Time for a new rear tire.

Taking a rest.

Do not try this with a modern motorcycle, My nephew, who has the misfortune to ride a modern, high tech rice burner, writes: “If I were to do that with my bike, I would have $3,000 of plastic to replace.”

My hard working 1975 BMW R90/6 actually does give a nod to the world of tech. It has exactly one purely electronic part, in addition to the usual collection of electro-mechanical relays. It’s a $1 diode which, naturally, failed last year. Its purpose is to permit use of the electric starter with the bike in gear, when the clutch lever is pulled in, should you stall at a red light. Not something I would ever do, you understand.

With this shaft driven masterpiece, rear wheel removal – a new tire is dictated – is a matter of removing one axle nut, loosening one axle pinch bolt, removing the gas tank and draining the carbs. That all takes five minutes. Then, ably assisted by my son, who is home for the holidays, she’s tipped onto the right cylinder and passenger foot peg, the axle is pulled and the wheel lifts right out. I’m too old to replace my tires at home, so it’s off to the local grease money and $25 and a few minutes later all is done, with no garage language required.

New British Avon AM26 tire in place. It pleases me no end to use a fine British tire on a German motorcycle.