Freebird

LOL....was kind of funny.

I've got a tool that I would be glad to loan out but don't know how much good it will do without a shim kit.

I know that when I cancelled Maintenance Day that most of you wondered and/or had suspicions about why I would have done so. Those of you who have attended know that it's a weekend that Eileen and I truly enjoy hosting and look forward to every year. I feel that it's time to come clean with you all. I consider many of you family and though there are some things that must be kept private, it is fair to tell you some of what had and has transpired. After being together for about 20 years and married from more than 18 years, Eileen and I reached a very difficult time in our relationship. There are a lot of things that led up to it and I won't go into the private details. The bottom line is that we ended up separating for a brief period and then even when together, most of our discussions were in regard to how to best end our marriage. For a while, it seemed that divorce was certainly the likely outcome. When I met Eileen about 20 years ago, I truly felt that she was a gift from God and one that I would always love and felt that it would be my duty and honor to take care of for the rest of our lives. As in all of our lives, a lot of things tried to interfere with that and though many of them were outside our our control, they still slowly chipped away at the foundation of our marriage and until finally it was quickly crumbling away. Though I have been a Christian for many years, I had lost the close relationship that I once had with my Lord and arrogantly thought that I was able to deal with such things without him. The fact is though, after much talking and crying and praying, we both finally realized that what we have is real and our marriage was sanctioned by God and nothing should tear it down. We have talked about a lot of issues and managed to resolve a lot of things over the past days. I know that not all of you here are Christians and I'm not trying to ram my beliefs down anybodies throats so please understand that it is not my purpose to do that but those beliefs played such a major role in our reconciliation that I can't tell you about this and not include it in the story. The fact is, we do believe that God brought us together. We also know that God has been with us on our 20 year walk together but at some point, I slowly allowed him to be less and less important in our lives...at least in my own life. I know now that only though a daily dialog with him and truly seeking his guidance and strength can I be the kind of husband that he would have me be. That is what I want and that is what Eileen desires and deserves from me. So things are good now. We will continue talking and praying and restoring what we lost but with God's help and guidance, we are becoming stronger and closer than we ever have been. We have decided to renew our vows and are both looking forward to doing so. Haven't set a date for that yet but it will be very soon. Please don't feel left out but it will be a very small and private ceremony with only a handful of close family members present. So now you have it. For some, this is just a confirmation of what you already suspected. For others, it may come as a complete surprise. Either way, we ask for your prayers as we move forward in our lives and if you are not one who is inclined to pray then just your best wishes are welcome also. Thanks for listening. Don

and yes, they will work with the Buddy Rich cable but you have to plug them in ahead of Buddy's cable, not after.

It's there as your profile pic. Now the Avatar is a different thing.

I don't remember. I just remember doing it somehow. I THINK that bezel on the front screws off though.

I think that happened to that tac once before. It didn't actually go all the way around, it just slipped past the pin on the way down. I think I gently removed it and lifted it to the other side of the pin.

Oh...I'm very happy with it. He did a very good job. It was just a bit sad to paint over the beautiful color matching of he '99 RSV. Had to be done though.

OK...it was a bit painful to paint over the beautiful paint that was on it but the trailer had to be matched to the new Harley so here it is. Not a great picture but I'll do better once this snow is finally gone.

Yes, but I don't know WHY?

I think I replied to your email. I will include the clamps that came with them. I think they should work.

For well under $100.00, you could go with a set of Harley mufflers.

I am pleased to welcome back F4 Customs as a preferred vendor of VentureRiders. Many of you are already aware of the excellent windshield that they manufacture but they also continue to be a great supporter of our organization. Please check them out when considering our next windshield purchase. http://www.f4customs.com

I may be wrong but I THINK the valves get tiger with age. As the shims wear, the valves get tighter. If I am correct in that, then I would recommend adjusting them a bit.

OK...I could probably ride this thing about 10 miles before my back started complaining but the technology for the engine might be interesting. A 75-degree V-twin displacing 1,195 cc puts out 200 horsepower. http://www.lotus-motorcycles.com

I am very sorry to say that I am going to have to cancel Freebird's Maintenance Day this year. It is with a heavy hear that I cancel this annual event. It has nothing to do with anything here or the fact that I sold my RSV. The reasons are personal and I can't share them at this time. I promise you that I would not do this as it is always something that I have enjoyed and honored to have many of you attend. I wish I could tell you more but I just can't at this time. I know that some of you have already made reservations. Please be sure to cancel them before you forget.

You THINK Don would disagree? You THINK Jeff would disagree?

I know NONE of those people....nope...never seen them before in my life.

Six more weeks of winter....

As for starting it Dan...some of the others were right. I always just pulled the choke fully out. Didn't ever touch the throttle. Started it and let it run until it was at a high idle...push it in about half way and let it continue to warm up. Never had any trouble starting it even after sitting through the winter.

If you had Freebird's money, you would NOT be buying a $40,000.00 bike I can promise you that. My 2013 Road Glide didn't cost me much more than the suggested retail of a new RSV.

Very cool indeed. I would have liked to have done that. I've been out of town most of the month though and even if I wasn't, there is way too much salt on the roads right now.

I would NEVER say anything like that. I will say though that I just looked up Trouble Maker in the dictionary and the definition included your picture. Just saying....

I would NEVER do anything like that and have no earthly idea what it was all about.

I think it is legal in Washington state for recreational use now also. Though they haven't actually started opening the stores yet, it supposed to happen soon.