Brenner

Mike I am attempting my M2 in St Catharines. I like to believe I can handle the bike and have been told I handle it well but I am nervous of doing something foolish or absent minded. Lets hope the weather holds up as I only have one shot at it and if by chance I do mess up I will not be able to retest till next spring as the testing season is coming to an end next week for this area. For all those who mentioned accepting that I ride Harley's and that I am still welcome, thank you. Honestly it is appreciated. Over the past season I have had six invites to join different local and not so local motorcycle clubs but I am always not so sure I want to wear a patch for a specific group. I prefer to ride independently and without club ties. I think this forum is all the club I need. Lots of good people out here and I still mention this forum to anyone I feel can benefit from it.

I have not been around this site as my new job really takes most of my time and the little time I have left I ride as much as I can, and also I don't want to cause discomfort for some purist members because I went from yamaha to harley and feel they are a better fit for me as I still own my venture but prefer my HOGs. That being said, yesterday morning about 7 am I asked a friend and fellow rider if he cared to join me as I rode some highway as I will be taking my final M2 exit course next week. The weather was a little brisk so I was wearing my chaps and full leathers and even though my riding partner did not want to wear his I managed to convince him to do so. Well we headed out from one highway to the next and he needed fuel so we stopped and filled up. I noticed he was riding rather spirited than normal as it had been a few weeks since his last ride. We left a traffic light onto a highway acceleration ramp and he opened his bike up and I was thinking to myself "Man he is gonna get hurt if he don't ride more responsibly" as I opened up my full dressed Harley to keep up with him. I let off at 30 km above the speed limit and decided it was not worth the risk and he ended up slowing down and we rode the highway to Niagara Falls and since he was leading (which is rare) he chose the exit ramp he wanted. Once at the end of the ramp at a traffic light he was shouting he wanted to go to Chippawa which is a common motorcycle meeting place and I nodded agreeing that we would go. Well I remember the next part in slow motion, as I can still see the light changing and him riding off turning into the left inside lane and I can still see the bike going down and seeing him rolling and the bike skidding out from between his legs and I then had to think quick to ride around him and get my decker to the side of the road and my helmet off to help him. Now here is the part I have trouble believing. I helped him up and the light changed and the ignorant cagers proceeded through the intersection narrowly hitting us and the downed bike. I told him to stand there and watch for cars as I picked the bike up and waited for no traffic to get it to the side of the road. He was out of it for a few minutes needless to say. I examined the bike a 2006 XL1200R that was previously in like mint condition. Not so anymore, a broken shift peg, road rash lever, rear shock, foot peg, and a few marks on the tank. He got lucky that he was not hurt worse and that the bike suffered minor damage as if we were going right he would of lost his $800 Bassani exhaust. I asked if he could ride he said only his hip was sore and I told him he would feel it later. I jimmied the shifter and we rode to Chippawa and after half an hour or so he was feeling the ribs and other aches and pains. His chaps and leathers took the brunt of the asphalt and it shows. He said he has never gone down in 35 years of riding and I told him he can"t make that claim anymore. He blamed it on fine gravel and I corrected him as the asphalt was clean and I told him he was to aggressive on cold roads and that he was lucky. So now I have been asked to repaint the bike a new color and to replace the back tire as it is 10 years old and showing age. If he wants to blame it on that so be it. Two points I have learned from this, Number 1 No matter how confident you are of your skill set there might be a time that will prove that you are not as good as you think you are. Number 2 People now at days do not care and are so hurried that they will run you down even if you are in distress and you can not count on anyone so it might be best to have a good riding partner in case you need assistance as otherwise you are pretty much on your own. This is my experience of this weekend. Whether I have had the pleasure of meeting you or not, please ride safe, and look out for each other as we are all in this together.

I was at the Niagara Falls motorcycle show and shine today and came across a blue one that had the same symptoms as Carls. I did not see the rider/owner but the issue seems to be on more than one machine. I do not go out of my way to look at these machines but since I saw Carl and his concern I seem to be looking at more and more of them.

Carl, if by chance after you try what we discussed and you feel it benefited you please feel free to let me know. It would be great to confirm if my thoughts and your findings were correct and I would be able to use you as a positive example before advising others of my experience with similar concerns. Always nice to find out if given advice was good or not. Good luck.

Mike, Yup I really think it had nothing to do with the color or visability. It is just something I have been contemplating but a great wake up call that I should try even harder to be aware of my surroundings. As far as the swap meet I am planning on attending weather permitting or not. If you want PM me when you will attend and I will meet you there. venturesome, I feel you are bang on and think the same as you. As far as what I was wearing, a bright orange riding shirt that is highly visable. The color change has been a thought since before I bought the bike but so far I have not been able to bring myself to make the change as I cannot find a valid reason. All in all most likely color did not have anything to do with this occurance.

Today was a new experience for me. I have had a few occasions where cagers have pulled out in front of me before as if it seemed I did not belong on the road. Well today was a REAL close connect. I happened to be riding on the street that I live on and have traveled many times and in third gear and low rpm putting along when a woman decided that I was not there. I almost did not see it coming as she pulled out of a repair shop driveway from behind a truck on my left side as I was approaching. When I did see her I could quickly see she was not looking in my direction and looking in the direction she intended to travel. Trying to remember how it went down as it happened so quickly I remember pulling into the right tire track to avoid her front bumper and my laying a solid kick to here front right fender with the heel of my boot and me yelling "What the f***!" while she entered the lane I was occupying. Luckily I held the bike and maneuvered away and as I looked behind she was driving with her face away from me. I pulled over my Harley as she pulled aside and I rode back to her location and I asked her what her problem was. She was crying by the time I got to her and started apologizing, and I asked her if she realized how at fault she was. She told me she knew she was wrong and that she can't believe it as she lost a family member in a similar accident and that her boyfriend rides. I could see she felt bad so I told her "No harm No foul" because I did not go down and to keep an eye out for motorcycles. I did not think there was a need to pursue the situation any further as she was honest and seemed sincere. I left her along the side of the street and made my way home. Since I did not live very far from where this happened I ended up sitting and telling this story to my next door neighbor and as we were on his front porch I saw her go by roughly 5 minutes later at a slow speed. Yup I believe I was blessed to experience this with no harm and a lesson to me to watch out for myself as perhaps I am getting to relaxed on the bike and not being as attentive as I should. I am riding my factory original cream colored Harley, and my previous two bikes were brightly colored for visability. This has me wondering if I should be considering a color change. Would she have seen me if it was brightly colored? Maybe, maybe not. My two other bikes were intentionally painted for my safety and so that they stood out among other motorcycles but this old relic of a bike I currently ride stands out but maybe it is not visable enough. Something for me to think about as I am grateful that the few negative experiences I have had on two wheels have not been that painful or damaging. I am a lucky man and wish all of you the same luck as we all will at one time or another encounter experiences as this and as long as we walk or ride away and only our pride if anything is hurt I think we are well off. Ride safe and lets keep the rubber on the road.

It's always great to see familiar friendly face. I am a lucky man as I have been graced by a drop by visit by Marcarl again. It is people like him who make this world a better place and I only hope that I can give the same impressions to others and assist as he does. I gave him a mini tour of my growing Harley collection and it is nice to have someone understand that ones choice of ride is sometimes made by comfort, better personal fitment, and powertrain configuration rather than a Brand name and all the unnecessary stereotyping that comes with it. I personally feel far too many people have to learn to respect others and stop ragging on those who do not ride the same product of choice. I personally am choosing to ride with those I come to respect by their actions and not by what they ride. This choice of mine is leaving me with a small number of others on which I prefer the company but I find it makes the ride much more relaxed and pleasurable. The more individuals I ride with and choose to avoid the more I respect those that I do choose to ride with. Getting back to my opening statements, it still surprises me how that strangers with nothing more a common interest can affect you in such a positive manner. My number of those I prefer to ride with is slowly growing and if anyone in my area wishes to ride and explore the road please do not hesitate to contact me as I do not care what you ride as long as you do it for enjoyment. I offer this up in hope to meet others who want the positive experience with no drama. Let's lead by example for a better riding ecperience. Ride safe, keep the shiny side up and the rubber on the road.

It never fails in life no matter how hard you try. Some ones actions or decisions affect yours whether in a positive or negative manner. Trying to move up can be a challenge and no matter how hard you spin your wheels you just can't seem to get no mileage. Any ways enuff about the mini rant and on to show the few who had interest previously my newest acquisition that came to me, now I did not have to chase this one only to let the deal go through after many change of hearts from the previous owner. Those who have read my previous posts may remember but for those who have not a not so short story to explain. I am recently new to riding have rode my virago and now my venture, I like my venture but do not love it in the sense of being passionate about it and finding my "ZEN" state with it. This has led me to the search of another bike that could fit that need. I picked up my Low Glide FXRS and love it but then my wife wanted to join the ride on the back and there is just no room for her so I looked again and built my venture. Now she likes it and enjoys the comfort but I am not happy with it in it does not comfort the soul for me so early this season I was at Harley looking for a part for my Low Glide when I met a man with a shovel decker. The man is in his 60's and wanted to sell me his only after having it a couple of months due to feeling it is too big for him and it not matching the memories of days gone by of the one he had when he was young. He seemed to be a good guy so I brought him home to show him my clean fxrs as he mentioned he loved them. When he came to my place he fell in love with my 53 bel air as I suppose it took him back again to a time of his youth. Flash forward, him a couple of times wanting to trade the shovel for the 53 and backing out on the date he set gave me a fever to find a large Harley for me to ride and being short on funds I came across a basket case and started the resurrection of my electra glide. Over the weeks this man has come and gone from my place and we ride quite regular but now with him on a 06 sportster xl1200r. He has watched me return to service what most might of scrapped or parted out with positive results. The bike I am speaking of was posted a few weeks back for Puc and others to see as I know some will appreciate it but not all on this forum. Anyways my 88 electra glide is up and on the road when I get another visit by the same aforementioned man who again wants to barter. This time I tell him I do not want to deal unless he follows through and he apologizes which I tell him is not needed but enough is enough as I did not make the deals or attempts but rather am tired of getting ready to follow through and then wasting my time when it does not happen. So guess what? Last weekend we went for a ride and picked up the shovel in which he turned down good money for in front of me and handed me the ownership. He had not been riding it and left the plates and insurance on it and said hated seeing it sit. So all last week I have been adjusting and putting the chrome back on he had removed and boxed up. With the bike I received all new manuals, brakes, lines, and receipts over $2500 in the last four months before I knew the man. WOW, not what I expected. On title search it has few owners and one owner of 17 years, another wow. Anyways I now own a shovel and after riding a month I have to say that with this machine I have found the "love" I have been missing. I figure over the 600 miles I put on it I should be able to tell if it was for me or not and I feel it is. I do not want to be the new harley crowd type but rather a rider of a vintage machine that is not afraid of getting dirt under his nails and having a bike that does not quite look the same as the others amongst the crowd and a shovel does that in my opinion. So again It NEVER fails, I went out to get a new deal and the original that instigated my search and rebuild had once again come my way once I titled and plated it's replacement. Dang it but I can't say it is all bad having 3 Harleys now I need to find a way to insure them at a discount so I can ride them one by one depending on mood. My new to me shovel: My 3 Harleys in a line up (excuse my Low Glide as her saddle bags are in the garage):

I will make it a point to try to see the guy tonight. The one who has it has a project venture that you know of, you know the bike but not him. It was a pay it forward as requested by the original owner but he is currently stalled on the project. Not a biggie I do not even think he knows how to use the tool, it is not lost or unobtainable. I just assisted another venture owner as we discussed when I met you and you first passed it to me for use. Maybe it was my mistake trying to help another as I have been assisted. I will correct the situation as I am a man of my word and all should be good in the venture world.

Carl last night I met stickhandle2 and we had good conversation and a short ride. Your name came up and funny enough he asked me about the shim tool and process. I mentioned that I loaned the tool to another venture owner in need of assistance and I will have to get it back for you. I also mentioned that I need to see you and or saddlebum for those chrome trims I have set aide for him. Good people on this site....

I was thinking of joining your ride but ended up meeting up with another venture rider for the first time and I feel it was time well spent. Maybe next week?

Maybe this does not count but last year I had my venture an 85 MK1 and an 84 gl1200 aspencade and had to choose one to build to ride. Guess which one won?

I have to agree Puc that the low sound of the decker is appealing in a touring bike. I do like the sound of my fxrs but if I were to ride it some distance it might get to me now that I am getting used to a quieter bike. As far as the trade I am still unsure and time will tell. I still have my c4 corvette, my 50 studebaker starlite coupe, my 70 trans am, 71 super beetle, my 95 impala ss, so losing the 53 is not that big a deal. Too many cars and projects not enough time or energy. Can't drive them all and not all my projects will be completed. I am a recovering hoarder of big toys.

LOl..... thanks for the grin I guess I's am what I's am.... But honestly I have met many riders or claim to be riders who think they know the only way it is.. Well to each their own and I can honestly say I see many who claim they ride and for "X" number of years but from what I witness only ride coffee shop to coffee shop or never see any real mileage, garage queens, and more often than not they seem to be those who have a mindset on what it right and what is wrong. Hey again to each their own and I am coming to realize I have more than a few strikes against me according to the consensus being a multiple Harley owner, a rider who is pushing himself to be the best rider he can be. I may never be the rider these people think they are but honestly I do not think I would want to be so it works out just fine for me. MarCarl my friend, I see it in your post you understand my reply. I knew you would and yes if I get to know your ride yes i will wave at you.. lol.. Hey maybe time for us to put the spoons away and to stop stirring the pot we should all recognize that the riding experience is different for each and every one of us. Lets all keep the rubber on the road and worry about how we reflect this hobby and not how others do. Peace to all...

Now here is the problem as I have experienced it. You take offence because an individual like myself will not initiate a wave to a group of riders of a specific model or brand or machine who in my experience till as of yet have not returned a wave to me during time riding a motorcycle. I have heard Harley riders are bad for this but honestly I have had not had a wave from one three wheeler aside from trikes which I wave to. I DO return to waves to those who initiate it first unless it is an electric scooter or low speed vehicles that are seen in my area with the pedals removed and two riding on a one person machine illegally, or wrong way down the road ( you see that crap more than you think in my area). I have had one other ride up in a parking lot beside me and ignorantly tell me it must be nice to ride a Harley (I was riding a Virago) and had quite a few idiots on the road with on these non insured or licensed bikes (not required) or bigger scooters who use the bicycles lanes, do not follow rules of the road and have no license to lose and you think I am supposed to initiate a wave? My point is I will wave back to almost anyone who rides but rarely initiate a wave to those groups who I previously have had negative experience with. I can clearly see my lack of clarification of not whether I initiated a wave or returned a wave has upset you and shown me you only see it one way. Such is life, even though I have been riding a far shorter time than yourself I may have had different experiences that have made me make different choices and I know some great people riding machines I do not initiate waves to but it is not meant as an insult to them. If you judge me a jerk due to this than so be it. Everyone's riding experience will vary, ride safe.

Personally as a new rider I make an effort to wave at those on two wheels (not scooters, 3 wheelers, etc,,) but there are times when a nod or other sign of acknowledgement is used. I try to keep it up as on days when I come across those who do not return the wave I wonder if they think they are too good or who really cannot ride well enough to take a hand off the handlebars. In my experience I have come across those who wave high, some wave low, and have noted some just raise fingers or nod. There is no written or unwritten rules so I would not trouble yourself with worrying about it. I understand your thought process as at times I have thought the same way and I suppose there never will be a correct response but for me as an individual who is trying to fully submerse himself in this culture I try to experience it all from gremlin bells to the hand wave. Remember it's not as if you are giving others the one finger salute, just ride the way you are most comfortable you are not obligated to anyone else but yourself.

Puc because you asked previously and that I am a man of my word, here is a video of my recent basket case project (Relic) in it's current state. Note the stock quiet mufflers of 1988? I am trying to build it era correct so that it stands out in a crowd. I do not want it to look like every other motorcycle out there or be stereo typed due to the brand. And now the exhaust note on my FXRS (Grace) with her saddle bags off: Much more noticeable and distinct do you not think so? Who says all Harleys are loud? I am in need of advice and welcome thoughts and opinions. Some know but those who do not I will tell the story then ask for the opinion. Prior to me acquiring my decker I had a man approach me and ask if I wanted to trade my 1953 Bel Air for a 1983 shovel head decker. I did not get excited about it until he told me he wanted to make the trade the next upcoming weekend. Well when the time came he bought a 2005 sportster, had a change of heart and felt that his bike was worth more than what he thought and had invested into it and that the car was not worth the trade and wanted me to come up with a big difference for the bike. So it did not happen. Well that week I posted an ad and found the decker above as a basket case not running and been sitting for many years. Now the man who wanted the initial trade has seen me bring this steed back to riding condition and has approached me again last night after apologizing for backing out last time and wants to move forward in the deal again. In my opinion he will be losing $2000-$2500 in value of what he has invested ( I have seen the receipts) and I will be making a fair trade and not really losing any real value. The only thing is many people could not deal with the quirks of an old bike so it might take a bit longer to sell to find the right buyer. Any how I really no longer have a need for another bike, had it come a month earlier prior to the purchase of this decker above it would have been better for me. I do not have an interest in the car currently so I am torn on whether to do the deal or not. Do I really need a third Harley? Sure I do not own a shovel as of yet but do I really want a chain drive decker? Opinions? I think it is clear working on these rides is no problem but I can only ride one at a time so what to do? I guess if I do the deal I will have to post pics up of the shovel... lol... I need to be commited...

Thankfully your were not under it or mush faster. Heal well and worry about your scoot later.

Thank you all for your support and invites. I have been away from my pc and out riding and returning to service my next set of wheels thus my late response. I really make an effort and go out of my way to learn to the best of my ability things that I am passionate about and as of late it has been motorcycle riding. I watch others and try to note and pick up tidbits that would benefit me and improve my riding skills and this might be the reason I see things the way I do. I only hope that I am able to become a good example that perhaps someone else will benefit from down the road. We can all learn form each other, we just need the ambition to do so. Again thank you all.

This post is not directed at anyone directly but rather a collection of my thoughts as a new rider while observing other riders and their performance on the roads. It might be a bit of a rant but it is an honest observation and for me a real eye opener. I have been riding a short time and have listened to many on the forums, in the coffee shops, at the rest stops, and at motorcycle events in order to try to pick up little tidbits of info that could possibly make me a better rider. I have been on the road with many riders or followed the same path and or even rode with and noted their skill sets and how they handle their machines. Almost everyone complains about other drivers of cars and they way other brand specific groups ride and act on our shared roads and how they know better and ride correctly. Well I am really starting to understand why motorcycles have such a bad reputation and is looked upon as a dangerous sport or hobby. All the negativity I have seen and heard and the lack of responsibility I see on the road. I hear of those who claim they had accidents and or went down due to weather conditions, or their was loose gravel on the roads, or the turn was too sharp. Do you not think you might have slowed down or considered weather conditions might factor in your ability to handle your motorcycle? I have heard people complain about cars and distracted driving but yet even today following a second gen venture I note a rider riding around a man hole cover looking down and riding right into the lane of oncoming cars but yet it's the cars fault? This same rider I observed riding 30 km/h in a 50 zone and when entering an 80 km/h zone taking off like crazy well above the speed limit until he was almost up the backside of a small car. Man this stuff is driving me nuts... I rode with a small group on the weekend to the Paris Rally and the pack leader rode well above the speed limits in small towns and slowed well below the speed limits on the stretches of highway that allowed higher speeds, it drove me nuts and when I asked why he told me he knew the areas and that the signs were posted wrong, the engineers messed up, and that I should just follow and as long as I was behind him the police would not do a thing about it. Really? What kind of mentality is this? I am finding more and more of this attitude the more I meet riders and it makes me want to ride alone and not deal with this drama and BS. I recently was in a small group and was asked to join on a local trip, the leader ended up passing cars without the group and was trying to get others to pass and when at the next intersection was screaming at cars to go around and for the bikes to follow closer. Really? I had a set to with that individual and no kidding stood up and made him ride the rear while the others carried on the trip to our destination. Another recent time I rode with a local goldwing chapter and oh my god I was so disappointed in their riding ability as I could not believe that a group who had meetings and had a strong following of a motorcycle brand or model could ride together so poorly and dangerously (not being able to ride in stagger formation, cutting off cars, not staying in their lane). My point is it seems everyone thinks they are the best, know better than everyone else, even to the point the the rules of the road does not apply to them. And if this is so are we no better than those we condemn? I am trying really hard to practice and prepare for my upcoming final riding test and it seems that I have a great examples of what not to be like but very little of good examples. So the bottom line I think is that it does not matter who you are or what you ride or drive, or what group you belong to. We all share the same roads and we should all take responsibility for our actions and think before we act rather than passing the buck or laying blame elsewhere. You will never grow as a rider a decent human being with out recognizing our own faults and making efforts to make us better at who we are and what we do. I think I need to stay away from those riders who talk the big stories or who know best as it is proving to not be in my best interest. Stress comes too easily and I do not need to invite it in. Be aware of your actions before and after, accept you make mistakes as do others, try not to condemn others for their riding preferences or styles and recognize there is no "right" way and that it may not be only "one" way. Be careful, ride safe, and make an effort to respect each other. We all only have one life......

Proof that I had attended.......

Maybe not so nice to ask but I do not see it anywhere else, Which bike did you lay down? The 01 or the 84? Either way mistakes happen and I am happy for you that it was not at any speeds that could of hurt more. You will grow and be a better experienced rider after this.

Thank you and all due respect my friend sometimes you have to just commit yourself and do the extra work required to achieve your goals. I am doing nothing more than what anyone else is capable of. Financially it is tough but I think in the end I will feel rewarded in knowing that it is mine and I earned it rather than just bought it. I am in between jobs right now but am able to make dollars on my own to survive even though it involves doing work I no longer want to do. When I commit to something I do not test the waters but rather jump in head first and most of the times my gamble spay off, other times I too lose. On a lighter note I took my first ride with the pictured Harley up and down my driveway a few times and things are progressing and the more people stop by they all comment it suits me better then my venture. Do they know something that I am unsure of?

Puc and Mike, My apologies on the late response as I have been away from this site and out trying to get this project together. Pics as you requested Puc will be up sometime in the future just because you asked. 1988 Electra Glide Classic, 1340 Evo 5 spd, belt drive. Mike I will be in touch in the near future as I have been a few blocks from you but did not want to just drop by with little to no advance notice. I still need to drop an item off to Carls that he wanted for saddlebum. So many things to remember to do and the time and miles add up but still I get no where. I have roughly 4000km on my venture since starting out on it and am more comfortable but I have a stronger spark with this Harley. Hopefully I have not been too spoiled with the nice aspects of the venture that will make me not as impressed with the Harley. The venture has great aspects but in my opinion does not have the character or soul I crave and feel the Harley has. Who knows maybe I will never find the right bike to fit my needs? I am not ready to join the buy new and ride group yet so I will stick with my low mileage vintage rides. Besides at the price I pick them up at I can have a couple instead of just one for the same money.

Well I guess it has been coming and my heart is telling me to explore my options with another bike. I love 80"s bikes but more specifically the v-twin sound. Itching for another project and after having someone attempt a trade a shovel decker for my 53 chev belair (deal did not go through as bike was not worth the value of the car) I placed an innocent ad looking for my next project. One day later and two replies I was looking at a true barn find that has sat for 20 years. Not cheap for a project but by far the best way for me to move on to my next bike. I prefer building my rides so I can trust them and the lower the age when parked the better chances they are not as molested or butchered. This particular machine was stored with low mileage and is exceptionally clean and unaltered for it's year and being a barn find in parts. Meaning I bought it from two guys who did not have the skill to check it over or hear it run. This worked to my advantage and thank fully they did not notice what they really had. So I loaded up the parts in my wagon and dragged home my new to me prize and within a day found that the gamble I took was well worth it as I have a nice machine in the making. A week later which brings us today I have gone over the machine and trial assembled it and have it up and running like new aside from the clutch which I found to be the reason it was taken off the road over a lousy $5 torrington bearing failure. This last week I have made a list and I figure it will cost me about $500 above my initial investment to have it correct and road ready as I have many parts that will fit it already in stock from previous projects. I am not tearing this one down to bare frame as I did my venture until I know for a fact I love it and my venture will stay with me until I am sure I prefer this ride. Puc, I hope you agree as I am taking a lesson from you and intend to ride this in it's original form and keep it pretty much stock (even the original quiet mufflers) and intend to add many miles to it. Yes it is what I desire a second Harley. I do not have the original tour pak but intend to find a vinatge metal pop cooler to use as one so it looks different from the harley crowd. I feel more anxious and or excited with this then I did when building the venture and feel it is the right move. I did go in debt to acquire this but I feel my investment will be a lot lees than the finished products value. So Puc do I have your approval?" And does the color not stand out from the common Harley colors?