Belle...

[SR1K_Femme]

Ok, so since owning my Monster, my dad has made a few comments.  One of them being. "I hate you".  Now normally, not a regular thing a parent says to their child, but normally those children don't own the kick ass bike, that is.  A Ducati.  The reason behind said, "I hate you", is that now nobody pays any attention to HIS bike while we are riding together.  I have yet to see these accusations, but he points out that on many occasions (while being passed on the road/freeway), people will pass him, but will slow down and check out my bike.  Now apparently if I look over (sensing the car near me is pacing) they seem to look around, like at a plane that is not in the sky, etc.  LOL

The second thing is that, while on start up he kept wondering while the sound of it sounded so familiar.  He finally figured it out and told me the other day.  It sounds a little something like this. (to him) and now to me.   *Have speakers on*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihgz7opXci4&feature=related

So in loo of the new acquired sound.. I have decided to name my bike.  This is NOT a habit of mine, for until now no vehicle I've owned has been named.  Besides the random 'pregnant dog' when they fail to operate the way they should. LOL  The original plane (B-17 Flying Fortress), was the first to finish 25 missions, which in the European theater was darn near impossible to make for a bomber. (down below is a link to more info, should you care to read up on it)  In the spirit of her always bringing me home, despite some 'hardships' we've had in the past, Her full name is Memphis Belle.  But for daily purposes, just 'Belle'. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_Belle_(B-17)#Namesake

[duc_fan]

Mmmmm..... warbirds.    I'm an airplane nut, so I love videos like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihgz7opXci4&feature=related

So, you're naming your bike after the B-17 Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" because it sounds like the P-51 Mustang "Old Crow"? 
(might want to double-check the video you linked)

[SR1K_Femme]

The NAME is from the Infamous Flying Fortress, but the best 'sound' comparison I could find online is from the P-51,  I DO know my planes thank you.   Lol

[JohnnyDucati]

The NAME is from the Infamous Flying Fortress, but the best 'sound' comparison I could find online is from the P-51,  I DO know my planes thank you.   Lol

Hey, Nikita, you ol' assassin you -  .  La Femme, Nikita, Belle.  Yeah, it all fits.

Good choice on the name of your bike, I think.  The top of the line P-51's have the Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines.  A legendary engine if there ever was one.  Awesome sound in person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Merlin

As unique as the Ducati L-twin, for sure.

I got to visit the Rolls-Royce Derby UK facility pretty much weekly during my stint in the UK.  There's a lot of history in that place.  They have a museum on site that is very cool.

When you riding next?

Johnny D

[SR1K_Femme]

When it's 70 again!!  I'm tired of feeling like the darn kid from "the christmas story".  If i fall off the bike I won't be able to get back up again due to all the layering.  LOL

And yes the Merlin WAS one of the best radial engines out there! 

See yet ANOTHER place I never got to visit while I was in England.  Damn regimented college field trips!!    Guess I'll have to go back and have a go at it!

[krolik]

The Merlin is a liquid cooled V-12 engine, not a radial.

[SR1K_Femme]

See always learning new things on here!    Thanks for the info Krolik.  I must admit I admire and love the airplanes of that time, but definitely not the gear head to know the workings of them.

[duc_fan]

The Merlin is a liquid cooled V-12 engine, not a radial.

This was kinda the gist of my earlier comment... 

B-17 = 4x Wright R-1820-97 "Cyclone" turbo-supercharged radial engines

P-51A Mustang = Allison model V-1710 V-12 (early model, rare, normally aspirated, makes a very smooth, sweet music)
P-51D Mustang = Rolls Royce V-1650 "Merlin" supercharged V-12 (the quintessential WWII fighter airplane noise)

Several race-prepped P-51s run the Rolls-Royce "Griffon" V-12, which is a 36-litre engine (the Merlin is only 27L).  The Griffon is noticeably more "radical" sounding, with a much more aggressive snarl.

[Tailgunner]

Bunch of flippin' door knobs have to get in and geek on your coolness Femme. I dig the whole Belle thing. I think it's cool what you hear and compare. 

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
And I looked and behold, a DARK horse
And it's name it said on him was Death
And Hell followed with him.

How cool is that?  -Tail End Charlie 

[SR1K_Femme]

Ok, so yeah, ya definitely have beaten me on engine specs.  Lol.  Go you!  But you guys DO get the gist of the 'start up' sound of our bikes...  the turning of the starter.. da da da da, then the catching, but not smooth like a inline.  Kind of that chuka chuka , right before it catches and smooths out.

Tailgunner..  funny you should mention that quote. "Tail End Charlie.." I've quoted myself being in that 'position' on a few runs.  Last man in the pack, first one 'shot' down.. thankfully with radar it's not as 'life threatening."    I was pretty sure that I had heard it as a specific position within a bomber group, but can't remember.  I want to say bottom left, but again could be way off. *shrugs*

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Tail_End_Charlie

[NEIKOS]

. . . Kind of that chuka chuka[/color] . . .

Now every time one of ya'll start your bikes you're gonna think of me! 

[SR1K_Femme]

I'm quite worried how 'chuka chuka', will remind me of you.  LOL

[Tailgunner]

"In the spirit of her always bringing me home, despite some 'hardships' we've had in the past" < That I can identify with 11ty-billion%.  Belle she is  My too really 

[NEIKOS]

Nothing heinous I assure you.

My name - Chuck, through in an "a" and you get Chucka Chucka . . . or if you're really into it.

Chuck ahhh . . . Chuck ahh . . .

Bow Bow.

Ohhhhhhhh Yah . .

Chuck ahhh . . . Chuck ahh . . .

[SR1K_Femme]

OH my god, you did not just go there.  Yes, yes you did.  *laughing*