| Author | Message | ||
     Ferris |
knock, knock... | ||
| Timbo |
(ok, I'll bite) who's there?... | ||
| Mbsween |
Anybody know whats up with this? http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/index.html | ||
| Peter |
I guess you mean this? http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/scripts/NewsInsert.asp?insert=7829 | ||
| Oconnor |
It seems that ken01mp's poem has gotten misplaced... Looks like I will be seeing you out yonder once I graduate and finish TBS. Semper fi Candidate O'Connor 12mcd | ||
| Dave |
It is possible some don't realize or forget how many Vets are on the BadWeb. Especially the crusty retired ones. And perhaps some underestimate our reach and resolve. Something as disdainful as that lost post (deleted) really fires me up.  As a follow up...Sometimes people write things in frustration and anger but later recant though maturity and honor. We have people among us sacraficing their comfort and their families needs for our nations. ken01mp is one. ANything I can do Ken, drop me a note. DAve edited by dave on November 08, 2003 | ||
| Buellish |
DAve, Long time no here from!Where did you go after you left Deal's Gap/Fontanna? | ||
| Dave |
Hey ya Mike! I think we loaded my brother's '68 up...he headed back to SC and I meandered back here to St Louis. The Tiger is a terrific motorcycle but it just doens't have the grin factor a L or V-Twin gives me. I unpacked the Tiger and decided to head west on my S3 that same Thursday to make the Toque Fest in Show Low. Hell...I wasn't doing anything else! Beautiful riding and you know the rest of the Torque Fest story. That part of AZ and NM should not be missed. Awesome country. Coming back through TX the Buell crapped out from a cracked throttle body shaft in Bossier City LA. (Inspect those '99 fuelies people!) From all signs the bike may have ingested a screw from the shaft as well so rather risk destroying pistons or just getting stranded, I rented a U-haul and came on back to the St Louis area. Took everything a part and no sign of the screw. So after a valve job and new gaskets I'm waiting on a throttle body to come in. But ... still enjoying no employment I officially got "retired" from the AF 1 Nov. I am in need of riding so I may...may...venture out soon. Perhaps AR or where ever I point the bike. My biggest decision (thank goodness) is what bike to take. I know I'll be heading southerly....28 degrees here this morning and a high about 39....ouch! :-) ...still have both S2s Mike? DAve | ||
| Buellish |
"still have both S2s Mike?" Actually,no I don't.Good old Tom finally came through with the cash and I delivered the '95 Monday.I am now the proud owner of a '69 Camaro, SS/RS convertible!It's rusty and needs a lot of work,but it's mine! | ||
| Usroute66 |
Regarding the Multistrada Ducati, it might be ugly, but I think it will be a fine replacement for my S3T. I am waiting for the first year hype to wind down, and in the second year, small things found in the first years production are usually addressed in year two. The Multistrada has done what Ducati needed...a bike that you don't have to ride in a hunched over racing position, yet it still is a Ducati (and is not Japanese). What else is there to buy as a sport tourer, othan than the Aprilia Futura (and to me, that is really ugly and huge). So, the Multistrada has filled the nitch. | ||
| Dave |
Multistrada a. Sport Touring? b. Big Enduro? c. Dual Purpose? d. New Generation Sport Bike? e. All of the above? I am attracted to the Multistrada and it's what I envisioned Buell coming out with in a XB9D (dual purpose). I guess it's not happening. In an attempt to feed my need/want, I got a '01 Tiger but it's not cutting it. I agree that the Multistrada is filling a unique niche but there are others out there in close running if you're looking a Sport/Tourer...V-Strom, Triumph Sprint ST or Tiger, Ducati ST w/taller bars.... Hey Mike...if ya get a chance I'd like to see some pictures of that Camaro. DAve edited by dave on November 09, 2003 | ||
| Buellish |
Dave, When I get ready to un-tarp it and bring it in the shop,I'll shoot some digital images.Now I only have film.And no scanner. | ||
| Jim_witt |
Some interesting points of information: America has a negative savings rate not seen since the Great Depression. Consumer debt levels are at their highest point since at least World War II, when recordkeeping for this statistic began. 10% of Americans receive at least some portion of their food from a food bank or some other charitable organization. Second-hand clothing stores have increased their sales volume 100% in the last decade. Requests for food aid rose 23% and requests for emergency shelter rose 13% between 2000 and 2001 alone. America leads First World nations in income inequality. In 1975, the average American worker could purchase a new car after 18 weeks of wages. By 1995, it took the average American worker 28 weeks of wages to buy a new car. In 1975, the average car loan was 36 months. In 1995, the average car loan was 54 months. The average American works 140 hours more per year than in 1982, and America has surpassed Japan as the most over-worked nation. Corporate profits are now 8% of national income, down from 12% in the 1960's. America leads all First World nations in the percentage of married women in the work force. The percentage of working mothers with children under 6 rose to 63% by 1995 from 30% in 1970. The income tax, at 3% in 1950, has risen at least 800%. What cost $30 during the Kennedy administration cost $144 in 1992, even though free-traders claim that cheap imports hold down consumer prices. By 1993, the value of the dollar in 1971 had fallen to under 40 cents. U.S. factories produce over 3.5 times more than in 1960, but the American worker in manufacturing makes less than in 1960. Productivity increased 20% between 1989 and 1999, and while women saw a 4% gain, real wages for men decreased. The average American works 30 hours more per year than in 1995. Trade is responsible for 25% of the increase in income inequality for the last 30 years. Almost 33% of all American workers were paid $8 an hour or less during the 1990's. No large corporation founded during the New Economy of the 1990's provides their employees with the option of a traditional pension plan based on salary history, years with the company, and adjustments for inflation. Although medical bills remained flat for many years, annual price hikes for employees who have access to health care are to be expected. Insurers increased premiums 11% in 2000 and corporate America is likely to pass future projected increases on to their workers. The health care sector was responsible for 30% of GDP growth and 45% of new jobs in the year 2000. The housing sector, which is credited for temporarily keeping the economy out of recession, was only 18% of GDP and responsible for only 25% to 30% GDP growth. Despite an expansion of 21 million new jobs in the 1990's, the rate of increase was the smallest in recent decades. Productivity in the 1990's, although it outpaced the 1980's, was no match for the 1960's and 1970's. Productivity in the 1990's was a full percentage point less than the 1960's, the last full decade before the U.S. could declare itself a free-trade, open economy. Compared to the 1960's, the 1990's unemployment rate was one percentage point higher and inflation was 20% higher. Although it is still claimed that a rising tide lifts all boats, a phrase coined by President John F. Kennedy, it did not apply to the 1990's. GDP for the wage-gain recovery years of 1995-2000 was 2.5%, much better than when wage rates declined for the American worker 22 straight years between 1973 and 1995 when GDP averaged an anemic 1.3%. But the recent booming economy years were still no match for the post-war, more-protectionist era between 1947 and 1973, which showed a GDP pace of 2.9%. Both consumer and corporate debt have increased two-fold in two decades. Since real wages for working Americans began their steady decline in 1973, they began to rise in 1996, but halted again in 1999 despite a booming economy. Higher wages provided income for only about half of America's families between 1996 and 1999, as the other half increased family income by working longer hours. Although over 40% of employees in the private sector had employer-sponsored pension plans in 1980, only 20% do today. The average 401(k) account in 1998 had only $16,000. Contrary to popular economic theory that higher productivity means higher wages, wage rates of the 1960's outpaced those of the 1990's although the American worker produced three times as much as his counterpart did in 1960. Alan Greenspan has identified America's low-savings rate as "the key domestic policy problem of this country." The savings rate, which has recently turned negative for the first time since the Great Depression, averaged at least 7% throughout the 1960's, the 1970's and the 1980's. The wage-growth period in the 1990's, from 1995-1999, did not recover lost ground of declining wages in the earlier part of that decade. Despite a jobless rate that was at a 29-year low in 1999, the growth of real wages stagnated. Only one-fifth of employees that are eligible for 401(k) plans actually pay into the system, and 66% of those contribute less than the maximum. Less than 10% of eligible Americans contribute to IRA's. Despite the booming economy, Americans with low-savings rates simply don't have enough disposable income to contribute to their own retirement. In 1988, the average corporate executive made 42 times the wage of the average factory worker. By 1998, executive pay had risen to 419 times as much. Employee absenteeism was at its highest level in 1998. Stress as a cause of absenteeism increased three-fold since 1995. Workers are now just as likely to skip work because of stress as they are actual physical illness. The United States fueled economic expansion with borrowed money equaling almost $1 billion a day. The number of uninsured Americans reached 44.3 million in 1998, representing 16.3% of the population. Half of America's poor full-time employees lacked health insurance, as well as 11.1 million children. The top two individual states of the most uninsured Americans were George Bush's Texas and John McCain's Arizona, followed by California. Elderly Americans spend 19% of their annual income on health care that is not covered by Medicare. U.S. corporate debt increased 60% between 1995 and 2000, setting a record at 46% of America's GDP. An American worker employed full time was just as likely to fall below the poverty line in the 1990's as the 1980's, and was at a greater risk of doing so than a 1970's counterpart. Child poverty rates reached a record 22.5% in 1993, and stood at 19% in 1998. The percentage of children in poverty was 16% in 1979. The rate of personal bankruptcies has risen 400% since the late 1970's. A thirty year-old with a High School diploma earned 20% less in 1998 than in 1974. 53 million households in 1980 were supplemented with more than one paycheck. Twenty years later, there were 68 million, with much of the increase supplemented with more than two paychecks. 51% of working Americans are currently happy with their jobs, compared to 59% in 1995. There is one key difference between the Fed's aggressive rate-cutting that occurred in 1982 and pre-recession February 2001. In 1982, the Fed was trying to pull the economy out of a deep recession. In February 2001, the economy was still able to avoid entering into recession. Americans are working more and sleeping less. 38% of those surveyed by the National Sleep Foundation work 60 hours a week, 40% struggle to stay awake at work, and only 37% get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Household net income fell in 2000 for the first time in 55 years. 10 million Americans don't have bank accounts. -JW:>  Mortgage delinquent rates are at their highest level since 1992. | ||
| Roc |
And a good night to you too Jim.  | ||
| Court |
>>>What cost $30 during the Kennedy administration cost $144 in 1992, even though free-traders claim that cheap imports hold down consumer prices. Good point....I have my Union Card from those days. I was making $2.18 per hour out of Local #53 of the I.B.E.W. Now I see Electricians making well in excess of $120,000 per year. I was buying gas at the Skelly station at the end of the Chatueu Bridge for 0.199 per gallon as well..for the brand spanking new ($2,222 out the door at Laird Noller) Mustang. If you want to really get crazy, I'll steal from my speech on "change"...my Grandmother remembers when folks who flew (Barnstormers) were pretty much the "lunatic fringe" and flying was seen as an interesting diverision but with little. During the year before she passed away, and in failing health, she went to stay with my Aunty and Uncle in La Quinta, CA. Sandy and Craig throw the annual reunion for the Astornauts dating back to Project Mercury , Redstone Rocket and all the Apollo Missions. As Grandma is sitting there at the table, she suddenly realizes that at a table of 5 she's unable to participate in the topic of conversation as the only person at the table who had not walked on the moon. Smoke that in your pipe and dig it....I loved those days, I love these days! | ||
| Stingaroo |
This past Friday, I left Indiana, PA, rode down through Cumberland MD, thought about stopping at my Grandparents. It was cold, was alittle nasty out, and I had about another 200 miles to go to get home, as I was taking all the back roads to get to Gettysburg. And besides,I had seen them two weekends ago, so I kept on riding. I went through West Virginia, back up through Md, and back into PA. Road around the battlefield, then on to home, Hanover, PA. Saw my parents, petted the dog, and got ready for drill. I got the phone call on Saturday, at 4:30. My mom was in shambles, my grandfather McKenzie, the one I was going to stop and see, had passed away on Saturday morning at 7:00am. It was with a heavy heart that I had to pass the news on to the rest of my family, as everyone else could not speak, and the "rock" of my family, my old man, was in Philly. I was fine until later that day, thats when I finally broke down. Ambrose McKenzie left behind 8 children 37 Grandchildren, and 15 Great-grandchildren, 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren. He will be dearly missed. Talking about change, when we visited him two weeks ago, he was telling my girlfriend, my Dad, and I stories about his youth. He was born in 1909, and remembered when horses still brought them mail. After that, it was a 14 year old on an old Harley, which he got a picture of with his first camera in 1925. It had a leather belt to drive it, and pedals to operate it. He eventually bought it, and was his primary mode of transportation until he got married and had all of his kids. He always wanted me to give him a ride on my Buell, however, I could never catch him on a good day. He recalled when steam engines was the primary way to travel, when they had to chase black bears away from cattle, and herding cattle to the stockyards down main street. He bought thier house, which is now appraised at over $400,000 dollars for $5,000 bucks. His stories I will always carry with me and share, however I will always carry that regret of having not taken that extra half hour to stop by and see him on his last day with us... Brian | ||
| Ferris |
Brian, i know i won't be the only one to say this, but you should dwell on the good memories that you have, and not beat yourself up for not stopping to see your Grandparents. you couldn't have known, and in my opinion you didn't show any disrespect to your grandparents by choosing to soldier on that day. i lost a sister earlier this year, whom i didn't get to say goodbye to, followed shortly after by MY Grandfather, a wise, compassionate man who lived a lot of lifetimes in 104 years on this planet. i DID get to say goodbye to him, but still the hurt and pain and sadness and anguish and soul-searching when a family member dies can and will be intense. by your story of his life above you've shown the level of love and respect and devotion you two had for each other, and i can think of no better legacy for your Grandfather to have left behind. i hope these words help you. they have helped me. FB | ||
| Awprior |
Brian, Celebrate his life, cherish the memories you have and the strength of your family. You are lucky to have a family that is as close as it is. Alex | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Brian, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. In the last two weeks, I lost my father and father-in-law within 7 days of each other. It's been almost too much to bare at times. I'm thankful for all my friends and family. I've been able to get through this by remembering the great times. | ||
| Bomber |
I feel strongly that the love we feel can easily transcend the lack of a last minute visit, or the harsh words we may have shared with one we loose without being able to make ammends . . .. the man knows, Brian, he knows | ||
| Ferris |
Dennis, our sincerest condolences to you and your family. FBaD | ||
| Blastin |
Dennis, Sorry to hear about your Dad and Father-in-law. Words are hard to come by sometimes, but remember you have all of us to help out in any way that you need. Jerry | ||
| Ocbueller |
Brian, Sorry to hear about your grandfather. You and your family are his legacy. SteveH | ||
| Stevedplumber |
Brian, Sorry to hear about your loss this weekend. In time your pain will heal,but you will never forget your grandfather because he will live on in your heart. Just remember this,the next time you are out on your bike, or going away for the weekend for the National Guard, you grandfather will be looking down on you with a gleam in his eyes because you are his grandson. Steve | ||
| Stingaroo |
Gentlemen, thank you so much. These words of kindness are overwhelming, it is helping me cope with it. I am leaving college tommorrow afternoon to go to the viewing down in Cumberland, MD. He will be buried on Wensday, right across from my older twin brothers, just a little bit above the big tree. While I'm there, I am going to stop by Mt. Savage and visit my other Grandfather. He was a big Indian motorcycle fan. He is up in the big yonder as well, I'm guessing playing cards with his old army buddies, eating ice cream, which was his favorite, and telling me not to use adjustable wrenches, find the one that fits. Now I'm guessing they are both up there shaking hands. They were great boyhood friends, however, they had not seen each other since the 60's. Thank you my friends, although I have not meet many of you, your words of kindness has brought a small smile to my face. I had my emotions all twisted up, now I am not regretting as much,I am remembering. Thank you gentlemen, and God Bless. Brian Cessna Prior thanks man. Grandma Cessna was asking about you, and Julie says you better make it down on Thanksgiving. This time you are in the family picture, Mom insist. Oh yeah, and the Old Man says you can ride his bike, but none of those 12 O'clock wheelies ok? | ||
| Ferris |
...and telling me not to use adjustable wrenches, find the one that fits.  | ||
| Jim_witt |
If any of you guys every run across one of these puppies, with all the paperwork, the stylist, plus in really really good condition, I'd like to know about it. That includes you over seas dudes too, since they were made in Germany. They're not that expensive, just hard to find in execellent condition. Just thought the pictures below would burn an impression in your mind, then if you see one you'll think of me.      -JW:> | ||
| Stingaroo |
Dennis, I could not imagine the loss of two people held dear to your heart. It is the family and friends who gather together and support each other that makes this not so hard. They would not want us crying, but instead celebrate the fact they are in a better place. I am not sure how my cousin is handling it, she is still in Iraq... Someday Ferris, I would like to ride with you, buy ya a beer and shake your hand. "Ride to Lean" SteveH, I still have that shirt here for you, it is a good excuse to head down to OC. Plumber, next time I'm heading home and it is decent out, we need to ride. Many good rides just around the corner for us... Bomber, thats what is always amazing about Grandparents, they always know and understand. They helped shape me into who I am today, and they were always one step of ahead of me before I got in to trouble...  Alexander Prior, my best friend and long lost brother, only 15 more days till we meet again.. Thanks all, Brian When I ride my Buell, I am disconnected from the rest of the world. There are no troubles, no drama, I find the place where everything is beautiful and nothing hurts. I am free of all bonds,heartache, and remorse, for I am at the center of the universe, and am waiting for peace to arrive... | ||
| Stingaroo |
Thank you to all the vets out there, and to the ones still serving. If you enjoy your freedom, thank a veteran! Brian | ||
| Bomber |
Roo My grandfather basically raised me, from the male-to-male perspective . . . . mine was always one step ahead of me on my way to trouble, but often waved me past to ensure complete understanding and learning about said trouble . . . .John T was a tough taskmaster, but he rides shotgun with me everyday you and I were very lucky to have such men in our lives! |
