There are those who believe that classic motorcycles are poetry in motion. Marc Buffery proves that classic bike poetry can inspire all manner of emotions...

To-day we have fettling of parts. Yesterday,
We had daily cleaning. And to-morrow morning,
We shall have what to do after riding. But to-day,
To-day we have fettling of parts. Japonica
Glistens like coral in all of the neighboring gardens,
And to-day we have fettling of parts.

This is the lower engine mount. And this
Is the upper engine mount, whose use you will see,
When you are given your spanners. And this is the auto advance,
Which in your case you have not got. The branches
Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures,
Which in our case we have not got.

This is the points cover, which is always released
With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me
See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy
If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms
Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see
Any of them using their finger.

And this you can see is the twist grip. The purpose of this
Is to open the throttle, as you see. We can twist it
Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this
Easing the slide. And rapidly backwards and forwards
The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:
They call it easing the slide.

They call it easing the slide: it is perfectly easy
If you have any strength in your thumb: like the points,
And the carb, and the kick start, and the point of the auto advance,
Which in our case we have not got; and the almond blossom. Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards,
For to-day we have fettling of parts.

With apologies to Henry Reed, writer of Naming of Parts.