Britbike forum Forums General discussion The Rod and Tappet What other interests do you have ?

I have an old issue of Rolling Stone Top 100 Guitar Players.
Angus is in there but Chet Atkins is not. Go figure!

Depends upon your criteria for "best"
Most competiant, makes fewer mistakes , pushes the instrument to it's absolute limits etc etc etc

My criteria include more competence than power chords on an SG.

I used to road race cars (BMW) but that quickly drained the bank account.
I build model cars over the winter months.
I've had numerous old cars and trucks over the years. My current project is a 1966 Ford Falcon that just became roadworthy again. Next year I plan to delete the six cylinder and install a proper V8.
I've written a few novels (that don't sell) and a Royal Enfield book that does okay.

It’s interesting how many British bike enthusiasts have similar other interests. I have a passion for playing music (guitar,harmonica, and dulcimer) with my band, been wrenching on hot rods and muscle cars most of my life and have always loved woodworking. What I haven’t seen mentioned is boats. I love fishing and taking my boys and their friends tubing on our Grady White. We also have a 22’ sailboat that we can spend weekends on.
Too many toys, not enough time…

I mentioned fishing and water skiing.

I had a 1960 Century Resorter 16' with Ford 292 V8, we skied 4 people at a time, effortlessly. Cool old woody that I rebuilt to dual cockpit (fore/aft). We taught our kids and grandkids and all their friends to ski with that boat.



Now have a Sunbird 17' with Volo Penta 4 but it has been trouble and misery from day 1. I traded my son a .357 mag Colt that was my Dad's, he DEFINITELY got the better deal...

Thanks 👍🏻

Besides motorcycles, I've been racing Corvettes for a long time.

I forgot to mention that I also like playing with the electric bike I built out of a “beach cruiser” and a motor wheel kit. 52v 1000 watts, 0-30mph in about 8 seconds…

Just be careful about the 30-0 part...

I'm tempted to buy a motorized bicycle, but I need the exercise. 0-30 on my old Raleigh depends on the size of the hill. The "engine" needs a lot of work to get to 30 on flat ground.

Triumph Motorcycles and Nissan Skylines [mainly turbo ones pushing out decent power], hunting rifles inc. blackpowder, music all sorts except rap, opera and most pop, prog rock is my main go to.
I like all British Motorcycles really, but Triumphs especially. Really like a good British Bike Meet/Rally.
When I was a bit younger used to love skin diving. Gave up about 10 years ago.

I've always enjoyed racing, mostly watching F1, Moto GP, Old Nascar. Then when I could finally afford it I tried motorcycle road racing. First in '74 on a Commando Norton.




Then the vintage race scene came along. This was one of my first vintage races, '85 at Seattle International Raceway. I'm using the rookie number that starts with 7. Love this image, it's a black and white that my photographer friend that took it colorized it by hand.



Bitten by the bike collecting bug I put the leathers away after 10 years of racing the North West and concentrated more on buying and selling. I still like my bikes but have been thinning the herd and the last 15 years or so have devoted more time to growing my own fruit for making craft wines.






Bill B...

Great photos and backstory Bill. What varietal are you growing? I’ve had a few nice Pinot Noirs from Willamette Valley and some really unique Chardonnay or Riesling Pet Nats. If you ever thin out the herd enough to move that 67 TR6C Burn bike you posted a few years ago, I’d be interested.

I grow Pommard, Wadenswil, and 777 Pinot Noir, along with Cab Franc and a few vines, (54) of Chardonay..

A couple of our award winning wines

That’s awesome

I'm also a big Lewis fan. Last year my son and I took in the race at COA.

Very interesting!

Howzabout I bring you a really nice sturdy table and swap out your foosball table?

So, apart from building and restoring old English motorcycles:

Building and restoring old Italian motorcycles,
racing motorcycles both vintage and modern (road racing, motocross, and dirt track) although time has caught up to me,
Car racing,
Garage projects,
Talking about all of the above,
Watching the above on television and live, especially Supercross and AMA motocross, MotoGP and World Superbikes and IndyCar,
Road and mountain bicycling,
Camping and hiking, especially in Alaska,
Traveling, especially to new places, with my wife,
Cooking,
Reading, divided between historical biographies and police procedurals),
Word games (Spelling Bee, Cryptoquote, Jumble, Scrabble, etc.),
Keeping up with my kids and old friends,
Scholarly writing in my profession.