When I met Fred and Kim, they had a basement full of Triumphs and Kim’s Ducati with an old Pontiac parked next to them. No guzzis yet. Dave Vendola (sp?) lived somewhat nearby in West Knox. I met him through his daughter’s boyfriend that worked in the bagel shop with me. When I mentioned him to Fred, he knew him and his Lemans BoT racing exploits.
Later, after my bagel shop time, my V7 Sport bottom end went out after me only replacing the top end. Fred said he would go through it because he had always wanted to do a Guzzi engine and he knew I would get distracted & never get it done. He spoke the truth.. He only charged me $100 for his labor- literally the best deal I’ve ever had doing bikes. I tuned it, but he built it.
I’ve said before that I’m lucky that they have tolerated me for so many years. Very cool to be on their radar.
On a side note, for one of bobresob’s meet & greets in Mill Springs near Asheville, Dave Vendola rode down from West Knox. He & I had an absolute blast rambling on like schoolgirls after 20+ yrs. We talked about Fred and him finding & restoring his gorgeous blue Lemans I. Fred simply does things other people aspire to do but don’t quite achieve.
