March 2011 Asylum Mobilitarium
When does a rider become a “motorcyclist,” and not just a “motorcycle owner?” Huh? When does one become a motorcyclist? Is that different from being a so-called “biker.”
Back in the mid to late nineties, a bunch of us would hit Blue Goose on Lower Greenville, and Strokers (was called Easyriders then) on most Sundays. We would drink beer, check out the scoots and the new soon to be ex-girlfriends or wives of our buddies, and watch to see who could fly off Blue Goose’s sidewalk to blast northbound on Greenville!
I guess in my naivety and inexperience I thought I was a biker or something along those lines. Being a motorcyclist was not a goal of mine. Most of the guys I rode with didn’t care either. But you know, most of those guys got married, divorced, married again, and sometimes gave up their Harley because the new main squeeze wanted a family instead of having an American icon sitting in their garage.
I rode to Harley-Davidson’s 95th anniversary in 1998 and began to realize that there was something more to this than a vehicle to go bar hopping. More and more I quit hanging out, stupidly drinking way too much and started doing more serious riding. It became a lifestyle. But, I’ll admit, it took years.
It’s like I said last month, and please remember this, riding a motorcycle is all about karma and especially prayer. That’s what brought me through the chaos. If God rides a motorcycle, I think it will be a Harley-Davidson.
But what is the difference between a motorcycle owner, a motorcyclist, or a biker? I don’t know for sure, but I know one when I see one.
Okay, another month of motorcycle words of wisdom. Yes, a bar-hopper is just that, the rider goes from bar to bar, and parks the bike until the next weekends’ putt. A “putt” is a usually a short ride on a bike. Brand X is any motorcycle not a Harley-Davidson. British and German bikes are accepted in the world of the Orange and Black. Not so much bikes from Asia, since old-timers see those companies as trying (and almost succeeded) to run Harley-Davidson out of business in the 60’s and 70’s. Never forget! It could happen again.
A clone is a HD lookalike sold by Brand X companies. Willie G has said it’s the ultimate form of flattery.
A V-Twin can describe a HD engine. Our Twin Cam engines are 45 degrees, except the V-Rod’s dynamic Porsche designed, Revolution engine, which is 60 degrees. By the way VRSC stands for Racing Street Custom.
A boxer is a BMW engine. Fork stops should never be cut off. An eye brow is that thing over a Sportster’s headlight. A sissy bar is now back in fashion, engine guards are just that, don’t call them or expect them to be crash guards. Drag bars are short handlebars that were popular at one time and will probably come back. Ape hangers are also again in fashion, but know how to ride before you install them. Peanut tanks were once in style on Sportster’s, then not, now again you see them at dealerships.
Tombstone and Beehive taillights were produced in the 30’s and 40’s and have been brought back by the company a few times. So too is the Springer front end. It’s all there was until 1948. Harley brought back the new and improved Springer front forks in the 90’s, and are still popular today.
The three wheeled Servi-Car was produced until 1973. It was somewhat brought back a couple of years ago with the cool Tri-Glide. A tank shifter on a Harley was usually on the left. On Indian bikes, it was on the right. The reason Indian did this is because they thought that police officers would use their right hand to shoot bad guys from their mounts. Sure enough, Harley stepped up and also offered this reverse set up as an option to police departments, who were HD’s saving grace in the 1930’s Depression era.
A few causes for concern. A smoking Toyota with bad tags and inspection is to be avoided, ditto a person driving a Killer Mommy Van. Avoid old Buicks, plus Bubba and Praline heading home from their favorite watering hole in a truck. Stay away from Brad who lives in Up Town in the new Shelby Mustang that he just purchased with an 8 year loan.
But for sure never get within 300 feet from Madison or some other person named for a city that is driving and texting, or just saying OMG every fifth word to their BFF on the cell.
Willie Hank
Asylummobilitarium.blogspot.com
Youths Led Astray 1955
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