motorbikes and riding stories by Roy Harvey

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Roy's Bikes, Biken' Stories, & Adventures

This side is a quick story line of my Motorcycling and adventures

Bikes & Trikes & links to Details

Thanks for visiting

Doing jobs revolving around motorcycles and being a motorcycle enthusiast is great! That makes life a little more FUN.

In '96 I created and ran the original version of the MGNOC website (Moto Guzzi National Owners Club). After a few years that volunteer duty passed on - and on - and on to several others. I also moved on and started building other motorcycle related webs, doing research, setting up club webs, classified AD webs and others.

I also started the MGCL (Moto Guzzi Correspondence List) and it's associated web in 1996. Here it is 2008 and the MGCL is still running and has over 900 subscribers world wide. Web work and Moto Guzzi - what a life. I just wish it paid more like a real job!

I started riding dirt bike motorcycles at 14 yrs old, in 1970 on an beat up used Yamaha 100 trail bike.

I eventually, got a brand new Harley Super Glide in 1976 (the bowling ball years for HD), For 6 months it was my soul transportation, it was a very cool looking ride. But as a motorcycle - well, it sucked. Broke down lots, parts vibrated off all the time, had no power, bad brakes, no suspension, etc. Hell, it could barely spin the rear tire ! I floated the lifters once when the speedo said 103. I doubt it was actually doing more than 85 or 90mph.

Needless to say I sold the Harley before the year was out. I took that money and bought a '54 Chevy pickup and a Non-Running Moto Guzzi Ambassador 750 found in a barn covered in pigeon dung. I rode the winds for 30 more years on that 1970 Moto Guzzi Ambassador (see details @ right side of page).

I bought and sold many bikes through the years - and I loved each one. Having the opportunity to tinker on and ride a bunch of different motorcycles has been a long running adventure in itself. I highly recommend it.

In '99 I bought a '98 Moto Guzzi EV 1100 as a wreck from a motorcycle salvage yard. Had a good time resurrecting it. Read about the "Twisted Sister" Moto Guzzi resurrection at right.

In '2000 I bought a '80 Honda GoldWing. I have bought and sold several motorcycles through the years. One of the more unique bikes I've owned "twice", is a '77 Moto Guzzi Convert - Auto shifter! Very cool. I still "commute" on my motorcycles regularly - rain or shine. (2006).

My old shop, was so organized and easy to use.

Today's shop is smaller, much less organized and I have gotten ride of most extra parts. It is just 1/2 of a 2 car garage now.

'Course you know as soon as you get rid of something you end up needing just that very part !

In 2002 I got to scratch a 5 year wild itch for a Moto Guzzi Centauro. What an AWESOME machine this was. Click on the picture link below for the full story about this Italian Stallion.

Late in 2002 I Traded the Centauro and got another bike I'd been drooling over for the past 10 years - a Honda ST1100 Sport Touring Machine. This bike is a perfect all around do it all Motorcycle. Has become my main commuter and Long Distance Ride. See the Picture below for a link to the full story.

My sweetheart Dulane, passed her Motorcycle drivers license exam in (2002), and bought herself a beautiful 1981 Honda 400 Automatic. Bike had just over 3,000 miles on it. Mint condition - Great Find. We have been really enjoying riding together and have ridden through out the seasons thus far.

UPDATE: (2004) Dulane now rides a 83' Yamaha 750 Virago. 4 speeds, Tons more power than the Honda 400 and lots of style to boot.

I can't believe it, but I actually sold the Ambo w/Attitude after owning it for 31 years.

I was so broken hearted I have bought and sold a couple other '74 Eldorado's to ride. I am crazy for selling them, or buying them to start with! What a treasure these bikes are!

I still have the Honda ST1100 because I use it for commuting and biken' pleasure. I can't afford nor do I have the space to keep all these great motorcycles. In order for me to experience owning and riding them, I tend to buy one, ride and fix it up some and eventually resell it so I can go on and buy something else. I'm a poor mans collector. However, this process has allowed me to experience owning 23 motorcycles as of 9/10/09. Wow, I really have enjoyed the bikes - it has been well worth it.

Travel Stories

Moto Guzzi National Rally 1999 New Mexico "Roy and Greg's loop frame adventure"
Greg on his Eldorado and me on the Ambo w/Attitude

Moto Guzzi National Rally 2000 Virginia and the Blue Ridge Parkway (For me a dream trip come true - On a fantastic loaned fresh restoration '74 Eldorado)

Moto Guzzi National Rally 2001 Grass Valley California
Another adventure on the Ambo w/Attitude

Moto Guzzi National Rally 2003, Mt Vernon Washington
My local Guzzi Club is hosting this rally, so I imagine this one will be more work than play

Moto Guzzi Ambassador
"750/1000
Dinosaur with an Attitude"
It's a real "cosmopolitan" motorcycle.

Moto Guzzi V 1000cc engine, 850 cam, lightened flywheel, 850 heads, 5 speed trans, 850 front end, dual disk brakes, 850 rear drive w/cush, air shocks, hotter coil & plugs, bosch starter, police bars, & MORE.

Ownership: 1976 - 2008
Sold in 2008 in a moment of weakness

I had a '98 EV for nearly 2 years.

You might enjoy reading about the Resurrection of a "Totaled" '98 Moto Guzzi EV affectionately called the "TwistedSister". I finished working on it and rode it for about a year before selling it in 2000' to a fella from Norway who traveled the USA with a buddy of his on a Harley - but that, is another story.

Brief Encounter with a Moto Guzzi Lario. 2001

My son Josh talked me out of the Lario. He did a marvelous job restoring it.

'98 Moto Guzzi Centauro

2002 was the year I enjoyed a Centauro. What an exciting bike! Click Centauro Picture for a story about my experience with the most awesome Moto Guzzi produced in years. It ain't a daily rider, but it sure is a sexy mistress.

'77 Moto Guzzi Convert

This was the Guzzi Automatic. Very reliable, easy starting and easy riding motorcycle. Never gave me any problems, just smiles. I owed this bike twice - once in 1997 and again in 1999

'80 Honda GoldWing

Old Reliable Commuter and probably the most comfortable, easy and relaxing ride I've ever owned. Click the picture for "the rest of the story" or Goldwing story

'97 Honda ST1100

Honda's best kept secret is out.

The ST1100 series is the most complete Sport Touring motorcycle ever built. My current commuter & long distance traveler. I've Owned this bike from 2002 and still own it as of now - 2008. Click to read more STuff (Honda ST1100) or Click the picture for "the rest of the story".

Moto Guzzi Eldorado 850's

Click the picture for "the rest of the story".

Dulane (Dee), is now riding a shifting 1982 Yamaha Virago. The story is: Dulane's daughter Sonya just got her bikers license and is learning on Dee's HondaMatic - but she purchased this Yamaha to ride when she is ready. Learn first on the Honda, then they will swap bikes back. Dee owned this bike from 2004 to 2008

Well, meantime Sonya bought a Suzuki 550, Then a 1996 Virago so Dee got the '82 Virago back and we have been riding together on motorcycles for 6 years.

We have sold the Virago, but maintain some pictures and info about the '82 virago.

Dee's Honda 400 In Action

(Dee's first bike 2002-2004)

My "Current" 2001-2008 adventure machine is a Trike named "SpiT-fire"

ST1100 4-cylinder "motorcycle" with a VW front Axle sporting 2 side by side seats. Pretty Unique. A Sport Trike if you will.
Click to see the SpiT-Fire Trike Story

Other than Motorcycles & Trikes Dulane and I are highly involved with Diesels running on Bio-Diesel B-100 and/or Straight WVO. We have had several cars that use Straight Vegetable Oil for fuel.

YES, you can pour waste veggie oil from your local restaurant into a fuel tank and drive your diesel car - only the fuel is like - dang near FREE! See details at:

www.Grease4Fuel.com

We also made a living statement to help the environment and our economy by building a custom Cedar Log house with many environmental friendly features. If interested go see the SPIDERHOLLOW web site.