cowpuc

Way to go brother!! NOW when I come out there and we go over and put a whoopin on that Banana Nut ice cream I can tell everybody that I been partying with "Captain Jack"!! Seriously - looks like a fun project!!! Also - from what my girls have been telling me about how much rain you folks got out there this year - sounds like something you may need just to get into town!!!!

WAY TO GO SISTER - SOOOO GLAD TO READ THIS!!! :thumbsup: Personally, I aint going that route again,,, I am going on the black market - I got a deal worked out with a couple lop eared varmints here that all I gotta do is call them with my questions, stories, pictures and all that stuff and they will submit the stuff for me.. Only thing I havent quite figured out yet is how I am gonna come up with the $10 a month they wanna charge me for the service but hey - I will figure it out.....

RIGHT ON RICK!! That was the very first thing that popped into my gray matter too brother!! Always amazed what one can find in those little slide drawers down there at Ace!!!

Heyyyy,, wassup Coff!! Lets try something here,,,, hey Larry - @Carbon_One - @CarbonOne ,, or maybe @bongobobny or maybe even @Freebird... Larry (start with him - he knows the bike) - I got that rear Ventureline bumper thingy with my scoot and as you know, it is no longer attached - any idea if that is somehow part of a Trailer Hitch assembly and if so - any idea on what Coff may need to turn it into a trailer hitch and not just a "bumper"? Hey,, worth a shot Sonshine!!

Yea,,, that Vaz is a sneaky critter... Stick with him as a spy for us will ya Riv - I have often wondered some of the same things = you are onto it like hound on a snowshoe - sic em!!!! AWESOME pics and, WOWZY - that AZZI is looking fine!!! One of these days,,,,,, I gotta get down there and tie one on with you two - pity the ice cream joint where that party takes place!!!

If I had a good buddy who was a fishermen and I knew he probably had a bunch of fish in his freezer - I would just show up now with my beach towel and squirt bottle of Windex (I got an extra one of ya need it bro) about a 1/2 hour before dinner time and say - "thought maybe ya'll could use some sistance with cleaning up that spot I was jerkin your chain about"... ,, probably got some ice cream hiding in that freezer too DanL'... ,, still dont know why you two jail birds dont head up to Michigan fir Hot Dogs after ya get done polishing on em.. Do it before June while there's still a chance of snow and you wont get a bug one on those shining things!!!!

,, what an AWESOME thread turtle ,,,, after reading all those awesome responses - had me with anticipation of how I was gonna try and explain my personal unhealthy over done passion for motorcycles and the riding thereof when,, right at the very end - I bump into these two lop eared fellow job site varmints.... Didnt even get to "brass in" (they will get one) on my response and bingo - I find myself "booming out" (and that one) into another hijack.. Sorry,,, cross winds are blowing,,, will be right back... Do LOVE the thread though brother!!! Old beat up Boilermaker here out of Local 169 in Detroit Mi you two varmints!!! Tiggin Tube was my plight,, did a fair amount of Chill Ring slaying too but mostly Tig.. Working for Foster Wheeler - Built a HUGE coal fired up here in Port Sheldon Mi - named "Unit 3" - and she sets right on the shores of Lake Michigan - North of Nuke down at Bridgeman.. Remember that song that introed the show Beretta? "where can I goooo, where the cold winds dont blow,,, now?" - well,,, the answer to that theme was DEFINITELY NOT Unit 3!! I LOVED riggin too (actually - riggin at 300ft is wayyyyyy more "fun" then welding anything - anyday IMHO).. Anyway, hanging up side down hanging buckstays and tugger pulleys on em to drag more up in -5 temps with that crazy @Flyinfool over in Milwaukee dumping snow down the carharts was - interesting.. Interesting facts - Tighening buttons on some cable while hanging spegatti tubing at 275 and my riggin buddy dropped a 1/2 inch drive ratchet.. I watched it in slow motion tumble toward the boiler floor 275 feet below while both of us are screaming "headache" to "Hillbilly" (a Tankee from Kentucky) below us who was send up the spegatti for us to hang.. Of course he couldnt hear us - he was standing up when the ratchet landed square across his hard hat - drove him right to his knees.. I looked at Pat - my partner - and said "we killed him".. Great big ol Hillbilly - STOOD UP - picked up his hardhat and the ratchet - looked at it - looked up at us and gave us the Middle Finger approval that he was gonna be ok and walked off to first aid.. About 1/2 hour later he was back with a new hat... My "push" (bossman to those who never been there) gave me a day off - PAID - one winter day when he caught me staring at the height of the stack and heard me say - "I WOULD LOVE TO CLIMB THAT".. Said go for it - WOW = straight up - iron rung steps 2 feet apart - had to tie off and rest a zillion times before I made it!! Took ALL day - got down just in time to Brass Out!! Watched a Crane go end for end into "the Pond" when a dirt wall let go.. Caught a BUNCH of "Jack Salmon" in the warm waters of Unit 2 while down there - that fish made me smile!! Got nicknamed "Half Tube" for not waiting for a welding buddy to show up - couldnt wait no more for the Pot Head so I made the welds on my side of the wall and pulled the whole set of super heats out of alignment - didnt get fired = earned my nickname.. Long story but it all worked out.. After that job finished and just before I got married and decided I didnt wanna travel (wanted to stay home and play with my kids) - I took work on a small boiler for GM.. Good job but, get this,, NO welded tubing (anyone wondering why I keep saying "tube" instead of "pipe" - Fitters work with pipe, Boilermakers OWN the Power Plant job sites and work with "tube") = ALL rolled!! WOWZY - shoulda seen my muscles after almost 2 years of that = ROLLING TUBE IS A LOT OF BULL WORK!! Never did the Nuke stuff - you lop eared varmints are brave.. Brother in law did LOTS of it though - matter of fact, he just recently retired from Bechtel as one of their higher up snobs ... He spent enough time at those Nukes that I always harrass him about his "glow" not being normal.. Of course,, like most old power plant workers - that abnormality probably has less to do with radiation than who he ran with but - THAT is another story.. Anyway,, just thought I'd yap while we're waiting to brass out.. Later brothers... Half Tube

Tracking with ya brother!! What you are describing is basically what got me started on the whole thought of taking the early out.. Lots of figuring and things to take into account for sure.. We were in the process of getting it all sorted out, we are also real close to our children and included them in a lot of the and over it all in dealing with that of which you speak.. Was looking like we had it all hammered out until the Cancer Doc (discussing with him the whole thing of answering that timeless question of when am i gonna hit the endless touring on streets of gold) came back with - "dont do nothing till ya hear from me about approving you for full bennies... Yet another hair pin turn in the adventure of sorting it all out.. My understanding is you are right on target brother!!!! Apparently, because Tip does have a "work" history (anybody reading this, PLEASE understand that I am talking about "income producing" work here - as far as actual WORK goes - Tip as a stay at home mom, raising 4 kids and educating them as their k-12 school teacher worked 100x harder then I ever did in ANY of my WORK settings - she's a keeper that lady!!,,, plus - when I came home from work I got to PLAY with those kids - I became known as the "party parent" and she had to suck it up as the "party pooper parent" ) that does make her eligible for a small SS income - the SS people will pay her that (full amount at 65 or lesser at 62 just like anyone else) BUT - now get this,, because we are married - she somehow gets a boost in her net SS draw to bring her up to what sounds like 1/2 of my amount. This is outside of the death benefit thing you are talking about if I understand it all correctly David.. All that said,,, if this deal that the Cancer Doc is working on comes thru (truthfully, I hope it doesnt cause I somehow get the impression that if it does it somehow indicates they - those Cancer people - see stuff happening that's not real nice) - I will automatically go to full SS,, then we will almost for sure wait for Tip to draw at 65... Soooo,, David,,, let me ask ya another quick question since Silv is being so gracious about all of hijackin this thread anyway... When you went thru this decision making stuff - did it seem,, weird,, like,, hey - wait a minute here - I just turned 20 yesterday,, didnt I:confused24:

YOU, my brother, are a HUGE inspiration = Tip, Tweeksis and I want to say THANK YOU Skidder!!

Yeaaa,,, what in the wild wild world of wandering gypsies is goin here - no way, no how:95:!! This best not be some trick plan to try and get to the Blue Line and eat all the pie before I get there BJ!!!!! If you do end up signing off (and I certainly hope ya dont) ya best be keeping a really close eye on the Water Hole as a ghost or something brother!! Things work out and I am able to make The Rally this year - The Pie Butt 26.2 is on the list of must do's!!

Forget it @VanRiver - I just decided to hand deliver those left over Hot Dogs to David my own self..

WOWZY WOW WOW WOW - yet another OUTSTANDING thread to be back alive for (caught a bug on an already weak immune system - been out for a couple weeks - THIS IS AWESOME to come back to brother!!!!!!! :thumbsup::dancefool: Unfortunately,, all the good stuff is aready taken so I got nothin to add,,,,,, yeah,,, right:Laugh: Tank bag: Get some chap stick type sunscreen - KEEP IT ON YOUR LIPS!! Go to Walgreens and get the good stuff! Dont use the tube type liguidy stuff - USE THE CHAP STICK TYPE OF WAXY STUFF. Use it above your eyes (want sweat off and burn your eyes), ear tips even top of the bean of you still dont got no hair growing up there. Get a cheapy digital camera with an SD Card - one that uses AA batteries. AA's are everywhere - make sure its video capible. Been buying those little Nikons n using em for years - have dropped em off the bike at speed - go back n pull the SD - pick up another for a few bucks and keep on going. Carry a couple of those little self contained Marine launchable flares - pull the little chain and they go flying.. Cheap and good for lots of stuff - even for protection from Bears and Hells Angels. Carry in your tank bag, will pass thru Customs easily. Bag of sunflower seeds to spit shells in air pocket while riding across Nebraska - amazing how long those shells can go round and round. Put your wallet in the tank bag so it dont fall out of your pocket. Have some extra keys made and hide em under the mat in the bottom of the tank bag - you wont loose your keys if ya have extras. Good tire pressure gauge - check those tires daily!! Also, if you get in the habit of purposely hitting small humps in the roadway and listen to your tire tones - you can actually keep real good track of your tire pressures just by knowing what they are suppose to sound like when hitting road way cracks - has saved my hide numerous times. Dont forget your little New Testament with a picture of your family between its pages.. Right Saddle Bag, Maintenance Department: Complete stock tool kit. Full set of 1/4 drive deep well impact sockets - including 18mm plug socket. ratchet with extentions and 1/4-3/8th adapter. Hand held impact driver with removeable 3/8th drive bit holder and full set of bits. 16 inch Channel Locks (my favorite tool - good for LOTS of stuff including removing those antlers from Mule Deer/Antelope you might find dead on roadway), short handled hammer, large GOOD Cresent wrench, long reach screw drivers - wrap electrical under one handle - duc tape under another, $5 harbor ohm meter, 10 feet of 14 gauge THHN, electrical pliers and small selection of crimp on terminals, 5 feet of 1/4 inch clear fuel line = good for lots of stuff BUT, if your fuel pump fails in the middle of no where you remove the right side cover - unplug the vent line at the one way valve, put pressure in the tank and hold it there with your mouth and you can maintain ample fuel supply to your carbs and run for miles!! Little air compressor as mentioned - I use a 4 dollar harbor freight special - had it for years and still works good - make sure the nozzle will work on your scoot what ever ya get. Handfull of tie wraps - I like the long black ones. Few bungee cords and two ratchet straps in case the guy who stops to rescue you has the trailer but no straps. Few feet of rope. Couple shop rags and small tube of waterless hand cleaner. I like carrying a few hooded sweat shirts in the trunk so I can do the layer thing as the day cools. Also carry gloves, Balacalva and daily use stuff in there cause its easiest to get into. Save the left bag for xtra pants, socks, shirts, and room left for road treasures like rocks and stuff along the way.. Always carry rain gear but very seldom have used for anything more than xtra warmth.. Speed up in the rain - stay dry. Personally I think your really missing it if ya dont go down to Menards, grab a $25 one man tent - the type with snap together fish pole like poles that make the tent self supporting by sliding those fish poles thru the little hoops - dont even need stakes. Get a one person bag and grab your one piece insulated car harts. Set up tent on the driveway, place the carharts on the floor, put complete set of xtra clothes on top of carharts, put sleeping bag with small pillow inside on top of clothes, collapse tent and fold in half length wise with stuff in tent, roll up with screened doorway at beginning of roll, end up with flooring of tent exterior of bed roll, roll as tight as possible - slide two bungees under bed roll and make a wrap. Place bed roll with folded bottom edge facing up on riders seat, take one bungee - wrap around bedroll and attach to trunk rack. Bed roll is now PERFECT back rest - sealed from rain PLUS - when you get into the US and start crossing places like Montana, the Badlands, the Utah desert,The Rocky Mountains and on and on and you want to just drop your tent and sleep in the perfect tranquility that only a man alone on a motorcycle can know - you can!! Besides brother - you NEVER know what kind of adventure those touring cross winds may force you into.. Telling ya,, I bumped into a US Ranger who was a Major home on leave out there doing what your doing one time.. We bivouacked out in the Black Hills, camped in Ghost Towns, slept behind Devils Tower and then under a water tower in Rapid City one year.. He was gonna Motel it all the way on his new Harley too but once we got started campin - he was WAYY glad he grabbed his ruck sack stuff.. You get my point. By the way,, if it starts to snow out there or just gets nippy like it can do,, you will be REALLY glad to have those Carharts.. Leave out with new tires, know how to remove those rear bags as easily as possible (have been told that they can all come off at once with just a few bolts?) so if you do need tire work - you can pull into a bike shop and remove the rear wheel.. Most shops will drop what there doing and do a quick tire change if your able to just hand em wheel.. Make sure ya got new pads on the brakes and they arent stickin. Learn to balance the bike against your hand while ya lean down to glance the oil window - little practice and its easy to keep an eye on. Have a good battery in it and, if you do happen to loose your stator - you can pick up a little battery charger cheap enough - unplug some fuses and run her off a good fully charged battery a couple hours at a time. Actually, I have done this cross country with a car battery wired up and sitting on the passenger seat - blown stator dont mean much unless you happen to get rescued by someone like Biker John and Squidley when it happens - then a blown stator can be the most exciting - life changing - friend adding adventure possible!!! Hey Riv,, something else just occured to me.. I still that 20 bucks for ice cream ya sent me stuck to my forehead.. Plus,, way things are looking,, if you do this trip before July (we are planning on heading west ourselves this July:fingers-crossed-emo) - how bout stopping in Michigan for a Hot Dog Meet n Greet (give ya Star Billing) on your way thru? Been talking to our staff here and things are looking REALLY good for some EXCELLENT Puc's Meet - Greet and Eat Meats this year!! Dont tell nobody but it looks like we may actually be having our first one starting in early May.. If all goes well,, should have a bunch of em in by the time July rolls around.. Tell ya what,, make a MGnEM and I'll settle up with ya on the Ice Cream PLUS fill your tummy with the best all Beef 1/4 pound dogs known to man (varifiable by the likes of @Drews , @mirider , @bluestar99 , @Carbon_One , @ragtop69gs , @dogman , @Marcarl , @stanG , @billmac and many many others) PLUS - I could fill any extra space you may have on your bike so you could eat Hot Dogs all the way to AZZI's house and then sell the remaining Dogs to @videoarizona for 20 bucks (cause he aint never gonna get here to taste em) and end up having your Ice Cream and your 20 bucks too GO FOR IT BROTHER - HOPE YOU AND WALT HAVE NOTHING BUT THE GREATEST JOURNEY EVER OUT THERE!! Puc

WOWZY WOW WOW WOW - what an absolutely ironic thing to come home to after spending a couple weeks completely out of it,, medically - just amazing,,, almost like we're connected as a real family here or something....... First post after all the drama - feeling pretty good so I think I'll make er a good long one seems how we're on a subject that Tip n I are learning LOTS about.. So,, it all started years ago when we got married.. She was a school teacher, decided we didnt wanna stick our youngens into the travesty that was happening in our public schools in the area (not a pretty picture). Her being a teacher (and, HOKEY SPAMOKEY what a good one) we decided she would stay home and teach our children.. She never returned to "work" - taught em all the way thru high school - leaving me as sole provider.. Now,, think about that,, out of those $$'s of sole provision came not only costs associated with raising 4 kids but - also the costs of paying for a local school system that my kids never attended - a time when home schooling was majorly taboo (things have changed HUGELY in Home Schooling acceptance). Sound like I am whining? I am NOT.. I am actually still thanking God that I was able to raise my kids during a day and age when wages for skilled trades people were SMOKIN and jobs were so plentiful that a decently skilled skilled trades person could walk off a job in the morning and be working the new one that after noon.. Money was plentiful so the pangs of raising our kids our way was majorly lessened.. Done got blessed.. When I finished my non-traditional College Education at 39 years old I walked into Mid Management like I owned the world. 5 years later walked into upper Management in a large manufacturing setting - AMAZING sign on, very nice salary and 100% health/dental for family paid by company along with complete college reimbursement for all of us.. GREAT job!! Done got blessed... Kids got older, I got restless with time of life running out on dream of turning my lifelong deep passion for bikes and Business ownership of bike shop - played with my own business, grew to self sustaining and stepped out.. Did really well UNTIL the dreadful day I broke my back and landed in a wheel chair paralysed from waist down. 5 major surgerys piecing it back together - HUGE expenses even though we carried great insurance (just the titanium in there was 52 grand) set us back BUT it taught us something = how necessary Health Insurance was.. Got blessed again - little over year in a body cast, lots of therapy and look at me gooo!! All this rambling on is for a reason,, stick with me,, its comin.. Kids grew up, got minds of their own,, flew da coup and all that,, xtra cash starts to grow even though = yep,, our Health Care costs grew like everyones.. Those numbers Freebird shared are good figures for self employed people who want to carry decent insurance - just about spot on.. Yep,, ya can get cheaper BUT - keep in mind - those deductibles really add up fast if something happens,, like it has for us these last couple years.. Brain surgery, Heart Surgery and this most recent Cancer business was,,, WOWZY WOW WOW WOW expensive!! Even at 5 grand deductible - toss in a few xtras like a spouse having a Gall Bladder removed and maybe a few Crowns on teeth (opps,, dont forget,, NONE of these policies cover dental - WOW were we spoiled back in those Skilled Trades/Management days) and a yearly outpay of 17,800 BESIDES those monthly premiums of 2160.00 is not unrealistic.. Sound like I'm whining - I'm not,, matter of fact,,, I consider myself one EXTREMELY blessed person cause guess what - if your dead and dont get to play with the new Grand Kid or ride the scoot cross country with you best friend no more - that money dont do ya no good... Dont tell those Insurance Companies but I would of cashed in my retirement plans - sold da house and even our new MK1 to have them remove that 80 Centimeter tumor that was doubling in size every 90 days and all those other parts n pieces to add these days onto my life if thats what it would have taken - I like living.. Do the same for Tip - even quicker.. I know it's hijackin but starting to feel a little more like myself tonight - gonna go ahead and step off into normal hijack land .. Wanna hear something really interesting I just found out about? It's dealing with old people stuff so you youngens may wanna go back to your working on your scoots .. Like Don,, I am 62 also.. These last couple years of medical nonsense have really knocked the wind out of my sails,, a little - can still dance and eat Hot Dogs and .. Been thinking of taking the early S.S. and been doing a LOT of diggin and figuring.. May sound nuts to some who arent there yet but the way that works is ya get a little more than half of what you get at 65 if ya opt for 62 - may not be smart but I tell ya,, ya start having multiple close calls and it sure makes ya think that even a half a retirement would be better than none if ya died... Problem is,,, ya cant get onto the "free Health Insurance" that we paid for all our lifes until 65 around here... BUT - for me,, I would end up with somewhere around 1100 bucks and that would be nice to hand to the Health Insurance people. Kids were here from Cali a while back (thankfully they came BEFORE this last bug Tip n I got caught by - WOW were we sick) - had the big family pow wow about it all - getting papers drawn up and all that stuff,, just in case - something to think about folks.. Suggestion came up to yak with my Cancer doctor and Family Doctor about it for family estate planning purposes.. Here is where it REALLY gets interesting.. Cancer Doc tells me to hold on a bit - apparently if my "numbers" show certain things - he can sign a paper and BINGO - instant FULL RETIREMENT $$$'s with FULL MEDICAL (Medicare?).. So I got thinkin,, see how things can work,, one minute I not only gotta suffer thru income losses because I flat out dont feel good and it aint "Business as usual" NO HOW NO WAY, plus I gotta pay out over 2 grand a month to avoid REAL financial catastrophie and BINGO,, all of a sudden - it appears we may end up with 2 grand extra a month coming in plus no longer having to pay out the 2160 for Heath Insurance cause I get to have the Insurance Company (Medicare) paying me back some of those premiums I been paying all my life = thats 4160 a month retirement income :big-grin-emoticon: Of course,, gotta deduct Tips Health Insurance still but,,,,, WOWZY - its amazing how much things can change from one moment to the next = that's important - if ya dont remember anything else from all these ramblins - remember that Okay,, back to Silv's thread - Silv,, I leave you with this profound thought - it comes from Kevin Costner in the movie - Water World = "nothins free in Water World".. And then here is one I just made up - "even it Kevins point were not true, it wouldnt be worth anything cause life, material items, freedom and liberty are only valuable if ya earn em anyway".. The End Been missing you lop eared varmints Puc

Just getting a little wind back in the sails,, doing a little catch-up reading and looky looky what I found!! TOTALLY WAYYYYYYYYYY AWESOME Sarah (think I remember her name correctly? Raggy?)!! YOU GO GIRL = wishing you NOTHING but the best and safest racing out there EVER girly:bikersmilie:!! OUTSTANDING!!!! Hey Raggy,, gonna be looking for some pics around here ya know!!!!!!!!

Looks like a RIOT Mike!!! Have fun out there my friend!! PS - abandoned gas stations with the overhangs remaining where the pumps used to be, Cemeterys, Church lawns (except on weekends), sub station and water tower driveways make the best "in town" emergency campgrounds if ya cant find a VR members driveway or get kicked off the Burger King lawn..

You are more than welcome my friend - glad I could possibly help.. Wish you and your wife nothing but the best if you two make it out there!! If you dont and you and that Divey end up going = You two lop eared Canuckian varmints would have a BLAST in those Black Hills Dale!! LOTS to see and do brother!! Definitely motorcycle heaven IMHO! Awe,, thanks Duey,, those sort of kind words are always appreciated!! Right back at you on hoping our paths cross someday - if they do though, hope your not to disappointed cause you will find one of those worn out old hippy happy go lucky bikers that the guys on here been talking about - certainly NOT a 1% = more of a 1/2% just so you know what to expect .. Got my that someday we do get to meet IRL - would be an honor brother!!

Chu' talkin bout Willis - that Carol Burnett was ALWAYS one of my favorites!! Matter of fact - Tip n I were watching her and Red Skelton the other night!! WOWZY the memories!! Speaking of WOWZY - sounds like you are about to make quite move their Flied Lice!! I been running a bit behind as of late and just trying to get caught up on some of all the changes taking place around here and noticed this.. Have ridden on Carls Spyder and checked out Pauls (Pegasus1300's) in Sturgis as he mentioned - both awesome machines!! What ever you decide to do - ol Half Tube wishes you nothing but the best with it brother!!!!

Yep,, totally get chur drift and know right where your coming from brother.. Personally,,, if I am able to make it down there this year I am staying in that little blue Motel by the lake. Clean inside with clean bedding (Tip washed the sleeping bag last year before I stuffed it up in the garage), cheap (25 bucks at Menards), no bedbugs (few squished skeeters with their beeks sticking in the wall though), quiet neighbors (unless that guy from Iceland or that bunch from New York show up again), not far to travel for food AND - extra soft bedding cause the guy that owns the place dont cut his grass to short... Funnest part of all is laying there listening to alllll the Venture rider varmints snoring in perfect harmony while their minds dream of dreams of fixed motorcycles and FOOD O' PLENTY!!

+1 on that Bongo!! That Kevin is amazing!!! @Condor - your pic reminded me of a Heathkit Boonie Bike I had as a kid.. Cool little scoot with a 2 speed stick shifter up on the cross bar where the gas tank sits on the one you are showing.. WOWZY there were a BUNCH of Minibike makers back in the day.. Thinking about it, there were LOTS of snowmobile makers too but, at least in my memory , the Minibike Manufactures had em whooped!! What a great time to have been a kid with a gear head disorder...

Right there with ya Boss.. Here's what I picked up a few years ago - work great, got built in calibration restrictors and got all the adapters.. The set has come way down in price too I see, think I paid 120 for mine... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vacuum-Carburetor-Synchronizer-carb-sync-Gauge-Yamaha-HONDA-CB-XS-XJ-1100-1200-/380901309371?hash=item58af7cbbbb:g:pekAAOSwZQRYaCB~

Heyyyyy,, bug out Amigo,,, someones already fishin this spot Suegra de Estimada Sra. aire listo. Por favor, permanecer en su casa de hijas hasta julio para que pueda montar mi moto a su lugar y comer tamales con usted y su familia. Me encanta los tamales hechos en casa y sería muy feliz si fueras capaz de cocinar para mí. Eres una persona muy agradable y me encantaria conocerte! ¡Gracias con todo mi corazón! Estiércol de vaca Sr. Which is suppose to say: Dear Mother-in-law of Air Ready: Please stay at your daughters House until July so I can ride my motorcycle to his house and eat tamales with you and your family. I love homemade tamales and would be very happy if you were able to cook some for me. You are a very nice person and I would love to meet you! Thank you with all my heart! Mr. Cow Manure (Cowpuc) PS - those Tamales look WOWZY WOW WOW WOW - scrumptious Ready!!!

The good they do die young,,, miss ya brother... Was gonna wish you the rest in peace thing but personally, I REALLY like the Ride In Peace one that Red1 posted so I am going that route cause I KNOW your riding those streets of gold as I type this = Ride In Peace my friend!! Prayers Up for Russell's family and friends while sorting thru the grieving process - if your reading this = please know he was treasured and loved,, definitely my kinda folk!! Red1, put me on the list of one interested in a Black Owl memory patch. If you need a certain quanity to get the order started - put +1 for Puc. THANK YOU Condor for posting this!! R.I.P. Black Owl Puc

Dont forget you guys, the MK1's needed the updated oil cooling splash plate and crank bolt with the oil orvice in it.. Rev, just make sure she's been updated or you'll keep roasting those stator's like us Michiganders roast hot dogs = crispy!! Also,, double check that connector where the 3 stator wires plug into the main harness up on the frame.. Make sure that internally the integrity of the plug is good - dont want no stickin terminals touchin each other and causes shorts...

I am sooooo hearing that about this medical nonsense neighbor!!! Been flat out of it again recouping from the recent knife fight with the Docs BUT = things are slowly picking back up!! When they pulled those parts out of me recently they found, yet another, small issue - something called Pulminary Hypertension - tickers all swelled up on the side that feeds the lungs - these Doctors are driving me bonkers LOL.. Gotta go in Friday now for more heart testing - here we go again. Neat thing about this new finding is the Cancer doc told me last week that there is high probability that this recent heart finding could be monumental in regaining some of my alertness.. Then, unsolicited - my family doctor recently said the same thing!! Allllll that said brother - I can TOTALLY relate to your chatter about getting back on top of things = ME TOO = CANT WAIT!!! CANT WAIT TO FINALLY SEE THAT ROCKET SHIP BLASTING ACROSS THE POND - EVEN IF IT DOES LEAVE A SCANT OF WHITE POWDER FROM ITS JET WASH ON MY LAWN = LET ER BUCK PARTNER!!!! :big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon:

Heyyyy,,, Hi Dale!!!! Wassup brother!! Deadwood is AWESOME!! Rally time or not, it is AWESOME!! Before going there though and in the spirit of Cowboyness - allow me a couple minutes from one highway man to another and trying not to jerk your chain on the "I already knew that Puc" routine!! If your coming down from the Glacier crossing - grab cross state Montana toward Sturgis thru the little cow town called "Jordan" = DONT MISS IT!! Go to the "Senior Center" in that little cow town - I know, I KNOW - your gonna pull into the dirt parking lot of the place and say - "PUC!! What have you gotten me into?!! - cause it wont look like much.. Now - grab your camera and go inside!! OK, small hint, aint no spoiler so I wont ruin it with pics BUT - I can tell you that Jordan is the worlds epicenter for Dinosaur Bones - this is true!! Another unknown thing to mankind that we found out when dying of thirst and almost out of gas in Montana was - mixed in those extremely AWESOME dino remains inside that building are also some of the coolest cowboy stuff you can find!! WESTERN TREASURES GALORE!! I also have a small town called Plevna in Montana I like to visit.. As you know, I tent camp and have camped many times on the picnic table in the little town of Plevna - cant miss it! She's dead now but years ago when on a bike trip the Post Master in Plevna gave me a history lesson of the area and buildings (site to behold) - took about 4 hours but when done she gave me her copy of their "history book" dating all the way back into the 1800's. In that book it tells about a stage coach killing that some Indians did. It's gravel road leading back about 10 miles but there is an old monument marking the spot where it happened.. Some VERY interesting people who live there, older folks that remember the days of long ago.. May stop there for kicks on the way down. Sturgis is AWESOME - rally time or not = IMHO,, but I am weird LOL.. If nothing else, there is a place called "Gypsies" that is ground zero for the early days of the rally. The place has a big bronze plaque on the front of it that mentions "Ground Zero". If you leave the Harley shop just off Main Street in Sturgis and go straight south toward 90 - Gypsies will be on your right about half way down.. Gypsies is not like other Sturgis joints - not a Harley joint. The place is FILLED with an awesome for sale collection of old bikes!! Guy that runs the place is super nice - ask if you can see the back room!! Also, the museum where they unveiled the Indians in '13 is worth the time for bike history.. No idea what your doing for sleeping quarters? You camping? Its kind of a lost art and lots of folks have forgotten but South Dakota is an open state - meaning if its not fenced - you can camp on it.. Did it for years both during Rally and off season rally camping too.. One time years ago my daughter and I are cruising on 90 (yes - on a 1st Gen) headed adda way.. Came upon a small plane crusing adda way too along side the highway.. Getting late, magic hour (last hour of daylight) was almost over and we needed gas.. We exited and turned over highway to fuel station.. Guy in the airplane who had been waving back and forth at my little kid on the back banked his plane and landed on the prairie behind the gas station... Comes motoring up to the fuel pumps - got yakking.. Looks at our beat up old 1st Gen with the tent on the back - asked where we were camping.. I nervously glanced around, then back at him and said - dont tell no body but I have always just camped on the prairie when I come out here = been doing for many many years and never had a problem.. Then I pointed to the prairie where he had just landed his plane and said - probably sleep right over there somewhere.. Guy announced he was a Patrol Officer who patrols 90 during the Rally watching for boneheads crashing their scoots.. Said - lots of folks have forgotten this - prairie camping is legal and fine anywhere its not fenced - even ditches NOT inside the ickspressway right of way.. If you go outside of Sturgis toward Fort Mead, there is a place on the prairie that is know known as Puc's Place cause I always camp there - have since the 70's. Never knew it was "legal" back in the day but do now - can tell ya exactly where it is if needed.. Also,, you would probably enjoy a cruise thru Fort Mead and a visit at the museum there!! Stop at any gas station, bike shop, resturant or where ever while in town and ask if they have any of the Sturgis Rally ride maps - even if its a left over you will need one.. Should be easy to find one no matter what time of year you are there.. As already mentioned - you cant go wrong riding the Black Hills - ALL of the fore mentioned rides are spectacular, especially up to a couple weeks before the Rally and right after the Rally is over - if your gonna go during the Rally = its way to crowded to enjoy "The Hills" but watching those goofy bikers is almost as much fun!! If you are there during the Rally - the fun dont start till after 1am LOL - Main Street - Sturgis Harley Rally = AWESOME at 3am!! IMHO - best riding for mountains - any mountains = morning till 1pm - then the storms come in - hail and all that stuff - get out of mountains for lunch and back in after 4... If your staying in em, just keep an eye on the sky - even those Black Hills can be treachorous.. Leaving Sturgis from the west end of town - go under the over pass - Yamaha shop on your right - BK on left,, keep going and you end up in Deadwood - thought I forgot about Deadwood didnt cha? Fun place IMHO!! Museum there is really interesting and full of very historical stuff from wayyy back when!! Got lots of pics but wont spoil it for ya.. Will say this, outside the museum is an old working scale.. Tip and I parked Tweeks in the lot, walk under the train station area (old historic stuff) and I noticed the scale.. Walked up on it, fooled with it - told her - "look how accurate it still is" - REALLY REALLY OLD AND STILL WORKING!! I said - try it!! She climbed on it - as she stared at the needle I put my foot behind her and pressed on the scale plat form - as she turned to stare at me with those pretty doe eyes I slid my foot off the plat form.. When she looked back at the scale face I slid my foot back over and pressed down again adding 25 pounds to her wait. She was franic - thats about the time I heard laughter behind us.. A couple who had recently retired from the Military had - unknown by me - been watching us and they were ROARING!! Got yakking with them - they looked at our scoot - heard our story - we heard theirs - good people!! They told us all about the Museum in town - glad they did cause it was a fascinating place!! Hmmm,, trying to keep from doubling up on stuff others have already told you about.. Oh yea,, Coming into Keystone (headed toward Rushmore from Rapid City) you will go thru a small tunnel.. After the tunnel and as you pull into Keystone there will be a road that goes off to the left that heads out of the mountains easterly.. There will be a big resturant on the southeast corner of that intersection.. If you continue straight on the road you are on (I think I am thinking 16a) it will head to Rushmore. Anyway,, if you turn left (east) at that intersection and go down a couple blocks you will see a "junk store" on the left.. You will want to stop and paw around there!! Lots of old saddles, mining stuff, cowboy junk and things to glare at!!! Following your handy dandy Sturgis map - you will see where Iron Mountain Rd cuts off away from the Rushmore Monument.. As mentioned = AWESOME ride that Iron Mountain Road!! If you look at the map closely you will see the cut across from Iron Mountain Rd. to Needles Hwy.. At that intersection on your left on side will be a small camp ground.. You will want to pull in there and tell them you want to see their "pets"!! Wayy cool and really nice guy who runs the place!! Take the cut across to Needles Hwy - hang a right up on the Needles - turn off your scoot on the back of the Needles and coast down to Sylvan Lake - good place for quick swim!! Head over to Hill City - neat place too - after leaving Hill City = look at your map and notice "Sheridan Lake"? Right across from Sheridan Lake is the only spot on the planet - after hours and hours of watching game - I have ever seen Big Horn sheep!! Watch the bluffs carefully!! Especially later in the day!! The Spearfish Canyon ride is breathtaking too!! At the very bottom of the canyon is a lodge.. Built into a sweeping corner of the roadway with the lodge divided by the road.. The lodge is GORGEOUS inside - LOTS of woodwork - sort of the likes of that lodge up on Mount Hood that we visited when we did The Dalles (cant remember if you went up there with our group?).. Not quite as grandious but close.. There is a sign on that gravel road that says "Water Falls this way" or something like that.. It a couple miles but worth the ride!! By the way,, if you stay on that gravel road - then follow some quad trails - maybe camp a night - you can eventually come out to Devils Tower Wyoming.. Custers AWESOME!! Those Mamouth digs are too!! Gonna stick up for Wall Drug here too - I LOVE WALL DRUG!! If you go by there - even though it is a major tourist trap - drive all the way to the end of town where they have the street divided.. At the end of town is this place called "the back yard".. The back yard is for kiddies but still fun - go back there, stick your head in one of those holes where your face is sticking out on someone or somethings body and have somebody snap a picture of you to post on here!! Extra points if you climb up on the horse and do the same!! Now go INSIDE the back room area where the dinosaur comes to life every few minutes - cant miss it!! LOOK AT THE PICTURES OF THE COWBOYS AND INDIANS IN THAT HALLWAY!! REAL - I MEAN REAL REAL true to life stuff - REAL DEAL Western History there you will never forget!! Plan on spending a couple hours right there if your looking for real wild west history!!! The Badlands National Park is right straight out of Wall Drug!! I LOVE to leave Wall late in the evening - go sit in the moonlite on the rim of the Badlands in the Park overlooking the place - it is UNREAL!! I have camped on the rim many times but ya gotta get away from the road or ya risk getting woke up.. About have way thru the park is a gravel road that cuts away from the rim and back to the Prairie... It is sectioned of back there with an opening onto the Praire grass lands - camping is legal back there and I tell ya - you do it and you will want to never go home!! I swear you can still hear wagon wheels rolling and Indian pony's chasing buffalo if you listen carefully enough - between the Coyote howling that is!!! Heyyy,,, you coming across to the International at Orlins in Veer-a-qua?? Let me know if ya are.. I know a couple really neat camping spots on the way across for ya!! Puc