In the past, Real Classics were simple pieces of technology. And dismantle a cylinder head on the way to grind a burned valve? Just along the way? Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Craftsmanship was then an asset.
But since the Great thinkers have entered into a conspiracy with the designers and marketers behind their screens?
From that moment on a motorcycle or a car became a unit that went through its production line as effectively as possible.
The key friendliness declined by a factor of 100 or something. The DIY key and maintenance work was declared undesirable.
That trend really started to take hold of what we now see as 'young timers'.
With the 1991'er Suzuki VX 800 that we recently saw, the finger skill of a female doctor is required to change the spark plugs. And how often do you have to replace a starter motor? That doesn't happen often. But if the chrome cover over that starter motor can actually only be removed when the rear cylinder is released?
Isn't that strange?
Okay, even without women's doctor skills the case is resolved. But it was a nuisance. And we fiddled with that chrome lid ...
Meanwhile, hourly rates in excess of the 100 euro have already been reported in the modern motorcycle world. And an acquaintance with a BMW 1600 six-cylinder engine lost just two mille for a major service including brake pads and new tires…