That sound.

[namommy]

This weekend the weather around here was beautiful. I had to go out yesterday and I had all the windows and the sunroof open on the car. I was at a red light when I heard that sound. You all know it, that distinct blum, blum, blum that only comes from one bike. that sound that Harley davidson should be allow to patent or at least get a copyright on. It was killing me. Such a gorgeous day, and there are no more helmet laws in PA, and the riders hair was blowing in the wind, I was so jealous. Then I ran into someone that I haven't seen in over 9 years (old biker) still looks the same, Harley T shirt, Do rag on his head, he's just a little fatter these days. That brought up old memories, he used to have a pan head. Just the combination of the two things really made me home sick. or should I say 'bike' sick.

Laurie D

[best]

I work 3rd shift. Sleep days (when I sleep) *LOL*
Just as I am falling to sleep..rumble rumble rumble...
I think many would be angry they they are woken by loud pipes when they try to sleep.
I am woken and just want to ride *LOL* Such a beautiful sound.
Like the sounds of children at play..though it may wake me...it doesn't bother me. Harleys through a tunnel....ahhhhh music to my ears.
When will you be on the Cape? End of July I may be down there. (scheduling will see) Not a harley but is two wheels with a tiny rumble *LOL*
Nieghbor's brother just pulled up... Harley. Yup can always tell that sound.

[BillJ]

When I'm out on my Harley, I always wonder at people who don't turn to watch me pass. How soul-dead does one have to be, to not be inspired by the sound of a big American bike passing by?

[Gooch]

Originally Posted by namommy

You all know it, that distinct blum, blum, blum that only comes from one bike. that sound that Harley davidson should be allow to patent or at least get a copyright on.

Laurie D

I've been told the reason for the distinct sound of a Harley is the crankshaft design coupled with the degree spacing between the cylinders... THey do have a apatent on the crank design... not so sure if they have one on the cylinder degree spacing.

The Dyna has drag pipes...... I love riding under bridges and dropping the clutch....revving it up or down shifting and twisting it a little... couple weeks ago I went under one just as some college kids were walking down toward the lake. As I watched the mirror on that side I thought I saw one of them jump. I sort of got a chuckle at the same time i was reminding myself that wasn't real mature of me.

[namommy]

Ah, people who appreciate the same things. Music to my ears.

Best, I will be on the cape the 3rd week of august. We are camping at Shawmee-crowell state forest for 8 days. As much as I would love to, there is no way my husband would let me go for a ride with you. He wouldn't let me meet up with Recoveree (richie S) at a meeting in my area where there are usually 70 or 80 people. He thinks its dangerous. Oh well, he loves me.

I have no idea what makes the sound, I just know I like it.

Just this morning, there was an article in the local paper that people are getting fed up with the noise coming from bikes with modified mufflers, so the county passed an ordinance banning them. I forget what the fine is, but they will be cracking down hard around here. Some people are just a** holes.

[best]

As I watched the mirror on that side I thought I saw one of them jump. I sort of got a chuckle at the same time i was reminding myself that wasn't real mature of me.

Maybe it was or maybe it wasn't but it sure makes for a nice laugh in print *LOL*

[best]

namommy

Who said anything about giving a ride? *LOL*
I was thinking hand you the keys for 10 minutes

[namommy]

I taken you've never read the other post about the 3 times my ex tried to teach me. :titanic He got me a small bike, 1958 all-state, 3 times:

1- hit parked car, landed on roof.

2- just wiped out, lots of road rash.

3- hit another parked car, landed on sidewalk on other side of car.

Next, my husband sold my bike and said I'm hopeless.

[BillJ]

Have you considered taking the MSF Beginning Rider's Safety Course? They provide the bikes, etcetera, and they start you off very slowly. No parked cars to run into, either, and probably better instructors for you than your ex was.

In many states, successful completion of the MSF course means you don't have to take the road-test to get your motorcycle license. In some states it also gives you the legal choice about whether or not you wear a helmet when you ride.

Originally Posted by namommy

As much as I would love to, there is no way my husband would let me go for a ride with you... He thinks its dangerous.

What does your husband mean when he says "its dangerous"? That motorcycling is dangerous, or that you being on another guy's bike is dangerous?

If it's the first, you might point out that life ultimately proves fatal to everyone, and that it is our mission in recovery to live life to the fullest before it kills us.

If it's the second, that's a damn good reason he should help you get your own bike! :scratchch

[namommy]

My husband thinks it's dangerous for me to meet up with strange men that I only know on the internet. He's afraid they may be preditors. I guess I can see his point if I were to meet up with someone alone, But the meeting thing, that caused a big fight. I told him I would be in a room of at least 50 people who love me and care about me and nothing would happen. He still wasn't OK with it.

He has often told me that he would love to be able to get a bike either for us or for me. Better yet, his and hers, but we can't afford it. What I don't understand, when I was using with my ex, we always had at least 3 or 4 bikes around, now I am clean and have a job and I can't afford ONE. What's wrong with this picture?

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by namommy

My husband thinks it's dangerous for me to meet up with strange men that I only know on the internet.

Well, I guess that part makes sense. There are a lot of whackos in the world today. Of course, an alternative might be for you both to meet the rider in question, maybe hang with him for a bit, and then go for a ride.

Originally Posted by namommy

What I don't understand, when I was using with my ex, we always had at least 3 or 4 bikes around, now I am clean and have a job and I can't afford ONE. What's wrong with this picture?

I'm willing to bet that, when you were using, other priorities were pushed aside in favor of toys, status and dope. Now that you're clean, and trying to live a responsible life, real-world pressures manage to consume every penny earned.

Still, from what you've posted here, I'm willing to bet that, at some point soon, a motorcycle is going to become a priority in your life. When that happens, you'll find ways to scrimp and save and make it happen. We may be wastrels when we're wasted, but most of us are very goal-oriented, once we get clean and sober.

I'd been crazy for bikes since I was 7 or 8 but, prior to sobriety, I drank and drugged away all my motorcycle money. Hence, I didn't get my first bike (a Harley, BTW, which I still own and was riding last night) until I'd been sober a little over a year. I worked a part-time job, a full-time job, and went to school full-time on the G.I. Bill, to get the money together for that first bike. It was a priority for me - a goal I'd set, and gone for - and it was the first really positive thing I'd done in my life, besides getting sober and starting back to school.

I'd always thought myself a screw-up - lazy, directionless, content to just get by - but my sponsor was able to point to that motorcycle, and how hard I worked for it, to prove that I wasn't any of those things. It was a valuable lesson, that I've used many times in the years since.

I also have sobriety chips mounted on both of my street-legal motorcycles, to remind me of where they (and I) came from!

Anyway, your time is coming, and when it gets here you're gonna get you a fine motorcycle!

[namommy]

Bill,

Thanks for that encouragement. My husband is really cool, he wants to make me happy and he knows how much I miss riding so he keeps telling me that one day we will get a bike. It wasn't his thing, until he met me, now, he even watches "american chopper" on the discovery channel without me. BTW, I thought Vinnie was gonna punch Mikey out this week.