T.J.

It worked out today that I was able to ride over to visit with Cowpuc. I live in Lake Orion and Cowpuc in Muskegon Mi. Total round trip for me was 440 miles. What a beautiful day and visit with puc. I tool the 2003 Honda ST1300 I picked up two weeks ago. Fun bike for sure. Has a lot of good features. I will still take the Venture on the long hauls but the ST is a fun bike. Sure was nice to meet puc, his wife and soon to be married daughter. Some very nice roads around Muskegon that puc lead me on when it was time to head home[ATTACH=CONFIG]99067[/ATTACH] Anyway on the way home after really cruising on the freeway and getting off on a 45 MPH road three miles from home coming up to a stop sign. I feel the bike thumping. At first I thought the brakes were grabbing or something. I took it easy the last three miles home and got off the bike and looked at the front tire. The guy I bought it from put it on 5 years ago and it only had about 8,000. miles. I am glad I made it home in one piece. Notice the raised ridge in the picture. That goes all the way around. The tire seemed in very good shape before this happened.

1st pic he looks like he has some beagle in him. Does he? How big is he going get? Sounds like it was just meant to be. Have fun.

For you Michigan riders. Ray'Cs is now open in Lapeer. They only have the Harley's at the new place for now. Nice place and they sure had some nice bikes to look at. They have a 24 ft. ceiling fan that really catches your eye. They have to wait till one of there other building sells and then build another show room for the other brand of bikes they sell. So I was told. Anyway it was nice to see it open. Out of all the bikes in the parking lot on Sunday afternoon. The two guys that I road with. Our bikes were the only and I mean only bikes, that were not Harley's.

Congrats Larry and Joyce, Joyce you don't even look old enough to be married that long, but Larry, on the other hand. What can I say about you? Enjoy the rest of your life together.:bighug:to the both of you and may you have many more.

Thanks Puc, I just might have to come over for a visit. Hope you are doing well.

I had been looking real hard at the FJR for close two (2 months) at dealerships and on Craigslist. I even was going to have Puc look at one at a dealership near him. I just liked the looks and horse power. 145 compared to 125 on the ST. Kept looking and then a guy that restores bikes I know asked me if I had ever considered a ST1300. Never paid any attention to one I told him. He suggested I take a look and see what I thought. The rest is history as they say. It weighs 200 lbs. less than the Venture. The guy I bought it from was the original owner. I asked why he was selling it. He stated on the phone that he thought it was his age "53" and that was the reason he hadn't been riding much in the last four years. I just laughed to myself and thought I am thankful I don't feel old at my age.

Still keeping the 04 Venture but just wanted a quicker fun bike. I could go on a long haul with it but will take the Venture for the long ones. Anyway it is a Honda 2003 ST1300A It has ABS brakes, 45000 miles and in nice to excellent shape. I have put 300 miles on it so far. Weather is not very nice here in Michigan right now. Wind chill 24 deg. Anyone else have one? It has the rear trunk also but took it off. It is very easy to take side bags off also. Just unlock and lift off.

I once went to a drive through car wash with my new 1978 Ford 4WD. I had just put on a new shell that was higher than the cab. I had been through this car wash many times before. I pulled up and asked them if it would go through ok and they said sure. When I got to where the blower starts blowing the water off, the little wheel that rides on the vehicle to keep the blower off the paint caught the shell where it was just above the cab. My truck actually came to a stop. They came up and said go ahead and drive through. I did not know the wheel had caught so I did as they said. When I pulled out of the car wash I got out of my truck to take a look. To my surprise the shell had a vee running from front to back. It was destroyed. I questioned them and the owner said it was my fault because I came to them to get my truck cleaned and they were not responsible. I said to him. " If I came up here with a bulldozer would you let me go through" he told me to leave. Anyway I turned it into my insurance company and they sued the carwash and I got a new shell.

Very cool and a VERY cool bike.

Yup. We will take the Back of the Dragon on that same trip. It runs through the Claw route. It is not a very long route at all.

Come spring time 5 or 6 of us will be heading to the Claw of the Dragon in Virginia. It is a 224 mi route. Has anyone ever ridden this and if so is there a "number" of must see stops? I know it is a very scenic route with lots to see along the way but did anything really stand out for you? In case you want to see the route, just Google Claw of the Dragon. Thanks in advance.

Thanks and same back at ya.

:happy65:Good for you.

Dan I can't answer with any help at all but sorry you are having a bad day.

You probably just blew a head gasket Puc. They can replace it. I do hope you do well through the winter and come out on top next riding season. Praying for strength and piece through all of this.

When I was in his store. He had one that a guy brought in for some up dates. It was 20 years old. The material is very heavy duty. They will not fade into the reddish pink like all my other blinds did after about 3 years. Just down home folks making great stuff.

Sorry Puc for the hurt you feel. It is very tough to go through. I hope that you and the rest of the family are close and truly love one another. Give your mom a hug from your friends on this sight.

Not motorcycle related but some good info just the same. If you are looking for a very good hunting blind. This is the place. He will ship. http://www.luckyshuntingblinds.com/ I bought mine last year and am really enjoying it this year. Probably the last one I will ever have to buy. It is just super. Easy to set up and tear down. Nothing like you have ever seen before. Can't buy them in any stores. Check ou his web sight.

Hello Scott, Hugs to both you and your wife. Scott your daughter made a decision on her own to do the things she thought would bring happiness into her life. It probably is going to be very tough on her. She will have sleepless nights but that doesn't have to be so for you and your wife. As hard as it is on the two of you don't say to yourself. "If only we had done this or that, things would have been different". "If" doesn't change a life. Don't beat yourself up for a decision she has made. Hang in there Scott and thanks for sharing a hurt in your life with The Venture Family.

What kind of bike you talking about? My bad. I see you posted under 2nd Gen. Tech. Talk

Maybe it has a "nice glow" to it at night time.

I know the pain. I have passed 3 of those little stones in my life time. Not fun at all. I hope you are good to go for now.

Cute picture.

I got one to.

That looks like a very nice find you have. I am sure you will have some fun with that. Would be nice to see more pictures.