Q and A about complacency

Question:
What is worse that a complacent car driver not paying attention to a motorcycle rider?

Answer:
That motorcyclist being too complacent to notice the complacent car driver not noticing him/her.

Complacency is one of the biggest dangers of riding a motorcycle.

Think.
Be aware.
Never forget how vulnerable we are out there.

****** Original post Above******
Edited ad on information per Big D.'s comment below
Now mind you, I had no idea this had just happened when I posted this.
Scary stuff! PAY ATTENTION FOLKS!
Check out the accident details below.
http://www.kpho.com/news/22956828/detail.html

Everything Zen

Everything Zen is a song by Bush. It is the first thing I thought of the other day March 21st while riding my motorcycle with the tunes cranking from my I-Pod.

You see I now realize for the first time in over 20 years of riding motorcycles that I've been missing out. I know that lots of bikers with fairings and radios have already experienced riding while rockin, but sad to say last sunday was my first experience.

I have to wonder why I waited so long. It was like a DUH moment. I thought WTF. This is awesome! It made riding a completely different kind of experience.

Not only did the ear buds crank out the tunes, but they also acted as ear plugs to cut out the wind from going into my ears. I got those Skull Candy ones that have the soft rubbers that go in your ear. They were cheap. Like only 16 bucks! They also came with three total different sized ear pieces to choose from so you get the right fit and comfort.

I turned the music up loud enough to hear it over the rumble of the motor, but quite enough to hear if there was an emergency vehicle, or police officer behind me.

So this brought me to wonder how many other people out there ride with headphones on?

I know that it is technically illegal, but......

Moral of the story...

+=

Everything Zen

Get out of the Car! senior moment

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SPEEDo DEMON

Professional photography by Pegasus Photography.

New Speed Control Method?

Speed controls being used in Eastern Canada.

Don't know 'bout you, but it would slow me down! People slow down to try to straddle the pot-holes.

This is actually a speed control devise in use! It is cheaper than cameras, especially when moved around each day.

Look at the poor dude on a motorcycle.

To me, these look like an accident waiting to happen!

I can just imagine how many rear end collisions they have the potential to cause.

B & A Cylinder Head, an Honest Motorcycle Mechanic

I just want to put a shout out to B&A Cylinder Head for being straight with me.

Earlier on a mechanic I've used in the past (name not mentioned as I do not believe in defaming anyone), I was lead to believe that I needed lifters, or (Tappits). His business was out of commission while moving so I started looking elsewhere for some other opinions on what might be wrong with my bike. After talking to some other mechanics, I had got a few opinions that it might not necessarily be my lifters making the ticking noise I was hearing during idle after the motor warmed up. I guess you could say this was an honest mistake, and or misdiagnosis. The only problem is, that misdiagnosis could have, and would have cost me some serious dough to fix absolutely nothing.

Previously, when I had my motor built up a bit, I had my bike Dyno-tuned, so I brought it to the place that did that. It turns out after a trip to B&A Cylinder Head and a Dyno set up that the ticking sound I am hearing is just my motor doing what all or most Harley motors do eventually when they have some miles on them. There is one of several parts that is worn, or off by less than 1,000th of an inch. Not enough for the naked eye to see. He said he could replace those parts for the tune of about $1900.00, and then you would be sure you got which ever one it was that was making that tick, or knock. He also went on to tell me that the noise I am hearing is nothing to worry about and that if it was his bike he would just ride it as is. If I wanted to spend $1900.00 with him, let's have me save up the money versus charging it on my credit card and putting me into debt for nothing. He said later on I could put that money to better use and put some more horsepower between my knees rather than wasting it on chasing a noise that isn't hurting anything. By the way, the diagnosis fee including setting it up on the Dyno., was way less money than what it should have been based on the time he had into figuring out what was wrong with the bike, or in this case being certain that he could say that there was nothing wrong with the bike. But he gave me a figure, and he stuck to it. Did I mention that he came and picked up and delivered my bike to me with his covered trailer, so I wouldn't have to ride it back and forth to his shop in the winter? What Excellent service!

Honesty and word of mouth advertising is EVERYTHING in this business, so I felt it was only fair to spread the word that I have found someone I am willing to share as a good honest motorcycle mechanic. He could have told me that if I didn't spend that $1900.00, my motor was in jeopardy of blowing up, and I would have handed him my credit card.

Needless to say, I'll be saving that money. He'll be seeing more of me in the future, and hopefully more of my friends who ride too.

Terrorist get away attempt.... Bad terrorist!

A clean get away... NOT!!!

Big Ol' Johnson

By John Reno

2010 Honda Shadow....look a like wannabe of a Harley Davidson 883 Sportster XL Hugger?

You be the judge.

Great explanation of what an "Economic Stimulus" payment is and how it works.

Sometime this year, we taxpayers will again receive another 'Economic Stimulus' payment. This is indeed a very exciting program, and I'll explain it by Using a Q & A format: Q. What is an 'Economic Stimulus' payment ? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q.. Where will the government get this money ? A. From taxpayers. Q.. So the government is giving me back my own money ? A. Only a smidgen of it. Q. What is the purpose of this payment ? A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a High-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q.. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the U.S. Economy by Spending your stimulus check wisely: * If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will Go to China or Sri Lanka . * If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs. * If you purchase a computer, it will go to India , Taiwan or China. * If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico , Honduras and Guatemala. * If you buy an efficient car, it will go to Japan or Korea . * If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan. * If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go To management bonuses and they will hide it offshore. Instead, keep the money in America by: 1) Spending it at yard sales, or 2) Going to ball games, or 3) Spending it on prostitutes, or 4) Beer or 5) Tattoos. (These are the only American businesses still operating in the U.S. ) Conclusion: Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard Sale and drink beer all day ! No need to thank me, I'm just glad I could be of help.

Don't forget Valentine's day is tomorrow!

Make sure you get your sweetie a card or sumpthin, or Cupid will find you and kick Yer Ass!

Have a good one!

Bathrooms

Not motorcycle related, but had to share.....

Remember that old post I did with the really cool ceiling mural in a smokers lounge and also the mural on the bathroom floor that made you look like you were floating in the sky? And Oh yeah, there was also that one way glass bathroom in that post too.

Click Here for a link to that old post to refresh your memory.

I don't know what it is about bathrooms and me, but for some reason, I find, or get sent cool bathroom stuff that I just gotta share.

Scroll down for a potty you'd never forget.

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CLICK IN THE IMAGE TO "EMBIGGEN" IT.

MC invites animal rights activist to "Party"

Johnstown, PA (GlossyNews) – Local and state police scoured the hills outside rural Johnstown, Pennsylvania, after reports of three animal rights activists going missing after attempting to protest the wearing of leather at a large motorcycle gang rally this weekend. Two others, previously reported missing, were discovered by fast food workers “duct taped inside several fast food restaurant dumpsters,” according to police officials.

“Something just went wrong,” said a still visibly shaken organizer of the protest. “Something just went horribly, horribly, wrong.”

The organizer said a group of concerned animal rights activist groups, “growing tired of throwing fake blood and shouting profanities at older women wearing leather or fur coats,” decided to protest the annual motorcycle club event “in a hope to show them our outrage at their wanton use of leather in their clothing and motor bike seats.” “In fact,” said the organizer, “motorcycle gangs are one of the biggest abusers of wearing leather, and we decided it was high time that we let them know that we disagree with them using it…ergo, they should stop.”

According to witnesses, protesters arrived at the event in a vintage 1960’s era Volkswagen van and began to pelt the gang members with balloons filled with red colored water, simulating blood, and shouting “you’re murderers” to passers by. This, evidently, is when the brouhaha began.

“They peed on me!!!” charged one activist. “They grabbed me, said I looked like I was French, started calling me ‘La Trene’, and duct taped me to a tree so they could pee on me all day!”

“I…I was trying to show my outrage at a man with a heavy leather jacket, and he…he didn’t even care. I called him a murderer, and all he said was, ‘You can’t prove that.’ Next thing I know he forced me to ride on the back of his motorcycle all day, and would not let me off, because his girl friend was out of town and I was almost a woman.”

Still others claimed they were forced to eat hamburgers and hot dogs under duress. Those who resisted were allegedly held down while several bikers “farted on their heads.”

Police officials declined comments on any leads or arrests due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, however, organizers for the motorcycle club rally expressed “surprise” at the allegations.

“That’s preposterous,” said one high-ranking member of the biker organizing committee. “We were having a party, and these people showed up and were very rude to us. They threw things at us, called us names, and tried to ruin the entire event. So, what did we do? We invited them to the party! What could be more friendly than that? You know, just because we are all members of motorcycle clubs does not mean we do not care about inclusiveness. Personally, I think it shows a lack of character for them to be saying such nasty things about us after we bent over backwards to make them feel welcome.”

When confronted with the allegations of force-feeding the activists meat, using them as ad hoc latrines, leaving them incapacitated in fast food restaurant dumpsters, and ‘farting on their heads,’ the organizer declined to comment in detail. “That’s just our secret handshake,” assured the organizer.

I hate trikes.

'Cept for this one.

Exile does it right.

ménage à trois

When the dog bites, When the bee stings, When I feeling sad, I simply remember some of my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

"Good things" represented.

It's Friday! Cheers!

Stunt Rider Bubba Blackwell was busy, So I filled in for him.

Disclaimer: Obviously a Hoax!

My "Special" Cat

Not related to motorcycles, but had to share. Too cute!

This is a video of one of my two cats acting "Special". It was hard to capture. Usually when he knows someone is watching him drinking water this way, He quits. At the end of the video, when I call his name and ask him what he is doing, He realizes he's been busted and immediately stops.

He does drink water normally too. This is just one of the many endearing qualities of his perscatonality. Its what he does when he thinks no one is watching. What a goomba.

Ever catch one of your pets acting "Special"?

passing time

I seem to have mellowed a bit more with each passing year. Maybe I'm getting older, and a bit wiser. Life sure seems better viewing it as an optimist, rather than living life through the eyes of a pessimist. With the arrival of winter each year, I realize I have to put the bike away for the season, but this only brings up a new season of thrills and beauty to come. I have come to accept that to live in Minnesota you have to learn to Love ALL 4 seasons. If you don't 3-4 months out of the year, you could potentially find yourself pretty miserable. Winter is just a thing we have to deal with. I've learned the more I go at it with this kind of attitude, the less the snow and cold seems to bother me. I love to ice fish. I love and appreciate the beauty of winter landscapes. I love snow on Christmas, and I like to snowmobile and downhill ski once in a while.

I don't ski wussy hills like the one pictured below, but had to take a picture of the run's sign while I was on my way to the double black diamond runs.

How could you pass up a name like Harley's Hollow?

Keep smiling. Spring isn't too far away.

Annual De-lurker day.

You know who you are, You anonymous readers who never comment.

Leave me a comment with you name if you are guilty, or even if you are not!

Art or is it?

I Thought this was kind of cool, and figured this was Blogable. I see it quite often. There is a distinct reverse image of the Harley Davidson Bar and Shield Logo left on one of my favorite chairs.

Its like unintentional art.

Its kind of like carving your name into a picnic table as a kid and leaving your mark.

Every time I wear a certain Harley shirt, and sit in this particular micro-fiber chair, I leave a temporary sign that says, "I was there."

Art, or is it?