While Judie and Jack have eclectic motor-
rad, aircraft and auto tastes – a sort of metal-and-lubricant renaissance spirit – let’s learn more about the heart of the col- lection, BMWs. A notable machine for the Wells’ is the
rig that began as a 1984 R100RT, and was T-boned by a police car, then converted into a sidecar rig by Ft. Worth’s Perry Bush- ong, using a Ural chair. Judie and Jack have ridden this bike over most of the western hemisphere, 49 US states, all Canadian Provinces and nearly all of Central and South America. While in Chile near the Magellan Straits, it was necessary to get some welding done on the rig. In fact, the western hemisphere rideabout required several welding repairs due to the rough service the rig endured. In this case, inqui- ries were made, and helpful locals directed the Wells’ to the right fellow, a welder with- out fear who powered his stick-welder han- dle by tying a wire to an old boot, slinging boot-cum-wire across the overhead power lines, and then used Chile’s free 13,000 volts of
juice to weld metal parts. Up until then, anyway, he had not yet killed himself. As
Judie and Jack verbally stepped on one another dur- ing the various sidehack- rideabout tales, the warm glow of their shared passions and dear memories was unmistakable. Another important piece
is the rare single-cylinder 1931 R2, the only BMW engine to show naked valve- springs, stems and rocker arms for all to see. Before starting the engine each morning for the ride to work, the rider needed to squirt some motor oil on the rock- ers; the running engine then managed to push some oil up to the valve-train. The R2 was produced from 1931-36, and at 198cc, is the smallest displacement motorrad ever produced by the firm. How did all this get started? As a youth,
1931 R 2/1 with 'Best In Show' victor's ribbon from the prestigious Hilton Hed Concours. It is also Wells' oldest single-cylinder BMW.
Jack attempted to buy a Ford Model A, but the deal died under Dad’s non-negotiable
decree; collecting actually began with autos, once Jack could make his own decisions. Jack owned a Porsche 911, which he traded for a Model A, the auto that almost got him kicked out of the house as a youth. Added
Wells' Western Hemisphere Explorer, a 1984 R 100/Ural rig wearily displaying its experience. 92 BMW OWNERS NEWS September 2015
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