Following the Yellow Brick Road

Winterizing Your Bike; Step Three

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:12:00 +0000

Don't.

Winter is a great time to get your must have customizing or time consuming repairs done.

Some of the things that wrenches like to see coming into the shop at this time are top in rebuilds, persistent leaks, horny naked women, and engine machine work. Bringing your bike in for general maintenance will keep you on the road come spring, and a wonderful preventative for staying out. The list is a scientific poll from various mechanics in various shops.

Winter is also the best time to have that talk with your wrench. You know the talk, the one where you have all these grandiose plans for your bike. Winter is a slow time for mechanics, they are better able to answer all your questions and give you your best options, rather than in the spring where the hustle and bustle of making sure that bikes are out of the shop and under the owner in a short time.

A big mistake that many owners do, is forgetting about needed work until riding season comes around. If you have a problem, or there is something that is concerning you, talk to your wrench now, rather than later. The turn around rate for major repairs at this time is much quicker than in the spring and summer. And if you don't talk now, please hold your tongue come spring, it's your fault that your ride is up on the lift. Think ahead and have your wrenches complete attention.

Winterizing your Bike; Step 2

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:25:00 +0000

You really need to show your motorcycles battery a bit of love. The worst thing for a battery is to be discharged and then get cold.

For under $30 you can get a Battery Tender.

Or for $85-$110 you can replace your battery. You decide.

It's rather simple, just put this little baby on your bike, and it will keep your battery warm. It plugs into your wall outlet, and at times, the tender will check on your battery to see if any charging is needed, if so, it will switch on and stroke it for you, if not, it goes into stand by mode.

This product, not necessarily a certain company, is a must have for those long winter nights to keep you baby warm, and to be able to get her started up several weeks or months later, as if you just put her to bed the night before.

You can purchase a battery tender at just about any of your local shops.

Winterizing your Bike; Step one

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:09:00 +0000

It is getting too cold out for many riders. Some of us however don't care what the weather throws at us, except hail, that hurts just a bit. But it is time to start thinking about winterizing your bike, for those of you that put her (or him) to sleep this time of year.

The most important thing to do after you park your bike, is to turn off the gas and run your carberators dry. Many people neglect to do this, and will call their wrenches in the spring in a panic because all their small gas componantss have varnished and now their bikes will not idle without the choke wide open. And their bikes sounding like shit.

Doing this simple trick will save you money in the long run.

Are Volenteers Getting too hands on?

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Disclaimer before I start. This is only one side of the story, I was unable to talk with anyone that knew or was willing to give the other half of the story.

There might be some trouble brewing for the Salvation Army and their involvement with the Annual Wichita Toys for Tots run. For the past several years, the directors of Toys for Tots have had issues with the Salvation Army and them disclosing how many families they actually serve each year. This does cause many problems for the directors as without this information, there could be trouble if they were to be audited for the fundraiser.

The Marines have served this area, participating with the Toys for Tots program without complaint. They have one man that stays in contact with the directors all year long. Checking in with them at least 4 times before planning for the event actually begins. They are a big reason why Toys for Tots is successful.

The Toys Runs for Kansas have always been quite successful. Thousands of families have received new unwrapped toys for their children every year. Unfortunately many bikers and other witnesses have claimed to seen some unsavory conduct by the S.A. Volunteers. It seems that they have been seen pulling aside some of the more expensive items, and saving them to give to their own family and friends.

How the toys are split up between the two groups, is an even distribution, however it is the S.A. Volunteers that decide what their organization receives, and what the Marines get. An Example is any new bikes go to the S.A. while refurbished bicycles go to the Marines. This is not a prearranged agreement. Fortunately the families that receive this gifts do not complain, they are grateful that someone cares enough to actually donate something to their children without expecting anything in return.

It is to be seen if the volunteers from S.A. will once again pillage from the donations, or if the Organization will step up and allow the directors to know how many families they serve. If they are unwilling o unable to co-operate, I fear that they will no longer be allowed to continue with the run.

For information about Toys for Tots, either to help or seek assistance, go to the Marines Toys for Tots Website. And don't allow what a few miscreants might be doing to dissuade you from giving this season. And don't forget about the teens when you donate, they tend to receive less donations then the infants and toddlers.

9 months no bike

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Back in January, we dropped our shovel engine off with a machinist. This guy is very good. However his priorities have suddenly become skewed. The first thing out of my mouth back in July was, Is he tweaking?

I feel I was justified in asking that question. He is a 1% from back in the day. Most of his cronies are either dead or in jail, and some of those jail birds have been trickling out. And unfortunately there are a lot of tweakers out there that pass themselves off as bike wrenches. We end up with a lot of bikes from enthusists that seem to be oblivious to this fact and allowed a tweaker to touch there bike. To be honest here, tweakers are good for our business, without them, a $500 repair would never turn into a $1500 repair.

Turns out that this guy isn't tweaking, some of his riding buddies have shown back up and he was spending his days riding instead on working on any of the engine that have shown up at his place. He showed up about a month ago, showing my ol man that one of our heads was done, and it would be only a week before he could get the second one done and back to us. Did I mention that was a month ago?

Now my ol' man is very laid back. Takes quite a bit to get him angry. So we wait patiently. However I am not only hard head, but hot headed, and I am more than happy to go get our stuff back. No one will let me. I have no idea how much longer it will be before we get the engine back. But come rain or shine, snow and freezing weather, as soon as that engine is back in our bike we will be bundling up and hitting the road. It has been a long time coming,

Computer has been down

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:24:00 +0000

I lost my pc, but things are starting to get back to normal

I have a few interesting items. What would you like to hear about?

The Demise of Big Dog Motorcycles?

Salvation Army volunteers stealing from Toys for Tots?

or the fact that it is now winter and our engine has been at the machinists for 9 months!

oh I know you want to hear about all of it. Right o. I will tell you everything on the next post.

The Entire Story

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:58:00 +0000

I was finally able to hear the whole story of what happened with Brian.

It was around 4am, on a weekend night, Brian was riding down Broadway (also known as highway 81) just south of Haysville. He moved over onto the shoulder, blinker on and slowing down to make a left hand turn, when he met the Jeep.

A woman racing home in her Jeep, around 4 am after a night of partying. Drunk and late, she had to hurry home before the children she left alone woke up. When she met up with a motorcycle on the left shoulder.

She swerved onto the shoulder and slammed into him, her car dragged him 60 yards, before is was dislodged. She never slowed, let alone stopped to see what she had hit. Instead she hurried on. Brian lay in the road until someone else was able to help him.

As you know, Brian is no paralyzed from the waist down. What you don't know, is that they found this woman the next day. And as in so many other stories I have heard, and seen (we lost a dear friend a few years ago) nothing happened to this woman. She is free to continue to take the lives of bikers, other motorists and possibly pedestrians.

How many times does this have to happen before someone stops them. Punish those that take the lives of others because of their incompetence or shear stupidity?

Success

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:25:00 +0000

The Poker Run this weekend did well.

75 bikes showed up and we raised around $1400 for Brian. And no one got hurt.

Thank you to everyone that came, and those of you that spread the word.

On a sadder note, we lost another brother outside of Topeka last weekend. His family is in our thoughts.

Poker Run

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:09:00 +0000

I have updated the poker run to include the route mileage, and when the last bike out and in will be.

Poker Run; Updated

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:03:00 +0000

Please feel free to copy and paste the announcement below to help out a fellow brother

Benefit Poker Run For

BRIAN GIBSON

Saturday, August 29th

Registration begins at 9am
Last Bike out by 1030 am

At Broadway Street Bikes
7131 S. Broadway
Haysville, Ks
316-529-4569

Brian’s life was forever changed last September when he was struck from behind while riding his motorcycle. Both he and his bike were dragged under the jeep for 60 yards. The driver drove off, leaving Brian in the road. As a result, he is paralyzed from the waist down. He needs continued physical therapy and has exhausted his personal insurance. We hope to raise funds to allow him to continue his therapy. Each visit costs him $242.

Cost is $15 for the first hand. $5 for each additional hand

Join us for food and music starting at noon.

Suggested donation is $5 per plate.

The route is 85 miles, last bike back by 1pm
Prizes handed out at 1:30 pm

Supported by the Gypsy Motorcycle Club and Broadway Street Bikes

What's Wrong with Ponca City

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Sometimes I really love stat trackers. They let you know what people are looking for when they happen upon your blog.

Someone from Ponca City ( works in the office of) comes around here often. And they have searched this blog, looking for what is wrong with Ponca. To tell you the truth, I have no problem with Ponca. We just don't get down there very often.

Here is some rally stuff for Ponca City. (any more ad time, and I should get some kind of camp ground discount, ha!)

OK State H.O.G. Rally
Oct 8-10 2009

More Info found here.

Honestly, that's all I could find listed. Even though we own several H-D's we are not H.O.G. Members. So we don't attend these rallies.

If you have a problem with Ponca city, let me know. Some one there wants to know what you think.

One thing about OK, is no helmet law for anyone over 18. Same with Ks. Here is the law;

Title 47. Motor Vehicles. Highway Safety Code. Chapter 40. Highway Safety Code Ancillaries. Section 40-105. Required Equipment. :
"The following equipment shall be required on all motorcycles and all motor scooters except on actual trail rides conducted outside of public roads and highways:
"G. Headgear: No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall operate or ride upon any vehicle covered under this section unless such person is equipped with and wearing on the head a crash helmet of a type which complies with standards established by the Department of Public Safety. . . ."

Kansas Rallies

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:18:00 +0000

There is a big problem getting all the info in one place. Most of the time we hear of rallies by word of mouth, and can end up missing out on some really good, albeit small, ones.

Here are some up coming events for Kansas

Thor's Roar

August 8th in Lindsborg Kansas

Click here for more info

Deadend Rally

Aug 6-9 in Peru Kansas

Click here for more details

Thunder on the Plains

All bike event

Aug 21-23 in Dodge City Kansas

Click here for more info

National Labor day Rally

ABATE

Sept 4-7th at Perry Lake Kansas

Click here for more details

Big Bend Biker Rally

Sept 26th in Big Bend, Kansas

Click here for more info

Deadend Rally

oct 1- 4 in Peru Kansas

Click here for more info

There are many many poker runs, so I won't be listing them.

Ride safe and enjoy all Kansas actually has to offer.

McNasty's Commercial

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:37:00 +0000

A certain food company has a commercial out that shows a man on a bike and another man in a mini van. The bike stalls out in the rain.

The motorcycle looks to be a Big Dog K-9, knowing this, the commercial should make more sense. Motorcycles should be all weather, and not stalling because of a little rain. However I just happen to know that this bike does indeed stall in the rain, and some will even start up on their own if water is poured onto it.

I wonder if one of the marketing men had found this out on his own, and sought just a bit of vengeance in the commercial.

Tool Companies Not Laid-off Worker Friendly

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0000

We have been purchasing our tools from a certain company for a few years now. Recently, with the lay-off, we are no longer able to afford a "loan" from this company. Snapon. Allow me to give you a little background.

We were in search of a home loan, the loan was to help us replace our mobile home and build a stick house. Because our home is a mobile home, we were not qualified to get a home equity loan, and land in this county doesn't seem to qualify for such a loan. We are cash people, never carried a credit card in our life, unfortunately this will go against you when you are in need of a loan. To create some revolving credit to help us establish a base for our home loan, we turned to a company that we have dealt with in the past. A tool company that many mechanics use. We secured $7,700 in revolving credit, more than what the bank want from us, but enough for us to handle without issue, and made our credit look better. Thus far we have paid in $5,000 of that line.

A year and a half ago my husband was laid off. We struggled through payments, attempting to keep things going as well as we could. Recently however things have gotten worse, and we decided that we needed to get rid of this contract and eliminate this one payment, it really didn't matter if it messed up our credit, it had been blown within a year of the lay-off. My husband talked with the S-O rep and he said he would find out what we could do. Instead, an account specialist with the company called my husband at work and told him, that if he was to return the products, that they would only give him 60% of the original price and we would still have to pay the remaining $2000 within 30 days.

Needless to say, that this made my husband livid, but he kept calm and told the account specialist the circumstances of why we would have to give the products back. And why would he think that we could come up with the $2000 remaining on the account within 30 days, if we were unable to keep up with the weekly payments. The specialist proceeded to tell him to go to family and friends. This of course caused my husband to laugh, most of our family and friends have already been laid-off or facing lay-offs at this time. The specialist proceeded to tell my husband that he needed to get a second job then. My husband works over 40 hours a week at a shop that is a 40 minute drive from home, we have clients that bring bikes to our home and we run a small farm. When exactly would he be able to fit in another job? Where would he find another job at this point? Aircraft is laying off like crazy, and this is causing a ripple effect in our community. The specialist was also unaware of which client he was conversing with. He did not have our contract at his finger tips so was unable to tell us the basic run down of what all this contract entails. I would rate this as very poor customer service.

What all this boils down to is company greed. I like many companies that we have dealt with in the past, they insure the happiness of their clientele as well as fixing situations that are beneficial to all parties. With this company however, we will lose the products we purchased, they are also claiming that many of the small hand tools that have been paid off for years, will revert to their possession, we will lose the $5,000 we have paid into these products, and still owe them money. If we are unable to come up with the money in their 30 day deadline, we will incur court costs and whatever else money they can sue us for.

With 60% of their purchasers in default in one community,one would think that they would refinance or figure out another way of dealing with laid-off workers. In the long run they will end up losing more money by dealing with people in this manner, once these laid-off workers have to file for bankruptcy, then they would by eliminating or reducing their interest rates.

This of course is only one family's issue with this company that is being put out to the public, but at this time, it isn't the only family that is in this predicament. Be sure to look over your tool contracts very well, a lawyer to read it if you can afford one, be sure there is a way to efficiently and inexpensively retreat from an over burdening contract if something should happen in your life that reduces the amount of income or takes away your income.

Charity

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:37:00 +0000

Every year I raise money for Farm Aid, staying up for 24 hours, posting every 30 minutes.

I do this on one of my other blogs. If you are interested in learning more about this charity fund raiser, please go here and read about it.

Thank you.

Flywheels

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:38:00 +0000

The flywheels for our bike should be back from balancing today.

And I emphasize, should be.

The engine has been out since January. We are itching to get out, but we have to be patent. The man that has our engine is one of the best. He is simple in life style, just wants to make enough money to pay for the necessities in his life. He was a 1% for over 20 years. He founded a local chapter of a bike "gang" here. Now has been out for nearly 15 years. He doesn't want to be known or talked about really. But the man is damn good at what he does.

So we sit here quietly, waiting.

Update; Biker hit by car

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Last year I told you about a man that was hit while riding home from the shop. He is now paralyzed from the waist down, no chargers where ever filed against the driver.

This man will be doing some work down at the shop, prepping bikes for my husband. He just needs to keep busy more than anything else. This winter, my ol man will be converting his Sportster, the bike he was on when hit, into a trike.

He will be riding again next season.

Pawhuska Bike rally/ Sparks America Bike Rally 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:23:00 +0000

Because I have so many people being lead here for information on these two rallies, here is the dates and other info for them.

Mayfit {Pawhuska)

Starts today, Friday May 15th - 17th

Biker Park, Jct US 60 & 99 by Fairgrounds

Biker Days in the Osage (Pawhuska)

Fri September, 18th - Sun September, 20th

Biker Park, Jct US 60 & 99 by Fairgrounds

Bike Week (Sparks America)

June 18th thru 28th

More info here at the website

Halloween Biker Bash (Sparks America)

Gates open on Thursday morning on the 4th weekend of October every year

More info here at the website.

Mudstock (Sparks America)

Summer July 23 - 26

Fall Sept 24 - 27

More info here at the website.

Be on the 2010 H-D Catalog Cover

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:18:00 +0000

H-D would like you to submit your favorite motorcycle photo or rally pic to help create a mosaic on the cover of their 2010 catalog.

They are hoping to get 10,000 photos by tomorrow, Friday, May 15th 2009.

If interested head over to H-D mosaic and fill out some q&a, and up load your picture.

I'm Not even sure what to say about this.

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:02:00 +0000

This month in Vanity Fair, H-D has released a multi page ad campaigned, aimed at potential female riders.

“Harley-Davidson believes that many women who read Vanity Fair will relate to the strong, 
confident and independent attitude of women riders.  The images in the section showcase 
Harley-Davidson’s tradition of life-changing freedom, adventure, and camaraderie on the 
open road, and underscore the Motor Company’s declaration of Women Riders Month and its 
initiative to encourage 100,000 women to learn to ride.” - Leslie Prevish, women’s 
outreach manager for Harley-Davidson.

The women featured in the section are health and wellness expert and NBC’s The Biggest Loser
trainer Jillian Michaels; Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter Jewel; television and film
actor Tricia Helfer; and Los Angeles rider/entrepreneur Deborah DiMiceli.

What do you think,

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:44:00 +0000

A bit too wet to ride?

We won't be finding pavement for a few days.

Memorial Service and BACA Donations

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:59:00 +0000

Troy Gentzler memorial service will be held
tomorrow, Wednesday April 29, 2009.

The family is asking that you do
not send flowers instead, please make a
donation to BACA.

Bikers Against Child Abuse
Northeast Kansas Chapter
PO Box 19186
Topeka, KS, 66619

There is a guest book up so that you may leave
your thoughts with the family about our fallen brother.

B.A.C.A. Member Dies in Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:42:00 +0000

A Member of the Kansas Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) was killed yesterday on his way home from visiting children that the group had helped in the past.

On April 25th, lightning hit the rider in NE Kansas, killing him and injuring one of the 6 others that were riding with him. The injured man was treated and released from a Topeka, Kansas hospital.

Our thoughts are with the family, and B.A.C.A.

Update:

The biker has now been identified as Troy Gentzler of Lawrence.

Phone Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:56:00 +0000

When calling your Indy mechanic and reaching his ol' lady, don't be an ass to her. Not all of the wives are conniving, lieing, backstabbing simpletons. Treat her with a little respect. If you don't know your Indy mechanic very well, you might not know that he actually respects and gives a shit about his ol' lady.

Don't talk down to her until she has given you a very good reason to do so. Some of us have a lot of power to keep you away from our ol' men. Don't give us a reason to.

Also, don't whine. Seriously. It doesn't look good on a man of any age. I know your bike is down, and I feel for you. But there are other bikes down as well. People allow their bikes to sit too long in the winter, and they might act a little odd when they are started back up. Your Indy mechanic will return your phone call if he is decent. Don't call repetitively the same hour, and do not call multiple times in the same day whining to his ol' lady.

I think I got that off my chest.

The shop is full. The home shop is backed up 3 bikes deep not including our own. We will have them up and running before spring, unless you pulled a stupid and didn't get a massive repair done in the winter.

If you have left a comment, I have replied. So please look at those comments. I can't answer questions if I don't have all the info I need from you. Also because of some massive spamming I have had to put on comment moderation.

Don't be this guy

noreply@blogger.com (Phelan) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:20:00 +0000

It makes you look like a tool.

What the above is, is a sporty with ape hangers. Now maybe if it was a good rat bike, I wouldn't think twice about it. But no, this bike belongs to a tool.

If you think it's cool and you find a girl that thinks it is awesome, she is probably just as illegal as these bars are in this State.

Ape hangers have there place, just not on a sporty.

Of course this is just my opinion.