docc Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I've always been grateful to my older brother for many things, but definitely for interesting me in motorcycles. His SR500 single set the hook and twenty years on, the crisp ring of air cooled cylinders is music to my whole soul. Recently, he asked me how others feel about the song they might hear on the road. Here's what he told me: Does your motorcycle sing? I swear mine do. I've got an '81 Yamaha SR500 that belts out Springsteen's "Born to Run" at the top of its lone lung at anything over 4000 rpm. Below that, it thinks its Barry White, and who am I to argue? But get it out on the open road, run it up through the gears and before you know it, the fool thing thinks it's The Boss. I don't mind. It's kind of cool. Keeps me looking for fast roads. Now, the funny thing is, I have two bikes, and they are very different beasts. The second machine in the garage is a '79 Vespa P200E. Now, before you give up and whine that it's just a scooter, let me remind you that it is a 200cc single cylinder machine with Ducati solid-state ignition, a four-speed manual transmission and the ability to pull some very serious wheelstands, even with the sidecar. Even with someone in the sidecar. Got yer attention now? This one, at 40 mph and above, will offer up a fair rendition of Shiller's "Ode to Joy", and I have no idea why. I was expecting Italian opera- something by Verde- but no. At speed it gives you the last movement of Beethoven's Dreaded Ninth Symphony with full chorus. Go figure. I like it when bikes sing, and I like to keep my bikes happy. Get 'em out on the open road and let them put those vocal chords to the test. What would you like to hear? Link to comment
Ralph Werner Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 My Norge doesn't sing but it sure farts a lot when backing off the throttle! Link to comment
docc Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 I guess it's just me hearing Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie . . . I had a bike once that rode to Buddy Guy's Damn Right I Got the Blues . . . Link to comment
luhbo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 In case my Guzzis ever should develop an attitude to sing in a somehow human manner I suspect it rather would be something in this direction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxxdG9I8lL4 hubert Link to comment
gstallons Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hmmm. I must be up too early. Link to comment
luhbo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hmmm. I must be up too early. From hibernation, or what? Honestly, each time I watch him sing I'm more convinced that this is an exact match. The more as it comes without any huge orchestra in the background hubert Link to comment
Baldini Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 .... this is an exact match. The more as it comes without any huge orchestra in the background hubert I can hear it, but there's something wrong somewhere: are both halves of your shaft correctly aligned? KB Link to comment
luhbo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I thought so. My guess is rather that the engine might be loose. That's a point which is much too much neglected. I have it on my "pre-flight" check list for next season anyway. hubert Link to comment
belfastguzzi Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Good topic, Docc. I know that it deserves a poetic reply, however, in the meantime: Brokedown Engine Blues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Ijb6bBljs Link to comment
gstallons Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Have you posted him or this video clip before ? Link to comment
Baldini Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 ...it's that locomotive beat does it for me... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2pSTILCVtI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SuBozi_Hp0&feature=player_detailpage KB Link to comment
The Monkey Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Great topic! For the corners after coffee it would have to be The Cult's "She sells Sanctuary", Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion", Rush "Tom Sawyer". For those days that go on too long- Bob Segers "Turn the Page" or Tragically Hip's "100th Meridian". For the upper region- going from 4th to 6th the music gets left behind in deference to the intake roar and the meld of man and machine. When we come back down again the song pulls up alongside again. Yeah, she sings alright! Link to comment
belfastguzzi Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Have you posted him or this video clip before ? No, it's new. A good enough rendition of Blind Willie McTell. Mind you, I have posted about a brokedown engine before. Link to comment
raz Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 When I approach home from a ride, the last kilometer or so is limited to 30 and 50 km/h through the tiny town I live in. That speed limit I always obey, and usually running at lower revs than ever elsewhere, on a high gear. I laugh out loud every time because for some reason at that moment the bike sounds EXACTLY like a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower. Spot on. And I can't understand why, the engines are different in many ways even apart from the number of cylinders. And I don't even have the cam mr Roper referred to as the lawnmower cam! Link to comment
gstallons Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Have you posted him or this video clip before ? No, it's new. A good enough rendition of Blind Willie McTell. Mind you, I have posted about a brokedown engine before. Brokedown, as in "song" or the succubus Griso ? Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now