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Pullman, Passion + Madness

9K views 65 replies 24 participants last post by  silentservice703 
#1 · (Edited)
Not the world's biggest secret, the "Pullman" did appear in my registry a few weeks ago and I had mentioned it to several people.

The story starts with Andrew's post on here http://www.mvagusta.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48286 dated the 7th of September which just happened to be my birthday (obviously an omen & post #3 on the thread now looks very prophetic). My wife had left for France & Italy the following day, so I was left to my own devices.

Interestingly, I had thought about adding to my collection having reached my goal of 1,2,3 & 4 cylinder MVs. I did note that I did not have a 2 stroke MV and this was the opportunity to address that and consequently a worthwhile addition.

The final morning of the auction, I woke at 3.45am our time, without an alarm set, in fact I wasn't even sure I would bid. I thought as fate had woken me I'd wander and look into the auction - the price had moved little & there wasn't a reserve - more interestingly there was only 5 minutes left to run. With 10 seconds to go, I made a bid, which I didn't think would be successful - I thought for sure an auto bid would top me. As it ticked to Zero the numbers didn't alter - I thought exactly this: "Fuck, I own this thing! I haven't even discussed it with my wife & we NEVER make major purchases without consultation, Fuck, Fuck & Fuck some-more!" So I then emailed my wife, her reply was (surprisingly) a polite enquiry as whether I was going to keep it?

I had contemplated knocking out the fire place and housing in my Billiards/Bar room (Yes we have a pool room - for fans of "The Castle"), But thought this NOT a good time to announce this plan to my wife.

When I contacted the seller, I am surprised to learn that it was Gary Kohs - the gentleman who sold the entire MV collection recently at the Mecum auction in Monterey. This is one of his personal collection bikes, that he kept at home as rolling art. Gary was an amazing gentleman to deal with and went over & above to make sure that everything was perfect with his lovely partner Laura handling much of the details like getting all the precious original documents to me & much much more. This only added to the overall experience.

The original photo that I saw:



Gary packing it with great care which proved vital later:



Email from my freight company with photo of good old American know how on the docks - they thought putting an frame with an engine on top of a motorcycle box for a sea trip to Australia was a good idea :wtf:



The first thing I see upon collection at Port Botany Sydney, so I am fearing the worst & I have to sign a liability release:



Trip home was agony as there was no way to see inside the box until it was properly opened - if I opened at the port I could not transport it home:



Unpacked the box - Gary's meticulous work paid off - just look at how close it came to disaster! - Not a mark on the bike:



A quick introduction to the to the Shrine Bikes - this one is not living in there:




Earlier in this thread I mentioned that this bike was going to be housed in the Billiards room - my lovely wife in the 6 weeks since her return has had the news broken to her & with her uncanny ability to never fail to surprise, was quite sanguine at the prospect even upbeat! Of course, getting this green light is like giving me carte blanche - the proverbial inch for a mile :eek:

This is where the "Madness" part of the thread title kicks in - there was a fire place that had to go - so patch ceiling and of course re-tile roof - a task expertly untaken last tuesday by MVista jnr & yours truly.

Before & After (no hole in ceiling or roof - lol)


But that's not where the madness ends - to facilitate easy entry & exit from the house (so that the bike can be ridden regularly as they all are) requires some construction work to the front - nothing major, just new walls - concrete, footings, drainage & complete overhaul of entry steps, gates etc : Construction work has commenced:



Now back to the that bike that I thought was a good deal because it was inexpensive at the original price :eek: THANKS ANDREW!!! :laughing:

So let this be a cautionary tale to those find 'those' inexpensive bikes to purchase :jsm:

2012 has been an amazing year - I finally acquired my ultimate dream bike (America) AND achieved my (what I fully expected to have remained an unfulfilled) ambition of housing bikes in the house - I say 'bikes' because letting one in opens the floodgates ;)

As with all these posts - I will finish by thanking my beautiful wife for without her love, passion for life, encouragement & support (read tolerance) many of the greatest things in my life with my children at the forefront would never have materialised. :)

Thanks for reading.



Ps. The Pullman rides great (scary top speed of 75kph I think - it has no speedo, I guees they figured if you barely cracked 70kph you wouldn't need one :laughing: ) - I took it in to be road registered (historic) and is as of now legally rideable :yo:

A public BIG thank you to Gary & Laura wonderful, charming, honest people to deal with.
 
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#2 ·
Rob you really are the real deal man.:yo:
What an awesome story. From the post, to the am bid and win, to delivery, I bet you got little sleep. Your wife is a keeeeeeper buddy, don't ever let her go! It looks amazing inside the billiards room, and the custom driveway is the mark of a true fanatic. I just be over here fantasizing. Congratulations.
 
#14 ·
Thanks Ian - am very happy & I did get lots of sleep as I had full faith in the team handling it - it was far more difficult with the first bike I did in 2010 as I knew little of what I was doing & how it all worked - apart from idiot dock worker in LA - this was flawless which I expected coming from the USA - the 125 sport & the America came via Italy - now that's far more 'interesting' -lol. As for the wife being a definitely a keeper! :)

Congrats Rob, thats is such a cool bike.
Thank you Sarge, I rode to get a rego slip done yesterday and the number of cars pulling alongside to have look and wave terrified me - it was almost having my own personal escort, albeit a scary one! :laughing:
 
#15 ·
That's a shame, perhaps another opportunity will materialise - in fact I sure it will & when it does grab it - it's a very cool little bike, you'll love it. Thanks for you kind wishes, it is appreciated. :)

Rob

I look forward to seeing all your bikes (and you) next Saturday

John
I look forward to seeing you too John & having a good ol' natter :), you'll also be the first to see project bike I have been working on & off for the 16 years on, we are in the final stretch - But ssshhh we'll reveal that one in a few weeks time ;)
 
#6 ·
Rob, you and Lou are excellent! The relationship sounds very much like Cindy and me. You have a great collection. When are the handicap ramps going in so we can visit?:mouthwate
 
#16 ·
Handicap ramps? Hell, you can use the ones I'll ride in the front door with :laughing: Who knows by the time you get here we may even have installed a lift so I can get an MV into our bedroom - dare I dream? :laughing:

Yes I do believe Lou & I are a lot like guys from when met last year - expect you guys drink more - we'll need to work on that when you get here ;)

Rob this is stunning again. You do had an amazing Year so far and I fear this is hard to top. Congratulations once more to this new addition, to Your loving wife and family. I just wonder all the time where the western economies are in financial trouble that You guys down under seam to just don't need to count the pennies. However I'm really happy for You.
Hi Ralph I don't have any pennies (left) to count so it's not a problem ;) You are certainly correct 2012 has been a dream like year for me and I doubt I'll have another to match it - if you told me even 7-8 months ago that I would finish up with 3 MVs this year including an America I would have laughed at you. I really only expected to own the F3 this year - it's funny how things work out.

I appreciate your happiness at my good fortune - I of course, wish you all the best in everything in life. :)

:wtf: Hm, I think I'll have to spend more time on here cos last time I checked you had 3 MVs :laughing:

Way to go, Robbie! :)
LOL - yes and you are not responsible for this one Johan :laughing: Of course, I will never forget your role in getting the America, Thank you again ;)

Yes these MV multiply like rabbits! :smoking:
 
#7 ·
Rob this is stunning again. You do had an amazing Year so far and I fear this is hard to top. Congratulations once more to this new addition, to Your loving wife and family. I just wonder all the time where the western economies are in financial trouble that You guys down under seam to just don't need to count the pennies. However I'm really happy for You.
 
#17 ·
Ha ha @ Billard/Bar room - my first part time job wasn't working at McDonalds or KFC when I was at school, it was hussling pool at the local pubs after school (in my school uniform - yes the good ol'days) I made way better money than my friends although it was somewhat more dangerous than the other jobs :laughing: Although I learned that older pissed off drunk guys didn't run very fast at all ;)

My dear departed Dad gifted that table for me as a house warming gift when Lou & I bought our first home - we had spare room. It is beautifully hand crafted, a perfect scaled version right down to the leg sizes of world championship tables - he had it custom made one off slight smaller than 3/4 size (to fit the room) Italian slate top - the wood is New Guinea rosewood & English felt, it is now a family heirloom, like the bikes the table will never be sold during my lifetime - the bar? well you know, I am an aspiring alcoholic :smoking:



Mate you rock :drummer:

Geez Andy, haven't seen you in a while - bloody expensive way to smoke you out!

Cheers mate, I always appreciate your posts. :)
 
#11 ·
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm theres that hill again in the background:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf: video to come similar to the F3:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm: (and yes Rob, I was following its progress through the MF troops:naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty:) looks awesome:jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm:
 

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#18 · (Edited)
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm theres that hill again in the background:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf: video to come similar to the F3:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm: (and yes Rob, I was following its progress through the MF troops:naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty:) looks awesome:jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm::jsm:
Yes J, the little stroker & Big Bad Beast arrived at the same time albeit one by air & one by sea - I was trying to get your delivery order, I did even use the quintessential "trust me" but the team at MF weren't buying it :laughing:

BTW - no vid to follow of the 'that' hill Ia m not sure this thing will make it up there :eek:

What they said. Good work Rob, great little machine, I love that frame.
Cheers mate, that frame is what attracted me too, real art work from old school artisans, I could buy a painting for 2-3 times the amount I spent on it to hang on wall but I know which art work would bring me the greater pleasure! We've already had some reactions to friends coming over - they walk in and are like " What the heck????? There's a bike in here!!!!" followed a pause and a 'How cool is that?"





robbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbiiiiiiiiiiiie
me love it
great read very very happy for you
shes a beauty
Cheers Robbie - you did ask about it ;) That's what brought this thread on! ;)
 
#21 ·
I am not sure I'd be using obsession & role model in the same sentence :laughing: Most 'normal' people would consider us certifiable :eek:

Bottom line is the is not a dress rehersal, you get one chance at and there's no point leaving anything on the table.

Long wat to go? You've got an F3 - I reckon the sickness is about to take hold, enjoy the ride ;) Thank you for you kind wishes. :)

Well done Rob. Far out 3 MV's in a year. That can't be too far off a record?!

Beautiful bike mate and what an amazing other half!
Kieran mate, I am pretty certain it's a far off a record - there are some staggering private collections out there that fly under the radar and would be acquiring at a far greater rate than I'll ever be capable of, passion & madness nothwithstanding. But thanks :)

As for other halves, you aren't doing too bad yourself, you got to take your F4 to your wedding now that IS friggin' cool by any standards that one cares to use. :yo:
 
#22 ·
True Story

Hey Rob

That's a nice story about the table.

Even though you sometimes come over as crazy as a box of frogs, I like you Rob because your interesting, real and have a passionate heart which is somewhat lacking in the World today..:)

I also had a job when I was still at school, as my Dad stopped my pocket money and said I needed to learn about the value of money and what it means to stand on my own two feet.

I used to sell ladies cloths in Wembley Market on Sundays for a really nice and kind trader.. They treated me like one of the family and my later employers in life never even came close to treating as well as how I was cared for by this family.

I was only 12 years old and started work at 5.30am setting up the stall come rain, snow, wind whatever.. ( and that's after walking 3 miles to Wembley)..

The old dears used to love been measured up of size and I was to young to know anything about MILF's or in some cases GILF's :green:.

Although I worked selling women’s cloths for 3 years, in that period of time it never had a knock on effect in my later life..

I’ve never had the urge to dress up in women’s cloths (like most Englishmen like to do) or feel inclined to get in touch with my feminine side and buy a Brutale.. Weird that ? ;)


:shitfan:

.




.
 
#23 ·
Stranger Than Fiction

Hey Rob

That's a nice story about the table.

Even though you sometimes come over as crazy as a box of frogs, I like you Rob because your interesting, real and have a passionate heart which is somewhat lacking in the World today..:)

I also had a job when I was still at school, as my Dad stopped my pocket money and said I needed to learn about the value of money and what it means to stand on my own two feet.

I used to sell ladies cloths in Wembley Market on Sundays for a really nice and kind trader.. They treated me like one of the family and my later employers in life never even came close to treating as well as how I was cared for by this family.

I was only 12 years old and started work at 5.30am setting up the stall come rain, snow, wind whatever.. ( and that's after walking 3 miles to Wembley)..

The old dears used to love been measured up of size and I was to young to know anything about MILF's or in some cases GILF's :green:.

Although I worked selling women’s cloths for 3 years, in that period of time it never had a knock on effect in my later life..

I’ve never had the urge to dress up in women’s cloths (like most Englishmen like to do) or feel inclined to get in touch with my feminine side and buy a Brutale.. Weird that ? ;)


:shitfan:

.




.
Awww shucks you just say the nicest things Johnny :eek: :love:

It's funny you talk about "real & passionate heart" because that's what gets me in trouble most - people nowadays don't like that - they want moderate. I can be very moderate on everything that excludes LIFE & BIKES. ;)

Touching up, errr I mean measuring....MILFS & GILFS (which I'd not heard of before) a sa young lad - yes that explains many things :laughing: Nothing like being raised as working class lads - the type of sacrifices you made to earn your keep as a young lad are unimaginable to today's youth & in fact, modern society would deem that abusive parenting! Thanks for recounting that part of your history. :)

You know, maybe that's why I collect & love the old bikes so much - they transport me back to a simpler time when it was ok NOT to be moderate and boring as hell without being branded a radical :jsm: - bring on the electronics, ABS & traction control & the dullness of the 21st century!
 
#28 ·
Thanks Dave.

Yes I guess that "passion" is a double edged sword which you saw spill over a few times whilst you were here, the latin blood runs deep in both of us, our life long close friends are used to it & think nothing of it (well now they don't, wasn't always like that) - lol - Our secret is remembering that you love the other person and never going to sleep on an argument! :)

The CC must be close now eh Dave? You must be excited (new bike -well it will certainly feel that way) - new (gorgeous) home, it's all happening - it's nice to see life being good to people we know & care about. :yo:
 
#33 ·
Excellent Dave - that will make it a pretty good Xmas - but I am not sure how you are going to fit the bike & the HOUSE under the tree!:laughing:

Post up some pics when it arrives & it is init's new home - that will be very cool.

I hope the California dock guy you get has a modicum more common sense than the guy that loaded my Pullman!!! Wishing you & CC all the best for a safe journey. :)
 
#34 ·
Cheers Brother.
I sure will get the camera out and post shots here.
I've been waiting a long time to add to the "Show us your garage" thread. Finally getting a decent sized garage so I'll be sure to post some pics there.
Take care,
Dave.
 
#35 ·
Cheers Brother.
I sure will get the camera out and post shots here.
I've been waiting a long time to add to the "Show us your garage" thread. Finally getting a decent sized garage so I'll be sure to post some pics there.
Take care,
Dave.
That will be :mouthwate:mouthwate:mouthwate:mouthwate - 4 very special & significant F4s, The Aston & a new garage - I certainly cant wait & should I miss the thread - make sure you bring to my attention ;)

But above Dave may you, the wonderful Melanie & Scooter enjoy it in great health. Now I am heading back to work on my 'other project' might have pics in a week or two ---shhhh :naughty:
 
#36 ·
congrats Rob (and Lou).

I always believe that passion, albeit sometimes a tad unusual, is one of the great pleasures of life and as that passion is MV Agusta motorcycles .. well, all the better.

Being able to indulge that passion with the support of Lou, that's the icing on the cake.

cheers
 
#37 ·
Cheers Russ,

Don't underestimate your influence on all this - I remember coming down to Melbourne in 2009 & you kindly showed me through your wonderful bike I got to sit on America and marvelled at the bikes & memorabilia in your house. Later that night when I was recounting my visit to Lou I said something along lines of "How cool is that? But I guess you need to either be single or divorced to pull that off" to which Lou replied "Yes you do and if you start bringing bikes in the house you could be both!"

Times change - I guess that introducing Lou to riding & agreeing to the purchase (twice) of her beloved Guzzi has paid dividends big time - now to get her to trade it for a B3 :naughty:

Ps. Check your letter box :)
 
#40 ·
Absolutely our pleasure to have you & your lovely children over. :)

My apologies that we had to fly & couldn't make it a longer visit (and a few more beers -lol), Lou also offers her apologies but down the track we can arrange a weekend of it, more than happy to have you down, we can hit some southern roads & you are welcome to stay the night & head back next day at your leisure.

Drew's count was out by two, sadly (for me) - I would have been very happy to go with his count of 14. :laughing:

Thank you re: the project ;) We'll stay in touch.

Cheers
Rob
 
#42 · (Edited)
Time to Change Profession




Actually, I do believe Drew is correct :) He is far clever than I with numbers (Damn outsmarted by a 10yo -AGAIN), what's my (alledged) profession again? :eek: :eek: :eek:

Next time I am doing inventory, I am going to hire Drew. :) He'll do a better job than I. :laughing:
 
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