For those who have been riding a long long time

[lowriderghost]

You know I was really (!!!) aggravated when 'Wild Hogs' came out a few years ago... I've come to like it for what it IS now.... 'passive entertainment' ~ don't take it too seriously. I just felt at the time (still do) it could of been something a HELL of a lot more... a bunch of old f**kin' dudes going out for one last awesome ride across country... WTF? Anyways the scene at the Bar where they led one of the main Characters to a 1/2 disassembled PanHead sitting on a block, forcing him to swap his late model Sporty for it... f**k, I'd of been s**tTING big time to get that gawd damn PAN!!! Assuming the Pink was square and the numbers (on the engine and frame) hadn't been f**kED with, I'd of been in 7th Heaven!! YEAH I know... the Pan sold for what the hell (?) maybe under 2K at the time of Manufacture... that particular Sporty (I think it was a 'custom' 883/1200?) was probably MSRP about 8-10K but s**t... IT's just gawd damn F'N money... we can't take this s**t with us when we go... hey?? Needless to say, I want a PAN pretty f'n bad these days... just feel like maybe I'm running out of time?? But I don't want it to 'collect'... I want it for that (at least) one LAST (maybe?) 'perfect' ride... the one where i went out on that NO gawd damn worthless A-Holes in Cages tried to KILL me.... and the LAW didn't f**k with me... and s**t the road was filled with gorgeous Pit Woofies needing a Ride... UNTIL that ride (if ever) happens I refuse to leave!! Simple as that....    ~ the wait continues!! :2cool:

As someone has posted its probably just what happens when a particular interest reachs a public pinacle of popularity.  Posers and pretenders existed since I been involved just not to the great extent it is now.  There was close to zero tolerance for perceived posers and pretenders.  Sometimes they got their bike stolen and parted out. Most of the time they were made fun of and shunned. Being they are the majority now......what a shame.

[badinfluence63]

I rode a 1965 pan for 25+ years. The antiquated technology got to me.  It would get to you...Manual advance/retard,kick only,P/c.  But like you I had to get that "jones" out of my system.  This was my bike which I sold to a freind in Arizona, his name is woody. He took posession in I think 2009.  He's younger and like I once was he is totally enthronged with his new Pan:

My 1963 Pan


The business end(Foot clutch and hand shift)



The new owner "Woody" taken it for his first maiden ride

[CustomDave]

Damn, that is one bad ass looking pan. I would love to have an older bike like that for scooting around town.

[badinfluence63]

For me it ceased being worth the effort to look cool.

Getting older, I want plug and play reliability. Riding my 2001 Ultra to San Diego and back in 2010 w/out even a smidge of a problem convinced me the PM pays off with the new technology Harleys.

Older s**t tinkering and unreliabilty got old. Going to work all greasy and sweaty got old.

But I understand the need and the drive for such a worthy goal thats what got me and why I bought one and built it to what I wanted.

FYI..all the mods like the frame,handle bars, hinged rear fender,exhaust,seat came from Jammer catalog.  They use to have the coolest stuff. Great selection of frames,handle bars and exhaust to name a few.

[badinfluence63]

Here is my longer distance user freindly look.  Smaller sonny apes(less a chance of a ticket),luggage rack on back fender and old school retro bags for necesities. While the streamlined look was cool, adding the bags and luggage rack allowed for creature comforts on the road. I had another look in mind that I never go to before I sold it.  I have an old 60's extremely high and padded seat and matching sissy bar.  They don't make like that anywhere any more I am aware of. I still have them. I also added 3 inch open primary because I thought it was cool. Never got around to putting a shroud on it.

notice bags,lower bars and luggage rack





Closer look of foot clutch and hand shift

[badinfluence63]

You know I was really (!!!) aggravated when 'Wild Hogs' came out a few years ago... I've come to like it for what it IS now.... 'passive entertainment' ~ don't take it too seriously. I just felt at the time (still do) it could of been something a HELL of a lot more... a bunch of old f**kin' dudes going out for one last awesome ride across country... WTF? Anyways the scene at the Bar where they led one of the main Characters to a 1/2 disassembled PanHead sitting on a block, forcing him to swap his late model Sporty for it... f**k, I'd of been s**tTING big time to get that gawd damn PAN!!! Assuming the Pink was square and the numbers (on the engine and frame) hadn't been f**kED with, I'd of been in 7th Heaven!! YEAH I know... the Pan sold for what the hell (?) maybe under 2K at the time of Manufacture... that particular Sporty (I think it was a 'custom' 883/1200?) was probably MSRP about 8-10K but s**t... IT's just gawd damn F'N money... we can't take this s**t with us when we go... hey?? Needless to say, I want a PAN pretty f'n bad these days... just feel like maybe I'm running out of time?? But I don't want it to 'collect'... I want it for that (at least) one LAST (maybe?) 'perfect' ride... the one where i went out on that NO gawd damn worthless A-Holes in Cages tried to KILL me.... and the LAW didn't f**k with me... and s**t the road was filled with gorgeous Pit Woofies needing a Ride... UNTIL that ride (if ever) happens I refuse to leave!! Simple as that....    ~ the wait continues!! :2cool:

Whoops here it is..the majority of bikers today have one, maybe 2 of these qualites and that would be the bike and maybe love of family:

[kschilk]

Motorcycling used to be chivalrous and friendly... :hmm:...but that was a long, long time ago. Back in the '60s and '70s, there was an inherent comeraderie among riders. It didn't matter if you rode dirt or street, hog or cruiser....if you rode, you were "one of us". Of course, back then....riding wasn't for being cool or making some kinda' statement, it was just for fun. We were all doing it for the same reason and that one thing in common, was enough to form a strong bond. It was also understood that we'd all gotten there the same way, through dedication, perseverence and good old fashioned trial and error. I guess it was generally understood that if we were out there, we'd earned our place in riding society, so to speak.

The increase of squid-based participation has brought on a change in attitude and alot of unnecessary and intrusive regulation. I don't mean to sound harsh but facts is facts.... :dunno:...riding a motorcycle ain't that frickin' hard and anyone who actually needs one of those rider training course things to ride without killing themselves, prolly oughta' take up bowling or basketweaving. Now, in some states and because of all the training and regulations... :dunno:...it's easier to get a CDL than a MC license but by the same token, it's puting people on the roads that really wouldn't have been able to get there on their own. The quads and side-by-sides have done the same thing to off-road. Like my other favorite pastime, skydiving.... :sad0047:....riding has been transformed from a "risk sport", to little more than an amusement park ride. Once it gets to the point where anyone can easily get involved, it's pretty much all over but the cryin'. 

[badinfluence63]

So true.  Back in the mid '70's I was riding a beater GS750 Suzuki packed and loaded for bear heading from Manhattan,Ks to Providence, RI. Somewhere in Missouri I ran into a seasoned HD riding old timer coming back from Mardi Gras, he was packing his sugar pie. Regardless that at the time I was 20ish yo, he in his late 40's, me on a suzuki,he on his faithful HD we road and camped together for a couple days , we got along pretty good and until we parted heading in different directions.   I respect my elders and he treated me well, his GF a sweety pie.  He showed me a few tricks of the road as far as safe off road camping and which I used for many years and when I use to camp when on the road.  Now I am strictly a hotel guy when on the road. Why? Because I can afford it now,lol.

[Oldschool]

Now I am strictly a hotel guy when on the road. Why? Because I can afford it now,lol.

Ah common man, tell the true. It's easier to pull the bike in the room and not have to worry about it while you lay yourself down in a bed.

[lowriderghost]

No I understand ~  I'm just going to have to accommodate MY reality a bit though these days: I can't for the life of me kick over the Shovel anymore.... I'm still able to physically turn the crank by hand ~  even with the plugs in BUT I just don't have the energy to start that bike manually... I would of thought all the extra baggage now would of helped? Nope... I did better when I was a 100 lbs less. :sad0047:  So a retrofitted Electric Starter will be part of the plan, when I 'assemble' (not fabricate) this thing (IF ever).  :fingercross:

I rode a 1965 pan for 25+ years. The antiquated technology got to me.  It would get to you...Manual advance/retard,kick only,P/c.  But like you I had to get that "jones" out of my system.

[badinfluence63]

No I understand ~  I'm just going to have to accommodate MY reality a bit though these days: I can't for the life of me kick over the Shovel anymore.... I'm still able to physically turn the crank by hand ~  even with the plugs in BUT I just don't have the energy to start that bike manually... I would of thought all the extra baggage now would of helped? Nope... I did better when I was a 100 lbs less. :sad0047:  So a retrofitted Electric Starter will be part of the plan, when I 'assemble' (not fabricate) this thing (IF ever).  :fingercross:

Splurge man..come on take the plunge. In 2008 I went from a 1965 Pan and 1983 FLHS to a 2001 and 1998 Ultra.  My only regret was I wish'd ida done it sooner and you will feel the same way. I can't gush enough of how much I've enjoyed the upgrade in technology.  My worst foe was my own skepticism. I'm finding out slowly that most if not all the sensors and relays can be found in auto parts stores if you know what you're looking for.

[badinfluence63]

Ah common man, tell the true. It's easier to pull the bike in the room and not have to worry about it while you lay yourself down in a bed.

Theft...I have insurance. I take precautions when on the road but not ridiculously so. We stayed in Ramada Inns,Holiday Inns and middle of the road places like that and there was no walking the bikes thru the lobby and onto the elevator. We were always able to park the bike under the eaves by the entrance and in front of the hotel clerks desk.  Being as we take our rides in the spring or fall, there's been minimum competition for that spot with other bikes. Couple times maybe.

I've evolved as a rider in terms of sleeping arrnagements over my life time.  In my 20's I'd pull into any rest area or bush and call it a nite.  in my late 20's thru late 30's early 40's it was at designated camp spots. And now in mmy 50's its focking hotel rooms rule the day. Less the s**t you have to carry.  Hotels are every where and because of the economy I think they are resonable priced and with a free breakfast tossed in and I don't mean doinut and a coffee either.

I heartily encourage anyone to get on the road this coming season.  Take advantage of it while you can. If anyone every gets to New Hampshire and needs a place all bikes welcome here. Aholes need not apply,I'll only hurt your feelings.

[undgsx-R]

All bikes?

[badinfluence63]

All bikes?

Everybody but you.

[undgsx-R]

LOL seriously?