Hi From Apw99

[apw99]

Hi guys,

I have not been on the forum for a long time and just happened to be on to chat with Dappers. I hope you are all well and keeping out of the line of fire. Things don't seem too bad here in Ireland compared to some countries but we are still a bit away from the peak. I am dreading what will happen in Africa. As usual the poor get to bear the shit rolling downhill.

 

I and now on my third Triumph since the lovely Mk2 I had for several years. I was telling Dappers what a terrific forum this is, there is a brotherhood going through these threads which is terrific, a lot of history there between you guys which is really obvious. I had so many terrific trips, reminiscing back to the big meet up in Germany many years ago when myself , Stu and Pa Larkin did 1150km in 24hrs. I had never done a long haul like that on mainland Europe so that was definitely a great adventure for me, but my ass was not the same for a long time. Yep, I have many photos and great memories from this forum.

 

Speaking of lovely man Chris 'Pa' Larkin, it is still hard to believe such an inspiring human being could be taken so early. Myself and Chris grew to be great mates over the years and had like-minds on many things. He was such an incredible craftsman, at least his work will be around for generations to come. His humanity and love of life certainly changed the way I live. I still chat with Syra and she is doing okay. Still living on the bank of sand in the Atlantic and surviving the long lonely winters. She is an amazing artist and anyone with an interest in art should check out her site https://www.syralarkinart.com/ . Syra converted Chris's workshop into a gallery and did all the work herself, call by if you are ever down that way.

 

Take care folks, be safe, be well.

Alex. 

[Trevini]

Hey Alex. Good to hear from you, it’s been a while! 

 

The Germany trip was one of the best I’ve been on. I think we had a showing of around 25-26 from the UK, which was a fine turnout.

 

Couldn’t agree more about losing Chris. He always managed to find the positives and was a truly talented gentleman. Loving cake and TDMs was just an added bonus. 

 

Lock yourself away until this virus mess is sorted out and stay safe.

[dablik]

Yep wish you good health, it's going to get a bit hairy over here for awhile maybe, spray the house with potcheen, the strong stuff :good:

[agrantg]

Hi Alex,

did you ever do anything with Chris's TDM? I recall that you were going to sort it out and sell for Syra. Often think of Chris. As you said, he was a lovely man taken too early. I was planning to be in Ireland next weekend, but obviously, that plan bit the dust.

Ali

[dapleb]

Hey again Alex,



Lovely to hear from ewe. Glad Syra is doing ok. Pa greatly missed, lovely man I think about often.

[apw99]

Hi gents , great to hear from you all. Yes Ali myself and a buddy cleaned up old bluey and I sold her to a guy from Lithuania. The bike had over 60kmiles and was burning a LOT of oil. Chris used to have one pannier for gear and one for oil, No kidding! Chris never cleaned his bike. I used to call it the Ratbike and he then washed it. The next ride out he fell off and blamed me saying it was because the bike was too clean!! Anyway it took some work to clean the muck off it. Anyway I managed to move it. I bought his DRZ400.

I have so many great memories of Chris, a great mate.

Stay safe guys, stay home and be well.

Alex.

[Matlock]

Good to hear you're OK Alex and I hope it stays that way. You're right about the Carpe brotherhood and nobody embodied that more than Chris Larkin - one the nicest, most generous and talented men I've ever met, but as you say, that talent did not extend to bike maintenance!  :rotflmmfao:  

[wicklamulla]

How ya Alex,  glad yer enjoying the triumphs. Yep Chris was a good egg and too many like have him have come and gone. stay atome and stay safe indeed. 

[chrisr]

Hi Alex, its not too late for you to come to your senses and get another Tdm, they are still turning up regularly with low mileages. I seem to remember you arriving in Monschau covered in a fine mist of oil from following Chris's bike, still, saved you from having to oil your chain! We were hoping to meet up with you and Paddy in September on the second part of our Wild Atlantic Way trip, will have to wait and see.....

Are you still doing the woodturning? Have a good birthday on Saturday, I will be spending mine at home this year!!

This post was last modified: 06-04-2020, 04:22 AM by chrisr.

[ChrisG]

Good to hear from you, even if you have defected Glad to hear Syra's doing ok. I was actually looking at some pictures from Pa Larkins website yesterday when someone on another forum was taking about guitars, always a good place to look for pics of good woodwork.

[apw99]

Chrisr - that's a good description of "bluey" alright, I had no GPS so had to follow him and stay back at least half a kilometer to get a breath of air, but he loved that bike. It was his perfectionism that stopped him cleaning it. If he could not do it 100% then he did not do it, that is how he built such amazing guitars. Give me a shout in september, I am sure all this will have blown over by then. I was planning a trip to France in May but I will have to cancel those tickets!

 

Wiki - I do like the triples I must say. I had a 1050 Sprint which was great but too uncomfortable for long distance. Then I got a Tiger 800 for 2 years and now i am back on a Tiger Sport which is really nice. I can safely say my next bike will be a second hand T700, they seem to be the best lightweight all-rounder on the market and a natural progression from the TDM maybe.

 

Thanks guys, really great to check in with you all again, it is bringing me back to some really great times.

be well,

Alex.