- Joined
- Mar 17, 2023
- Messages
- 2
Raised owning and riding Norton twins and Matchless thumpers both RHS. I got the bug then owning 1970 to 76 era 750 and 900 BMW twins. The biggest drawback the relearning process able to reflex not thinking braking and shifting the BMW's. RHS instant refex riding, LHS 500 to 1,000 miles before it becomes a reflex not thinking while riding LHS bikes. I did better at driving half a block in traffic (london) along with riding on the "wrong side of the road" during the later part of the 80's. Reflex riding RHS bikes vs LHS bikes, toss in the opposite side from the shift lever the foot touching the ground at stops. No I do not have both feet on the ground like Harley and newbie riders then dragging both feet on the ground 50 plus feet after leaving a stop signs or red lights turned green.It will always be the right one - because the other is the wrong one!
...a bit like right side gear change vs. wrong side gear change.
I pissed off a newbie rookie in my small city, "Motors Officer" after I stopped at a four way stop intersection. I dead stopped plus counted off to myself six going to seven full seconds before a slow take off again, no cross traffic, both feet never left the pegs. I got pulled over being told "you did not put one if not both feet on the ground for balance". I was riding the 84 XL600R I had lowered 2.000" equally at both ends making it an easy to win a slow race bike. Stupid tall high ground clearance not needed being my street only bike, lowered also increasing stability at highway speeds. another big plus.
Forks plus a rebuildable XR600 shock (XL600 shock a throwaway without compression dampening adjustment that the XR600 shock has. I machined and installed aluminum spacers reducing fork and rear shock full extension not messing up the steering head angle engineers designed into the bike. Mountain twisties and open sweepers beg to be rode at speed being lowered also not looking stupid slammed. Enduro bike owners have not noticed the bike was lowered.
Back to the "rookie cop", I met "his rule of making a full stop of three to four seconds before taking off again". I told him I counted off six going to seven seconds before letting the clutch out and starting to move, whay's your problem? You going to write me a ticket because I have a bike plus the talent able to balance a dead stopped bike with both feet on the pegs not ground with zero body lanuage required to maintain balance? This would be great in front of a judge plus I know most the "Motors Officers" as personal friends, they will rib your azz for ticketing me. Let's see you slow race your Harley Officer? No takers by this new rookie trying to make quota. One on one off ther record by a trusted family friend officer, "they do have a ticket quota system where you can build up then get an extra day added to your days off".
Not this family friend officer, he's against that quota BS, "three more years and he's retired, sooner the better". He lets a lot slide yet comes down hard on bad vehicle violations like 45 to 60 in a 25 zone. Ticket, towed vehicle and arrested.
A short 8" high wheelie of 10 ft. is more like saying hi to him with a wave ans smile back.
We go back with dad riding bikes from age 14 to 80 almost daily riding, also my riding partner when I was 15 (56 years ago) before dad passed away at age 80. Hollister 4th of July in 97 the 50th reunion, dad was only 75 back in 97, dad was there in 47 the first Hollister Gypsy Tour on his 47 Trumpet Speed Twin. Hollister is only 86 miles away. I go "when they have it" this 4th of July rally event, grab a road pin and a Tee shirt with the event year on it then hit HighwaybOne the Calif. Coast heading home as by 2:00 PM Hollister is packed. Harleys revving up making noise, stop and go short burnouts, not my thing i'm gone.
Machining a part, a tyre change, wheel balance, brake pads replacement, minor welding repairs (Mig & Tig), tuneups we were friends with several the Motors Officers that rode bikes on their off hours.
Not doing wheelies or other stupid things on bikes including the now retired police chief also a BMW touring rider and family friend. Good PR no 5 to 6 mph over the speed limit tickets they hand out being called the "Nazi & SS Force"......Four generations riding up Lombard Street in S.F. more fun than going down Lombard Street being one way down only......~~=o&o>......
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