Found My Replacement Motorcycle Chaps

We took a run up to Masonville yesterday... to Visit Nostalgic West Leather ...

Mostly, I wanted to scout for a jacket and maybe chaps for Heidi... and maybe see if they carried any leather Over pants... been thinkin' 'bout goin' that-a-way...

I needed to replace my chaps that I ruined a while back from carelessly forgetting them, rolled up in a saddle bag... wet... for a few days... OOPS! ... Don't do that! :o)

Ended up finding far more than I'd expected... and deciding to stay with Motorcycle Chaps... which I bought a set built by First Classics. That company happens to be the same one that built the Jacket which I've been wearing for most of a year now... So I'm familiar and happy with their quality.

Heidi's got her eye on some Motorcycle Chaps of her own... trying to decide between two jackets... and also spotted some likely boots...

It's a good store! :o) if you're bikin' in the Vicinity of Masonville... (just west of Fort Collins, behind Horsetooth reservoir)... stop in and give 'em a look see... good people... and from what I saw... they pretty much only carry good quality... not the "Event Leather" junk... you see at most "Events"...

She did buy a pair of gloves yesterday... but decided to hang fire for a short bit on the other gear... She's taking a Motorcycle Riders Course next weekend... and thinks she wants to wait till after that, to make the decision which gear she wants to wear... Makes sense to me... considering the $cash$ outlay for all of it... and how long that leather Motorcycle Gear lasts!

I have my own opinions... mostly having to do with ATGATT ( all the gear all the time) which I mention here and there :o) but, mostly, I leave the Gear Decision... up to her... though... I push most the folks I know... to use the protective motorcycle gear that's available... to me it only makes sense...

Doing without gear when you ride... so you look "Good"... seems kinda foolish to me... if it has you leaving parts of you... on the asphalt!

That's what it's all about anyway... Riders making their own decisions... walking the talk.

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Motorcycle Prejudice

Harrrrumph! Another tirade 'bout Motorcycle Prejudice...

I just heard 'bout a "Challenge Ride" that's supposed to be run starting in late June and running into July... To be run, 7,000 miles, from Key West, Florida... to Homer, Alaska... Freaking Awesome...

I've been struggling for as long as I can remember, to ride the Alcan SOLO. It was a dream I had a long damn time ago... that kept me goin' the final months of my first hitch in the Army... To come home, buy a new bike, Ride the Alcan... and get my Head Right...

I've let myself get "Ambushed" by life and nonsense, and allowed the Dream to get obstructed, for way too long... and I've been working to make that Dream... a Reality... once and for all... This summer...

Then... I heard about this Ride... and got all cranked up... How awesome would that be? To show the world... I may be a stove up, bald headed, puss gut, Cowboy Biker, Disabled Vet... but I ain't Dead!

So... I went to the website for the Hoka Hey ride... intending to push the envelope... bite off one hell of a "Challenge", and likely sign up!... only to find this;  "in order to keep everyone on an even playing field, the Challenge is limited to Harley-Davidson™, V-Twin, air-cooled motorcycles."

"Even Playing Field"... What the Hell in Life is "even" or Fair? ... I wouldn't be a limpin', gimpy, VET... if life was fair... or even close to an "Even Playing Field."

It bothers me some lil' bit... when Harley Riders talk so much 'bout Freedom, Liberty, Individuality... and then... with a challenge like this basically say; "You're Free to Ride... Exactly what we tell you to ride... leave your Freedom of Choice at Home!"

Are they afraid of the Reliability and Durability of my Star Raider? are they upset 'cause it ain't American Made? ... Uh... ya'll might want to look at where a huge amount of the pieces of that "American Made" Harley are actually produced... and the VAST majority of the after market accessories...

... not to mention that a whole lot of Americans... make their living... With Yamaha and Star... 

This Ol' Vet was up to the Challenge, against all comers... too bad so many others... claim to be... but then... choose to decide that they are the Ultimate Arbiters of what is "Right and Proper" for ever'body else.

Jeeeesus have mercy! ... Walk the Talk... or stop talkin'!

Harleys are Fine Machines... I almost bought one... almost... but I flat fell in love with my red headed Star!

I admire the way Harley Davidson supports Veterans and American Traditions... but ... excluding a Free Man from a ride... 'cause he rides the "Wrong" bike... seems to me to violate those very same Traditions... I'm just sayin'...

I would have liked to have participated in such an event... Guess I'll just have to do it alone... without all the hoopla... and that's OK... Who wants a grumpy Ol' Sermonizin' Cowboy Biker B$@#&@D gimpin' around anyhoo?

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Another 'Angle'... On Motorcycle Philosophy

And this is one of the few times... You'll ever witness me... tear into a genuine, unadulterated, double rectified... Rant... on a blog!

...Walked in to a Motorcycle Dealership the other day... lookin' to buy parts to customize/modify my Motorcycle of Choice... to tailor that sweetheart of a ride... to my own, personal vision of a Cruiser Motorcycle...

Ran into a big headed... by God he knows it all... Rectum with legs...

This bozo... wannabe... had the gall to tell me; "You bought the wrong bike!"

Uh... how does that work? Just how in the hell... does that fool have any sort of an idea... WHAT kind of a bike... is the RIGHT machine for me?

You know what? I don't like trikes... I don't like sport bikes... Sidecars... don't personally appeal to me... but the thing is... that's just ME... What I like... or don't like... don't make a sliver of a difference, as to what is needed... or wanted by somebody else... Anybody else! My likes haven't got any meaning for them... so... for me to Judge their ride... is asinine.

'bout the only legitimate 'judgment' would be to ask; "Does that Motorcycle... Hang a grin on your face? Does it give you that sense of Freedom... and Joy... sitting on it... with your knees in the wind?"

That is ALL that counts.

That kind, of pompous, arrogant, his-stuff-don't-stink know-it-all... makes my liver quiver and gives me the screamin' trots... along with an almost irresistible urge to engage in "Redneck Plastic Surgery"...

...aaaarrrrrrghhh!

Have you ever noticed... how many... so called 'Bikers'... are the same Ol' prejudiced fools that populate so many 'cages' rollin' around? Their bikes haven't made a dent in Their stupidity...

They sit on a Motorcycle... and spout all sorts of flowery rubbish 'bout The Freedom of the Road... and the Glorious Purity of their Individuality... and the Liberty they Enjoy... on a Motorcycle... and then... in the same breath... talk 'bout how your a G$%  D&%% Fool... unless you ride exactly the bike they tell you to ride... and wear exactly the gear they tell you is required?... and only THEIR way is any sort of a 'Way'?

Well... I'm just sayin'... when it comes to a Motorcycle Philosophy... Theirs is nuthin' but hypocritical bull Feces!

Here's the deal... in my Not so humble opinion... Either, you live by the "Do unto others" rule... or you don't... You either LIVE by the; "What and how you ride is your own, personal... sometimes, spiritual decision... to be left alone by everybody else"... or you don't...

So... if ya'll are gonna spout off about the Freedom of the Road and such things... either keep your comments to; "My personal preference is..." ... or shut your damn pie hole...

'cause Darlin'?... Nobody... not one swingin' twisty straightening rider... gives a damn for your arrogant, pompous, empty headed, know nothing, less than useless babbling...

So... That's what I've got to say 'bout that... and... Whew!... I feel better now!

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Sunny Sunday Test Ride on the Bitchn Stitchn Motorcycle Seat...

The weather finally broke a bit. The wind is down, the rain is gone... and we're gonna peel that Motorcycle Cover and put That Red Head on the Road for a test of our new passenger pillion and Star Back Rest system...

I got it put on yesterday... but the road was still muddy... and I'm still "Wussin' Out", when it comes to puttin' her in the mud! :o) ... this was the old seat... the before pic...

... and this is the "New" Bitchn Stitchn seat... with the Yamaha/Star Back Rest in place...

It's a couple inches wider... an inch or so higher... and has a gel insert... The back "Seat" area is fake ostrich, with  stitching embellishing the 1/2 circle insert on the front edge (my pic needs improvement!) ... and they recovered the front panel of the Backrest pad in the Ostrich as well...

I'll get the drivers seat done... as soon as I get the Handlebar 'Pullback' sorted out... so they know where I'll be sitting... but, so far, so good!

Heidi has to be there to open her store at Noon... so I'm gonna haul her in on the Raider... While she's working... I'll do my own "Work"... and ride that Bike! :o) ... well, it works for me!

I'm hoping for some 'progress' this coming week... though it's likely to be expensive... I've got a tail rack ordered that fits the Yamaha Backrest... We also need to pick herself up a new helmet... the one we've got don't fit well.

I'm also, almost, settled on a set of bags out of Texas... anybody have anything to say 'bout a company called Leatherlyke? Their stuff is claimed to be weather tight and lockable... I'd been looking at full grain leather... but... the function of the synthetic stuff is so good... and a whole lot less maintenance needed... so... I'm leanin' that way... anyone have an opinion?... come on... speak up! :o)

A couple of other pieces I want to add to my gear is a full set of Bohn Armor ... and also, to replace my ruined chaps... a set of Leather Overpants...

I'm planning ... uh ... a long ride... and the more complete coverage of full Overpants... more complete than my old chaps... is a plus to me, if it gets a lil' chilly...

... and I'm still trying to find someone who knows where I can find a set of "Pull back extensions"... I saw 'em the other night surfin' around... and forgot to bookmark the site. Can I find it again? Not a chance! aaaaarggggh! :o) These were pretty slick... They fit into the existing handlebar risers... Baron Custom Accessories Makes 'em, I believe... but rather than just adding rise... the top of these were offset... adding 1 1/2" or so of pullback... with only an inch or so of rise... which is perfect for what I need... just can't find the suckers again!

Time for some more Trader Joes, Dark Sumatra Coffee... a lil' more Bob Seeger... and then it's Knees in the Wind!

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Motorcycles and Rain...

Now... some folks of the Two Wheeler variety, just hate the rain... they hate every bit and part of it...

Me?... my buddy Mike can attest to it... I can't say but that I love it!

We pull in to some place, and the rain is just thumpin' the ground... bits are dribblin' down your neck... Nasty... right?

I ride in to the stop at a 'coffee break', or a fuel stop, the rain just pouring... and pull off my helmet... gigglin' like a psychotic fool! It's true!... cagers, climbin' out of their cars, just walk into the 'quick mart'... shakin' their heads and wonderin'... at the goofy Old biker... laughin' in the rain! :o)

Why?... For just one reason... It's LIVIN'! Hoo! Ya! 

It's true... just ask Mike!

Now... that said... today I'm just a lil' frustrated... been rain' most of three days... and our rig (we live full-time in a 30' Fiver) is parked at a friends place... 'bout nigh on to three miles from the pavement...

Normally, you'd call that a dirt road... not now... It's a sea of gumbo mud twixt here and there... Even if I could keep my Raider vertical to get there... I don't know that I can bring myself to put her through that slimy muck! :o)

Rain I don't mind... and bein' a cowboy fella... well grounded on agriculture... it's one of those 'blessings' that eases your mind, when it falls... sort of a "There'll be grass for the cows this season" sort of thing... but... mud...

Nasty, slimy, clinging, corrupting, obstructing, crippling, mud... has no place in my world! :o)

I picked up our custom passenger pillion and 'recovered' backrest pad from Bitchn Stitchn yesterday afternoon... We're anxious to put 'em on the Bike... and take a test ride up through the canyons... but not through a sea of that ugly, butt breakin', tank dentin', face mask crusting MUD! :o)

So... till this weather breaks... That Red Raider will stand, protected and waiting, under her motorcycle cover...

That'll give me some time to find a few more parts... One I'm having some unexpected difficulty with is locating some "Pullback Riser Extensions"... They bolt on the top of the factory risers... and are offset a mite, giving another 1 1/2" or so of pullback... I've found some Baron units that are only,  riser extensions... no pull back... I know I've seen what I'm lookin' for... but now that I Want 'em I can't find 'em! aaaaargggggh!

I need to do that part... before I can have Dan and Brian, the Bitchn Stitchn craftsmen/arteests, rebuild the drivers seat... that way, he can adjust the location of my butt... to fit the best... so I'll keep lookin'...

One other 'issue' I think I've figured out is... saddle bags...

The Raider has an issue 'cause of the configuration of it's pipes... I think I'm one of maybe two fellas that actually like the factory pipes!... and I've never found that other biker!

Then... that lil' problem is compounded by the design of the Yamaha Factory Back rest for the Raider... It's a pretty awsome lookin' unit for the most part... juuuuuust one lil' problem...

It's a solid but quick release thing with a key that unlocks the latching mechanism, that lock on to 'spools' mounted on the fender strut bolts. Those 'spools' and the mechanism, are covered by a chrome piece that hangs down and makes a cosmetic shroud for the whole shebang... and, by itself... looks real fine...

How-some-ever... it is also in the way of any sort of 'ghost' or 'easy' brackets....

This is where my stubborn parts come to good use... I was schemin' a clean way of mounting, traditional saddlebags without using 'thow over' bags... which I detest...

...and hit on what I think is a winner of a solution... It will require a small bit of fabrication... and some 'rechroming' work... but will be a solid, permanent, durable and very clean saddle bag mounting solution for my Raider...

The guy that had this bike before me... used a pair of nasty 'throw overs'... which I left where I bought the bike... yyyyyuck!

... but the support bars were still on the bike... I took 'em off and hadn't intended on usin' e'm... but still have 'em!

... So... I'll take 'em... weld four coupler nuts in the right spot on each bar... get 'em rechromed... and with slightly extended fender strut bolts, remount 'em on the outside of the Yamaha Raider Backrest spools...

The "Coupler Nuts" will extend a sliver past the chrome shroud... and allow the clean mounting of Traditional Hard Leather Bags!...If I'm right...that chrome shroud will mostly fill the space between the fender and the bags... How's that for clean?! :o)

...now all I need to do is that welding work... and find the proper bags that will fit, for sure and for certain! ... and they need to fit not only the space... but the look and lines of this awesome Raider Motorcycle! :o)

So... I need it to quit raining!

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Touring Motorcycles or Trailer Queens?

I'm kind of in the middle on this... and stuck between a rock and a hard place... and... it is, in a way, about Motorcycle Philosophy, ain't it?

My Bikes are not Trailer Queens... but... they, of necessity, get hauled a lot... We live now, in a Fifth Wheel Trailer... I just can't master the skill of driving the truck and riding the Motorcycle... at the same time! :o)

When we move camp... I've got to load the Bike... and in the past it has always been "The Motorcycle"... now... with the addition of my Raider... It's become "The Bikes!"

Now... most times... nobody would accuse my rides of bein' trailer Queens... they ain't that clean! :o) ... and that's my only problem with chrome... If you see a bike with shiny chrome... you're likely lookin' at a bike that gets polished more than it gets rode. It looks fine... but Lordy... it's waaaaaay to much work for a lazy Ol' geezer like me. :o)

Right now, I'm stewin' on a problem... That bein' loading two motorcycles on a truck and fifth wheel RV rig.

The motorcycle carrier on my fifth wheel I designed and had built, works fine, and will continue to carry the V Star... but the Raider can't be carried back there... and stock hitch position is too tight to just roll it up, cross ways, behind the cab.

Plus, the truck sits so tall, an extended length ramp is required so that low ride Raider can clear the breakover, when it is loaded.

What I'm working on is:
1. Moving my Gooseneck Trailer hitch to a position behind the truck axle, rather than the stock position in front. This will give me sufficient room for the Raider to mount with a Wheel Dock Chock, behind the cab. I'll have to take a lil' care in tight, jack-knife situations (which are actually rare) but it should work ok.

The Dodge Diesel is heavy enough in the front end that weight distribution isn't a problem.

2. A ramp... that is long enough, yet folds up for storage, and light enough for a lazy Ol' geezer to move around...

3. Another small winch, like I've got on the carrier built on the trailer, for loading the bike easy.

... or maybe... I should just can the whole dang outfit... and live with just the Bikes and a tent! :o)

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Passenger Pillion Under Construction at Bitchn Stitchn

The guys at Bitchn Stitchn know their craft... I was impressed. With their help, my start at reworking my new Raider, to be my newest, "Best Touring Motorcycle" is gonna have a Shining beginning!

Heidi has let me know, that although the drivers seat of a Raider is suitably comfortable, the passenger pillion leaves something to be desired. Just like most bikes of it's kind... they just don't put much effort into a passenger seat... After maybe 30 miles or so, that lil' pad gets to holding your attention... and pokin' your butt... or so I'm told! :o) ... so...

I rode into Bitchn Stitchn, just before 9 in the morning so Dan and Brian could set to work strippin' that less than sit worthy, factory pillion.

Brian did most of the skinning, while Dan and I sorted out what it was I was looking to achieve...

They had much of the 'new' base foam put into place by the time Heidi arrived to start the 'fitting' process... and right about then is when oops #2 really took hold...

Bitchin' Stitchin' has their own Backrest system... only... it really wouldn't work, but poorly, with the Raiders seat pan... I'd figured to use their Backrest... and we really needed the rest to know where the seat had to... or could, go... so, a quick phonecall and a Yamaha Backrest, designed just for the Raider was located, in stock, at Coyote Motorsports, up the road a ways...

That was a few hundred bucks I'd not planned on... but... I wanted this done right so I coughed it up!

Uh... oops #2? What was number #1?... Uh... the night before, I flushed the dust off the bike at a car wash... but... they can't work on a seat all full of water! ... so... OOPS! :o) luckily... it wasn't saturated... just had a bit of water that had got into one corner of the foam, that Brian was able to blow dry out in short order... so... if you're heading to get a seat worked on... Keep it Dry! :o)

Took a bit over an hour to collect the Yamaha Backrest, grab some chow at Mickey D's... and run on back to the motorcycle seat shop...  to get it bolted in place...

... and guess what?

The new foam fit like it was designed for that Yamaha Raider Backrest... Their experience was showing! Suh-Wheet! :o)

Dan, Heidi and I spent another bit of time, while Brian was cutting in the gel pad, and installing the final wrap of foam... hashing out how and what the cover would look like... and actually decided to redo part of the Backrest Pad too... so it ties right in to the rest of the bike...

... 'course the total plan includes recovering the drivers seat as well... but I can't do that until I replace the factory handlebars...

When I sit, all the way back in the seat, and sit how I want to sit... the factory grips are too far forward... forcing me to lean, a bit too much... the cure, for me, is to find a proper set of Pull Back bars... to position my hands where I want 'em... Letting me sit in the easy posture I want...

The factory bars are more of a drag bar type I guess... I'm lookin' at a variety of bagger, beach or dresser style bars... just have to make a decision which ones seem to fit the best.

Keep watching... there will be a full article on the site... with more pictures... as soon as I get it all put together...

Then? On to the Saddlebags! :o) This is gonna take some careful calculating as well... I'm apparently one of the few who actually like... and prefer the stock pipes on my Raider. The only problem I'm having is that those pipes run pretty high, taking up space where bags need to sit. Sooooo... I'm going to have to get a mite creative and squeeze bags of proper shape and function... into the space I have...

It's a sweet ride, setting up a bike to fit just you...

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Motorcycle Passenger Seat for My Raider

I'll Ride to Denver tonight, soon a I get off the day job. We're scheduled in at Bitchin' Stitchin' tomorrow morning at 9.

The plan is to rebuild the passenger pillion on the Raider into more of a passenger touring seat... add some width, a backrest, and gel cushion.. The existing just won't get it done... a typical brick on a fender... 

The guys at Bitchin' Stitchin' have built a good reputation... I've talked to several folks that have used 'em... so we're hopeful for a good looking and good riding passenger seat...

... Then... it's on to getting saddlebags and a fender rack worked out...

I'm looking hard at a company...called Osprey Limited for some more traditional looking, full grain leather bags... just haven't made the final decision yet on which style and just how much... if any... studs or conchos I'm gonna want on 'em...

Fender Racks are probing a bit more elusive... I've only found a couple laser cut versions that don't do anything for me... I may just look into shaping something up myself and then getting it either chromed or powder coated... we'll see...

What I want is to be able to swap between the passenger seat and a solo fender rack with out a whole lot of hassle... should be a doable deal with Yamaha's easy setup... just one key and two cap screws... should be able to swap out in 'bout a minute!

Let you know tomorrow... or the next day... how the seat turned out!

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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I Used to Just Hear Voices... Now I've got Bells Ringing!

OK... I've got to blame a good bit on the Army... and the copper mines... and a few other things... but the wind roar in my helmet don't help any...

The past few months I've had a ringing in my head called 'Tinnitis' come along... likely from too many days in the army, copper mines, shooting... and splitting the wind... without ear protection...

Like ever'body else... I didn't want to be seen as some sissy boy, afraid of a lil' noise. So now... I've got this unending whistle goin' on...

Now that the horse has escaped the barn... I've locked the door... and gone to wearing ear plugs when I ride... juuuuuust a lil' too little, and a lil' too late! :o)

My Yamaha Raider is still equipped with the factory pipes... so it ain't real loud... but, though I invested in a 'better' helmet with my Nolan Modular N103... the wind noise in it is pretty significant... as it has been in pretty much every helmet I've had...

Think about it... if you don't already have a good bit of hearing loss... or the ringin' to accompany the voices in your head... stuff some earplugs in there and protect your equipment!

... and if you're already like me? and already have to say; "Huh?" a lot... 'cause you have trouble hearing over the church bells, clangin' in your head? Do it anyway... Ride your motorcycle, with Hearing Protection... and maybe keep it from gettin' worse!

Then...

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Want to Know How to Ride a Motorcycle... and Live... With Joy?

Take a lesson from Ara and Spirit...

Here's a pair that have known some great sorrow... and found a way... together on a Motorcycle... to find a great joy in just Living...

Take a watch and tell me you can't see it... I dare you! :o)



So? Am I right? Are these two Motorcycle Travelers Not some of the finest Teachers you ever saw?

If I'm lucky... I'll find a chunk of their Shiny way of goin'...

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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Yamaha Raider Fuel Economy - Is Still Better Than I expected

Been Riding that Raider for a few weeks now... thousand or so miles on it... At least what I put on! ;o) ...

I'd been expecting my fuel consumption, from everything I'd read and heard 'bout the cruiser, to be down in the mid to high 30's... the first tank calculated out at 47 mpg... and they are all just staying right up there.

So far, the fuel consumption has only gone below 40 once. That was on a two up ride, against a good headwind, up to Cheyenne for late breakfast/early lunch that worked out to a bit over 37 mpg... My last fueling was 44 mpg... and I cheated a bit on stuffing fuel in :-) trying to keep it honest... so the actual was a mite higher.

Now, don't think I'm puttin' 'round at 35 miles an hour neither, working to squeeze out some miles. I'm fairly certain that's almost impossible on any Raider... I just don't know anyone that has that much self control! :o) ... and yesterday...  I was a baaaaad cowboy...

Rolled out of the south side of a lil' town south of here, on my way to my 'day' job... twisted the throttle back up to the 65 mph road speed between towns... and then couldn't quit twisting... Uh... I was juuuuuuust a lil illegal when I untwisted that throttle! as in "XXX" ... you count the digits! :o)

Bad or not... I had a big Ol' grin on my ugly mug... I love this Motorcycle!

The point is... I'm riding this sweetheart of a Raider Motorcycle... and her performance is suh-wheet! I'm not gonna complain 'bout anything... unless it's having to actually turn in to the parking lot when I get to that dang day job... rather than... just rollin' me away!

I read on Motorcycle Philosophy the other day an opinion 'bout Motorcycles and Religion... I'd have to agree with him... on most of it... though I can say I am a 'believer' that the Boss exists... I also have to say that, that right there, is a real, personal choice...

And, I've never thought of a Motorcycle as a Shinto Shrine... kind of a sweet concept! gonna have to give that a lil' cogitatin' the next time we're splittin' the wind.

The thing is... it's awful nice to be able to "Ride to Church"... and do it for as little gas as that asphalt munchin', sweet machine drinks!

So...

Grab Your Handles and Ride!
Brian

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