Irish Photo Rally

[irishbiker125]

Originally Posted by culcune

I will still be checking to see if you mess up and accidently photograph your tow vehicle, LOL

Simon Gandolfi is a member on Horizonsunlimited if I am thinking of the same person. I remember he had a ride from S. America into the US and back to Europe via New York on a 125cc a few years ago, although it was a Honda or Suzuki that time. I think that is all he rides; 125cc bikes.

Now that you mention him, I have been meaning to ride my 200cc TMEC from my home on the US/Mexico border to San Felipe to watch and photograph the 'baby' Baja race, the Baja 250...I think I will do it this coming March, provided the bike is still running strong, but mainly running...

On a side note, on one of the bland pdf files which lists all the available motorcycles approved for certification by the US EPA, one of the 2013 bikes listed is a 2013 Keeway 250cc cruiser. I don't believe we get Keeways as a brand, so I am curious who brands that bike for the US, or is planning to. Based on your experience with your Keeway, I would think this bike will be a high
quality bike!

Simon is often on Horizons Unlimited. He rode from Mexico to the southern tip of Argentina on a Honda CG 125. This book was called "Old Man on a Bike". He then rode the return journey to New York and wrote a book called"Old Men Can't Wait".
How far away from Baja are you? It would be a great journey to make and I would love to see the photo's.
The Keeway 250cc Cruiser is sold all over Europe but I cannot say under what name it is sold in the USA, maybe Qianjiang?
I know the motor is extremely reliable. A friend of mine has the same engine fitted to a Jawa (Czech bike) 250 and he has covered almost 30,000km trouble free miles.

[culcune]

I literally live within a few miles/kms from the border, where the two Mexican states of Sonora and Baja Norte meet (as well as the two US states of California and Arizona meet). It (the small city of San Felipe in Mexico) is literally a 4 hour ride from me, so I am being overly dramatic in my hesitation.

Yes, it was Gandolfi who I remember reading one of his responses to someone wondering if they need to have the biggest, most expensive adventure bike to ride through S. America, C. America, and Mexico, into the US. He said that he was just finishing up his trip you mentioned into the US on a 125cc (it is coming back to me thanks to your details!) HONDA. Good for him and good for you, with your rally ride. You are proof that someone could go to Ireland, buy a small bike, and successfully tour there. I smell business opportunity for you...

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the terrific pics! I hope to visit Ireland one day, and see such things for myself.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Thanks for the terrific pics! I hope to visit Ireland one day, and see such things for myself.

See, Irishbiker, your first customer?

[irishbiker125]

Originally Posted by culcune

See, Irishbiker, your first customer?

Done. Keeway 125 for rent $300 a week. No oil leaks and only 50km on clock. Will supply trailer to drop off at various locations at an extra cost of $200 per location!!

[SpudRider]

[SpudRider]

Many transplanted Irish fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War.

[SpudRider]

In a war of brother against brother, many transplanted Irishmen fought for the Confederate States of America.

[irishbiker125]

Great Vid's Spud.
You will probably find some of us fought in every war.
Even ones that had nothing to do with us!
We weren't called the Fightin' Irish for nothing you know!!
I actually don't know why Notre Dame College Football Team picked up the name of the Fighin' Irish!

I was in a bar in Reseda CA years ago with my brother in law, who is also Irish but living there at that time, when a local guy at the bar said to us" you guys talk funny, where are you from?"
I said we're from Ireland to which he replied " that's in Massachusetts isn't it?"
Before I could say anything my brother in law replied "Begorrah your spot on Buddy"

[SpudRider]

That's a great story!

[SpudRider]

Here's a short video clip from the Smitsonian Channel's production, Fighting Irish of the Civil War: The Last Full Measure.



As with many immigrant groups before them, the Irish were discriminated against in early, 19th Century America. The exploits of the "Fighting Irish" gained great respect among the citizens of the North, and served greatly to end this discrimination after the war ended.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by irishbiker125

I was in a bar in Reseda CA years ago with my brother in law, who is also Irish but living there at that time, when a local guy at the bar said to us" you guys talk funny, where are you from?"
I said we're from Ireland to which he replied " that's in Massachusetts isn't it?"
Before I could say anything my brother in law replied "Begorrah your spot on Buddy"

What bar in Reseda?! I'm 44, but in my 20's a friends and I frequented Weber's in Reseda. I lived in Northridge until 2002, which is just up theroad from there. Small world!!

[irishbiker125]

Culcune I can't believe it. It was Weber's. After I posted the story on here I looked up Webers on the net and I sent a link of it to my sister in law who still live in Los Angeles but in a totally different part. She couldn't believe that I still remembered the name. It was 2002 when I was there. You weren't a little confused where Ireland was back then were you?

[culcune]

Originally Posted by irishbiker125

Culcune I can't believe it. It was Weber's. After I posted the story on here I looked up Webers on the net and I sent a link of it to my sister in law who still live in Los Angeles but in a totally different part. She couldn't believe that I still remembered the name. It was 2002 when I was there. You weren't a little confused where Ireland was back then were you?

Actually, I am one of the few Americans that knows general worldwide geography; plus my father was born in London, so I would be very ignorant not to know where Ireland is, LOL. I know the difference between the Republic of Ireland, and N. Ireland; even drunk!

By '02, I was married, with one child, so no more bar scene for me (Webers was solidly in the 90's).

Where in L.A. does your sister live?

[irishbiker125]

There was also another bar across the street we used to go to, can't remember its name and of course Ireland's 32 was and still is popular. My sister in law now lives in Studio City.