Following the Yellow Brick Road

Some of our shirts

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Swag

S*it Bikers Say

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:29:00 +0000

I was emailed this video this morning by one of the stars. Very funny only because we really do sound like this.

enjoy

Now that's a saddle!

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Found over on Modern Day Redneck

Twisted Flatland's response to panhandling allegations

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:49:00 +0000

Remember we have koozies, t-shirts and ad space for sale!

Sexy

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:51:00 +0000

The video shoot went well. We had a few issues, and the 20 minute shoot turned into several hours. But at least we had a good time.

Here is your sneak peek. The feels like temp was 37F

Good Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:06:00 +0000

Welcome to my new readers!

Seems that some how I ended up on the American Legions Webring. exactly how that came to be, I'm not sure. We are not members of the American Legion, however we do go to benefits, we ride with a few, and work on several of their members bikes. Same with the Patriot Guard, we see a lot of their bikes.

We are making another video tomorrow. The theme is glitter isn't important. Weatherman says 53F for our ride, but it has been staying colder longer than they predicted. Because of this, and an awards ceremony tonight, I have lost a lot of the riders. But I think I can still make it work. Just have to rearrange a few things. We are enjoying making the videos, coming up with stupid ideas for them, pretty much anything that makes us giggle. And I must say, macho biker giggles are too freakin' cute! (don't tell them I said that)

I think I am having withdrawals.

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:29:00 +0000

We usually ride through the winter here. Yes, in Kansas, in snow, in the cold. But this week has been brutal. The air temp isn't that bad, around the freezing mark. But the "feels like" temps cut through you.

I can make it about a block before joints stiffen up, and my spine aches from fending off shivers. The cold seeps through my leathers, feels like long frozen needles cutting on you. We have opted out of riding for now.

We need the cold, we need it to be 0F or under for 3 days straight. And the bugs should be less come spring and summer. Some snow would be nice as well, as we are still in a drought. That video I showed you, that's what's left of our herd. If moisture doesn't find us by spring, they will have to be sold off. No way I can afford to feed them. Husband is a bit stressed about that, as we bought them with his 401K when he was laid off. But that's another story.

We are cleaning up a 1970 Yamaha dirt bike for our boys to learn. All three have their big bikes picked out, and what paint they want on them. They have to learn first, we told them after that, they can build their bikes. Only 1 of them was stoked about that. The other 2 want them bought. good laugh there.

Advertisers Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

As you are well aware at this point we are crowdfunding. One of our "gifts" is a year of advertising on our website along with a placement on our opening day t-shirts

We are looking for advertisers for our website; Twisted Flatland

As we are crowdfunding this isn't a traditional exchange. Through peerbackers.com we have to reach 80% of our funding goal to have access to the money. And at this posting we have 50 days left to reach the goal. If you as the advertiser donate to the fund, we will link from our facebook page in thanks even before we complete the crowdfunding. If we do not meet goal, your money is automatically refunded to you.

A donation of $100 will get your business name, blog name, club/group or website on our opening day shirts (personal names as well)

A donation of $200 will get you a full year of 300X250 photo ad (including link) and a place on the shirts. We have a limit of 10. This is first come first serve. However if you wish to donate more, your ad will be placed higher on the site and the shirt.

You can find us at peerbackers

2 days of bitter cold

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:58:00 +0000

Last 2 days have been so cold, it has been burning right through you. Too bitter to breathe outside, let alone ride. However this weekend, the darling weatherman has proclaimed it to be in the upper 50'sF.

Huzzah.

We have a ride planned for Sunday, one that I am looking forward to. Nothing long, but should be promisingly enjoyable. Good friends, almost naked, Hard hot cider. Should be a good time. As long as everyone remembers to show up.

We looked at a building for the shop. It would have worked, but the owner was hung up about her very cheap carpet. People carpet concert floors at times for what ever business they plan on putting in there. This carpet had been glued directly to the concrete floor. Didn't even have padding under it. We offered to pay for the carpet, so we could rip it out, but it was a no go. However I think that might have been for the best, we will be going to look at a larger building with a huge parking lot. I think we are much more suited with this one.

I have had a lot on my mind lately. The shop takes up most of it. I have been waiting for the drama to unfold over it, but have come to the conclusion that the drama not only is bull shit, but more irrelevant then anything else. If Husband isn't worried about it happening (as it will happen, just a matter of time) then I should really relax about it. It has been the only thing that has kept me from going full throttle on this business. But now that I have it straightened in my mind, and Husband has my back, eff em.

I have 2 super talented mechanics and a painter that has been recognized for his excellence (he just needs better work space), then there is me, I have a few editors ears, I am creative and a little warped, and I am loyal to my guys. I think we can make this thing huge. We already have loyal clients.

Thank goodness this blog isn't linked to the shop. . . yet. I need a place to hide and vent, or think in keystrokes. Maybe it is a good thing that I have never thrown this blog about, like my other one.

ok, enough rambling for this am.

3am, wide awake

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:37:00 +0000

Dog woke me awhile a go, freaking out on something out back. I think it's the pig trying to get through a gate. Whatever it was, it was a good thing as the fire had almost died out, and the temperatures have been plummeting. Got that going, rolled a smoke, then started sitting here, trying not to get pushed off by our huge Staffy.

Got to thinking, then showed up here.

I thought I was going to shut this blog down. Instead I put my more popular blog on vacation. The next 2 months are going to be busy, and I don't think will have too much time to try new things, and I highly doubt a repetitive, journal is what anyone wants to read.

I guess everyone knows now. And Husband and I have been having a grand time laughing about what rumors will be spread about what's going down. If you didn't click on the link I left, it's about Shane and I opening a motorcycle shop in our rural town. My Husband and Shane have been close friends for over 12 years. And I too count him as a dear friend. I am very much looking forward to this endeavor.

As the link, the last video and some up coming videos pointed out. We are indeed crowdfunding. The crowdfunding is not a make or break it for us, it just makes things a whole hell of a lot easier on us. We have been enjoying making the videos, and it is giving me practice at advertising ourselves, if nothing else. But I a pretty confident that over the next few weeks we will earn our amount. We have to get 80% of what we are raising or get none of it, talk about pressure.

Many are going to wonder who I am. Many already know Shane and what he can does. They will know me through my husband, as everything I have done has been under pen names or behind scenes. I have been jokingly referring to myself as the over paid receptionist. And I think it's best to leave it at that. My job description is everything/anything but the repairing, servicing or customizing the bikes. They say behind every great man is a great woman, looks like I am pulling double duty on that one.

Before I forget, in case anyone is interested in getting to know the shop better, we are now on Facebook; Twisted Flatland V-Twin

Maybe I can try to sleep now. it will be a nap as I wake in 2 hours. But it is better than nothing. The next several months will be very busy for me, not only with the crowdfunding, but setting up the shop and all that entails. Our town government has been great. They seem excited to have us there. And have been working with us for the past several months. Other business owners have been surprised by that. They didn't have as easy of a time. Maybe it's because we approached them first, and didn't just pop up. What ever the reason may be, I am thrilled to have their assistance and welcome in all of this. Here's hoping to a wonderful year.

Ride well!

Twisted Flatland "We Know" Video

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:31:00 +0000

<a href="http://www.linkedtube.com/oHFhAVqP12w6eba680d77df8dd138b5167f7de89368.htm">LinkedTube</a>

Though I am not one for poetry

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Blame it on late night boredom, 12F temps, and someone wondering why there was no "When I am an old Lady Biker" Poetry out there. I present to you (which is for the women that ride behind their ol' men):

When I'm an Old Lady Biker

When I am an old lady
instead of an ol’ lady
I will still rest my thighs
on leather stitched bags.

The wind will forever comb my graying hair
Chills from lakes will tighten my flesh
as exhaust perfumes what I wear.

When I am an old lady
instead of an ol’ lady
I will still touch him gently
as I’m his human arm rest

Butterflies linger like paper on string
crickets and toads continue to serenade
as clouds move in to darken our day

When I’m an old Lady
instead of an ol’ lady
my legs will still squeeze
his leather clad hips to alert

Needles of rain will sting all the same
the sun burning to leave me racoon eyed
as the time slips us both by

When I’m an old lady
instead of an ol’ lady
I will call it a queen seat
and leave the other to young’ uns

The echoing rumble keeps me in song
vibrations keeping my arthritis down
as sunflowers follow my path down the road

When I am an old lady
Instead of an ol’ lady
I will sit on his ride
forever by his side.

be kind, I wrote it in less than 5 minutes

The Long Awaited Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0000

You can exhale now.

I was going to do a video post, however with the Kansas wind, a bull that wanted to play and a cow that was determined to remove my arm skin with her tongue, I couldn't get it done. So I will have to write it all down.

Please take a look at this link>>>Help a Bike shop get off the ground

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:40:00 +0000

We are going riding today. Should be an oddly temp of 63F here. Perfect for those mid-winter blues.

I have some exciting news coming up. I am super stoked about it.

Happy New Year, my dear readers!

Oh so busy

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:54:00 +0000

Sorry for the neglect lately. There has been a lot of stress around here about being able to feed our cows. And then there is the entire opening my own business in the spring thing going on as well. Hopefully soon I will be able to share that with you.

I am also working on Christmas presents, as we make most of our own. Normally I don't publish them on this blog, but as one has a lot to do with motorcycles, I will post it a soon as I am done with it.

Hope all is well with you.

Nummy

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:37:00 +0000

Local wine. Very nice I must say. Not only have I been drinking it, but cooking with it as well. I am the only one in the house that drinks wines, no way I can drink it all before it goes bad.

Guess it has been a bit since I wrote here. I have been doing much better. Got the all clear on the health thing, though I have to watch for some lingering issues and somethings that might creep up from the new migraines.

Husband went and bought our oldest son a 1971 Kawasaki 175. Hooter says I will die on it. I just might. Clean title. Looks like someone might have hit a tree with it. But it has been stored in a garage for a few years, so in good condition. Teaching the boy shall be fun.

I have never been that close before

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:51:00 +0000

Husband has. He claims it happens to him twice a month.

We went out earlier, as we do every Monday, to run some errands on Husband's bike. We made it into town just fine, as usual. I was off in my own little world staring at something to my right, when suddenly Husband goosed it on some railroad tracks. I looked down to my left.

I see my knee and a car bumper.

He just missed hitting us. If Husband hadn't accelerated when he did. . . I might be telling a different story.

Husband says the guy didn't even yield at the stop sign. We had the right away, all the side streets on that stretch of road are stops. Never have I been that close to being hit, at least not like that. I have had them try to merge into my lane, pushing me off, but never a straight on T situation.

After the shaking stopped, I wanted to vomit.

Lion's Bike Show

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:57:00 +0000

Husband and I decided to check out the Local Lion's Bike show this weekend. It's the 4th year that it has been held, and the first year we have decided to check it out.

It was the quietest show I had ever been to. And not a lot of roaming people. I guess because it was small, newerish and not well advertised. But it has potential.

We didn't enter any of our bikes, though we got stopped a couple of times asking where our's was so they could vote on it. Husband and I did have a good time though. Talk to a few people we hadn't seen in a while, checked out some pretty bikes, and I got to be that loud rude gal.

I didn't mean to mind you. I had texted our buddy about one of the show's sponsors, and the response I got back cracked me up. Belly laugh cracked up.

I did find out that the coming soon shop (Open date is March) Twisted Flatland V-Twin is hoping to sponsor the Lion's Club Show next year. I bet it won't be so quiet then.

Loud Pipes Save Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:46:00 +0000

This article is dated from March, but as I don't read the Houston paper on a regular basis, I neglected to see it.

Houston Drivers Getting Tickets and Online Harassment. . .

(Houston) -- If getting a ticket wasn't frustrating enough, some Houston drivers are being targeted for intense online harassment campaigns by the HPD officer who ticketed them.

Westside HPD Patrol Division Officer Rickey D. Holtsclaw has received two written reprimands for his recent online attacks against the citizens he pulled over and cited.

In both cases, his targets were motorcycle riders, which seems to be a one-man mission for this officer.

While some 30-year veteran HPD officers say they've never written a single ticket for loud motorcycles in their entire careers, Holtsclaw's daily work records show he writes 5 to 8 loud motorcycle tickets per day.

Most of his tickets are issued along Highway 6 near Old Westheimer, a rural area with no homes that would spark complaints about loud engines. The local Fox television station recently reported on Holtsclaw's ticket-writing campaign, which has sparked complaints from a biker bar, as well as other businesses and citizens along Highway 6.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Houston drivers getting tickets and online harassment campaign from HPD officer - Houston Page One | Examiner.com

Now the article gets even more interesting as the Peabody Award winning Journalist gets ticketed and harassed himself.

We can discuss the article if you like, but it is the comments in various forums and other related articles that are on my mind.

Loud pipes save lives is a mantra that I have heard all my life. After reading this article and some of the replies I got a bit curious and did some digging. There has never been a study to prove nor disprove this mantra. I will not call it a myth as some do because there are a plethra of stories out there that claim they were saved by the loudness of their bikes. And I too have my stories.

Just yesterday a man in his SUV was slowly encroaching on our lane, straddling the line and still slowly moving in our direction. With a flick of the wrist, engines revved and the man looked up from his steering wheel, phone in his right hand, and quickly returned to his own lane. I made the international "on the phone" or "call me" sign with my hand and then waved a no-no at him. We stopped the man from pushing us off the road by the sound of our pipes.

I have read on some anti-motorcycle sites that say that bikes come equip with a horn. Obviously they have never heard a motorcycle horn. That doesn't surprise me as very few people hear you beeping away on a horn that is no louder than a standard bicycle horn. You need a fog horn to get people to notice you honking.

Bike Safer.com has a few links to follow about this old adage. One that I found wonderfully interesting is the the Oakland PD got rid of all their stock exhaust pipes after an accident.

Chief Kozicki also mentioned an incident where a motorcycle officer was struck, while riding a bike with the stock exhausts by a motorist who later claimed he hadn’t heard the officer coming.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Loud pipes save lives! - National Harley Davidson | Examiner.com

And that makes a point that I wanted to bring up. We live in a nation of perceived safety. We thrive on the concept of being safe weather there is proof of it or not. We value the perception of safety over facts and our freedoms Just look at the TSA. How many news stories are out there proving that the enhanced screening actually rarely works? However many are willing to strip naked in line, have their children groped, and their private lives exposed to anyone with a high school diploma just to "feel" that they are safe?

Why then must people like Noiseoff, a very anti-motorcycle forum have to berate us and then applaud a cop that could care less about anyone but himself? ( I should amend that statement as we with loud pipes are also only thinking about ourselves) I think my favorite is someone saying that "loud pipes like your's give bikers a bad name." There are so many other things that give bikers a bad name, I don't think loud pipes are on the top of that list.

In this Nation of perceived safety, why then is it not ok for a group of people to be allowed that perception? We believe wholeheartedly that we have saved our lives while riding next to an inattentive driver because we woke them up with our loud pipes. Statistics show that we hit cages, however those statistics that anti-biker groups like to tout, neglect to point out who was at fault.

There are stupid riders out there, just like stupid car drivers. And any little thing that may prevent a needless death is a bonus.

Trike vs Bike

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:07:00 +0000

I was on a forum last night and the question of is a Trike or a quad still a motorcycle or bike?

The answers made me chuckle. And some pissed me clean the well off.

First off not everyone that rides a trike is " a cripple", an old man, or a pussy. Because my ol man use to ride a sevi-car and he is none of those things.

Secondly not all trikes are VW's or conversions. H-D began production of the Servi-car in 1931, in desperation to expand and survive the Great Depression. In 1964, it was the first civilian Harley with an electric start, a year before the Electra Glide. The Servi-car was built to withstand most of America's roads at the time, dirt and uneven. It was able to go places that motorcycles had issues with.

Currently I have a 1949 45 or flathead, or servi-car or trike. Take your pick on what you call it. It is not a bike however. Bike is by definition 2 wheels, a trike has 3. Legally anything with more than 2 wheels is not a motorcycle. Simple. (try taking a DL test on a trike, the DL office gets really confused on how to test you and what license you should have for one. Legally it should be a car test and license, but they give you a motorcycle license anyhow)

When debating terms, please be careful about using the word "technically." I witness several comments stating that "technically a trike has a motor, so it is a motorcycle." Technically a motorcycle has an engine, not a motor.

A motor is a device which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

An engine is a device that converts chemical energy or heat energy into mechanical energy. The internal combustion piston engine.

The more you know, the less stupid you look.

Not all trike riders are yuppie pigs, as one comment suggested.

Now does this mean that trike riders have no place in the biker community? I think we do. We run the similar risks that a motorcycle does. People not seeing us, weather exposure. . . however we do not face all the same problems, laying down, roadkill (however those of us with older bikes have issues with railroad tracks and speed bumps). Trikes make great chase drivers, and we prefer them to trucks. Chase drivers, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, are those not on a bike that carries all our camping equipment and beer and attempt to keep up with the bikes without being pulled over.

And the majority of trike riders can ride a bike. What a silly myth that is. Just because we are on 3 wheels doesn't mean we can't handle two. Some trike owners are disabled, and unable to ride 2 wheels, like our friend Brain Wheel that was hit while on his motorcycle, dragged under a Jeep, and is now paralyzed. He is building a trike so he can ride again.

Some of us that can ride 2 wheels have fallen in love with Servi-cars. Old ones are rare. Last time I checked (been awhile since I looked) there were only 3 H-D Servi-Cars in my State. Now VW's and conversions are a different story. But it is a taste thing. Like muscle car guys not understanding why someone is in love with a Gremlin.

We ride. We take bugs in the mouth and bats in our hair. We suffer the rain and grit just like 2 wheels.

And I would love to see those 2 wheelers that say we cant ride two so we ride three, ride my trike and use the tank gate without flinging themselves off the road. (2 wheelers just can't handle a left sided shifter ~giggle~)

H-D being sued over being too hot

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:38:00 +0000

In the day in age of the weekend rider, lawsuits like this are not surprising;

There is an ever-increasing movement of folks who feel Harley-Davidson has taken the air-cooled engine about as far as it can go. It seems like, without fail, anticipation rises among industry insiders and consumers alike that H-D is finally going to deliver upon rumors of making the move to liquid cooling. Of course back in 2001 when the V-Rod was first announced, it almost appeared as though the air-cooled days were numbered, but in the decade that's followed, H-D has silenced its skeptics by proving the air-cooled Evolution engine and liquid-cooled Revolution design can share a product line in harmony. Well, believe it or not, there are more than just technology hounds taking a stand against H-D's reluctance to adopt modern liquid cooling. A federal judge ruled that a class action lawsuit against Harley-Davidson, claiming Harley engines run so hot that they pose a constant danger of burning their operators/passengers, is going forward.

Found at Chaos Nation, click here to read the entire article>>>

My first thought is, you know Harley Davidson is big on the air-cooled system, why on earth would you ride one if you don't like it. Second thought is, those of us that ride in the snow, like the heat they put off.

And the third thought, only idiots that lean in on a hot bike set their own clothes on fire. If you are wearing clothes that are touching your exhaust or head, then you are wearing the improper clothing for riding.

The temperature of an air cooled vs a liquid cool on the exhaust pipes and the head temps are about the same, they will both burn your skin.

There are accommodation on a bike for foot, butt and hand placement. If you follow those guidelines you shouldn't be hurt.

The claim of transmission failures because of heat is absurd. H-D changed the type of syn oil they use in their bikes, this is causing the premature transmission failures, they are noisy and under lubricated. Don't use the syn 3 in your bike.

If these few "bikers" win, they effectively bankrupt Harley Davidson. They should really be suing C.A.R.B. and the EPA over the engines running hot. Because of them and their climate change standards, mandating extra pods and such, they are the true reason behind the excess heat. If H-D doesn't follow the standards and regulations set forth by C.A.R.B and the EPA, they wouldn't be able to sell bikes.

2 Motorcyclists in critical after lay down on K-254

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:30:00 +0000

WICHITA - A motorcyclist and his passenger were rushed to the hospital in critical condition early this afternoon after braking to miss a car rolling into oncoming traffic on K-254 east of Hillside in Wichita

When they say rolling, they actually mean rolling over, flipping over.

This part here is great. . .

The driver of a semi also headed eastbound blocked the road with his truck so the motorcyclist and his passenger were not hit by oncoming traffic, Tauer said.

“That probably helped save the lives of those motorcycle riders so they weren’t hit by someone else,” he said.

Read the entire article here Wichita Eagle

Ok, so I was reading comments on this article, and one person keeps saying if this rider had taking a safety course, or as all riding instructors will tell you. . . Various media reports make it sound like this rider had intentionally laid his bike down. But as we all know you can't trust every thing you read. The commentor says that proper braking would have saved their skin and no lay down. My mind immediately goes to, this guys is an instructor and trying to get some business, but I am jaded that way. From my understanding, this rider has many experienced miles under his belt, and my feeling is that he attempted to brake (in a panic stop) and the rear ones locked up, hence laying down. One would think that an experienced rider with so many years of rider safety lessons would think of something like that happen and add it to his various scenarios instead of just attacking a critically injured rider for how the media reports the accident. Some people have way too much time on their hands and a bit too much bitterness in their hearts.

We have a bet

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:33:00 +0000

I am not sure. . . no wait I know how it started. Husband kept nagging me about going out for slushies late one night. It was after 10 pm and still close to 100F outside.

He knows I have a blueberry fetish.

He attempted to convince me that he could find a blueberry slushy. I laughed, and now we have a wager. We have been going out every other night, behaving like bad teenagers, taking a ride through the countryside and into different small towns and the city, looking for that blueberry slushy.

Please, if you know where one is, don't tell him! We do have a bet on this.

It's been 2 weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:40:00 +0000

And no stroke.

Helps me feel better for my future. But I am realistic about it all. SO many things right now have been keeping me very busy, and I can't wait until I am able to share the details when it all finally comes together.

Shane Doty of BDM Fame set to open Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:43:00 +0000

Shane Doty known for his technical and electrical expertise for Big Dog Motorcycles LLC, is setting his sights on opening a motorcycle repair shop in the Valley Center, Kansas area.

Twisted Flatland V-Twins will be specializing in all electrical aspects of the custom motorcycle. Which to this writer/rider says about time. Ever see the spaghetti that is a wiring harness? Or the lousy splicing job of many techs? And should be opening it's doors this fall, just in time for those long rebuilds/builds.

From what I have been able to glean, many well known regional motorcycle shops have been throwing their support into Mr. Doty's endeavor.

I will keep you updated as events unfold.