Hey Doc, now your talking, I have an 02 Harley Deuce and a Custom 71 Sporty I bought in 73.

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Rich

1990 300CE
71 Chevelle SS 454

You can keep all that other stuff, but can I take the trophy wife for a spin?

Well, the term may be open to interpretation. My esteemed wife and I have been together for 35 yrs +/- a few months, and 'trophy' probably refers to the reward she deserves for her patience and persistence in our relationship more than any Miss World beauty (though she is to me, of course).

However, I feel I played as big a part by providing her with such necessary - indeed, essential - life items as those I've listed in my post.

Just a pity she's not interested in most of it. I may have to buy more stuff.

Ken Silver
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~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

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http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg

I didn't think it would take so long for you guys to stick up for your Harleys. First of all, I admit that I was talking out my rear end on that one. I don't know poop about motorcycles, but I do remember the 1970s when I think the Kawasaki 500 had the quickest 1/4 mile time of any production bike. I made the mistake of going on a beer run on the back of one of those things. I could not believe how quick that bike was, even with about 300 lbs sitting on it. That 2-stroke motor sounded like a big chain saw. The other bike I thought was cool back then was the Yamaha 350. That one was supposed to rule in the twisties. My friends with Japanese bikes used to make fun of the "Hardly Ablesons."

I mean no disrespect to Harleys. Well, maybe I do, but only in fun. Harleys are what they are and I'm sure they are as good as Harley lovers say. I just think those Hondas, Kawasakis, and other Japanese bikes are some of the coolest machines on the road. To each his own.

P.S. This whole discussion makes me want to get some toys of my own. A 1970-72 MGB would be nice.

Aw nuts, Ken. I have one of those too. Working on 30 years. I thought you'd traded ol' reliable in on a flashy new model with lots of chrome and firm bumpers.

Mine ain't got the speed or endurance of a new model. She has door dings and wrinkled leather but I know how to use the key and stroke the pedal so she cranks right-up and purrs like a kitten.

Nope, they don't build 'em like they used to - the new models are too easily dinged these days. I don't want some young-buck dent guy comin' round every coupla weeks. (Jeepers, I'm starting to write like you!)

BTW, congrats on your own partnership longevity. We're a rarity these days.

Ken 'Long Gone' Silver
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I got hooked on mercedes three years ago. I had always appreciated the quality, but been turned off by so many who only like to be seen in a Mercedes.
Then I saw a 1982 240D with 30,000 documented miles. I thought ( hoped) I could pick it up cheap so arranged a test drive and was hooked. I lost that car, while I was trying to get an offer together, somebody bought it for $5000! I was dumb-founded.
I ended up with a high mileage 240D, also a 1982. I ran it hard for over a year, 30,000 miles and got reimbursed by my company for them at 34.5 cents/ mile.
The interesting thing was the different reaction I rec'd as I pulled up on jobsites. In the Ford Pick up, I was almost invisible. In the Mercedes, people treated me differently. It was a bit unnerving, as I was not used to it. People are funny, it was the sameme, doing the same job, yet, because I was in a Mercedes they imputed greater respect to me.

dculkin,
I remember those 70's. The Kawasaki was the fastest street bike at that time. The Harley's were a ride it and break down type of Bike. Had to make the decision to buy a used Harley or buy a brand new Honda 750 for the same price. Went with the used Harley. Personally I had very little trouble with my first Harley. But, others were sometimes disgusted with the continues problems they would have, including the never ending oil leaks. Not till the early 90's did Harley figure there problems out. The 2001 I have has been trouble free. But anyway Its a Toy I love. Have to have toys, the other is a 71 chevelle SS 454. It gets constant detailing, underside, top side, and inside. Take it out for a HI-performance spin, than back to the dusting and detailing. All this with the Wifes OK and Support of course..Its a must to keep the Lady's Happy. So look for your MG, you'll enjoy yourself tinkering with it, like I do.

__________________
Rich

1990 300CE
71 Chevelle SS 454

I have a theory: you'll be better treated and thought of if you go round in an immaculate, sparkling MB of any age. A shine means pedantic/fussy owner to most people, and they respect that.

If you run round in a MB that is dirty, they'll put you in the "SOB too rich to care" category and diss you accordingly.

I know I do. A week back I followed a new but dirty AMG sedan on the motorway, and was so mad at seeing such a nice looker shabbily treated I even forgot to note the model. (I know that's lightweight behaviour. Freud would have a ball there).

Ken Silver
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~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg

I do need to get that MG, but I have 3 or 4 projects in line ahead of it. Today's project was tearing into one of our farm tractors to fix a hydraulic fluid leak and replace the radiator. The tractor is a 1979 International Harvester 686. It is one of the last all-American-made Farmalls. It is truly a sweet diesel machine. After that, I'm going to build me a Subaru Impreza. The wife's slightly modified Impreza got totaled (nobody got hurt), so I am going to get a junker Impreza, take the good stuff off the wife's car, add some other goodies, and make myself a little hot rod.