I was a big time motorcycle enthusiast in the 1970s and 1980s. Owning 11 different bikes in 3 years, sampling everything from Yamaha 100s (a twin cylinder 2 stroke that topped out at 55 miles an hour on rt 1 out of Philadelphia, PA, road it to North Jersey many times, my parent's home) to a Riverside 200 (a Benelli manufactured single cylinder street bike sold by Montgomery Ward) to a Honda 350 (excellently reliable) to 2 different BSA 650s (one was stolen, one blew up) until finally went to BMW 750s (a 1971 purchased in 1972, then a 1976, my final ultimate ride, stayed with me until the late 90s). My love was touring. Either solo or with Phyllis, who is now my wife and partner of many years. We toured to Maine, Nova Scotia, eventually making it to the West Coast. In 1973 or 74, I went from Philadelphia, PA to Lake Charles Louisiana, for the NATs. A nostalgic trip. A way to revisit a childhood pleasure. (I did not anticipate being the re-tread I am now, nearly ten years into this iteration). Am I that old. Yes. At Lake Charles, there were the heroes, the luminaries, I had read about but never seen in person. Bob Hunt, Al Rabe, Gene Shaffer, plus others. Gene Shaffer was one of the most memorable. In one flight his engine cut after two laps, much to my amazement, Gene continued to fly, loops, figure eights, one after the other. Wind flying. Thrilling.
Topic: Mr.Warren T. Gene schsffer Stunt Machine (Read 2929 times)
