freethefly

Yup, gotta love them all. Had a 1980 Sportster Roadster for awhile back in 81-82. Then built the rigid Norton, 83 to present. Put together a 75 Shovel FLH, 86-89. Bought my first Fatboy new in early 91. Had to sell her in 2003. I guess the Twin 88 had to be the next step. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I really didn't care for them, myself until I started working on them. I was originally looking to pick up a Shovel basketcase or another 1340. I'm a changed man these days "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

The same with 120-150 mph speedometers. They wouldn't put triple digits on the speedo if they didn't want you to go that fast! But, blinkers? Who the hell has time to use the blinker at 150mph? "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Miss ya too I don't get online much these days. Busy with school and now that I have anothe bike... "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I've been looking to buy another Harley since selling my 91 Fatboy back in 2003. She's the one that I got a 142mph ticket on. I built her with 1.940 intakes, porting and polishing, SS super E, Crane 306 B grind, adjustable pushrods,a Dyna S ignition/Accell coils. I also swapped in taller 1st and 2nd gears and a suicide shift. Matted the motor and tranny with a 3" BDL belt drive. I also put a kicker on her just because I like the way they look Anyway, I'm getting off track... I saw this bike 3 weeks ago online at Premier Auto and Cycle sales in Carthage, MO.. I knew at first sight that she was mine. I looked at many FLSTFs, but this one had to be the one. So, now here I am, 4 Harleys in 30 years. The last 3 I sold for one reason or another. This is my last H-D I'll buy. Unless, I come across a Knuck for the right price I wasn't able to get the tags on her in time today as I was busy doing a top end on a Twin 88 at the H-D Tech center (just finished the first semester. 4.0 average) but, tomorrow... I ride

This song was written by 360 Smile front man, Josh Herr, my niece's husband. He originally wrote it for a friend of his who was deployed to Iraq. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93p0eeOEYO0&feature=related Another excellent song from Josh, Deathnote; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4zSKm2JVY&feature=related Might as well add Rockstar to the mix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjeFHwF4VUw&feature=related 360 Smile is a St.Louis band "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Perfect fit!, and green, too "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Thank you very much

Would you call this bullshit? http://www.moneymorning.com/2009/01/17/bank-of-america-gets-138-billion-bailout-as-merrill-takeover-backfires/ People should take their money out of these crappy banks and take them to the smaller "home town" banks. Let the huge banks fail. Their officers should be held 100% accountable and made to pay back every dime they lost due to their inability to manage the money that was intrusted to them. Why should they pass the cost of a phone call, that did not cost 50 cents to begin with, on to the people who invested money in the bank? That is gouging in its pure form. Bank of America was the worst bank that I have ever used. Their fees were outrageous. In 2001, I got fed up with being charged for every thing that other banks did not charge for. The people at BofA were rude and ignorant. I went to withdraw more than $3000.00 and wanted it all in cash. It took near all day to get it. They balked at giving me my money in cash and said they would mail me a bank check in 10 to 14 business days. Bullshit! It was my money and I wanted it right then and now. Not two weeks later. One of the many reasons they gave was that I should had gave them prior notice that I intended to close my account. Bullshit! I do not need to give anyone prior notice of my intention to close an account. The longer they took, the louder I got. They asked me to leave. I refused. They threaten to call the police. I said, "go ahead and call, I want my money". In the end, I got my money. I now use a small bank where the service is personal. Everyone knows each others name. They wave and talk to you when you come in. They even sent out a gift cerificate to all of their customers for a free family portrait last month. Nice folks. Side note; The president of the bank, his son was the "skydiver" in the budweiser commercial that aired a year ago or so. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Nick... ya sick bastard I've seen some high hangers, but... those are freaking crazy. I ran the apes on my 91 FLSTF and did put them on the Norton just to see how they looked, but settled on the drag bars. Nothing says FAST like drag bars That and a stroked Norton engine. I am looking to put together a stroked Shovel while here at the H-D tech center. Got my eye on a Paughco softail frame. The frame list for under $900.00 and the swingarm for under $300.00. I believe I can do the entire build for under $6000.00, having access to any parts I may need (I have bro's who have garages full of Fatbob tanks, fenders, oil tanks, triple trees, forks, disc brake set ups and so forth). The big cost will be mostly in the frame, engine and tranny and even that will be minimal compared to if I were to buy an engine already assembled as I'll build it myself. Same with the transmission. A bare case and seperate componets will cost me a fraction compared to a pre-assembled tranny. As for primary drive, a chain will cost far less than a belt. Besides, a chain primary transfers power far more efficiently than a belt does (although those belts do look way cool. I do run a belt primary on the Norton). What are your plans for clutch and shift? Hope ya go for the suicide set up. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Looking good, no that's not right, she is looking fucking great, Nick. THE BIKER'S CREED I ride because it is fun. I ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, and the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding. I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so. I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a symbol of status. It exists simply for me, and me alone. My machine is not a toy. It is an extension of my being, and I will treat it accordingly, with the same respect as I have for myself. I strive to understand the inner-workings of my machine, from the most basic to the most complex. I will learn everything I can about my machine, so that I am reliant upon no one but myself for its health and well being. I strive to constantly better my skill of control over my machine. I will learn its limits, and use my skill to become one with my machine so that we may keep each other alive. I am the master, it is the servant. Working together in harmony, we will become an invincible team. I do not fear death. I will, however, do all possible to avoid death prematurely. Fear is the enemy, not death. Fear on the highway leads to death, therefore I will not let fear be my master. I will master it. My machines will outlive me. Therefore, they are my legacy. I will care for them for future bikers to cherish as I have cherished them, whoever they may be. I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do NOT ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them. For those that do not know me, all I wish from them is to ignore me. For those that desire to know me, I will share with them the truth of myself, so that they might understand me and not fear others like me. I will never be the aggressor on the highway. However, should others mess with me, their aggression will be dealt with in as severe manner as I can cast upon them. I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will learn from them all I can. However, if my respect is not acknowledged or appreciated, it will end. I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will teach them what I can. However, if they show me disrespect, they will be slapped. It will be my task to mentor new riders, that so desire, into the lifestyle of the biker, so that the breed shall continue. I shall instruct them, as I have been instructed by those before me. I shall preserve and honor traditions of bikers before me, and I will pass them on unaltered. I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession. I will judge them only on their conduct as bikers. I am proud of my accomplishments as a biker, though I will not flaunt them to others. If they ask, I will share them. I will stand ready to help any other biker that truly needs my help. I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself. I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker when, and where ever I go. I am proud to be a biker, and hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself, my machine, the lands in which I ride, and to seek out and know other bikers like myself. -Anonymous- "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

The rest of the photos from the set. I was a major Skynard fan. Never missed a show when they came to St.Louis. Went as far as getting Free Bird tattood on my arm and the phoenix from the Rossington Collins album Anytime. Anyplace, Anywhere tattood on my chest in 1980. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

An old girlfriend, way back in 74 or 75, her father worked for Ron Powell Productions in St.Louis. He gave me some promotion photos of Lynyrd Skynyrd when they played at the old Kiel concet hall. This is the photo of the whole band from the set he gave me. Powell is in the center. R.I.P. Billy Powell "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Happy Big Day, Steve! "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Kinda reminds me of my good bro Motor Adam. Late one night, in 1985, as 20 or so of us were getting ready to head out from Osbournes, (an old Harley shop, not a dealer just a hardcore biker garage, that was in St.Louis from the 40's to the mid 90's), all of us very much drunk fired up our bikes. Motor get on his Pan/Shovel, forgets to pass it through to the compression stroke on the number one, kicks it down. Half way through the kick, it fires. The result was the famous kick back. Motor, not being a very big guy, goes up along with the kicker and up and over the handle bars and out onto St.Charles Rock Rd and directly in front of oncoming traffic. Motor, always the class clown, jumps up and immediately announces that he planed that and starts to direct traffic while pulling a beer out from under his leather jacket. I still give him shit about that to this day. Motor and I go way back. The bike in the pic is the very same bike after we redid it in a 12 hour period. Sadly, many parts were stolen from it while he was locked up at Gumbo in St.Louis County for falling behind on child support. Happily, however, the fuck head who stole the parts got hit on the bike he put the part on. An 18 wheeler rolled right over the fucknut and drug his sorry ass to his death

Holy crap!!!!!! That was fucking funny Kinda reminds me of the time a friend of mine wanted to ride my FLSTF. Now, J.B. has been riding for years, but has never rode a bike with a suicide. I, also, had a kicker on her and told him if he could start it, I'd let him ride it. He tried to get it kick started for about 15 minutes and I was pretty sure that he wouldn't. Well, I was wrong. He did and down the rode he went in first. All was well until he tried to shift into second. His foot slipped off of the clutch pedal lurching the bike forward as he inadvertently twisted the throttle. He barely missed a parked car and stopped the bike just inched from going over a mailbox. His life flash before my eyes as I envisioned killing him if he had wrecked my baby. Lesson learned - never say "If you can start it, I'll let you ride it" "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Absolutely! There's a lot of great smaller bikes out there. Every manufacturer builds one. Just don't start out with 180HP straped between your legs... I love the new 250 Ninja!! Absolutely! Start out on what you feel most comfortable on. The 883 is a great starter bike. If you don't feel 100% comfortable on it, go smaller. Like Skyjumpenfool said, try a dirtbike. Work your way up. I myself started out on a minibike at age 5 and raced motocross in the 60's and 70's going from a Hodaka Super Rat and ending up on a CZ 380 before going street. Riding a motorcycle is very much like flying a canopy. Never go beyond your ability. New riders who jump on a big bike before they even have any skills are more likely to get killed on that bike than a new rider who starts out on a small bike and waits until he or she has the skills to handle a dresser. Always remember, like skydiving, you can do everything right and still die on a bike, but the skills you learn over time may save your life someday. Like a PLF, knowing how to lay a bike down can save you. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Look into H-D's riders edge program http://www.ridersedge.com/ They teach the course on a Buell Blast. The Blast is a one lung 500. Upon completion of the course, you'll recieve the MSF card stating that you have met the conditions set foth. The card will get you up to a 35% reduction on your insurance. So, now you are able to ride a motorcycle and you want a bike! Take a look at the XL 883. Buy it and ride it for one year. Build some skill and then step up to another size. The advantage is that you get to ride for free if you buy before March 31st. What you pay for the little Sporty, H-D will give apply that to a new bike, be it a Dyna, Softail, Touring or a V-Rod. Good luck. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

You're right about going the cheaper route. That $8000.00+ price tag is way out of bounds for my dollar. Hell, I can build a bike for under $5000.00 by hitting swap meets and doing the majority of the work myself. I laugh and laugh and laugh at the RUBs who fork over 30 to 40k for a West Coast Crapper style of bike only to trailer it to anywhere they go due to it not being a functioning street bike. The majority of the "custom bikes" we see these days do not follow the rule that form follows function. It seems to be that many of the mega-dollar bike builders have left functionality out of the design process as they focus soley upon form. A bike can look good, but if it is not functioning as a bike should, it is merely fluff and fluff will not get you down the road in a safe manner. How many bikes have we seen where the rider is barely able to hang on to the skyscraper apes or have to lean far over to one side or another in able to see around the fuel tank. A bike must have optimal handling abilities in order to be completely streetable. By looking at Nicks pics of his build, it appears that he has place function in the right catagory over form. Keep up the good work and avoid the fluff that will kill ya. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

What kind of dollar was the guy asking for on that Knuckle tranny? Not that it would be good for high performance in todays bikes, but great for a restoration bike. Man, I would love to put together a Knuckle street sceamer. Accurate Engineering offers up a Knuckle that is 101% bad- freaking- ass. Knuckles are, without doubt, the nicest looking engine ever designed. http://www.accurate-engineering.com/custom_engines/knuckle.htm "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Joe, it seems that the damage has already taken affect. If I were your attorney, I would advise you to invest in a home study course. If need be, I can hook you in with a reputable, although somewhat shady, aftermarket chemical supplier. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Yup, the good old Okiboat, Smoke-anawa (called that due to the high number fires that would break out), or my all time favorite, the Broke-anawa (damn thing left us dead on the water far too many times). I was a Hull Maintenance Technician (HT). This rate was a combination of Damage Control and Shipfitter. While doing my mess crank duty, when I first came aboard, I was cleaning the overhead next to the skullery on the port side when I came across an old newspaper from 1962. A yardbird must had stuck it up there when he finished reading it. It dates back to just before the ship was christened. Seems to me that a lot of squids were gundecking and not doing their duty. Sadly the Okiboat is now an artificial reef up off of the Washingto coastline May the Proud Lady of the Pacific rest in peace. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Broke into a funeral parlor to steal a body to send back to the ship. This happened July 4th 1983. The plan was hatched after eating some high power LSD and drinking large amounts of alcohol. I thought it would be extremely funny to get a body of someone about our age (I was 23yo at the time), pour alcohol on him and put him in a taxi. We were going to tell a cabbie that our good friend was drunk and to take him to the USS Okinawa at pier 4. With bic lighter in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other (my friend, Rick happened to find the stash of wine the funeral parlor had for the greiving), I searched until I came upon a body lying on a table covered by a white sheet. As I approached, the body, whom turned out to be a woman, sat straight up and began to scream "Who are you!". Not quite sure what to say, as I was just scared out of my skin, I began to jump up and down yelling "I'm a ghost, I'm a ghost!". I then turned and ran past Rick, who was still at the the refrigerator drinking wine and eating grapes. As I past him I informed him that there was someone in the building. I jumped out of a second floor window that we came through, with Rick right in back of me. Hitting the ground running I past a police car and kept on going until I got to the house I was renting about a mile from the funeral parlor. A few seconds later sirens filled the dark night as I rolled a hog leg to calm my nerves. I learned later that there is a law that requires that a watch person be present where bodies are kept. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I'm registered on H-Dnet.com and have access to all service documents and guides. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

This is like starting over for me. I pretty much have to throw all I know about working on Harleys out the window and learn to do it Harley's way. Hell, todays bikes have so much electronics on them. Nothing like the bikes of past. But, I'll be signed off on the PHDs for the electrical systems and diagnostics. One cool thing is this is the first year that they will be teaching repairs on the Buells. I will have to do a summer intership after the second semester. I've already talked to Denny's H-D in Springfield, Mo. as well as the service manager (he's also an instructor at the school) at Cycle Connection H-D in Joplin, Mo. about doing my internship at one of those dealerships. Ya know, I thought "two years, WTF!", but if I didn't do this, two years from now, I'll be sitting somewhere thinking how I would be graduating right now had I'd gone back to school. Besides, I've always wanted to work for H-D and couldn't pass this up. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young