Jay Leno's Garage

[Siamese]

By now, I must have seen every episode of Jay Leno's Garage.  In addition to cars, he has featured a wide variety of motorcycles, both classic and new.  So, where the hell are the Moto-Guzzis?  C'mon, isn't he Italian? 

Okay, so he did an episode on Revival Motorcycles, but that was a highly modified Guzzi cafe racer thing. 

[Groover]

I think I've seen a pic of an LMIII somewhere, though I haven't watched the show. Someone posted that here I think.

[LowRyter]

[s1120]

I believe Ive read before, him saying he never really got the Guzzi thing..  There is a LM hanging around in a lot of his vids though..  But you know...  He is a bike guy, and has been a bike guy since before the big paychecks, and he does have some nice rides, so Ill give him a pass..:)

[LowRyter]

I'd read somewhere, I think here, that he had  agen 1 Norge.  I think one of our riders in So Cal had actually ridden their Guzzi, met him on the Norge and talked or had photo or something. 

Maybe I dreamed it?

[Mr Pootle]

 is he America's Clarkson?

[Kiwi_Roy]

I think he prefers old bikes, I was watching one episode where he had a room especially for Brough, must have had a dozen of them.
https://www.rideapart.com/articles/245107/jay-leno-is-the-king-of-brough-superiors/

[bad Chad]

No, Clarkson is funnier.

[LowRyter]

is he America's Clarkson?

No, Leno isn't a total jerk.  In fact, he makes an effort to be a nice guy.  Leno also rides motorcycles.

[cliffrod]

He was well-started into the Vincent and Brough scene as soon as his budget allowed. This is a favorite magazine I've had since new in Mar-April 1987, with him on the cover and pics of his machines that he already had at that time.   













He has always seemed like a well-disciplined but relatively normal & genuine gear head who has made the best of his success.  Still, it makes me think about and appreciate being able to enjoy my machines in anonymity.  Everything has a cost.

[Mr Pootle]

He's completely unknown over here. How did he make his money?

[Siamese]

I'm a huge fan of Jay Leno's Garage.  I watch it on his youtube channel.  He primarily features cars, from classics to supercars.  Both cars he owns, which are many, and cars that are of interest to him.  He seems to really know his stuff, and has a genuine interest in all things mechanical. 

He has a large Brough Superior collection, and plenty of other classics like his 64 Bonnie, and a Velocette Thruxton 500.  He covers a variety of new bikes, as well.   

I think, when we watch a video about a particular car or bike that interests us, we want the video to give us a sense of what the particular vehicle is like.  That's where Jay excels.

You either like his personality or you don't, but I get the sense he's a genuinely nice guy.  Funny, too, and if you watch enough episodes you realize he's never afraid to recycle a joke.  If a car has a lot of headroom, you can just wait for him to say "Lincoln could drive this car!". 

The only episodes that are kind of lame are the ones where they focus on some celebrity and his car.  You can see it getting a little awkward for Jay when it becomes apparent that the celeb actually knows squat.  I avoid those episodes. 

I'm not really susceptible to envy.  Okay, maybe I envy Eric Clapton a little, but that's about it.  I could see an envious person not liking Jay, as his bike, car, tractor, and steam engine collection is amazing.  Good for him, and thanks for sharing, Jay.

Check it out.

[kirkemon]

I meet Jay a few times a year at various events. He is a very nice and polite person as you can guess.
He really like the Bonneville T120

[LowRyter]

He's completely unknown over here. How did he make his money?

Comedian and until he he retired a few years ago, host of "The Tonight Show" after Johnny Carson retired.   I've read that he purchased his vehicle collection from his earnings as a comic and not from his TV salary (which was considerable).   I'm sure he was one of the top paid entertainers in the world.  Jay's OK, I preferred David Letterman's "Late Show" myself- he's retired now too.

[Turin]

I don't find him funny, either on the Tonight Show, or any of his stand up. His car show on CNBC and internet videos are highly entertaining.

I'd love to spend a day running amok through his collection.

[bodine99]

He was well-started into the Vincent and Brough scene as soon as his budget allowed. This is a favorite magazine I've had since new in Mar-April 1987, with him on the cover and pics of his machines that he already had at that time.   













He has always seemed like a well-disciplined but relatively normal & genuine gear head who has made the best of his success.  Still, it makes me think about and appreciate being able to enjoy my machines in anonymity.  Everything has a cost.

Wow!! check out page 49 3rd down on the right. Loved that magazine, still have the T-150 sold the T-160 3-




can you drive a european car in america
1/2 yrs. ago Same bike, same me you can even see my pony tail sticking out over my left shoulder!!

[cliffrod]

Wow!! check out page 49 3rd down on the right. Loved that magazine, still have the T-150 sold the T-160 3-




can you drive a european car in america
1/2 yrs. ago Same bike, same me you can even see my pony tail sticking out over my left shoulder!!

Very, very cool, Geoff.  For the others here who don't have the same magazine that you and I do-





I got my copy during a local sports car club meeting, when I was daily driving my 1962 Triumph TR3B.  The article about Mark Gerish, his old cast iron English Wheel & the building of Leno's AC Cobra clone really got my attention.  Figured if he could shape panels like that, so could I.  30 yrs later- almost to the day from when I got that magazine- I finally got my own cast iron English Wheel.  Hopefully it won't take 30 more yrs to be good enough to use it to restore the body on my same TR3B....

[Solorider73]

I like his car show since it’s about the cars more than the guests.  It’s not like the fake car shows where they have to have the car built in a week and you know they probably filmed it over months. 

[ozarquebus]

Same here. Not funny, but seems like a nice guy. At that level egos are pretty heavy.
 He is probably used to being the Big Goose everywhere he goes. That's ok with me, I guess.
'wish I had his dirigible engine car.

[skippy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V4NRH7fuyQ

 

Skippy

[Cam3512]

If you want a celeb and Guzzi's, google Billy Joel and his motorcycle collection.  HUGE Guzzi fan.

[wirespokes]

I've heard nothing but good about Jay. I like him. Someone I knew got to talking with him at the Rock Store (popular bike destination north of Hollywood in the mountains) and invited him and his friends to check out his bike collection. He even started up the jet bike for them and told them a story about taking it for a ride one day. He was at a stop light and a woman pulled up behind him a smidgen close. Melted her bumper.

[Mr Revhead]

Pretty much Jay Leno is the kind of car/bike guy we all wish we could be. He likes everything.

[Murray]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O_7zwGFGwI

Few clips in this one with Jay talking about Guzzi's with and ambo or eldo in the background.

TBH I never found him particularly good int he comedy department but he comes across as a genuion and magnaminous host. Most importantly he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously and the understanding some of this is just fun.

[bodine99]

Very, very cool, Geoff.  For the others here who don't have the same magazine that you and I do-





I got my copy during a local sports car club meeting, when I was daily driving my 1962 Triumph TR3B.  The article about Mark Gerish, his old cast iron English Wheel & the building of Leno's AC Cobra clone really got my attention.  Figured if he could shape panels like that, so could I.  30 yrs later- almost to the day from when I got that magazine- I finally got my own cast iron English Wheel.  Hopefully it won't take 30 more yrs to be good enough to use it to restore the body on my same TR3B....

I have 10 issues I bought hot off the press way back. issue #1 Spring 1986. Grew up on LI-NY in the sporty car world. My God Father Mr. MG David Ash & my Dad Frank Ahrens Sebring 12hr. 1953

 Dad co-driver David in the car. Get that TR back on the road!! The pix of me I'm standing in front of my 03 Bonny I bought new.

[cliffrod]

I have 10 issues I bought hot off the press way back. issue #1 Spring 1986. Grew up on LI-NY in the sporty car world. My God Father Mr. MG David Ash & my Dad Frank Ahrens Sebring 12hr. 1953

 Dad co-driver David in the car. Get that TR back on the road!! The pix of me I'm standing in front of my 03 Bonny I bought new.

Man, that's really cool.  No formal race heritage connections here, just regular stuff.  Dad dropped out of college, joined the Army and ended up in Germany in 58.  Bought a new light blue 58 TR3A because he couldn't justify the extra $$ for the mint green 1958 AH 3000 next to it..  From then on, it was TR3's and Triumph all the way. He drove it all over Europe, came home on the ship with it and went back to college in 60.  Drove it year round in VT.   Hated the new body on the TR4, so eventually found this almost new red 62/63 late TR3B (with TR4 driveline) in early Feb 64 in NH to replace the rusty 3A.  Pic from Feb 64 with both cars, just after arriving home with the 3B-





The light blue TR was continuously driven year round into a rusty VT oblivion. The red TR became their/our summer car.  along the way, a white 1960 TR3a parts car joined them in the basement.  Our childhood was spent "racing" the white and blue cars when we weren't actually riding in the red TR during the snow-free months.  The others went away. I Got my license, turned 16 in April 83 and started driving the red TR in early June 83.  The pic with white walls was taken early summer 83 here in SC.





Next pic with top down and my red Doberman is probably 84. Pretty sure the top hasn't been up since then, just a tonneau.   Lots to time to polish the car back then....





It's been parked in a back corner now for 20 yrs, waiting it's turn.  Dad didn't fix things unless someone else (aka me) did it for him for free, parts & labor included (Guzzi content...) I inherited it when he died about 7 yrs ago.





Someday after eldercare is done, I would like to put it back on the road.  A lot of people now really don't understand the vintage sports car (or bike) driving & performance experience.  It's not all about max HP and torque in an insular package.   

Always thought it was cool to read articles about Jay Leno back then, talking about various mechanical experiences.  It definitely seemed like he was into the machines long before he could afford them.    Watching him become successful and still do a wide range of machines was very cool.  You read about other celebs like Jerry Seinfeld and his Porschesor Paul Newman (he & his wife were/are members at the city club where I apprenticed as a chef)) but never about how most spent time as a kid or now gladly dirty/greasy working on such things.   

[wymple]

Not funny? There is a reason why he dominated the ratings, and it wasn't his chin.

[80CX100]

I'm a huge fan of Jay Leno's Garage. ,,,,,, I get the sense he's a genuinely nice guy. ,,,,,,  You can see it getting a little awkward for Jay when it becomes apparent that the celeb actually knows squat.

     ^^^^^This, Jay seems like the real deal, props to him for living large and living the dream   

     Cliffrod and Geoff, tks for sharing the history and vignettes of the machines in your lives,,, those older Triumph cars have beautiful lines, I've never looked at them closely before.

     Kelly

[bodine99]

Man, that's really cool.  No formal race heritage connections here, just regular stuff.  Dad dropped out of college, joined the Army and ended up in Germany in 58.  Bought a new light blue 58 TR3A because he couldn't justify the extra $$ for the mint green 1958 AH 3000 next to it..  From then on, it was TR3's and Triumph all the way. He drove it all over Europe, came home on the ship with it and went back to college in 60.  Drove it year round in VT.   Hated the new body on the TR4, so eventually found this almost new red 62/63 late TR3B (with TR4 driveline) in early Feb 64 in NH to replace the rusty 3A.  Pic from Feb 64 with both cars, just after arriving home with the 3B-





The light blue TR was continuously driven year round into a rusty VT oblivion. The red TR became their/our summer car.  along the way, a white 1960 TR3a parts car joined them in the basement.  Our childhood was spent "racing" the white and blue cars when we weren't actually riding in the red TR during the snow-free months.  The others went away. I Got my license, turned 16 in April 83 and started driving the red TR in early June 83.  The pic with white walls was taken early summer 83 here in SC.





Next pic with top down and my red Doberman is probably 84. Pretty sure the top hasn't been up since then, just a tonneau.   Lots to time to polish the car back then....





It's been parked in a back corner now for 20 yrs, waiting it's turn.  Dad didn't fix things unless someone else (aka me) did it for him for free, parts & labor included (Guzzi content...) I inherited it when he died about 7 yrs ago.





Someday after eldercare is done, I would like to put it back on the road.  A lot of people now really don't understand the vintage sports car (or bike) driving & performance experience.  It's not all about max HP and torque in an insular package.   

Always thought it was cool to read articles about Jay Leno back then, talking about various mechanical experiences.  It definitely seemed like he was into the machines long before he could afford them.    Watching him become successful and still do a wide range of machines was very cool.  You read about other celebs like Jerry Seinfeld and his Porschesor Paul Newman (he & his wife were/are members at the city club where I apprenticed as a chef)) but never about how most spent time as a kid or now gladly dirty/greasy working on such things.

so neat you still have the TR!!! whats the Shovelhead story??

[cliffrod]

so neat you still have the TR!!! whats the Shovelhead story??

I posted some of this on Dave Swanson's related thread. 

We've had our 1974 FLH Shovel (blue front fender, parked beside the TR right now) for 19 yrs.  a few months before before she became my wife, Beth and I did a long weekend run 2-up on my V7 Sport.  She's pretty tough and versatile but affirmed that was not going to be our normal way of doing things... 

We got married in Nov and bought this shovelhead a couple of months later.  It was bought new by a pair of brothers up on the Canadian border from Catello and Son HD in Berlin NH. It was sold in the 90's after one died of old age, then sold again after the second owner & wife celebrated their 50th anniversary on the bike.  My now-dead friend Al Day ran a small motorcycle shop in central VT and brokered all of these transactions. I worked part-time for him as mechanic around my granite sculpture job before moving back down south. 





The shovel is mostly original.  Upgrades are heads flowed by Jerry Branch back when he was still doing them himself, solid lifters with Andrews B cams and a Dyna electronic ignition.  It came with the King of the Road package.  Original Top bag and plain windshield are hanging in my shop.  It's a great old bike, but should have the bottom end rebuilt.  I ended up buying a couple other ready-to-ride Harleys along the way as they popped up cheap, so the Shovel sits.

In 05-06, I sold 8-9 good bikes (mostly running) that I had collected to keep to help establish my studio- Multiple Ducati singles (n/c, w/c, spring valve and Desmo) Parilla 250 Wildcat and 250 GS clone project, the first Benelli 500-4 imported into the USA, excellent original paint late R69S and more plus parts.  The V7 Sport and shovelhead were the only bikes that we kept.  Of course, while I was selling, my former 68 Norton P11A emerged locally from a decade+ of hiding for sale exactly as I sold it in 93.  It was actually here at my home shop while a different buyer was picking up my Parilla stuff.  Kind of a bummer, but I was selling not buying.  Priorities change.  I wanted my studio.

Lots of bikes and lots of stories.   Trying not to have too many projects anymore.  Life and budget are too short.   So my current V700 Corsa Record cafe project is taking the place of all those other gone-forever special Italian bikes.