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I got a message from a member asking why the site is so dead lately. I don't know for sure but I feel like it's just taking the same course as so many clubs do over the years. We have to be around 15 years old now and many of our core members have gotten older and quit riding. I don't even ride much any longer. I think I took my bike out one time last summer. I keep saying that I'm going to get back into it but just haven't had the desire. I think that all this Covid stuff played at least a small part. Our regional rallies and etc. were a glue that helped hold us all together,. Getting together in person and sharing our stories, working on the bikes, just enjoying one anothers company always seemed to rekindle things. I haven't even had my annual Maintenance Day now for 3 years and that was a highlight, at least for Eileen and I. Not sure we'll have it this year due to the surge of Covid happening again. I know that we need to but just don't know yet. I've not been nearly as active and that pays a big part also, I used to spend a lot of time looking for interesting things to post, tips for our bikes, all kinds of things but just haven't had the time. Starting a new business about 3 years ago has consumed a lot of my time. Now here is something that I haven't told any of you. Those of you who have been around for a long time will remember that I had a bout with cancer a few years ago, about 13 years ago to be more exact. I had Ocular Melanoma and due to the radiation and etc.,, ended up losing 100% of the site in my right eye. I still go back yearly for follow ups. Well my yearly exam was last week and I was dismayed to learn that I again have the cancer. It, luckily, is in the same eye so going blind is not an issue. The fact is though, I don't know yet if it has spread to the liver or anywhere else. I will be going into the hospital late next week for surgery and more radiation. I have appointments sometime over the next week or so for MRIs and etc. to determine if it has spread. I'm trying to not fret over it too much. Just going about my work and will see where things end up. I hate that the site has gotten slow but have no intentions of shutting it down anytime in the near future. I put my heart and sole into this site for a lot of years and I have to do better. In the meantime, I hope that most of you will stick with us, spread the word about the site, and hopefully we can get it moving again. Only time will tell.

We will all be pulling for you, Don! As far as the site getting slow, characters like the much loved Cowpuc, Yammer Dan, Flying Fool, and Bongo kept us entertained for sure. And it is winter time when many folks have put their bikes in the garage and are doing other stuff.

Thoughts and prayers are with you. I've always appreciated what you've done to create and maintain this site, and was happy that you didn't sell it years ago when you had the chance. As I've said before, it's a rare site that avoids much of the negativity that I've found on other sites....I dunno why people are like that....I do miss the get togethers and look forward to attending them again. This whole covid bs, whether real or perceived, has done so much damage in so many ways that I don't know that the US can fully recover. The world is changing, and not for the better. As a tech resource alone, this is a valuable site, but the camaraderie, humor and sometimes drama keep me coming back. I'm here for the long haul. Take care boss....you'll be in my thoughts.

Very sorry to hear about your relapse Don. Will send a prayer for you and hope things work out. Regarding the site I for one will continue to be a member and hopefully as we deal with and hopefully defeat this covid issue things will slowly return to normal. Last of all I for one appreciate the time and effort you have given to maintain this site and feel it is one of the best run sites on the web. Regarding face book I have no interest in face book at all and have never ever signed up for it.

Phantom Wife and I are sorry to hear this news! I also really appreciate how you keep this site going with all tat you do!!! I have been member since 2002(approximately) and have learned alot about both first and second gen bikes(1987 and 2012 owned) Also have seen less and less participation but also put this down to Covid19 and probably fewer bikes. Also the great loss of some past friends that have left us before their time!!!! I try to post as much as I can to keep in touch with those that are still here and also look forward to visiting with as many members as I can Ike @XV1100SE said last time we got together was at @Marcarls to work on his and my bike valves.That was a good day! All the restriction placed on us here in Ontario really suck as we have a hard time going anywhere! Really miss going to Maintenance Day and New York rallies and also our Canadian rally .Wood have been very interested in the other rallies but because of work and distance was not possible! So now that I have said my 2cents I really hope that things pick up in the near future and you get through your situation!!!

Hi..... Freebird , my thoughts prayers go with you ....I know a bit of what you are going through . 2010 I had a MRI on a follow up ...I got a call from my doctor in the H.S.C. Winnipeg hospital to come in ASAP. There were 5 doctors in the room , They introduced them selves , doctor said to me we are keeping you in tonight and will doing surgery in the morning ...He said you have 4 tumors on your liver growing at a rate never seen before ....You have at most 4 days to stop this ... 8 hours of surgery , and when I woke I turned my head and saw the bottle on on the IV pole . that read Chemo .. They had to remove the liver to get the job done , and then put it back in they got it all ....Today I am fine other than some changes in my body ........I think that this site is great , keep it going So often I read about stuff I have had on my bike

Don, we’ve never met and I’m a relatively newcomer here, by it’s obvious to me that you have created a legacy of friends, family, knowledge & camaraderie here. I do not do social media at all & what we have here is unique. Without what you’ve done, I would not have gotten the encouragement & knowledge to dive into my bike (now bikes!) and learn more about wrenching than I ever thought I wanted to. I’m now enjoying doing & learning more every day. Whatever I can do to keep that going forward - I am in. I look forward to the day that I can meet all of you in person. Thank you Don! We will keep you & your family in thoughts & prayers as you face this new challenge. Stay positive & strong.

Prayers up Freebird, #1 important thing is your health and family. I recently crossed the line to a F6B, love the bike, I just couldn't do the feet forward thing with the 2nd Gen. I am here daily, enjoying the camaraderie. I also point people this way from Facebook groups frequently. Forget the name, but someone in one of the groups doesn't like that, I just laugh.