Post by: Highmac on August 27, 2003, 04:56:06 AM
Thought you might like to see a British take on the big weekend in Milwaukee
Post by: Gregg on August 27, 2003, 07:30:40 AM
Post by: Gregg on August 27, 2003, 12:58:31 PM
Post by: Highmac on August 28, 2003, 02:23:31 AM
Post by: Gregg on August 28, 2003, 07:42:39 AM
Post by: sandbox on August 31, 2003, 01:00:52 AM
I’ve had Lavertas, Moto Guzzi, BMWs, and a Honda Dream, not to mention off road bikes including the two wheel drive Rokon. I’ve been on or around cycles since I was barely able to say cycle and to me it’s more than transportation it’s a life style. I’m not into to Shinny Bikes, for the most part they don’t go anywhere, or trailered to an event for Show n Tell.
I have some friends in Britain who ride Harleys and come to Sturgis or tour this patch of ground, whether from there or here Harley Riders speak the same language, even if they’re from Japan and don’t speak English at all.
The event in Wisconsin should be a good one, some friends from here are there, taking the long way back from South Dakota or just up n back for ride and a good time. I guess it’s like a gathering at Mecca for those who want to feel like they are part of something important, Motorheads and the Harley God, or just an extended family.
As far as motors go, probably the most under rated bike is the Moto Guzzi their superior motor technology is being use to fly the Drone aircraft, which can run all day long at 7500 RPM day in and day out. The bikes are very affordable too. Honda makes a great generator which I had in my Motorhome, as far as their bikes go, they’re disposable.
Today people who have played by the rules, made a good living and now want to have what they missed growing up buy a Harley and act out the Biker roll. They compete with each other with chrome items, t-shirts, gold Harley watches and bumper stickers on their Lexus which is good for the company and the image that has plagued Bikers for years. Adding Rolex Riders to the mix softens the perspective the Cops have, making it that much easier to ride without hassle. Of course the battle of Colors goes on, East v West, Outlaw v Angel, in some places like Canada, it’s gotten so bad that they introduced legislation to classify Bike Clubs as Terrorists organizations because of all the infighting and turf wars.
So you see, the Motorcycle Enthusiast’s world is a broad spectrum of people and their passions who act out their passions like a roving bulletin board. I don’t see much difference in the Computer World, people get attached to their machines and argue about even the slightest dis-or-advantage in one piece of hardware, software, platform whatever?
Just "Roll me away"
Post by: jepinto on August 31, 2003, 05:07:26 AM
Post by: kelly on August 31, 2003, 02:03:50 PM
At least I think they were.
It was the right time.
And I don't usually see dozens of bikers at a time on the road.
Some guy around Iowa City has a BMW Rally every year.
Pretty low key compared to the others I think.
Post by: RHPConsult on August 31, 2003, 02:32:49 PM
Sorry HigMac, for having neglected to put you on the list.
Today's SJ Mercury News 'bout hogs
Post by: Highmac on August 31, 2003, 04:28:13 PM
Nearest I got to joining in was watching our satellite Men and Motors channel which had a "Harley weekend", dragging up a couple of (I suspect rather old) documentaries, one called Harley Mania which was about the company and its customers. The other, I haven't watched yet (it's on tape) was about UK fans. No doubt they'll get to reporting Milwaukee in a few weeks.
Sandbox - you paint a great word picture. I'm almost on the back seat of your bike (no I'm not THAT green
). It's a long time since I was on a powered two-wheeler (not counting the 50cc scooters we sometimes rent on our Greek island holidays). First bike was a BSA 250cc sidevalve (max 45mph on a good day and a following wind), then an Ariel 350cc which lasted me about five years. Then later I got a Honda 200cc for commuting until family made four wheels and a roof a necessity. Now, frankly, the thought of two wheels on UK roads does not appeal to me one bit. Combination of too fast (the bikes) and the instinct of self preservation... 
Post by: Dreambird on August 31, 2003, 06:04:11 PM
QUOTE
Dang, he's eloquent.
Yup...
Some years back... the whole "Harley/biker" thing got a bad rap here in Calgary 'cause some wing of the Hell's Angels decided they were going to set up house keeping in the far south east end of town... Bowness.
Didn't sit well with the King's Crew who were already "sort of" there... I don't remember the whole thing, but there were problems with crack houses, burned out Crew hangout yada yada yada. Anyway upshot of it was they got run out... yep... if you can run out Hell's Angels... they were...
After that for awhile if you rode a Harley you were of course some sort of terrorist... personally I haven't heard much since.
If so... I have a "terrorist" right next door!
Post by: sandbox on September 01, 2003, 12:39:58 AM
Well I don’t know about all that, I just plop down what comes to mind. There was a lot of opinions on HighMac’s site for and against the Harley and or it’s tradition, I just thought I’d throw in my 2 cents from a rubber side down perspective.
By the way, that Fan in your newly renovated out-house has left a lasting impression on me. For some reason it continues to pop into my head, even when I’m sleeping.
Kelly it’s the right time for a lot of events, there’s one going on in Kansas the past week. Sturgis was the first of the month and now Wisconsin, heck your right in the middle.
When I had a BMW I use to go to their rallies, they like to ride looong, well organized, civil event. Good Folks, no pretense.
Thanks for the email Dick, I read todays article in the mercury News and found others in their search engine.
HighMac a friend has a Ariel square four something like this.
Your not the first to trade in your wheels for a family and cage, seems when Ford began production of the model T motorcycles became an option.
Dream, unless your neighbor is Flying a Patch, (emblem on his back) he’s probably just an enthusiast. If he gets too loud just remove the muffler from your FireBird and park it next to his bedroom window.
King's Crew
abit of area history
Post by: Highmac on September 01, 2003, 04:51:16 AM
Our club did a weekend run from London to Edinburgh in 1965 (I've still got the lapel badge), stayed at a hotel and then rode back next day (and this was before the breathalyser - need I say more). I ended up towing another rider 30 miles to a garage when his two-stroke Ariel Leader seized up.
On another occasion I got the 350 up to 90 with a pillion passenger. Her head protection was a headscarf. In retrospect the word "stupid" is the only one that comes to mind but at the time we never gave it a thought!
If you enjoy reading about other riders' experiences, I reckon you'd enjoy Good Vibrations by Tom Cunliffe, a Brit who, with his wife, rode a Hog each across the US (including a Sturgis visit). No, I don't have shares in the publishing firm - just enjoyed the book.
Post by: Dreambird on September 01, 2003, 01:57:46 PM
Of course Bowness is clear on the other side of town about as far as you can go... it almost seems like another town.
Neighbour's OK... he's just an enthusiast even if noisy at times... I have a feeling the Harley's gonna go soon anyway, 'cause he's winding down to an early retirement and moving up to Tumbler Ridge. That's about an hour or a little better from the "Ditch" (my hometown), they get oh... about 9 months of winter... I never said he was sane...
Post by: Gregg on September 02, 2003, 01:06:08 PM
Post by: Dreambird on September 02, 2003, 03:49:11 PM
http://www.pbase.com/minoltaman/harleys_an...nd_hells_angels
Lotsa pics!
Quote from site:
QUOTE
From Harley Davidson's 100th birthday celebration here in Rockford. We have the oldest Harley dealer in the nation here, Kegel's.
Post by: beacher on September 03, 2003, 01:41:21 PM
Post by: Highmac on September 04, 2003, 06:53:56 AM