Homage to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

[Ian T-J]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was first published in 1974, exactly 40 years ago and subsequently sold in excess of 5 million copies worldwide.

The book recalls the story of Robert M. Pirsig and his 12 year old son Chris who rode a 1964 Honda SuperHawk (CB77) on a 17-day journey from Minnesota to Northern California during the summer of 1968.

During the summer of 2012 I rode my 1977 Kawasaki Z650 from England to Northern Spain with my 13 year old son accompanying me.

We shot a video of our adventure, which is presented by my son.

To celebrate the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance publication anniversary I’ve re-edited the footage down to 8 minutes.

https://vimeo.com/84529003

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Great video, well done. I'd quite like to see the extended version actually.

You've got a good kid there: smart, articulate and funny. "Don't buy your motorbike gear from Lidl", "it's beyond character building now" and "we do have spare keys but that's beside the point", priceless ROFL - Brilliant!

I'm sure he'll be a biker just like his old man. Good memories for you both. I must re-read Zen and the art of motorcycle camping again.

Cheers mate.

 

[Mr K]

Jolly good. Thought the R.Pirsig version vastly overrated.

 

[davem]

Excellent video and looks like your lad enjoyed the experience. Just reading Pirsig now. Mainly a book about philosophy...but interesting read.

 

[Ian T-J]

Great video, well done. I'd quite like to see the extended version actually.

You've got a good kid there: smart, articulate and funny. "Don't buy your motorbike gear from Lidl", "it's beyond character building now" and "we do have spare keys but that's beside the point", priceless ROFL - Brilliant!

I'm sure he'll be a biker just like his old man. Good memories for you both. I must re-read Zen and the art of motorcycle camping again.

Cheers mate.

Thanks for your kind words Stephen, it is much appreciated. Finley my son also read your comments!

Here is the full original version of "Riding South for Fiestas", it was the first video I ever made hence the re-edit.

It's in 2 parts!

 

[Ian T-J]

Great video, well done. I'd quite like to see the extended version actually.

You've got a good kid there: smart, articulate and funny. "Don't buy your motorbike gear from Lidl", "it's beyond character building now" and "we do have spare keys but that's beside the point", priceless ROFL - Brilliant!

I'm sure he'll be a biker just like his old man. Good memories for you both. I must re-read Zen and the art of motorcycle camping again.

Cheers mate.

Stephen,

Heres the second part. It only allows me to post one video per reply.

 

[Ian T-J]

You can find more of my VIDEOS and written work at www.talbot-jones.com

Here is a 4 minute video about County Kerry in south west Ireland.

 

[David Nimrod]

Just seen the 'short version' so far, but there's a great spirit of biking in it, it's really excellent.

I'm sure that the lad has a future in TV, there's a touch of 'Miranda' in his humour and delivery.

And it brought back memories of my first Continental ride, in 1981, on a similarly loaded Z650!

 

[Ian T-J]

Just seen the 'short version' so far, but there's a great spirit of biking in it, it's really excellent.

I'm sure that the lad has a future in TV, there's a touch of 'Miranda' in his humour and delivery.

And it brought back memories of my first Continental ride, in 1981, on a similarly loaded Z650!

DAVID, I'm new to this forum, what a positive and supportive group you seem to be, not all forums are the same!

Thinking of you in 1981 riding around the continent on a Z650 makes me smile
No mobile phone, No SatNav, No Euro, withdrawing money from banks and passport checks at each boarder, life was good then.

 

[David Nimrod]

Thinking of you in 1981 riding around the continent on a Z650 makes me smile

No mobile phone, No SatNav, No Euro, withdrawing money from banks and passport checks at each boarder, life was good then.

It's partly the way things have changed re. European touring, that has made it a bit insipid compared to 'back in the day'.

But your Video (just watched the 'long version') is more inspiring and charming than any amount of over produced tosh...

Still, it makes me want to get over to the 'Mainland', head for that campsite, & relax after a long, dreary, boring Winter!!!

 

[Damien]

That was great, thanks for posting.

 

[Ian T-J]

To read more background information on this motorcycle and the subsequent road trip see the

“Student groan” article in the current issue of

Classic Motorcycle Mechanic, March 2014, Issue 317.

or click on:-

http://www.talbot-jones.com/BikeArticleLargeCMM.htm

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[iangough]

Brilliant vid. Great son. You must be proud. He'll talk about that for the rest of his life and there's a good chance he'll do it with his son too.

Made me feel all warm inside, and given the day I'm having at work at the moment, it's nothing short of a miracle.

I cant even get my son on the back of my bike on a summers day to go down to the coast. I have given up trying now after 3 years. He's 15.
It's either in your blood or not ...