Topic: Met Peter Egan yesterday

[grumburg]

Was at the AMA Concours at the Museum yesterday. Introduced myself to Peter Egan and told him how much I enjoyed his work and have his article: "The $300 Jewel" on the wall of my shop.  Spoke for probably 5 minutes. Talks just like he writes. Felt I knew him from reading his articles for years. Super nice guy.

[nickjtc]

Had he bought or sold a motorcycle within the previous five minutes? 

[grumburg]

No, just in the past week. Traded his Velcotte Venom for a new Triumph Scrambler on Tuesday. Dealer made him an offer he couldn't refuse. On the way to the dealer, the bolt dropped out of the rear torque arm, rotated the drum, and locked up the rear wheel at 50 MPH. No damage, but said it scared the @$%# out of him. Said it was either "bike vengence" or a sign it was time to move on.  

[kirkn]

LOL   

... and isn't it in the CURRENT issue that he raves about that Velocette?  And how it's so suitable for his evening rides?

Great story.


'Course, I can't talk, having owned 50-odd bikes in 43 years...   

Kirk

[grumburg]

If he was 6 instead of 60, they would call it ADHD

[nickjtc]

If he was 6 instead of 60, they would call it ADHD

It's people like Egan that us mere mortals get to live vicariously through. I can only dream about the exotica that he has pined for, got, then lost interest in. For whatever reason. Sometimes I think he buys and sells motorcycles just to be able to write a story............

[hoodellyhoo]

Interestingly enough I just sent him a letter last week saying how much I enjoy his work. Even mentioned the forums here to him if he ever gets another 400f.

I saw his add on CL for the velocette and his harley XLCR so I figured there was some new vehicle in his life. It was nice to see that he wasn't asking stupid prices for the bike, maybe even bargain prices. Kinda surprised he would sell the harley though, I could swear I remember reading recently that he wasn't ever going to sell the XLCR and his Ducati 900ss.

[tramp]

guys like that buy bikes i only dream of

[gerhed]

I spoke with Egan once at Laguna Seca
and have corresponded with him a couple times.
Many of his columns are right in my "zone".

[Uncle Ernie]

After you left, he turned to me and asked if I knew who that whack-job was.
Wish Ida known...

[jmac]

well, I'm the guy who ended up with Peter's velo.  It's barfing oil all over my shop but it sure is cool...of course now I have no money to fix my roof but hey, priorities right?

Its a fine line betwen "hobby" and "mental illness".

[Ecosse]

I was first exposed (hey... watch it) to this guy in the pages of Road & Track and became a long time fan. Then learned he wrote for bike mags. I'd jump at the chance to chat with him but I'd in an instant become a star struck  mute and stammer out some pathetic comments or questions. I do that.

[jmac]

Peter is just a regular slob like the rest of us...completely unassuming and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously.  Doesn't come off like some bike deity or journalistic rock star...if you didn't know who he was you'd think he was just another old-time bike guy.  Refreshing, actually.  There is this thing out here in Wisconsin called the Crud Run, which happens the first Sunday of May (usually snows) and October.  Huge Euro bike thing though the jap and Harley contingent are now the majority.  Peter is usually there with his latest love interest (velocette, ducati, what have you).  Show up, meet him - you'll see.