I still remember the day when I first laid my eyes on a centre-fold ad in one of my brother’s vaulted magazines. I was in my mid-teens then, an age when amorous attractions seldom happen; at least this is what I believed as they had not affected me so far until now. To be honest, I had never really thought of ever getting entrapped in the fabled love-at-first-sight feats; the whole idea seemed utterly silly and frivolous.
My brother was very much into bodybuilding and used to buy those expensive imported Muscle & Fitness magazines of Joe Weider (Rs.500 to Rs.800 was quite expensive for teens still living on parents’ allowances in India). Frankly, I was never much into those pumped-up steroid induced beasts and she-beasts, but fate had other plans that led me to browse through it and got me stranded when I lay my eyes on a Black & White ad of inner-wear garments. It was one of my brother’s coveted body-building magazines, January 1990’s issue featuring Bob Paris on the cover, whose centre-spread ad on page 175 set my pulses racing and changed my life forever. What an ad, what a model. I instantly fell in love. There have been other affairs, I am a bit of a Casanova, but the first cut was truly the deepest.
Well, I am a pretty obstinate character who would go to any length to acquire one’s fancies. So, from then on, I made it my goal to have this beauty under me, in between my legs! The ad has replaced the model with newer flashier ones, but once bitten, I am forever shy. I still like the old one and, despite the age, I plan to possess it soon. I have started saving for it already. Whoever said “money can’t buy you love” was a jerk!
The reason why I prefer the old model is because of the round air-filter cover as it aptly suits the symmetry of its holy V-twin engine to the best. They are now fitted with fuel injection and the enhanced air-intake mapping necessitates more airflow, giving way to the oval shaped air-filter cover. Besides, the charm of the vintage model, though inferior in performance, still wins my heart. Back then it had a special two-tone colour scheme with whitewall tyres and wire-wheels. The new engine is more powerful, but I am still in love with the charm of the butterfly carburetor—a thing that can be personally serviced and adjusted. And, of course, I almost forgot the name: The Harley Davidson "Heritage Softail.”
There have been countless love affairs ever since—for instance, the sexy Ducati 916, the bulbous and well-endowed Hayabusa, or the rugged and naked Moto Guzzi Griso—but none as indelible as the Heritage Softail (FLSTC, Harley Davidson). This classic leather-clad chromed beauty is simply irresistible and I am sure I will own it one day soon. Money sure can buy anything, including love!
-- Faezal Yunus (October 23, 2007)
My brother was very much into bodybuilding and used to buy those expensive imported Muscle & Fitness magazines of Joe Weider (Rs.500 to Rs.800 was quite expensive for teens still living on parents’ allowances in India). Frankly, I was never much into those pumped-up steroid induced beasts and she-beasts, but fate had other plans that led me to browse through it and got me stranded when I lay my eyes on a Black & White ad of inner-wear garments. It was one of my brother’s coveted body-building magazines, January 1990’s issue featuring Bob Paris on the cover, whose centre-spread ad on page 175 set my pulses racing and changed my life forever. What an ad, what a model. I instantly fell in love. There have been other affairs, I am a bit of a Casanova, but the first cut was truly the deepest.
Well, I am a pretty obstinate character who would go to any length to acquire one’s fancies. So, from then on, I made it my goal to have this beauty under me, in between my legs! The ad has replaced the model with newer flashier ones, but once bitten, I am forever shy. I still like the old one and, despite the age, I plan to possess it soon. I have started saving for it already. Whoever said “money can’t buy you love” was a jerk!
The reason why I prefer the old model is because of the round air-filter cover as it aptly suits the symmetry of its holy V-twin engine to the best. They are now fitted with fuel injection and the enhanced air-intake mapping necessitates more airflow, giving way to the oval shaped air-filter cover. Besides, the charm of the vintage model, though inferior in performance, still wins my heart. Back then it had a special two-tone colour scheme with whitewall tyres and wire-wheels. The new engine is more powerful, but I am still in love with the charm of the butterfly carburetor—a thing that can be personally serviced and adjusted. And, of course, I almost forgot the name: The Harley Davidson "Heritage Softail.”
There have been countless love affairs ever since—for instance, the sexy Ducati 916, the bulbous and well-endowed Hayabusa, or the rugged and naked Moto Guzzi Griso—but none as indelible as the Heritage Softail (FLSTC, Harley Davidson). This classic leather-clad chromed beauty is simply irresistible and I am sure I will own it one day soon. Money sure can buy anything, including love!
-- Faezal Yunus (October 23, 2007)
