Pack Riding.

I just got back from a huge run for a local dealership with 'Celebrities' Dan Hagertey, Barry Carroway...Etc
It was the 'Rub' Crowd.
Scary as hell....3/4's of the jackasses riding couldn't hold their own.
Wobbling, weaving, slow speed near misses..redlight slides..almost hitting parked bikes..[Mine] I'd could go on but since your reading this I imagine you've seen plenty of what I'm describing.
We have all heard the rants about cagers 'Not respecting our right of way'
This is True.
But just as many go down due to their own stupidity or inexperience.
I have never been one to 'claim' riding expertise.
I let others speak to my abilities.
BUT....
This time I gotta speak up.

So you bought a bike....Good for you.
You overcame the fear and grew a pair and learned to ride.
Got your license and leathers..and are gonna be part of this 'Biker community'
Welcome aboard!!
Life just got infinitely more exciting for you.
However there's plenty of excitement in this life to go around.
Barely making it because of shitty riders shouldn't be part of it.

You know that new hire at your work...who thinks he knows everything and don't know shit??
Guess what?
That's you.
Ohh that's right, Not you.....you obviously are smarter than the average bear.
Nope, You ain't.
All of us 'Roadtramps' paid our dues to earn that name.
It didn't happen overnight.
The best ones took the advice of Scootertrash and observed...and observed and emulated...and still do.
Day in day out....still watching and learning.

I personally have worn bikes out with many many miles.
Many at an excessive rate of speed.
Not safe?
Probably not...Yet I have had many a rider along side wheel to wheel hauling ass.
And both of us felt safer than sitting in our living room chair.
When it's done right....It's artistry, synchronicity almost religious in feeling.

Want to ride like that??
Perhaps not. And that's fine.
But you should try to ride good enough to be able to.
You will end up at some point riding pack...it's damn near inevitable.
Small or large, doesn't matter.

The building blocks of a good rider are surprisingly simple.
They really are.

Try this.
When riding always ride like you're in a pack...always.
I don't care if your in Death Valley and are the only bike for a hundred miles.
Always, always ride pack style.
How?

One foot from the line.
Simple,that's it.
One foot.
One foot left if you ride right side.
One foot right if you ride lead left.
That's your line...period.
Always ride that fine line.
ALWAYS.
Get used to it so it becomes habit.
And in doing so, you have taught yourself not to wobble.
When turning...stay in that line.
Left side turns tight into that line.
And right side stays out in theirs.
Right doesn't cut in font of the lefts line and always swings wide enough for left to clear.
Left does not swing wide and push right out of his/her lane.
Simple no?
You'd be amazed at how often this simple rule gets ignored.
Always expect it to happen...even with experienced riders.
Nobody's perfect.
Always watch your partner.
Riding 'Outlaw'
Stay wheel to wheel.
Not just a little behind or ahead.
There is a blind spot.
If your front wheel is even with my engine, you have vanished.
I look left and no bike....I look in my mirror..no bike.
Your gone....Now I'm looking everywhere for you...WTF where the hell did he go?
He was just here a sec ago.
I roll off throttle and lo and behold there you are.
This is seriously bad.
While my attention is momentarily diverted looking for you and not focusing on my 'line'
Remember...one foot.
It takes constant vigilance to maintain.
As it should be.
It keeps you alert and aware at all times.

Note.
"I don't ride Outlaw I ride staggered because my Hog riding book says so"
Bullshit.
If this is how you feel comfortable riding, Then ride there far enough back so I can see you in my Mirror.
However...
It's a false security.
At the average speed of 60 you're only milliseconds behind and that old chestnut of 'Room to maneuver' is deadly.
You didn't see what made me swerve right as I am most likely blocking your view of the obstruction anyway.
Following behind at a 'respectable distance still ain't gonna give you enough reaction time.
Seen it happen time and time again.
Outlaw?
We both see the Object at the same time and both instinctively swerve right in unison.
Perfect...No.
But better than the other way and if you wanted safe...buy a Segway.
Also how many times have you been in a hurry in your car to turn left...wait for the car in the left lane to pass and gun it across lanes to get in.
We have all done it..Don't even try denying it.
And after the car went by...oops there is a car/Bike just behind in the right lane.
Luckily you were paying attention... could have been a helluva wreck..Whew!!
This is actually where a lot of left turn cagers meet bikes
They didn't see you..they couldn't.
Try this.
Go to your hallway,stand on the right.
Have your spouse stand a few feet down the hall facing you on the left near the middle.
Have someone else stand just behind them closer to the wall.
Can't see them can you?
Your spouse is blocking your view.
Always try to match the traffic going through an intersection, don't be just behind them.
Following traffic.
If your partner is riding a few feet back...Throttle off and stay along side.
Don't ride ahead even just a few feet.
Kinda gives you pause on the whole staggered thing don't it?
And in a pack... staggered spreads the line out so far you have idiots racing to catch up..and as you'll note the novice riders tend to congregate back there...recipe for disaster.
I have seen too many riders overtrust the braking ability of themselves and the bike.
Happens more than you think.
A excellent riding Buddy of mine was guilty of this from time to time.
He finally tagged a car and went down.
He was almost stopped when he hit so no damage of consequence..except his pride.
Yet just three little feet back.....never would have happened. 3 feet.
Your table that you're sitting at probably ain't that wide.

Is this all? No, not by a long shot.
But do these things and practice braking, downshifting, situation awareness,tight turning.
Watch the "Scootertramps" around you and learn.
Ask them for advice.
I'll have far more respect for you than if you try to fake it.
You can't..Trust me.
We can tell.
But if you do these Simple things,Perhaps you'll someday overhear.....
Man, That fucker can RIDE!
Trust me...ain't no sweeter words ever uttered than that.

TAINT JUST PAINT!

Here it is....First "real paint" Job in thirty years.
Hugger Orange base,
Airbrushed candy tangerine and pagan gold scallops,
Another set overlaid and past the lines 'Ghost Scallops',,,in gold prismatic clear.
Shot over with three coats clear.
The back fender is done the same with the exception of the prism gold sprayed on all the fender,
Hand sanded to a high gloss and no ridges between coats felt.
Smooth as Glass.






The flash kept changing the reflection.
Think the OL'Man's still got it???

Brothers

Insistent chiming stirred Roach to semiconsciousness. Reaching out to stop the annoying sound, he felt a pair of legs wrapped around his torso. Still half asleep he tossed last nights fender bunny off his leg while reaching for the damn phone on the nightstand, knocking his whiskey bottle to the floor, finally grabbing hold of the offending item. He pulled it to his ear, and grouchily mumbled, "What?" After listening for a few minutes, Roach growled, "No problem Bro."

He slammed the phone back on the receiver while exiting the bed. He turned and shook the perky little redhead awake, "You gotta get up and scoot on home. I got things to do." The tone of his voice told her it wasn't a request. She jumped out of the bed and grabbed her things while dressing on the run and exited the house without saying a word.

Groggily he stepped into the bathroom and fumbled around the sink, bottles fell and clattered to the floor. A large powder container dislodged itself in a semi-arc hitting Roach squarely in his crotch, nearly causing Roach to double over holding his jewels. "Son of a bitch!"

Slapping the faucet handle to wash the resulting white cake off his hands, he bent the silver ring on his finger. He pulled his hand toward his face to see what was pinching his finger and stepped back onto a stray bottle on the floor, launching him into the nearby tub. The resulting pressure on the shower curtain caused the plastic holders to snap one by one until the whole rod and curtain crashed down on his head. Roach ripped the ring off his finger and threw it out in anger. The bathroom mirror shattered.

Extricating himself out of the tub Roach reached the door jamb and exited. Staggering down the hallway while pulling his jeans on, Roach bumped his shoulder in the door jamb muttering to himself, "Goddammit!" He pulled his boot on while hopping one-legged and smacked his other shoulder on the kitchen counter, "Fuuucck!" Yanking his vest off the kitchen chair caused it to fall over and crash to the floor.

Thoroughly agitated Roach kicked open the door to the garage, embedding the handle in the wall. Slapping the garage door button caused the overhead lights to flash on, illuminating the well-worn knucklehead marking its spot on the floor. The screeching chain overhead dragged the garage door open. Roach threw a leg over and shoved the kick-start down twice before turning the ignition switch on. Another kick resulted in a loud bang resounding through the shop knocking tools and cans off the shelf before the knuckle settled into its familiar loping idle. Kicking it into gear, releasing the clutch while twisting the throttle stood the bike up on its rear wheel while the engine bellowed out to the night air. Leaning hard to the right at the end of his driveway the rear tire broke loose for an instant, skipping sideways and grabbing traction the old knuckle squatted down and shot forward slamming Roach back and he found himself digging his clenched fingers into the grips to stay on the bike.

Kicking up the gears brought the speed to well over a hundred within a thousand feet of his house. Turning onto Main Street Roach hunkered down on the tank, rolled the throttle over to wide open and shot past the local gendarme patrolling the bakery parking lot. Looking in his rear view mirror Roach could see the cop toss his coffee and donut and race toward his cruiser.

"Aw, shit...here it comes." mumbled Roach.

Blue lights bounced off the storefronts gaining in intensity as Roach braked, sliding into a hard left turn onto Central Street. Another set of blues coming from the side street ahead told Roach his evening just got a whole lot more interesting. Turning a hard left down the next alley, Roach no sooner straightened upright when the front wheel struck an overturned garbage can. Trash flew up, struck his face and nearly knocked him off the bike.

Pawing the slop off his glasses while avoiding more obstacles, Roach aimed for narrow gap between the brick wall and an overfilled dumpster. Grinding the end caps off his hand grips the bars bent slightly inward as the knuckle shot loose. The screeching and clanging sounds from behind told him at least one cruiser was out of the nights festivities.

Down-shifting and throttling up Roach headed for the relative sanctuary of the nearby industrial park. Bubblegum blues gaining in intensity told the story, the boys in blue were still on his trail.

Aiming for the forklift ramp into the warehouse, Roach went airborne onto the loading dock, riding along knocking stacked pallets loose as the dockworkers scrambled to get out of his way. One worker in his haste ran in front of Roach for nearly thirty feet before tossing the box he had been carrying and diving headlong into a half empty trailer. Roach saw his longtime bro Shakey pointing in his direction and doubling over in laughter. Throwing a one-fingered salute Roach shouted, "You still owe me a beer, Fucker!" Shakey, too flustered from trying regain his breath, just smiled then responded with a single digit wave of his own, using the finger to activate the loading ramp ahead into the upright position. Roach went skyward off the ramp, clearing the chain-link fence into an open field.

Landing hard, Roach's legs flailed behind the knuckle as it bounced along trying to stay upright.

Distant fading blues signaled the fence had done it's job. Rapidly putting miles between himself and town, Roach settled in for the remaining ride to his destination.

Kicking through the gears, Roach became aware of a burning sensation from his seat, briefly pondering the cause. Roach's mind flashed back to the earlier bathroom fiasco, "The fucking bottle was Blue!" Realizing the significance of the bottle's color he suddenly stood on the bike's binders and brought the knuckle to a screeching halt alongside the nearby canal. He dropped the bike and jumped feet-first into the waters screaming, "God-damned medicated foot powder!" Waving water into his crotch to wash off the offending burning sensation only amplified the unpleasantness before finally providing cool relief.

Lying along-side the canal Roach loudly cursed the night air, "Un-fucking-believable!" Slowly getting up and uprighting the knuckle on it's side stand, Roach struggled to throw a water-soaked leg over the bike. After successfully smacking his leg on the sissy bar several times the deed was done. Kicking the knuckle to life, he tore out along the gravel heading for pavement arriving at his intended rendezvous point several miles later. The knuckle was silenced and Roach dragged a wind-dried stiff leg off his mount and shuffled along the pavement to a brother sitting nearby next to his scoot.

Reaching into his pocket, Roach procured a shiny new masterlink, handing it over. His Bro asked, "Any trouble?"

"No problem, Bro. No problem at all."

Blink of an Eye

A local club of riding Friends woke up today to a gorgeous riding day.
Temperatures in the low eighties, slight breeze blowing,air crisp and clean.
Gathering at the designated meeting point proudly wearing their 'cuts' sporting Kruzers AZ upon their backs.
Brotherhood and camaraderie is their stated creed. Having a good day together is the mission.
Laughing, joking someone no doubt chided another for being a little late. another chimed in 'He can't help it...he had to get his wife's permission'.
Rolling out along Cave Creek road it felt good to be riding.....This is what it's all about.

Across town A man arrived at work..Just another day at the ol' grindstone.
Gotta make a living. bills to pay and all.
Awesome spring day, shame to be having to work today.
Perhaps this weekend a barbecue or a day just lounging around with family or Friends.
Just one more day till Friday and...

The riders rode leisurely up Cave Creek road as the leader goosed his engine just a little. smiling back at his Brother, challenging him just a little.
Further back in the pack a riders wife was making silly gestures causing the biker alongside to loose his composure and break out in audible fits of laughter.
Even further back in the pack another brothers chest swelled just a little with pride as he watched his close-knit group enjoying the hell out of this day....A few more miles and he'll buy them all a round at the Hideaway.
Rolling up to the stop sign behind a car, the packs energy was ready for some partying.
Great food and a cold one, this is gonna be a day for the books.

The worker fired up his truck. headed out of the yard to his destination.
Driving along his thoughts wandered just a little.
Routes, schedules and maybe a little thought to the upcoming weekend.
A slight bump in the road shook the log/manifest papers loose from his clipboard.
Reaching down to the right to retrieve the fallen papers,
His eyes looked to the floor for just an instant.


Somewhere in the this Valley tonight.
A group of close Friends will never laugh together again.
Three families are mourning the loss of their loved one.
Six more are desperately praying that the loved ones still in ICU will still be alive in the morning. Many strangers are sleeping fitfully..trying to not replay the days horrific sights in their minds eye.
And One man..sits with the knowledge that his life as he knew it has ended.
The years of nightmares, His probable multiple convictions for manslaugther.

How did all this happen so quickly?
Afterall,,,It was for just an instant...Right?
http://www.kpho.com/news/22956828/detail.html

Please, keep your eyes on the road and pay attention to your driving.

Charitable Intentions

I have a question and I hope one of my more knowledgeable readers can perhaps explain this to me.

If you have a business whatever it may be, the standard wisdom for all types is take your profits and reinvest them back into your inventory.
Buy more product to sell, or invest in new equipment for said purpose. Do not take those profits and use them for anything other than increasing business.

This is standard business 101, taught in any good class from Harvard to community college.

All in agreement so far?.

Here's my quandary.

A business here in AZ. [Which by all involved vehemently deny it is one] but let's go with our all knowing governments version and say it is. I personally don't agree with that...but let's for the sake of this argument say it's true.
According to the same government it is a "criminal organization" that deals in nefarious purposes.
Now this said organization took some of it's profits and bought a truckload of toys to give to children.
When they arrived to deliver the toys...They were denied access to giving the toys away.
????? WTF?
Well it seems the local law enforcement in it's wisdom decided to tell the charity 'Don't accept these toys..they are bought with criminal profits'.
Who loses out in this scenario?
The innocent children lose out on Christmas.
The 'Bad guys' will correctly now decide that since spending money on charity is a waste if time, put it back in inventory.
The 'product' they sell will not be diminished one fucking Iota by this denial.
They are not gonna close up shop and go away because....[Awww, they won't let us give stuff away]
The 'customers' don't buy from them because 'hey..they help kids'. They could give a shit less one way or the other.
OK...So far the kids lost...the 'criminals' kept more of their profits to buy more product and equipment..[being criminals...that would naturally mean more guns and such].
So who came out ahead here?
Law enforcement?
Most see it as making innocents pay for the wages of crime. The organization they are fighting actually gains in strength because they now have more money to continue their 'nefarious efforts' and actually close ranks among themselves , becoming a tighter group.
The LEO's now face a better equipped army against them, the public perception of them is diminished because they just made innocent children who are already down on their luck pay the price.
These kids will not remember why....Only that a 'Cop' prevented Christmas.
And will most likely in the future look on 'Cops' as assholes.
Showing LESS respect for the law,,not more.
So my question is......Just who the hell came out ahead in this scenario?

Modern 'Bike in Barn' story

We've all heard the proverbial 'Bike in a barn ' story.
Bikers sit up and Pay rapt attention when one is told.
Hell, If it's a real good one we'll even push the chatty naked pole dancer outta the way just to hear it.
You might as well tell her right now...go back to the dressing room....Cos' your gonna love this one.

A 96 FLH in perfect condition found in a 'Barn'..Ok, it was a garage..who cares.
The owners manual and video had not even been opened yet.
Impressive, No?
OK, not really that impressive......You can find low mileage examples if you look hard enough.
Under 3000 miles..is that impressive? Quite rare...but not really unheard of.
So how about.......300 miles? Got your attention now don't I?
That's rare for a 13 year old bike....I don't care who you ask.

That's a cool fucking story period.

But...Wait!!!! There's more.

How about...a 96 S&S motored American eagle softail chopper with all the chrome and fancy color shifting paint job done by 5150 Paint and kustoms. [Around a 3500 dollar paint job]
And just for good measure..New Revtech heads and Barrels.
Kustom rims etc.
OH!! Before I forget.....275 actual miles. Yep, you read that right...275.

Now finding these two bikes with a combined mileage of 575...In the same 'barn'
The odds of hearing a story like this is pretty damn rare, Wouldn't you say?

I'll bet your saying 'Holy shit' , Now that's a great goddamn story.

Whoop's...I ain't done yet...;]

How about a 97 Honda Valkrie......The first year edition with the most horsepower.
In showroom condition.....which isn't that amazing....Since it also has only........325 miles.

All three from the same 'Barn' and all three are sitting happily in my shop as I write.
I need to clean the tanks and carb's ...fuel injectors,,oil changes, tires etc...

The current owner wants to ride the FLH and sell the other two
The original owner bought them as 'Investments' back in the day.
Then decided to give them to his son-in-law.
He then contacted a Friend of mine.
I 'm making green to fix em...and I get to ride them.
And I gotta cool post for my readers outta the deal.
Ain't life just grand...;]

PS...I will post pics when I find the damn camera cable to download,

Cane

Cane's ears slowly stirred his consciousness into focus. The close quiet hum he was hearing to was alien to him. Slowly opening his eyes and peering into the subdued light. The blinking green numbers flashing on the monitor above his head brought the hazy memory of recent events to clarity.

'Aww, Shit...It wasn't a dream'.

Quiet laughter echoed from the room’s far corner, ’No, It was definitely real'

Cane strained his eyes to focus on the source.

The man speaking from the corner of the room stepped forward into view.

Cane looked to see a weather-beaten face shrouded in long flowing white hair and beard.

It took a few seconds for Cane to realize the vest and leathers the man wore were white.

'Who the hell are you?' Cane asked.

Again the old man laughed, leaning closer to Cane replied softly ’wrong place'

'What do you mean by that?

'I don't come from there'

Confused, Cane stared at the man quizzically and then mumbled 'Oh Shit'

Laughing even louder the old man quipped 'No, I ain't who your thinking' Waving his hands in the air, no robe and no scythe here'

'Then who are you?'

'Lets just say I'm a fan and have been for sometime.'

A Fan? Of what?

'Of you and what you do.'

'I'm not sure I understand'

'You are a good hearted man who strives to live each day honorably and care for your family and friends. Also what you do for kids....Well, let's put it this way, many talk about helping, you actually put yourself out there. For that, I try to keep an extra eye out for you'

Looking down at his body wrapped in bandages Cane muttered 'Good Job'

Smiling the Old man replied 'Yes, I think so'

'I was being sarcastic' If you were watching out for me...you kinda messed up' replied Cane

'I was a little busy at the time, so I did what I could

'Busy?

'Yes, busy. What you didn't see on your little flight was our friend with the scythe waiting in the street. He was so excited at having potential clients he didn't see me coming. I drop kicked his ass' and then barely had time to catch you and your wife in time for a softer landing. You try catching two at a time...let me know how well you do' chortled the old man.

'You did all that?' asked Cane.

'That and more, I have sent people with good hearts and advice to your side, though you don't always listen, I have even helped you out of a few close calls.....You haven't exactly helped make my job any easier.'

'Sorry'

'No need to apologize, I really didn't expect you too'.

'Now you’re confusing me'

'I don't have any hold on your free will. The same ability that sometimes hinders, also allows you to take the risk you do for children. They kind of go hand in hand..so to speak.'

'Why me?'

'Because I need you'

'You need me? How?'

I can't be everywhere at once; I need people like you to protect the little ones.

'I'm still not sure I understand...aren't you everywhere?

The old man responded laughing 'No, I'm not that guy either'

'Then who are you?'

'Lets just say I'm the "Bikers" aide and leave it at that.'

'Now I'm really confused, if you’re a "Bikers" aide what's that have to do with kids?'

'Since the entire world has free will, there are those who will abuse that privilege. You help to make sure that the little ones don't have theirs taken away. Some lead by your example will also become "Bikers" someday.

By looking out for you, I'm also looking out for them.'

'I won't be able to do much from here' said Cane gesturing at the room.

'As I stated before, you have good people surrounding you. They will keep the flame burning in your absence. Think of it this way, the best steel is forged slowly over fire. In time you will emerge from this stronger, sharper and more focused. When you wake tomorrow, you won't remember this talk we are having...But your soul will.

Cane noticed the old man was slowly receding back into the darkness of the room. Feeling the effects of the medication again he started to drift off to sleep. Before consciousness lost hold he heard the old man whisper.

'Rest up Bro', you still have a Lot to do'