Farewell to the "Blue Angel" | |
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On 23 February I have taken my old favourite, the "Red Rascal", official
in use again, with as last and definite action placing the windscreen
from blue to red. Since then the "Blue Angel" stands little lost in
a small corner in the garden, a bit shielded from wind and rain, under a
piece of plastic.
But that is nothing for a CX, which loves to feel the asphalt under his wheels, passing smootly dozens of kilometres, and want to ride to the horizon, each day. | |
 ... plastic... |
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It is clear, however, this CX is approximately the oldest the know CX-es
in the Netherlands. But let it satand there, and let it rust? No, that
is too crazy for words. But if I let the CX stand here, then it's sure
that I will feel the need to revive it, to make it better and to tidy up
them entirely. And time and money comes as large obstakels around that
corner. What to do?
And oin an afternoon the dicission was made, an announcement was placed onto the board of the Dutch Honda CX-500 club and then I waited for things to come. | |
 ... an announcement ... It is for sale: My "Blue Angel" , the CX500(z) that brought me, during the time that my "Red Rascal" was in repair, almost without any problems wherever I wanted to go. |
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I didn't have to wait long, Merely 45 minutes later I recieved an
e-mail from Werner. He was looking for a CX for a college, Steef.
Not a 'projectbike' with lots and lots of work, but a CX that was
in a decent shape, wich he could ride home without problems.
Well, this one fitted the discription.
After exchaging some e-mails we came to an agreement. On March 15 Werner
and Steef should come to Ede, to make a testride, and than we could
take it from there. My price expectation was right with his, so on
that we already had an agreement.
On saturday, at the start of teh afternoon, was the appointment. And at half past 12 suddenly a man and a boy apperead behind the house. "Hi", he said, "I'm here for you blue motorcycle." It was Steef Linders and one of his sons. Grietje, Werner and Peter were waiting at the front door, together with Roy. They were invited in, and every one was directed towards the "Blue Angel", for that was the reasond they came here. | |
 ... directed towards the "Blue Angel" ... |
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The plastic cover was removed, and Werner inspected the motor. What
was bad, and what was not, and naturaly it must be started. I had no
objection at all, cause I know how quick this blue one starts, even
after a week. And surely, choke, startbutton and "Vroem!!" sounded
it from the CX. While the engine gained it working temperature, they
looked futher, to the brakes, the brakelines, the saddle, the
electrical system.......
Bisides two minor point, the horn and the high beam light, the "Blue Angel" past this first precise inspection with flying colors. The sound from the stationaire engine was good, not too loud, and maybe it was time for a testride. | |
 ... started ... |
 ... looked futher ... |
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But I found that it was time for coffee and thee, and so was dicided.
After the coffee and tea we nevertheless made us ready to make a
testround. Peter would ride with us also, also because he had to
refuel, and Werner would ride the "Blue Angel". Of course I drove
the "Red Rascal".
We drove trhought Ede, in the general direction of Otterloo. This is 100 Km/h road, with plenty space to pull the gas on the CX open. Short before we reached "s'Heeren Loo" we turned around, and drove back, passing the well-known filling station "De Haan". Unfortunately Michael was not present there. The blue and Peter's black CX became refueled, where upon we drove back. In Ede I had a strange experience, when I heard 'klengerdekleng ', metyalic sound under me. Nothing to find, the CX drove as it should do, and none cried in fear behind me. I decided that it a whippped-up stoneon the raod, but noted to myself to check all bolts and nuts, soon. The remainder of the ride went trough small streets, with much turns, until we reached my house. | |
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Because of the faulty headlight and the refuelled petrol the price was
somewhat adjusted down, and then Steef became the owner of CX with the
licenceplate ZH3465. To transfer, so late on a Saturday afternoon, was
not possible anymore, but it could wait until Monday. The release papers
would reach me by mail, later that week. Steef made a phone-call with the
insurance compagny, and that was that. He told, however, that CX
probably would get another name. No longer the "Blue Angel", but rather
the "Blue Baddie".
After a second round with coffee and tea the compagny decided they had to start with the return trip. Werner took the blue CX, now Steef's, to drive the motorcycle home. Peter rode with him, and Grietje and the two Linders followed by car. It was a bid strange to see someone stepping on 'my' motor. But it was well. The new owner was satisfied, I was satisfied, and the CX was satisfied. I continued to stand there, to see the departure of the blue one entirely. Until the last glimp, over the crossroad. | |
 ... departure ... |
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And so ends another chapter in this bikers history. Have a safe
voyage, "Blue Angel", and thank you for those couple of thousend kilometers
that you served me so well, while my precious red bike had his stator
defected, and maybe we see each other some day........
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