DDT In The House... Finally...

[DDT (12)]

Actually, I got home Friday afternoon, but I sorely needed some convalesin'... sorely being the operative word here... I rode straight back from Clinton, TN, to just outside Montgomery, AL, stopping only for gas. It was quite warm, but nothing like the day before when I was told temps had climbed to 98F in Montgomery! Still, there was plenty enough solar energy to begin wilting the petals on this delicate rose blossom.

The Valk performed flawlessly!!! Thanks to the untiring, selfless efforts of my good friend, Gordon - Lucky13. My return from the Return to Hillbilly Highways Ride had been mared by the final drive and drive shaft on my, like myself, long in the tooth Valk giving out on me, as I attempted to leave for home on Wednesday morning...

I'd arrived in Clinton Sunday afternoon after the weekend group event, and at Gordon's invitation, I'd decided to lay over at his place until the torential rains that were blanketing the deep south, including where I live, had abated... Good call, it turned out. Being broke-down and stuck alongside the road is bad enough.. in a perpetual downpour, it can be downright miserable...

As often happens, this pause in the planned sequence of events presented me with a serious upside... this time I got to watch a truly great guy being himself in many different circumstances... SmokinJoe says in jest 'they just ride around helping folks'... Well, that's far more than a cutesy little quip to amuse... These guys actually practice that!!! I witnessed many friends, neighbors, a single mom, a teenaged boy, and others seek assistance and/or advice from Gordon, and all were met with satisfactory outcomes... including yours truly... "No matter what the re-quest, he gave it his best..."

The ride home, as it always does, gave me time to reflect upon all that had happend on my latest roadtrip. Besides the obvious good rides and good times with friends rarely seen otherwise, I'd had a chance to observe some of the more subtle aspects of such interactions. I'd listened intently at the pool parties and stops on the group ride, as some guys spoke glowingly of others... tales of one person coming to the rescue of another or helping out with a tough emotional problem, and of 'being there' when life dealt a heavy hand... of giving freely of oneself with nothing accepted in return save the wonderful feeling that comes from doing good for others...

Long, long ago I adopted a 'guideline' for the conduct of my own life... 'Braggin' don't count if ya have to do it for yourself'. If one feels the need to say how good they are, chances are they aren't in the first place. Those that are truly content with themselves have nothing to prove and no one to impress. You won't find them grandstanding and trying to demsonstrate what scholars and intellectuals they are. Nope, but those kind of folks usually end up being the ones others tell heart-warming stories about later on... Gordon is such a person...

The group event itself in Marion, VA, was perhaps the best group event I've ever attended... if not, then certainly one of the very best. The group ride itself amazed me in several ways... Obvioulsy the fabulous roads, well-timed stops, great lunch, much sought after comradeship were all there in abundance... but the unbelievable task of getting 90 or so bikes all riding in one formation safely over those mountains and through all the hamlets and villages simply was unbelievable!!! Well choreographed ride in particular and event generally, and all extremely well executed! Don and Tracy, along with a cast of other characters, pulled off one remarkable and very special outing...

Yeah, I did have some weather issues to work around... and I did have a long delay due to bike trouble... and I am sore as heck from all of that, particularly my knees... But I also had a trip very worthwhile, and it's one I'll long remember and cherish... I always 'travel far' on my roadtrips regardless of what the odometer might say, and this one was by no means an exception... Thanks everybody for being part of the incredible experience that comes with membership in this very special group of folks...

DDT

[Stanley Steamer]

 

[sugerbear]

very true. spoken by a wise man.
i've never met you or the group, but from what i've read, your a great bunch of people.


on the other hand, bad drive shaft and final drive gave out!!!! what a piece of junk, only what, 450,000 miles, wish honda would build a reliable bike.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Glad you got rollin' again Bruce and you're right about Gordon ( Lucky 13 ) he's a good one I've called him friend since my early teens . Spent many days fishing and riding with him over the years. Glad you enjoyed " Return To Hillbilly Highway " I know I did as well that ride ranks close to the top for me also.Picture below is Gordon on a recent ride down near Dunlap in The Great State Of Tennessee.

[Charlie McCready]

Bruce glad you're home safe and  enjoyed our little part of the world.. It was good seeing you again. You're right about Gordon, he is a large man !! Yall come back soon now, ya hear!!

[chuckinVA]

Well said, DDT, and your words reflect my own feelings to a "T".  I haven't owned a Valkyrie for many years now, and have tried riding with other groups including HOG and GWRRA, but always come back to the Valk gang because the rides are as good as the people.  Looking forward to many more of 'em.   

[BigAl]

Black Beauty here is no more, after his Cherohala Sky Dive , a reverse one and one half back twist with a degree of difficulty of 10.

It's spread out across America, lives on, in other bikes, cannot believe he has not put loud pipes on his new one.


McGyver ain't got nothing on our buddy Gordon, although I had to teach him how to fish.   LOL OMG Now that is funny.

He can weld, pipe fit, build Dragon Pipes, mount his own tires, fix just about anything maechanical, electrical ain't his

best thing, but can do that too.

He always is the first one to show me how to field strip my handguns, and once a shotgun.

Final drives are his best thing on a Valk, so your final Drive DDT should roll for quiete a while longer, after Gordon services it.

Gald you made it home, two guys on the Dragon in the past 7 days are never going to.

We lost 2 there this past week, tragic, always something to be thankful for and friends are the best thing to have.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Another fine of unfolding events in your life Bruce! Glad to be your friend even tho we don't seem to run into each other very often.
Need I have to mention the glowing replies? Good chit, guys!!

[Stanley Steamer]

Gordon.......aka "Mini-me".........aka "Eric's Big Brother"........is one good Dude!!!.......he and Joe and Presley got my Green Dragon in top shape a few years ago.....

[Michael K (Az.)]

I remember the pics of Presley wrenchin on somebodys Valk!

[R J]

DDT aka Bruce, why is you so damn hard on those rear splines?

Isn't this you 2nd replacement?

Now I know what I got to look out for in about 90K.   Thanks a whole big bunch Brother.

I'm only setting on 242K + or - a few.

[hal47]

Glad you made it home safe Bruce,you mentioned you fought you heard drive shaft noise eariler.Yes Grodon and the wild bunch are some really good people.Well see you down the road,allways injoy talking with you.

[BigAl]

38,000 and have never greased, cleaned or even checked my final drive. And probably will never have to.

NOW that is superior engineering.

No valve adjustments for me,,,,,,,,, ever.

Handy.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

38,000 and have never greased, cleaned or even checked my final drive. And probably will never have to.

NOW that is superior engineering.

No valve adjustments for me,,,,,,,,, ever.

Handy.

Let us know how it's doing when it's got 450,000 miles on it like DDT's bike  

I bet the dude on a Harley up on Foothills Parkway I tryed to help said the same thing .

[Reb]

Great seeing you again Bruce, Glad you made it in safe and sound

[eric in md]

 

[BigAl]

38,000 and have never greased, cleaned or even checked my final drive. And probably will never have to.

NOW that is superior engineering.

No valve adjustments for me,,,,,,,,, ever.

Handy.

Let us know how it's doing when it's got 450,000 miles on it like DDT's bike  

I bet the dude on a Harley up on Foothills Parkway I tryed to help said the same thing .

Yep and that was Korean or aftermarket wheels for sure on that bike.. I use only Genuine Tested on the Talledega Speedway Harley Parts.

In fact I ditched those fancy aftermarket wheels on the Fat Boy I bought in favor of Genuine Harley Parts.


I have talked to a couple that had the belt on the Electraglide go 240,000 miles and it broke right in front of thier home. LUCKY

Parts available In stock and in all 57 states,(OBAMA thinks there are 57 states, who am I to dispute him). 50 states.

[BigAl]

[eric in md]

miss you buddy ..

[ChromeDome]

Good seeing you and chatting with you DDT, always a pleasure. Hope to see you in Robbinsville.

[BigAl]

miss you buddy ..

Same here little buddy, hope to see you down the road.

[henry 008]

great meeting you! my friend ernie and i were on the 2 red/black IS a couple doors down from you.

[paulmull ( Wimp )]

Bruce are you shore youre a hillbilly? You know to many big words! Wimp.