Sorry to take so much time on this but I do love my motorcycles, and I have a point to make. Being a single parent I didn’t have a lot of time to ride. But I still felt the need to ride. As mentioned before many years ago I met my lifelong mechanic. One day he called to let me know he had a 1973 Honda 350 that he had for sale because the owner had not paid or picked up the bike in the specified 90 days. I paid him $250.oo for it. It was OK it got me to work and occasionally when my sons were visiting their mother, my girlfriend and I would take off for a day trip. It rode really well and we had all kinds of fun on it. Then after 10 years on the job I got laid off, and had to sell it, in order to pay the rent. I sold it for more than I paid for it. Here again I was bikeless. When I got back to work I purchased a 1978. The bike was only 1 year old and only had 1500 miles on it. The bike was a Yamaha 650 Special. The year I bought it was 1979. I paid it off in a year. But the bank never sent me the title. They claimed they did. The bank was sold several times. and in 1999 I received the title. I still had the bike and was riding it daily. At the time it came the closest to looking like a Harley of any bikes. I can’t tell you how many miles I put on it. I put it in the shop in 2000 and had the motor rebuilt as I had stored it a couple of years. and the motor had locked up. I had special pipes put on it that made it a little louder. My youngest son wanted it so I gave it to him. He immediately messed up the carbs by putting in old stale gas. Then my oldest son wanted it and said he would get it fixed.. I never saw him ride it so I asked him where it was. He said a friend had it doing the repair. That was 10 years ago. He doesn’t know where his friend or the bike is. I still have the title. Next I bought a 1978 Honda Gold wing 1000. This one I paid $500.oo for. It was a bare bones bike. running, but no extras. I put a fairing, radio, saddlebags, and Air Horns on it. My girlfriend would take short weekend trips and I rode it to work. worse part about the Gold Wing was its stability on wet pavement. I sat pretty high. While sitting in the break room, at work, one day. An older fellow sat down and we started talking. He was telling me in his younger days he had an Indian motorcycle, but hadn’t ridden in years. We talked a lot about the fun I was having riding. The next thing I know he is asking me about the written and skills tests. I had no information for him on the test as I had grandfathered the new requirements. But he took the tests and passed. He borrowed a moped for the skills test. Soon he and his wife and I and my girlfriend were riding out to eat and just sight seeing. (He had bought a Gold Wing 1200. A really nice bike.) Soon another guy we worked with decided he wanted to ride with us. He passed his tests, and bought a really sharp Gold Wing 1100. Sometime later a friend of the first man who had gone to school with him bought a Gold Wing 1200. I met an older fellow who was giving up riding, due to health problems. I sold my Gold Wing for $800.oo and purchased his 1983 Kawasaki Voyager, for $2500.oo. [Just for the record I paid $200.00 for the Honda, and sold it again for $500.oo.} The Voyager was the ULTIMATE motorcycle. It came from the factory with fairing, removable saddle bags, an adjustable trunk. It would slide forward or back to make more room for the passenger. Queen/King seat. Air adjustable shocks with built in air compressor. AM-FM- Cassette player, CB Radio, intercom system. Fog Lights, Air Horns, cigarette lighter, and a compass. Head light adjuster at the flick of a switch. Individually adjustable (two piece handlebars). Computer to give mpg, miles before needing to refuel, miles traveled between stops, and I can’t remember all the things it would give you. And held the road much better than the Honda. It had a fuel injected in line six cylinder. No end to power. I know on one trip we were hitting 110 mph with a trailer on. (Don’t recommend this.) We talked about one day riding all the southern states during the winter and the northern states during the summer. We sometimes took weekend trips to other states just to say we had ridden in that state. We never got to take the southern and northern state trips. He retired and died one year later. One of the guys. knees went out on him and he couldn’t hold the bike up at stop lights. The other retired and moved to Florida. With no one to ride with I found myself riding less, and the 900 pound bike was getting a little harder to hold up at stop lights. My girlfriend wanted a truck so I traded it for a really nice truck. She drove it 2 times in 2 years. I was wanting to get another bike. But my place of employment had shut down. No work for me. No money. Then in October of last year the fellow we rode with that had moved to Florida located me. He had sold his farm up here, and wanted to know if I would look after his… Continue reading It’s Motorcycle Season Part Four
Category: Women
It’s Motorcycle Part Three
My second bike was Kawasaki 350 R. The R stood for Racer. How I came about getting this bike was a fluke. A friend was moving out of state. He had a Chevette that was pretty rough, and the Kawasaki that he wanted to sell. He was asking $300.oo for the Chevette, and $350.oo for the Kawasaki. The Motorcycle was in great shape, but the Chevette was pretty rough and planned to sell it for parts. As it turned out a mechanic friend of mine was looking for a parts chevette parts car to repair customers car. The parts he needed were in good shape. He offered me $550.OO for the Chevette. I told my friend about the offer and he told me to give him $50.oo and I could keep the Kaw. Great luck there for me. The Kaw was a 350 R. Supposedly the R stood for Race. All I know is the bike would be real slow until you got the RPM’s up Then if you weren’t careful you would pop a wheelie. I rode this bike for a couple of years. Itook my boys for a ride on it. A short ride. But my youngest who was about 2 years old enjoyed most. Years later while attending college he was asked his earliest memory. His answer was riding the bike with me. I had a picture of him on it with me, I dug it out and gave it to him. I only wish I had a copy. Somewhere during his many moves to colleges and jobs he lost it. Siomeone gave me a Honda Scrambler, and I traded the Kaw for a dune buggy. I could get both boys in it. Later a guy who rented one of my bays in my garage to open a bodyshop. Butwas rusty after 20+ years being out of the business. I helped him catch up on techniques and the new paints. About a year later he moved to a bigger shop. But one day he called and had a 1955 Ford Crown Victoria he said he had $500.oo cash (not counting his time) in it and to thank me for the help I could have it for $500.oo. I sold the dune buggy for $500.oo. When I got home the next day and was going to get the car, I found a new refrigerator in the kitchen. My wife had taken the money to buy a bigger refrigerator. Bye, Bye Car. The Honda scrambler was ok for a while I only had about a mile to ride to ride to work. But I had to tune it every day before I could ride it. One night, (by this time I had divorced) I came home to find my Honda missing. All the cops did was say ask the neighbors if they saw anything. About a year later the boys came home from visiting their mother and told me they saw my Honda in pieces in her basement. Apparently her boyfriend wanted it but knew nothing about bikes. Any way I bought my next bike. A 3 cylinder 750 Yamaha. Fun bike to ride. I took it to a Yamaha dealer for a tune up and overall check. Worked fine for about a month. Then had trouble starting it. If I put old plugs in it started fine, just didn’t run so good. I traded it for a ford window van. Had some fun with it. But it wasn’t a motorcycle. More to come later. Remember it isn’t what you ride. It’s that you ride. That Is How I See It, Views: 136
It’s Motorcycle Season
Finally it is MOTORCYCLE SEASON!! Living in the northern part of the country we look forward to the time we can get our motorcycles out and ride, ride, ride. Yes we do ride during the winter. I usually get mine out and ride if the temperature reaches 30-35 degrees and the weather is agreeable. No Snow, Ice, Sleet, etc. It may be a short ride of only 3-5 miles, but at least it is a ride. Some people ride anytime. One of the guys I used to ride with many years ago, rode in snow, rain sleet, it didn’t matter. The reason was this. He worked part time for his father, (my boss). When he had his 16th birthday, his Dad wanted to take him out to buy him a car or truck. He knew how much I enjoyed my motorcycle, and opted for a motorcycle. I tried to talk him out of this choice, knowing how cold and snowy it gets around here. He wouldn’t listen. His Dad bought him a brand new Honda 165 Dream. He rode it in snow 4 inches deep. Just to get to school. It was about a 3 mile walk to his school. They didn’t send a bus around then. I guess you could say I started riding fairly young. Being a late baby. Most of my cousins were 10-15 years older than me. In fact I have 2nd cousins my age. My first experience I remember was behind cousin on his Harley-Davidson 74. I was about 5. I was never sure if my brother, who is 10 1/2 years older, actually had a motorcycle or if he just rode friends bikes. I know it had to be a secret when he took me for rides on an Indian Motorcycle. Perhaps that is why I have a soft spot for Indians. I almost bought one once. It was a heck of a deal. I had been out of work for about 6 months. I just started a construction job. Not really knowing anything about construction, I was only making $1.65 an hour. I had a wife and two boys. Next door to the construction site was an old Indian Cycle shop. The old guy who owned the shop I remembered from trips there with my brother. He vaguely remembered my brother and he and I would talk sometimes after work. One day he took me to back his shop. He still sold parts and occasionally repaired an Indian. Any way in the back of the shop he still had a couple of Indians in crates. I don’t remember the model that caught my eye, I only remember it was GREEN. He told me I could have it for $300.oo. But he was closing shop and moving to Florida, so I had only 2 weeks to come up with the money. I never was one to buy anything I couldn’t pay cash for. Now looking back I wish I had asked my brother to loan me the money. But I didn’t. One of my second cousins father drove a Borden’s milk truck. One Sunday they were having motorcycle races at a local track. He was a Harley rider and some of the stories he and his wife (my 1st cousin) could tell about riding in the 1940’s and 50’s. I only heard some of them a few years ago). Like the time he got to the next town before he realized she hadn’t gotten on, and had to go back to get her. Any how he would sneak us in while making deliveries, then pick us up when he came back to pick up the empties. It was a real treat, to watch the men race around the kidney shaped dirt track. I have owned only 4 brands of Motorcycles in my life. But I am running longer than I planned so I will stop here and pick up with Motorcycle Season next post. Remember April is “Get out and Ride” month. It isn’t what you ride. It is that you ride’ That Is How I See It. Views: 130
Women Vs Men Shopping
Men how many times have you had to go shopping with your wife? TOO MANY? MEN : Have you ever noticed that when men go shopping they enter the store knowing what they want. They go straight to the place it is, pick it up and walk out. The only exception I have noticed to this rule is when it comes to clothing. Not just clothing but special occasion clothing. Face it we like to look good on those rare occasions. On the rare occasion we don’t know where to find it. Or we are with our women. Men will usually walk into a store, move to the farthest aisle to the right. Walk down it, check the aisles to our left and right, If we happen to see something that strikes our curiosity we may venture down and take a gander. We continue this until we reach the farthest aisle to our original left. Satisfied we have seen anything that may strike our fancy. WOMEN: Women generally have an idea of what they went in for. But once they enter the door all that seems to have gotten lost. They may be in the front of the store, then the back, then in the far left aisle, the middle of the store, then the far right aisle then who knows. You know I’m right Girls. How they know if they have covered the entire store, I have no idea. It must be a Gal thing. For women it is more of a complete sensory thing. They can not just walk by and see a thing. they have to touch it. Smell it. Imagine what it will look like on, or in the home or car. Then feel it again. Lastly they will look at the price and then they have to decide if they can afford it. Is it really worth what the store wants. Aisle after aisle it is the same thing. Then just to be sure about things they considered they go back to check it out again. The same pattern wander, touch, feel, smell, etc. When they finally get to the checkout they forget how to read by entering the express lane with twice the items allowed. Now I’m not talking about all women on this subject. Just many of them. Then guess what. They know they are going to write a check. They wait until all items are rung up, bagged, then search through their purse to find the checkbook then a pen, and finally start writing the check. Men: Watch the cashier scan in the items and watch to be sure the price comes up right. Women: Stop at the checkout or somewhere in the aisle and block it. While they check the receipt to see if something rang up with a wrong price. Then if they find something wrong they go to the Customer Service ares. Stand in line. So they can get that extra nickle they were charged back. I love women. They just think differently. And it perturbs me. But I guess that is what makes us love them. That Is How I See It. Views: 243
Tattoos
Tattoos . I just don’t get it. I realize lot of you have tattoos. I also realize there is a long history of tattoos. Usually tattoos are a ritual of certain tribes. There is also the story of sailors getting tattoos when they cross the prime meridian. This one I get. Tattoos are permanent. (Not so much now as it once was). I know people who get them when they are young and regret them when they are older. They try to have them altered, because they are not relative to their adult lives. I know people who have actually had them removed. (I don’t know which is more painful. Getting a Tattoo or having it removed. I am told both are painful). According to the United States Food and Drug Administration. The inks and pigments used in tattoos can cause allergic reactions, infections and scarring. A friend of mine had an “8” tattooed on his bicep, to honor Dale Earnhardt Jr. He was really worried when Jr. left the 8 car. Luckily Jr. was able to get 88, and he was just able to add an 8. What happens if Jr. ends up in, lets say 57 at some time in his career. Now what. Another friend had his girlfriends name on his forearm. One day she tried to kill him. He was in the hospital quite a long time. She went to jail. He never saw her again. But when he started dating again. The name on his forearm kept girls away. (He eventually had it removed at, for him was a huge expense). But now he is happily married, and we never mention his tattoo. No he would not put his wife’s name on his body. Women…. I know you think they are an adornment. But as you age…well it is a wait and see. I see what would be very attractive women, if not for the alteration of their skin. To me that is just a big turn off. I’m not talking about a little butterfly on your ankle or somewhere. I can handle that. What I am talking about is the large tattoos, or many tattoos. Tattoos can also lead to you not getting a job, or at least a job you would prefer. A prospective employer may look at you and see the tattoo, not the real you. People who do not have tattoos tend to not trust anyone with a tattoo. Well like I have stated before, this is a place for me to put my opinions. I respect your right to do with your bodies what you want. But to me TATTOOS are TABOO. That Is How I See It. Views: 88
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day. A day we celebrate with parades, shamrocks, and green beer. But who was St. Patrick, and why do we celebrate a day with his name. St. Patrick a, Christian leader, is revered by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion. Patrick, the only name I could find, was born in the year 385 at Banna Venta Berniae. of Roman Britain, and died March 17, 461 age 75 or 76 depending on month of birth. (There are some who believe his death was in 493.) The son of a high ranking Roman family. Around his 16th year he was captured by marauders, and sold into slavery as a shepherd for an Irish Chief, from Antrim, (a country in N.E Ireland). While tending these flocks he would pray to God as many as one hundred times a day. It was in those six years young Patrick learned the Celtic language . His master ,Milchu, was also a high druid. Thus Patrick learned of the primeval Irish religions. He fled to Tours (a city in Western France). While at Tours, Patrick became a missionary and later was dispatched to Britain to combat wrongful teachings of Pelagius, (an English monk whose teachings opposed those of St Augustine). Although St. Patrick is accredited with ridding Ireland of snakes, evidence supports the theory after the Ice Age, Ireland never had snakes. It is suggested the “snakes” referred the serpent symbolism of the Druids. The shamrock, you see in so many St. Patricks Day was used by him while explaining the Holy Trinity. St Patricks Day parades was started by the American-Irish who celebrated the saint’s feast day by marching through the streets of New York in 1792. Although Chicago is host to the most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Kiss me I’m Irish. Some enterprising person came up with this idea, because of the Blarney Stone of Irish legend. Supposedly kissing the Blarney Stone, (A stone built into the Blarney Castle; which one has to lean out on a ledge look up and kiss), brings one the gift of gab. The thinking was….If you can’t kiss the stone, then kiss an Irishman. When drinking your “green beer” say “slainte! (Pronounced slancha). Irish version of “cheers.” Slainte means health. Again, we have here a holiday no self respecting atheist can celebrate without being a hypocrite. Too Bad. Happy St Patrick’s Day!! That Is How I See It. Views: 276
Wisconsin Vs Unions Legal Vs Moral
Many of us have been watching the unfolding saga pitting GOVERNMENT AGAINST UNION. While the outcome is a loss for Unions/Working People. My question is: Where do you draw the line at LEGAL and Moral Ethics. Some of the people’s representatives left the State as a way of fighting for the rights of workers. Others stayed behind and plotted a sneaky way to push their agenda forward. My questions is who took the more ethical way to fight. We cannot deny the dissenters brought the government’s UNION ASSASSINATION PLOT, to light. Was there any other avenues for them to take. I don’t know of any, but there may have been. We know there was plenty of input from the residents against the passage of this bill. If you haven’t been keeping up on the situation. The Governor and 18 Republicans were acting in the best interest of Big Business. (Few small businesses deal with unions). To get this bit of business passed those 18 Republicans (One Republican dissented); conspired to strip out any item that would force them to have the required quorum of 20 members to pass the bill. Thus allowing them to pass it with only 18 of the 33 total voting members. I’m sure the vote was probably LEGAL. But was it MORALl? Did they show the ETHICS expected by the people of the state. I have always loved the state of WISCONSIN, But if the actions of the Governor and the Republicans, is a reflection of the people’s ETHICS then I am so very glad to not be a WISCONSIN CITIZEN. Where do you draw the line between Moral ethics and legalit? This a Question Wisconsin Voters must ask themselves when they visit the voting booth again. That Is How I See It. Views: 152
