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Offline Ichiban 4

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Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« on: April 29, 2017, 03:58:39 PM »
Folks..
Didn't see mention of this on forums..but know many of you have commented on Robert Pirsig's "Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" before.  Think Ron Dison/MC rider in particular followed his writings.
Here's the URL to his obituary in New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/books/robert-pirsig-dead-wrote-zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.html?ref=corrections&_r=0
Guess he was quite a cult figure from his books..over the years.
Ichi
« Last Edit: April 29, 2017, 04:01:36 PM by Ichiban 4 »
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Offline eigenvector

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2017, 04:14:41 PM »
I never actually read that book - always meant too, just never go around to it.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2017, 06:19:21 PM »
Don't waste your time mate, it's over rated. ;D
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2017, 06:21:23 PM »
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Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2017, 06:23:47 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 29, 2017, 06:19:21 PM
Don't waste your time mate, it's over rated. ;D

It helped me get a better understanding of point gap setting and carb tuning. It transcended the mere technical aspects and explained why.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #5 on: April 29, 2017, 06:25:25 PM »
Well done Bobby, I already knew that, so nothing else in the book was of interest to me............ ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2017, 06:30:23 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 29, 2017, 06:19:21 PM
Don't waste your time mate, it's over rated. ;D
+4...
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2017, 06:37:24 PM »
Thanks Mark, sometimes I wonder what people saw in that pile of drivel........... ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2017, 06:49:44 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 29, 2017, 06:37:24 PM
Thanks Mark, sometimes I wonder what people saw in that pile of drivel........... ;D

I heard about it from those who share my Honda disease (especially for the old SuperHawk) for DECADES. One day in 2010 we were in a used bookstore and my wife found it, bought it for 50 cents, told me I should read it. After 2 evenings of reading it (it's not very long, nor .. well... interesting...) I finished it and made sure no one else would have to suffer thru it again. :(

I do hope Mr. P figured that out, along the way.
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See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2017, 06:55:20 PM »
Yeah, he wasn't a very nice person, and that comes out in the book early in the piece where he's judging his riding partners. Not for me.......... ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2017, 07:17:40 PM »
I did feel sorry for him, especially about his son being mugged to death in San Fran. Strange, that hasn't changed any today, either.
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See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline BIKE

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2017, 03:24:31 AM »
I read most of that book years ago, it was a really difficult book to read and quite frankly, a terribly written book. It's one of two books I didn't finish out of thousands.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2017, 09:24:27 AM »
Philosophy people I know say it is crap. He go lucky since he caught the end of the counterculture movement here. I am sure under the influence of cannabis it seemed deep and meaningful.
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Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2017, 06:49:33 PM »
That's probably spot on Bobby, the guy who recommended it to me was a school teacher friend who'd smoked a lot of weed back in the day.................. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Don R

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2017, 01:58:50 PM »
 I read it online on a sick day. I was determined to finish it. No particular reason and I thought it was difficult also.
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Offline MoMo

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2017, 06:19:59 PM »
Read it twice, what's that say about me? :-\  Enjoyed it both times BTW
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2017, 06:39:01 PM »
Quote from: MoMo on May 03, 2017, 06:19:59 PM
Read it twice, what's that say about me? :-\  Enjoyed it both times BTW

Was that during your psychedelic drug dependence era Larry? I'd have to be on LSD to enjoy that book......... ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline MoMo

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2017, 06:58:25 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on May 03, 2017, 06:39:01 PM
Quote from: MoMo on May 03, 2017, 06:19:59 PM
Read it twice, what's that say about me? :-\  Enjoyed it both times BTW

Was that during your psychedelic drug dependence era Larry? I'd have to be on LSD to enjoy that book......... ;D


Yes the first time but not the second(last year) , maybe it was a flashback?  Actually reading the book helped me bring the concept of art and science together.  Repairing, rebuilding and simply wrenching is calming when approached when art and science are melded within ...Larry
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2017, 09:16:54 PM »
Sounds lovely Larry, I think you should write a book, I reckon I'd enjoy it way more than I did Pirsig's drivel.......... ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline evanphi

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2017, 06:57:01 AM »
I found it a difficult book to get through. Low on motorcycle maintenance, high on high philosophy.

I "get" it though...

The philosophy parts. It was also interesting reading the mental illness part of it too.
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Offline 754

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #20 on: May 04, 2017, 08:41:43 AM »
I have at times thought of reading it..may have read part of it...but the more it gets discussed, the less I think I should read it.. I dont know if I understand zen....or its just something I already get..

 As far as bikes go..  I dont dislike chain maintainence immensely.. I do hate washing and cleaning more.   The chain thing , i thinks its a nescessary bond to the machine.... That keeps you more in touch with the machine... So I accept it as part of the package..
 Not sure how that last paragraph relates to the subject or the world even...
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #21 on: May 04, 2017, 06:35:25 PM »
Just don't post any more pics of your feet Frank, I think they should have been buried with Pirsig......... ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #22 on: May 04, 2017, 06:39:20 PM »
Quote from: evanphi on May 04, 2017, 06:57:01 AM
It was also interesting reading the mental illness part of it too.

That was the only part of it that made any sense to me.


Uh-oh.....
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See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline 754

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #23 on: May 04, 2017, 06:49:19 PM »
Feet I heard feet..
Got a Planet Blue foot..

Later a pic of my new ride....crutches are so 2016..
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My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline MoMo

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Re: Robert Pirsig dead at 88
« Reply #24 on: May 04, 2017, 06:54:55 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on May 03, 2017, 09:16:54 PM
Sounds lovely Larry, I think you should write a book, I reckon I'd enjoy it way more than I did Pirsig's drivel.......... ;D



I koncidered it but you gotta no how to spel
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