Boss Hoss??

[bg]

Went on a ride yesterday and one of the new riders to the group wanted to know what kind of big my was, "is it a Boss Hoss?"
not a boss hoss, just it's smaller brother.

[Big IV]

I used to get that a lot. Even odder, two people last week actually said, "That's the six cylinder right? Honda?" That's closer than most people. 

[scoot]

I went for a ride couple weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon to the west coast, stopped in a park in Holland. I pulled into a spot to park, but didn't like the spot so I moved down a little. When I got off the bike an elderly gentleman come over and commented about how big that motor looked coming down the drive. He asked what kind of bike it was. As he turned and walked away he said "boy that thing could power a small airplane. Kinda made me chuckle.

[hubcapsc]

I went for a ride couple weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon to the west coast, stopped in a park in Holland. I pulled into a spot to park, but didn't like the spot so I moved down a little. When I got off the bike an elderly gentleman come over and commented about how big that motor looked coming down the drive. He asked what kind of bike it was. As he turned and walked away he said "boy that thing could power a small airplane. Kinda made me chuckle.

My buddy Dan showed me a picture of an airplane with a model-A engine in it last week, a very old picture
he got from an older pilot friend of his who made it, back in the day... I asked Dan about putting a Valkyrie engine in
an airplane... airplane engines like to run wide open, that's, you know, 7 or 8 K on a Valkyrie. Airplane
propellers want to turn around 2K or a little less (I think I'm remembering what he said), so there'd
have to be some kind of transmission.  The guy had to "re-babbit" the crankshaft every few (20 or 30)
hours on the model A airplane, I bet a water cooled high-tolerance Valkyrie engine would go a long time 

They poked a hole for the propeller shaft through the radiator of the model A airplane and crimped down
the fins till it didn't leak much anymore. There was a barrel sitting next to the plane in the picture, it was
full of water for refilling the radiator...

-Mike

[Pete]

Propeller planes are limited by how the propeller is rated usually 2500 to 3500 RPM. The rating is based on propeller tip speed. Plane engines are designed to run at a consistent unstressed RPM not max rpm, are usually lower compression and are more efficient without a gear box. Some have used gear boxes and auto engines (both water and air cooled) successfully.

Interest engineering studies are available on adapting engines to air frames. Many recommend lower RPM, torque monsters as the easiest to adapt. In WWII the Russians used a Diesel bomber propeller model with limited success.

[Serk]

I've had a few interesting observations over the years... Some of my favorites:

"Does that Harley have 6 cylinders?"

"When did Honda start making boxer engines?" (Guy freaked when I told him 1975 )

[fudgie]

A recently new ER doc has a Road King. He saw mine and said its a wanna be HD. WTF?  Told him no HD has beat me yet. RUB's. 

[John Schmidt]

A recently new ER doc has a Road King. He saw mine and said its a wanna be HD. WTF?  Told him no HD has beat me yet. RUB's. 

Had a guy say the same thing to me in a shop that caters to tourists here in Orlando. I told him he had it backwards....his HD was a Honda wanna be. The guy behind the counter about lost his false teeth over that one. The HD owner almost had a stroke, asked how I figured his bike was a Honda wanna be. I told him it's simple, he'll "wanna be" riding while his engine is torn down being overhauled either at the factory or locally. My Honda will still be running circles around his HD in another 10 years....and still won't have to be overhauled. He just grabbed his stuff and stomped out of the store, jumped on his bike and tried to roar off into the sunset. Only problem....he killed it twice trying to burn rubber leaving the parking lot, after the second time he couldn't get it to start right away. I walked out and asked "is this what you're trying to do?" I then proceeded to smoke the rear a couple seconds before letting off the brake and tooling on down the road. In my mirrors I could see a number of patrons and the shop owner standing there on the sidewalk, all laughing about the demonstration they just watched.

[therapist]

I usually tell people who ask if my bike is a Harley, "Nope, it's what a Harley wants to be when it grows up".  OR, "It's three times the bike a Harley is...literally."   

A recently new ER doc has a Road King. He saw mine and said its a wanna be HD. WTF?  Told him no HD has beat me yet. RUB's. 

[Jabba]

I had lunch at a Hooters last Thursday.  I rode the Valk.  I was with a buddy on a newer Sabre.  After we were seated a guy rolled in on a $50K custom chopper.  A little while later, a few girls went out to be sidewalk jewelry and were looking at the Valk and ignoring the custom.  I could tell it was chapping the guys ass.



Jabba

[98 T]

I've had plenty questions too, usually at gas stops... Once, years ago, I had British a guy ask me if that was an "automobile engine"... I told him it was a secret proto-type  bike where Honda fit a Honda Accord 6 cylinder motor into a bike. He nodded and walked back to his car and started telling his wife.

My cousin on his Harley was with me and we were both cracking up as we could over hear him tell his wife, "that chap over there put an automobile engine into his 'Harley' to test it out for Honda"......

I hope I didn't cause any permanent damage to his mind or to international relations.....

[Doc809]

Since I ride the coveted, most sought out, desired orange/black Valk, everybody thinks it is a Harley.  Most folks say "I've never seen a Harley that looks like that!"  I love to say "you still haven't!"

Was at a bike night a couple of weeks ago and a guy with his girlfriend pulled in beside me.  First thing he said to impress her was lookin at the Valk was "hey, honey, that's one of them boss bikes with the helicopter engine in it."  Glad to see she did not know any more about bikes than he did.

[Quicksilver]

Some day all  big cruiser motorcycles will be referred to as Harleys, just like most tissues are called kleenex. It's sad but likely true.

[thumper]

I ride a Valkabusa!

[highcountry]

A recently new ER doc has a Road King. He saw mine and said its a wanna be HD. WTF?   Told him no HD has beat me yet. RUB's.  

Had a guy say the same thing to me in a shop that caters to tourists here in Orlando. I told him he had it backwards....his HD was a Honda wanna be. The guy behind the counter about lost his false teeth over that one. The HD owner almost had a stroke, asked how I figured his bike was a Honda wanna be. I told him it's simple, he'll "wanna be" riding while his engine is torn down being overhauled either at the factory or locally. My Honda will still be running circles around his HD in another 10 years....and still won't have to be overhauled. He just grabbed his stuff and stomped out of the store, jumped on his bike and tried to roar off into the sunset. Only problem....he killed it twice trying to burn rubber leaving the parking lot, after the second time he couldn't get it to start right away. I walked out and asked "is this what you're trying to do?" I then proceeded to smoke the rear a couple seconds before letting off the brake and tooling on down the road. In my mirrors I could see a number of patrons and the shop owner standing there on the sidewalk, all laughing about the demonstration they just watched.

Great story!  Perfect example of "eat my dust"!  Literally

[Ice]

Ya know,

We should get some rewards from Honda (like they start making the Valk again.....) because i was told that I should make a comercial when I am asked about the Valk. Everytime they ask "is that a Harley" all I say is:"no son, its a Honda", and walk away leaving them standing there scratching their heads.
I used to bet the guys on their 50+K  custom rides that, yeah they have a nice custom, but go for a ride and everybody will look at your bike and say "Nice Harley" and then stop to ponder what that magnificent bike standing next to it is, and that they would spend more time oogling my bike than his and I never lost the bet. Unsless your outside a Harley shop.

Yuri

[R Bowers]

Next time the HD guy's bad mount the honda's ask this question. If HD built a airplane would you fly in it ?????????????????

[Serk]

Next time the HD guy's bad mount the honda's ask this question. If HD built a airplane would you fly in it ?????????????????

First flight in a Harley Davidson powered light airplane	powered by Aeva

Scary, ain't it? They would...And do...

http://www.skyray.us/

[Dogg]

I have gotten some very special looks, special comments and special smiles. but I have not just a custom bike and not just a valkyrie, but a custom valkyrie. to ride thru a harley dealership parking lot and stop conversation completely, park out front the front door on the sidewalk and have the lead tech and general sales manager come out with smiles and hugs, makes owning a small v-twinkie seem..... deflated...

  I have been followed from place to place, pictures taken as I ride down the road. Ive had more HD guys come up to me and look at it...appriciating what it is. A man is only as good as his actions allow...I went to the HD dealer here, where I know everyone. it was their 20th birthday celebration. I pulled in, rolled around the lot, looking at every bike then proceeded up to the fron tof the dealership. parked in the first spot out front so everyone could see it and have the option of getting a closer look if they wanted. I walked into the dealership and made a bet with Jesse(lead tech) that noone will walk up to it who owns a harley. he laughed and took the bet. 1 person actually walked up to it. He was on a goldwing.....

A few hours later, Im bouncing around the beach, visiting all my friends at the neighborhood watering holes. I ran into a few of the ones who dared NOT to look at my bike. In the parking lot of one of those watering establishments, 2 of them were looking hard at my bike. Come to find out, there was a HOG gathering at the HD dealership and after they had left and gone there separate ways, they were free to do what they wanted...so, they looked at my bike. Since it want a harley, they were forbidden to look at it. What a crock of sh*t you ask me but the chapter they belong to actually believed that brand loyalty included admiring another motorcycle that wasnt a harley. I think that chapter would have a few less memebers if any of my friends belonged.....


 And yes, my bike has been called everything from a nekkid gold wing to a boss hoss to a bike with a truck motor on it. I pay no attention to any of them. cuz every once ina while, you will get that one person that will know exactly what you have and give you praise for riding the greatest bike ever built. That makes it all worth it

[Ratdog]

I was gassing up at a 76 Station in Renton when a brand SPANKING NEW Dodge 1/2 ton (Jet Black) and "Hemi" on the thing rolls up alongside me (he still had the temp/dealer paper tag, no plates yet) and rolls down his window and with eyeballs as big as saucers asks... "Does that thing have a HEMI in it?"  I closed the tank lid, lit it off and grinned at him as I said "Yep" and headed off for breakfast.  I'll bet there's still some guy going around Renton tellin' everyone there's a bike runnin' around with an engine just like in his truck.  

[Jess Tolbirt]

Actually i think most all new engines have hemispherical heads on them...

[Piper]

Now this is not a "Boss Hoss"
But I think I would pull over and let it by....

http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/german-tank-bike-weights-9480-pounds-how-much/

[Tx Bohemian]

...they would spend more time oogling my bike than his and I never lost the bet. Unsless your outside a Harley shop.

Yuri

And not even outside a Harley shop!!

My Valk has Harley driving lights the previous owner installed (don't know why) and, in Harley tradition, one burned out. So off  I go to the HD shop to get to get a bulb and pulled right up in front of the door and went in headed to the parts counter.

There was a couple of guys looking at some kinda Harley outside and when they came in one asked in amazement "How big is that motor?" and I told him it's a 1500 he just shook his head and said "Dang that thing looks big!!"  He was the parts guy of this HD shop, the other guy was the owner of the Harley they were looking at outside, he just turned and walked away looking a little disgusted.

[hubcapsc]

...they would spend more time oogling my bike than his and I never lost the bet. Unsless your outside a Harley shop.

Yuri

And not even outside a Harley shop!!

My Valk has Harley driving lights the previous owner installed (don't know why) and, in Harley tradition, one burned out. So off  I go to the HD shop to get to get a bulb and pulled right up in front of the door and went in headed to the parts counter.

There was a couple of guys looking at some kinda Harley outside and when they came in one asked in amazement "How big is that motor?" and I told him it's a 1500 he just shook his head and said "Dang that thing looks big!!"  He was the parts guy of this HD shop, the other guy was the owner of the Harley they were looking at outside, he just turned and walked away looking a little disgusted.

The grass is always greener on the other side. When I bought my Harley Springer in 1998, I couldn't
find a good leather jacket in the Harley boutique, so I headed over to the Honda shop, where they
had Vanson jackets (and, I assume, rows of shiny new Valkyries). All the people at the Honda
shop gathered around my Harley, just drooling. 

-Mike

[Tx Bohemian]

...they would spend more time oogling my bike than his and I never lost the bet. Unsless your outside a Harley shop.

Yuri

And not even outside a Harley shop!!

My Valk has Harley driving lights the previous owner installed (don't know why) and, in Harley tradition, one burned out. So off  I go to the HD shop to get to get a bulb and pulled right up in front of the door and went in headed to the parts counter.

There was a couple of guys looking at some kinda Harley outside and when they came in one asked in amazement "How big is that motor?" and I told him it's a 1500 he just shook his head and said "Dang that thing looks big!!"  He was the parts guy of this HD shop, the other guy was the owner of the Harley they were looking at outside, he just turned and walked away looking a little disgusted.

The grass is always greener on the other side. When I bought my Harley Springer in 1998, I couldn't
find a good leather jacket in the Harley boutique, so I headed over to the Honda shop, where they
had Vanson jackets (and, I assume, rows of shiny new Valkyries). All the people at the Honda
shop gathered around my Harley, just drooling. 

-Mike

Are you sure they were drooling or was that the "oil slick" from the bike?? ...and maybe all the people there were setting up a barricade so noone slips!



Ok, just yanking yur chain a little!

[hubcapsc]

Ok, just yanking yur chain a little!

It deserves to be yanked. I could have saved $11,000 and had a Valkyrie seven
or eight years sooner (a Brand New Valkyrie, at that!) if I had just bought my jacket
at the Harley shop and bought my motorcycle at the Honda shop!

-Mike

[Big IV]

I had to get my annual inspection on the bike the other day. The mechanic was busy so his assistant did a walk around in the parking lot that didn't do anything that an inspection is supposed to do. I like going there because it is easy but I cannot believe they're keeping their credentials. I stepped inside the garage and the mechanic was punching my info into the computer system to get me official for another year.  The mechanic looks out the door and says, "That thing looks like one of those chevy bikes." Yup. Still get that comment from time to time.

[bogator]

  Don't ya just love the responce that you get??? had a fellow look at mine once, and scratch his head ,then looked at me and said>>>>that motor is bigger than the one in my car>>>> how big is it,how fast is it??? I pointed to the speedometer, just shook his head! I love this VALKYRIE,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[kruzn]

Since we have both a Valk and a Boss Hoss (trike), we've heard them all...mostly they want to know when Harley started using 6-cylinder or V-8 engines! Now I must admit that the Harley batwing fairings on both bikes might confuse them just a little, but......  ???

One of the best with the Boss was a guy pulling a horse trailer with a Ford dually...

"Is that a V-8?"
yep

"What is it?"
Boss Hoss trike

"Who makes it?"
Boss Hoss Cycles

"Is it a Harley?"
Uh...no...it's a BOSS HOSS! 

"Is that a Chevy motor?"
yes

"Can I get one at a Chevy dealer?"
Uh...sure...have a nice day!   

[alph]

I went to the Honda dealer a few years ago and a guy in a geo metro pulled up next to my bike and says to me “no one needs a cycle that big”.  I said I did, and he just didn’t like the fact that my engine was bigger then his.

[Hoser]

I went to the Honda dealer a few years ago and a guy in a geo metro pulled up next to my bike and says to me “no one needs a cycle that big”.  I said I did, and he just didn’t like the fact that my engine was bigger then his.

And no one needs a car that small.

[fudgie]

Kit and I was at bike night last weds. Lotta eye candy about with the Yagermiester girls and some local rock station Rock Girls  Big crowd was gathered outside as someone was taking a picture of 4 of them on some ugly ass chopper. As Kit and I walked past the crowd to my bike I said "do you know how embarrasing it is to have the biggest big here?" Kit laughed and people just kinda looked at us funny. 

[Serk]

Forgot another one that happened many years ago...

Man comes up and asks me about it...

"Is that a V6?"

No, it's a flat 6...

"Huh?"

Boxer Flat 6...

...like what's in a Porsche...

"Oooooooh! Okay..."

(Man trundles back over to wife.)

"Hey honey! That motorcycle over there has a Porsche engine in it!"