Red1

No problem. I should be able to start mailing them on Monday or Tues, FYI.

The RIP patches for Russell (Black Owl) should be in by the end of the week. Cost is $4 each. That includes mailing cost in the USA for up to 4 patches and should cover Canadian postage (up to $.70). I had 75 made - I'll bring any extra to the PIP this fall. If they sell out, I can order more. Please use PayPal to pay. Click on - "send money to friend or family" and send $4 per patch to this e-mail - vrpip@outlook.com Be sure you include your mailing address. I can send up to 4 in an envelope, quantities over that will need extra postage so contact me before paying. Any extra $$$ over my cost will be donated to the Pork in the Pines fund. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can send a check to Red Simpson 523 W. Main St. Winneconne, WI 54986 Patches are round - 2.5" diameter. Thanks

No problem, Steve. I'll let you know. Do you think it should include the actual date (3-28-17)- or is the year OK?

Me too. I've got a lot of good memories of him. At PIP, at my house, at Potato Creek, on-line chats - "he was in a class of his own" as my father-in-law used to say. I'll let you know when I have them.

I came up w/ a design for a RIP patch for Russell if anyone is interested. I don't have a price yet, but as this is not a profit making venture - I will likely sell them at cost, which I'll post later when I have it. I'm thinking around $5 would cover the patch and include mailing cost to most USA & Canada locations. Patches will be 2.5" across & should be similar to this - (but smaller, obviously w/ all the elements centered). I'll post the final design & price ASAP. In the meantime - I need to have an idea how many to order. So - please send an e-mail to me if you WILL BUY them. Tell me how many you will take & include your mailing address. Any excess $$ will go to the Pork In The Pines fund. E-mail - red@simpsontaxidermy.com

That's him getting his hair cut in the post above. Here's a couple more from various PIP events.

Ride In Peace, amigo. I got the news from Bubber yesterday. If you spent any time with him - he had some stories, man! Never was sure how much was true, but he told them with conviction! He was literally the first guy I met face-to-face at the very first VR get-together in Potato Creek. And was the Chief cook and main driver behind the annual Pork in the Pines gathering. He will be missed. I don't know if this group does this, but I'm going to look into getting some RIP patches made in his honor.

I have a motorcycle friend in OK that has hit a bumpy patch in his life. He has some medical issues and can no longer work & lost his wife a couple years ago. Riding was something he and his wife loved to do. He has a '97 Royal Star Tour Classic that need some maintenance to get back to "safe & road worthy" & he's having a hard time finding the cash. This is a big group of diverse & helpful folks and I thought some here might be able to help. He's not looking for a handout and he didn't ask me to post this. If anyone has used parts, stock part they replaced with better parts, or knows where there's a scrapped bike where he could get the parts - that would help. He needs a rear shock, a water pump and tires. If you can help out - PM me and I'll send his contact info.

Velma and I are both pulling for you to make a recovery and show your face at PIP this fall. It's not the same w/o you there. From that first meeting at Potato Creek to the 10th PIP, to the times you've dropped by the house - I've always looked forward to and enjoyed your friendship. We all want to see you in MN this fall. Red & Velma

No, I fell off a ladder in July and fractured some ribs - kinda put a stop to the quest for a bit. Other family matters pushed it off the front burner. But I did read the manual on the USCA site and I have a good idea what I want & what to look for now. So I'm still looking and fall can be a good time to pick up a bike. I'd like to find something close enough to WI I can go check it out in person. Thanks to you and everyone who helped answer my questions!

Found it, thanx - I'll keep an eye on it. Not a bad rig, but it's way out in CA.

Beautiful rig! Who makes that sidecar? The design is an excellent match to the lines of the bike. How long did it take to get the hang of driving w/ a sidecar? How much extra wear have you noticed (tires, bearings, etc.)? What would you look out for when buying a used rig? How difficult is it to switch mentally when you get on a 2-wheeler from the hack and vice versa? I've been asking a lot of Q's on the USCA forum & between here & there - I think I have a pretty good grasp now on the differences in driving, the learning curve, and overall having a side car. I am going to look for an older bike I can learn one, I think - before I make any conversion on my Venture. Basically I've learned - 1. Once a bike is set up properly & modified for a sidecar, you can't really just remove the car and go back to 2 wheels very easy. Best to have a dedicated sidecar rig. 2. That car must be properly matched to the bike - to light it flies too easy ~ too heavy and it causes excessive wear on the engine & drive train & bearings. 3. If no class is available to teach sidecar techniques and I have to teach myself - go slow, buy a couple good books on driving a hack & practice a lot, especially turns. I really appreciate all the info I have gotten from everyone. Right now, I think It's a matter of finding the right 1st rig and how much $$$ I want to spend to make it happen.

Oh yeah, it is! And surprisingly, very effective. Personally, I am a fan of bats, but NOT in my house. The guano carries a lot of parasites and viruses that can effect people. The only critters that share my house are my dogs - all others go in the freezer.

Not being of great physical height, I need to wear boots with a thick sole when I ride to have the leg leverage to back up when needed and to get a firm 2 foot plant. I bought a pair of Wolverine boots from WallyWorld that are comfortable and waterproof. Used them in "real world" rainstorms - worked great.

I don't own a .357 but my .45 S&W Governor can fire .410 shells - that should do the trick, eh? Yes, you can hit 'em with a handgun - technically with a bullet from a handgun. I like my Ruger Mark III .22 in the woods - very accurate. In town & around the house & garden - give me my Benjamin .22 air rifle ~ quiet & deadly on all manner of rodent life. As for the bats - if you can find out where they are coming out at night - wait until they leave at night, then block off the hole. Or do like my neighbor and stand by their exit with a tennis racket and wack 'em as they fly out. Yep, it works - they never hear it coming!

A. the dead babies won't stink forever ~ they're pretty small. and if the attic is properly vented, you likely would never smell them anyway. B. I got a .22 cal air rifle w/ a 4X9 scope - drops a full grown Fluffytail Garden Rat (a.k.a. a rabbit) at 30 yds, no problem taking down squirrels. Always go for a head shot w/ air rifle & use hollow point pellets. Don't know if they are Canuck approved or not, tho. C. You can get a machine turret mount for a Ural , Larry - that should do the trick for ya! D. Fox squirrels not rare up here, unless I cook them that way. Definitely bigger than your average grey tree rat.

I have 8.1 on my tablet and 7 on my PC. I have a small computer specialist company that runs a "managed anti-virus" service on my stuff. It prevents any virus from getting to my equipment and gives me someone to help when stuff gets weird. He recommended not switching to 10 - too many glitches in it. I also run LastPass on both to manage my passwords/usernames etc. It's free, encrypted and approved by my computer guy and easy to use. Dan ~ I'm sure my computer guy could log in remotely and probably help you fix this and clean your machine. If your interested, send me a pm and I'll give you his e-mail.

A cheaper alternative to rain gloves is to carry a couple pairs of latex or nitrile gloves. You can put them on under your leather gloves and keep your hands dry and warmer. If your leather gloves are snug, that might not work, tho. ( remember OJ ............"If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit".)

I've had cheap ones - often they don't last as long as the first rain. They tear easy, they flap in the wind, ride up your legs, and seldom work on a motorcycle - because they were never designed to work when riding a motorcycle. I have a pair of Frogg Toggs for my wife - they work OK, she hates the way they look. I bought a set from my Yamaha dealer many years back. They are worth every penny. They do keep you dry, I've had them over 12 years and as long as you don't melt them on the pipes - they will outlast 10 cheap suits. They are well vented, so you don't overheat as soon as the rain stops. Sometimes, value is not measured by how cheap something is initially - but how well it works and how long it keeps working. Rain suits only keep you dry if you put them on when you are STILL dry. If it's a warm day with on-again-off-again showers , or I'm not far from my destination - I often just leave my leathers on. But get caught in a fall rain, or drive thru a rain into the cold front on the other side and you can get hypothermia pretty damn quick at 60 mph when you are soaking wet. I've ridden in some frog-stranglers and never regretted spending a few extra $ on my rainsuit. I also bought some fog-proof goggles and some rain gloves with a little squeegee on the L index finger - also worth the $$$ more than once. My $.02............... If you take tours or travel on the bike for days and riding in the rain is unavoidable ~ buy the best motorcycle specific rain gear you can afford. If you are just a 'round towner or a sunny days only rider - go with any of the cheaper alternatives.

Nice looking bike, not a bad price, but I still have to get a car body - which means more $$$ and time - both of which are in short supply. Thanks, tho -0 it's been so long since I've been on the forum, I didn't know we had section for all those things now!

Not sure how that helps .............. but thanks for sharing.

I got a shorter & wider windscreen for my bike right after I bought it. I think it's 4" shorter than the stock one. It's tall enough to give me protection from debris, short enough I can look over the top in a frog strangler if I sit up tall in the saddle. As for RainX - I've heard all the pros and cons, but nothing beads up water better. Can it mess up your windshield? Maybe, but it hasn't mine in over 10 years of using it. (and on both sides, too) But even if it fogged or messed up the windshield ~ $100+ for a new windscreen is way cheaper than the damage from an accident 'cuz you couldn't see clearly, I think. I also have a pair of rain gloves with a squeegee blade on the L index finger - works great on your glasses.

I've been on KBB a lot lately & I did see that & got a value of about $900 - $1400 for the 2005 Velorex 700. $2800 is only $700 less than a new one, where I don't have to fix the brakes. So I think he's dreaming. Considering the brake needs fixing, $1200 would be the most I think I would

I like the Velorex because they come with almost everything. By the time you add a convertible top, a cover, lights, etc, etc - you're up around $9K. Motorvation are nice cars, too. Lots to mull over, thanks again.

Since we're at it, it's coulDn't, not couln 't. And it's American, not american. And thanks for the grins.