the most amazing day...

I've had the most amazing day...my brother of the road (brother from a different mother) has given the Pickle a new life!

and I've had a surprise b'day party....

the list as I remember it...and keep in mind here that I know nothing about nuttin technical....
I have a new clutch, and a new motor (like brand new right outta the Christmas wrapping only got 0 KM's on it), new speakers, new speaker covers, new running lights on the hubs, new HD mirrors, new upholstery front and back - new electrics wiring and ignition and stuff - something about the old stuff being half 6V and half 12V....signal lights that work - and brand new black exhaust...the roll bars and all the rusty chrome stuff (like the box latches and the supports etc under the trunk and the signal light housings have all been painted in some handy dandy, one step below powder coating....black...shiny and brand new....

I'm sure that I've forgotten something - but our new PO is bound to remind me :o)

once they're all done - I think that the fiberglass body and the transmission is original...everything else has been "fixed up"

can you believe it? I can just barely.....

wanna see pictures? how about even more pictures?

Life Wisdome...

Born to be wild -- live to outgrow it. - Doug Horton

Motorcycle Wisdom...

Your motorcycle will let you know if something is wrong.

The Answers....

(1) 1954 (2) 1952 (3) K model (4) 45" Flathead (5) XA (experimental Army) (6) S-125 (7) '48-'49 (8) 1960 (9) '77-'78 (10) 1903 (11) '91 Fat Boy (12) 1925 (13) Hint: it's American (14) 1909 (15) Late '35 (16) 1941 (17) 1947 (18) 1949 (19) 1969 (20) 1965 (21) FLs (by 1 year) (22) 1957 (23) Late '79 (24) 1940 (25) Bill Harley (26) Shovelhead, 19 years (27) 1977 (28) FLT (29) 1971 (30) Aermacchi

So Ya Think Ya Know Harleys?

I'll post the questions today
and the answers tomorrow....

(1) What year were the 50th Anniversary emblems on all H-Ds?
(2) What year was the first foot shift Big Twin?
(3) From what model did the Sportster evolve (same frame & bottom end)?
(4) What engine was produced the most consecutive years (in the world)?
(5) What was Harley's shaft-drive model called?
(6) What Harley motor was an exact duplicate of a German DKW motor?
(7) What years did Panheads use springer front ends?
(8) What year was the Topper scooter introduced?
(9) During what years was the XLCR Cafe Racer made?
(10) What was the first year for belt drive on a Harley?
(11) What year and model H-D did Arnold Schwarzenegger ride in Terminator II?
(12) What year were the first teardrop tanks on Harleys?
(13) What is the largest-selling brand of motorcycle in America?
(14) In what year was Harley's first V-Twin manufactured?
(15) What year was the first 80 cubic inch motor offered by Harley?
(16) What was the first year for the 74 cubic inch OHV Harley motor?
(17) In what year did the Tombstone taillight debut?
(18) What was the first year for fork locks on Big Twins?
(19) When did Harley merge with AMF?
(20) When did Big Twins switch from 6 to 12 volts?
(21) Which got the first disc brake, FLs, FXs or XLs?
(22) What was the last year for the Big Twin rigid frame?
(23) When were the first rubber mount Harleys sold?
(24) When were the "knife and fork" connecting rods reversed?
(25) Who designed the springer front end?
(26) Which was made the longest, Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead or Evo?
(27) What year was the first Low Rider?
(28) Which came first, the FXR or the FLT?
(29) What year was the first Super Glide?
(30) Who was the Italian company that made the "little" Harleys?

Old Biker Wisdome...

Motorcycles don't get you pregnant. - courtesy of Old Guy's Place...

Motorcycle Wisdom...

Motorcycles never develop spare tires....but riders do!

Motorcycle Wisdom...

You will not feel the need to go to the restroom until after you have put on your rainsuit.

Famous Author Wisdome

God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players,
to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room,
with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules,
and who smiles all the time.

~Terry Pratchett, "Good Omens"

Famous Wisdome

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. - Alexander Graham Bell

Computer Wisdome

Why is it drug addicts and computer afficionados are both called users? - Clifford Stoll

She's Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

what a freakin week
no car
no trike
and no computer

well
that's my 3 eh?
my friend has loaned me his mail server to use until I get something else set up
so I'm on line

but I've still lost everything
no links
no tunes
and no data files
I've successfully lost
everything I have written
in the lastfour years

I am depressed at my stupidity
it's not like I wasn't aware
of what could happen
~sheeesh~
I don't even have a copy
of my resume!
.......

ok
back to our regular scheduled programing
bright and early
tomorrow!

Wyzwmn has left the building

Due to a computer crash (take my advice and backup backup backup) I will be offline for a few days - soon as I get old pokey on line again I'll be back - In the interim ya'll Ride Safe!

Cartoon Wisdom

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."Bill Watterson (1958 - ), cartoonist, "Calvin and Hobbes"

Motorcycle Wisdom

Riding a motorcycle isn't dangerous. Crashing one is.

Famous Motorcycle Wisdom...

If you push the bars left, the bike goes left. If you push the bars right, the bike goes right. That is, unless you continue pushing the bars all the way, then the bike will go down.

The Boomer’s Torment

It’s Monday,
gotta get back to it,
In my office looking at spreadsheets.
I hear way down on the street,
That rumbling engine roar,
My heart skips a beat.
It’d be nice to go.

It’s Tuesday,
pressure getting hot,
Talking to the CEO,
who listens to me.
Off in the distance,
some bro goes by,
He’s free to make that blessed noise.
My heart quickens its pace.
Can’t wait to go.

It’s Wednesday,
right in the thick of it,
In a lunch time meeting of forty.
Jonesy blasts out from the garage,
Concussive sound shattering the air.
My heart goes racing.
I’m dieing to go!

It’s Thursday,
I’m getting tired of it!
My assistant briefing me on schedules.
A leather-clad takes a look at the city,
The bellow bouncing off the buildings.
My heart slams in my chest.
Man! I gotta go!

It’s Friday,
wear my gear to work!
Pouring over quarterly sales reports,
I see four guys go by below,
The thunder heard above the traffic.
My heart roaring in my ears.
Hell with it!
Time to go!

Cynthia Philippi

Wisdom

Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality, if you can dream it, you can make it so. - Sunflower

by Definition

Integrity:

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness

Respect:

1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.
2. To avoid violation of or interference with: respect the speed limit.
3. To relate or refer to; concern.

Friendship:

1. The quality or condition of being friends.
2. A friendly relationship: formed many new friendships over the summer.
3. Friendliness; good will: a policy of friendship toward other nations.

Brotherhood:

1. The state or relationship of being brothers.
2. Fellowship.
3. An association of men, such as a fraternity or union, united for common purposes.
4. All the members of a profession or trade.

so what's so hard to understand?

Famous Wisdome

Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. - It's A Wonderful Life

Biker Wisdoms

A 'good' ride is one you can walk away from. A 'great' ride is one you can walk away from and still be able to use the bike again.

Every ride is optional.

If you push the bars left, the bike goes left. If you push the barsright, the bike goes right. That is, unless you continue pushing the barsall the way, then the bike will go down.

Riding a motorcycle isn't dangerous. Crashing one is.

It's always better to be on the sidelines wishing you were on the trackthan on the track wishing you were on the sidelines.

The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

The rear wheel is just a big fan on back of the bike used to keep therider cool and his/her butt relaxed. Going into a corner too fast andslamming on the rear brake causes the "fan" to abruptly stop. When thishappens you can actually see the rider start sweating and his/her buttbecome tense.

When in doubt slow down. No one has ever hit anything too slowly.

Always learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough tomake them all yourself.

You'll know you've left the sidestand down when all left turn areBat-turns and you'll know you've left the centerstand down when you're in1st gear at 4000 rpm, going nowhere.

Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to atleast three seconds earlier.

Always try to keep the number of times you put your sidestand down equalto the number of times you put the sidestand up.

There are two simple rules for riding smoothly and fast in snow and onice. Unfortunately nobody knows what they are.

You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. Thetrick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.

If all you can see in your mirrors is sparks and all you can hear isscreaming from your passenger, things may not be as they should be.

In the ongoing battle between objects made of metal, rubber andfibreglass going 100+ miles per hour and the ground going zero miles perhour, the ground has yet to lose.(Same goes for cars, large trucks, and animals taller than you. Draws don'tcount.)

Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, experience usuallycomes from bad judgment.

Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.

Remember, gravity and centrifugal force are not just good ideas. They'relaws and are not subject to appeal.

The two most useless things to a rider are the braking distance behindyou and nine-tenths of a second ago.

~anonymous~

Anonymous Wisdom

Learning to ride at 41 is better than never learning to ride at all! ~anonymous

Famous Motorcycle Wisdom

A motorcycle functions entirely in accordance with the laws of reason, and a study of the art of motorcycle maintenance is really a miniature study of the art of rationality itself. ~Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Wind Dance

For the Wind is a demonstrative mistress.
She'll show that which you crave to see.
She''ll manufacture delusions of grandeur.
Spin illusions, make you think you are free.

Mirages she'll dangle for your pleasure.
Sweet lies she'll whisper to your soul.
Jealously she'll snatch times of your leisure,
Baiting, waiting to exert her control.

You've lived with this bitch, this surreal witch, the Wind Vixen, serving up tasty dreams.
Your scooter, it sings, like Pegasus' wings, as you commune with her rantings, her screams.
You've chosen a road, the Wind, her abode, she opens and gives you full reign.
In your mind you're in charge, taking names, living large, to you the equation's so plain.
It doesn't take long, her lullabye song, seduces you into that highway trance.
Your engine's husky drone, such an obedient clone, you twirl in this exotic WIND DANCE.

Not waiting to dither, "Brave warrior, come hither!", soprano voices, angelic, you hear.
Your heart leaps at last, as when tied to the mast, brave Ulysses, his spirit did cheer,
With the sweet sirens song, the Wind carried along, to deposit in the purse of his ear.Biker's passion you bring, born to hear the wind sing, life you know must be lived in high gear.
Bravely onward to your goal, past the reef and the shoals, you approach your objective, briefly glance,
Up into the Wind, it knows where you've been, it knows you're coming to the WIND DANCE

You carry life's load, up this steep mountain road, the Wind gamely assists from behind.
She caresses your face, makes your heart's engine race, keeping time with the beat in your mind.
The hawg 'tween your legs, your boots on the foot pegs, anchors you to reality's plight.
But your mind's moving on, to that limbo it's gone, she calls "Your valor's earned my respite".
The throttle you twist, with leather bound wrist, to hasten your gamble, life's great chance.
She's driving you on, your bike chugs along, as you promenade, partnered in this WIND DANCE

The Wind so sublime, as higher you climb, taking note of the cliffs to your right.
This thin mountain road, the air turning cold, like the heart of your mistress so tight.
Phantom dominatrix controlling, road twisting, rolling, wind gusts send you careening toward the edge.
Guard rails defend, as the Wind tries to send, you hurtling over the ledge.
That fickle Wind bitch, in your brief mental hitch, thought the time was right, here was her chance.
In her soul-lust, her greed, she took over the lead, waltzing you in her poison WIND DANCE.

Realizing she tried, you pull off to the side, surveying the damage to your sled.
Your leg bears the bruise, souvenir of your cruise, against the steel of the rail, now stained red.
Yourself you quickly nurse, you decide you've had worse, you curse the Wind, yelling, you chastise.
But the wind she dies down, surplanting your frown, soothing you with unseen sultry eyes.
Like a knight's been un-horsed, you get right back on course, tell the squire to "Fetch one more lance!".
This joust has yet to end, your honor you'll defend, in this mazurka of danger, WIND DANCE.

Your trusty iron steed, with no gas or oil bleed, is ready to try yet again.
That noble Softail, you it never shall fail, prepares to re-engage with a yen.
Its soul mimics yours, the long rides, the tours, you've taken together, this bond,
Can never be broke, though the Wind might evoke, trepidation, hesitation from beyond.
Your spirit so strong, it sings right along, with the tune which, in your mind, now does prance.
Seeger's TURN THE PAGE, heard while passing a cage, accompanies you in this whirling WIND DANCE.

That classic song of the road, becomes an uplifting goad, that sends you to battle once more.
The Wind showed her face, in her death-like embrace, now she endeavors, attempts to implore.
Forgiveness she seeks, tears stain invisible cheeks, nature's actress, modern day tragedy.
With thespian ploy, she tells you "Good Boy, Your courage was your own remedy!".
Your ego satisfied, you continue your ride, up the mountain, full throttle, cares askance.
The bluster bitch smiles, she knows all the while, you fill her "card" for this deadly WIND DANCE

You see it ahead, surveying without dread, this wide open natural bridge.
Such vistas you see, opiate of the Rockies, disregarding the drop of the ridge.
Your breath it gives way, Mother Nature holds sway, you can't help but glut on the view.
The Wind rises up, gusting strong, so abrupt, toward the edge you swerve, naught you can do.
Launching over the side, your fatal last ride, your lunch now resides in your pants.
You hear a wild laugh, like a fish on the gaff, soon it ends, music over, this WIND DANCE.

Later, Park Rangers stand, o'er broken body, ruptured gland, the look on their faces so grim.
Above on the road, the blue lights flashing cold, on the top of the cruisers steel brim.
Another Biker gone, that same old torch song, lover unfaithful, soul-wrenching smut.
Brothers at home mourn the loss, one more bold rider tossed, from the bosom of that cold, faithless slut.
The Wind near the hill, gently blowing at will, calls another to task, her lusty glance,
Catches one more bikers eye, calls him up toward the sky, her new partner, waltzing in the WIND DANCE .

For the Wind is a demonstrative mistress.
She'll show that which you crave to see.
She''ll manufacture delusions of grandeur.
Spin illusions, make you think you are free.

Mirages she'll dangle for your pleasure.
Sweet lies she'll whisper to your soul.
Jealously she'll snatch times of your leisure,
Baiting, waiting to exert her control.

BULLDOG
USMV M/C W.P.B. FL
Copyright 2002
Bruce "Bulldog" Dowling
bulldog00@adelphia.net

Motorcycle Poetry

And I to my motorcycle
Parked like the soul of the junkyard
Restored, a bicycle fleshed
With power, and tore off
Up Highway 106, continually
Drunk on the wind in my mouth,
Wringing the handlebar for speed,
Wild to be wreckage forever.

~James Dickey, "Cherrylog Road"

Happy Birthday eh?

Happy Birthday Canada!
a day er two late
I was attending an SCRC event
called
the Qualicum Bay Camporee
and it was awesome!
there were lots of pix taken
and here's the first installment
from my sister BeWise...
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view.php?VEID=36033_QfNFCr1151971223cxKWoq&preview=1

Happy Birthday Canada!
I don't know about you
but I had a blast!