so Mark that time was accompanied by his wife. (Much to his daughter's chagrin I believe. :grin:) She would still be younger than Dave's daughter.
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Dave, you lucky man, having such a treasure (not thinking about the bike)! Well deserved, I'm sure.
I'll bet your grin isn't any smaller than hers.
You got that right. Nearly a whole day later I am still grinning like some stupid grinning thing that does nothing but grin.
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Great story Injundave........So rt of like me teaching my daughter how to do an oil change when she was that age. She now owns and maintains her Triumph Bonneville. You will cherish these memories even more as she ages.
I do have one question though......What is a "road tax"? Is this something you have to pay every year.......My God...with 4 bikes I would go broke.
Tim
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I think the cost of running a motorbike in Godzone is dirt cheap, especially if you consider that if you screw up and crash ending in Hospital is all included as my Canadian riding buddy found out.
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I do have one question though......What is a "road tax"? Is this something you have to pay every year.......My God...with 4 bikes I would go broke.
Tim
Yeah it is. Each year we pay a fee to keep vehicles registered for use on the road. Motorcycles, because they are so "dangerous", pay much more than other vehicles. The fee is graduated on the cubic capacity of the bike but even a 250 is more expensive than a car. The exorbitant fees are, supposedly, to offset the cost of treating injuries sustained by riders and are payable per vehicle. It would be much fairer if there was a cost per driver/rider, based on driving history but that would be much too hard for the bureaucrats to comprehend and they would not have so much of our money to play with.
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Fantastic!
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Get her a copy of Proficient Motorcycling,the best explanations of how to safely ride twisty roads.
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Great story. When our oldest daughter turned 18, working at home during summer break, she tells me that she would be willing to ride my wife�s 1982 Yamaha XJ 650 , if I paid for her motorcycle classes, and the insurance. My counter offer was. I�ll help you get the bike running with your help and help you do the maintenance.But you will pay your own insurance,and classes. My reasoning was if I covered it all I would be responsible if something went wrong, in my eyes she had to put something into it. She did the classes, got her license and we rode back roads for a couple months but she didn�t feel comfortable over 45 mph, one day she says dad it scares me and I don�t think I want to ride now. I told her it�s good to be afraid every time you get on,cus shit happens. So she quit. She still has her license.but no longer rides, I�m waiting.
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We went out again this afternoon. We went to the same park and this time, took Megan along as official photographer. Lots of figures-of-eight, straight lines and weaving and added in braking. For your entertainment some photos.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/d2Kwt0/IMG-6636.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d2Kwt0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/cnYpD0/IMG-6638.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cnYpD0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/g4iBRL/IMG-6639.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g4iBRL) (https://thumb.ibb.co/gp3Zff/IMG-6649.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gp3Zff) (https://thumb.ibb.co/iUrWRL/IMG-6650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iUrWRL) (https://thumb.ibb.co/mTsGt0/IMG-6651.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mTsGt0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/bSZkmL/IMG-6658.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bSZkmL) (https://thumb.ibb.co/j57S0f/IMG-6659.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j57S0f) (https://thumb.ibb.co/coh5mL/IMG-6660.jpg) (https://ibb.co/coh5mL) (https://thumb.ibb.co/dE7Gt0/IMG-6679.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dE7Gt0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/dP970f/IMG-6680.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dP970f) (https://thumb.ibb.co/hRjUD0/IMG-6681.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hRjUD0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/mfB9D0/IMG-6683.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mfB9D0) (https://thumb.ibb.co/mqD0Lf/IMG-6628.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mqD0Lf) (https://thumb.ibb.co/mUZ70f/IMG-6631.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mUZ70f) (https://thumb.ibb.co/nHPUD0/IMG-6632.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nHPUD0)
I must say she did really well again and already seems addicted. To finish off we went for a quick ride home, the long way. Great fun and a very happy girl again.
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She looks right at home there Dave, and the bike seems to fit her like a glove. :thumb:
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Most useful training!
She'll be a good rider.
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Hi all and a very happy new year to you all.
Last Thursday, a stinking hot day of 34 degrees C (95F) I took my daughter for the first part of her motorcycle licence test, called Basic Handling Skills. As her V50 is still being worked on, she rode a small Yamaha belonging to the tester. It was quite a nice, easily ridden bike except for one thing - the clutch was diabolical in its fiendishness. No matter how hard she tried to control it all the way out, the bike stalled about 60% of the time. Even the tester admitted the clutch was bad.
However, after an hour or so she passed her test with four faults. (She was allowed 15 faults so she did really well.) Proud dad? You bet! Happy kid? Even more so. After this she goes to see the Driver Testing people and does a theory test. Its about the road rules with a slant towards motorcycles. When she passes she will get a Learner Licence and I will enrol her in some beginner's training. The next stage after that is a riding test and a Restricted Licence, followed after a time by another riding test and a Full Licence. It takes time to get through the stages but, by the time she does, she should be a pretty good rider.
Here are some pix for your enjoyment.
Dave
(https://i.ibb.co/MDqZ5Jf/20190103-135518.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MDqZ5Jf)
(https://i.ibb.co/WftKN0j/20190103-135656.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WftKN0j)
(https://i.ibb.co/3cfpQf6/20190103-135736.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3cfpQf6)
(https://i.ibb.co/qMcsSLw/20190103-135935.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qMcsSLw)
(https://i.ibb.co/tBSFMdV/20190103-140038.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tBSFMdV)
(https://i.ibb.co/xFCngxR/20190103-140055.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xFCngxR)
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:thumb:
Dusty
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Nice, and such a beautiful place to ride. the wife and I spent the first half of December in New Zealand ( we didn't get further south than Waitomo ) . It was a little wet for riding but the roads and scenery are amazing.
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My daughter, Danika,well step-daughter really but who cares, is 20 years old and has been with me since she was seven.......
A bit like you, I "acquired" my step son when he was 9 (now 36) and I too consider him to be my own and a real joy to be around
Our path to joint motorcycling was slightly different to yours, in so far as we both passed our test on the same day having done the direct access course together.
Unfortunately he took to the dark side and rides a ZX7R but we all have our faults :evil:
I'm sure you'll have many happy days riding together once she passes her full test
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Jeez that's a good story..
It's so easy for us to become entangled in the mish mash of this, that and the bloody other thing.
Your young lady is the manifestation of the fun we all once sought and found, then sometimes proceeded to allow to disappear back into the hazy past.
Arguing the toss over bullshit topics and tearing at other's opinions, that there, is motorbike enjoyment in it's purest empirical form.
You bloody well rule...
Will you keep us informed on Danika's progress ?
It's the likes of that dear soul that will keep Guzzies going after we're arse up...!
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She looks right at home there Dave, and the bike seems to fit her like a glove. :thumb:
Yeah I thought that too..
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Right a great read! You know... its not so much the learning to ride part.. But just a young person finding something that they click with.. something to give their life life... I think I got a good idea of what your feeling... Im sure you are real scared, and worried about her out on the roads.. But so proud that shes rolling up her sleeves, and getting it done! So all in all... thumbs up to her, and all shes doing, and will do... and to you for being the caring dad that lets her go out into the big world, but gives her the tools to be safe, and enjoy!!!
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Great read. I have enjoyed looking over your post and comments from others. Good Stuff found here. BK
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Nice, inspirational story!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
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Well done sir! And daughter.
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Now that's just too cool and deserves several thumbs up👍👍👍👍👍👍
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Well done, Dave. Both my kids (now both thirty-somethings) have motorcycle endorsements on their driver's license. They both went through a similar process as yours: my son on a BMW R60 and my daughteron a Bonneville. We did the same process with their first cars. The best lessons that both of them learned were about confidence and self-reliance. Both now have great lives, complete with great spouses, good employment, their own homes, and my daughter even gave me two lovely granddaughters. The quality time you share with your kids is always a great investment.
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We went out again this afternoon. We went to the same park and this time, took Megan along as official photographer. Lots of figures-of-eight, straight lines and weaving and added in braking. For your entertainment some photos.
I must say she did really well again and already seems addicted. To finish off we went for a quick ride home, the long way. Great fun and a very happy girl again.
Sir - sincerest, well-deserved congratulations to you both. As a Father and proud Grandfather - I can appreciate what you BOTH did. Thank you very much for sharing your story. One question - any chance you might want to adopt me? My needs are small and I'm extremely well behaved... well, most of the time. :wink:
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I've known guys who have ridden for many years; They would crap their pants b4 riding on grass!
You have been properly blessed, twice. Good fortune to you and those you love. R3~
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Thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments. Danika is away at her father's for a holiday but will be back next week when I will show her what you have written. I'm sure she will be as grateful as I am.
I will certainly keep you posted through her journey to motorcycle corruption.
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Thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments. Danika is away at her father's for a holiday but will be back next week when I will show her what you have written. I'm sure she will be as grateful as I am.
I will certainly keep you posted through her journey to motorcycle corruption.
It's an out there thought, but could you get her to sign up to WG and she could check for herself..
That would instantly double the active number of lady members to.....TWO...!
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Nice read, thanks Dave.
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It's a great feeling riding with your kids I spent a week with my two son's riding the Pacific Northwest this summer. I don't know when I had more fun on a bike then sharing that time with my boys!!!
(https://i.ibb.co/n35vfkC/on-the-bikes.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n35vfkC)
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It's a great feeling riding with your kids I spent a week with my two son's riding the Pacific Northwest this summer. I don't know when I had more fun on a bike then sharing that time with my boys!!!
(https://i.ibb.co/n35vfkC/on-the-bikes.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n35vfkC)
Good to see you're still right side up John. All the best for the new Year to you and your family.
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Good to see you're still right side up John. All the best for the new Year to you and your family.
Same to you Muzz!!
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I like riding with my sons, especially as they do all the navigating! Helmet intercoms make it even better.
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To continue the saga, we have covered quite a lot since I last posted.
For a start Danika passed her learner licence with flying colours.
(https://i.ibb.co/PNgNwpK/0.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PNgNwpK)
We have also continued with the work on her bike to turn it into her vision. Being an art student she has very definite ideas about just what she wants and was able to do some of the fiddlier things I just don't have the patience for. (Not to mention my hands shake a little, too.)
(https://i.ibb.co/bdL1LWH/1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bdL1LWH)
(https://i.ibb.co/yQfGF9z/2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yQfGF9z)
When it came to colour we thought about painting and found that it was going to cost over $1000 to do all the bits. A friend suggested vinyl wrapping and sent me to see his friend, Lewis, who quoted $690. Yoe don't need to be a genius to guess which we went with. Danika picked the colour, Caribbean Flip, which looks either blue or green depending on viewing angle and light.
(https://i.ibb.co/DrwZCWZ/3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DrwZCWZ)
Lewis tells us that the vinyl has a projected 9 year plus life and it looks great!
(https://i.ibb.co/rd1n58p/9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rd1n58p)
(https://i.ibb.co/crXfPqr/7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/crXfPqr)
It took a little while to get everything set up but.......
(https://i.ibb.co/ByKLFYs/8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ByKLFYs)
(https://i.ibb.co/48gKbTm/4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/48gKbTm)
Finally, one very happy daughter with HER bike. Looking forward to getting it legal for the road and to going riding together.
(https://i.ibb.co/JKMvcKj/10.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JKMvcKj)
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Wow! That turned out nice... :bow: :thumb:
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:thumb:
Dusty
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It just keeps getting better.. :bow:
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She sounds quite a bit like me, our stories anyway. I had befriended my maintenance guy from my previous job who was into BWMs and would ride them to work, I eventually got the balls one day to compliment his R69s and asked him about it. At the time I didn't know anything about bikes other than I wanted to be on one, but I didn't know what I liked yet either. Mistaking his naked R69s for a cafe I asked if it was considered cafe, he said no and asked if I had ever heard of Moto Guzzi, and I told him "no". He brought me a couple Guzzi books the next day and invited me over to look at his 850T when I finished them. When I came over he offered to show me how to restore and maintain said 850T, I accepted and a year and half later it was mine, my first and only bike to this day. I was barely 24 at the time, now I'm 28 soon to be buying a v7 III Stone so I have something to ride while I sort through my T's leaky engine block
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Way to go Dave. Looks like your daughter is one happy camper. :thumb:
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What a awesome story, and keep at it!! I haven't thought much of the wrap... odds are by the time it wears out, she might want a different color.
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If her hair colour is anything to go by, then probably.....
(https://i.ibb.co/jLLwngN/11.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jLLwngN)
dice roller coin flip (https://freeonlinedice.com/)
I have suggested to her that her next hair colour should match her bike.
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If her hair colour is anything to go by, then probably.....
(https://i.ibb.co/jLLwngN/11.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jLLwngN)
dice roller coin flip (https://freeonlinedice.com/)
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: Love the story, bike, and hair! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Been following this thread with a big grin. My daughter , now 27, also learned on a v 50. We are still working on her riding skills and this brings back many fond memories. I'm glad you both are sharing so many happy times together! And to top it off , my daughter is currently in New Zealand visiting!
Here's a video she made early on when my wife and I were away on vacation and she was not supposed to be riding until we got home. So is youth.
Don't sweat the details, she and the dog are still doing fine! Thanks for sharing.
Best to you and Danika! Dave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_zaK7Vqs4w&feature=youtu.be
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To continue the saga, we have covered quite a lot since I last posted.
Finally, one very happy daughter with HER bike. Looking forward to getting it legal for the road and to going riding together.
(https://i.ibb.co/JKMvcKj/10.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JKMvcKj)
Came out nice. Question. Does the sun ever shine there? :wink:
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Came out nice. Question. Does the sun ever shine there?
Shining right now. Most of the last pix were taken late in the day when the sun was well in the west we are in the east of the country.
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Been following this thread with a big grin. My daughter , now 27, also learned on a v 50. We are still working on her riding skills and this brings back many fond memories. I'm glad you both are sharing so many happy times together! And to top it off , my daughter is currently in New Zealand visiting!
Here's a video she made early on when my wife and I were away on vacation and she was not supposed to be riding until we got home. So is youth.
Don't sweat the details, she and the dog are still doing fine! Thanks for sharing.
Best to you and Danika! Dave
Thanks Lucian. Where in NZ is your daughter?
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She is on a hike in Wanaka today,at Roy's peak. You live in a beautiful place, she is really enjoying it there. Congratulations to your daughter on acing her road test. You taught her well! :thumb:
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Came out nice. Question. Does the sun ever shine there?
Shining right now. Most of the last pix were taken late in the day when the sun was well in the west we are in the east of the country.
I was teasing because of how pale her skin is. Don't see much pale skin here in the southern US.
My son has been living in New Zealand for 2 1/2 years now. Currently relocating from Christchurch to Hamilton. I hope to get there in the next year or two. I just need to work it out where I can take off 4 weeks so I can visit and rent a moto and see the country.
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Make sure you let us know when you are coming. Always a meal, a patch of floor and a beer here.
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Make sure you let us know when you are coming. Always a meal, a patch of floor and a beer here.
Thank you very much and will do.
My son had a job offer in Napier, but couldn't find a house with land for rent. He and his wife are doing the gentleman farmer thing. Not sure how they are going to move all the animals to Hamilton. :)
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Early on in this piece I explained about our 3-tier licensing system and explained that Danika had passed her basic handling skills test. Well, following that success we went off to the testing office last February and she got her Learner Licence. This allowed her to ride a LAMS-approved bike under certain conditions. LAMS bikes are approved based on their power to weight and generally mean anything up to 660cc without being stupidly powerful. Since then she and I have been riding at every opportunity and I have been teaching her everything I know. She is doing fine.
She had her 21st birthday a little while ago. She is not a jewellery girl and, I know, felt a little disappointment when I handed her a ring box on her birthday. Disappointment changed to delight, however, when she opened the box and found, nestled inside, the key to the V50, which is now hers. She also got a very nice leather jacket as well.
We also have on-going training available through an organisation called Ride Forever. This is also in 3 tiers: Bronze, for beginners or those with little experience; Silver, for those with a little more experience or returning to motorcycling; and Gold, for experienced riders. These can be had free under a government subsidy and are very worthwhile. I have done Gold twice and, despite having been riding for 55 years, I still managed to learn some new stuff.
Anyway last Saturday Danika went off to do her Bronze. Here she is getting ready to leave in the morning to meet the instructor and the rest of the group of six.
(https://i.ibb.co/R6F4SPC/ready-for-bronze.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R6F4SPC)
The course started at 9 am and lasted until 5 pm. She arrived home tired and happy, having achieved her Bronze Award and with some very good comments from her instructor, Ken. When I spoke to Ken a couple of days later he was very pleased with her performance and said that she was more than ready for her Restricted Licence test. As well as being an instructor, Ken is also an approved motorcycle tester and so an appointment was made with him to do her test.
I am happy to say that she passed her test and, upon my arrival home from work, she and I went into the garage and removed, from the back of her bike, her large yellow and black L (for Learner) plate which she had to carry while still a learner. She has to remain on her Restricted for 18 months. In that time I will have her do a Silver and then, just before she goes for her Full Licence, a Gold.
Tonight she is a very happy kid. Her mother and I are both bursting with pride and I am more than just a little happy to have corrupted her into this Guzzi passion (obsession?) which we all share on this forum.
(https://i.ibb.co/0XW6Nx6/Pre-ride-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0XW6Nx6)
I almost forgot to mention that the most useful item I had in teaching Danika to ride was a rider to rider intercom which I bought cheaply from China. We each have a microphone and two speakers and are able to talk to each other with clear sound reproduction at speeds up to 60 mph. Being able to follow her and give instant guidance, advice and instruction was great. She could ask questions and let me know how different techniques felt . I would strongly recommend these devices if you are teaching anyone to ride.
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Among the best posts I’ve read for ages.
She’ll sleep like a baby tonight, and a V50 to top off the day...
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What a great story! One of the best to grace WG. I love the last picture, that says it all.
(https://i.postimg.cc/gkrYfV8R/Pre-ride-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
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Vary nice, and congratulations to her for the training she has done, and getting her license! Since this post started my daughter has gone on her first ride with me on the back of my bike, and LOVES it!! Is saying she wants to ride her own when shes older.. Shes only 13 now... so I have a few years to go.
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Congrats! Sounds like you have an awesome training program for riders there.
Do Car drivers get the same level of training so they are safer to be around?
:bike-037:
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I gladly admit my envy, Dave!
It's a consolation that you deserve it, though.
Great story.
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A very inspirational story, Dave - thanks for sharing with us. WG is indeed an amazing cyber place where an astonishing variety of subjects can be discussed, all tied together by Guzzi-phile threads. You and Danika are one of the best heart-warming stories ever!
As the owner of a 1980 V50II, I must compliment you on the beautiful, quasi-pristine stock condition of your (Danika's) bike. Lovely. Your care in preserving this 40-year old gem is reflected in the double (some might say redundant) crash protection: a regular crash bar plus Milich head guards, either of which would probably be sufficient. Got that issue covered, for sure!
Happy riding to you and Danika!
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A most excellent story Dave, and well done Danika. :thumb:
I can still remember how chuffed I was when I first got my full plates and could carry a pillion.
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Damn! She's HOT!
Great story, Dave.
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Good onya, Dave and Danika :thumb:
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And now, to enjoy the fruits of all that hard work. The Hawke's Bay Classic Motorcycle Club, of which I am a member, had it's classic only run this afternoon. Both our Guzzis qualify under the rules as classics. So........
(https://i.ibb.co/ZWm723t/eom1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZWm723t)
Waiting for the run to start.
(https://i.ibb.co/QfhqWHh/eom3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QfhqWHh)
My riding buddy, Michael in the shot, fiddling with the visor on his helmet, with his new-to-him 1971 Norton Commando.
(https://i.ibb.co/Gnd5xMd/eom2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gnd5xMd)
Similar shot. My bike is in the background.
The weather was cool and dry and a great time was had on a run of about 85km (55 miles). Unfortunately Danika was not feeling all that great and headed back home before the run finished but it was good to have her along.
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Congrats! Sounds like you have an awesome training program for riders there.
Do Car drivers get the same level of training so they are safer to be around?
:bike-037:
The bike training programme has only recently started to ramp up. Most car drivers could use something similar but don't have it yet.
"Damn! She's HOT! " Wary father wants to know if you are referring to the girl, the bike, or both. Think carefully.....
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The bike training programme has only recently started to ramp up. Most car drivers could use something similar but don't have it yet.
"Damn! She's HOT! " Wary father wants to know if you are referring to the girl, the bike, or both. Think carefully.....
Wait a minute now. Wirespokes made the HOT comment, not me. :angel:
I will say that any girl on a motorcycle is already much more interesting than if they were in a sedan. :bike-037: :cool:
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"Damn! She's HOT! " Wary father wants to know if you are referring to the girl, the bike, or both. Think carefully.....
I have often used the phrase “ Since you are dating my daughter,you should know I’m not worried about going back to jail.” When meeting potential suitors, which I think I heard here on the forum first. Seems to work better than showing them my collection of guns. I wish we had the system of licensing you have, here in the states. For both cars and bikes. It would probably reduce the # of accidents and our insurance rates.
Great on going story, thank you.
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Two weeks ago we were out riding together when her bike dropped onto one cylinder and the throttle felt strange. It turned out that the dual twist-grip was able to close a fraction too far and one nipple on the end of the cable had come out of the correct location, meaning only one carb was opening. Danika watched me fix it at the roadside and, a few days later when it happened again, she was able to fix it herself.
Last weekend we took the twist-grip housing apart and were able to see that a small adjustment would prevent the problem. The next thing was that the bike was revving too fast at idle. I realised that the twist-grip rubber was making contact with the bar-end mirror housing and was being held open. We loosened the pinch screws on the housing and moved the grip inwards about 1/16", fixing this problem. She made the comment that, if she had a tool kit, she could have fixed it herself at the roadside. Now comes the point of this part of the story.
Yesterday we went shopping and came back with six combination spanners, a combination screw driver, two pliers (long nose and stubby), a spark plug spanner, a torch (flashlight), a set of allen keys and some zip ties. The only thing we could not find was a tool roll.
A visit to a fabric shop led to the purchase of a length of light, water resistant canvas. Megan made a pattern from my old roll and set about her sewing machine and the final result was.......
(https://i.ibb.co/fpjcN25/Tool-roll-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fpjcN25)
(https://i.ibb.co/F5GC95g/tool-roll-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F5GC95g)
Now we have a blue guzzi with colour co-ordinated accessories!
If you are having trouble finding a suitable tool roll, they are easy and cheap to make yourself or, for the sewing machine challenged, PM me.
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Corruption is part of the code.... My 3 year old grandson is keeping the hope alive! For now its just sitting on it, but he has the start of the bug.
(https://i.ibb.co/WHq97bP/IMG-20190728-091201713.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WHq97bP)
(https://i.ibb.co/SsVnsKS/IMG-20190728-090836458.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SsVnsKS)
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Next, Dave, you'll have her changing a tube on the side of the road. Well done & keep it up.
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Latest present to my god-daughter (who rides with her boyfriend) was a leather tool role. Let the corruption continue. Many safe miles ahead.
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Latest present to my god-daughter (who rides with her boyfriend) was a leather tool role. Let the corruption continue. Many safe miles ahead.
Thanks, you and yours too.
Next, Dave, you'll have her changing a tube on the side of the road. Well done & keep it up.
That's the plan. Changing a tube is the next thing I want to teach her. Come to think of it, I have an old tube, an old tyre and a spare V50 front wheel. Perfect!
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Corruption is part of the code.... My 3 year old grandson is keeping the hope alive! For now its just sitting on it, but he has the start of the bug.
(https://i.ibb.co/WHq97bP/IMG-20190728-091201713.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WHq97bP)
(https://i.ibb.co/SsVnsKS/IMG-20190728-090836458.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SsVnsKS)
Excellent. Nice machine and real cute kid.
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So, here I am again.This morning, in light rain and overcast, Danika rode from here to Napier (about 12 miles away) and met up with Ken, previously mentioned as a motorcycle tutor and licence tester. She spent an hour with him riding some of the faster roads around and came home with the paperwork to get her full motorcycle licence. She has gone from total novice to full licence in a little over 18 months.
Once again she is very happy and neither of us can stop grinning. It was nice to hear that Ken commented that her road positioning and cornering is better than most.
Now I have to get her up to speed with driving a car. She has much more confidence about doing so now that she understands how clutches and gears work. Yes, she will be learning to drive stick shift. Here we go again.
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:thumb:
Dusty
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Great reading about her finding a passion that can last a lifetime!!!
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I have so enjoyed this thread as I sit here with my morning coffee, thank you!
Sarah
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I missed this thread the first time around. Thanks for reviving it, it's an excellent read. Your pride in your daughter is palpable, heart warming, and justified.
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So, here I am again.This morning, in light rain and overcast, Danika rode from here to Napier (about 12 miles away) and met up with Ken, previously mentioned as a motorcycle tutor and licence tester. She spent an hour with him riding some of the faster roads around and came home with the paperwork to get her full motorcycle licence. She has gone from total novice to full licence in a little over 18 months.
Once again she is very happy and neither of us can stop grinning. It was nice to hear that Ken commented that her road positioning and cornering is better than most.
Now I have to get her up to speed with driving a car. She has much more confidence about doing so now that she understands how clutches and gears work. Yes, she will be learning to drive stick shift. Here we go again.
Awesome! Will there be some Father/Daughter tours of the country in your near future?
It looks like my New Zealand trip is postponed until 2021 mostly due to the -, but also because my Son bought some property and is currently living in a tiny caravan.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/gkrYfV8R/Pre-ride-2.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
She looks a lot like Noraly of itchy boots fame..
(https://i.ibb.co/BgRWmjw/DDF525-A1-4-B5-C-41-F4-84-B7-3-ADC37-E33423.png) (https://ibb.co/BgRWmjw)
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Awesome! Will there be some Father/Daughter tours of the country in your near future?
It looks like my New Zealand trip is postponed until 2021 mostly due to the -, but also because my Son bought some property and is currently living in a tiny caravan.
Hi twowheeladdict. We have already done a small ride to her father's place about 3 hours away through some nice country. We had a ball. We too have a delayed trip - we were going to Italy, France and the UK in September but - has put a stop to that. Where did your son buy his property?
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Hi twowheeladdict. We have already done a small ride to her father's place about 3 hours away through some nice country. We had a ball. We too have a delayed trip - we were going to Italy, France and the UK in September but - has put a stop to that. Where did your son buy his property?
I haven't paid attention to the exact location, but it is somewhere around Paeroa, up in the hills.
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Thanks, Dave, for keeping this thread alive!
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So how did you get your name, Injun Dave. Did you once or still ride an Indian?
I ask because I've just indulged myself with a FTR-1200S. Only been on the road two days, weather ain't helping, but I'm really enjoying it. Who would have thought after 25 years of Guzzis (I still own 12).
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Good for her!!!
My youngest daughter its been tough to keep her off my bike! Where ever I go she wants to ride along. Shes 14 now, and into building stuff, and old cars, and stuff... I think [errr fear] she will be looking to ride in the years to come.
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So how did you get your name, Injun Dave. Did you once or still ride an Indian?
I ask because I've just indulged myself with a FTR-1200S. Only been on the road two days, weather ain't helping, but I'm really enjoying it. Who would have thought after 25 years of Guzzis (I still own 12).
12 Guzzis!!!! Goodness me, that sounds like a lot. I got my name because my first bike was a 1941 Indian (I still have it) and I was heavily involved with Indians for some years. It seemed like a good idea when I was looking for an email address and handle.
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Good for her!!!
My youngest daughter its been tough to keep her off my bike! Where ever I go she wants to ride along. Shes 14 now, and into building stuff, and old cars, and stuff... I think [errr fear] she will be looking to ride in the years to come.
Hi Paul. Don't fear it if she wants to ride, just teach her the right way to ride, give her the best skills you can and support her as she finds her way. It really is extremely rewarding to see them "get it".