In honor of your Drive My Car and Drifting videos….

[Howard]

Well Jung. I never picked you for a muscle car driver. Those baddies in the Charger really got fried. Steve McQueen was also a motorcycle racer and there is a good chase scene with him riding a Triumph 650 in the WWII movie, ‘The Great Escape’.

My very first bike, when I was just 19, was a 1964 Suzuki 250 ‘Hustler’ and I thought it was the greatest thing on two wheels. Just loved that bike. Bit of a story about it involving one of my brothers (maybe later). This was in the days when a lot of motorcycles, like mine, were two strokes! When I took up motorcycling again, many years later in 2008, my first new bike was a Triumph Bonneville (865). In 2011 I bought a new Triumph Tiger 800 and then in 2013, my current ride, which is a Moto Guzzi California Tourer 1400.

Do you realise the Twins also ride motorcycles. There’s nothing they wouldn’t try!

http://www.mcqueenonline.com/thegreatescapetriumph.htm

[Jung Roe]

Hi Howard.  Wow, you have quite the experience and passion it looks like for motorcycles.  Sounds like a lot of fun.  Your current Moto Guzzi California Tourer 1400 sounds pretty incredible.

My first Mustang was a sleeper 1989 5.0 Liter V8 Mustang LX coupe, the kind the highway patrol used as their interceptors.   Cruised the Vancouver BC to Los Angeles route over a dozen times over the years.  Done it in 22 hours once taking turns with a friend.   Properly optioned they were regularly beating vettes off the line back then because they were so light and had so much torque.  Had that one for 13 years and put on 340,000 KM on that bullet proof drive train, and then in 2002 got a lazer red all decked out Mustang GT with a 4.6L V8 and had that one right up until last year.  Unlike my first sleeper mustang, the 2nd one was a real looker.  I had a huge response on Craig’s list when I sold it, people offering more than what I was asking for.  Hope to get another one in the not too distant future.  With independent rear suspension they can handle as good as European high end sports cars now.

[Howard]

I’m surprised you still have your licence. I’ve lost mine or had it suspended several times for speeding. Our cops tend to target bike riders, although I first lost my licence driving my first new car the 1,000km from Brisbane to Sydney. I was caught about 100k from my destination.

The Moto Guzzi California is a cruiser motorcycle manufactured and marketed by Moto Guzzi since 1971, with a standard seating position, footboards, heel-and-toe gearshift, and linked (discontinued for the new 1400 models) Brembo brakes.

The first California was designed in consultation with the Los Angeles Police Department Traffic Division to replace the department’s Moto Guzzi V7s. It originally had a left-foot gearshift, a bulletproof Lexan windshield and a sprung sidestand, along with the requisite siren, radio, extra police lights, and a standing quarter mile time of under 16 seconds. Later other police departments used them, including the California Highway Patrol.

The original California was 750cc but over the years it has progressed through 900cc and 1100cc to the current 1400cc, the largest twin motorcycle made in Europe.  All Moto Guzzis are twins. Triumphs are either twins like my Bonneville 865 and the Thunderbird Cruiser 1600cc or triples like my Tiger 800 Adventure bike and the Rocket III 2300cc.

In closing, I must state that no one was as cool as Steve McQueen, whether he was driving a car or riding a motorbike. Then again, how cool are Mona and Lisa, whether driving cars, riding their trail bikes, riding horses, water surfing, jumping out of planes, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or just strumming their guitars and singing!

[Jung Roe]

Howard, yes that is why I can’t get enough of the multi-talented Mona and Lisa.  Don’t know what surprises they will come up with next for us all.

Your Moto Guzzi California sounds like quite the impressive cruiser.

I had my share of speeding tickets with my first mustang, including running over someones garden and shrub in their front yard one evening when I tried to impress a date.  Blew out both my front tires in the process.  Smartened up after that.  🙂

[Howard]

I must say I don’t think anyone has donated more money to the Policeman’s Annual Ball than me. This has changed in the last few years though fortunately, and within a couple of months I will have a clean slate on my licence for the first time ever. We have a points system where you are allowed 12 points over a three year period. Lose those 12 points and your licence is suspended for up to six months.

As for surprises from Mona and Lisa, I certainly don’t want to be surprised by anything like them jumping out of aeroplanes again, with or without parachutes! I just wonder which one of them is the evil twin that encourages this type of behaviour!

[Jung Roe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwHVpcdRi4A

Howard.  This reminded me of driving around in my ole Stang with Max.  It wasn’t as dramatic though.

[Jung Roe]

Love this!!

Even when it comes to sports cars you ladies have cool groovy style and know how to pick the best of them.  The Stang is one of the most legendary and iconic sports cars of all time and the special racing version, Shelby GT 350 so wonderfully created here with the two of you in it,  the most coveted Mustang of them all.  In 1965-67, the GT350 won the coveted SCAA racing championships 3 years in a row giving Ford it’s credibility in the motor sports arena.

[Jung Roe]

I use to be a race car driver:

[Howard]

Who’s the unfortunate passenger?

[Jung Roe]

Great question Howard.

Of course it’s Dizzy Miss Lizzy  🙂

https://youtu.be/pEazCiXGZw0

 

[Jung Roe]

The MLT Club is like a MonaLisa Twins Magical Mystery Tour Bus, what a ride!  Loving your musical journey.