I don't like bike night, because....

,I’m gonna get a rant going here today. I’ve been thinking about what is commonly known as “bike nights”. These, for the uninitiated, are nights set aside at eateries and local watering holes for bikers to ride up with their motorcycles, have a special place in the lot for them to park their bikes, and to be “catered” to by the staff and patrons of said business.

I don’t like bike nights. I guess I don’t like them because somewhere in the communal thread of life, before Forbes and Elizabeth Taylor made motorcycling chic…we weren’t welcome at these same establishments. The only business’s that accepted a group of us, were ones that were established as “hole in the wall” business’s. It’s not that we didn’t have the money to go to a finer establishment; it’s that we were not looked upon favorably. Not because our behavior was disruptive, (although at times, I must admit we did become loud and exuberant) but because the business would not give us the opportunity to establish ourselves as respectable members of the community within their walls. The people who rode in my circle were varied. One was a meat cutter for Publix, his ole lady was head cashier. Another owned a manufacturing business; he made the sleeves that you wrap cut flowers in. His girlfriend worked in the geek business for Harris Corp. I’m not sure exactly what she did for a living…but she earned a good living. Me? I was a parts manager at the local HD dealership, my hubby was the lead mechanic…yes, back then they didn’t need fancy names…we didn’t call a mechanic a technician, he was exactly what he was, a wrench twister. Our boss would frequently ride with us…yes, the owner of HD of Melbourne. Then we had a few construction workers, and even a few guys from the AF Base nearby who we enjoyed company with. Now, as you can see, we were a varied bunch. We weren’t convicts; we rode nice baggers, custom choppers, and factory bikes. We all worked, had money in our pockets, our clothing was clean, (even if our thoughts weren’t!) We would ride, we would stop to eat, have a few beers, then ride some more. But we were never really welcome at places like Hooters until Forbes made us “respectable.”

Now, it seems, we are welcome on certain nights…we are fussed over, and made to feel like we are special patrons. I don’t get that, I would rather you liked me every night. I would like to feel special every night I stop in your place. If not special, than I would at least like to be waited on like everyone else in the place. I do not wish to be ignored, I do not wish to be looked down upon, I do not wish to be placed at the worst table in the restaurant, and I do not want my bike regulated to an unlit and unprotected portion of your parking lot, if you offer protected parking for us on “special” nights. You should always offer safe parking for the bikes.

Then we have the kind of people who actually attend bike nights. For the most part, from what I have experienced, many more of these people have bikes they do not ride except to bike night, or to a few local charity rides, perhaps a fifty mile ride with someone from their office. They are there not to meet up, enjoy some company, discuss where they are going to ride to from there, perhaps eat something and have a few liquid refreshments anticipating the ride ahead. Instead, these people come to these establishments, and strut around their bikes, beer in hand, talking BS about bikes, but never really going anywhere. Never really using the machine for what it is intended for…riding! Yeah, they are chick magnates…. But your not regulated to staying at just one place in order to attract a decent woman…get varied. Leave your comfort zone and ride a couple hundred miles on your day off. Stop in at cool places on your route, invite a few of those people you see at the bike nite hot spot to join you. You can even end your ride right back where you started, at the business that is hosting your local “bike night”. You can dance the rest of evening away, you can regale your friends at the bar who didn’t take their bikes out for an afternoon delight…with the adventures you and your buddies experienced…talk about the gals you encountered along the way…or hug close to you the one you picked up at the last place you visited before you arrived back at your bike night host’s business. But at least you got your ass off the barstool, and went somewhere on that very expensive pussy magnate. And if you’re a gal who goes to bike nights just to socialize rather than ride her bike…shame on you…big shame on you…RIDE YOUR ASSES OFF….and then come back to your bike night host: stiff, sore, tired, hungry, thirsty…and ready to laugh and recount the best parts of the day!
That’s my take of bike nights.

Motorcycle Action Meeting

I want to run this again, for my new blog readers who may not have seen this on the earlier blog pages. It's important...and I'm hopeful things will fall togather with hard work and some spit, cussin' and polish.

V-TWIN EXPO TO HOST MOTORCYCLE ACTION GROUP MEETING-- Wilmington, California, December 30, 2008: Keith R. Ball, President of Bikernet.com has met with several industry leaders to investigate a Motorcycle Action Committee under SEMA. The tough economic times have made it obvious to him and several others that the motorcycle aftermarket industry needs to band together. SEMA, The Specialty Equipment Market Association, which is an aftermarket advocacy group for the Hot Rod and automotive industry, represent over 7,500 members. "Timing is everything," said Ball. "Years ago this was attempted, but the motorcycle industry lacked a unified voice. Fortunately we still have this opportunity to step up, band together and protect our industry through SEMA and the MIC."

In this economic climate SEMA brings a large variety of services and benefits to the custom motorcycle aftermarket, the builders, dealers and the motorcycle rights groups such as the MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation). A short list of items SEMA offers to the automotive industry follows:

Business Resources & Solutions
SEMA Membership Directory
Freight Savings Plan (Siriani)
Property & Liability Insurance Savings Program (SEIA)
Manufacturer Credit Reporting Group (SCRG)
Mailing Labels for 7,000 Plus Companies
Industry Classified Ad Postings/Listings
Comprehensive Industry Calendar of events
Retail Credit Card Program (CarCareONE)

Market Research
Ongoing research reports, including
• Market Study • Annual Light Truck Accessorization
• Trends & Forecasts
• Diesel Market
• Compact Performance Market
• Mobile Consumer Electronics


OEM Relations & Programs
Hands-on access to new vehicles (Measuring Sessions)
OEM-provided CAD/CAM drawings (Technology Transfer)
Vehicle Technology Conference
Dealer Relations
Installer Certification
Licensing
Warranty Program (ProPledge)

Educational & Training Programs
National Education Conference (NEC)
Live seminars
Webinars
Installer Certification Programs
Internet Symposium Sponsored by SCC
Internship Opportunities
Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness -

Government Advocacy/Legislative Programs
Professional lobbying staff (Federal & State)
Legislative alerts and comprehensive website
Grass-root Enthusiast Support/SEMA Action
Network (SAN)
Political Action Committee (PAC)
Quarterly PAC Newsletter

World-Class Trade Shows
SEMA Show
SEMA Spring Expo
SEMA OFFROAD
PAACE Automechanika and Salon de SEMA
MPMC Media Trade Conference

Councils & Committees
Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)
Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)
Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA)
Manufactures Rep Council (MRC)
Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Councils (MPMC)
Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)
Sport Compact Council (SCC)
Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)
SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)
Young Executive Network (YEN)

International Resources
International Market Reports
International Buyers' Guide
Consumer Affairs & Public Relations
International Support at Domestic Shows

Industry Communications
Monthly Trade Magazine, SEMA News
• Bi-Monthly SEMA Member News within
SEMA News
Weekly Electronic Newsletter, SEMA eNews
Financial Newsletter, Financial Fax
Comprehensive websites

"This was especially exciting for me because I was a charter member of the ARMO Council that represents the automotive restoration market," said Seth Doulton, President of Horsepower Productions. "I served on and headed up the licensing and OE relations committee, and I can tell you first hand that it was the best thing in my 35 years in the market place to ever come down the road. The restoration industry has benefited three fold by the networking that is strengthened by SEMA's leadership and power. The motorcycle industry has needed this for many years. We need to build a strong team so that SEMA knows we are for real."

An initial meeting was held a few months back to gauge interest and with the overwhelming positive response they have scheduled a meeting during the Cincy V-Twin Expo show to discuss this effort with the Industry, SEMA and MIC members, Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m ROOM 251. This is a not-to-be- missed meeting during the biggest aftermarket trade show for the custom motorcycle industry.

"This could be the chance of a lifetime for our industry," said Ball. "Especially in this current economic climate, but it's up to us to get involved." This committee will be open to any members of our industry on the American or Metric side, manufacturers, clubs, shops, dealers, builders or individuals. A major goal of this committee will be to support motorcycle rights groups around the world including the MRF with 60 state charters and 250,000 members. "Our primary goal is to keep the custom industry free and vibrant in the coming years," Ball said.

For more information contact:
Keith R. Ball
Bikernet.com
(310) 830-0630
Bandit@Bikernet.com

To Attend the show contact:
V-Twin Expo
Paisano Publications LLC
Executive Producer: Jim Betlach
(952) 443-4168

Ken Conte
Rise Above Consulting
(970) 227-3588
ken@riseaboveconsulting.com

AEE Trick Trike Art

Here's the tale of my first publish artworks.


Three's a crowd? Both of these trikes were three seaters. Trikes were popular at the time. The Big Twin and Three Wheeler were successful show bikes. I was a big fan of both and a few other bikes AEE had built.

Tom Mc Mullen of AEE and Street Chopper Magazine had built some cool show winning trikes like the Corvair powered Three Wheeler and the Big Twin so, I guess they thought to take another wack at it with the Trick Trike.

In the early seventies I bought every Street Chopper I could get my mitts on but, over the years I lost or tossed some. From the ones I still have, it appears that they first announced the Trick Trike project in the December 1971 (now lost), issue along with a contest for readers to sketch how it should look. The contest winner would get a free 1 year subscription.

Since magazines come out a month ahead, it leads me to believe I drew up my first concept around the time of my 16th birthday in late November or early December 71.

Here's the preliminary sketch for the art I submitted. Like many roughs, I like it better than the finished art.

The Feb.72 issue had an article on the trike build (no readers sketches), and the basic shape of the trike was now clearly shown as wedge shaped.

In those days magazines production could sometimes run as much as 5-6 months behind publication and I checked the newsstand every month to see if my drawing made it in.

I was pretty jazzed when my first drawing finally showed up in the June 72 issue.


Here's how the art was presented in the June 72 issue. The other two somewhat more professional looking pieces were submitted by a reader named Bob Wise.


How about those tires... What was I thinking?

By the time my first concept was published it was no secret that the trike was wedge shaped, they were showing details of components, and they were still asking for submissions so, I figured why not give it another shot.

Sketches for the second submission. The one in the lower right is the one I chose to develop and send. Notice the crossed out drawing at the top. It puzzles me cause it looks just like the finished trike.

Again, I wondered for several months what the outcome would be. Then, without any notice, I found I had won the contest after seeing the Feb.73 issue.

Feb. 73 cover. Square and long was in. At least that's what they were pushing.


The magazine layout featuring my art. I won but, was disappointed how the real trike turned out.


This was news to me!


If you ask me, my design had more style. The wild paint with stars and planets are a prelude to my later interest in space and astronomy.


Motorized doorstop? The trike was an interesting build but a visual flop. The only view that sort of works is from the rear.

No one ever contacted me but, the magazines started showing up every month and continued well after the first year ended. I guess my name ended up on some kind of comp list as they kept on coming until Feb. 1980! By that time the magazine had long become pretty sucky anyway. For the most part I only kept the cooler 1970-72 issues.


Different angle but, the same design as the one I sent.


Mystery sketch. I can't remember if this was done before or after the magazine came out? I'm sure it was after and I was trying to see if it would look better with flames?

I may have scored but, on AEE's third strike at building a trike, I think they struck out.

Cars Suck

This morning I arrived at work to find a message on my office phone, as well as a couple of missed calls on my cell, from Lady Luck. Our car's power steering hose had popped loose - again - leaving a huge mess on the driveway and making it impossible to steer the car.

This has happened four times now, over the last several years.

See, I think a repair shop I foolishly trusted did a crap job of repairing the broken power steering line. There is now a hose, with clamps, holding the two ends of the metal line together. I don't think that's quite right, but it does do the job - usually - in a ratty sort of way.

The last time this happened, I made sure the hose clamp that kept coming loose was on there as tight as possible. I double-checked it the last time I changed the oil, and it was still tight as could be.

So, I rode home again to fix the car, and stopped on the way to buy power steering fluid. I didn't bring my bag with me, so I had to stuff the bottles in my jacket.

This time, the other hose clamp had popped loose. I was already ornery because I hadn't had my coffee yet, so the discovery did not improve my mood (if I'd tightened the other clamp when I was under there last time, it wouldn't have been a problem, right? Live and learn.).

Fortunately, after performing this repair several times now, I've got the hang of it and it takes more time to get the car up on the jack and full of power steering fluid than it does to fix the problem.

Incidentally, I really like that Pennzoil's power steering fluid is blue - it made it a lot easier to tell the hose was still leaking. If it had been clear, the new fluid would have been hard to spot in the puddle of old fluid.

On the upside of all this, I got 60 miles of riding in already today, and Lady Luck made me some toast while I was home.

2.5 Inches of rain...

Hi everyone.
It's almost 1.30 in the afternoon on a Weds. here. I've been shopping for some food stuffs for my new and healthy diet...whaaahooo...I also took Jock in to see the vet. She can't believe how great he looks. I put him on a diet on the last few weeks she has seen him, and he dropped 10 pounds, and she is very pleased to see that! She checked Jock's eyes...I was worried he had a "bubble" in the corner of his left eye...she sees nothing to worry about. His cataracts are almost complete in the enveloping of his retina...almost completely blind...can tell between daylight and shadow. Nothing else.

We changed his food...75.00 bucks for a 30 pound bag. It should help with his joint pain. I hope so.

I wanted to show you what I woke up to this morning! We had 2.5 inches of rain when I went to bed last night...I know more fell during the evening hours after I went to bed, so this could be at least 2.75 to 3.0 inches of rain over the last three days. The ground is so wet...it's like stepping on a wet sponge...creepy feeling at night, and when I have to take Jock out to pee he just can't stand the feeling of it under his feet. I have drag his butt until he decides he will pee or poop...gotta do one or the other before you come back inside you lazy dog!

Anyway, here is what the creek looks like on a normal day...summer or winter....



!
and this is what we look like right now...check out how far up the tree trunk the water is now. Six more inches, and it will be in my Mom's Garden of Good and Evil....



The rain is supposed to turn to snow tonight...I guess I'll have to go out and take pictures of that too in the morning!

No riding for a while according to the weather guy....more later,

Creaky Joints

Why didn't anyone tell me the cold would make my joints all creaky when I reached my 30's?

Not that I would have listened. I've been laughing at my creaking knees after riding in to work in the practically arctic temperatures (mid-30's) we've had recently. I'm thinking it might be time to invest in a pair of double-front Carhartt's for the chilly days. Or battery-powered, knee sized heating pads. My knees are, after all, out in the breeze on the Triumph. It's almost enough to make a fella lust after one of those fully-faired touring bikes.

Almost, but not quite.

I'm Back and...

will be posting new stuff ASAP.

This months header is a combination of two old works. The father time background is a lithograph I etched on limestone and printed in 1977. The cherub/baby on the antique motorcycle is from a Valentine's card I made for my wife in 1997. Both were modified and combined with Photoshop.

Irish Rich emailed me about some art that appeared in Street Chopper magazine in 72 and 73. He ran across them while doing some research and wondered if I was the same artist that did them. I had already planned on one day posting the art but, now feel prompted to get to it. Look for it later tonight or tomorrow.

My goal for 2009 is to make this one of the more entertaining MotorCycle related blogs out there... also, LETS HEAR FROM YOU! Be sure to send me an email or comment on a post.