August 2016 - DeTomaso - detomasolist.com

Re: [DeTomaso] 73 Pantera L dash
by MikeLDrew＠aol.com 03 Aug '16

03 Aug '16

In a message dated 8/2/16 21 59 40, paso750(a)gmail.com writes: GoNancy's '73 is number 5250. The date on the door jamb is 4/73 and it has the "right" dash: a 2-pod. Its sister (or brother) car #5249 is the same, and red, too. Nancy says that the car was lost for a time in the factory however (via the VIN code), and was only finished in April. It could be that the same thing happened to many of the 2-pod cars in '73. >>>Well, the car wasn't “lost”. It was started in January and completed in April '73, as were all the other cars built around the same time. By way of comparison, my car was started and completed in July '72 when things were really hopping. By 1974, it was taking upwards of six months to complete a Pantera. Attached is a screen grab of the Ford parts book, which shows three different dashboards. This list is quite incomplete however, as off the top of my head, I can think of at least ten (!) different dash configurations used. 1: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, two A/C, three defroster slots, (used on the Euro pushbutton cars, and this is also how the 1971 cars came off the boat in the USA). 2: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, three A/C, three defroster slots, (a third A/C vent was added as part of the big recall performed by Stroppe etc., and third A/C vents were apparently also added in at the production facility for awhile). 3: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, two A/C, two defroster slots (without hold-down rib between the defroster slots) 4: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, two A/C, two defroster slots (now with hold-down rib between the defroster slots) 5: Two-pod, separate rocker wiper/washer switches, two A/C, two defroster slots (with hold-down rib between the defroster slots) 6: Two-pod, separate rocker wiper/washer switches, two A/C, two defroster slots (with hold-down rib between the defroster slots), with upholstered wooden block with green dash light in between the A/C registers 7: Molded single-pod (used on the '73 and '74 USA and Euro L-models) 8: Molded single-pod, with clock above glovebox (USA GTS only) 9: Fiberglass single pod, upholstered either in vinyl or alcantara, with clock above glovebox (Euro GTS and early GT5) 10: Fiberglass single pod, upholstered in leather, with Maserati-style A/C vents (later GT5 and GT5-S) Besides being incomplete, the Ford parts book is also demonstrably wrong when it lays out the VINS that received the single-pod dash. Thanks to the registry, it's possible to see many, many cars that have not been modified, and don't fit the numbering convention laid out in the parts book. FWIW…. Mike In a message dated 8/2/16 21 59 40, paso750(a)gmail.com writes: GoNancy's '73 is number 5250. The date on the door jamb is 4/73 and it has the "right" dash: a 2-pod. Its sister (or brother) car #5249 is the same, and red, too. Nancy says that the car was lost for a time in the factory however (via the VIN code), and was only finished in April. It could be that the same thing happened to many of the 2-pod cars in '73. >>>Well, the car wasn't alosta. It was started in January and completed in April '73, as were all the other cars built around the same time. By way of comparison, my car was started and completed in July '72 when things were really hopping. By 1974, it was taking upwards of six months to complete a Pantera. Attached is a screen grab of the Ford parts book, which shows three different dashboards. This list is quite incomplete however, as off the top of my head, I can think of at least ten (!) different dash configurations used. 1: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, two A/C, three defroster slots, (used on the Euro pushbutton cars, and this is also how the 1971 cars came off the boat in the USA). 2: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, three A/C, three defroster slots, (a third A/C vent was added as part of the big recall performed by Stroppe etc., and third A/C vents were apparently also added in at the production facility for awhile). 3: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, two A/C, two defroster slots (without hold-down rib between the defroster slots) 4: Two-pod, rotary wiper/washer switch, two A/C, two defroster slots (now with hold-down rib between the defroster slots) 5: Two-pod, separate rocker wiper/washer switches, two A/C, two defroster slots (with hold-down rib between the defroster slots) 6: Two-pod, separate rocker wiper/washer switches, two A/C, two defroster slots (with hold-down rib between the defroster slots), with upholstered wooden block with green dash light in between the A/C registers 7: Molded single-pod (used on the '73 and '74 USA and Euro L-models) 8: Molded single-pod, with clock above glovebox (USA GTS only) 9: Fiberglass single pod, upholstered either in vinyl or alcantara, with clock above glovebox (Euro GTS and early GT5) 10: Fiberglass single pod, upholstered in leather, with Maserati-style A/C vents (later GT5 and GT5-S) Besides being incomplete, the Ford parts book is also demonstrably wrong when it lays out the VINS that received the single-pod dash. Thanks to the registry, it's possible to see many, many cars that have not been modified, and don't fit the numbering convention laid out in the parts book. FWIWa|. Mike

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FW: 73 Pantera L at Cats Exotics
by Mike Thomas 03 Aug '16

03 Aug '16

PNW can inspect this car more closely if anybody on the list is interested. It's a two-pod car, but was built 11/72 according to the Marti, and DeTomaso stamped it as 1/73. I had thought all of the two-pods had run their course before the "73" model year. VIN is 4891, so has to be near the switch to single-pod. Very nice from the looks. Mike Thomas Pres., Panteras Northwest Yellow '74 #6328 -----Original Message----- From: Mike [mailto:reillyms@live.com] Sent: Monday, August 01, 2016 7:57 PM To: dickandverna(a)comcast.net; fargocop(a)hotmail.com; alvinbloomberg(a)comcast.net; m.boatsman(a)comcast.net; doug(a)silicondesigns.com; doug351c(a)gmail.com; tim.brennan(a)msn.com; tbdent9942(a)msn.com; percy.crossman(a)rmiseng.ca; briandevine(a)wavecable.com; g9devine(a)gmail.com; t429boss(a)hotmail.com; dennyfinn(a)molalla.net; dgarbacik(a)hotmail.com; goodwinpantera(a)comcast.net; jeannetgru(a)aol.com; cwhamm(a)outlook.com; lyellharris(a)msn.com; peterhavlik(a)me.com; phavlik(a)pris.ca; mattandjulieh(a)comcast.net; Matt.Hovind(a)PACCAR.com; hunt(a)ccountry.com; ParaPantera(a)aol.com; thecorvetteplace(a)aol.com; theimlahs(a)gmail.com; chrisvkimball(a)msn.com; asajay(a)asajay.com; davel(a)emspace.com; klckmac(a)msn.com; johnmaffeo1(a)yahoo.com; fsart(a)qwestoffice.net; drmcintyre(a)shaw.ca; alaskatramp(a)netscape.net; jerrymooberry(a)frontier.com; bill(a)incendium.com; morganuci(a)gmail.com; steve(a)snclocks.com; mnomura(a)shaw.ca; dnunn(a)telus.net; opiecars(a)yahoo.com; chris_papendorf(a)yahoo.com; salemmotorsport(a)yahoo.com; mobil(a)lewiston.com; ceprjs(a)msn.com; docquad(a)aol.com; cottageblue(a)msn.com; rosswornjr(a)wavecable.com; ryans_machine(a)msn.com; ransomsan(a)msn.com; sportysears(a)comcast.net; acidrock429(a)hotmail.com; Brad.smith(a)kingcounty.gov; stinson5886(a)shaw.ca; fusionsecurity(a)msn.com; chris(a)theseminargroup.net; thefuture98070(a)yahoo.com; kenjan(a)pionnet.com; seriousoverkill(a)gmail.com; wardbill26(a)comcast.net; don(a)pacwestnw.com; lebeter(a)gmail.com; spycom5(a)hotmail.com; slab54(a)msn.com; 59erterrib(a)gmail.com; 'Mike Thomas' <mbefthomas(a)comcast.net> Subject: 73 Pantera L at Cats Exotics Hi all in PNW. I chatted with Roy Cats at the show this past Saturday and he told me he has a 73 red car for sale. Anyone know this car? It looks really nice from the photos. I see it was added to the registry June of this year so Roy may have bought it from another dealer. Link: http://www.catsexotics.com/vehicle-details/1973-detomaso-pantera-luxury-lynn wood-wa-id-14348375 Mike Reilly -----Original Message----- From: Mike [mailto:reillyms@live.com] Sent: Friday, July 29, 2016 5:10 PM To: reillyms(a)live.com Subject: Anyone Up For Exotics at RTC Tomorrow? Hi all. I plan to attend tomorrow with my Pantera. It's a fun informal show that's done by 11am. Details here (http://www.exoticsat.com/) Hope to see some other Panteras! Thanks, Mike Reilly

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Removal of Michael Shortt as President of POCA
by Larry Finch 03 Aug '16

03 Aug '16

All, Hmmm. BOD meeting with full 5 day notice, as per Bylaws. BOD acted on agenda item and voted with 2/3 majority to vacate MS as POCA President, as per Bylaws. BOD sent notice of action to MS with certified mail. MS has thirty (30) days to present his response. This is not a coup. A coup is an illegal taking of power, not a BOD action taken as per the Bylaws. For those members who have wanted some sort of 'vote of confidence' distributed to all the members, our Bylaws offer no such option. For those members who think preliminary less-disruptive steps should have proceeded MS's removal from office, our bylaws require no such formal steps. However, the last six months have been filled with multiple, repeated BOD and general membership requests/pleas/beggings for MS to cease his "...rude,vulgar,offensive, threatening and condescending communications with POCA members and Board members." MS consistently responded to such requests with promises to do better. MS consistently failed to keep those promises. As Strother "Captain" Martin so eloquently said: "...Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. I don't like it any more than you men." Larry All, Hmmm. BOD meeting with full 5 day notice, as per Bylaws. BOD acted on agenda item and voted with 2/3 majority to vacate MS as POCA President, as per Bylaws. BOD sent notice of action to MS with certified mail. MS has thirty (30) days to present his response. This is not a coup. A coup is an illegal taking of power, not a BOD action taken as per the Bylaws. For those members who have wanted some sort of 'vote of confidence' distributed to all the members, our Bylaws offer no such option. For those members who think preliminary less-disruptive steps should have proceeded MS's removal from office, our bylaws require no such formal steps. However, the last six months have been filled with multiple, repeated BOD and general membership requests/pleas/beggings for MS to cease his "...rude,vulgar,offensive, threatening and condescending communications with POCA members and Board members." MS consistently responded to such requests with promises to do better. MS consistently failed to keep those promises. As Strother "Captain" Martin so eloquently said: "...Some men you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. I don't like it any more than you men." Larry

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Re: [DeTomaso] Removal of Michael Shortt as President of POCA
by Ed Mendez 02 Aug '16

02 Aug '16

Michael is responded saying we did not have a quorum. Here is our response: Also be advised that at the time of the meeting there were six (6) Board members in place. President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Advertising/Public Relations Director and Membership Director, all of whom were invited to join the meeting. The positions of Profiles Editor, Newsletter Editor and Past President were vacant due to resignations for various reasons. Four (4) members present out of six (6), definitely constituting a quorum. I suppose we could have appointed individuals to fill the three (3) open positions, but that would only have made the vote 7 to 0 rather than 4 to 0. Bottom line is that there would be no change in the outcome. On Aug 02, 2016, at 03:06 PM, James coyne <tecnosound(a)hotmail.com> wrote: Thank you Ed for the update and thank you to all the board of directors for working for the good of the club and it's members . - James F Coyne From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces(a)server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of Ed Mendez <edducati(a)mac.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2016 1:42 PM To: DeTomaso(a)server.detomasolist.com Subject: [DeTomaso] Removal of Michael Shortt as President of POCA All, Just an update, As of July, 28th, 2016 7pm PST Michael Shortt in no longer in the position of President of POCA. The Board of Directors had a meeting to decide what steps needed to be taken to address the issues based on the behavior and actions of Mr. Shortt, and the treatment of members and board members. As per the bylaws; we gave a a 5 day notice to all BOD members prior to this meeting, we gave out an agenda, and the meeting was set as a regular BOD meeting. Michael Shortt did not attend nor did Mike Burnett. John Buckman resigned from the board earlier in the day due to medical illness. Present at the meeting were: Bob Reid - Treasurer Joe Stockett - Secretary Judy McCartney - Membership Ed Mendez - PR This constituted a quorum as per the bylaws as we had a majority 4 out of 6 remaining members. We voted unanimously for the removal of Michael Shortt as President. We drafted a letter and sent the notice below via certified mail. Another meeting is set to decide the next steps. If you receive any email from Mr. Shortt, he is sending it as a regular member and not as the President of POCA. We appreciate your patience in this matter. Kind Regards, Ed Mendez POCA PR Director PANTERA OWNERS CLUB OF AMERICA P O Box 3574 San Dimas, CA 91773 July 28, 2016 Michael L Shortt 1711 Dean Forest Road Savannah, GA 31408 Email: michaelsavga(a)gmail.com Phone: 912-232-9390 Re: Removal from office action Dear Michael: The four (4) Club directors listed below, who constitute a majority of our six (6) current directors, have voted to bring an action against you, under Article IV Section 7 of the Pantera Owners Club of America By-Laws, for engaging in conduct that is adverse to the best interests of POCA and its membership with rude, vulgar, offensive, threatening and condescending communications with POCA members and Board members. Until the issue can be resolved, please be on notice that as of today (July 28, 2016), you may no longer operate as the President of the Pantera Owners Club of America. You have thirty days from the date of this notice to respond in writing. Respectfully submitted, Joe Stockett, Secretary Bob Reid, Treasurer Ed Mendez, Advertising/Public Relations Director Judy McCartney, Membership Director Michael is responded saying we did not have a quorum. Here is our response: Also be advised that at the time of the meeting there were six (6) Board members in place. President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Advertising/Public Relations Director and Membership Director, all of whom were invited to join the meeting. The positions of Profiles Editor, Newsletter Editor and Past President were vacant due to resignations for various reasons. Four (4) members present out of six (6), definitely constituting a quorum. I suppose we could have appointed individuals to fill the three (3) open positions, but that would only have made the vote 7 to 0 rather than 4 to 0. Bottom line is that there would be no change in the outcome. On Aug 02, 2016, at 03:06 PM, James coyne <tecnosound(a)hotmail.com> wrote: Thank you Ed for the update and thank you to all the board of directors for working for the good of the club and it's members . - James F Coyne __________________________________________________________________ From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces(a)server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of Ed Mendez <edducati(a)mac.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2016 1:42 PM To: [1]DeTomaso(a)server.detomasolist.com Subject: [DeTomaso] Removal of Michael Shortt as President of POCA All, Just an update, As of July, 28th, 2016 7pm PST Michael Shortt in no longer in the position of President of POCA. The Board of Directors had a meeting to decide what steps needed to be taken to address the issues based on the behavior and actions of Mr. Shortt, and the treatment of members and board members. As per the bylaws; we gave a a 5 day notice to all BOD members prior to this meeting, we gave out an agenda, and the meeting was set as a regular BOD meeting. Michael Shortt did not attend nor did Mike Burnett. John Buckman resigned from the board earlier in the day due to medical illness. Present at the meeting were: Bob Reid - Treasurer Joe Stockett - Secretary Judy McCartney - Membership Ed Mendez - PR This constituted a quorum as per the bylaws as we had a majority 4 out of 6 remaining members. We voted unanimously for the removal of Michael Shortt as President. We drafted a letter and sent the notice below via certified mail. Another meeting is set to decide the next steps. If you receive any email from Mr. Shortt, he is sending it as a regular member and not as the President of POCA. We appreciate your patience in this matter. Kind Regards, Ed Mendez POCA PR Director PANTERA OWNERS CLUB OF AMERICA P O Box 3574 San Dimas, CA 91773 July 28, 2016 Michael L Shortt 1711 Dean Forest Road Savannah, GA 31408 Email: [2]michaelsavga(a)gmail.com Phone: 912-232-9390 Re: Removal from office action Dear Michael: The four (4) Club directors listed below, who constitute a majority of our six (6) current directors, have voted to bring an action against you, under Article IV Section 7 of the Pantera Owners Club of America By-Laws, for engaging in conduct that is adverse to the best interests of POCA and its membership with rude, vulgar, offensive, threatening and condescending communications with POCA members and Board members. Until the issue can be resolved, please be on notice that as of today (July 28, 2016), you may no longer operate as the President of the Pantera Owners Club of America. You have thirty days from the date of this notice to respond in writing. Respectfully submitted, Joe Stockett, Secretary Bob Reid, Treasurer Ed Mendez, Advertising/Public Relations Director Judy McCartney, Membership Director References 1. mailto:DeTomaso@server.detomasolist.com 2. mailto:michaelsavga@gmail.com

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Campi clones for sale
by mark skwarek 02 Aug '16

02 Aug '16

Pantera East Campi's for sale 17 & 16 with Toyo R888's sized 315/35/17 & 245/45/16. $ 1800.00 Mark ehpantera(a)yahoo.com Pantera East Campi's for sale 17 & 16 with Toyo R888's sized 315/35/17 & 245/45/16. $ 1800.00 Delivery between Arnold, NE and CT along I 80 Aug. 14-15. Delivery between Las Vegas and CT Mid Sept. Mark ehpantera(a)yahoo.com Pantera East Campi's for sale 17 & 16 with Toyo R888's sized 315/35/17 & 245/45/16. $ 1800.00 Mark ehpantera(a)yahoo.com Pantera East Campi's for sale 17 & 16 with Toyo R888's sized 315/35/17 & 245/45/16. $ 1800.00 Delivery between Arnold, NE and CT along I 80 Aug. 14-15. Delivery between Las Vegas and CT Mid Sept. Mark ehpantera(a)yahoo.com

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ARE Wheels for sale
by mark skwarek 02 Aug '16

02 Aug '16

| | | | August 02, 2016 09:35 AM | ARE Wheels 17x11 and 17x8 Great condition $800 Can deliver along I 80 between Arnold, NE and CT on Aug 14-15 or Mid Sept between CT and Las Vegas, NV, Mark | | | | | August 02, 2016 09:35 AM | | [1][blank.gif] August 02, 2016 09:35 AM ARE Wheels 17x11 and 17x8 Great condition $800 Can deliver along I 80 between Arnold, NE and CT on Aug 14-15 or Mid Sept between CT and Las Vegas, NV, Mark [2][blank.gif] August 02, 2016 09:35 AM References 1. http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4250045562/m/1981006856?r=1981… 2. http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4250045562/m/1981006856?r=1981…

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NPC:Test
by Dave Londry 02 Aug '16

02 Aug '16

I'm not seeing my posts. If you see this, but no other responses, please reply to the forum. Thanks Dave

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NPC Test response
by Dave Londry 02 Aug '16

02 Aug '16

Thanks Guys. I saw it too, so I guess I'm fine now. Maybe my stuff was getting burned at my SMTP host. I'll go dig up the stuff that didn't go in case there was anything useful there. Dave

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Re: [DeTomaso] NPC: WSJ Porsche article
by Charles Engles 01 Aug '16

01 Aug '16

Dear Audio, Well......it is excellent prose, but it is meant tongue in cheek. His articles are part old classic Car&Driver, part old classic Road&Track and part automotive prose, IMHO. It is certainly not your common car article.......! Warmest regards, Chuck Engles -----Original Message----- From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces@server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf Of audionut(a)hushmail.com Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2016 7:21 PM To: detomaso(a)server.detomasolist.com Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] NPC: WSJ Porsche article Yikes. Excessively flowery prose there. And coming from someone claiming to be modest in nature. I feel like I just ate an entire chocolate creme pie covered entirely in maraschino cherries. "I mean, there I am with my perfect silver streak, Persol sunglasses and reasonable body-mass index, wheeling oh-so-expertly the 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S, the snarl of this fine little dragon rending the suburban veil." Dude. It's okay. Just throw on that wig and high heels you have stashed away in your basement and let 'er rip! Sent using Hushmail On July 31, 2016 at 1:03 PM, "Charles Engles" wrote:Dear Forum, I offer some excerpts from the WSJ automotive column of Dan Neil from this weekend: "The Sultrier Snarl of the Turbo Porsche Boxster". "As scripture counsels, I am a modest person. So I have never quite shaken the feeling that, maybe, bombing around town in a flashy drop-top sports car was showing off. A bit, don't you think? I mean, there I am with my perfect silver streak, Persol sunglasses and reasonable body-mass index, wheeling oh-so-expertly the 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster S, the snarl of this fine little dragon rending the suburban veil. Arch and artful, smart and fine, the midengine, two-seat Boxster is the company's starter sports car. The 2017 model adds slinkiness with available 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels press-fit into the wheel wells. Fancy schmanzy. I bet a lot of people think, "hey, there's someone who works at a Porsche dealership." Perhaps they think I am what they used to call an available gentleman? Curbside clinicians will diagnose midlife crisis, and they would be spot-on. This look would also work well for the owner of a chain of hair salons. But some, a cultivated few, will cup an ear, waiting to hear the new turbocharged Boxster under way. They will note the car's more concussive idle-the flat-four engine inherently has more of a discernible pulse than the previous six, even a bit of VW chuff-overdubbed with the distinctive chinning of the Porsche's valvetrain. And cooling fans, lots of fans. Perhaps these observers will linger over the sound of me romping it, all flourishing tom-toms and tenor trombones pitching up to the satisfyingly instant first-to-second upshift, over 7,000 revs Not loud, not furious, but murderously precise and sultry. After a moment, I expect these connoisseurs will approve. Then they can go back to hating me. ------So,yeah, turbochargers. Trouble is ,turbos sap energy from the engine's exhaust-gas stream, which means less sound pressure, less of an aural presence. In a word: volume. There will be purists who walk away from this vastly fast, quicker, roundly superior Boxster only because they prefer the dinosaur trill of the previous engine. Here is where Porsche's engineering and my Amish sense of modesty meet. Thanks to a lot of clever engineering-including an acoustic channel from the engine bay to just above the driver's left shoulder-the Boxster S sounds much more fierce from the driver's seat than it does outside the car.. As my wife drove off in it, I realized how short a distance the sound carried. There is a pretty huge difference in gestalt. You know what? I am fine with a technical outcome that allows the driver's experience to be rich and vivid, without unduly imposing on those around him. The problem with driving an aggressively loud open-top sports car is that, when people look around for the jerk, they can easily see you. Oops, sorry. Please, return to your outdoor memorial service. " Warmest regards, Chuck Engles

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Absolutely zero DT content
by Charles McCall 01 Aug '16

01 Aug '16

Motorcycle ramblings with a question at the end.... The weather has been absolutely fantastic here for the past few weeks, so I have been using my motorcycle for my daily commute to and from work. It's recently back on the road after more or less being in storage for 18 years. It is true that long term storage isn't good for vehicles - either cars or motorcycles. I filled the tank up with gas and it all ran right on the floor... hoses that had disintegrated with time. Got that repaired. The gas on the floor was mixing with a massive oil leak caused by a gasket on the cam tensioner that dried out and cracked. Got that fixed. I'm glad my motorcycle is air-cooled or I know what would be leaking now! We didn't get off to a good start this year! The motorcycle is a 1982 Suzuki GS650, nothing particularly special but with a lot of sentimental value. I bought it when I was 19 and a college sophomore. I'd never been on a motorcycle in my life - neither as a passenger nor a driver. I walked into the local Suzuki dealer and said "I like that one, I'll buy it!" and paid for it with my visa card, at 19.6% interest. And I wonder why it took me so long to pay off my college loans? ;-) We went to the parking lot and the salesman told me "This is the clutch, here's how you change gears, this is the front brake....have fun!" And I learned how to drive on the way home. Ah, youth! The motorcycle has been all over the place. I went to Cornell University, in upstate NY, and my girlfriend at the time went to Michigan, so it made the trip many times. It's attended Sturgis (despite being a Japanese bike, but I drove it there unlike many of the Harleys!) prowled the streets of Chicago, etc. But it got put into storage when I moved to Europe and took a long time to catch up to me. It recently was made road-worthy and is still wearing US plates, although I'll have to fix that over the next year. It is very difficult and very expensive to insure a vehicle in Europe with US plates. But for those from the US or Canada attending Le Mans Classic - -IT CAN BE DONE! Anyway, my question. The tendency in race cars and sports cars is moving away from a manual transmission to an automatic. I know that isn't quite true but don't really care if there is still technically a clutch or not - if there isn't a clutch pedal inside, then it's an automatic! Why hasn't the same thing happened with motorcycles? Because the shift time on a motorcycle is already so short? Do racers even use the clutch on a race bike? The weight associated with the mechanism is a larger percentage of a light bike as opposed to a car? Just wondering this morning, as it was a nice morning for a ride and as there's no radio my mind went wandering... Motorcycle ramblings with a question at the end.... The weather has been absolutely fantastic here for the past few weeks, so I have been using my motorcycle for my daily commute to and from work. It's recently back on the road after more or less being in storage for 18 years. It is true that long term storage isn't good for vehicles - either cars or motorcycles. I filled the tank up with gas and it all ran right on the floor... hoses that had disintegrated with time. Got that repaired.A The gas on the floor was mixing with a massive oil leak caused by a gasket on the cam tensioner that dried out and cracked. Got that fixed.A I'm glad my motorcycle is air-cooled or I know what would be leaking now! We didn't get off to a good start this year! The motorcycle is a 1982 Suzuki GS650, nothing particularly special but with a lot of sentimental value. I bought it when I was 19 and a college sophomore. I'd never been on a motorcycle in my life - neither as a passenger nor a driver. I walked into the local Suzuki dealer and said "I like that one, I'll buy it!" and paid for it with my visa card, at 19.6% interest. And I wonder why it took me so long to pay off my college loans? ;-) We went to the parking lot and the salesman told me "This is the clutch, here's how you change gears, this is the front brake....have fun!" And I learned how to drive on the way home. Ah, youth! The motorcycle has been all over the place. I went to Cornell University, in upstate NY, and my girlfriend at the time went to Michigan, so it made the trip many times. It's attended Sturgis (despite being a Japanese bike, but I drove it there unlike many of the Harleys!) prowled the streets of Chicago, etc. But it got put into storage when I moved to Europe and took a long time to catch up to me. It recently was made road-worthy and is still wearing US plates, although I'll have to fix that over the next year. It is very difficult and very expensive to insure a vehicle in Europe with US plates. But for those from the US or Canada attending Le Mans Classic - -IT CAN BE DONE! Anyway, my question. The tendency in race cars and sports cars is moving away from a manual transmission to an automatic. I know that isn't quite true but don't really care if there is still technically a clutch or not - if there isn't a clutch pedal inside, then it's an automatic! Why hasn't the same thing happened with motorcycles? Because the shift time on a motorcycle is already so short? Do racers even use the clutch on a race bike? The weight associated with the mechanism is a larger percentage of a light bike as opposed to a car? A Just wondering this morning, as it was a nice morning for a ride and as there's no radio my mind went wandering...

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