Danged Ol' Harley's

Now what is a guy to do ? One of my old friends dropped a call on me
Saturday.. He and one of his partners were in Irving.. After giving them
careful directions, they finally made it over to my house and we spent an
hour or so, drinking some excellent iced tea, on my porch... It should be
noted that both were mounted on two of the sharpest Harleys anyone would
want to ride.. One being a Heritage Springer and the other an Ultra Glide
Classic.. (that's is the Mecedes Benz of the Touring Bikes)

We rehashed some of the old stories and told a few new ones.. My friend
needed to take some photos for some kind of contest he is engaged in, so we
rode over to the Irving Police Dept. and Courts building.. Got the pictures
that he wanted and went searching for the Tarrant County line sign in Grand
Prairie..

The humidity was a killer and I think we all suffered through each red light
stop..Whew..

It is worth noting that the dresser is one of the most tastefully detailed
motorcycles, anyone who loves a sharp bike would admire.. Being in the
lead.. I suddenly realized that my companions were not behind me.. Doubling
back, I found them at one of the Trinity bridges on McArthur..

They were both prowling up each side of the highway, intently searching
through weeds and grass.. I was informed that the dresser had commenced to
unravel and was strewing chrome all along the bar ditch and shoulder of the
road..

Although we searched diligently.. the chrome piece was nowhere to be found..
(maybe the mowers will uncover it, if they ever decide to mow) Not being a
critical part, we didn't dedicate much more time to searching and continued
in our quest for the Tarrant county line sign..

Even though I live in the area and have seen the sign for years, I could not
recall it's exact location.. When we finally found it, I couldn't help but
observe that it was barely noticeable with all the distracting clutter of
commercial and personal advertising..

My friends got the pictures of the county line sign as well as the Irving
municipal signs and my new friend riding the beautiful dresser got a call..
Seems his kitchen pass had expired and mama was ordering him back home..

In spite of my bride having made all the iced tea and ordering pizza for the
three of us, we aborted our little ride and they hit I-30 to go back to
Rowlett.. As it is.. I will be eating "reheated" pizza for the next week and
damn.. all that iced tea is causing bathroom problems that are serious..
LOL...

It was good to see my old friend, and meet the new one.. Both are extremely
"good" guys.. Needless to say, this post wouldn't be complete, unless I
point out the characteristic of Harleys to indiscriminately chunk parts
along the highway.. However.. I will say that I do have a trailer (donated
to me by another good friend "IceMan") for just such contingencies.. In the
event of a catastrophe such as a Harley shedding critical parts that would
disable it, we could have loaded the thing and hauled it home.. Hmmm.. I
don't recall if I made the offer, or not.. Ah well.. next time, for sure..
Hurry back Waco, and bring ol' Peter with you next time.. OK

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Crap, I'm gonna have to add some doodads to mine to increase the odds
of losing something. In 97,000 miles the only part that ever fell off
was my belt guard when the mounting bracket broke... As long as I'm
not the part falling off, I guess it's all good!

Tim
'86 FXRS

 

<chuckle> you got that right.. I'd be sticking all that chrome and some
lights on one too.. When we were making that run to Houston a couple of
weeks ago, I had to do some quick light checking on my Vulcan.. While we
were working on it, someone pointed out that it was unusual for a Jap
cruiser to be worked on by a bunch of Harley riders.. Even resorting to
borrowing tools.. LOL..

Aw well.. no matter whose name is on the motorcycle, sometimes stuff
happens..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

: Crap, I'm gonna have to add some doodads to mine to increase the odds
: of losing something. In 97,000 miles the only part that ever fell off
: was my belt guard when the mounting bracket broke... As long as I'm
: not the part falling off, I guess it's all good!

I remember a story about a sleeping bag falling off. Guess that don't
count because it wasn't chrome...

 

I would like to note that the piece that fell off *wasn't* a Harley item. It
was a Kuryakyn headbolt cover. Poorly designed, I suspect. He's had problems
keeping that thing on before.

It was surely good to come by and visit. It's always enjoyable to come by
and listen to your stories (in fact, I barely got in a word about my recent
trip to Canada!) I betcha we can get Peter to come with us to Mexico. And
thanks for welcoming him like you knew him, even if he is a Republican *and*
in the insurance business. I thought for sure you'd run us off your property
when you found out!

Wakko" Waco Glenn NTXNS TOMKAT
'03 FLSTSI - "BlingBling" (The rare pigs reign)
http://www.heritagespringer.com
CRABB MAMBM

 

Here's what *I* get for mine these days: a beautiful bike that's pure class,
and free lifetime maintenance, tires, batteries, and bike washes. If you
*ride* your bike (which I suspect you really don't) the price difference
between yours and mine become much, much smaller. I bought my Harley last
year, have 40k miles on it, and have paid *zero* upkeep on it. How many
years do you think it would take for your bike to cost more than mine? I'll
be riding my bike when your's will be more expensive. I would think I'll
still be riding mine when you cart yours off to the landfill.

 

Nah... I got a lot of "misguided" friends.. <chuckle> I gotta admit.. Peter
is a real gentleman.. Sorry about blowing you away on the trip to Canada..
Damn.. We'll get caught up on the next one.. Hey.. Peter speaks a fair
spanish, also.. My wife was surprised and so was I.. Don't stay away too
long.. ok

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

<grin>... You "nailed" it.. My fear is that you will have worn it out,
before you turn that ol' tacky Harley over to me.. Seriously.. you don't
have to "apologize" to anyone for your ride.. Like you say.. "Pure Class"..
Every poser and designer biker on this newsgroup would love to own it..
although they'd never admit it.. LOL..

It is my impression that texdays has collected a yard full of junk.. He's a
"wannabe" of the worst kind.. "Group Hug".. <chuckle> The "dude" rides worn
out junk and tries to make quantity into quality..

You got the ride, pard.. I'm envious, as a friend.. and proud of your
motorcycle, for you.. However .. you should know that I will be on your ass
about that Gucci ol' Harley, forever.. LMAO.. maybe that will encourage you
to turn it over to me sooner.. The upside is that you will be in a postion
to give me hell about "my" Gucci ride, when you let me have it.. See you
soon..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Lifetime maintenance....that includes oil changes, every 2.5k miles. That's
16 oil changes so far since I had it almost a year. How much does 16 oil
changes, 3 sets of tires, and scheduled maintenance cost normally?

 

I thought the Honda Goldwing or BMW was the Mercedes Benz of touring
bikes?

At least it was only a "bling" part and nothing serious happened to
the bike or the rider. Part of the problem with the vibration of
Harley's is the propensity to vibrate screws, bolts and parts loose.

Glad you had a good ride, despite the heat. I didn't get to enjoy any
of the good weather that we had, so I am going to suffer in the heat
and ride anyway. Maybe lose a few lbs while I am at it! ;-)


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

C'mon, man. Realistically, you got a smoking deal on the maintenance
and if it wasn't for that you would probably spend a lot of money to
keep the bike up in good shape. I've never even heard of anyone else
getting that kind of deal, even with an anniversary model.

Even if you take away the "free" maintenance you get, what you paid
for your bike leaves me with a lot of extra bread for upgrades, parts,
oil, etc.

And as much as I might offend you, I don't mean to. I enjoyed riding
with you and would do so again, but the argument that a Harley is an
investment or costs less than any other type of bike is simply a false
argument.

--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

My BMW is the BMW of touring bikes, fast with great handling
A Goldwing might be the Acura of touring bikes, fast with good handling.
My Road King was the Cadillac of touring bikes, not very fast and
questionable handling at speed, but very flashy to attract attention.
Mercedes Benz makes trucks in addition to cars, so there is their
priority. No bikes.

I sold the Road King, kept the BMWs.
Chrome won't get you home.

 

Waco isn't making any such argument.. Neither am I.. That's why I don't own
a Harley, amongst a couple of other reasons.. Waco got what he wanted to
ride and he got a good deal on his maintainance contract.. LMAO.. hell..
Waco rides with me on my Vulcan, you on your Aprillia, Brian on his Shadow..
etc.. He's never tried to sell any of us a Harley or to even recommend one..
Come on now, Fullstate.. There is no argument.. Waco responded to a trashy
bastard on here, who was trying to "shame" him for riding a very impressive
motorcycle.. Back off buddy.. you, me and Waco have enjoyed too many miles
together..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

Hmmm... with all that bike expertise, and the choices that you have made..
it is surprising that you chose the BMW.. Also surprising that you can only
manage a little over 500 miles in a day to accumulate 0 points in a
competitive poker run type ride.. Something wrong with that picture..

Seems like the rider accounts for a little more performance than the bike
itself.. LMAO.. No denying that BMW is a good bike and performs well.. Also
...no denying that Harley is the class ride in the motorcycle world..
"Chrome" won't get you home and neither will a brand name on your
motorcycle.. The operator is the one who will ultimately get himself home..
In other words.. you don't have what it takes to become a rider of a
"serious" motorcycle, no matter how many cc's you try to ride...

 

Man, you guys just won't let that one go, will ya?! <g> You can bet I
strap stuff down a lot more meticulously now.

Tim
'86 FXRS

 

40k miles and no chance of oil, filters, fluids, tires? WOW! "Zero
upkeep" may sound cool but it really shortens the life of the bike.

 

ROTFLMAO... no wonder you can't get into a Prince Albert Lodge.. (you don't
even know what it is).. You don't read well, either.. Waco rides one of the
sharpest and smoothest Springers in this state.. LOL.. Typical Mark
Johnson.. talking out of your ass...

 

Don't worry about it..if you haven't lost "something", you haven't been
riding much or for very long... LOL.. like the man pointed out.. it don't
count cause it wasn't chrome.. I lost a sleeping bag and a thermos sitting
next to a gas pump in Gila Bend, NM... Top that one...

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

No no...I didn't mean that he was arguing that the Harley was better
or anything like that. I just felt he was backing up that they are
just as cost effective as other bikes and that just isn't true.
Perhaps I misunderstood....



--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

Yeah.. you got a habit of doing a lot of "misunderstanding".. The object is
that I am trying to find someone to buy lunch and thought you might take the
hint.. Damn.. you sure have got dumb, on me.. I guess that is what riding
too many airplanes will do.. LOL.. I'm hungry.. let's go eat..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker