14 July,2009 09:45 AM IST | | BALAJI NARASIMHAN
Yesterday my cousin got married and due to this I had to miss out on the Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle Fan Club trip to Channaptna. Had this event been held some other day, I would have definitely attended it with my bike, codenamed C6 H12 O6 3.14 (I will give you a tip about this later).
As it was, I had to miss the event last year because I had sold my Yezdi just a month before it took place. However, I consider myself fortunate because in January I was able to go to the Big Banyan Tree on a ride with around two dozen bikers. This was a great opportunity for me to test out my "new" 1972 Jawa motorbikeu2014a bike that I bought because I wanted to ride something that was older than me.
Having a Jawa is a bit of a mixed bag. One of the great positives is that everybody gives you envious looks at traffic signals and asks you about your bike. Of course, if the bike stalls and you are forced to kick it a hundred times, people brazenly ask you why you are riding such an antique piece!
With rising fuel costs, the mileage is also a problem. Once, one of my friends, who owned one of the modern bikes that looked like an electric shaver if I may borrow a line from Marv in Sin City told me that he got over 60 kmpl. "So will I," I retorted, "if I put two litres of petrol."
Neighbour's envy: The Jawa. FILE PIC
Another major issue is parking. At home, I have a nice car park and in the office, our resident editor has kindly allowed me to park in his official car park. But if I go somewhere else I am in trouble because parking a Jawa is tough in a crowded city like Bangalore.
Of course, there are exceptions. Recently, I was forced to park somewhere near MG Road. Luckily for me, the old timer who was manning the parking lot was thrilled to bits to see an old Jawa he said he once owned a 1977 Jawa and promised to ensure that no other bike parked close to mine.
Incidentally, it is interesting to note that this bike, though a favourite with oldies, is also fashionable with youngsters. In fact, at the Jawa meet in January, I met many who were in their mid 20s. Their enthusiasm is proof that the Jawa is indeed a forever bike.
And ah, before I end, the tip I promised at the beginning the code name of my bike gives the molecular formula of glucose and the value of a very popular mathematical constant. Go figure!
