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Merry Christmas To All

The Official YouTube Channel of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays.




Now You Know: Biker Joe

Joining Biker Forums

The Official YouTube Channel of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

If you frequent this Blog you can see that my interest is in Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The mechanical side and the biker culture. I try not to discriminate. I, at times will mention other motorcycle manufactures. Hell, I even detail Victory motorcycles for a dealer in my area. I go to different dealer functions and activities. If I hear or see something interesting I usually Post it here on the Blog, in print and or photos.

Since I've got back into riding in 2005. I've joined about four or five biker Forums. My reason for joining these Forums? It's the easiest way to get information/help on technical issues. I had some with my Dyna. Things have really changed in thirty + years. Working on bikes is so different now. There are very friendly and knowledgeable people on these forums and help is only a click away.

I'm what they call a lurker. I go on line, logon and surf around the forums. I'm not one of those IM (Instant Messaging) kind of guy. I have to take time when writing because I'm dyslectic. I transpose numbers and letters in words, so I have to keep checking my spelling. Some times when I'm in a hurry words get misspelled and I don't catch them in time and they don't get corrected before I post. I only Post on Forums when I need some help or when I can help someone. I can't do that one on one communicating because I need time for checking the words and people think I forgot about them when I don't post back right away. This Blog is the perfect venue for me because I can take my time wording a Post that's going to be published. My Posts are not always 100 percent perfect, but I do try.

I met a biker, Dave/Big D, on one of the first Forums I joined. The Forum for Dyna's is kind of slow so Dave Emailed me one day and told me about a new one he found, bikershangout.com. Just a WARNING, the Forum is for adult bikers with adult content and there is not much censorship on there. I joined it but just lurked around a few months and this week I Posted for the first time. Dave recognized me and told me about another Forum, bikersforums.net I checked it out and registered yesterday. I can't say which one is best because they all have bikers that love their scoots and like to show it.

Another reason to join a forum, you can add your Web Site or Blog address to your Posts. This way you can drive some traffic your way and you are attracting people with the same interests as yours.

I want to welcome all of you readers from these Forums I joined and hope you like what you see and return often. Comments are welcome, so please Post your comments in the comment section. Lurking is advised, so check out the Blog Archive for past Posts of different functions I attended last summer. There you will find the Posts of the trip I took to Milwaukee for Harley's, 105th bash.

Harley-Davidson 105th Bash

Meaning Of The Day: Unsprung Weight - Parts of the motorcycle below or not supported by the suspension such as the rims and tires.

Now You Know: Biker Joe

Happy Thanksgiving Biker Buds

The Official YouTube Channel of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

The First Thanksgiving, Jean Louis Gerome Ferris.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my biker buds. Weather man says temps. in the mid 40's today. Might ride the scoot today before I go over to the in-laws for the yearly feast.

Remember, if you drink don't ride/drive.

Meaning Of The Day:Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Thanksgiving, also known as Thanksgiving Day, is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is primarily a North American holiday which has generally become a national secular holiday with religious origins.

The dates and whereabouts of the first Thanksgiving celebration are a topic of modest contention. Though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members.

Thanksgiving (Canada): Thanksgiving in Canada, occurs on the second Monday in October and Canadians give thanks at the close of the harvest season. Although some people thank God for this bounty, the holiday is mainly considered secular.

Thanksgiving (United States): Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day often is called the holiday season.

Now You Know:Biker Joe

Last Ride Of The Season

I think I had my last ride of the season last Friday. The day started out raining with some patches of fog. Around noon the sun broke out of the clouds and the temperature rose to the middle forties. I don't ride the scoot anymore when the temp goes below 40° or when the first salt is spread out onto the roads. I ride for fun not out of necessity and any temp. below 40° is not fun any more.

I have a feeling I had my last detail job last week so I think it is time to do the last detail for the season on mine. The fuel tank has only about a half a tank of gas. I can't store the bike with only a half a tank of gas, so I thought it would be a good excuse to take it for a ride. I waited for the sun to dry up the streets before I took the scoot to the gas station. I put some fuel stabilizer in the tank before I left so it could get mixed up with the new gas. I rode for around an hour before going home.

Since Friday the weather was below 40° and last night the temp was in the 20° range with some snow showers. So my mind was made up, I'm going to detail the scoot today, Monday, and put it to sleep till spring. I may do some mods. over the winter but all and all I'm going to say good bye, to my old friend, till Spring.

A couple of weeks ago while riding, my new chrome horn cover fell off the bike. After loosing my last horn and cover I wasn't a happy camper. Read Post from, 09/29/2008. I had some two sided tape holding it to the horn. I was going to get some Allen head screws to match the Willie G. Skull medallion screws that I attached to the cover but I had no time. Thinking that the tape would work for now the cover came off anyway, rolled down the road on it's edge and stooped in the middle of the road, face up. I pulled over as fast as I could and ran over to the cover before someone ran it over. I picked it up and looked it over and the whole edge of the cover was nicked up. The chrome was ruined. But I had a stroke of luck. The medallion had not one scratch on it.

When I got home I took a better look at the cover and there was no way I could save the thing. I will have to buy a new chrome cover but I don't want to spend any more money on this horn. I looked at it again and said to myself why not sand out the scratches and paint the cover black. I have some gloss black automotive paint in a spray can on the shelf so I got it out sprayed some on a piece of metal and let it dry. It was a very close match to the black on the bikes frame.

I sanded the scratches out of the cover, taped over the skull medallion and sprayed the cover and let it dry. Boy! It came out perfect. It looked like I purchased it at the dealer. The cover and medallion being chrome, the skull was kind of washed out. (Look at photos from the Post mentioned above). But now with the horn cover black the skull really stands out. I was saved this time.
This could have been a costly mistake.

Check my Post from, 09/29/2008, to see the difference. Chrome versus Black.




Meaning Of The Day: Farkles - (accessories). Things that can be added to your bike that make it more useful, versatile, or attractive. The price of which often exceeds the original purchase price of the bike.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I'm not really a Halloween fan. I call it vandalism day. People think if they put a mask or some kind of costume on, that gives them the right to go around and damage other peoples propriety. Some towns around here will not let stores sell eggs to minors. I tend to stay at home and wait for the day to just go away.

I prepare for the day by putting the cars in the garage. Hide the trash cans and make sure there is noting outside that anyone can throw at the house.

Halloween should only be for little children, the ones that still have their parents in tow. So we don't forget them. My wife and I get the candy ready, put the porch light on and we wait for the children to ring the door bell.

Evey one be careful out there. Watch out for children, they tend to cross the streets without watching for oncoming cars.

Do we dare take that Halloween ride?

Meaning Of The Day, Courtesy of WikipediA:
History:
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (Irish pronunciation: [ˈsˠaunʲ]; from the Old Irish samain). The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year". Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Celtic pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.

History of name:
The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening", but "Halloween" gets its "n" from "even") as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions, until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 (which had itself been the date of a pagan holiday, the Feast of the Lemures) to 1st November. In the ninth century, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset, in accordance with the Florentine calendar. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day. Liturgically, the Church traditionally celebrated that day as the Vigil of All Saints, and, until 1970, a day of fasting as well. Like other vigils, it was celebrated on the previous day if it fell on a Sunday, although secular celebrations of the holiday remained on the 31st. The Vigil was suppressed in 1955, but was later restored in the post-Vatican II calendar.

United States and Canada:
History:
Halloween did not become a holiday in the United States until the 19th century, where lingering Puritan tradition restricted the observance of many holidays. American almanacs of the late 18th and early 19th centuries do not include Halloween in their lists of holidays.The transatlantic migration of nearly two million Irish following the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1849) finally brought the holiday to the United States. Scottish emigration, primarily to Canada before 1870 and to the United States thereafter, brought the Scottish version of the holiday to each country. The main event for children of modern Halloween in the United States and Canada is trick-or-treating, in which children disguise themselves in costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhoods, ringing each doorbell and yelling "trick or treat!" to solicit a gift of candy or similar items.
Scottish-American and Irish-American societies held dinners and balls that celebrated their heritages, with perhaps a recitation of Robert Burns' poem "Halloween" or a telling of Irish legends, much as Columbus Day celebrations were more about Italian-American heritage than Columbus per se. Home parties centred on children's activities, such as apple bobbing, and various divination games often concerning future romance. Not surprisingly, pranks and mischief were common as well.
At the turn of the 20th century, Halloween had turned into a night of vandalism, with destruction of property and cruelty to animals and people.Around 1912, the Boy Scouts, Boys Clubs and other neighborhood organizations came together to encourage a safe celebration that would end the destruction that had become so common on this night. School posters during this time called for a "Sane Halloween." Children began to go door to door, receiving treats, rather than playing tricks on their neighbors. This helped to reduce the mischief, and by the 1930s, "beggar's nights" had become very popular. Trick-or-treating became widespread by the end of the 1930s.

Traditions:
The commercialization of Halloween in the United States did not start until the 20th century, beginning perhaps with Halloween postcards (featuring hundreds of designs) which were most popular between 1905 and 1915.Dennison Manufacturing Company, which published its first Hallowe'en catalog in 1909, and the Beistle Company were pioneers in commercially made Halloween decorations, particularly die-cut paper items.German manufacturers specialised in Halloween figurines that were exported to the United States in the period between the two world wars.
There is little primary documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween in the United States or elsewhere, before 1900. Mass-produced Halloween costumes did not appear in stores until the 1930s, and trick-or-treating did not become a fixture of the holiday until the 1950s.
In the 1990s, many manufacturers began producing a larger variety of Halloween yard decorations; before this a majority of decorations were homemade. Some of the most popular yard decorations are jack-o'-lanterns, scarecrows, witches, orange string lights, inflatable decorations (such as spiders, pumpkins, mummies and vampires), and animatronic window and door decorations. Other popular decorations are foam tombstones and gargoyles.
Halloween is now the United States' second most popular holiday (after Christmas) for decorating; the sale of candy and costumes are also extremely common during the holiday, which is marketed to children and adults alike. According to the National Retail Federation, the most popular Halloween costume themes for adults are, in order: witch, pirate, vampire, cat and clown.[37] Each year, popular costumes are dictated by various current events and pop culture icons.On many college campuses, Halloween is a major celebration, with the Friday and Saturday nearest October 31 hosting many costume parties.
The National Confectioners Association reported in 2005 that 80 percent of American adults planned to give out candy to trick-or-treaters,and that 93 percent of children planned to go trick-or-treating.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Hog's, Hemis and Hog Roast

I'm going to combine the two last Harley-Davidson dealer functions I attended in this Post.

The first one was Woodstock Harley's, Hogs'n'Hemis Party in Woodstock, IL. on Sept. 27.

We had some really bad weather this season here in Illinois. But the last three functions I attended had the best weather I can remember. Harley's 105th bash had great weather for the whole weekend. The very next weekend we had three days of rain and many towns flooded around here.

I got there around 4 PM and parked the Scoot. To late for food, I started taking photos of the cars and bikes that where on display. I found out that they were having a contest, if I known that, I would have entered my scoot. Never entered my scoot in one yet.

After taking photos I needed for the Blog, I went inside and talked to a few of my friends that work here at Woodstock Harley. I worked here last summer, in the parts department and still feel like I'm part of the family. They couldn't call me back this summer because business was slow.

I needed to work so I started a little Detailing Service. A one man operation. So far it's been working out fine. All my work has been from, word of mouth. I like it that way because I don't want to hire any people just yet.

After I finished talking with friends I went back out side and went over to where the band was. I know one of it's members. He owns a printing shop, Tyler Press,(Click on Links For More Info) in my town. After chatting with him for a while I packed up my camera and left for home.

I like posting slide shows because I can get all of the photos in one spot instead of spreading them around the page. Here is the first slide show.





My next function visited was , Zylstras Harley-Davidson, in St. Charles, IL. They had their annual Fall Hog Roast on Oct 4 and 5. I got there around 12:30 PM. I started taking pictures right away because the odor of the food was making hungry. They had, all you can eat, for $5.00. Boy, the pork was great tasting. I made two trips to the food line.

I went inside just to see what the store looked like. I guess when you see one you've seen them all. They did have, on the upper level of the store, some vintage bikes. My flash was not working right so I couldn't get any good shoots. I tried anyway and got one I think came out alright even though it was dark.

A Silhouette Of A Time Gone Bye

I walked around and visited a vendor, Psymonsen Airbrush, owned by, Ken Simonsen. Check my Links page for his Web Site. I'm thinking about having some skulls airbrushed on my tins. He seemed very knowledgeable and will be talking to him about this more in the future.
I looked at my watch and it was time to go home. All in all, it was a good day for a ride on the scoot, good food and seeing some biker buds.




Meaning Of The Day:Law Maker - Stupid riders that kill themselves on their bikes causing stupid laws to be made 'For our protection.'

Now You Know:Biker Joe

Horn Cover Relocation & New Skull Theme

I mentioned in "My Trip To Harley's 105th Anniversary" part one, I almost lost my custom horn cover. The bracket broke from the vibration caused by the engine. The cover and horn was hanging by the two wires connected to the horn and that saved it from falling off.

When I got home I looked at the parts I had and came to the conclusion that the cover could not be saved. The mounting hole was gone and fabricating a new bracket and welding it to the cover was not an option because I don't have the equipment. Plus, after welding the new bracket back on the cover it would need to be powder coated. I think it would be a waste of money. I already paid $117.00 for the cover and a new horn. I could not even save the horn because the screw that adjusts the sound got broken. The reason I changed the horn cover in the first place? The OEM, cow bell horn cover was hitting my knee when I rode the bike and at idle the cover would shake so bad it looked like it would fly off the engine.

I decided I would relocate the horn to the front of the bike. I saw some Harley models like the new "Rocker", that has the horn mounted in front. I went over to my local Harley store and checked out what it would take for me to mount the horn to the front of my scoot. I had the counter guy Jim, look up the cost of all the parts needed. I was not happy about the total cost he gave me. I had him order only the bracket that holds the horn to the frame of the bike. Aftermarket horns give you a metal strip with holes as a bracket. So I ordered the horn. It only cost me about one third the price of the Harley horn.

I now had to figure out what I would put on the bracket were the old horn was mounted. The bracket is also the motor mount. I looked at the broken horn cover and said to myself, I would like to save the Harley-Davidson medallion. This medallion would look cool in-between the two jugs. I even thought, a Wille G. Skull in the middle of the medallion would even look better.

Boy, I'm lucky I live close to the Harley store. I found a skull that fit right in the middle of the medallion. I then decided, why not go the whole, Wille G. Skull Theme, on the scoot. I purchased the derby cover, timer cover, top handle bar clamp, skull license plate bolts and a timer cover for an XL. I'm going to attached it to the chrome cover on the new horn.

In order to use the horn on the front of the frame I had to splice longer wires to the horn wires in the wiring harness. Then run the wires under the tank and out the front where the horn would be mounted. It took about forty-five minutes to reroute the wires. I don't use butt connectors, I solder my splices and use shrink tubing so no moisture can corrode the splice.

After the horn, I put all the skull replacement parts on. The scoot looks like a different bike now.

I had the "Live To Ride, Ride To Live" Derby Cover and Handle Bar clamp on the bike. There for sale at my eBay store. They are priced to sell.

My next Post, I will have comments and photos of my last two Harley dealer functions I attended.

Slide show below shows how changing a few parts can really change the look of your scoot.




Meaning Of The Day: Wiring harness - The main collection of wires that are usually bundled up in some protective tubing.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

American Chopper Has Jumped The Shark

Let's have a show of hands, who watched American Chopper last night? American Chopper has "Jumped the Shark". For those of you who don't know what "Jump the Shark" is, Google my friend.

I watched this program for the last time. Sorry, biker buds, I know this Blog is about motorcycles and what better place to get info on motorcycles, to watch biker TV programs. This program is a total waste of my time. The whole story line, if that's what you want to call it, was about the Teutul's helping a woman sponsor a charity, a car show, not a BIKE SHOW, for her brother who passed away a while back.

Now, I'm not against charities. "Stand up for Cancer" was on last week, I watched it. Come on this program is about motorcycles! What ever happened to "Biker Build-Off", "Build or Bust", and "V-Twin TV". (I heard V-Twin TV is coming back in Oct.) These programs where about building scoots. That's what bikers want to see. The technical and mechanical side of the story not an on going family feud or a company "giving back to the community". We all give back to the community in one way or another.

So what do you think, biker buds? "Just say no" to American Chopper?

Another program that started last week, "Sons of Anarchy" on FX, cable channel. The second episode aired the other day, Wednesday. OK, my opinion, it sucks big time. Hardly any bike time and the lead actor, Ron Perlman , "Hell Boy" and "Beauty and The Beast" fame, I heard is scared crap less, riding a scoot. Katey Sagal, "Married with Children". I can see her joining a biker gang after living with Al Bundy all those years, also stars in the series. I'm going to watch it one more time next week. I have this, three strikes your out rule or philosophy with new programs. If it sucks again I'm moving on. The vibes I'm getting from the biker forums out there, I hear others feel the same way.

What do you think? We need your opinion.



This bike is no more. After I detailed this scoot, getting it to look like this was no easy task, it was totaled in an accident. A car turned right in front of the rider. The rider was not seriously injured, but the bikes frame was bent to hell.

Meaning of The Day: Went down - Crashed. Can be any type of accident at any speed.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

My Trip To Harley's 105th Anniversary Part Two

As I promised, "My Trip To Harley's 105th Anniversary Part Two".

A little recap. Before I left home I went on Mapquest and printed out directions so I could find my way to Thiensville from Milwaukee. I wanted to see Vinnie, you know, from American Chopper at Suburban Motors.

As you know I don't have a bagger. I have a nice sleek scoot, no bags to break up the flow, as you look at it, from front to back. I even got rid of the two up seat so there would be noting to stop that chopper/racer look. So without bags I have to put everything I want to use on a trip in my vest pockets or inside between the vest and my chest. A tank bag could work, but I don't want to scratch the tank.

I kept the directions from Mapquest in my vest, so anytime I needed to check the map, I had to pull over to the side of the road, pull it out and see if I was going in the right direction. After I said goodbye to my new biker buds, I looked at the map one more time. I then got back onto the freeway, I rode for awhile and I thought I was going the right way. I pulled over and checked again and I found out that I was going away from Thiensville. I got off at the next exit, made a flip over the bridge and got back on, going in the right direction this time. It is really hard to follow a map riding a motorcycle. This winter, I need to save for a GPS or maybe the kids can all pitch in for Christmas, hint, hint.

This little mistake set me back about 45 minutes. I wasn't too worried, because it was still early. I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss Vinnie. I finally arrived at Suburban Motors. The street was packed with bikes and the parking lot across the street was full. I rode around the block a few times. The last time I came around the parking lot was open and I pulled in and found myself a parking space.

I came here for the sole purpose to take photos of Vinnie and any other stuff I saw that would be of interest. I got my camera out and started taking pictures. I went looking for Vinnie and I must have passed him about four times. They had him hidden among other venders and it was hard to see him. I thought he would be the center of attraction and have a special booth set up for him.

Anyway, I found him and took some pictures of his new chopper, he and Cody built at their new facility, V Force Customs. They traveled around the country showing the bike in order to drum up business and will be giving it away at the end of the season. I asked Vinnie, what other kind of bikes he is going to build? He said that he is not going to do production bikes. He is doing custom builds, (built to order bikes). I think that's cool, because the bike build will be a one of a kind and no one out there will have one like it.

For more information click here. V-Force Customs. I will put a Link on my Links page soon, so you can check what Vinnie's doing on his Web Site without having to hunt for this Post.

I think it was time for me to get ready for the ride home. It was a great day. I met some new riding buds and saw Vinnie. There was no break downs or mishaps, except for almost loosing my horn cover and horn.

I got home around 9:00PM, safe and sound. No one was home, so I just took a shower and fell into bed. Boy was I tired.

My slideshow.



Meaning Of The Day: Tank bag - A bag or luggage that mounts on to the top of the fuel tank.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

My Trip To Harley's 105th Anniversary

OK, I know I'm a little late Posting about my trip to Milwaukee, WI. for Harley's 105th anniversary. Better late then never I always say.

I've been very busy again. Detailing, eBay store and all that other good stuff, that takes up all my time. Not that I'm complaining, you know. I love it, love it, love it. It definitely beats pounding the pavement in an 18 wheeler. 40 years of pounding the pavement, that is.

So, lets get on with it. I left home about 9:30 Am Friday morning, after doing some finishing touches on a detailing job I had the night before. I rode over to Woodstock Harley to meet up with some people that I knew where riding over to Milwaukee, because I saw it on a poster in the store, last time I made a visit. I wanted to ride with a group, unfortunately, this was my second choice, because my friend couldn't go, he had a bad knee and could not ride for too long.

When I got there the parking lot was empty, so I thought I was early. I went inside and looked at the poster and saw I was late. The group left at 8:00 AM. Alright, I'm going myself I thought. Not the first time I did this.

So I made a pit stop and then talked to some friends that work here at Harley. I looked outside and saw some bikes riding into the parking lot. They looked like they were packing for a trip. I went outside and asked if they were going to Milwaukee? One guy said, "yes we are", so I asked if I could tag along. He said sure, but wanted me to know they were meeting up with a couple in Antioch, IL first. I said that's OK with me.

Now, I really want to apologize, I'm really bad at remembering names, I mean really bad. So my new friends, if you're all reading this, I apologize. I need to get a note book and jot down names of people I meet and make notes. I'm new at this Bloging thing you know.

I did forget to take photos of all of us at the Harley store. Anyway, off we went to meet the couple in Antioch. We rode for about twenty five minutes and arrived at a Walgreen's parking lot, where we waited for them to arrive. When they did arrive we did all the usual hand shaking and exchanging names. That did matter, as I said, I can't remember names for the life of me. Now this time I did take photos of the gang.

After everyone got their bottles of water, and other stuff, we got back on our rides and off to Milwaukee once again.

It was a beautiful day to ride. Not too hot, not too cool. We rode for a bit on Wisconsin's two lanes till we reached the freeway. Once we got on the freeway we saw motorcycles heading toward Milwaukee. I saw a sign that read 26 miles to Milwaukee. The further we rode the more bikes we saw. It was about ten bikes to one car.

Since I purchased my scoot, four years ago, I haven't had time to really take a long trip, so this was a real treat. I rode at the rear of our group, I saw the lead biker go off onto a ramp leading us to the festivities. When we got off the freeway, I felt something hitting my knee. I looked down and saw my horn cover and horn hanging only by two wires connected to the wire harness. I waved to one of the riders and pointed to the cover, we all pulled over, so I could check out the situation. Well, the bracket broke and I couldn't put it back together with out the proper tools.

The guy I met first this morning, said he could put it in his saddle bag till I decided to leave or could bring it over to my home later that weekend. I said OK, thanks. After this, we decided to go over to the Harley-Davidson Museum and see what was going on there.

It only took a few minutes to get there. I could see the big Harley-Davidson letters on the side of the museum building, from over a bridge we were on. We pulled down into the parking lot and there was no room, so they had us park in a grassy field behind the building. We got to a place where we could park our bikes and then walked around the grounds. We saw some really cool bikes and then looked for some food and drink.

We found a concession stand near the band shell. Boy, the music was so loud, I had to put my ear plugs back in. The stand had the usual food and drink, hot dogs, burgers, bratwurst, and pop.
I had a bratwurst. This was the first time I ever had a brat and it was pretty good. It was like a polish sausage and hot dog mix. We all sat down, listened to the music and talked to people at our table. I then went off and took some pictures.

After we ate, we took a walk, we stopped to look at some clothes that were for sale. One of the women bought a Harley sweat shirt. Then we decided to leave and take a ride around town and go over to the lake, where we heard a lot of bikers were parked over there. Traffic got pretty heavy going over there and the group decided to take a pass. I had plans to go to another town near by, so I asked if they wanted to come along. Vinnie from American Chopper fame was going to be at a Harley dealer's 105th party. It was about eighteen miles north of Milwaukee. They took a pass, so I got my horn cover, thanked them for letting me ride with them and I would talk to them soon. I gave a few of them my business card, hoping to detail one of their bikes in the future. Then I said my goodbyes and was on my way.

This concludes one leg of my trip. I'm going to write about the next leg in my next Post.

I'm going to leave the link to Harley's site above for a few more weeks. It has photos and videos of the celebration.

Below is a slide show I made.




Meaning Of The Day: Formation Ride - A motorcycle road event in which participants maintain their relative position in a group while riding down the road.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Harley-Davidson's 105th Anniversary

As you all know Harley's 105th celebration is this coming weekend. I'm going up and do some celebrating Friday or Saturday. I'm going to take some photos, hope to have a bunch of them. I might have a surprise also if all works out the way I plan. So check us out next week.

Talking about celebrations. My local Harley dealer had it's pre-celebration party last Saturday. I attended the function but had to leave the scoot at home. I drove the old Explore. Again, another day with rain.

I arrived around 11:00 AM. Hardly anyone was there because the sky looked like it was going to dump on us at any time. The usual die hards road in with their bikes, but most of us took our cages.

Anyway, a beer outfit, Harley and a local radio station, was giving away a 2008 105th addition Sportster. There was a chance for 105 people to win the bike. Get it, 105 chances to win for the 105th Harley Anniversary. The people that showed up were the one's picked in a raffle to win the bike. We were told that only 86 people showed up. With these 86 people, friends and family. I think 200 more or less people where at the party.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, and Italian sausage was the food of the day. Free of course. Drinks were pop, all flavors and beer.

I hung around until the drawing of the bike was over. Would you know it the clouds broke and the sun came out just in time for the drawing. Boy did it get hot.

The Sportster in the slide show is not the one given away. It was in the back and I thought you guys would like to see it. A real custom look don't you think?

I have a slide show of the party below. Enjoy



Meaning Of The Day: Econo-box, cage, dresser - Car

Now You Know: Biker Joe

Computer Virus/Trojan Shut Me Down.

Hello biker buds. I want to Post some motorcycle videos here on the Blog, so I was surfing the net to get some good ones. I found one I thought that would be cool to Post. I got a pop up asking if I wanted to down load a Video Codec, so I could view the video, I clicked no but some how it loaded anyway. This so called Codec crashed my computer. I used all my Virus/Trojan killers and could not kill this one.

This was over two weeks ago. I had a lot of stuff on the computer that I have not backed up. My bad. So with detailing bikes and trying to save the hard drive it took a long time to retrieve the files and get a new operating system loaded and running.

Today I finished, and I'm posting to let you all know what happened. I'm going to start posting again soon.

Biker Joe

OK I Lied, Not Really

OK I lied, not really. I said in my last post I would post more often now that I have my Web Site set up. What I said was, I hoped to Post more often. I know in order for this Blog to get a large volume of visits I should post at least everyday. Better yet, two three times a day.

Well, if you visit here often you know I do motorcycle detailing. Since the web site started, passing out flyer's and business cards I've been detailing four, five bikes a week. I'm so happy about this and really love this gig. It takes five to eight hours to detail a motorcycle. I could do two bikes a day but one is a good number. I'm also posting photos of bikes I detailed up on the Site. Check them out, just click on the tab above "Biker Joe's Detailing"

So this is another reason I have not Posted as often as I would like. I don't think I will be detailing many bikes when the season is over so expect to hear from me more.

I've been asked lately, who is Biker Joe? Why is he wearing that riding grab and why can't we see how he looks with out this gear in his Profile photo?

He is this Blogs, Biker Joe's Motorcycle Detailing and eBay stores mascot and an alter ego of sorts.

Ever know someone who looks perfect, always says the right thing at the right time. Has everything in place and knows everything on any subject. Well that's Biker Joe. He wears the right helmet, goggles, bandanna and riding jacket with the Harley bar and shield patch, so he can have that right biker look and make that so called fashion statement.

He shows up at most biker functions and has no trouble being admitted and mingling with his biker buds thanks to photo shop.

Biker Joe says he is the perfect "Know It All" on motorcycles IE, Harley-Davidson's. And learning more and more about other makes and models since starting this Blog.

Some day we might reveal Biker Joe's real identity but for now Biker Joe will remain this Blogs mysterious mascot and Poster.

Note: If ever, biker buds, you see a meaning or tip that may be wrong please feel free to correct Biker Joe. You know a "Know It All" can me wrong at times.

Talking about biker functions we attended one Saturday, the 2nd. Fiesta Days "Rock N' Rev" Motorcycle Show in McHenry IL. It was held by McHenry Harley-Davidson.

I wanted to enter my scoot but there was a threat of rain all day I mean storms. As you read earlier I don't ride in the rain if I can help it. Well it never rained. All day, it never rained.

There weren't many bikes but the ones I saw were nice looking. I saw and talked to a couple of guys I worked with last Summer at Woodstock Harley in Woodstock IL.

I took a few Photos see them below, enjoy.

Meaning Of The Day: Dip stick - The long slender piece of metal that goes into the engine, to check the oil level.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Hope To Post More

I hope to Post more now that I have my web site up and running. When Randy from Randy's Cycle told me he was having his Spring Open House two weeks ago. I needed to get my Web Site configured, flyer's and business cards with the Blog address printed on them so I could pass them out.

I only had a few days to do this so I just slapped the Web Site together so I could Link to it from this Blog and people could get more information on my detailing service.

What I did since the open house was add more pages to the site. Now when you visit the Web Site you arrive on the Home page it has a photo of Biker Joe then scrolling down you see pricing for the service. I even put a form on the page so anyone wanting their scoot detailed can make an appointment on the fly.

On the Testimonials And Photos page I have a few customers that left me some input on how they liked the condition their scoot was delivered to them. I will be adding more.

On the Before And After Photos page I put some photos of wheels, side covers and engines from bikes I detailed. Some of the bikes were really in bad shape and had a lot of rusty pit marks on the chrome. Once the chrome has rust you can not save it but you can get the rusty brown look off the chrome with some care.

I had a bike that had some really bad rust all over and crap burnt into the exhaust pipes. I took some before photos but the customer came to pick up his bike earlier than expected and I had no time to take after photos. I got the pipes clean and the rest of the bike was delivered better than when it came in.

I talk to bike owners about keeping their bikes clean and I get that old story, if I have time to clean I have time to ride. Hey buds no offence but these bikes are not cheap and they come with a lot chrome today. At the least you need to get that acid road grime off your bike and keep it dry when parked in the garage.

I compiled a Slide Show of scoots that came to me looking like they were never cleaned. Burnt in brake dust on the wheels, rust all over to the point of no return. Check it out below.


The Reality Of Not Cleaning Your Bike.

Note: Those crapy looking pipes looked like new when I got done with them. I don't have after photos so you will have to trust me.

Check out my Web Site to see after Photos.

I'm still working on that Detailing 101 Page that will be on the Web Site. That page will be comeing soon.

My EBay Store has gone flat. The first few weeks I was selling parts and items fast. But lately nothing is selling. I need to spend more time working on it. Looks like my plate is more then full but I need the cash flow.

Talking about bike parts. You Harley Dyna owners I have stock dealer take off parts for sale at my Store. They will fit most Dyna models up to the 2005 model year.
Check it out, if your interested make me a reasonable offer.


The Meaning Of The Day: Brain bucket - Helmet

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Randy's Cycle Open House Review

In my last Post I said I was going to a local cycle shop's open house. Randy's Cycle in Huntley IL. had it's annual open house this past weekend. The weather Saturday was hot and humid but the rain stayed away until the last twenty minutes of the day.

I arrived about 11:00 AM with my camera , Biker Joe's Detailing flyer's and business cards in tow. I planed on handing them out while taking photos of the event. I also planed to hobnob with fellow bikers.

There was a moderate flow of people at the event. Lot of them came to take Demo rides of the different models of bikes Victory have to offer. You never felt like it was too crowded like these events usually feel when the heat and humidity is high like it was Saturday. I think the crowd would have been larger if the threat of rain was out of the picture.

All and all Randy's open house was a pleasant place to spend a Saturday.

Now Sunday was a different story. I wanted to take my bike today but the chance of rain was to great. I'm one of those people that will not take the bike out if there is a slight chance of rain.
When I left my house the sky looked like it was going to open up and drop it's load of rain any minute. I got there early 9:30Am Sunday because it was going to end at 3:00PM. About half hour after I arrived the rain came and lasted on and off for about 2-3hours.

After the rain stopped it was to late for more people to show up. The few that did, came to take a demo ride of one or more of the Victory's bikes there. They had to wait for the streets to dry before they could go for a ride. The demo rides were taken in a group so when the streets dried, about 2:00 PM they had a few riders ready to go out on a ride. I have some photos of one such ride leaving out of Randy's parking lot.

I Posted some photos here and a slide show. Enjoy.

I spoke with some riders about my Detailing service. Some people don't understand what detailing a motorcycle is all about. They think wiping a cloth over their ride or running a hose over the bike and wiping it dry is detailing. Your bike might look clean but it has not been detailed. I'm going to explain the whole process on my Web Site soon, titled" Motorcycle Detailing 101". Check it out just click on the Tab above, "Biker Joe's Detailing.

Randy of Randy's Cycle on left and Larry one of his counter guys.

Randy doing what he does best, helping a customer.

More Photos of Open House.

Meaning Of The Day: Cage - A car, truck, or van. The sworn enemy of motorcyclists, more commonly known as automobiles. The name stems from being all cooped up inside a closed shell, with no contact with the outside air.

Now you know, Biker Joe

Spring Open House At Randy's Cycle

Hello all, well it's June and the riding season is on it's way. The weather hasn't been all that good but it's been in the 80's with a chance of rain every day. So we just get out and ride between the rain showers.

Yesterday started Randy's Cycle spring open house in beautiful Huntley, IL. He sells Victory Motorcycles but he services all makes and models of motorcycles. There will be Victory factory engineers, demo rides, food, and other fun things to do.

Randy refers his customers to my Motorcycle detailing service and so far this season I've got a lot business from him. Thank you Randy.

I will be there handing out flyer's and business cards. I will have a scoot that's been detailed there also to show the quality work we do. Hope it doesn't rain.

I got my Motorcycle Detailing Web Site going. It has my pricing, testimonials and photos of past detailing jobs we've done. I have some before and after photos I still have to upload to the site. I've been very busy setting up this site this week with the knowledge that I was going to be at Randy's open house this weekend. I finished just in time. Just like this Blog my Web Site is free so I have to do all the designing myself.

Check out the site just click on the Tab, "Biker Joe's Detailing" above. You can make an appointment to have your scoot cleaned there, just E-mail us at the address you see on the site.

See you all there today at Randy's Cycle, 11013 Route 47, Huntley IL.

Selfexplanatory

Meaning Of The Day: Detailing - In-depth cleaning, polishing, waxing and other maintenance to make a motorcycle look great.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Cost Of Gas Is Holding Me Back

The cost of gas is holding me back from riding more this year. My last fill up cost me $15.24. That was 3.54 Gals. at $4.29 Per Gal. My Dyna gets around 41 MPG. but I still have to pick and choose when and where I ride. The reason for this cut back you ask. I still have to fill up my main ride. The cost of filling up my 1998 Ford Explore is about $61.00 each time I fill up.

I'm kind of lucky because I don't have to drive the SUV everyday like I did last year. I worked at the local Harley dealer last year but I was not called back this year because sales are slow.

I wanted to attend more open houses and rides this year so I could Post my views and photos but this fuel crisis is putting a big stop to it. I have to use the Explore to drive to these functions because I have camera equipment and my Biker Joe get up to transport around. My bike could not carry all of it.

How are all my biker buds handling this gas thing? Is it stopping you from riding as much as you would? Is it going to stop that trip to Sturgis or Harley's 105th celebration? Post your comments here. We like to hear from you.

I'm having a problem getting my Projects page going. With the time it is taking to get my eBay store to run in the black (making a profit) and detailing bikes I have no time to set up step by step photos and captions on projects that can help you bikers with your repairs or tricks of the trade on making those repairs or custom changes.

So, I'm looking for guest Posters. Those of you who repair bikes for a living or as a hobby. If you have engines mods or custom repairs that you have photos and would like to share them with all of us please post in the comment section and I will get back to you with all the info. I need.

Another Bike Show Photo I Took

Meaning Of The Day: Baffle - Sound deadening material such as fiberglass wadding or metal disks that sits inside a muffler and quiets the exhaust note.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Need Help From My Biker Buds

Hello biker buds. You all know from my past Posts and About Me section of my Blog I'm retired. I do some bike repair and detailing for friends and people I know. Because of the hard financial times the nation as a whole is in I'm going to start offering these services to every one in my area for profit in order to supplement my monthly pension.

I started this Blog for fun but now I hope it can help me generate some revenue by all of you visiting my eBay store and maybe purchase something.

Don't get me wrong I'm not by any means a hardship case but it is getting hard to make that monthly payment on my scoot.

Someone reading this and not being a biker would say, just sell that bike and your problems would be over. Well, as all us bikers know taking our bike away would be like taking a leg, arm or a lung from us. Riding a motorcycle is so good for what's ailing you. Knowing that any time you feel like shaking out the cobwebs you can go into the garage jump on the scoot and go ride free in the wind, solo with a friend or a group. I would sure hate to loose that.

Any help from my fellow bikers would really be appreciated.

My eBay store is open for business. I have Dyna parts for sale and adding more every day. They are dealers take offs. Take offs mean that they came on a new bike and then taken off to be replaced by a custom part. The parts were never used and still considered new. These parts can be bought for 25 to 30% less then dealer cost.

If you have a Dyna that's been in an accident and need to find replacement parts, click on the eBay tab above and check these parts out.

I'm also clearing out my basement of other items. I'm selling old Lionel train items and vintage magazines and books until all sold. Then my store will sell more motorcycle parts and other fine merchandise. Please visit my store often you never know you might see something you want to purchase.

Fill Her Up

Meaning Of The Day: Bronson rock - Anything that is NOT a bonified tool that you use to fix a bike -- I.E., in one show of Then Came Bronson he used a rock to straighten out his crumpled fender after going over the highside so as he could rideon.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Motorcycle Festival Was Canceled

A motorcycle festival was canceled in Grayskake Illinois Sunday because Mayer Timothy Perry said State Police and a regional gang task force got word Friday that members of the rival Outlaws and Hell's Lovers were going to have a showdown at the gathering.

Late Friday Perry decided to pull the permit after his police chief Larry Herzig told him public safety could not be guaranteed without adding 20 more officers to the fairgrounds.

That explanation didn't sit well with Ironhorse organizer Mark Khayat. He said "It almost looks like profiling to me" I can't imagine why this would happen.
It is said that at least 35,000 people were to show up to this festival. The bikers that did show up from all areas of the US did not know the gathering was called off until they pulled into the fairgrounds.

At the time of this writing Biker Joe has not heard a word that the disappointed bikers started a riot or looted stores and businesses. They just took it on the cheek, hit the open road determined to make the best of it.

Biker Joe has only one thing to say, "Mr. Perry, get a life".

Rocker C

Meaning Of The Day: Biker Friendly - A town or business establishment that doesn't treat you like you have the plague when you arrive wearin' leather

Now You Know, Biker Joe

The High Price Of Fuel

The high price of fuel is keeping me from riding in Harley rides and visiting dealer open house events. I can't afford to travel to all these fun events with gas costing $3.90 a gallon here in Illinois. I'm going to try my best though.

The main reason for starting this Blog was to share my (Biker Joe's) experiences with all of you bikers out there. And you bikers can share some of your experiences by using the Comment section on this Blog. Don't be bashful, you can write something funny, sad, about a trip you took or a group trip. You can even comment about Biker Joe or what you would like to see here on the blog.

In my last post Biker Joe visited Bike Week thanks to the wonders of Photo Shop. This is the kind of humor all of you should expect in future Posts. High gas prices will not stop Biker Joe from his main objective in life, ride hard and party even harder.

I'm checking to see how you guys and or gals can post photos here on the Blog so we all can visually experience your riding fun.

Pushups Anyone?

Meaning Of The Day Blacklist - Insurance companies list of motorcycle models that they do not want to insure because of performance, likelihood of them being stolen or are too expensive to replace.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

More Fun At Bike Week

Still working on my eBay store. So I'm just going to drop some photos into my post today.

You never know where Biker Joe will show up next.

Bike Week

Fun fun fun at Bike Week.

It's a hard job but some one has to do it.

Meaning Of The Day: Jugs - Cylinders (Couldn't help using this meaning again)

Now You Know, Biker Joe

eBay Store Up And Running

What a job this was. It took two weeks to get my eBay store set up and running. I'm going to sell bike parts but for now I'm going to sell bike parts and miscellaneous items. I have so much stuff in the basement I kept since I was a kid. Last Thursday was the first day open for business. I sold a Wilson A2000 baseball glove I had since the 70's. It was new and I never used it. I thought one of my boy's would use it. I stored it in an old laundry bag tied up with a ball in the pocket . I took it out very once in a while, oiled it and put it back in the closet. This glove sold for $275.00. I knew someone that worked at Wilson. I think I paid $35 or $40 for it.

So now I'm listing more stuff like an old Lionel train set from the 1940's. I have all sorts of magazines. Corvette, Karate, Body Building from the 1970's, 80's and the 90's. So we will see, I hope they all sell just as fast.

Visit My eBay Store: Bikerjoescycleparts

Todays Photo

Meaning Of The Day:Bitch Bar - A sissy bar.

Now You Know: Biker Joe

Will Be Gone For Awhile

I've been gone for awhile because I'm working on my E-store. Hopefully I will be done this week.
Please Keep checking back. Talk to all of you soon.

Super Cycle Show Photo

Meaning Of The Day: Biker - Simply put, a motorcycle operator. True bikers have a passion for the art of motorcycling, and easily get all wrapped up in this passion during even a simple 1/2 mile commute, but they rarely allow their motorcycle to sit for more than a week without taking it somewhere. Anywhere. Just for the simple excuse of a joy ride will do.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Another Snow Storm Coming

Well just when you thought it was safe to take the old scoot out another snow Strom coming. They say we will get 6 to 9"s of snow today. Last week at this time it was in the high fifties.

I detail bikes and I did my first of the season this week. My customer is not happy he wanted to ride this weekend.

I had a prepaid service contract for my bike that's been no good since February 15. I talked to the service guy at my Harley dealer and he said he would do one more service on my bike because the weather kept me from bringing it in before the dead line. Nice people at Woodstock Harley.

Spring Snow

Meaning Of The Day: Black Ice - Ice that cannot be seen on the road surface as it takes upon the color of the road. Usually found in cold spots on the road like under a bridge. Very dangerous hazard to a motorcyclists.

Now You Know, Biker Joe

Super Cycle Show

I spent my Saturday at the Super Cycle Show at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center Chicago, IL. I'm going to visit as many cycle shows and dealer open houses as I can this season. This is my second one this season.

This show is a new and used motorcycle parts Flea Market with some custom motorcycles sprinkled in. This was my first time and I did not know what to expect from this show. If you are looking for that hard to find part for your bike this would be the place to find it.

The thing I was surprised about was that most of the used parts looked like they were sitting somewhere with high humidity. Everything was rusted and dirty. I saw some chrome exhaust pipes lying on the concrete floor with no protection to stop them from being scratched. They were heavily soiled so you could not see if they were damaged.

I'm one of those people, if you want to get the most cash for an item sold the item should look as close to new as they can. I know these sellers could have received more for these parts if they cleaned them up before they put them out for sale.

I saw some new parts for sale that were interesting. If I had some extra cash I would have picked some up. The prices were reasonable and you saved a lot of money by not having to pay the shipping costs if you purchased them on the net.

I did purchase something. I detail bikes on the side and it is a pain in the back cleaning those hard to get places, like under the bike and wheels.

A company, J&S Motorcycle Jacks was selling a lift that lets you jack the bike off the kick stand without ever touching the bike. It was really scary watching the bike being lifted off the ground with out holding the bike. At it's highest lift point 18", the bike was very stable. It was also cool to see the bike come down to the ground and rest so gently onto it's kick stand.

I was sold on this new jack and forked over my $300+ bucks and couldn't wait to get home and try it out. To make a long story short. I got home and took my new lift out of my SUV and rolled it under my bike and sure enough it worked as advertised. It was a little scary at first because the bike looked like it was leaning over to far on the kick stand but then it rolls over to the right and stands up straight.

If this helps me clean and detail bikes faster I'm going to purchase a few more. I will be able to work on two bikes at the same time.

Super Cycle Show Slideshow

Today's Photo

Meaning Of The Day: Bearing - Load supporting part designed to accept the wear and punishment of moving parts while protecting more valuable parts. Three type of bearings are roller ball, tapered and metal collar cap type.

Now You Know, Biker Joe