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Do they exist for our bikes? I saw one on a Harley the other day and it looked sweet!
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Confession is good for the soul, so …(coming out of lurk mode to share) My wife and I just returned from our annual trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This trip was 6 days and 5 nights on the parkway, staying at the Pisgah Inn and Bluffs Lodge. We live about 125 miles from the parkway, so this trip was about 550 miles of parkway riding, not including detours, from the southern end in Cherokee, NC, to Rocky Knob in Virginia. I especially enjoy the southern, mountainous section from Cherokee to Asheville. I don’t know about those of you who have ridden the parkway, but after 5 days and 500 miles of twisties, I’m also happy to get off that road and ride some straight lines for a change. For those of you that do not know me, my 2000 model Yamaha Venture (the Albino Rhino) and I have shared more than 100k miles of roads over the past 8 years. To say that I am familiar with the Rhino is an understatement. Mistakes, I made a few… For me, bike condition and safety are always supreme. Good tires are a must, especially before beginning a road trip. The rear tire, an Avon, only has 4k on it—good to go. The front tire, a Metzler 880, has 10k on it and is at minimums (a surprise as I normally get much better mileage from the front 880), but this is only a short trip and I have no time to mount a new tire, so I decide to go with it. The first day is 190 miles to the Pisgah Inn (mile post 408.6), where we spend the night. This segment includes 60 miles of that glorious mountainous portion of the parkway, including the high point of the parkway, and the day is fine. The next day we travel to Bluffs Lodge at MP 241, where we will spend the next 3 nights. The first detour traveling north puts us off the parkway in Asheville. The official detour goes east on I-40, to US 221 north, to SR 226 north, then back to the parkway. I don’t like this route and choose to get off I-40 in Old Fort and take US 70 east to SR 80 and go north to the parkway. While enjoying twisty SR 80 I misjudge a mild right-hand curve and go wide into the opposing lane. Fortunately, there is no traffic for a close encounter. (whew!) Three days later, I realize that I did not misjudge the curve; I, for just the briefest of moments, stopped piloting the bike and missed setting up the proper entry. Later that day as I am putting the Rhino to bed (covering the bike), I notice the front tire, with only 350 additional miles on it since leaving the house, is getting real thin left and right of center. So, the next morning, Wednesday, a no ride day (!), I call the dealer I buy tires from and ask him to order an Avon for the front and make arrangements to stop by his business on the way home at trip’s end to have it installed. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing and hiking some local trails. Thursday we ride 70 miles north on the parkway to check out the Rocky Knob cabins, built in 1936, for next year’s accommodations. Friday morning we depart Bluffs lodge traveling south for another night at the Pisgah Inn. Again we endure the two detours between Bluffs Lodge and Asheville, and just before getting back onto the parkway at Asheville, I get fuel. While fueling, we see that rain is close upon us, so we don our water repellant garments before continuing south. A small thunderstorm rolls over us while traversing the parkway around the Asheville area. We are out of the heavy rain after only a few miles, and a few miles further on, we stop at an overlook to wipe off the windshield and face shields. Shortly after continuing on, and only about 20 miles from our destination, I again go wide in a right-hand curve. This time there is opposing traffic. Fortunately, the driver is alert and brakes and gives me room to get back to my side of the road. Again, I had momentarily stopped piloting the bike and lost control. TARGET FIXATION. We learn about this in our riding classes. During my two departures of controlled riding, when I realized I was drifting wide, I fixated on the center line, and consequently crossed into the other lane. Needless to say, I was not happy with my performance, and I was especially unhappy about putting my wife’s life in jeopardy. (Let the fool kill himself, no others.) Immediately after my second excursion, I did not know what had caused me to cross the center line. It was only afterward, when my mind had time to replay, many times, the event as it unfolded, did I understand that I had stopped riding the bike—my mind was completely focused on something else for just a brief instant in time. Another aspect factors into the successful recoveries from my lane departures. I have become very conservative with speed when riding twisty roads; I am well inside the performance envelop and have maneuvering room while in a curve. Had I been traveling at a safe but faster speed in these curves the outcome mostly likely would have been ugly. Devine intervention … Remember that front tire? As arranged, we stopped this afternoon to have the new tire installed. I had considered waiting until Thursday (my day off) to do it, but decided to get it done today. While waiting for the tire change, we tested a Goldwing trike, but that is another story. After the test ride, the owner came up to me and showed me the valve stem that had been removed from the wheel. As I’m looking at it (not seeing anything wrong with it), he takes it back and says to me, “it’s a good thing you didn’t check the air in your tires this morning.” Having said that, he easily slides the brass core of the valve stem from its rubber housing! He hands it back to me and the ease in which the brass core slides out flabbergasts me. The thing is, I did check the air in my tires this morning! Ronnie, the owner, explained that he had started to remove the valve core (Schrader valve) from the stem and heard air escaping, so he pulled on the stem an the brass core pulled out with virtually no resistance. Today we rode 185 miles to get to Ronnie’s: twisty roads and highway speeds up to 70 mph. As best as I can recall, this is the original valve stem: 103,000 miles on it. I recommend that you change yours more often.
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Ok folks for those that are attending, we have come up with some guided rides for each of the four days. Not to say you can't go and explore on your own. On Monday for those that are aready here we will leave after breakfast and do a run around the outskirts of the KW region and out into mennonite country, to give you an idea of our area. Tuesday we have an all day ride that goes to Niagara falls and Niagara on the Lake area. Also a shorter ride that will go to our farmers market and St Jacobs area. Wednesday will be a ride down towards Port Dover. And back early for the Supper. Thursday for those that are still here this will be an all day ride up to the Muskokas. early start- late return. Looking forward to meeting and enjoying the week with new and old friends. Hal
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Marcarl and Wizard765 came down for a visit and to help out today in spite of the rain. We had a wonderful afternoon of friendship and actually got a few things done around herre as well! Had a great lunch, and then knocked a couple more things off one Honeydoo list! I also want to thank JGorom for coming down to install the window AC units the week I was in the Hospital, one of the hottest weeks of the season. Many thanks, James, you are a true friend. Also a big Thank You to Big Tom for coming down last weekend and changing the blade on my lawn mower as well as getting the lawn mowed! You're #1 Tom! And of course thanks Carl and Wayne for sharing the day, it means so very much. Keep on coming over, folks, you don't have to do any work, just spend some time and help pass the day. I'm stuck here for a couple of months most likely...
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I need some information. At the upcoming rally, we are having a very nice buffet of good German food for our Wednesday night wrap-up dinner. The information that I need is a head count of those people who have NOT registered but may be just tagging along for the ride from day to day but plan on joining us for the wrap-up dinner and paying for that on their own. The restaurant needs a head count no later then 7 days before the event so they know how much food to prepare. Anyone NOT registered that plans on joining us for the Wednesday night wrap-up dinner ($25.00) needs to let me know ASAP. Please send me an email to: reinyschmidt@rogers.com telling me how many people are coming. Children under 12 are half price.
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28 DAY AGO,TATERS AND I DECIDED TO QUIT SMOKING...NO LITTLE MATTER..IVE BEEN SMOKING SINCE I WAS 13 AND TATERS SINCE SHE WAS 19..THATS 40 YEARS FOR ME AND A LITTLE LESS FOR TATERS..WE KEPT HEARING ABOUT CHANTIX AND THAT IT REALLY WORKED...I WAS RELUCTANT, BUT SINCE YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SMOKE WHILE YOU DECIDE TO QUIT I FIGURED ..WHAT THE ..ELL, SOUNDS LIKE THEY WANT YOU TO SMOKE...THEY DO..BY THE THIRD DAY CICARETTES STARTED TO TASTE FUNNY TO ME..BY THE FIFTH DAY THEY TASTED WORSE...BY THE SEVENTH DAY ,THEY TASTED LIKE SMOKING DOG DO DO..THAT DAY WE THREW OUT OUR REMAINING CIGARETTES.LIGHTERS AND ASH TRAYS...NEVER BELIEVED IN A MILLION YEARS THAT I COULD QUIT SO EFFORTLESSLY..NOW IM NOT SAYING THAT EVERYONE SHOULD QUIT..BUT, IF YOU HAVE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT,SEE YOUR DOCTOR AND ASK HIM ABOUT THIS SMOKING AID..WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE..YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SMOKE WHILE YOU TAKE THE MEDICATION...AND WHO KNOWS YOU MAY EVEN TURN INTO AN EXSMOKER.............THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVERTISEMENT.....
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It's Dad's day so naturally I'm thinking about my Dad who passed away in Febuary 2002. Dad wasn't anything about motorcycles at all. In fact the only memories I have of him where motorcycles were involved was the day I got my first street legal motorcycle a Honda CB 750. He wanted to ride it during the first hour of my ownership of it. I was somewhat hesitant to hand over my brand new bike to anyone ,my Dad included. But, he was my Dad and he did finally agree to let me purchase it against his better judgement. That on top of his desire to ride came across in more of a tone of a command than a request. I reluctlantly gave him a brief and cursory instruction on the shift pattern, how to operate the clutch and where the throttle and the brakes were located. I watched with concern then horror as he gave it a little gas. He slowly let out the clutch and the bike started rolling. He picked up his feet but I don't think they every reached the foot pegs as the bike swerved toward the right side curb then the left side curb then back toward the right curb before he dropped the bike in the middle of the street before reaching our next door nieghbor's mail box. As I was standing there in wide eyed horror, he slowly picked himself up off the ground. Leaving the bike on the ground where it lay, he slowly walked past me and my chastizing mother, without a word and brushing the dirt off his newly acquired road rash on his knee and elbow. He walked up the driveway and into the house and never again showed any interest in the motorcycle at all. Then later that year I managed to get involved in a 150 MPH combined impact head on collision on that bike. For the next year and a half while I lived in the hospital in tracksion, my Dad was there. Then a year of Physical therapy, three years in a wheel chair, five years of litigation and a week long Civil jury trail for damages, my Dad was there. No My dad wasn't into motorcycles at all. He liked to sing at Karoke and piano bars, mostly Frank Sinatra. When he told a joke he was always the one laughing the loudest at the punch line. He was known to be a prankster with a corny sense of humor to his family and a character known as "Good Time Charlie" to his friends, especially the ladies. To this day when seeing some of the old locals that were his friends I'm still initially referred to as Charlie's son before my name is recalled. A fact I view with pride not malice. It wasn't untill the later years of his life that I began thinking of him as a friend and our relationship bonded with each other. I'm just thankfull that was accomplished before he passed away. And as I look back in retrospect, I don't think our friendship started to occur untill I began to respect him for what he was rather than resenting him for what he wasn't. And him looking at me in the same way. The following poem I wrote for his memorial service and was included in the service program. Carpe Diem Seize the day is what he’d say, For tomorrow is never sure. We never know if we‘ll pass this way, Or If I can hold your hand once more. My life has been blessed and was rich indeed, With friends and loves and family. My heart has been full for sure. Life’s sweet music has filled my ears, A song of bliss so pure. When my time has ended, And I go to meet my Lord, No floods of tears should you shed, For my struggles will be no more. Each song I sang along the way Was meant to share my soul. I tried to sing them lovingly, So lovingly to you. Charles R. Graham In memory of my beloved Father and friend Charles Corwin Graham
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Hi folks, I'm looking for a Utopia backrest for my Midnight Venture 2007. I try to find it in Canada before ordering this driver backrest in CA. If you can help me to find it ''ll really appreciate. Have a nice day. Ti-lou
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here are a couple fun photos til I get mine uploaded to the photobucket........... http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1829.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1858.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1859.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1862.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1868-1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1846-1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1855-1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1854-1.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1893.jpg http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/100_1892.jpg
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http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i251/rella_photo/fd.jpg to all you guys! hope you are spoiled and get a good ride in today here is a little father trivia game in honor of fathers day http://home.aristotle.net/fathers/trivia.asp
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Last night a bunch of people met out at the new church property to discuss our upcoming Biker Weekend. Now mind you, our church really has it's roots in our biker ministry so there are a ton of bikers that show up each time we meet. Anyway, most of the riders from church are Harley guys and gals. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't bother me a bit. We all get along fine and they are some of the best friends I've ever had. But last night I saw something that really made me proud of my scoot. We had about 30 bikes lined up (mostly Harleys including some brand new ones, some Goldwings and a couple Stars thrown in for good luck). I was talking to some of my friends and looked down the row of bikes. To my surprise there were about 5 people standing around my Venture talking about it. So I walked over and asked if they have any questions. they were just complimenting the looks and how much they liked the Venture. One of them asked me what I thought about it and told me he has been wanting one. I offered him the use of mine for a day whenever he wanted to try one out. He was grinning from eear to ear. I expect a call one day soon! For me the Venture has everything I want and more. I just hope to someday get rid of my whine. After that, I'll be completly satisfied with it. A good friend of mine is an architect and really into design. He's totally into the look of the Venture. All in all it is a great looking machine. Also, on another note, I had to miss Don's maintenance day due to other obligations. Is there anyone in the Ohio area that has a Carbtune? I would like to get my carbs checked and adjusted if necessary. I'd be glad to pay you for doing it. I would also like to invite you all to the Biker Weekend we'll be having July 12 and 13. Check out the details at www.leaveamark.org Ride safe.
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My did some photo shop stuff of my bike for me!
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TATERS AND I GOT BACK HOME LATE YESTERDAY AFTER SPENDING THE LAST 6 DAYS JUST CRUSING AROUND THE STATE. TATERS, BEING A GEM HOUND HAD ME BUSTING ROCKS IN 95 DEGREE HEAT AT THE HERKIMER DIAMOND MINES FOR TWO DAYS..YES, WE DID FIND A FEW STONES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING MADE INTO A NECKLACE AND EARINGS..PRICE..8 DOLLARS A DAY TO BUST ROCKS..NOW THATS ITS DONE,I GUESS IT WAS FUN TO SEE HER FACE WHEN SHE FOUND A STONE.....NEXT WE FOUND OUR SELVES AT HOWE CAVERNS WHRE WE MET UP WITH ANOTHER COUPLE WE OFTEN RIDE WITH. THE 52 DEGREE TEMPERATURES FELT GREAT UNDERGROUND. THE CAVERNS WERE BEAUTIFUL! THIS ALSO INCLUDED AN UNDERGROUND BOAT RIDE THRU THE CAVERNS.....COOL! THAT NIGHT WE EXPERIENCED THE RATH OF MOTHER NATURE WHEN WE WERE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE BY HIGH WINDS, RAIN AND THUNDER. NOT SO COOL. THE NEXT DAY WE VISITED THE INDIAN MUSEUM IN COBLESKILL. HERE WE MET A NATIVE AMERICAN COLLEGE PROFESSOR, WHO SPOKE TO US FOR OVER AN HOUR ON NATIVE ARCHERY IMPLEMENTS. THIS WAS GREAT BECAUSE TATERS AND I ARE BOTH TRADITIONAL ARCHERS. FROM HERE WE FOUND OURSELVES IN COOPERSTOWN, WHERE THE NATIONAL BASEBALL MUSEUM IS, ALONG WITH THE NATIONAL FARM MUSEUM, AND A HOST OF OTHER INTERESTING SIGHTS SOUCH AS MILLS, FORTS, ANTIQUE SHOPS, ETC. ETC. ETC. WE STARTED OUR TRIP BACK TO WNY BY TAKING ROUTE 20 (THE HERITAGE TRAIL) AND ENDED UP SPENDING THE NIGHT IN THE FINGER LAKES (WINE COUNTRY REGION)....TO BAD ALL THE BAGS ON THE BIKE WERE FULL. PROCEDED DOWN SOUTH TOWARDS THE SOUTHERN END OF THE STATE, AND HOOKED BACK NORTH, TOWARDS WESTERN NEW YORK ARRIVING HOME LATE THURSDAY EVENING......YES I KNOW THE RULES ABOUT PICTURES. SOMEDAY WHEN I LEARN HOW TO DO THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO POST THEM. SORRY WE MISSED MAINTENANCE DAY. HOPE EVERYONE GOT HOME SAFE AS WE DID. ONE GOOD THING IS , I FINALLY GOT TO MEET J. GOROM TODAY. WE MET FOR BREAKFAST AND TOOK A SHORT RIDE TOGETHER. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR AT DON"S.
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Here's my pics from maintenance day. Hope you enjoy the pics I had a blast taking them. Got some more butt shots. Mind you not like the ones of the pond monster. http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y262/venturerider/Mini%20Muffins%20MD%20June%207%202008/ Margaret
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Happy Father's Day to all dads out there, whether brand new ones or very experienced! Hope you have a day of great weather for riding, going out for an ice cream and having time with your family! Something to share: My Father My Father When I was: Four years old: My daddy can do anything. When I was: Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot. When I was: Six years old: My dad is smarter than your dad. When I was: Eight years old: My dad doesn't know exactly everything. When I was: 10 years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different. When I was: 12 years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood. When I was: 14 years old: Don't pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned. When I was: 21 years old: Him? My Lord, he's hopelessly out of date. When I was: 25 years old: Dad knows about it, but then he should, because he has been around so long. When I was: 30 years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience. When I was: 35 years old: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad. When I was: 40 years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise. When I was: 50 years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him. By: Ann Landers
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i got jeannie home this afternoon, for three weeks. she has to go in to the Dr.'s office every day, for 10 days , for some kind of injection. i have to check her blood sugar 3 times a day, so i guess i'd better learn how to use her new what-ya-ma- callit! thank you all again, for ALL of the prayers and positive thoughts. just jt
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For those of you who were not able to attend Freebird's Maintenance Day, here are some reasons to plan on attending next year. Top 10 Reasons for Attending Maintenance Day! 10. You get to see the Pond Monsters! 9. You get to eat Lonna's cheesecake! 8. You get to meet Lowell actually off of his bike. 7. You could ask Squidley to drill out your pipes. 6. You could buy a 80/20 raffles ticket from Stardbog! 5. You could camp in Freebird.s front yard and hope the Bullfrogs, eventually let you go to sleep, shortly before the crazed rooster wakes you up! 4. You can learn of the benefits of safety chrome and how to use it properly. 3. You can watch the lawn mower races with Eileen taking the lead and also just about everything in her path. 2. You will be able to put faces with the site names and then more than likely immediately forget them all. But the Number One Reason for going to Maintenance Day Is.............. You get to Meet Freebird, Eileen and Dylan and know what a great group of people we have in our family. So plan to come next year, you will not be sorry. Yama Mama
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Finally take off with our son's on a 10 day ride out to Black Hills and Wyoming. Any place we've missed that we really should ride? Spearfish Canyon Needles Hiway Vanocker Canyon Norbeck Hiway Iron Mountain Rd Nemo Rd Mt Rushmore Devils Tower 16 & 16A We also plan to spend a day in the Little Big Horns. Appreciate any input and suggestions would be appreciated!
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Here are Bobbie's pics for the 08 Maintenance Day http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y262/venturerider/Sleeperhawks%20Mechanic%20Maintenance%20Day%2008/
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Well what a great day at Don's today, lots of members and bike's. I got my carb tune done and Squidley installed my brakes and I thank you Brad. I got back about 7:30PM safe and sound. I will post what pic's I have as soon as I get a chance to download. Joe
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up on Mt Mitchell, NC. I took a ride up there to get away from the 95 degree temperature down here in the valley and it was the hottest I have seen it up there. It would normally be in the mid 60's there this time of year. In fact, I was up there Memorial Day weekend and it was 57 degrees. I had a nice lunch at the park restaurant and took a picture from my seat looking down the mountain. RandyA
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I got my leather jacket hung up in my left sidecase the other day, the jacket got betwwen the latch and the catch. I like to never got it open, and when I did, the bag now doesn't apear to be shut all the way on the rear unless you push down with your hand on the back half. I also got a little water inside the other day when I got caught out in the rain. I have looked for some type of adjustment on this, as I am sure there is one, but nothing jumps out at me. Any ideas on this?
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Went back up to Rabbit Hash Ky today (See thread http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22696) and Mariner Fan (Bob) and his lovely bride Ruthie drove down the 3 hours or so to meet up with us for a bit. Bob was one of the first to welcome me on here and we have been chatting regular, so it was sure nice to put a face with the screen name. Anway here are some pics of the day.... Hmmmm could we be brothers from other mothers Left Stratcat (Curt) - Right Mariner Fan (Bob) http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/stratocurtster/Rebel%20XTI/Rabbit%20Hash%205-2008/20080525_10.jpg?t=1211752576 Mariner Fan and his Lovely Bride http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/stratocurtster/Rebel%20XTI/Rabbit%20Hash%205-2008/20080525_14.jpg?t=1211752652 The Rabbit Hash Kentucky General Store http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/stratocurtster/Rebel%20XTI/Rabbit%20Hash%205-2008/20080525_29.jpg?t=1211752744 A Pretty Day Brings Lotsa Bikes Out http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/stratocurtster/Rebel%20XTI/Rabbit%20Hash%205-2008/20080525_25.jpg?t=1211752797 And More Arrive As We Leave http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/stratocurtster/Rebel%20XTI/Rabbit%20Hash%205-2008/20080525_23.jpg?t=1211753027 Here is a link to a slide show of all the pics from last week with Deb and this week with Mariner Fan if you wanna see more of Rabbit Hash KY.... http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/stratocurtster/Rebel%20XTI/Rabbit%20Hash%205-2008/?albumview=slideshow It was great day indeed!....
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Anyone from around chicago going to Maintenance day? I am planning to leave the west suburbs Friday morning the 6th, and return sunday. So far my buddie Mel (Suzuki Boulevard)and I will be rideing together. He has to come home Sat night, so he will be looking for anyone comeing this way to ride with. We have a room at Days Inn Amherst Fri and Sat. Thought it might be nice to get a group together.
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Anyone want to buy a Clarion 6CD changer. It came on my 99'RSV and I removed it. I don't listen to CD's when I ride. I will be at Freebird's Maintenance day. I can bring it along if some one wants it. but I don't want to bring it back home. It is complete with the C-Bus cable and everything to make it work on the RSV I would like $100 for it, or make me an offer. It is not doing me any good and someone might enjoy it. I will be listing it again on the classifieds if I still have it after MX day. I will only be bringing it to Don's if someone says they want it - limited space.
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