You can't go home again... but your bike just might

[JCsman]

A few weeks ago riding buddy Mike (of Amarillo cartwheel the bike fame) said, "Hey, want to ride to Milwaukee in August?"

Seems there is the annual Milwaukee Rally coming up and Mike's the only Montgomery HOG Chapter officer going and.... To be honest all I heard was "want to ride". Sure, sez I.

"Fine by me", responds the virtuous, Ms. Judy. "But (Oh how many men have learned to dread that word!) you may note you have taken up the flooring in my kitchen as the first step in your long-promised tiling of the kitchen. I'm sure you intend to finish tiling the kitchen, breakfast area and laundry room BEFORE you leave town."

Now she said it without raising her voice. In fact a stranger would have noted how pleasant she sounded as she delivered the message. I am not a stranger.

A tiling we will go, a tiling we will go. Hi ho the dairy oh....

The tiling begins:
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/KitchenMasterline.jpg?t=1284161566

To be fair I did not finish it all. The laundry room lacks about 10 tiles under the dryer and that room is only 2/3 grouted. But the "visible" areas are complete and my "junk" is not laying all over her counter tops and she can USE the washer and dryer..... reprieve! As Mike's wife Debbie puts it, I have been given my "kitchen pass".

We leave Tuesday.

Tuesday morning dawned clear and warm. Well it MIGHT have. That's what the weatherman promised, anyway. In fact for all the cities along the route, for several days we would face clear or partly cloudy! Of course by the time I stuck my head out of the garage at 7:45 am it was cloudy and looked like rain. By the time we left at our appointed 8 am it was, in fact misting.

{Fun fact: Meteorologist comes from the Latin Meter meaning falsehood teller and rologist meaning fathered by a man NOT married to your mother. "Tis true. You can look it up.}

We headed north on the back roads towards Birmingham on our Electra Glides (Ultra Classics, don't 'cha know). A short run up I-65 through Birmingham and onto US 78. Our plan, such as it was, was to stop at every fuel or food break, pull out a map and see if we could aim, more or less towards Milwaukee missing as many I routes as possible. The only given was that neither of us thought that riding through Chicago would be much fun.

Our next non-Interstate was US 78 towards Mississippi. It might as well have been an Interstate. Almost all of it was built to current Interstate standards. Ho hum.

We stop well short of Memphis and note US 45 heading north. Hey, a US route and we miss Memphis traffic. I hate to report, but much of US 45 is the same almost Interstate like road. Except, of course for a few times when we were dumped, unceremoniously into small towns. You know the kind, two lefts, a right, a left and a right just to follow the main highway through their little bit o' heaven.

Well, at least the rain is intermittent. Here is stop #1 for fuel. Oh hell, it could have been day two or four. You get the idea.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/ClearShyPredicted.jpg?t=1284160235


We pull into Bad Bob's BBQ for lunch. Where else would two Harley guys eat, you may ask. Well we had to ask too. Bad Bob was closed for the holiday! Fortunately in two blocks we passed the Corner BBQ. In we go! Mike has the special of the day, white beans, cornbread and ribs. (with a tip of the hat to DJ).
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/CornerBBQ.jpg?t=1284162594


We wind up in Paducah, Kentucky for the night. That evening Mike walks across the street for a couple of beers to bring to the room. He's gone quite a while. When he returns he informs me the store doesn't serve beer, but the truck drivers at the pool will give you all you want if you sit and BS with them. Plus Mike learns there are two other Alabamians on a bike at the hotel.

The day dawns bright and clear. Naw, it's rainy and gusty. Here are the two poor beasts of burden left all night in the storm.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/OutsideHotel.jpg?t=1284228821

I spot a Harley shirt the next morning and, sure enough it's a couple from 'Bama. They are from the NE corner of the state and are returning home after a week or so visiting family in Illinois. We just MUST, they insist, ride into Paducah to see the wall of murals along the river.

Alabama riders:
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/CherokeeCountyAla.jpg?t=1284228869

Sure, why not.

We head into town, following the well placed signs until we get near the river. Of course the signs disappear. Breaking the Man Code, we ask. One of the two guys we asked said, follow me, hopped into his pickup and lead us several blocks to the area. If you're getting the impression Paducah is a friendly place, you are right.

When we get there, lo and behold, I spy a familiar "Glide". Our new biking buds are there too.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/CherokeeCoFriends-Mikes-mine-1.jpg?t=1284228907

Wanted to see it by daylight was the explanation.

And, it was well worth the side trip.

All along the river front are flood walls. Paducah took those visual lemons and made lemonaid.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2306.jpg?t=1284228945
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2289.jpg?t=1284228982

Each panel has a brass plaque in front explaining the mural.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2288.jpg?t=1284229018
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2287.jpg?t=1284347964

Here are two local artists adding to the collection. You can see their subject photo taped to the wall.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2291.jpg?t=1284229171
Some we just could not pass up. Mike for example had been a VFD Chief, so I snapped this one.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/MikeTheFormerFireChief.jpg?t=1284229223

And, who could resist...
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/UnkemptHairGuyatWall-1.jpg?t=1284229278
Not sure who the chubby guy with terminal helmet hair is in front of the mural. But he's wearing my pants!

They also have a LARGE locomotive and cars next to the wall. No climbing allowed.... dang it.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2295.jpg?t=1284229330
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2299.jpg?t=1284229361

And, of course we had to see the other side of the wall...
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2310.jpg?t=1284229413
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2292.jpg?t=1284229460
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2303.jpg?t=1284229505

By now the sun is out and the day half gone. Next installment through the farm belt.

[JCsman]

Through the farm belt

Before we left Paducah we made the obligatory stop at the Four Rivers Harley dealership. Well not exactly obligatory, but the battery on my security fob was failing. While I have an over ride code the fob is sure more convenient. So it's off to buy a battery.

The river theme continues:
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Paducah/Picture2325.jpg?t=1284262812

I wonder if they got a good return on the investment making the dealership a faux riverboat?

But I did appreciate the chain saw art.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/ChainsawArt.jpg?t=1284171149

The parts girl says the fob battery, "Will be two-oh-seven".

I hand her three ones praying she didn't mean $207. Could have kissed her when she handed me $0.93. Would have offered her a baby when she said, "Can I put that in for you?"... well, except for that wife thing, you know.

I also admired the owner's business plan. After we were in the shop about, oh, five or six seconds I turned to Mike and asked, "Have you noticed almost all the employees are young women?". Mike replied, "Slender too." Nothing gets by my boy Mike.

Don't tell the HOG members, but no T-shirts were sold that day.

On we go through Indiana and southern Illinois.

{A not so fun fact. Indiana appears be a Native American word meaning the corn is dead. We passed field after field of stunted brown corn stalks. Must have been a drought at a critical growing period.}

Things got a bit better, crop wise in Illinois. The ride, however, remained straight and flat. I did manage to get involved with one race during this time. Unfortunately I was tucked so low in the photo you can't see me.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2331.jpg?t=1284170941

I pulled away immediately after this shot. Aided, no doubt by the thunderous torque of my 96 cubic inch motor and the fact that the F-84 was: 1) empty, 2) engineless, and 3) chained to the ground. But excuses don't cut it in racing. I won handily and that's what counts.

Lunch time loomed and another Harley Dealership was at hand. Nope, no tee shirts again. But we used the dealership- to ask about a good place to eat. Right across the street, says the girl at the counter, Don Sol Mexican.

Obligatory DJ shot.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/DonSolBurrito.jpg?t=1284171556

There's a burrito under there somewhere. The first rule of healthy eating is to leave something on your plate when you leave the table. I followed this rule by leaving both a crumpled napkin AND my fork on the plate.

Then back to the road. An uneventful ride - despite staying off Interstates or not even insisting on maintaining a northerly heading at all times. A hotel sleep still left us in Illinois in the morning. It's now Thursday morning and we have a hotel reservation in Delefield (just outside Milwaukee), Wisconsin for that night. So we decide to at least try to keep them pointed north.

We passed through several charming small towns with beautifully kept craftsman style homes. But time was wasting. I did note the town of Odin, the town was pretty and the city limits had a sign proudly announcing Odin was home to some young lady (I missed the name) who placed second in Division 3 girls shot put. Neither Norse gods or bulky but buxom (in my imagination, at least) young women were observed, so we rode on.

{Gratuitous - poor humor - removed via edit in a RARE moment of reasonably good taste....}

We're not making very good time despite our efforts.

{Fun fact: Illinois is a Native American word meaning "left path closed ahead. Be prepared to stop". In fact that is why the main State University, the Fighting Illini have chosen traffic cone orange as their school color. "Tis true. You can look it up.}

Lunch time beckons and what do we spy? A Harley Davidson dealership of course. This one with a Cafe. Naturally we stop.
The lunch counter is surrounded by backlit pictures of the dealership's customers. Not a bad marketing idea. (Cell phone pics, I'm afraid.)
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2581.jpg?t=1284172474
A little hummer stares at you while you eat.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2582.jpg?t=1284172548
And the chow was good. Mike had the pork chop "blue plate" special (I always thought that would be a good name for a racer.)
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2579.jpg?t=1284172609
Me? I tried the club sandwich and a cup o' chili. Yummers.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2580.jpg?t=1284172704

After lunch I wandered through the show room. And spotted an interesting little number.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2577.jpg?t=1284172935
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2576.jpg?t=1284172968

We'd seen signs the Interstate north had tolls. I hate 'em. So we asked in the dealership for an alternate. The guy tells us of a county road in good shape just a few miles out of the way. "Curves?", I ask. "Nope, straight as an arrow". "Scenic", I ask. "If you like corn fields". "How much is the toll?" I ask. "Only a buck".

Issue solved we head to the toll road.

Oh yeah, we're zero (tee shirts) for three H-D dealerships. Something is not right with the universe.

We continued north though farmland on straight roads until we finally hit US 83 only a few miles from our hotel. Gentle curves, pleasant little towns. Too little, too late. We find the hotel and decide to check out the fairgrounds where some of the rally activity is to be located.

Next up, rally or bust.

[DarthRider]

More...more!

[socalrob]

I agree with the more sentiment. One big plus for HD owners has to be the dealership network.

Love the floodwall. That community managed to turn a basic thing into a work of art. Great.

[JCsman]

Thursday evening and we rode to two places, the fairgrounds and the Harley Museum (a primary reason I wanted to go on this ride):
Both contained excellent examples of the Plastic Breasted Flat Belly (Causi erectum)

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2340.jpg?t=1284180391
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2354.jpg?t=1284180681
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Shes411w-otheBoots.jpg?t=1284180445

Not much doin' at the fairgrounds, they were just getting set up. The Museum, on the other hand had a pretty good crowd and fair to middlin' band.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2387.jpg?t=1284180929
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2386.jpg?t=1284229642
I'm not sure my pictures show it, but the architect for the museum clearly wanted the massive steel theme to dominate. Oversized steel beams are everywhere, including areas with no structural need for such strength. And steel trim dominates.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2385.jpg?t=1284180887

And of course there were bikes. If you ever start felling special because you're on a Harley, head to one of these shin digs. Bikes like mine, a dime a dozen. Add a bunch of chrome bling, six for a buck. But then, some that stood out for me probably didn't get much notice from the throng.

I always thought the Nighthawk 700S was a beauty.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2389.jpg?t=1284181155

Und der Jermans ver der too
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2401.jpg?t=1284181206
As well as Jolly Olde
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2376.jpg?t=1284181423
Not to mention a handful of customs
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2400.jpg?t=1284181578
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/NiceTailLights.jpg?t=1284181890
Plus a couple I think will be appreciated here.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2333.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2334.jpg?t=1284183202


And, of course, with all those bad ass bikers around, they had some pretty rugged security folks on hand. I think this one was a Navy Seal.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2403.jpg?t=1284229707

But Mike and I had tickets to tour the engine factory and museum for the morrow. So, party animals we were we made an early exit for the hotel.

Next stop Museum and Steel Toe Tour.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Bill! What a great report. No, a GREAT report! "Causi erectum" is going to have me chuckling all morning, every time I see a plastic etc etc..

Si

[Deans BMW]

Bill, a fantastic ride report, your writing style is great.

Thanks

[DarthRider]

Bill...you need to get out more. This is a cool report!

I love this, another uber manly motorcycle competition pursuit:
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2370b.jpg?t=1284180848

And speaking of "Causi erectum"...this does more for me than all the plastic mammaries in Norte Americana. Man, this is nice.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2334.jpg?t=1284183202

More...we need more!

[Donson]

DONT STOP NOW!!!

[mnnden]

I agree, Wonderful report!!!
The report and motorcycle pictures are Great, but this is pretty impressive also!! Den

http://msnden.smugmug.com/Events/misc/KitchenMasterline/1003118960_a72U8-S.jpg

[JCsman]

(Thanks, Den, Judy's pleased with the job and, as all married men know, that's the main thing.)

Friday morning we headed for the museum for the shuttle to the engine factory. A local had advised us to leave the hotel at 7 am to make the 9am trip. He said any rush hour can be a parking lot at any time.

{Fun fact. Milwaukee is a Native American term meaning many, many ponies, one path. "Tis true. You can look it up.}

It was approximately 15 miles to the museum. Let’s see 15 miles divided by 2 hours is…. Carry the one…. Where does that decimal go?.... anyway, it’s danged slow!

We luck out. We made the 15 miles in an hour 15. I’m applying for a LSR record under the MRH-na-EG96 class. (That’s Milwaukee Rush Hour-normally aspired-Electra Glide 96 cubic inch class).

Having 45 minutes to kill, Mike and I get a cupa in the Café Racer grill. I figure I need to hit the head before the tour, so I climb the stairs to the men’s room.

What! Potpourri in a Harley bathroom? Outrageous!
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2575.jpg?t=1284219869


On the other hand, it did smell nice. A bit scratchy and I needed nearly the entire bowl to complete my task. But, all in all a positive experience.

Off to the factory.

An irritatingly perky dude passes out steel toe covers for our boots. Needed, as it turned out. On the tour we pass around parts from the cast (green) stage though various milling steps.

We take off in a van/bus and perky boy puts on a safety video. I notice cars are passing us rapidly. I notice a beeping noise from the van. I notice we have left the freeway well before the described exit. I notice perky boy saying he has another video we can watch. Uh oh. Fuel filter partially clogged. The 20 minute ride becomes a bit over an hour. But the guide remains perky throughout. And, he carefully explains, the van is NOT powered by Harley.

Here are my entire set of photos from the tour:

X X X X

Oh, no. The (simulated) dreaded red X. Turns out you cannot take pics in the factory. Trade secrets and all. I, apparently failed to see the Japanese industrial spy Ninjas surrounding the building. But those guys are stealthy.

Despite no pics, and the long ride, I highly recommend this tour. Every step from milling to powder coat to assembly, testing and shipping are covered. Good stuff.

But I’m a guy who, as a kid really enjoyed those industrial films where the showed things like how a canning plant worked. Takes all kinds, right?

Next stop, the museum... in bite sized pieces.

[Donson]

That Potpourrie make me walk bow-legged, too.

[demenshea]

Enjoying the heck out of this ride report! Your delivery is a blast, one that has me chuckling over and over. Great shots! Now I understand why people go to the rallies...for the sights. ; ) Note the gentlemen in the background left...they like the sights too.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Shes411w-otheBoots.jpg?t=1284180445

[DarthRider]

Uh, Bill...that's not potpourri in the basket, it's Official Harley Davidson Mushrooms. They Call 'em "Vroom Shrooms(R)".
And that pipe they sold you is not for blowing soap bubbles...

[mnnden]

It is my understanding that it is indeed potpourri in the basket, and in the sprit of "Going Green" at the end of the day Harley Davidson recycles by adding a little water, the potpourri becomes a big hit as "chip dip" Den

http://msnden.smugmug.com/Events/misc/Picture2575/1003255925_f28g2-S.jpg

[JCsman]

The museum, top floor.

As you enter the museum exhibit area you are met with a long row of bikes, two or three abreast.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2431.jpg?t=1284259156

You walk along the display and year after year of Harley iron stands before you. Pick a year, any year and you are likely to see it there. In all its glorious detail.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2426.jpg?t=1284259262

Do you like the really old stuff, like Ms. Pam apparently does? (Sorry, Dean couldn’t resist.) Got it right here.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2425.jpg?t=1284259187

Looking for something other than a single or V-twin? How about a boxer?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2438.jpg?t=1284259297

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2439.jpg?t=1284259330

Fan of the Roaring twenties? You’d have the Flappers eating out of your hand with this rig.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2433.jpg?t=1284259360

Prefer the 1930’s? Check?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2435.jpg?t=1284259393

Or the Servicar, like the Kansas City cops used when I was a kid? Sure, why not?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2437-1.jpg?t=1284259429

I understand Harley owns three times as many bikes as they have on display. So they might be forgiven if this frozen parade of bikes continued throughout the museum. But, to their credit, Harley had exhibits of a wide variety of the uses of their bike and the culture that has evolved around their product.

First for the Doughboys. Mike looks on.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2443.jpg?t=1284259490

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2440.jpg?t=1284259545

Can’t forget the Swabies:

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2441.jpg?t=1284259586

Cops? Sure.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2446.jpg?t=1284259611

Even mailmen. Nice suspension isn’t it? The mail gets a better ride than the mailman.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2447.jpg?t=1284259662

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2448.jpg?t=1284259690

And then, in a glass enclosed exhibit, Harley Davidson, Serial Number One!

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2453.jpg?t=1284259756

There was more than I can show and we still had a floor to go…. Like my visits to Barber's in Birmingham, Alabama (ya'll come. I'll be there.) the number of bikes quickly becomes overwhelming - but in a good way!

To be continued....

[JCsman]

As we go down the stairs we see a large, multi-video screen showing all forms of H-D efforts at racing. Ahhh, thinks I, this will peak their interest. This may have been the largest overall exhibit in the museum. And, why not? Harley has been involved in lots of types of racing for lots of years.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/OneVideoStationOnRacing.jpg?t=1284260673

For example, hillclimbing - remember the statue outside the museum?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2370b.jpg?t=1284262062

The bronze rider must have fallen off before he got to this point.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2471.jpg?t=1284260701

And board track racing, a topic of the Café on several occasions.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2463.jpg?t=1284260735

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2464.jpg?t=1284260764


Dragsters? This would NOT make a good platform for a bagger. But I’ll bet it was a terror.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2513.jpg?t=1284260798

Sidecar racing? How’d you like to be the monkey on that rig? (Not for all the bananas in the world, sez I.)

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2469.jpg?t=1284260838

HEY! What did that say on the sidecar rig's tank? INDIAN! Blasphemy!

Oh well.

For Scott, RChop and Dangerous, they even have LSR represented

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2466.jpg?t=1284261703

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2468.jpg?t=1284260918

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2474.jpg?t=1284260947

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2467.jpg?t=1284260977

And, last, but not least road racing.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2511.jpg?t=1284261009

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2510.jpg?t=1284261039

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2506.jpg?t=1284261079

Of course they also had exhibits with trophies, posters, medals, protective gear and more.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2475.jpg?t=1284261112

Suitable for racing (or light S&M - MMmmmm, leather corsets) we have this stylish little number.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2470.jpg?t=1284261268

Don’t know if this helmet qualifies as ATGATT

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/Picture2339.jpg?t=1284261151

And has anybody heard of this Parker fellow? (I kid, I kid) Helmets have come a ways since that leather job, yes?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Racing/ScottPArker.jpg?t=1284261229

But there is more to come…..

[JCsman]

The next section of the museum…. Well… I can’t decide whether to categorize it as bling, lifestyle or OMG!

To their credit, I think, Harley includes these bits as homage to the more extreme limits of Harley fever. They are, I think, poking a bit of fun at themselves.

For example, the bike, “Foxy Lady” complete with fox skin gear.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/FoxyLadywFoxLeathers.jpg

And there’s the Billie Bike and Captain America replicas from “Easy Rider”.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/BillieBikeandCaptAmerica.jpg

And then there are some that…. that… well, you’ll see.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/Picture2503.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/Picture2504.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/Picture2509.jpg

But the top of the heap, by far is King Kong. A classic case of nothing exceeds like excess.

Anybody know what time it is?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/Picture2508.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/Picture2507.jpg

Yep, it's only one bike. Bet it turns as sharply as the Titanic.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Bling%20Or%20OMG/KingKong.jpg

Nothing wrong with that bike that being shot down off the Empire State Building wouldn't cure!

Eyes strained and brain fogged Mike and I continued on.

FWIW I failed to find a single idea of how to improve Jumbo during this section.

[DarthRider]

Gaaaack! I'm overwhelmed!
More please...

[JCsman]

And the Museum tour nears the end…..

There was a lot more to the museum. Too much more so I’ll just throw in a few bits and pieces….

There were smaller machines that H-D tried for a while.
Like these Italian bikes (Harley – Ducati? No, that can’t be right.)

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2485.jpg?t=1284268966

Or scooters

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2517.jpg?t=1284268996

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2484.jpg?t=1284269074

Or bikes that are close to scooters in size

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2487.jpg?t=1284269042

Bikes with indirect fame like this one owned by Elvis. Including trade-in his payments were $50 per month. This transaction must have occurred in the days of REALLY skinny Elvis.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2497.jpg?t=1284269118

Even snowmobiles

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2488.jpg?t=1284269145

There was a long wall with dozens of tanks on display showing graphics used through the years. Here are a couple of graphics I was especially fond of.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2479.jpg?t=1284269176

And

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2478.jpg?t=1284269206

And then there were the engines. The “heart” of a Harley as they repeated endlessly on the factory tour. Pretty nifty to me.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2455.jpg?t=1284269262

Including the racing engine

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2461.jpg?t=1284269303

A V-4. How many knew Harley had tried that path?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/V-4Nova.jpg?t=1284269353

And the boxer I'd shown in an Army chassis earlier.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/H-DBoxer.jpg?t=1284269415

And, one of the neatest things of the museum…. As you were about to exit there was one last room. It had, perhaps a dozen Harleys from racers to dragster to custom to antique. You were encouraged to sit on them and get the feel of a bike you’d never otherwise experience. I suspect I was not the first to enhance the experience by making vroom-vroom noises.

Mike picked this oldie.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2518.jpg?t=1284269452

Me? I picked this one. For a few moments I WAS a racer. VROOM-VROOM. Take that Valentino!

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2519.jpg?t=1284269481

The museum proper was over. But there’s more to come!

[JCsman]

Evel times are upon us.

So, I’m through the museum, but there’s more to the tour. How can this be, you ask? Well, by good fortune, Mike and I are here during the Evel Kneivel display in another building at the museum.

One of the first things that caught my eye was this little pug. That can not be the Sky Cycle, I thought. And, aided by being nearly 1,000 miles away from home, it turns out I WAS right. Evel had this little jet powered pug fire up at his shows making a lot of noise and little speed so that people could get an experience that was near to that of the Sky Cycle.

As Grandpa said about “near beer”, “Whoever named that stuff was a damned poor judge of distance.”

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2521.jpg?t=1284271974


Now here is the real deal. Complete with a video showing how the chute came open upon launch and Evel floated down smack dab in the middle of the canyon.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2523.jpg?t=1284272003

Who would have guessed that landing nose first would be hard on a Sky Cycle?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2525.jpg?t=1284272025

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2524.jpg?t=1284272063

And I found his sponsorship funny. I remember these candies. But I can’t seem to find a real tie in with motorcycle stunts.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2569.jpg?t=1284272107

Of course that just shows what a REALLY big deal Evel was at his peak. Right down to marketing his name on a bicycle

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2563.jpg?t=1284272139

Or a proposed motorcycle

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2565.jpg?t=1284272180

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2566.jpg?t=1284272211

There was even a movie made (Viva Kneivel, IIRC). Here’s his car from the flick. Looks to me like an Indy car mated with a dragster.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/CopyofPicture2564.jpg?t=1284272241

And, who can forget the costumes?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2567.jpg?t=1284272277

Or motorcycles?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2522.jpg?t=1284272309

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Evel/Picture2568.jpg?t=1284272336

By now, Mike and I were desperate to be outdoors. So we plunged into the crowd outside the museum.

Later guys….

[SV Andy]

Bill fantastic going back a bit i know but i love those paintings on the flood wall thanks Andy.

[DarthRider]

The amazing thing about the Elvis Presley bikes...of the original 3 Harley Davidsons that he owned, 276 still survive to this day!
Did you happen to get a pic of a "165" HD? My first and only HD.

OK Bill, thanks to this thread I've had to add an entire page to my Bucket List.:clap:

[Bill]

Really, Dave? I would have thought a BSA Bantam would have been your first bike - really a HD 165? About the same!

[JCsman]

For those who have stayed with me through this marathon of a post – HELLO, is anybody out there? – I promise this is the home stretch. Only Friday Evening and Saturday to go.

It’s now Friday afternoon. The big finale for the Rally is a street party on Water Street Saturday night. Bands, booze, food, crowds. Hell YES!

As in hell yes, we are going to avoid that. At some point in the dim past both Mike and I got over the need to be deafened and jostled by hundreds of our new best drinking buddies. That and I don’t drink…..

So that leaves us Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to wrap it up. That leaves a poker run and vendors to view.

But, not to be complete fuddy-duddies we wander over to watch a pole dancer.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/TheOnlyPoleDancerWeSaw.jpg?t=1284305278

Cute, but a pretty rigid performance. And I'm pretty sure there's plastic in her chest area.

Outside the Museum I was surprised to hear, “Waaaaar Eagle” over my shoulder. That happens to be a cheer at Auburn University back home. (For reference, and in fairness to Mike, an Alabama fan, I’ll add ‘Roll Tide”.) I’d worn a shirt with small lettering on the back that included Aurburn-Opelika. This lady noted the Alabama reference and called the greeting.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/AlabamaGirl.jpg?t=1284305345

Nice lady. She was there with her husband, both on Road Glides. Here he is talking with Mike. Looks like a Harley guy, no? Why yes. In fact she was quick to tell me his picture could be found on page 197 (or was it 297?) in the “Encyclopedia of Harley Davidson. My brush with greatness!

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/EncOfH-DPage297.jpg?t=1284305385

She did note he's had gastric bypass since the photo in the encyclopedia, so he's a LOT thinner now.... Really? a LOT thinner?

I also chatted with the guy who built this gem. It takes a lot of work to look this ratty.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2374.jpg?t=1284305471

Gee, can you take a theme too far? Nah,

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2368.jpg?t=1284305519

How’d you think she’d run in the rain?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/RainRidingNotAdvised.jpg?t=1284305554

The last thing we did was check out some of the 2011 models. Mike looked over the traditional. I followed a different path,

The VRods

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2384.jpg?t=1284305632

And the new XR1200X. The guy I chatted with wasn’t a salesman. But he seemed pretty confident they would not trade even for my ’06 Street Rod. Rascals!

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2382.jpg?t=1284305662

Ever expect to see a Harley with this kind of shock from the factory?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/XR1200Xshocks.jpg?t=1284305691

But what is this up front? A frikkin’ rubber brake line. I don’t get it. I know it saves a couple of bucks, but isn’t this ($13,000) thing being marketed as a performance bike? Obviously not suited for the world of marketing, it would be the first thing on my farkle list if I were to get one.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/RubberBrakeLine.jpg?t=1284305719

It was getting ready to rain and the wind was REALLY gusting now. So we headed back to the hotel. We managed to find this little spot to eat.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2553.jpg?t=1284305788

Mike says the beer is good. It is brewed on site.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2527.jpg?t=1284305857

I know the jambalaya was good. Off to bed for a well deserved rest.

[Donson]

Great post, Bill! When Knievel was at Tripps Harley-Davidson in Amarillo a few years ago, I went by to see Him. He was sleeping in His motor home, but a Friend of mine who works there gave Me the special tour. Knievel's assistant , who stands about 5 foot, was moving some of the bikes around the display. He asked Me to move the Custom Special, with all the bling, to a spot a few feet over. I have never been so nervous moving a bike, thinking "do not drop". There was a large group ride that afternoon, led by Evel (I didn't go) which climaxed with Evel breaking His leg, badly, in Tripps parking lot. He fell over.

[DarthRider]

Really, Dave? I would have thought a BSA Bantam would have been your first bike - really a HD 165? About the same!
Matter of fact, it did have a certain resemblance to the BSA Bantam.
Of course the 165 did have conchos & fringe...NOT!
But it did have 40cc more motor and every little bit helps.
It was a tough little sumbitch too. Too bad it was designed by the Nazis and taken as war spoils by England and the US.
I guess the Allies getting a little 125cc 2-stroke made all that unpleasantness in Europe somehow better...

[JCsman]

Saturday morning and the Sunday return of the victorious

The poker run isn’t like most. No starting time, no starting point. As this display shows the rally is spread between the museum, the fair grounds, a casino and four H-D dealerships. The poker run was included in our admission package, so we thought we’d squeeze it in.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2380.jpg?t=1284308942


Mike and I’d already hit the casino. Not to gamble, but because a buffet dinner was included plus there was that poker run stamp – a “wild card” at the casino.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2411a.jpg?t=1284308976

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2531.jpg?t=1284309003

By the way, just like the Harley factory, you can't take pictures in a casino either... Ahh screw it.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2406.jpg?t=1284309066

For reference we continued our health food odyssey. Here is Mike’s dessert plate. There was a cannoli on there, but I was a bit slow drawing my camera.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/CanoliAlreadyGone.jpg?t=1284309115

Mmmm. Dessert and a good philosophy. Hard to beat.

So for the poker run we’d only hit the casino. That meant the Museum, fairgrounds and two dealerships were on the itinerary before we head home. (Yeah, I know we’ve been to the Museum TWICE) without getting the “card”. So sue me.

Just blocks from the museum we got stopped by the worlds longest and slowest train. The Guinness World Record folk were measuring it as we sat there. ‘Tis true. You can look it up.

Mike handles this stuff better than I.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/HowToWaitOnTheTrain.jpg?t=1284309241

And then the train stopped…. Sigh.

I looked to the right and saw this dude. Looks like he's saying, "Hey, you took the land from us. Can't you at least give a guy some PRIVACY?"

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2418.jpg?t=1284309486

Eventually we got out stamp. At this point, with one card and a wild card our poker hands looked unbeatable. It’s an optimistic attitude like that that makes me part of the “donor pool” at poker games.

So then the fairgrounds for another card and to view the vendors. Same stuff you find at any of these things.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2547.jpg?t=1284309281

I did note the Causi erectum had donned their winter plumage, indicating mating season was over.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2538.jpg?t=1284309392

And here’s a couple of shots I think Dave will find interesting. One of the tents sold jackets and other gear under the label Sixth Gear. Pretty close to the well known brand First Gear, don’t you think? Then, as I got closer I saw that, in the most prominent two rack of jackets the front hanger, just by coincidence, I’m sure, had this hanger in the front spot.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2550.jpg?t=1284309581

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2551.jpg?t=1284309609

Coincidence…. one rack, maybe. Two racks, I think not. Bordering on the not nice, I believe.

I also spotted these boots that I thought Judy might like (non-riding, but cute.)

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/th_Picture2574.jpg?t=1284309574

I sent her a picture/text message asking what she thought. The text reply was “Buy, buy, buy”. Then I checked for her size- d’oh, none available. It is a foolish man that raises gift expectations and does not deliver. Fortunately, Judy’s the forgiving type.

Best “display” of the show (I'm cheating by adding this here, this was actually Thursday afternoon). A woman, both an RN and EMT, gave a demonstration of how to treat a downed rider until 911 help arrives. Mike is both a HOG Safety Officer and an EMT so he really ate this up.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/SafetyLecture.jpg?t=1284309689

And the lady playing victim? A real life crash survivor. Saved by on-site first aid. You'll she has an artificial leg below the knee from the crash.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2356.jpg?t=1284309718

And her bike with the air shifter. I love the fact she put an NOs sticker on the shifting cylinder.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2336.jpg?t=1284309748

Now we need two more cards. The H-D dealerships are spread in all four directions from where we were. The one to the north offered wet T-shirt contests (likely wet sweat shirt contests in this weather), beer chugging and tattoo services on site. The one to the east was nearly as enticing. To the west and south we read “family atmosphere”. Mike and I plot routes to the west and south.

Pretty nice places. Friendly, another fair to middlin’ band and more of the same vendors.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2534.jpg?t=1284309827

We didn’t stay long. But we did dine on the product of this grill.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/NiceLittleGrill.jpg?t=1284309856

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2539.jpg?t=1284309887

A longer shot of one of the coolest grills around. The burgers pass along a ten foot long belt over fire within the truck.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/TheWholeGrill.jpg?t=1284309913


And we did see an interesting item or two. I thought the NOS tank on this one is for fun, but with that wheelie bar it might be for real.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2546.jpg?t=1284309997

Not my favorite paint job, but still....

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2536.jpg?t=1284310026

We headed hope in the early afternoon. Ready to BE home we took to the Interstates ending up just south of Indianapolis after dark. Before Indy we dined at the “House of Beef”. Famous for a really large carved cow head.... and, well, beef.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Picture2544.jpg?t=1284310071

The ride through the endless construction in the dark at Indianapolis was interesting. You know the type. The shoulder had been turned into a lane with camber and joint changes swapping back and forth. A concrete barrier just off your elbow, unfamiliar roads, LOTS of signs, lane and exit closures galore and decidedly UNfriendly drivers.

{Here is a fun fact. Indianapolis is a Native American term meaning “buttocks grasping loin cloth”.}

Sunday morning began with welcome sunshine. And a whopping cold front. Local weather said 43 degree F outside the city. Jumbo’s thermometer, sitting in the shade had a bleaker report. But what ‘cha going to do.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/SundayMorning.jpg?t=1284310113

When I got home, Judy surprised me with a brand new vehicle. New car? Nope. New BIKE? Nope (dang it). Think green and yellow. I now own a John Deere lawn tractor. Guess I should have mowed before I left.

Last thoughts.
Always remember boys and girls. The vultures are always circling. But keep on riding and you might just stay ahead for a while.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/CopyofPicture2560.jpg?t=1284310140

[It’s been a long trip, kids. Thanks for hanging in with me.]

[jb44]

Great report, Bill! Thanks for taking us along on your trip.

jb

[JCsman]

The amazing thing about the Elvis Presley bikes...of the original 3 Harley Davidsons that he owned, 276 still survive to this day!
Did you happen to get a pic of a "165" HD? My first and only HD.

OK Bill, thanks to this thread I've had to add an entire page to my Bucket List.:clap:

This one, Dave (obviously NOT my pic?)

http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/harley_davidson_165.jpg

This one's mine

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2481.jpg?t=1284312730

or this, also mine?

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2486.jpg?t=1284312831

[DarthRider]

Yes, this is exactly it! So much better, faster & sexier than a moped. And by then I was a seasoned 15 and full 1-year veteran of one moped killed in a collision with a nice yield-sign running lady, the other nearly killed by a leaking fuel-line fire in my old man's garage.
If I had looked like Steve and could have ditched the pimples I'm sure I could have cut a wide swath amongst the fairer sex...but I did have a Marlon Brando jacket, engineer boots and a switch-blade in my pocket. Really.The only action it ever saw was once when a friend & were goofing and he accidentally put it into my thigh,sharp end first. My folks came home later and found blood all over the floor. I was at the ER getting stitched up. The real pain began when I got home and had to explain things. That was the end of my motorcycle weapon carrying career.:nono:
Are you starting to see the pattern that lead to my nick-name?
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/harley_davidson_165.jpg

This one is actually a "Hummer". Yeah, yeah, I know.
It was the same motor but was only a 125cc, not the "big-bore" 165 I had!
Visually identical except the 125 Hummer does not have the sexy carburetor surround of the 165.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/Sasnak75/Two%20Wheel%20World/Milwaukee%202010/Museum/Picture2481.jpg?t=1284312730

The 1963 "Scat"was a later variant, also with the 165 motor, I believe.
Bill, "Thanks for the memories..."!

[Deans BMW]

Bill, a world class travelogue, great write up, you have a gift, thanks.

[Tassie Devil]

Fantastic report Bill...
It had everything.... including food shots....
Ya can't beat that....

Cheers,

JQ.

[mnnden]

Bill. I can't think of a post I have enjoyed more, Thanks for taking the time to share, Den

[panthercity]

Anna got tired of me coming into the living room and interrupting her show with "Oh, you gotta hear this part!"

Thanks for sharing.

[Griffon]

Great report Bill! Paducah is a wonderful town! When Lori and I were there (it was our meeting point with Randy) I thought it would be a nice place to spend some more time. I think I'll have to re-visit soon! I can echo the sentiments of the gang at large in saying your writing style is indeed a wonderful thing!

Where are you going next?

[Donson]

More!

[Arby]

Thanks Bill! Great job! I enjoyed it all. :eusa_clap::eusa_clap:

RB