Tues evening trivia IMC

[oldbike54]

 Who was Norris Rancourt ?

 Dusty

[Dean Rose]

http://www.riderfiles.com/the-story-of-norris-rancourt-and-his-orrin-hall-built-parilla/

[oldbike54]

 You cheated Dean 

 Dusty

[Sasquatch Jim]

Maybe he cheated but it's a great story.

[Guzzistajohn]

Weren't that old man Rancourt's boy?   Good story indeed

[oldbike54]

 Yes , a great story . I have known about the "Gadget" for years , for some reason Norris Rancourt just popped into my head this evening . Hmm , Ralph Glorioso raced 250s for a few years , Ralph , did you know Rancourt ?

 Dusty

[Daniel Kalal]

small world.

The reason I ride a Guzzi is because of John Burdette.  John Burdette and Orrin Hall were partners in Hall-Burdette Motorcycles--the most incredible old dealership in North Sacramento.  When I knew the shop, Orrin was no longer there.

I'm thinking that Parilla was the one kept in the shop (it was the only bike with a 'do not sit' sign on the seat).  John was an important Norton man, and I'm pretty sure he was the biggest Norton dealer in California at one time.

When I met him, he ran Ducati and Guzzi, but was just as apt to have a few Monarchs on hand, too.  I was a kid with no money and a Guzzi Eldo that wasn't that great to begin with.  John (and his mechanics and parts guy) were happy to lend me tools that I needed and were always willing to help me out in so many ways.

Somewhere back in my closet is a Guzzi T-shirt John gave me.

Here's a shot of both of them:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=116873238&PIpi=119635274

[oldbike54]

 Amazing Deke  Yes , small world .

 Dusty