Old Pennsylvania dealer

[ogsurf]

I was telling a friend about a dealer in Pennsylvania that my wife drove out to
to pick up some parts. I can't remember the name. It was pre GPS and we drove
in circles on a snowy afternoon with nothing more than an address torn  from
the MGNOC newsletter. He operated out of his house and raised snakes as a hobby.

This was about the time of the first of the Harley  Lifestyles Superstores and my new wife was
very impressed with her exposure to Guzzi shops. She felt that Spare Parts, 2 R's Guzzi and
this  fellow had a lot more character than the pirate ship stores.

[sdcr]

    Many years ago, there was a small MG dealer in a Bucks County village, Pleasant valley, Pa. I think they went by the name, Pleasant Valley Motors. My first Guzzi, a G5 came from this shop. Not sure if the owner raised snakes though.

    I think they closed around 1980 or so, but the shop is still there, and even has MC/ MG related stuff inside, covered in dust.


John

1983 Le Mans III

[Kev m]

    Many years ago, there was a small MG dealer in a Bucks County village, Pleasant valley, Pa. I think they went by the name, Pleasant Valley Motors. My first Guzzi, a G5 came from this shop. Not sure if the owner raised snakes though.

    I think they closed around 1980 or so, but the shop is still there, and even has MC/ MG related stuff inside, covered in dust.


John

1983 Le Mans III

Tell us more.

Sounds like a cool excuse for a ride sometime.

I can't find "bucks county village" on Google maps and there are multiple Pleasant Valleys in PA.

[sdcr]

Tell us more.

Sounds like a cool excuse for a ride sometime.

I can't find "bucks county village" on Google maps and there are multiple Pleasant Valleys in PA.

Kevin,

 It's not far from Frenchtown Nj, I believe it on rt. 212? Also, just a couple of miles away from coopersburg Moto guzzi shop. I have not been by Pleasqnt Valley Motors  in a while, but last summer, the pleasant valley motors sign was still hanging outside the now vacant shop.

John

1983 Le Mans III

[Kev m]

Kevin,

 It's not far from Frenchtown Nj, I believe it on rt. 212? Also, just a couple of miles away from coopersburg Moto guzzi shop. I have not been by Pleasqnt Valley Motors  in a while, but last summer, the pleasant valley motors sign was still hanging outside the now vacant shop.

John

1983 Le Mans III

Thanks, gotta search that out this summer!

[BigDave in PA]

I remember that guy but I don't rememer his name but I think the business name was Parts is Parts. I think his name was Steve Ford. Not the member in Washington State.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I was telling a friend about a dealer in Pennsylvania that my wife drove out to
to pick up some parts. I can't remember the name. It was pre GPS and we drove
in circles on a snowy afternoon with nothing more than an address torn  from
the MGNOC newsletter. He operated out of his house and raised snakes as a hobby.

This was about the time of the first of the Harley  Lifestyles Superstores and my new wife was
very impressed with her exposure to Guzzi shops. She felt that Spare Parts, 2 R's Guzzi and
this  fellow had a lot more character than the pirate ship stores.

He wasn't a Guzzi dealer, but maybe Steve Ford of Parts-Is-Parts? He had lizards.

[guzziownr]

Yep, Parts is Parts, Steve Ford.  Steve was a Guzzi nut who could not find parts for his bikes and began importing them from Agostini and Stucchi.  He had a catalog business and his catalogs were full of jokes and weirdness.  Next to his shop was a barn/shed full of reptiles.  He bred snakes, turtles and lizards.

His business was the precursor to MG Cycle who made a success of it because of higher volume and the advent of the internet.

The last time I saw him one of his turtles had escaped the outdoor pen.  Keeping turtles confined is apparently more difficult than I imagined.

Here are some articles he wrote in the MGNOC.  The first one captures his writing style best:

http://www.mgnoc.com/article_loud__fast_and_green_.html
http://www.mgnoc.com/article_taming_the_wild_timing_chain.html
http://www.mgnoc.com/article_you_and_your_brembos.html