A truck backed into James’ Kawasaki and amongst other stuff, fractured the frame. The truck insurance came good and offered him a whole pile of loot. Concurrently I got a cheque from the California Tax folks. Yes, it was a rebate for over 6000 bucks for overcharges incurred during a massive tax snarl up engendered during the exodus from France in 2010. Tidings of great joy.

James and I go to Wells Fargo to cash it in.

All $100 bills!

Anyway James has tracked down a 2013 Kawasaki KLR650 in Monterey. We go down to station on the broken bike, James hops off and I am set loose in San Francisco on a 650 with a broken frame on the most beautiful day. What could be better?

Wheee!

Whang!

Bobby! Should I take ’em to the bridge?
(Go Ahead!)
Take ’em on to the bridge!
(Take em to the bridge!)
Should I take ’em to the bridge?
(Yeah!)
Take ’em to the bridge?
(Go Ahead!)
Hit me now!

The KLR650 is a single cylinder machine and as far as I can see is the world’s best motorcycle. For blapping around the hills of the city there is certainly nothing to beat her. She has great torque and in more or less any gear you just open the throttle and she goes “Thwacka,thwacka, braaaaaaa!” and you are launched off in a sort of catapultish way.

James gets home late at night after a freezing drive up from Monterey. The new bike is incredible, jet black and gleaming in the streetlights. He says,”Try it.” I say “I don’t have a helmet.” He says “So don’t get caught.” The new bike has special custom exhaust that makes a lot of noise. I surge of into the night and blast around the Panhandle block. Wow, I am young and free!

The best bike in the world beside her ugly old sister

Ding dong merrily on high.

In Dulcio Jublio

What fun.