Biker still at home on motorcycle at 84

George Brown got his first Harley at the age of 16. Nearly 70 years later, he’s still riding.

Brown took home a new Harley trike Wednesday, the latest in a long line of motorcycles he’s owned over the years.

“I’ve been riding since the ’40s” proclaimed the 84-year-old.

Brown still remembers his first motorcycle.

“It was an old clunker,” he said.

Brown had worked at a grocery store plucking chicken feathers to earn enough money to buy it and recalls getting the license.

“I went to the drugstore and got the license for a quarter,” he said, adding jokingly, “you can’t do that now.”

Brown took a brief break from riding following his grocery job and worked on a tugboat on the river that took him to such cities as New Orleans, St. Paul and Pittsburgh.

Brown continued his career on the water and enlisted in the Navy at age 17. But once back on shore at the base, he continued to ride motorcycles.

After leaving the Navy, Brown was able to continue his passion for motorcycles, riding for the police department in Fort Worth, Texas, for four years.

“I could teach these kids a lot about riding,” he said of the experience.

Brown estimates he’s had eight or nine motorcycles in his years of riding, and they all have been Harleys except for one.

“I had an Indian for a while, but it had too heavy of a torque for me,” he said.

Brown’s most prized motorcycle was a 1955 police bike he sold more than 10 years ago when his wife became ill with cancer.

His partner in life, he noted she also was his partner on the road.

“She got on behind and rode with me,” he said of his wife, who lost her battle with cancer a short time later.

In all the years, Brown has managed to ride unscathed until last year when he was heading into Niemerg’s Steak House and was struck.

“It was the first accident I ever had,” he said.

Brown noted it was the reason he was getting a new Harley and trading the 2010 sidecar motorcycle.

“I carried a stuffed dog in the sidecar,” he said.

The accident didn’t deter Brown from riding again. The Mason resident rides into Effingham daily for lunch.

Brown isn’t as concerned for his safety as others who periodically look out for him.

“I have people at church who check on me every now and then, and neighbors keep track of me,” he said.

Brown has ridden his motorcycles great distances, with long trips up the East and West coasts and in Babler State Park near St. Louis, where he did volunteer maintenance about 10 years ago. He hasn’t given up his motorcycle trips, either, participating in the Sheriff’s Posse Ride and taking trips to Missouri and Ohio to visit former shipmates.

When he’s not riding, Brown keeps busy “puttering” in his shop and working on mechanical projects that include making parts for outboard motor boats for friends.

But Brown looks forward to the open road and doesn’t see his hobby as unique for his age.

“I know quite a few riding past 80,” he said. “The age limit now is being stretched. The retiring at 55 and giving up — that age is gone.”

Brown plans to continue riding into his sunset years.

“It’s in my blood. To have the wind in your face and all open space is just a tremendous feeling,” he said.

_____________
source: The EDN (Thoele, 3/1)

Deus Bald Terrior 1200 Motorcycle

 

Deus continues its string of drool-worthy bike conversions with the Deus Bald Terrior 1200 Motorcycle ($TBA). Based on a Harley Sportster, the Bald Terrior features custom 19- and 18-inch wheel sets, brake calipers, and rotors, one-off inch clip-on bars, a Vance & Hines performance exhaust, a PM Super gas air filter, custom length Ikon rear dampers, a Daytona electric speedo, and a hard black chromed fork sliders.

[via]

Mexico cops ticket 6-year-old for driving toy motorcycle without a license

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Police in this border city repented Thursday over ticketing a 6-year-old boy for reckless driving, driving without a license and not having his vehicle registered after he drove his miniature motorcycle into an SUV.

The boy’s mother, Karla Noriega, said police impounded the miniature gasoline-powered motorbike that her son got for Christmas after he crashed into an SUV on Dec. 27.

Noriega decided to go to the media and make the case public after finding out she would have to pay what she called a “ridiculous” $183 in fines to recover the toy motorbike.

City council Secretary Hector Arceluz said Thursday that authorities had dropped the fines, released the motorbike and would punish the police officers for having acted improperly.

Noriega’s son Gael was happy to get his minibike back, but said it no longer works after the accident.


________________
source: NY Daily News (AP, 1/15)

Motorcycle clubs' use of road guards may be endangering lives

Because of its size alone, the Big Texas Toy Run can be "an inconvenience one day a year" for motorists, Nick Taddonio says.

On. Sunday, thousands of motorcyclists will leave Fort Worth and Dallas and head toward QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie as part of the annual charitable event, which benefits needy children in the Metroplex.
To limit the inconvenience, on- and off-duty police officers will help direct traffic as the bikers travel along Interstate 30.

"There are many, many police officers involved," said Taddonio, president of the charity's board. "We say on our flier it's police-escorted and it's not just at the front end of the line.

"But not all motorcycle rides are as big, or as organized, as the toy run.

When motorcycle clubs set out on rides -- occasionally for charity, often just for fun -- they sometimes use their own bikers, or "road guards," to direct and block traffic, a common but illegal practice that is being blamed for the death of a man in October in Granbury.

Rafael Del Val, 38, was in a convoy of some 85 motorcyclists headed to Cranfills Gap when he was fatally injured.

According to a Granbury police report, members of the motorcycle convoy were trying to stop cross-traffic at U.S. 377 and Temple Hall Highway so the group of riders could stay together. Del Val and a second biker collided with an SUV while entering the intersection against a red light.

Although a Granbury police spokesman said the case will go to the Hood County district attorney's office for presentation to a grand jury, the accident report lists Del Val's disregard of the red light as the sole contributor to the crash.

The crash has focused attention on the use of road guards to block cross-traffic, regardless of traffic signals, until all riders can pass.

"This is a very common practice for the hordes of bikes that ride around the small towns of North Central Texas -- it happens a lot," a person wrote in a letter to the Star-Telegram. "Really friendly way to drive. Motorcyclists want cars to be bike friendly, but apparently that is a one-way street."


Interpretation of law

Some motorcyclists argue, however, that the law is ambiguous and that the use of volunteer road guards is a safety measure to keep motorcyclists and other drivers safe.

"It's a gray area," said Jeff Wilson, president of the Cowboys from Hell riding club, to which Del Val belonged. "It's always been one of those things that you just don't know what they're expecting of us. When the laws were written, it was for a single bike or a single car. ... But the laws aren't written for 80-something bikes riding at the same time. There's no clause for that."

According to a Department of Public Safety official's interpretation of the Texas transportation code, only law enforcement officers are allowed to block traffic unless an emergency occurs, such as a wreck.

While Fort Worth and several other cities have ordinances giving funeral escort companies limited authority to stop traffic, such rights do not extend to motorcycle convoys, officials said.

"If someone calls and says we're the DFW rider group and we want to take 200 motorcycles through your city, if you want to go through intersections, you're going to have to hire off-duty officers that assist you because we're the only ones that can stop the traffic," said Sgt. Ann Gates, a supervisor in the Fort Worth Police Department's motorcycle unit. "Otherwise you're going to have to obey all the traffic lights and signs. You're not going to be able to expect to blow through there as a group and expect everyone to just stop."


Defining 'escort'

Though not funeral escorts, the Patriot Guard Riders often participate in processions as part of their mission to attend, by invitation, the funerals of American service members to show respect and help shield mourners from interruptions caused by protesters.

George Winslow Jr., national president of the Patriot Guard Riders, said that if the group's members are part of a funeral procession that is not being escorted by law enforcement officers, "our practice is to follow all applicable traffic laws."

He said providing road guards is outside the group's normal practice "unless requested by law enforcement during a particular mission."

"In many states 'escort' has a specific legal definition, sometimes requiring special licensing and equipment," Winslow said. "Normally we do not provide 'escort' services. However, we often participate in a procession, which is being escorted by law enforcement officers, which I understand leads many of the public to believe that we are the escorts."

But Wilson said hiring officers for informal rides like the one in which Del Val was killed is not feasible.

"It's not a sponsored ride or anything like that," Wilson said. "Nobody raised money. It's not a sanctioned ride. It's like, 'Let's meet up somewhere Sunday and go for a ride.'"

Wilson said he believes that keeping the riders together is necessary for safety reasons and that road guards are a tool to help warn other motorists.

"I would think if you get a large group of 85 bikes coming through, you keep them together, you get them through and they're out," Wilson said. "To me it's a safety issue -- to keep the bikes together so everyone can watch over everybody."


'It's reckless'

Kat Fay, the driver of the Kia Soul involved in the collision, disagrees. She said such groups assume that other motorists understand the purpose of a person acting as a road guard.

"I had no idea what was going on," Fay said. "I had never experienced it before or even heard of it."
Fay said she found it unusual when she pulled up to the red light and spotted a motorcycle stopped in front of the car to her right, but had no idea that the motorcyclists were trying to stop all cross-traffic or that a large group of motorcycles was even headed her way when her light turned green and she proceeded forward.

"The woman on the back of the bike started waving her arms and yelling and pointing to my left," Fay said. "I looked left and there were motorcycles basically hitting my car at that point."

Fay said the Granbury investigator who worked the case mentioned to her that if the group had simply requested the Police Department's help, officers would have escorted the bikers through town.

"They can't take it into their own hands," Fay said. "I think it's reckless. I think that they're putting their lives at risk. They're putting other people's lives at risk."

_______________
source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (Boyd, 12/19)

Honda recalls 126,000 Goldwings

Honda Motor Co. is recalling 126,000 touring motorcycles because of a brake problem that could result in a fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Honda said the recall covers 2001-10 and 2012 GL1800 models sold as Goldwings.

According to Honda, the bike's rear brake may still be partially engaged even after the rider released it.

"Continued riding with the rear brake engaged/dragging may generate enough heat to cause the rear brake to catch fire," the company said.

The problem was attributed to the braking system's secondary master cylinder.

Honda told safety officials that it was alerted to the problem in July 2010 when a customer finished a ride, parked his bike, and a few minutes later "heard a small explosion, saw fire emanating from the rear brake area, and used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames."

The company said it took 16 months to determine the problem and decide on the course of action, and that it was aware of 26 complaints in the United States including two fires.

____________
source: Journal Sentinel (Barrett, 12/12)



Commentary:  If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident due to a manufacturer's recall, such as the braking mechanism on the Honda Goldwing, please call Texas Attorney, David Cole, at The Cole Legal Group.  Cole is a Texas Biker Lawyer, an attorney and fellow rider who knows what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve for your motorcycle accident.  Call at 1-800-245-5539 for a free consultation, or fill out the short form here.

High-Speed Motorcycle Stunt Goes Wrong, But Driver Survives

A motorcycle stunt rider is lucky to be alive after a misjudgment in distance sent him flying 80 feet through the air during a high-speed, high-risk stunt.

Denis Borges and fellow rider Anderson Sanches were attempting to weave through three oncoming cars during a stunt Nov. 21 at the Beto Carrero World theme park in Penha, Brazil, when Borges misjudged the distance and, drove straight into one of the vehicles.

Video captured by a spectator at the riders’ “Extreme Show” performance shows Sanches successfully making it through the cars, while Borges pops a wheelie and crashes, and is then sent flying through the air.

Borges landed and rolled another 40 feet before finally landing approximately 82 feet from where the crash first occurred. Medics rushed to Borges’s aid as he lay motionless on the ground.

Both he and Sanches, as a precaution, were immediately taken to a nearby hospital but, amazingly, did not sustain serious injuries, according a statement released by Beto Carrero World.

The theme park, the largest in Latin America, also said both men were back at work the next day.

“The drivers are professionals who already have more than 10 years experience and rehearse their maneuvers on a daily basis,” Beto Carrero World said in its statement. “‘It was a really scary accident, but it also served to show how extreme the show is.”

_______________
source: ABC News (Kindelan, 12/2)

Storing your bike for winter

Well, it's that time of year again! Soon the snow will be falling and the motorcycles will be tucked away for the winter

And each spring your dealer's phone will ring off the wall with customers who did not store the ol' bike properly and now wonder why it won't run.

Some preparation now will ensure that you are out riding in the spring instead of waiting in the dealer's lineup.


1. Location - where are you going to put it?

One solution may be to ask your dealer if he offers a storage program. This is ideal because he will often prep, store, and have the bike ready to ride when you are ready again. If you decide to store it yourself, you will need a place that is dry and out of harm's way.

When possible. Chose a location away from windows. The ultraviolet light can fade paint and plastic parts. Direct sunlight can raise the ambient temperature of the storage area which will promote condensation when the sun goes down, so cover plain glass with some sort of opaque material. Also, cover your bike with a specially designed bike cover not a sheet or a tarp. Why? Because a sheet absorbs moisture and hold it against metal surfaces and then rust forms. Also, damp fabric will breed mildew and this may attack the seat material. A tarp prevents moisture from getting in but it also prevents it from getting out. Moisture trapped will condense on the bike and then the rust monster is back!

A specially designed motorcycle cover is made of a mildew resistant material. The material is slightly porous, so it can breathe.


2. Change The Oil

Tip: Just like cars a colder winter grade oil will allow your bike to start easier in colder weather. If your motorcycle runs ok with a cold winter grade oil (5w30) then changing the oil to this grade will help startup and running in spring.

Even if the oil is not due for a change, byproducts of combustion produce acids in the oil which will harm the inner metal surfaces. Warm the engine to its normal operating temperature, as warm oil drains much faster and more completely.

While you are at it, why not change the filter too? Add fresh motorcycle grade oil. Remember to dispose of the drained oil and old filter in a responsible manner. What to do with the old oil? Recycle it. Most stores you have purchased the oil from will take it back free of change to be recycled.


3. Add Fuel Stabilizer And Drain Carbs

Tip: You only need to drain the carbs if your motorcycle will be stored more than 4 months. Otherwise just add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank, run the bike for 10 minutes so it mixes and gets into the carbs.

Fill the tank with fresh fuel, but do not overfill. The correct level is when the fuel just touches the bottom of the filler neck. This gives enough room for the fuel to expand without overflowing the tank when temperature rises.

Shut off the fuel petcock and drain the carburetors and the fuel lines. Add winterizing fuel conditioner to prevent the fuel from going stale, and help prevent moisture accumulation. Stale fuel occurs when aromatics (the lighter additives) evaporate leaving a thicker, sour smelling liquid. If left long enough, it will turn into a gum, plugging the jets and passages inside your carbs!



4. Lube the cylinder(s)

Tip: You only need to do this if your motorcycle will be stored a very long time (6 months or more)

Because gasoline is an excellent solvent and the oil scraper ring has done its job, most of the oil from the cylinder walls have been removed since the last time the engine was run. If the cylinder wall is left unprotected for a long period of time, it will rust and cause premature piston and ring wear.

Remove the spark plugs and pour a tablespoon (5 cc) of clean engine oil or spray fogging oil into each cylinder. Be sure to switch off the fuel before you crank the engine or else you may refill the drained carbs! Also, ground the ignition leads to prevent sparks igniting any fuel residue. Turn the engine over several revolutions to spread the oil around and then reinstall the plugs. Refitting the plugs before cranking the engine could result in a hydraulic lock if too much oil was used in the cylinder.



5. Battery Storage

The battery must be removed from the motorcycle when it is in storage. Motorcycles often have a small current drain even when the ignition is switched off (dark current), and a discharged battery will sulfate and no longer be able to sustain a charge.

A conventional battery should be checked for electrolyte level. Add distilled water to any of the cells that are low and then charge the battery.

Battery charging should be performed at least every two weeks using a charger that has an output of 10% of the battery ampere hour rating. For example if the battery has an AH rating of 12 (e.g. 12N12A-4A-1 where the 12A is 12 amp hours), then the charge rate of that battery should not exceed 1.2 amps. A higher charge will cause the battery to overheat. Charge the battery away from open flame or sparks as the gas (hydrogen) given off a battery can be explosive. Elevate the battery and keep it from freezing. Exercise the proper caution appropriate to caustic substances.




6. Surface Preparation

Waxing and polishing the motorcycle might seem like a waste of time since you are putting it away and no one will see it. But applying wax is a very important part of storing a motorcycle.Wax will act as a barrier against rust and moisture.

Don't forget to spray any other metal surfaces (such as the frame or engine) will a very light spray of WD-40. This will keep these areas shiny and protect from corrosion as well.



7. Exhaust and Mufflers

Exhausts/Mufflers are known to rust fast when they are not used. So making sure they are properly stored for the winter on your bike will save them from an early rusty death. Spray a light oil (such as WD40) into the muffler ends and drain holes. Lightly stick a plastic bag (shopping bag is fine) into the end of each muffler hole (to keep moisture from getting inside the exhaust). Then cover each muffler with another plastic bag to keep outside moisture off.



8. Tires

Check both front and rear tires with your air pressure gauge. Make sure each tire is properly inflated to the maximum recommend pressure. As it gets colder, air condenses in your tire so it is important to pump them up as to keep your tires healthy. Rubber is a flexible material and does not like to freeze (it cracks when it freezes). Placing 1/4"-1/2" piece of cardboard or wood board under each tire will help keep the rubber raised up from a freezing floor.

DO NOT use a tire dressing on tires (such as Armor-All or tire cleaning foam) as this will make the tires hard and slippery.



9. Service all fluids

If the brake or clutch fluids haven't been changed in the last two years or 18,000 km (11,000 miles), do it now. The fluids used In these system are "hygroscopic" which means that they absorb moisture. The contaminated fluid will cause corrosion inside the systems which may give problems when the motorcycle is used next spring. Be sure to use the correct fluids and note the warnings and instructions in the service manual. If you don't have the experience to service these systems, contact your dealer, he will be happy to assist you.

If your motorcycle is liquid cooled, the coolant requires changing every two years or 24,000 kms (15,000 miles). Make sure that the engine is cool enough to rest your hand on it before draining the system and please dispose of the coolant responsibly. Coolant/antifreeze is available from your dealer and has been developed to provide the correct protection for your motorcycle engine. Mixed 50/50 with distilled water will ensure a clean system for the next two years or 24,000 kms (15,000 miles).



10. Cover it.

Now you can cover the bike with the cycle cover and look forward to the first warm day of spring.



Back On The Road

Before you head out onto the highway, there are a couple of things to do. First, remove the cover and put it where you can find it again. Talking of finding things, locate the (charged) battery and reinstall it connecting the positive (+) cable (red) before the (-) negative and covering the terminals with the plastic covers. Recheck all fluid levels and turn on the fuel. Check for anything wrong on the motorcycle (cracked tires, broken parts/plastic, leaking oil). Set the tire pressures back to riding specs and you are ready to fire up.

As you don your riding gear, remember that your riding skills will be a little rusty and the road surfaces will have changed a bit since the last ride, so go carefully. Sand/salt deposits on the edge of the road and especially at corners may be hazardous.

[via]