I knew it had to happen some time, we got out for more than a short ride.
It was a beautiful afternoon, but just a little windy. We originally were supposed to be joined by 4 other bikes, two couples and two singles. Everybody bailed when one had a sick child. Kind of made us feel special. We took of by ourselves and I headed for the only sweeping turns in the county. We iive in the middle of flat farming country and there are next to no hill and no curves. After going through both sets of left-right then right-left we were then on for the straight line.
About an hour out of the garage was our first stop for gas and a cold drink (diet coke). After a few minutes to let my wife stretch we headed on towards our destination, one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. About 25 miles later we stopped where our son works while he attends college. Another 20 minute stretch and visit has us back on the road for the 10 miles to supper.
We made the last 25 miles just in time as the sun was dropping lower and so were the temps. Made it back just before we needed a jacket. Had a good time and plenty of food.
Thanks everyone for the comments and the congrats on my COTW award, which I didn't even know I had. I only noticed that all of a sudden my profile views went up by 250 views from one day to the other. I guess I am semi famous now, LOL. Hope everybody is having a great weekend, ride safe!
I lost my Katie girl today to old age, she was 15. I tried as hard as I could to keep her going. Now she's playing with my Sarah again and watching over her. I'll miss you baby. Take good care of Mousie!!!
ok. so Woody fixes the clutch cable tis morning on the 500 and off we go. Mind you he did a good repair to the broken one, we will get the new one on Tuesday. Off we went with his bro and his wife on our Nomad, me on my 900 and W on the 500 ( a bear on a circus tricycle comes to mind). We get down to Delawar City ahnd W says, the cable broke again. Cat, he says, you are going to have to clear the intersections for me so I do not have to stop. SAY WHAT??!!! Ok, back home we go, me riding first, hand signals for red lights, Woody slows to a crawl, we zip through he had to go thru one red light to make it home. We hte dowing that but we would have hated even more pushing the bike. He is a great rider and I was not worried about him, well a bit. It went fine till we got home, he dropped the 500 and it hit my car,, 2 dents, not too bad but Woody was devastated. Dents and cables can be fixed!
Being on the other side of the globe I've heared that Harley Davidson helmets are made by the same manufacturer as HJC helmets. I want to buy a HD helmet for my wife. So I ask if anyone knows if the HJC is made the same manufacturer and if I can refer to HJC sizing (I can get HJC everywhere and try it on physically) when ordering Harley helmet?
I cut out the baffles on the factory mufflers with no performance problems...However when I swaped the air filter for K&N..the bike started hessitating and has a flat spot...I would like to install Dave Dodge jet/shim kit but don't know where to get it....ANY HELP ? JIM
Well yesterday was a blast. Of course it ended up being such a late night, I decided to save my daily comments for this morning over a cup of coffee. So, after I wrecked my bike the other day, it ended up back at CC for a few repairs. Yesterday morning Uwe and I went out to breakfast, then headed for the shop to meet up with Kyle, who was waiting patiently for us while he had his family from out of town waiting on him! I guess I owe his family a big "sorry!", but I was moving a bit slow after all the aches and pains kicked in from the previous day! LOL! So I replaced the throttle grip and brake lever on the bike, repositioned a few things that "shifted" while the bike was tumbling down the road, and it was off for more great adventure! We came back to Uwe's house where he swapped out the HD for the Zero. Very interesting bike. All electric! Tracy grabbed the Spyder, Uwe had the Zero and I rode my baby and off to the Arlen Ness museum we went. All I can say is "Wow!". I always knew that to be a truly successful bike designer you have to have great vision and creativity, but I was simply amazed by the bikes in his collection! After just having looked at everything this man has created, I have a new found respect for him! From what I saw on the floor, Cory Ness is no slacker either! He definately inherited his dad's creative side. Not that his bikes look like his dad's, you can tell he goes his own direction, but beautiful machinery just the same. It was a cool place just to go hang out and talk to the folks. All different manner of bikers there from young couples to old folks, guys from different clubs, all brought together to gaze in awe. Very cool!
Once we left the AN museum, it was off to see the quaint old town part of Pleasanton for an ice cream (okay, actually I only think it was Pleasanton, I am totally lost up here!). We just sat around gorging ourselves on ice cream and enjoying the blue sky, sun, and people watching. Some good conversation, and we were off to ride some beautiful areas. It was that kind of tree-lined street, lots of gentle curves and just post-card perfect. It was almost the perfect ride. When I say almost, well, you remember I mentioned the electric bike? Electric bikes do not apparently carry much of a charge. Yep, you guessed it. We had a pretty long hill to climb to get back to civilization and Uwe starts going slower and slower and finally coasts to a stop about a mile from getting to anything useful! I don't want to give anyone ideas that could get them hurt, so I won't mention to being towed on the Zero by holding onto the Spyder, no, that would be irresponsible of me! Once we got back to the main drag and there were people and traffic around, Uwe jumped off and pushed the bikee. Luckily we were only a few blocks from a Hooters! Unfortunately, they did not have a power outlet close enough to reach and charge the bike. So Uwe went across the street to the gas station and the guy let him plug it in there. Of course there was nothing the three of use could do but wait for it to charge enough to get home, and not wanting to sit around like a bump on a log, it was incumbant upon us to get a table in the Hooters and have a couple pints while we waited! As it turns out the guy at the gas station is a dirt bike rider so after the bike charged he took a couple of laps around the pumps! LOL! Well by now it was full on night and we were all pretty well done in, so back to the house! Tracy and Uwe wernt out to get a pizza for dinner, then Kyle comes walking in with Bonnie (I am so bad with names if I get that wrong I apologize ahead of time!). Well pretty soon the pizza arrives and we all sat down to eat a bit and the talking and drinking went on way later than this guy is used to! Next thing I knew it was midnioght and I was quickly turning into a pumpkin!
Well, that was pretty much the day in the life! Today has dawned a beautiful blue sky....hmmmm....looks like good riding weather to me!
Ride safe
Mike
Woody's brother is here from Aus for a week and today is a stunning day. We were going to let them use the big Nomad and Woody and I were going to use the 900 and the 500 and do a ride. However the clutch cable on the 500 pooped the bed and we cannot get one till Tueaday. It stinks to have your bike calling your name on a clear blue sky mid 70"s day and you have to tell her no!
I had such a great trip to Gettysburg over the weekend. It started off a little dicey, looked like it was going to rain, talk about a bummer. But I decided to go for it anyway. I got on Rt. 23 and I stopped for gas in Morgantown, where I met this man on his way to work. He walked over to me and said, "Looks like you're on a trip. You heading into rain or away from it?" I replied "I'm not sure, probably hit some in spots on my way to Gettysburg." Then he said that he and his wife ride alot. He said "I used to have that same bike, what is it a Triumph?" I had to laugh to myself, I own a Vulcan 900. I told him what it was and told me to have a safe trip and waved as he walked away. Some of the conversations I've had over the past month are pretty funny.
I got back on my way and did hit a few spots of rain, of which I'm not real fond of riding in, outside of Lancaster. I braved the elements and continued on. I picked up Rt. 462 I was starting to get a little on the hungry side so I stopped for lunch just as I came into York and had a very nice California Shrimp Salad. It really hit the spot and had just the right amount of spice. When I walked out the sun had started coming out, it felt good on my back. I had to smile alittle because I couldn't believe that I was doing this by myself with not a care in the world. With the helmet and jacket back on, I headed down the road. The smells and the things I see when I'm riding are amazing. It's just an exciting experience.
I finally made it to Gettysburg. I stopped at the Battlefield Harley Davidson store. What a place......Harleys everywhere and the clothes and shoes and hats, oh my!! I spotted this sweet Heritage Softail that I fell in love with. I probably would have traded my new one on it, but better judgement prevailed. I did buy a cute little tank top for a friend of mine who just loves Harley anything. After walking around a bit longer I started getting tired, and needed a shower desparately. I left and checked into the hotel right down Rt. 30.
The shower made me feel like a new person. It had turned out to be a very nice afternoon, so I got back on my bike and rode into town and thru the battelfield. I stopped at the Pennsyvania monument where I met three other lady riders. We chatted for a while, told them where I was from, they were from New Jersey, two from North Cape May, the other from Millville. They were heading back home and decided to ride through the battlefield. They said that admired me for doing this by myself, being a new rider and all. I told them that I check in with friends periodically to let them know that I'm okay. We said our "goodbyes" and "it was so nice meeting you" and parted ways.
I headed back to the hotel, grabbing a sandwich and a beer on the way to take back. I checked in with everyone and enjoyed my little beer, recapping everyone that I had met and everything that I had seen. I got up the next morning and headed home again.
I took only a few pictures while I was there, sometimes forgetting that I even had the camera. I guess I was still in shock that I had done this by myself. It was a great trip.
you know all them bad thing i say about you well to tell you realy i do mean it you idiot ------------clyde xoxo
Just a little FYI. My boss and some of my other riding buddies went for a 200+ miler a few weeks back. I was supposed to go with them but didnt make it on account of my last kidney stone!(YUCK) Anyways, sometime during the ride, they stopped for gas and my bosses 20,000 dollar Harley got backed over in the parking lot! Friggin idiot was gonna try to leave but some of the other riders stopped him. Anyways, to make a long story short, he got the repair estimate back from the local Harley dealer last week, 5,300 $ OUCH! So be careful where ya park ya'll! Brian
I live a quiet life, got out of the hassle of a factory job a year ago and started my own in home dog grooming business, BEST MOVE I EVER MADE! I gave up the money, the hassles, the stress and the pain that went with working at a place where the owners could care less about me, my family or anything other than the bottom line.
Then I started over!
I am nowa work from home dog groomer who deals with aggressive smaller dogs, matted dogs, a lot of great clients and a few idiots. I love my life, but I don't like the heartbreak that comes with having to see dogs neglacted and abused, abandoned, and treated like crap.
A typical day for me starts off getting up around 8am. Feed my dogs, let them out for the potty break, get the grooming room ready and down a few cups of coffee. Haul Mannyman off the dining room table as he tries to jump out through the window to attack a Rottie and a Pit that walk by the house each day. In a way I look at it as saving his life daily: he's a mouthy little bugger who's a foot high and has razor teeth. He's my baby, he showed up at my door 3 years ago after his owner tried putting him down at the local vet for escaping every time she opened the door. HE was caged in a small crate for the first 18 months of his life. He is my problem child and he would protect me with his life, and I for him. His nickname is Cubbybear, and he is a guest that showed up at the door and I had to keep him, he hates my husband, who I might say was quite shocked ot come home from work that night to be attacked by a dog he had never sen before. He has been bitten a few times since then, but he's learning to be nicer and not get the dog riled up :)
My First small dog was Tika. THe day my doberman was killed I said that's it, no more dogs for me. I gathered all the toys, food, dishes and took them into a shelter to donate and found a white fluff ball about 8"s tall and matted into a pretzel. She went for my arm right away and I had to do my damndest to save her. Anyone with that much determination to survive, desearved to. I called my vet, had him call the shelter and 24 hours later the new little Diva was in my home, getting groomed and playing like a puppy. Aggression went the minute she got out of the shelter and into a home. She still has her moments thoughs...if you are a male and you come to my house I have to muzzle the 2 dogs for a minute or 2 until they calm down. THen they will roll over and torture you for belly rubs for as long as you are here.
Then there is Gizmo. Aheartbreaking story if I ever heard one, with him I found him and just happened to have my husbands bank cardi n my pocket and I had no choice but to rescue him. A Shih Tzu covered in vomit, feces, and sick, he had missing teeth, a cut tounge, broken ribs, dislocated hip, broken kneecap and his nails were growing right through the pads of his feet and coming out the other side. I cried like a kid when I saw this little guy, then I through the bank card on the desk and took him out of that situation and got him home. He is the sweetest little dog ever, but life has taken it's toll on him. He will soon cross over the rainbow bridge. I will be devastated.
Each day I groom dogs and I try to help them, their owners and keep an eye on the cases that strike an alarm within me. I can't close my eyes to an animals suffering, I am not hardwired for that. So I do what I can to make it right.
I look at the dogs like Cherry from Michael Vics dog fighting operation and I feel sick that any human can treat a dog like this, then I wonder how they treat their friends or their loved ones, seems to me if you can care less for a defensless animal and make them suffer, you could do the same to humans who can fend for themselves.
Humanity can learn from dogs, if only we open our hearts to them and help.
I'm no angel, I am an out spoken person who protects the underdogs, whether they be dogs, hamans or anything else.Mess with someone weaker than you and you will lose. Maybe not at first, but I believe in Karma. Some day some one bigger than them will find them and make them a target and the rolls will be revearsed.
So, a normal day in my life means I get peed on a few times a day, bitten at least once, scratched a lot. I get lied to, pooped on, and I end up with hair in my eyes nose and mouth. I've had a great Dane steal my gum out of my mouth, and a poodle lift it's leg on my ankle. I spend a fortune on treats, dog food, toys and high quality cruelty free products for my shop, so I don't add to the suffering of any other animal.
When the day is done, and I need a release. I ride my drifter, I add thngs to it when the dog food and treats and all the other stuff I have to have leave me money left over to work on it. It's not a show bike, but it's mine.
There is nothing to help me wind down and mellow out and put the day into perspective except gettting on the bike and riding down the road and having perfect strangers wave and smile at me.
So, I have to say bikers also restore my faith in humanity, car drivers who drive the same cars don't wave at each other, it doesn't matter what kind of bike they ride, crotch rockets, Harley's, old gold wings or a scooter I wave to them all and feel like maybe they have days like mine, where they just need to see a little act of fellowship to restore their faith in people. You never know how much aof a difference a little wave can make.
So, if you see me, wave, I will wave back and I will wave first if I see you. Those who don't wave back, well I have to wonder why? Is your life so bad that you can't even raise a finger to say hello, I see you, and ride safe.
Hey fellow riders, I've been away from the site for a bit, busy truckin and busy ridin. I would like some of your input please. I'm thinking of up gradeing my ride next Spring. Right now I ride a very nice 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T. I've narrowed it down to 4 bikes, The Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, The Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad(1600 or 1700cc), The Yamaha Stratoliner S a 1700cc bike,and the Yamaha Royal Star Venture a 1300cc bike. Now some info on me. I'm 51 years young 5'9'' tall and weigh in at 220 pounds in good health. I've been riding since I was 14. Most of my riding is done in west Michigan where I live but I want to be able to make longer trips on ocassion and have my wife as well as myself comfortable but not falling asleep. I'm not the kind of guy that needs all the gadgetry of a Goldwing. All of the bikes I've picked are V-Twins except the Royal Star Venture which is a V-4. The Harley is the lightest of the bikes @ 750 lbs. and the Royal star the heaviest @860lbs.The Stratoliner and Nomad both weigh in at 800lbs. The Strat and Heritage are both air cooled the other two are liquid cooled.The Heritage and the Strat are belt drive as well as the Nomad 1700cc. The 1600cc Nomad and the Venture are shaft drive. I have not ridden any of these bikes as of yet I'm still doing my home work, however I have sat on all of them to see how they felt as far as rider positioning and to feel where the weight is and all are comfortable as far as riding position goes but the venture does have a higher center of gravity. So there you go help me out with your feedback I want to make a choice that I'll be happy with years down the road. Thanks everybody, Stormryder
Well I arrived in Livermore around 11:15 or so yesterday. Kyle gave me the grand tour and I got to meet all those nice folks that work so hard to bring us parts. The place is a flurry of activity, but still a very friendly place!
So after lunch, we decided to go for a ride in some awesome areas near the office. We were actually heading back to the office with only about 110 miles to go when I misjudged a 90 degree turn, went into the soft shoulder and both myself and the bike did some rather interesting acrobatics. We both survived, the bike need a new grip on the right side and perhaps a new brake lever, although the brake lever is pretty much just an intrinsic thing, it still works, it just got kinda bent a bit, and picked up some scratches on the luggage and crash bar. So let me say right now, those crash bars work really, really well! They did their job and allowed me to get clear of the bike as it was flipping over in the air! If you don't have one, get one!
As for me, I lst o very small amount of skin, kind of a contact road rash, nothing big, on my elbow and knee (Wrangler jeans are the bomb, they didn't even rip!). I do have a huge lump on my thigh where the crap in my pocket tortured the hell out of that muscle. But, by this morning the swelling has gone down. Still hurts like hell, but I think my pride hurts worse! I was dressed in a teee shirt, jeans, gloves and a half helmet. I was in the air and flipped over. So why wasn't I hurt worse? Well, I just kinda did a tuck and roll and relaxed into the fall. I did not try to stop my fall, I just let my body move to take up the initial impetus of the force. I'm a bit sore today, all over, but in great shape all things considered! The adreneline hit and I was light headed and wanted to throw up. They made me sit down and Kyle, Chris and the vendor that was riding with us went back while Uwe stayed with me. They came back with a truck and Kyle rode my bike back to the shop and Chris drove me back in the truck.
So here it is, another beautiful day in Nor. Cal. and I am very much looking forward to getting back on my baby later today, and taking a nice leisurely ride!
What caused the wreck? Well, it's never one thing. I went into the corner too hot, at the end I was fixated on the fence in front of me (I remember thinking "NOT THE FENCE!"), I was too tired for that ride, I still had all my luggage on the back (this affects cornering and acceleration). It was completely avoidable. I got out lucky, very lucky. I want to thank CC, everybody there, as they were all very understanding, supportive and helpful (okay other than the question about calling the ambulance! LOL!).
Everybody, be careful out there!
Ride safe
Mike
Have a great long weekend everyone.
Hope all the bikers who are heading to, or have arrived at the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby, Nova Scotia (Canada) will be safe as Hurricaine Earl touches down in Nova Scotia (my home province). Very high winds and driving rain will play havoc with the festivities, but hopefully the storm will pass quickly and the Wharf Rat Rally festivities can continue. My Brother and his friends are down from the eastern part of the province to attend the Rally. The Rally has not been cancelled, just slowed down a bit due to the weather. I'm sure the sun will come out and all will enjoy the weather, the scenery, and Maritime Hospitality... and of course... The Wharf Rat Rally.. 
Ride Safe... Take care..
Alison "Northsky"
So I noticed a few pics in the thumbnails on the bottom right....posted by a former member. Any idea who we lost? The one photo there was likely the one that got him tossed...so that brings up a new question..why is the pic still there while the member is gone. I was under the impression that if a member was removed from the site, his posts and photos were removed as well. Am I misinformed?
I found out from my son that I'm going to be a Grandmother!!!!!! She is due the beggining of May. I've been bugging.....Ha, I'm so happy and excited that I can't stop smiling!!!!!!! And in 2 more weeks my daughter gets married.... yeahhhhhhhh. (one happy Nona here)
I was wondering if anyone has insurance with Riders Insurance Agency? If so, how long and what do you think of the agency?
Thanks
A great quote for all:
Make your words small and sweet...
you never know when you'll have to eat them!
