Our Inzane vacation just took a detour - Edit - Home Safe

[da prez]

Growing old , inevitable.  Growing up , never.


                da prez

[Willow]

Growing old , inevitable.  Growing up , never optional.


                da prez

Fixed that for you.   

[jer0177]

Signing bonus ? Things sure have changed in 45 years.  From what I heard the Air Force boot camp is even easier than Navy boot camp. I have no real idea if that's true. But, if it's anything like mine was she should be fine. Lots of running, marching, push-ups. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see her at the top of her squad. 

She's joining the Army; not the Air Force.  Army boot camp is usually a little more stringent than is the Navy's.

The signing bonus is largely because she is a much sought after resource.

For sure  !  Sounds like she did really well on her ASVABs,  and she is really smart, with an ear for languages. All of that is prime recruit, especially for the Army.

And an eye for them, too!

[Serk]

Sounds like she did really well on her ASVABs,  and she is really smart, with an ear for languages. All of that is prime recruit, especially for the Army.

It was embarrassing her because they kept introducing her to other recruits bragging on her results, but supposedly she had the highest score this recruiting station had seen in 3 years....  (My "Recruiter blowing smoke up her butt" sense was tingling again, but I didn't tell her that...) She took the test, and they immediately took her downtown to verify the results then pulled her aside for deeper consultations as to what they could offer her...

(No, not a proud daddy AT ALL... )

So today was SUPPOSED to be the big Independence Day Boogie at the local DZ, they'd been planning a veteran's jump with a flag jumper and Kali jumping in the  middle of that in honor of her enlistment but, since that wasn't happening, instead they let her co-pilot the Twin Otter..... (Which she said the landing was FAR more frightening than jumping out is...)

[Jess from VA]

I sat in the right seat of a C12 (Twin Beach King Air turbo prop) for a landing in a terrible crosswind.

He comes in all crooked looking like it's going to crash (bouncing around in the wind), then at the last second he straightens it up and slams it on the runway.   

I'd rather have been fat, dumb and happy back in the cheap seats. 

[Willow]

It was embarrassing her because they kept introducing her to other recruits bragging on her results, but supposedly she had the highest score this recruiting station had seen in 3 years....  (My "Recruiter blowing smoke up her butt" sense was tingling again, but I didn't tell her that...)
...

I wouldn't doubt the recruiter's claim at all.  She is a brilliant young lady and, additionally, Army recruiters don't normally see the smartest of the society.   

[RNFWP]

Love the photo... goes perfect with the story 

[Serk]

Took long enough to get here, I ordered this custom shirt using the artwork Daniel Meyer commissioned almost a month ago now, just came in today...



Also a quick update - She's not 100% but VERY close, able to run, jump on a trampoline, swim, etc... I had to threaten to call her recruiter and tattle on her to stop her form skydiving last weekend.

And.... We drop her off Sunday for her to go off for boot camp.....

[vanavyman]

Great news.  I'm sure you are proud.  Boot Camp Graduation will be a nice moment too.  Will she be taking the Valkyrie to her first Duty Station?

[Willow]

...
And.... We drop her off Sunday for her to go off for boot camp.....   

So soon; so soon.  Our little girls grow up.  Smart girl, strong girl.  She'll do fine through boot camp but she will be somewhat changed for life.

(I would like to attend her graduation if that's possible.)

[scooperhsd]

Proud parents, there. Good luck Kali - we know you will do good !!

[Serk]

Will she be taking the Valkyrie to her first Duty Station?

After boot camp she'll have at least 1, more likely 1.5-2 years of AIT, of which at least a year of which will be in Monterey California..... She's gonna wait until she gets there and gets a feel for the routine and how things are going, and if practical she might either fly out and get the Valk or I might ride it to her and fly home, but it's in discussion...

I've finally gotten enough parts tweaked or replaced that I felt comfortable taking a real ride on it today (As in just now.) Bike feels fine, although still a few more odds and ends to take care of (Ugh, got the biggest Memphis Shades windscreen currently available, and it's TINY on the Valk, so questing for one of the older Memphis Shades Valkyrie Fats windscreens, preferebly in blue if anyone has a lead on that.)

(I would like to attend her graduation if that's possible.)

Unless there are any restrictions on how many can attend, we'd be honored to have you come along. I'll check into it once it's closer and see what needs to happen. (Pretty sure I've already mentioned, but it'll be at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, otherwise known as Fort Lost In The Woods...)

[Daniel Meyer]

Cool shirt! And Sunday? Wow! Rock it Kali!!

[Jess from VA]

Kali, we have not met, but I have followed you and your dad's adventures on this forum with interest (and amusement).

My time in military service was the best job I ever had, but there were plenty of tough and challenging times for me to hurdle.

I have no children, but if I did, I'd hope they'd make me as proud as your folks must be of you.

I wish you good luck and good success in your coming adventures in the Army.

Be tough and strong, they will challenge you physically and mentally.  But you already know that.  



I once had to lug a guy on one end of a stretcher, through the woods, in the rain, at night, for a couple hours.  It sucked.     (I could have been the guy in the stretcher, but I wasn't heavy enough to satisfy our nice tactical officer)  

[Serk]

Kali, we have not met, but I have followed you and your dad's adventures on this forum with interest (and amusement).

Appreciate the comments, and will relay 'em to her, but you have met her, at least briefly... She was with me riding pillion for Inzane in Roanoke in 2018...

(You might recall her as 'Vanna' the raffle runner at the nightly raffles...)

[Jess from VA]

I remember you, but..... Hmmmm. 

[cookiedough]

so glad she is healing well so soon. It could have been much worse indeed she got lucky falling off anything onto concrete can go bad even if 1 mph.

that pic does not look like she enjoyed fashioning that T-shirt at all.  I would not tease her too much about it since has happened now a few times the past year or so.  The one time my kid tipped over in town supposedly 15 mph tops,  I think he was doing something STUPID on his V65 magna he bought which I told him NO to buying and he still bought it age 18 at the time.  He now age 20 officially belongs to the DQ crowd recently bought himself a 1985 honda goldwing aspencade for 1600 bucks after going thru 2 magnas, an fjr1300,  and a honda 450, all 4 of which he sold a few 100 bucks more than he paid for them.  That fjr1300 was sweet MINT but IMO top heavy, tad bit too tall,  and way too fast for a 19 year old.  His opinion on it was neat but too easy to drive and never really needing more than 3rd gear ever never could whine out every gear to it's full potential and not get a speeding ticket.   He also picked up a 1978 honda passport ugly yellow/white 2 stroke starts by pedaling in so-so shape runs and goes but not pretty for 200 bucks.  

[Serk]

I remember you, but..... Hmmmm. 

She was usually hanging around me, most of the time.....

[Serk]

that pic does not look like she enjoyed fashioning that T-shirt at all.

Nah, she was laughing her (broken) ass off, just hard to get a pic of that to convey her pure joy... She's cool about it, 100%....

[Skinhead]

Hey Serk and Kali, if there is no restriction on attendees at the BT graduation ceremony, I propose a ride for those who'd like to support Kali's achievement.  We could all meet up at a motel in the general vicinity of Fort Leonard Wood and ride in for the ceremony.  There is some nice riding in the Ozarks so we could get two birds stoned at once.  That is, if that is something Kali is receptive to.

[scooperhsd]

That's close enough I might be interested in attending. Keep me in the loop.

[Serk]

Hey Serk and Kali, if there is no restriction on attendees at the BT graduation ceremony, I propose a ride for those who'd like to support Kali's achievement.  We could all meet up at a motel in the general vicinity of Fort Leonard Wood and ride in for the ceremony.  There is some nice riding in the Ozarks so we could get two birds stoned at once.  That is, if that is something Kali is receptive to.

I checked with Kali, she's a little surprised at the attention she's getting but would be honored for whatever anyone wants to do.

Kinda making me sad I'll likely be stuck piloting the Swagger Wagon (Minivan) instead of on a Valk but c'est la vie...

From what we've read, we'll get more details about 1/2 through her training cycle, and the graduation SHOULD be in late September.

Also also just a heads up, no firearms allowed, they get rather persnippety about that. 

Once she actually ships out I'll start a new thread for that so it's not tied to the accident.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hey Serk and Kali, if there is no restriction on attendees at the BT graduation ceremony, I propose a ride for those who'd like to support Kali's achievement.  We could all meet up at a motel in the general vicinity of Fort Leonard Wood and ride in for the ceremony.  There is some nice riding in the Ozarks so we could get two birds stoned at once.  That is, if that is something Kali is receptive to.

I checked with Kali, she's a little surprised at the attention she's getting but would be honored for whatever anyone wants to do.

Kinda making me sad I'll likely be stuck piloting the Swagger Wagon (Minivan) instead of on a Valk but c'est la vie...

From what we've read, we'll get more details about 1/2 through her training cycle, and the graduation SHOULD be in late September.

Also also just a heads up, no firearms allowed, they get rather persnippety about that. 

Once she actually ships out I'll start a new thread for that so it's not tied to the accident.

It has been a long time, and things have probably changed. But, it used to be that each of us could only have 4 or 5 guests.

[Skinhead]

Hey Serk and Kali, if there is no restriction on attendees at the BT graduation ceremony, I propose a ride for those who'd like to support Kali's achievement.  We could all meet up at a motel in the general vicinity of Fort Leonard Wood and ride in for the ceremony.  There is some nice riding in the Ozarks so we could get two birds stoned at once.  That is, if that is something Kali is receptive to.

I checked with Kali, she's a little surprised at the attention she's getting but would be honored for whatever anyone wants to do.

Kinda making me sad I'll likely be stuck piloting the Swagger Wagon (Minivan) instead of on a Valk but c'est la vie...

From what we've read, we'll get more details about 1/2 through her training cycle, and the graduation SHOULD be in late September.

Also also just a heads up, no firearms allowed, they get rather persnippety about that. 

Once she actually ships out I'll start a new thread for that so it's not tied to the accident.

It has been a long time, and things have probably changed. But, it used to be that each of us could only have 4 or 5 guests.

When I finished BT@ Ft. Dix, my entire family of 8 attended.  The Navy probably doesn't consider it much of an accomplishment and figures no one wants to attend anyway.  (just pulling your chain)

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hey Serk and Kali, if there is no restriction on attendees at the BT graduation ceremony, I propose a ride for those who'd like to support Kali's achievement.  We could all meet up at a motel in the general vicinity of Fort Leonard Wood and ride in for the ceremony.  There is some nice riding in the Ozarks so we could get two birds stoned at once.  That is, if that is something Kali is receptive to.

I checked with Kali, she's a little surprised at the attention she's getting but would be honored for whatever anyone wants to do.

Kinda making me sad I'll likely be stuck piloting the Swagger Wagon (Minivan) instead of on a Valk but c'est la vie...

From what we've read, we'll get more details about 1/2 through her training cycle, and the graduation SHOULD be in late September.

Also also just a heads up, no firearms allowed, they get rather persnippety about that. 

Once she actually ships out I'll start a new thread for that so it's not tied to the accident.

It has been a long time, and things have probably changed. But, it used to be that each of us could only have 4 or 5 guests.

When I finished BT@ Ft. Dix, my entire family of 8 attended.  The Navy probably doesn't consider it much of an accomplishment and figures no one wants to attend anyway.  (just pulling your chain)

Maybe. I didn't have anyone attend. We were too poor to afford plane tickets from Alaska. (Or maybe they just didn't want to come)

[Jess from VA]

I attended two USMC San Diego Recruit Depot basic training graduation ceremonies.

Lots of people attended and no one was counting who was with who.

Quite the ceremony with a full pass in review and band.  The only USMC ceremony completely led by enlisted men (some officers sit up in the bleachers, and wave on Q  )

But Ft Leonard Wood, I'd ask.  

Fort Leonard Wood Base Operator – (573) 596-0131

Visitor Access: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/my-fort/visitors-access

U.S. citizens will be granted access without a pass or background check on FAMILY DAY and GRADUATION DAY.

Graduating Soldiers can invite their family, friends and loved ones to attend their graduations at Fort Leonard Wood.

To access Fort Leonard Wood, visitors aged 18 years and older must present a state or federally issued picture identification. Visitors operating a vehicle are required to have in possession a current driver's license, proof of current vehicle insurance and current vehicle registration.

https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/my-fort/imt

They ask you to leave your personally owned firearms and marijuana at home.     

[Gryphon]

That's only an hour and a half south of the grandkids.  Sounds like a good plan for the weekend.  It's not like I need a lot of excuse to talk the wife into visiting the grandsons.

[Serk]

An update not about Kali (Although the adjuster did ask about her and if she was able to make her date with Uncle Sam), just got off the phone with the Progressive adjuster.

So far this is my first claim in 20+ years of being a customer, and I'm pleased with the outcome.

I got $331.19 to replace safety gear (Helmet and jacket mostly). That was a little on the low side but both the jacket and the helmet were over 10 years old and due for replacement anyway, so can't complain.

When the adjuster came out I'd made it very clear I wanted strongly for the bike to NOT be totaled.

She heeded my request, per her claims she had to fight a bit to keep it from being totaled given the age and relatively low value of the bike, and given the numbers she gave me I actually believe her.

For the overall modest mostly cosmetic damage to my 23 year old bike they're giving me $6,810.23 to repair it.....

[Jess from VA]

they're giving me $6,810.23 to repair it.....

Holy crap!   (hard to believe total would not be at or under that)

I haven't had a claim in 30+ years (except maybe a windshield).

If I ever have a claim, I'll pay your plane ticket to come up and handle it.   

(You could buy another nice one for that kind of money.)

[scooperhsd]

On my November last year accident, STate Farm (might have been AAA) paid for the tow from Leavenworth, and paid for the work I had done to get it fixed - no issues (under $1000). Of Course - I've been with State Farm since I started driving in 1974, and I have endorsements that my agent can't get because of that fact

[Serk]

Yeah, I'd say the bike came down with some serious force on the left side.... Taking the engine guard off to replace it, this is the bottom engine guard bolt that also acts as the clutch pivot point...

...and this is after it was straightened a bit during the removal process!

[Valkorado]

they're giving me $6,810.23 to repair it.....

Holy crap!   (hard to believe total would not be at or under that)

I haven't had a claim in 30+ years (except maybe a windshield).

If I ever have a claim, I'll pay your plane ticket to come up and handle it.   

(You could buy another nice one for that kind of money.)

Yep, that's pretty amazing!  Congrats.

[cookiedough]

I also have progressive and find that over 6K is NOT totalled value.  You must of had a way with words or surely your smooth talking and good looks helped am sure.

I always wonder what they would pay out to me if ever tipped it over needing fixing or total loss.  I would hope 5-6K in value but with my luck and NO good looks probably get 2-3K is all if totalled, hardly worth paying the yearly premiums especially since 2 of my 4-5 cycles are 1-2K value is all.  I put kids OLD 1985 magna as 'agreed cash value' of 1500 so if gets totalled is 1500 to me and that is all but the rates are near the same, but that is how Progressive does stuff on OLDER cycles.   He now owns a 1985 honda goldwing and also got that at 2K agreed cash value which seems about right?

Please keep us all posted upon renewal with Progressive insurance on your new renewal premium.  If Progressive is like for me hitting a deer 4 years ago with my 1 year old truck,  filing a comprehensive claim for 3K only damage (front fender right front quarter panel is all) totally driveable winging the deer , upon renewal Progressive jacked up all 5 of my vehicles by 15 percent price hike due to filing a NOT AT FAULT comprehensive claim.   Pissed me off big time supposedly rates go down at 5 years if stay accident free again and the comp claim drops off my record after 5 years with Progressive accident free. 

So,  whatever you do if you can fix up the repairs under say 1 grand,  is best to never file a claim with your insurance company if just cycle/car damage due to next renewal rate increases on all vehicles insured.  But, your over 6K check will surely make up for that price hike.

[Daniel Meyer]

Yeah, I'd say the bike came down with some serious force on the left side.... Taking the engine guard off to replace it, this is the bottom engine guard bolt that also acts as the clutch pivot point...

...and this is after it was straightened a bit during the removal process!

HELL of a deal from the insurance company!! Wow! You could buy a complete valk...or two...(for parts of course!) with that!

Also, that bolt? "We need another one..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4CgQMJCpZI&t=28s

[3fan4life]

I've finally gotten enough parts tweaked or replaced that I felt comfortable taking a real ride on it today (As in just now.) Bike feels fine, although still a few more odds and ends to take care of (Ugh, got the biggest Memphis Shades windscreen currently available, and it's TINY on the Valk, so questing for one of the older Memphis Shades Valkyrie Fats windscreens, preferebly in blue if anyone has a lead on that.)

Serk,

If the mounting hardware is reusable, this guy can make you whatever you want:


https://bikescreen.com/

[Serk]

Serk,

If the mounting hardware is reusable, this guy can make you whatever you want:


https://bikescreen.com/

Groovy, thanks for the tip! Just fired off an e-mail query to 'em, let's see what they say...

[f6gal]

Serk,

If the mounting hardware is reusable, this guy can make you whatever you want:


https://bikescreen.com/

Groovy, thanks for the tip! Just fired off an e-mail query to 'em, let's see what they say...

https://bikescreen.com/products/honda-valkyrie-gl-1500-1997-2003

[Serk]

Serk,

If the mounting hardware is reusable, this guy can make you whatever you want:


https://bikescreen.com/

Groovy, thanks for the tip! Just fired off an e-mail query to 'em, let's see what they say...

https://bikescreen.com/products/honda-valkyrie-gl-1500-1997-2003

Looks good, however those appear to be shields for the Honda OEM setup, I have the Memphis Fats brackets and mounts...

I 'spose if they can't make one to replace the Memphis setup I can start looking for OEM mounting hardware.....

Thanks!

[f6gal]

Serk,

If the mounting hardware is reusable, this guy can make you whatever you want:


https://bikescreen.com/

Groovy, thanks for the tip! Just fired off an e-mail query to 'em, let's see what they say...

https://bikescreen.com/products/honda-valkyrie-gl-1500-1997-2003

Looks good, however those appear to be shields for the Honda OEM setup, I have the Memphis Fats brackets and mounts...

I 'spose if they can't make one to replace the Memphis setup I can start looking for OEM mounting hardware.....

Thanks!

I thought they had an option to include hardware.  But you might have to drill. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Is this not what you are wanting ? It doesn't look like they have blue anymore though.

https://memphisshades.com/collections/memphis-shades-products/products/memphis-fats-motorcycle-windshield?variant=41669290508