Hi Bare - I was born in DC. I spent about 38 years in SoCal. I came back to Arlington in 2003.
Between Hollywood gigs, I had worked at Century MC in San Pedro. At one point I was commuting to Hwood from Pedro in a car, no bike. I got a used '77 R60/7 at Century. I didn't know much about BMWs. My friend Cindy Rutherford suggested I get myself over to Matt's to get some help for setting up the old Beemer. Matt really helped me.
I switched to synthetic. He told me to take that BMW oil and use it in my lawn mower. The BMW stock spark plug wires - throw them in the trash. Matt cut a length of resistor spark plug wires, added NGK caps and the electronic ignition worked right. That's some highlights. When it came to the tach not working - "It's old!!!"
He had taken on being an Aprilia dealer. He outsold everyone. Aprilia was going to fly him to the factory for a couple of weeks. I call Matt "The world's fastest Italian." He was really looking forward to a trip to Italy and hang out with the guys. It meant a lot to him. He told me, "They say the Japanese are going to design frames by computer. Computer code?! Genetic code!"
Matt Capri set class records at Bonneville using the BMW K model. He told me, [about the K model], "It took the Krauts to build it. But it took a Wop to make it run!"
I miss being there.
If anyone is in his neighborhood, stop in the shop in Lomita, CA. It's no surprise that Matt has a friend here. He's enthusiastic about bikes, life, fun and he's brilliant.
I'm retired from the motion picture industry now. Any one need some quality video editing? I started riding in the 1960s. My dream then was to own a BSA. The Enfield is bringing something good from my past together with something exciting now.
Do you know if Matt knows about the "ACEing" of the Enfield irons? He got his hands on the K and set records at Bonneville, likewise with the Hinckley Triumph. Why not with the Royal Enfield? At least if he knows the ACE kit is available, he would probably offer it to his RE customers.
The best tires I ever rode on my three Kawi EX250s were modern Avons. So, it isn't a put down on Avon. But....Bare, those old Avons are kind of spooky. I hear you. I rode BSAs and Triumphs with K70s. I know they are currently manufactured, but, isn't there a 'modern' tire that's better than K70s? Is it a matter of what will fit on the new - old size spoked wheels? Let me know. If that's the case I'll order a set of K70s.
Chaparral is offering the front K70 in 3.25 x 19 and in 3.50 x 19. Currently, there's a 3.25 on the front. Chaparral is selling the front 3.25 for $76.88 and the rear for $80.88, only in 3.50 x 19. What's the size for my Bullet? I don't think Chaparral will know. Probably better to get a set of whatever will work, to match profiles.
Cheers,
Bill