BS: biking folkies

Subject: biking folkies
From: GUEST,arnie
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:19 PM

Having got into motorbikes rather later in life, I passed my test on a 125cc two years ago. In the UK, this means that you have to spend a pointless two years on bikes restricted to 33bhp before moving onto something bigger. Well, this week the restriction comes off and I've treated myself to a 900cc Yamaha Diversion - supposedly a bike for the 'more mature' biker!! Anyway, I know that Ian Bruce arrive at gigs on a bike, but how the hell does he carry his guitar? I can't see myself belting down the road on a Friday night with my guitar case strapped to my back. Are there many biking mudcatters and where do you stick your instrument (polite answers only please)! Not only that, but my wife will have to get on the pillion seat with her bodhran - methinks it'll be easier to use the car on folk nights!!

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:26 PM

Short of a trailer I have no idea how you would do that. I've never managed to haul mine around on the bike.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: 53
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:49 PM

My wife doesn't have a motor bike but she does have a bicycle. She wrecked it the other day and she got pretty bummed up. Hopefully she'll be able to go back to work on Thursday. Bob.

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 05:00 PM

Learn to play the harmonica and spend time realising that Volvo Estates were invented by a double bass player!

Ian does tend to use his car too.... but I've seen bikers with a guitar in a custom made hard case strapped along the bike like a pannier... bit of a bugger because there was no room for a pillion.

There are more of us out here than you would think....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 05:20 PM

I'm with G/Arnie here. I'd love to be able to travel w/banjo or guitar on the bike. A bunch of us are riding up to Sturgis, South Dakota for the annual Black Hills Rally. None of us drink to excess, or do drugs, so our partying will be sitting around a campfire telling lies and singing songs. I REALLY need some advice on trucking a banjo or guitar along. I have a pillion seat with a sissy bar backrest for it but it's pretty short.

CB

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: mooman
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 05:27 PM

The only feasible solution I've found is to use a good gigbag with strong shoulder straps. It can be problematical with a guitar though as the wind tends to catch the top of the bag. Works well for the smaller stringed instruments though.

Happy and safe biking!

mooman

(...there are old bikers and bold bikers but very few old, bold bikers!)

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 05:43 PM

The truth is that Ian Bruce often arrives in his-wait for it------------------VOLVO ESTATE, I didn't half take the piss out of him at Cleckheaton a couple of years ago, as I was sat eating my onion Bhjai's and samosa in the car park.He took it in good humour though and we had a laugh about it.

Ride carefully. And the diversion is a bloody good bike- I used to be area rep for the Yamaha riders club a good few years ago, made many new friends.

Get a sidecar!! An outfit is a different experience or a trike!

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:20 PM

I'm betting, and it is what I would do were I so inclined, would be to build a trailer and put a top rack on it. I did build a small trailer but haven't got a top rack on it yet. Design is in my head - just ran out of Winter and riding starts next Monday - whole month off!!!! So Jan and I are taking the pickup over to JenEllen's deal.

And you could not pay me enough to go to Sturgis!! You are braver than I CB!!

And LTS - with a trailer one could still provide room for a young lass - :-)

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:48 PM

I learned to ride a motorbike(sic) on a Lambretta GT 225 (200cc overblown to 225) Tiny wheels (18"?) and capable of 70 Mph and 0-60 at about 8 secs!

When I passed my test I went from mod to rocker and borrowed a Triumph T110 - Like a Bonnie but with only one carb - chopped with long forks etc. It was crap! I traded it in for a Honda CB400 which really went like shit off a chrome plated shovel. Kept that for a couple of weeks and then had no bikes until I got married a couple of years later and bought a Honda CD125 - Kept it for 2 years. Never serviced it or anything - It just kept going! Then decided to go for a car...

In the UK the laws said you could have a tricycle on a bike license. So I did. Reliant Supervan III. 700cc. 70Mph. 50Mpg. What a machine! Then I passed my 4 wheel test:-(

Have had various cars since. Curently a Rover diesel with 166K on the clock.

But I still want a bike.

Anyone want to give me an Enfield 500 custom??

Please???

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:51 PM

Oh and btw. The thread would look a lot better if it said Folking Bikers...

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Amos
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 11:09 AM

Just lay it on the back fender, neck pointing aft with a red flag tied to the end, couple of velcro straps or buckle tiedowns and a wedge or two and bob's your uncle!! :>) For mebbe three blocks. :>) I bet it could be done somehow, though.

A

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 01:57 PM

Hey Amos - Can I try that out with your guitar on my bike??? Huh? Huh? Pretty please??

Steve *BG*

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Les from Hull
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 03:03 PM

You can get a good solid case with rucsac-type straps for 30-40 quid. My partner Maggie can manage her guitar on a pushbike, but you might have to keep the speed down on a motorbike (and where's the fun in that?). On the other hand, you don't get breathalised on a pushbike! Not that I drink to excess, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: weepiper
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 05:27 PM

Apparently my dad made my mum share the back of his Triumph Tigress with his guitar all the way from Edinburgh to Shrewsbury just after they got married. It can't have been comfortable. Not a motorbike, I know, but there's not much more space on a 250cc scooter!

Subject: RE: BS: biking folkies
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 06:04 PM

Les, you are wrong about being breathalised. (don't want to argue,) but you can be fined, and possibly get points on a driving licence for "being drunk in charge of a bicycle"! true-the law hasn't been changed in years only ammended, fine is £10.00 I believe-shit about points though, non licence holders get away with just a fine-very unfair ruling, but it would be a crappy judge who did that.