 Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Who among us had read the classic, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." Would love to hear your comments.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,416
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Great book! We read and discussed it back in highschool as part of a philosophy course. Read it again a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the book and the thoughts it brings you.
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Oil Expert
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The book is sitting in my dresser. Started it but have not finished it. It's tough to find a book that will keep my attention. Unfortunately, I'm not a big reader.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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My favorite book ever. Just started reading it yet again last night.
2007 TBA - Pacific Blue/New England White
Mods: Highway windscreen, tall sissy bar/rack, TOR-short, tachometer
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 63
Member
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Member
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Posts: 63 |
a non-biker freind off mine is reading at the mo and i'll be reading after him,turned up a car bootsale,he brought for me and started reading before he sore me 
live fast,ride faster
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12 |
A classic book about our journey through life. Highley recommended for anyone with the desire to own and ride a Triumph motorcycle and/or wants to "go their own way". Was required reading for my students when I worked for the "system/university". Not recommended for the self centered or grandiose. Dennis B
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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A true classic, read it in the 70's & then again in the 90's. gave it to a friend to read & never got it back, so bought another copy recently. Each time I read it I find something new 
Martyn
If you have to ask why I ride, you wouldn't understand the answer!
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Excellent book! Maybe a little outdated though, these days people have been so indoctrinated to cheap imports that many are no longer able to recognize quality. Read the book and you will see why I said that.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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If nothing else it will teach you there's always a use for stuff. Don't throw away those empty beer cans. You never now when you may need to shim something up. I'v pretty much given up on pondering my place in the universe, these days. Im mostly content that I'm still alive to experience a new day in the morning. But there was a time I searched for the meaning of it all. Zen was an interesting look at it.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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I liked the first half , couldn't get though the last quarter. Wish it were a little more about bikes and biking analogies. Good read, though. Again and again.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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I liked it alot. Unfortunately when I read it I was more interested in the motorcycle maintenance vice the zen. The philosophy was a bit much for my biker oriented mind. Still own it and am waiting out the next 2+ years so I can read it again once I'm 40.
2005 America, green/gray, gutted stock pipes, tall sissy bar w/ luggage rack, Saddleman's dual touring seat and Tourmaster saddlebags (and sissybar bag).
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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I've read about 1/3 of it, finding time to pick it up again is alittle hard. My the time I do, I'll have to start over again.
I will again that the philosophy is a bit much.
Do not look back and ask why, look forward and ask, why not?
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I've read about 1/3 of it, finding time to pick it up again is alittle hard. My the time I do, I'll have to start over again.
I will again that the philosophy is a bit much.
You know... if you are out riding and stuff, and it's summer and the weather is MADE for riding, then you don't have time for this book. Save it for winter. But when winter comes do let this book lead you, take you, entice you to a reality fit for adventurers who dare, or otherwise live beyond the socially accepted norm. BORING!!
This book can and will transform your reality if you let it. Just ask me... and others who have known me.
Ummmmm, is it the acid or did somebody spike the punch!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,308 Likes: 4 |
I loved it. You can read it for free online too. I lost the link I had for it, but just google it and you can probably find the free link.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I loved it. You can read it for free online too. I lost the link I had for it, but just google it and you can probably find the free link.
That's pretty cool, but this is an armchair book... best to get a copy and sit back in a comfortable chair.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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i cant say i was at all fimilar with the book but on the advise of you guys i bought a copy of ebay which turned up today so i shall get stuck into once i have finished my current read
Tone
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 12
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 12 |
I am currently reading it. I find it to be a bit slow so far. Not boring, but not hard to put down. I kinda feel like I shoud have read it when I was "younger" (I use that term loosely around some of you!). A friend of mine said to stick with it, and in the last third it will all come together and be worth it. I guess I'll find out.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I've tried (twice), but can't seem to get into it. Guess I'm too easily distracted. It's still on my "must do" list. Maybe if I'm ever snowed in...
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Just bought a new copy - started tonight. I think I read it in my teens (early 70s) but I can't really remember. I do remember it as iconic of the 70s but too much acid (in the 70s) has eroded those memory cells. 
Last edited by foglefar; 07/27/2009 5:40 AM.
Cheers, Richard
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09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
I've tried (twice), but can't seem to get into it.
+1 and remember - I was THERE in the 70s.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
On my trip to Spokane yesterday I listened to a cool audiobook that a lot of guys on here would probably like (which talks briefly about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance). It's called "Shopcraft as Soulcraft" by Matthew B. Crawford. I got mine from Audible.com.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Shopcraft as Soulcraft
I've heard that's a good one to check out
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Zen and the art of....
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I guess I was pretty tired when I posted the first post. I sure didn't make much sense.
Anyway, I had started the book a couple of years ago and than it got put down. Well after reading this post, I started it again.
I will agree it's a little slow, but I will work on making it threw it this time. It's going in the bag for the trip out to Sturgis. It will be a good one to unwind with at the end of a day of riding.
I did read the book Ghostrider by Neil Peart (drummer for Rush). It helped me to heal.
Do not look back and ask why, look forward and ask, why not?
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