The advantages and disadvantages of ear plugs and a Velo

[Thruxton71]

I realized how valuable ear plugs were when I owned a Moto Guzzi Lemans SE. Without the ear plugs I thought that there were tiny elves with hammers living under the valve covers. With the plugs? Smooth and quiet, and I could enjoy the easy torque of the big V twin, and the muted but melodious sound of the twin mufflers. The fact that the ear plugs protected me from wind noise was a bonus.

I now habitually insert plugs before a ride, even this Sunday getting ready to head out on my 1952 Velocette MAC. Wind noise is not really an issue at the speeds I travel, but, like the Guzzi, the MAC sounds great through a layer of protection. Just the sharp bark of the fishtail as I accelerate and decelerate out and in to corners, and what sounds like a smooth well adjusted thump.

I was anticipating another lone bike ride, but this time the T100R joined, just back from Tennessee and a new grand daughter. So, we headed up 33 to blow out some of the traveling on planes and cages cobwebs. I think of it as the Church of 33, it clears your head and settles you for the rest of the day.

A Baja Bug and a Miata joined us up the Hill to Lynn's leap, then we turned and breakfasted at Don Lalos. No traffic, and great run. T100r followed me up, then, wanting to have a little more pace, was waiting for me at the end of the serious part of the descent. Show off.

After breakfast I left my ear plugs out for the short ride back to the stable, and guess what? I noticed noises from the front end... that I had been able to ignore. Upon landing in the driveway I found the source. Missing bolt for one front fender stay. and a loose bolt on an other stay!! Holy floppy fender, batman. I dug into my collection of Whitworth nuts and bolts and tightened it all up, which, I hope, eliminated one source of rattle on the old bike.

Still riding in Ojai.