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I had a bike that caught on fire. It was a 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville that had a cracked gas tank, and a broken rear mounting tab. The tank had pinched the wiring harness. The leaking gas had soaked the cotton wiring harness cover. The wiring shorted out from being pinched, and ignited gas soaked harness. The problem was I down in the traffic tunnel that ran from Norfolk to Hampton in Virginia. The Bike started cutting out on me, and the driver of the car behind me screamed "Fire !!!, You're on fire !!!". I looked down and I was on fire. It was trailing 4, or 5 feet behind me. I opened it up to about 70, and was riding the center line up and out on the Norfolk side of the tunnel. The bike quit as soon as I got out and could come to a stop. I hopped off and let it bang against the guard rail. I put the fire out with sand and water from a handy puddle I just happened to stop in. A Virginia State Trooper saw me, he even saw me putting out the fire, he give me whopper of a ticket for speeding and passing in the tunnel. I got my license suspended for 90 days. No talking to the Judge, because he said he had heard everything. For several days I had been smelling gas, and I would hear a ringing noise, that I later figured out was the near empty tank vibrating on the frame, so when I would fill the tank , the ringing stopped. After it was all over, and I put 2 and 2 together, I was greatly enlightened. Live and learn. Sorry it was so long. 🙂
It great to hear about the peacetime lives too. Rhodesia shouldn't be defined by the Bush War only. My late dad had a Norton 750 Commando or a BSA Goldstar around the time of your story. He even entered a gymkhana around Durban or Joburg on his Norton, missed a sharp turn on the sand road, and ended up stuck in mud about 2 or 3 feet deep, by a river... took him all day to extract himself. He tried to race his BSA competitively, but totalled it in his first race. He was a life-long motorbiker, and when he was forced to stop riding because of arthritis, and travel in the car with us, he'd still lean into corners!
Another wonderful video from you. Lessons learned in our youth. Back in the late 70’s I owned 2 Triumph Bonneviles and 3 Triumph Trident’s 750’s. Those were the days.
Best suprise imaginable this morning. Martin, thank you so much for sharing your experimeces. You truly have a talent for taking people.out of thier stressfull lives for a few moments and taking us all back to simpler, and better times. Thank you, Martin. Thank you.
I worked part time in a motorcycle shop for many years and worked on a lot of British bikes, and I also owned them myself. The man I worked for, Sid Biberman, was also a very honest businessman. We also worked on a lot of antiques. One of my jobs entailed restoring a 1932 Ariel Square 4. I put it back together and it ran magnificently. It had come out of South Africa in about 1980 and had been owned by an older gentleman who must have been about 90 when he turned it loose and it made it's way to New Jersey , USA. He used it out on an expansive cattle ranch and couldn't use it anymore. I also got the old Lucas Mag Dyno to work. The shop was interesting. A constant parade of interesting people and bikes.
Great little story....I don't know, is it better to be ignorant and be ripped off, or know that you're being ripped off and unable to do anything about it? 😊
I joined your patreon today. I must admit I have thought about it for some time. I have gotten many hours of entertainment from your talks. I encourage everyone to join the 5RR patreon to keep these videos coming. My thanks to you Martin. God bless you.
What a wonderful story. What stood out to me is what Mr Johnson said to you. It's what my own Father used to say to me and I have never forgotten the first time he said it to me. Son, always remember, treat others as you would like to treated yourself. It's something I have always tried to carry out and is something that I have passed on 🙏
A great tale told by a great narrator, thank you Martin. I think we've got the same weather as you up here in the UK today. Totsiens en tot die volgende keer. 👍
Martin, looking at the strip road in the opening shot. I remember going down to Durban from Zambia on school hols & obviously going via Salisbury (Bamba Zonke) & if l remember correctly l think that there was narrow tar after Beatrice & l think that the strip roads started south of Enkeldoorn. This was in the early to mid '60's
Adding another comment after listening to the whole video. Its amazing that wile the cafe racing scene was going on in the UK that there was a culture in Rhodesia as well. Martin i think you have found an untapped well of Rhodesian history all of us foreigners have been starving for. You bring so much beauty to an era when we hear so much about the mortality and strife you all dealt with as a byproduct of your location. Thanks again, Martin. If you have anymore motorcycle stories i think i soeak for your entire posse when i say we would absolutely love and cherish more.
Us "old-timers" have our motorbike histories Martin. Not as far back as some, but the scars, twists and missing "bits" remind us😉. You look well and happy. I'm delighted with that.
Great tale. What you describe is what we called a rat bike in my youth. Mine was a '78 Harley Sportser. Oil pumps, chains, sprockets, carburetors I could spin some yarns. One of my fondest memories is rebuilding the top end with my father. Did the BSA have the leaky Amal carb like my buddy's Triumph?
Another great story! I had a boss somewhat like that, although he was cold and not fiery like yours, started the job with him hating my guts and looking for any reason to can me, but I was diligent and frankly the best worker he had so I slowly but surely won him over. I learned a lot about compromise and patience from him, it's good to learn from your superiors and not just resent them for being the boss. Can't wait for your next upload!
My friend, I could care less about motorcycles... unless you are telling the story. I was amused, I was interested, and I laughed numerous times. Thank you.
Half a world away but the stories draw a parallel that is uncanny. Your adventures were with 2 wheels and mine with 4. God Bless you and keep the good ones rolling in.
You were talking about that beat-up Royal Star. The bikes that are in crack ups are bad enough, but I've dealt with the damage that ex-wives and ex-girl friends can do to bikes with a baseball bat, hammers and axes. I owned a Trident that had been worked over with an aluminum softball bat. It took me about 8 months to get it back on the road.
So, I do not know if you or anyone will even read this comment, but I was watching a video about the events taking place in England right now, and someone compared it to what happened in Rhodesia. And so I became curious about what a Rhodesian feel. Would they laugh, thinking the English are getting what they deserve. Would they cry, because they know what is coming next, and they wouldn't wish it upon anyone, or would they be indifferent, or something else entirely? Pardon my bad English, and thanks for all the stories. Greetings from Iceland!
As young businessman people that screwed me I wanted to screw them back.... my dad says no no they can screw YOU but you're a businessman your professional and you can't screw them back...... so I guess I tried to do every deal fair and if they screw me I just swallow it and say thank you......THEN AS DAD SAID laugh all the way to the bank
Awesome video as usual! I just had a personal question, I was wondering if you have seen the video by the channel of the name “Brittanica” who just recently made a video about Rhodesia! As a Rhodesian I thought that you may be interested in it, it’s called “Tourism in Zimbabwe: the ruins of Rhodesia.”
I have done a fair bit of walking in west african bush in nightime, what i don't get is how you walked nightime with no lights, silently, and didn't lose half your men to snake bites
And yet the entire incident was initiated by your boss; that _you_ should be punished for following your bosses orders is ridiculous. The problem is that you should have anticipated Ahmed's visit and found a to over-charge him without leaving any evidence subject to forensic accounting.
could listen to these storys all day man keep em coming,
I came for the bush war stories, but I think now I would listen to this man reading a children's book. Such a pleasant and engaging storyteller.
Right
You, sir, are a gem! God bless you too! 🙂✝ Could listen to you for hours... hang on, I have!
I had a bike that caught on fire. It was a 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville that had a cracked gas tank, and a broken rear mounting tab. The tank had pinched the wiring harness. The leaking gas had soaked the cotton wiring harness cover. The wiring shorted out from being pinched, and ignited gas soaked harness. The problem was I down in the traffic tunnel that ran from Norfolk to Hampton in Virginia. The Bike started cutting out on me, and the driver of the car behind me screamed "Fire !!!, You're on fire !!!". I looked down and I was on fire. It was trailing 4, or 5 feet behind me. I opened it up to about 70, and was riding the center line up and out on the Norfolk side of the tunnel. The bike quit as soon as I got out and could come to a stop. I hopped off and let it bang against the guard rail. I put the fire out with sand and water from a handy puddle I just happened to stop in. A Virginia State Trooper saw me, he even saw me putting out the fire, he give me whopper of a ticket for speeding and passing in the tunnel. I got my license suspended for 90 days. No talking to the Judge, because he said he had heard everything. For several days I had been smelling gas, and I would hear a ringing noise, that I later figured out was the near empty tank vibrating on the frame, so when I would fill the tank , the ringing stopped. After it was all over, and I put 2 and 2 together, I was greatly enlightened. Live and learn. Sorry it was so long. 🙂
Hello from Salisbury South Australia
My favourite channel. Martin is a superb story teller that appeals to males and females. Especially when you'd lived in Salisbury in Rhodesia.
Amen. From a super fan in the US! When I was in Ukraine training troops we discussed Martin’s wonderful channel. 🇺🇸
Another incredible motorcycle story! Please keep them coming - once in a while! Thank you!😎👍👍🙏🙏
Another great story, a little bit of all Martin’s stories in all of us. 😀
Your uploads are my favourite thing about youtube , very much appreciated ! Stay safe martin :)
It great to hear about the peacetime lives too.
Rhodesia shouldn't be defined by the Bush War only.
My late dad had a Norton 750 Commando or a BSA Goldstar around the time of your story.
He even entered a gymkhana around Durban or Joburg on his Norton, missed a sharp turn on the sand road, and ended up stuck in mud about 2 or 3 feet deep, by a river... took him all day to extract himself.
He tried to race his BSA competitively, but totalled it in his first race.
He was a life-long motorbiker, and when he was forced to stop riding because of arthritis, and travel in the car with us, he'd still lean into corners!
What a Great story teller.
Thank You Sir.
Another wonderful video from you. Lessons learned in our youth. Back in the late 70’s I owned 2 Triumph Bonneviles and 3 Triumph Trident’s 750’s. Those were the days.
Best suprise imaginable this morning. Martin, thank you so much for sharing your experimeces. You truly have a talent for taking people.out of thier stressfull lives for a few moments and taking us all back to simpler, and better times. Thank you, Martin. Thank you.
Great story. Thanks martin from one rhodie biker to another
I'm not a motorcycle guy, but you make everything sound fascinating. Excellent storyteller. Bravo!
I worked part time in a motorcycle shop for many years and worked on a lot of British bikes, and I also owned them myself. The man I worked for, Sid Biberman, was also a very honest businessman. We also worked on a lot of antiques. One of my jobs entailed restoring a 1932 Ariel Square 4. I put it back together and it ran magnificently. It had come out of South Africa in about 1980 and had been owned by an older gentleman who must have been about 90 when he turned it loose and it made it's way to New Jersey , USA. He used it out on an expansive cattle ranch and couldn't use it anymore. I also got the old Lucas Mag Dyno to work. The shop was interesting. A constant parade of interesting people and bikes.
Will be sure to watch after work. Good to see you pop up
Another great story, thanks.
Great little story....I don't know, is it better to be ignorant and be ripped off, or know that you're being ripped off and unable to do anything about it? 😊
Martin i bought a 1955 125cc Villiers for a carton of cigarettes and sold it about two years later for a handful of fishing lures .
Thank you Great Show 🎉😊
Most Rhodesians have an amazing ability to see the worth in being honest, practical & handy! Thx for taking us into your experiences in life!
I just love jour videos , good on jou , all of rhem
Did jou think of parking around the corner hahha
I joined your patreon today. I must admit I have thought about it for some time. I have gotten many hours of entertainment from your talks. I encourage everyone to join the 5RR patreon to keep these videos coming. My thanks to you Martin. God bless you.
What a wonderful story. What stood out to me is what Mr Johnson said to you. It's what my own Father used to say to me and I have never forgotten the first time he said it to me. Son, always remember, treat others as you would like to treated yourself. It's something I have always tried to carry out and is something that I have passed on 🙏
Great story Martin. Thank you.
Nice one 5RR.
Love you 5RR, Continues happiness.
A great tale told by a great narrator, thank you Martin. I think we've got the same weather as you up here in the UK today. Totsiens en tot die volgende keer. 👍
I have always enjoyed your war stories, bit it seems that you are just a good story teller. This was a great story. Thank you.
Thanks for the story Martin
A wonderful story and video.
My faith in humanity is restored. Cheers from Norway.
Martin, looking at the strip road in the opening shot. I remember going down to Durban from Zambia on school hols & obviously going via Salisbury (Bamba Zonke) & if l remember correctly l think that there was narrow tar after Beatrice & l think that the strip roads started south of Enkeldoorn. This was in the early to mid '60's
I see a new 5RR vid, I hit thumbs up before it can start playing!
Thanks, that was a fun story with a couple of good life lessons mixed in. And you made some interesting friends along the way.
Adding another comment after listening to the whole video.
Its amazing that wile the cafe racing scene was going on in the UK that there was a culture in Rhodesia as well.
Martin i think you have found an untapped well of Rhodesian history all of us foreigners have been starving for.
You bring so much beauty to an era when we hear so much about the mortality and strife you all dealt with as a byproduct of your location. Thanks again, Martin.
If you have anymore motorcycle stories i think i soeak for your entire posse when i say we would absolutely love and cherish more.
Like it ,,more stories
Thank you Martin!
Good morning Martin, hope your doing well this chilly Friday morning.
Us "old-timers" have our motorbike histories Martin. Not as far back as some, but the scars, twists and missing "bits" remind us😉. You look well and happy. I'm delighted with that.
I have a BSA! 1968 starfire. God bless rhodesia 😊
Great tale. What you describe is what we called a rat bike in my youth. Mine was a '78 Harley Sportser. Oil pumps, chains, sprockets, carburetors I could spin some yarns. One of my fondest memories is rebuilding the top end with my father. Did the BSA have the leaky Amal carb like my buddy's Triumph?
I love your stories.
Another great story! I had a boss somewhat like that, although he was cold and not fiery like yours, started the job with him hating my guts and looking for any reason to can me, but I was diligent and frankly the best worker he had so I slowly but surely won him over. I learned a lot about compromise and patience from him, it's good to learn from your superiors and not just resent them for being the boss. Can't wait for your next upload!
Who knew that videos about corporate strategy could be this fun
Fascinating story of the good old days when values were very important.
Great to hear Martin thank you
I am very happy to hear from you, man. This was a well timed story in my world of events right now.
Cars not bikes but I met Stirling Moss when I was working in an electrical shop in London many years ago. He was a tough/grizzled character.
Triumph 500 Speed Twin
It’s freezing here in England, in July, our summer!!!
My friend, I could care less about motorcycles... unless you are telling the story.
I was amused, I was interested, and I laughed numerous times.
Thank you.
Great to hear from you.
Half a world away but the stories draw a parallel that is uncanny. Your adventures were with 2 wheels and mine with 4. God Bless you and keep the good ones rolling in.
You were talking about that beat-up Royal Star. The bikes that are in crack ups are bad enough, but I've dealt with the damage that ex-wives and ex-girl friends can do to bikes with a baseball bat, hammers and axes. I owned a Trident that had been worked over with an aluminum softball bat. It took me about 8 months to get it back on the road.
We can sure pick 'em
@@alswann2702 I think mine has wanted to do it, but she held back. 😉
A wonderful tale. You tell your tales so well.
Thank you.
I love your channel, especially the bush experience, but also your very human interracial way of thinking. very straitforward, ''man to man''
So, I do not know if you or anyone will even read this comment, but I was watching a video about the events taking place in England right now, and someone compared it to what happened in Rhodesia.
And so I became curious about what a Rhodesian feel. Would they laugh, thinking the English are getting what they deserve. Would they cry, because they know what is coming next, and they wouldn't wish it upon anyone, or would they be indifferent, or something else entirely?
Pardon my bad English, and thanks for all the stories. Greetings from Iceland!
Love to se you're vides god bless
I hear that bike made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.
Author Johnson seems like a DB supreme.
As young businessman people that screwed me I wanted to screw them back.... my dad says no no they can screw YOU but you're a businessman your professional and you can't screw them back...... so I guess I tried to do every deal fair and if they screw me I just swallow it and say thank you......THEN AS DAD SAID laugh all the way to the bank
Do you have any book recommediations? About Rhodesian history?
Awesome video as usual! I just had a personal question, I was wondering if you have seen the video by the channel of the name “Brittanica” who just recently made a video about Rhodesia! As a Rhodesian I thought that you may be interested in it, it’s called “Tourism in Zimbabwe: the ruins of Rhodesia.”
I have done a fair bit of walking in west african bush in nightime, what i don't get is how you walked nightime with no lights, silently, and didn't lose half your men to snake bites
wish i grew up in Rhodesia, but it must be painful for expats not having their homeland exist anymore.
Are you friends with John Edmond?
And yet the entire incident was initiated by your boss; that _you_ should be punished for following your bosses orders is ridiculous. The problem is that you should have anticipated Ahmed's visit and found a to over-charge him without leaving any evidence subject to forensic accounting.