Mel
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Everything posted by Mel
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I think there's lots of us that enjoy the more leisurely approach. And as one gets older, that may actually mean less daring. When I was (a lot) younger I raced motorcycles. DRAG RACED, THAT IS. Street modified class, turned 11.6's @ 119+MPH for the 1/4 mile, which was pretty darn quick for a streetable machine back in the early 70's. But it was go like he77, power shift gears, shut it down, and go in a straight line. I've never been big on hanging my rear end off the side and negotiating curves. Just not my style.
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http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/texas-highway-first-allow-85-mph-speed-limit-154924311.html
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Uh-huh---------- but it ain't the years, it's the mileage.
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Turned 75 in April this year. My 2nd wife does not have the passion for riding that I have, she rode for the first time ever with me three years ago at the age of 71. She has some health/pain issues (neck/hip) so she's not comfortable sitting in the same position very long, and complains about buffeting. I don't do much solo riding, prefer having her company, so I'm not putting on the miles like I once did. We are practically still newlyweds (even though we went together in high school in the mid-50's) so we spend most of our time together. Our longest ride has been about 370 miles one way to go visit an old friend, stayed two days then rode back home. Some other outings 200 to 300 miles a day, but nothing like the 5 trips from Ohio to Daytona speed week in the 70's or a tour of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Had a 1970 CB750 stolen in Winterhaven, Florida in 1972, had to fly back to Toledo. I have ridden BMW, Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha. (1951 500cc BMW was my 1st bike), rode my '84 Venture Royale 'till 2004. I guess my most enjoyable tour ever (with the 1st wife and another couple) was Toledo, OH to Gettysburg, PA to Plymouth Rock, Mass. up to Maine then across Vermont and New Hampshire to Lake Placid, N.Y. and back to Toledo. That trip was in '76 to honor our country's bi-centennial. We rode GL1000 Gold Wings on that trip. I sometimes wonder if it's time to give it up, lots of expense with depreciation, insurance, and still buying accessories. Not much return for the $ because of not riding much. But when I do get to ride, I always ask myself what would I ever do without it. I've considered trike, but can't afford it. All this to say yeh, still riding at 75, just don't know how much longer. Motorcycling has been a major part of my life for about 50 of my 75 years.
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Does she help you put on your pants too? (or---- who do you call when you suddenly discover, well you know)
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You guys warned me and I didnt listen!!! Now I have a favour to ask!
Mel replied to friesman's topic in Watering Hole
What if it's parked in the living room? There are threads that show how to repair it, maybe that would be a better, quicker way to approach the problem. try this: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=48342 -
Before this thread gets totally hijacked, I would ask why you want to change to 12" wheels/tires? I know they say 55 MPH speed limit for the trailer, but I've had mine on the superslab @ 75/80 MPH for many miles, and it's still fine. I think the additional expense for 12" wheels/tires would be a waste of $. Money would be better spent on repacking the bearings and another 8" set-up for a spare.Just my . I would say that the wheels that come with the kit are not the best looking, but fully functional.
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Well, far be it for me to pass judgement, because in my younger (Wa-a-a-ay younger) days I (we) always wore leather too, no do(doo, dew?) rag. We had motels tell us "No Vacancy" and 5 minutes later their "Vacancy" neon sign would be lit, got refused service in bars/restaurants, etc. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck-----well, you know the rest. Unfortunately wearers of leathers, colors, do rags, etc. may be concieved by the general public as bad a$$es. Like it or not, the two of you will have to understand that you might be (unknowingly?) projecting an image that induces the reactions you describe. Just do (no pun intended) your best to cope, maybe even politely confront your agressors and possibly cause a few people to have a better understanding of our life style.
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Well, it seems to me that I'm not the only one that's not sure---Now I don't feel so bad! I wonder what kind of answer I'd get at a car dealership?
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I'm not real keen on the "new improved" cages anyway, but some of the categories of the types of cars or SUVs or whatch-a-ma-call-it's leave me confused. TV commercials about the best mileage or passenger capacity or cubic feet of capacity or best warranty, then to call a vehicle a "crossover"??? I thought that had something to do with a certain kind of surgery that most people never have. Can someone please explain the differences of van, minivan, SUV, crossover, and/or any others that I'm not listing? Maybe I've just been around too long, but it seems to me that it was a lot easier to understand two door sedan, four door sedan, coupe, station wagon, and convertible.
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Wait a minute, is that a demeaning comment?
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I've owned/been riding almost 50 years. Now with my second wife of just over three years. 1st wife and I waited six years to have our first child, spent almost all of our free time riding. My current wife had never been on a motorcycle until the age of 71! We (either wife) have never discussed being stared at. The early years was leather and engineer boots for me, similar garb for the spouse. Way back then it was big, black BMW's or Harley Davidson, and we understood we were different (and looked different) than almost all of the general public. Now it's a mesh jacket with two removable liners, helmet with intercom, gloves most of the time. Both of 'em complain(ed) about dealing with hair issues (your other thread), and the current one doesn't like to walk in the riding boots, but it's because she says they are uncomfortable, not because of how they look. If we (you) are motorcycling enthusiasts, then we must accept the fact that we may be a curiosity to lots of other folks. They may look to see what we are riding, what we are wearing, and they have an inner desire to trade places with us. They are secretly curious about what we do (did) for a living, (how do they afford that?) and why would someone choose to ride a motorcycle? I won't say they are jealous, they just wonder what it would be like to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors the way we do. I just have never thought about them as "staring". I enjoy the curiosity of the other folks, take every opportunity I can to talk to them about it, promote motorcycling, and encourage them to be aware of motorcycles when they are driving. But (again) I have never even thought about being stared at! Just remember that what you wear is for your safety, not to make a fashion statement. Your wife should not be "peeved", she should understand that she is one of a select few that get to enjoy what we do. She has choices---either ignore what she percieves as being stared at, politely engage the "offender" in a conversation, maybe ask 'em "How does my hair look?":322: I think she is wa-a-a-ay overly sensitive about this, and it distracts from the enjoyment of riding. Encourage her to ignore or deal with it, do not promote her feelngs of anxiety/frustration/anger. I hope she can overcome her feelings on this issue and just enjoy the outings. P.S. We carry (for the wife) a hair brush and comb, spray gel, and I have a mirror mounted for her (and somtimes me) to use, always carried on the bike, seperate from her own personal "stuff". If stopping at a roadside rest area neither of us spend much time sprucing up, but when headed into a restaurant, motel, etc., then we try to be more presentable. It's all in the eye of the beholder, and she always looks good to me. 'Nuff said.
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I'm not TN/KY, but---- Looks to me like from Knoxville go east on I-81, pick up U.S. 25E, head north 'till it rejoins I-75 at Corbin, KY. Years ago I drove (Ohio to Florida) through there quite often before they completed I-75. I have no idea about the condition/driveability of U.S. 25E. If you want to stay on the superslab, an alternative might be go to Chatanooga, pick up I-65 to Louisville, then I-71 to pick up I-75 near Cincinnati. Otherwise, just tough it out on I-75, maybe try to time it so that the traffic isn't so heavy. Lots of trucks make it less than desireable. Good luck. P.S. Check out these responses from another site: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?320081-I-75-north-of-Knoxville
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Are you saying those situations really bugged you? (couldn't resist)
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It's an old (pun intended) saying but oh, so true: I complained about getting older until I remembered the alternative! I just went through 8 sessions of physical therapy for my back, still have one hand (finger) recovering from a senior moment encounter with a table saw blade way back on April 2nd. I have one stent in a heart artery, and a large scar from surgery for prostate cancer. At 75 years young I'm probably at least 40 pounds overweight. Our place is small, but we still mow, trim and edge, have a small garden. And we even go riding once in a while. Count your blessings, do not dwell on the negatives. After 3/4 of a century it seems like life will be over wa-a-a-a-y too soon, but I know how lucky I am to still do what I do, and no Handicapped placard for the vehicles. Enjoy life to the fullest in whatever way pleases you the most, it is too soon gone.
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Just make sure your connecting line is fused!
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Name of Restaurant Wilson's Hamburger Shop Street Address 600 South Main Street City Findlay State or Province OH Website (Optional) - Quality of Food Great Quality of Service Good Biker Friendly? Yes Kind of Food? (Mexican, Chinese, etc.) American Alcohol Served? No Additional Comments This hamburger shop was the model for Dave Thomas to start Wendy's! It has been privately owned and operated since (I forget), well a long time. Serves inside and through a drive-up window. Outstanding burgers, shakes, and home-made pies. It is a local icon, lots of curmudgeons (just learned that one) gather for coffee and a chance to bad-mouth every one/every thing from local politics to solving the world's problems. If you are passing by Findlay, Ohio (probably on I-75) it is well worth your time to stop in and have a burger and shake. Sandwiches are made to order, not cooked and warmed until served. I say it is motorcycle friendly because I have never been turned away or bad-mouthed. A truly unique burger joint.
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Yeh, well, rumor has it that with a valuable response like this, I probably have a tip for you.
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In the Ohio restaurant forum??? Yamamama & Freebird the only members with access? It tells me I may not, may not, may not. Last entry was April 18, 2010.
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Looks like a scam to me, the bar code is blanked out in the pic. I think some people will try to sell anything for a buck. Of course I think Harbor Freight says that the coupon can't be sold. I found this at HF's web site: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=motorcycle+lift $419 for the lift, but I think a 1,000 pound weight rating would be cutting it pretty close for a Venture.
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How many of you all have saw this vertical type hitch on motorcycles ?
Mel replied to FuzzyRSTD's topic in Watering Hole
My response to your other thread.... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=69554 -
How many of you Goldwing riders have this type hitch ?
Mel replied to FuzzyRSTD's topic in Honda Goldwing Tech Talk
I use the AddOn hitch, made my own flag mount. Picked up a 1 7/8" coupling at Harbor Freight, used some perforated metal I had, drilled some holes and installed some bolts. Made a strap to go under the stinger and bolt onto the added metal strips, making a clamping mechanism. Bolted on a flag staff holder. This flag mount will attach right on to the ball mount, just uncouple it and remove the two clamping bolts to remove it. By the way, this hitch has worked fine for towing my trailer. I just re-read the OP--- I have a 2007 Wing, basically the same hitch as the 2012 hitch the link shows. 1 1/4 vertical mount hitch. I would have preferred a horizontal mount, but I got this hitch for (I think) about $149.00. My set-up works fine for pulling a trailer or for a parade speed flag display. Have trevelled up to about 45 MPH with no problems. -
Anyone here buy a '84 Venture Royale sometime around 2005 from Hacker's? Two tone gold, ran real go-o-o-o-d, heel/toe shifter and some other stuff. I think they fixed the 2nd gear problem before setting it out to sell. I know who traded it in for a V-STAR 650.
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I would like to share an experience with you, about drinking and driving. As you well know, some of us have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on our way home from the odd social session over the years. Some years ago whe I was young and dumb, I was out for a few drinks with some friends l and had a few too many beers and some rather nice red wine. Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit, I did something I've never done before: I took a bus home. Sure enough I passed a police road block but as it was a bus, they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise; as I have never driven a bus before and am not sure where I got it.
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Yeh, I think an isolator was part of the pkg. I bought when I put the hitch and electrical connector on the GoldWing. I'll have to look the next time I have the seat off.