one LOVE Affair

[old2soon]

    is now Officially over and a New Love Affair is about to begin. I helped Ross load Phatt Ghurl My 99 I/S onto his trailer but sadly She were winched up!  Prior to that we had unloaded the 88 G/W Trike replaced the travel tires with the actual tires the G/W came with. The Wider tires on the G/W would NOT fit tween the rails on his trailer. While Ross put stuff back onto Phatt Ghurl I realigned my garage lookin fer parts that must have wandered away.  What I could not git corraled Ross assured me he had in stock at his place. I do NOT Know the Exact mileage I wadded up on Phatt Ghurl as the speedo was non functioning for quite awhile and I'd put it north of 120000 since She took me over. Went to the motel early this A M and Ross and I had breakfast there talked some more as BROTHERS do and I walked out to his rig with him and gave Phatt Ghurl a final pat on da butt!  We were at the East end of the little burg I call HOME and I followed him West aways gitting a FINAL look at Her Trailered in the now increasing dawn light. The ol eyes Did in FACT git a bit watery fer some clock ticks. BUT here in a bit I have an appt to git the G/W inspected and tagged already have insurance and figure I'll head Phatter Ghurl out fer some mileage and Her and I can git a bit better accquainted. Least ways anywho thats the current plan!  Any y'all profess to bein curious I AM Sad to report Phatt Ghurls tags expired in June of 21!  May MOTHER WIND and our VALKYRIE obsession Please forgive me! BUT this new to me G/W appears to have promise for me. GOODBYE Phatt Ghurl I miss you already and we've had a helluva FINE RIDE(S)!  Without that 99 Valkyrie I/S I'd have NEVER met as many Fine Friends as I've found here in Our electronic clubhouse!  RIDE SAFE.

[0leman]

I am sure she understood.  She may have shed a tear or two also.  Now she will find someone new to loave and take care of her. 

[John Schmidt]

Hey buddy, believe me when I say "you'll love being on three" once you get used to it. Getting caught in the rain on 2 wheels always increased the pucker factor. A couple years ago coming back from my daughter's place east of St. Louis it happened to me on the trike. It was 450 miles in/out of the rain all day and I was quite relaxed compared to being on two. Having ridden over 70 yrs. I've been in the rain a number of times. My trike suspension is rather stiff until I get some weight in back, so it's either Nancy sitting behind me or a couple building blocks in the trunk. Also helps in wet traction...for me anyway. So...enjoy the change and do it gradual. 

[Serk]

Better to be riding a trike than looking at a bike unridden...

Oh, and need pics!

(Text 'em to me and I'll post 'em here if you want)

[Mooskee]

Honestly I really miss being able to ride my Tourer, Bluebayou. But I can't ride her right now due to my back. The good news is my family bought a Valkyrie trike for me for fathers day a couple of years ago. I was just able to put on 1967 miles on a trip. The trike is a different riding experience, but it keeps some of us in the wind. Well worth the adjustment. Take your time and get used to her and ride to your hearts content. One bit of advice I will pass along. When I got the trike Attic Rat told me "if the sign says it's a 25 mph curve, don't go any faster."

[old2soon]

     Well Phatter Ghurl Is Insured Passed the State inspection and she now carries that wheel chair symbol on the tag. Ross asked me a bit ago and i'll relate it to y'all. Bout 85 MPH she runs outa breath. BUT 85 git ya in trouble in most states. BUT there is a Humongous windshield of this gold wing. Aero wurkin the Wrong way!  BUT I ARE in da wind and That is PRICELESS!  And B T W Mother Wind welcomed me back after a query-where the HELL have you been? I profess I did NOT have a decent answer and I feel like SHE let me enjoy her today even for just a tiny slice of her!  ARIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

Glad to see ya' back in the wind! Look forward to seeing it in person in Iowa soon...

[da prez]

  Just bumped 500 miles coming home. Nine hours in the truck.  I went thru the trike as best as I could.
 I never got above third gear here as it was  not tagged.  I took the bike apart and corrected twenty years of "hold my beer while I rewire it!"  I also installed dual air horns , a new front tire and replaced a lot of Tupperware.  I powder coated the valve covers black and made an "old2soon" badge for him.

    HERE'S TO KNEES IN THE BREEZE.  Happy Birthday Brother.   

                                                              da prez

[Serk]

I wish I had a brother like you!

[Valkorado]

I wish I had a brother like you!

 

[Oss]

brotherly love.... it is a good thing

Best to you both

[Jess from VA]

Holy mackerel, that may be the tallest windshield I've ever seen (on a bike).

I think I could stand on the floorboards and still be behind the screen. 



I don't know if you do nicknames.... but that bike might be called Goldie.  (as in the color not the Gold Wing... but maybe both)

[John Schmidt]

Dennis, looks like a stock set of triple trees on it. You really need that front wheel kicked out with at least a 6 degree setup. Steers much easier, handles better...in due time! Enjoy.

[old2soon]

Holy mackerel, that may be the tallest windshield I've ever seen (on a bike).

I think I could stand on the floorboards and still be behind the screen. 



I don't know if you do nicknames.... but that bike might be called Goldie.  (as in the color not the Gold Wing... but maybe both)

    Pay attention Counselor there WILL be question later. My Former I/S I'd named Phatt Ghurl. The new to me Gold Wing I named Phatter Ghurl!  I Mean LOOK at dat Butt!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jersey mike]

I’d like to ask about trikes, do they have posi-traction on the rear?

[Mooskee]

I’d like to ask about trikes, do they have posi-traction on the rear?

My Roadsmith kit does not. It has independent suspension with coil over shocks. I think it is a VW setup (hog head, CV joints, brakes). It may be possible to convert it to positrack, but I'm  not sure it would be worth it. It might even cause cornering issues.

[old2soon]

I’d like to ask about trikes, do they have posi-traction on the rear?

     While I am NOT Sure about the posi Ross worked on it a LOT and He's of a mind it may be a Ford 9 inch. In NASCAR no matter the make NASCAR uses a Ford 9 Inch in all the cars as I understand it. Much like a Chevy LS the Ford 9 inch dang near bullet proof. And I DO NOT SEE me finding out while riding whether or not I have posi traction. Gits to raining to hard I usually look for and underpass to wait it out a bit. Course next winter find a nice icy place might could check out how a controlled slide would feel! When I lived in Il. ecery cage I owned was put thru it's paces in ice and snow. Yup slight drift!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jersey mike]

Thanks fellas, appreciate the info. 

[old2soon]

    I was exercising that ol thinkin muscle-thanks Bruce-and I believe my 99 I/S had ONLY been trailered 2 other times and both times were alternator related. 1st time was right here in the ShoMe bout 50 mile or so from the house. Another time I left my Brother and S I L house-R I P BonBon-and right at 100 miles out the Alternator crapped out again!  Those were the ONLY 2 times She NEEDED to be trailered fer repairs! In over 120000 miles I'd say Not Bad At ALL! I only ever hit reserve maybe 3 or 4 times after some Really Spirited RIDING!  To say She Has ALWAYS been ROCK SOLID and forgiving in handling situations is Well those of us who've benn BLESSED to be Owned by one of these Fine Machines Already KNOW all this!  I miss HER Already!  I believe my 2 divorces were easier on me than watching HER leave on my Brothers trailer!  BUT HER and I Knew it was time. I Hope and PRAY the next person SHE takes over will Love HER as much as I have. Sadly Goodbye Phatt Ghurl!  RIDE SAFE.

[DDT (12)]

Dennis,

I've said before what you're exposing... That most riders simply own machinery, but a few of us (particularly Valk riders) actually have abiding love affairs with mechanical beings... When the inevitable parting eventually happens, though, we go through a grieving process of sorts, but like with any other loss, there comes a time when we must move on.

We can never recapture, replicate, or extend what we've had no matter how good it might have been. We can, however, cherish the memories, while we begin an entirely new relationship and build it on its own terms. I predict that once you get some wind in your face aboard your new mistress, life will suddenly become as good as it ever was for you! Now, go make some great memories you can share with the rest of us!!!

DDT (12)

[old2soon]

         Jess-from the top of the aluminum trim piece just below the wind screen is 26 inches in height. I'm right around 6' 2" tall and There IS a big calm area behind that wind screen.
           DDT-That short ride the other day Started that New Chapter in my knees in da breeze pilgrimage. I Do in FACT have a New Lady in my life BUT She ONLY talks to me when we were rollin! Last night I installed the 3 Flags that I prefer on the trunk. Top dead center The AMERICAN Flag!  As you sit on the bike the U S NAVY Flag is on the left. On the right is one with perhaps as much meaning as OLD GLORY. That Is The P O W M I A Flag! I also put the sheepskin on the seat. And I seem to recall a faint-THANKS- fer the new bling I now wear!
            Course Ross told me when he got the G W it had a-shudder-H/D battery in it!  Which just May splain what I found last night whilst toiling in my shop tracking down elusive flotsam and jetsam. Ross had installed the battery cover tupperware and that was that. When I returned from the RIDE I was in a state of euphoria I hadn't been to in YEARS so no post trip walk around!  Well last night while doing flag installs and sheepskin install I noticed a rather large empty where the battery cover should have been!  The Correct battery IS on Her now BUT do you think Phatter Ghurl wuz tryin to tell me something?  RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

Dennis, glad to see you're back in the wind.

Thinking I'd be cutting that windshield down a bit but, to each their own.

Looking forward to seeing you again at InZane.

Rams 

[old2soon]

     Ron THANKS I plan on being at I-24!  I'll git in a couple more shake down runs and figure out that W/S thingy. W/S thingy could might be the WHY of runnin outa breath around 85 MPH-the G/W Not me!    HAPPY/ECSTATIC/GLAD to be back in the Wind!  RIDE SAFE.

[da prez]

  Going by recomembery, with bike on level surface , place an object 50 feet in front of front tire. Sit in normal position , put a piece of tape at the level you see object, That is supposed to be the height of the windshield for the breeze to pass over your head.
  It will be different after the modification as most all Valk riders experience a swollen head. This factor can not be calculated in as the difference in owners pride is immeasurable.

                                           da prez

  The fat girl will be in the lab for transplants. hhhhaaaaaa

[da prez]

  Had a little time today. With some prep , I got the phat girl running. I have a long way to go , but the heart beat is strong.

                                                             da prez