Crusty The Biker

DUMB FUC

2011-07-15T18:53:00.000-04:00

So this guy walks in the shop and wants to pay for an item with a personal check. I have signs ALL OVER the place that say -NO CHECKS- But he still asks just the same. I look at him annoyed and say I'm sorry, we don't accept personal checks. I take debit cards and all major credit cards. He hands me his debit card and says to me, you can try it but i don't think i have enough to cover it. ( this was a whopping $8.45 purchase mind you). I look at him and say "you thought i was going to accept your check knowing you did not have enough money in your account to cover it?" He gets pissed AT ME! and walks out. He wins the award for DUMB FUC customer of the week.

-Crusty

BOYCOTT THE TRASH SHOWS!

2011-06-29T09:10:00.001-04:00

I am so sick and tired of National media outlets glorifying and promoting dysfunction as a substitute for talent or achievement as a means to notoriety or fame. All it takes now to become rich and famous is bad behavior. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE FOLKS?

We can fight back by not watching that trash and stop buying the products that advertise on these programs. It makes me sick to my stomach when i see somebody wearing an OCC tshirt or some other fan wear from other exploitation show. Recently one of the creators of the JackAss shows/movies got killed in a car crash after a drunken party. The knucklehead nation was morning him as if he was a national hero....seriously?? The sad part was not his death but the fact so many young people look up to that sort of example. If you do not like my opinions.....i don't care.

Random Summer Thoughts

2011-06-27T16:11:00.001-04:00

I happen to have another fantastic weekend ride yesterday. I have ridden all over the place and i still think New England has some of the best riding anywhere. Yeah i have ridden the Dragon, and ridden Florida and some of this, and other countries roads and they are cool too, but there is nothing like the back roads here in New England.

DAMN! Summer has some great road side spectating! Between the girls riding lawn mowers in bikini tops, and the clothes many of the young gals wear today. Mrs Crusty was in BIG trouble when we got home!

Nothing is quite as good as a road side diner or mom and pop restaurant on the side of a country back road.

The country back roads is where the real folks ride. Posers ride bar stools, Bikers ride back roads.

I can't wait to get out there again...and i don't even care what the weather is...come on Sunday!

Crusty-

Oh Yeah...A Blog. I think i have one of those.

2011-06-22T13:51:00.000-04:00

I have been neglecting my Blogging duties as of late. Mostly because other things have just been keeping me busy. Spring was better this year then in the past couple of years. Mrs Crusty has got my attention most of the other times. Sorry, but she wins the battle every time between spending time with her or the computer. Crusty is no dummy!

Now i see its officially Summer! I hope all you folks are riding the wheels off your motorcycles? I know i have been logging some serious saddle time myself. Nothing what i would call long distance, but consistently 200+ mile days every weekend.

Not allot of exciting news to report. I could bitch about HD opening an assembly plant in India. Or maybe grump about Victory/Polaris buying Indian. But ehh, i'm done pissing and moaning about shit like that. It is what it is, and everything will sort itself out in the end.

Now that i have reached a milestone age in life, i have decided to concentrate on just enjoying life and not worry about stuff i can't do anything about. FTW (Fuck The World) or (Forever Two Wheels) which is pretty much the same thing when you think about it!

From now on when i post things here, pictures, ramblings, or what ever it will be just for my own amusement and not to make a point or statement. I'm done with those days. You can't change the world, or educate people that will never "get it". All i can do is sit back and laugh at them crash and burn. It's the little things in life that make me smile now.

Crusty

Motorcycle Check Points

2011-03-04T19:18:00.003-05:00

I have started to get email alerts on the subject of motorcycle check points in Florida and Georgia this week. As thousands of part time bikers head South at this time of the year, the local authorities start sharpening their pencils as they see a potential boost in police and city budgets. Where i disagree with the MRO's (Motorcycle Rights Organizations...there are so fucking many of them out there now i can't keep them all straight!) is on weather or not its constitutional to single out one group to target. I actually like the fact that the police are stopping groups of bikers heading into big rally towns. If the MRO's would stop their crying and think logically about this they would see that the police are helping catch a fair number of people who are riding motorcycles without the proper license. They catch an equal number of bikers for equipment violations ranging from straight pipes, no fenders, non-DOT lighting and a number of other common sense things like bald tires and non-DOT helmets (if that particular state has a helmet law). So whats wrong with that? Personally i don't want to be on the road with some asshole that's not licensed or insured and is riding a death trap, pig motorcycle. If you have nothing to hide, you don't have a worry in the world.

The argument that if we give in to them on this point they will take away our other rights does not hold up. I got news for you Junior, at any time the government can take away anything they want. We don't have "rights" we have privileges! They can declare Marshall Law and put this country in lock down if the circumstances are bad enough to warrant. They can shoot to kill and ask questions later.

Crusty's Solution-

Put a baffle in your pipes Dipshit. Loud pipes don't save lives. Riding responsibly and riding sober saves lives. Dip into your beer and lottery ticket money and take the classes and get your "M" stamp on your license. We all had to do it, what makes YOU special? Your record is a mile long and you can't get your license? Then suck it up and deal. You fucked yourself and I don't give a rats left nut about you then because your just a thug. You don't like the way you look in a DOT helmet? Sorry chubby cheeks, its not the helmet that makes you look stupid. Fix your god damn bike up and stop being lazy and or cheap. Riding bikes with unsafe equipment of any kind is begging for an accident and chances are you might take out a few other bikers that are NOT assholes like yourself.

Don't waste your money by sending it to MRO's. They are self perpetuating greed monsters. Many people that work for them are making a shit load of money off of you. If you want to donate your hard earned money to anyone try the Wounded Warriors Program. Or several other Vets groups out there.

This is not a new problem. It has been around a very long time. NOBODY can be trusted with your money but you. Check out the article below. This is from 1996! There are always people out there scamming motorcyclists. A good number of them are saposed to be looking out for your best interest. Don't you bet on it. Most of them are looking out for themselves. I don't trust any of them. I have nothing to hide and my bike and equipment is legal. I welcome check points to get rid of the bad element and make riding safer for everyone.

Bottom line is your on your own in this world and nobody is going to look after you.

Below is reprinted from American Motorcyclists 1996:

THE TRUTH,
THE WHOLE TRUTH
by Ed Youngblood, President
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
When a person steps up to the witness stand to testify in a court of law, he or she is required to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I expect that every attorney in America hears those words tens of thousands of times over the course of a normal career.

Several years ago, I received a visit from Richard Lester, a California attorney. Mr. Lester runs an organization called AIM, which stands for Aid to Injured Motorcyclists. AIM is a legal referral service. Mr. Lester has a list of attorneys all over the country, and when motorcyclists get injured, he offers them legal representation through an attorney in their state who will sue to collect damages.
The reason Mr. Lester came to me, however, was to tell me about NCOM, which stands for National Coalition of Motorcyclists. He said he had created NCOM to unify motorcyclist rights organizations, and in return all he wanted was their membership lists. Mr. Lester was not forthcoming with the information that would use these lists to promote his legal business. However, in response to my questions, he admitted this and suggested that AIM was basically a funding source for NCOM, since motorcyclists' rights were his main interest.
I asked him what kind of cases he and his network of lawyers would take and he indicated that their main objective was to get what is due to motorcyclists who have been taken down by negligent motorists. Since I believe that there are many such occurrences that justify legal action, I told him that I believed there is a legitimate need for such representation. I explained to him, however, that the AMA is an organization made up of both individual and corporate members. I said that our role is to pursue the interests of the greater American motorcycling community, and that we strive to find ways to create unity and cooperation between the motorcycle industry and its customers. I told him that while I expect there are times when product liability suits are justified, we wanted to have no affiliation with an organization that pursued product liability litigation. He assured me that AIM would not take on product liability suits and that he understood our position.
What Mr. Lester did not realize was that I had already spoken with a long-time friend who was the leader of ABATE in a nearby state and had met with Lester previously. My friend, whom I trust implicitly, informed me that Mr. Lester had told him otherwise, stating that AIM would be happy to pursue product liability actions against motorcycle and accessory manufacturers. Our meeting ended amicably, but the AMA chose to enter into no affiliation with NCOM.
Over the years, NCOM became more active and visible, hosting conferences for state motorcyclist rights groups, funding projects and collecting names for the mailing lists used by AIM to promote its legal referral service. Eventually, Richard Lester took his activities international, forming ICOM -- the International Coalition of Motorcyclists. He began to court the Federation of European Motorcyclists, flying its officers to the United States for his NCOM conferences, which gained status and prestige through the participation of freedom fighters from other countries.
In regard to this relationship, it is important to understand that one of the biggest legislative battles in Europe in recent years has been the fight against proposals to mandate leg protectors on motorcycles. Mr. Lester was well aware of this. For information on the seriousness of the leg protector debate, see the following issues of American Motorcyclist: June 1991, page 22; July 1991, page 33; March 1992, page 55; and May 1996, page 74.
Early this year, rumors began to circulate that Mr. Lester and his colleagues were actively involved in as many as 20 suits alleging that riders had suffered unnecessary leg injuries in part because manufacturers had negligently failed to incorporate leg protectors into their motorcycle designs. The rumors became open allegations on July 5 when Lester's long-time assistant, Pepper Massey-Swan, quit her job in an act of conscience. She posted a letter to NCOM's Board of Advisors and Legislative Task Force, charging that Lester had, when questioned by her, denied that AIM attorneys were representing such cases, adding that he would not tolerate such litigation. When she confronted him with the facts, Massey-Swan said Lester admitted the existence of the cases, but refused to order AIM attorneys to cease their involvement.
She stated in her letter, "It has been my understanding that NCOM was created to assist in the fight against anti-motorcycle legislation. AIM was a vehicle by which we were able to achieve this goal. ICOM was formed to offer our support to our European brothers and sisters, currently pouring all of their efforts into fighting against legislation that would force manufacturers to put leg protectors on motorcycles. Being a part of these law-suits in any way is contradictory to the core of beliefs and principles of the motorcyclist rights movement." She continued, "This is a devastating blow to motorcyclists, one that's sting will be felt for many years to come. That this office would be associated with these anti-motorcycle lawsuits is despicable and unprincipled."
Apparently the NCOM staff was not the only group kept in the dark about AIM's product liability suits. According to Ed Netterberg, chairman of the NCOM Board of Advisors, that group also remained uninformed. In a memo to the Board, Netterberg said, "I believe this type of information was withheld from us deliberately, knowing it would be unacceptable."
On the same day that Massey-Swan delivered her letter of resignation, Lester, who was vacationing in Kenya at the time, quickly moved into damage control mode. He sent memos to his AIM attorneys and to the NCOM Board of Advisors and Legislative Task Force members in the United States, and wrote a letter to motorcyclist rights leaders in Europe, seeking an urgent meeting in London. The memos were marked: "FOR YOU EYES ONLY. READ AND DESTROY."
In these documents he admitted that the litigation was going on, that he had knowledge of it, and that is was all a mistake which resulted from "inattentiveness" and his failure to "note the obvious conflict." One memo acknowledged that in the neighborhood of 25 such cases had been pursued by AIM attorneys, and stated "In hindsight I should have seen that while trying to enforce the legal rights of the injured biker against the manufacturer, the AIM attorneys were aiding the forces trying to mandate leg protectors in Europe." He described the whole affair as a "screw-up."
Let me clearly state my concerns about this affair. First, I do not, and the AMA does not, take a position that injured motorcyclists do not require or deserve legal assistance. Of course they do. Nor do I claim that there is no place for product liability litigation. In some situations it has a legitimate purpose. I also would never suggest that NCOM has provided no good service to the motorcyclist rights movement. I'm sure it has. And I am in no way suggesting that Mr. Lester and other lawyers in America have not got every right to make a living in their chosen profession.
What I deplore is an organization that uses the rights movement for the purpose of generating contacts, credibility and mailing lists to pursue litigation that is destructive to the very cause it claims to be supporting. This activity, taking place over a period of years, can't be credibly dismissed as a screw-up or an oversight. Anyone who has completed law school has received ample instruction in how to identify and avoid conflicts of interest. Ms. Massey-Swan stated in her letter of resignation, "Taking into consideration that he (Mr. Lester) will not get rid of these cases makes it clear to me that the driving force behind this office is money, not the rights of motorcyclists." I find her statement compelling.
When Mr. Lester told me years ago that AIM did not intend to pursue product liability litigation, I believe he was not telling the truth. When he positioned AIM as a funding mechanism to support the motorcyclist rights movement through NCOM, I believe he was not telling the whole truth. It will be up to the many individuals and organizations in the motorcyclist rights movement who have accepted money from NCOM and ICOM to decide for themselves whether characterizing the activities of AIM as a "screw-up" resulting from inattention is telling nothing but the truth.
In sorting out the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, we need to ask ourselves if the various motorcyclist rights organizations we have placed our faith in are democratic, member-directed, non-profit organizations, and whether they are unaffiliated with outside enterprises that can confuse their mission, taint their credibility and pose serious conflicts of interest.
The AMA is such an organization. Most of the ABATEs and other state rights organizations in America are. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is. The Federation of European Motorcyclists is. NCOM and AIM are not.

More Interesting reading - Reprinted from Cyrie Huze Blog 2008

Letter to The Honorable Mary Peters Secretary, U.S. DOT

“Dear Secretary Peters  I recently received a press release stating that you appointed James D. Reichenbach to the Motorcyclist Advisory Counsel to the Federal  Highway Administration (MAC-FHWA) I am surprised and shocked to hear that. I am not aware of how Mr. Reichenbach came to your attention and  what information about him was supplied to you in helping you to make  that decision. I have to believe that you were given information  about him from sources that either did not do their research and or  have ulterior motives to see him appointed to this position. I would like the opportunity to bring other information to your  attention in hopes that you will reconsider his appointment and replace him. It is my understanding that MAC membership is based on certain types  of involvement in motorcycle-related organizations and that as  President of ABATE of Florida Mr. Reichenbach met that minimum  criteria. For some time now ABATE of Florida has been having internal problems  and a large portion of the membership are unhappy with the way the  organization is being run. Efforts by concerned members who want to  make the organization work and do not always agree with Mr.  Reichenbach are voted out of the organization which is supposed to be  open to all. Chapters have disbanded because of frustration in trying  to make changes and large numbers of the membership have resigned or  just fail to re-new their membership. ABATE is supposed to be open to all with a interest in motorcycling  yet during the 2008 legislative session Mr. Reichenbach stated he did  not consider a segment of motorcyclist riding in the state bikers. The statement that ABATE of Florida represents the motorcyclist of  the state is very misleading as there are over 900,000 registered  motorcyclist in Florida of which ABATE claims 7,500 are members of  their organization. That number is open to argument and even if it is  true that would mean the organization has approximately 0.008%  representation and a large portion of that membership is not in  agreement with the present leadership.  There are many reasons Mr. Reichenbach should not have this  appointment and some of them concern monies received in the forms of  grants and how they were spent. I would request checking with the  Florida Department of Highway Safety on this and his violation for  failure to file financial disclosure as his position as a State of  Florida Lobbyist. Also of concern to many ABATE members are his involvement as  Chairman of Board of Directors of NCOM and that organizations  involvement with AIM. Using the ABATE mailing list to try and solicit  customers for Richard Lester’s law firm. I feel that I am a creditable person to make the comments that I  have as I am one of the original founders of ABATE, I have also been  a member of ABATE of Florida since the late 70s and am presently a  life member. I am also a member of the AMA, MRF and BOLT. In 2005 I  was also inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Freedom  Fighter section. I am still very active in motorcycle rights and promote them through  the numerous publications I work for as a Photojournalist. I will admit that I have been outspoken in the past about some of  the actions of Mr. Reichenbach especially when he refuses to answer  my questions about grant money and how it is spent as well as his  personal expense account as president of ABATE. As a member of long  standing in that organization I believe that I and all the membership  should be supplied that information. I believe that the problems with ABATE of Florida can be solved if  Mr. Reichenbach opens the door to listening to the full membership. I would suggest that Mr. Reichenbach work to solve the problems in  Florida before he be allowed to speak on a Federal Level. I sincerely appreciate your attention in this matter”.  Rogue, Sturgis Freedom Fighters, Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

Feeling Like A Super Rat

2011-03-01T18:22:00.000-05:00

Hodaka Super Rat - As bad as they were, they are still
a million times better then anything made in China today.

I just noticed I had not posted anything here since February 1st ! That could be because the whole month of February sucked. Not just sucked as most Winter months do if your in the motorcycle biz, February sucked like Mother nature was out to cut out hearts out and make us cry like babies. Here in New England we have had one of the worst Winters in a few years. Just when your hoping that something goes in our favor for once, we get shit on AGAIN.

All we can do is hope. That's all we got left these days. The economy continues to drag on. It's slower then a Hodaka Super Rat with no compression that's stuck in 3rd gear. A feeling i might ad is very familiar with old Hodaka riders. ( If you rode dirt bikes in the 1970's I don't have to explain what that feels like.) If you didn't, then pfft, look it up on your smart phone.

From what my vendor reps are telling me, thirteen bike shops (shops of all sizes from Mom & Pop operations to franchised dealerships) went under so fare this Winter. I can sympathize because for the last sixty days mine has been teetering on the edge. When it gets to the point that being open is costing you money, then you realize it's time to start making emergency plans! It looks like we will make it through another Winter, but it was close.

Now i see gas prices climbing just as the snow is starting to melt. This might be a double edged sword. Yes some folks might start to see motorcycles as an alternative form of transportation to the gas guzzler they are driving, but with gas costing more, there is less money available for a second vehicle (motorcycle).

I'm afraid that we have to come to terms with the fact that life in this country will never be the same as we enjoyed before 911 and the Bush era that sent us over the edge. Yes i know that the Clinton area started us down this road, so I'll concede that blame can go to both administrations. Clinton allowed corporations to send jobs over seas and rewarded them for it. This started Wall Street on a path of greed and abuse. Bush got us involved in two wars that may bankrupt this country and most certainly will effect our grandchildren in a negative way.

OK so I'm no economist, but i am a business man. I'm sure smarter people then me will comment that it's more complicated then i am making it out to be. I don't really give a Super Rat's ass what they say. All i know is that this country is broken. Until you get Americans back to work PRODUCING and exporting goods or services, (not just moving information around which is being done cheaper in India now) we will continue to slip further back. It won't be to long before the United States is the new third world country.

I hate mixing politics with motorcycling and I'm sorry. It's just that old Crusty is feeling pretty shitty about what i see going on in this country and I'm feeling threatened and down right scared.

Remember When

2011-02-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

Remember when every motorcycle shop, garage, hardware store, and barber shop had a pin-up calendar hanging up in the back? They were usually advertising some piece of equipment, machine or tools that had very little to do with pretty girls in bathing suits. That was back in the day before political correctness. Of course it was also back in the day when leaving a little something to the imagination was the norm. Unlike today's shock-o-rama style of selling products.

I used to go to the bike shop with my Dad when he needed to get parts for some bike project he was working on. Bike shops back then were where men hug out to shoot the shit and bench race. It was part of the male right of passage. Unlike today's males who's manhood seems to be judged by which cell phone he carries to check with his "life partner" if it is ok to he buy a new pair of designer sunglasses. Back in those days men where men. They worked hard, played harder. Nobody cried if the got hurt riding their bikes. They wore their scars like badges of honor.

Steve McQueen's Husky 400

What brings me to all this is a news piece i read about one of Steve McQueen's bikes going up for auction. Steve McQueen has always been described as "The King of Cool". I loved Steve McQueen in all of his movies. I have a friend that raced dirt bikes out in California back in the late 60's and he met Steve McQueen personally. He has told me that he was a great guy to hang around and he had no ego and he had a great natural riding ability. What i find so interesting is that back in those days there were so many cool guys. Not just movie stars and celebrities, but normal guys that i knew. Again it was an era when men were tough and their riding did their talking for them. Now all it takes is a stupid You Tube video and some dumb behavior and your an instant "cool guy". Its very sad because forty years from now not one of those You Tube or Face Book jockies will be remembered the way Steve McQueen is remembered. The problem with instant and easy fame, is it is very fleeting.

Liar Liar Pants On Fire

2011-01-25T10:41:00.004-05:00

Many Blogs and a good number of motorcycle related websites out there start to talk about Winter maintenance this time of the year. Some are tongue and cheek and some are serious advice articles. My mid-Winter maintenance post will be a combination of both. Being from the dealer side of the service counter i may have a slightly different perspective since i deal with these issues all the time. If your lucky, or take care of your bike, you will most likely only have to deal with maintenance issues a couple of times a year. For this reason i would consider myself more of an expert on motorcycle maintenance then most of the people i see walk in my shop.

I hear and read the horror stories all the time. So and so dealer is a rip off! he charged me three hundred bucks to change my spark plugs. What Mr Motorcyclists failed to mention was that his bike is a sport touring bike which required most of the body work to be removed just to get to the plugs and that when the mechanic finely unearthed the plugs, Mr Motorcyclist had already attempted to change the plugs himself and stripped the threads on two of the plugs and lost several of the special bolts required to hold those very expensive body panels in place. Mr Motorcyclists also listened to his "buddy" and went to the local Pep-Boys and crossed referenced some ninety eight cent auto plugs for the proper plugs his state of the art sport touring motorcycle was supposed to use and now his bike developed a skip. While Mr. Motorcyclist was dropping his bike off to have the "plugs changed" as he is turning away from the counter almost in a whisper he says " oh by the way, the clutch needs adjustment also. Its making more noise then it used to." In actuality what the mechanic found was that Mr Motorcyclists also changed his own oil and filter and again listened to his expert "buddy" and decided to use auto motor oil designed for high fuel economy and an auto oil filter with the wrong bypass valve rating and it caused his clutch plates to glazed over and this was the cause of his mysterious noise.

That scenario is typical of many of the horror stories you will hear out there from most people that are dissatisfied with dealer service. Lets break it down and see what went wrong. Maybe you as a consumer might learn something about what dealers ( and i lump small repair shops in there along with big franchised dealer ships.) Anyone that makes his living working on motorcycles faces that same issues. That guy, and you know who I'm talking about, that guy that works on bikes on the side, out of his garage, shed, or basement, but does not run a legitimate business doesn't count. Why? because he can operate outside the law. He doesn't have a business license or insurance. He has nothing to loose, not even his reputation. If he screws up he just doesn't answer his cell phone and disappears into the night.

So what went wrong with Mr. Motorcyclists visit to the dealership for service? First off if you want to have a good experience with service you have to approach it as you would any relationship. As we have all learned if you don't tell the truth to your wife or girlfriend you will get busted. This will in turn make your life a living hell. Think of your meeting with the service manager as your first date and a good impression will go along way in getting what you want. Service managers are usually mechanics with many years of experience. They are usually older and cant crawl around on hard, cold, cement floors any longer. They opt for the relative comfort of the stool behind the service counter. In smaller shops like mine. I AM the service manager so you could be talking to the owner as well. I'm also the book keeper, head mechanic, parts guy, security, and janitor. So when you stand there and try to lie to me about whats wrong with your bike. There is a good chance I'll see through your story. This is why most service managers get the reputation of being like a prosecuting attorney. When we smell a bullshit story, we attack like a shark that got a whiff of blood. Man up dude and tell me EVERYTHING you did to the bike ( or had a "buddy" try to do ) so i don't spend three hours trying to back track someone else's hack job to get to the root of your bikes problem. Also don't down play the symptoms hoping that if you say it's something simple it will be less expensive fix. In most instances a bike that is brought in for service has already been looked at by at least two other amateurs. Usually the owner tries to service it himself, and when he reaches the limits of his ability he takes it to his buddy that he thinks is an expert because he "rides allot". So now your standing in front of me and i have to beat out of you the truth as to whats up with your bike that you first claimed just needed plugs. Can you see where this is going folks? Your already starting out on the wrong foot.

When you finally get the service appointment show up and on time. Unlike popular myth, mechanics are not sitting around in the back watching porn and playing cards. They have to be kept busy to make it worth employing them. If something comes up and you can't make it then call and explain. Just blowing off a service appointment is a guarantee you will be the last person on earth that gets his bike serviced at that shop. If what ever service you are having done was something you can wait for, then bring something to keep yourself busy. Read a book, take a walk to the donut shop anything other then standing around trying to talk with people who are at work and trying to get things done. This is especially important in smaller shops ( mine )where everyone wears more then one hat and is not paid to socialize. If the appointment requires you to leave the bike over night or until it is fixed, do not call every six hours asking if it's done yet. This will not make the process faster. If anything it makes you look like an ass.

So the tech working on your bike finds the problem, decides to either fix if it is doable without spending many hours and many dollars on parts. Or he will write up an estimate of parts and labor and contact you first. You can choose to have your bike fixed or pick your bike up and pay for the diagnostic fee. Yes that's right diagnostic fee. Believe it or not some people think they can have the shop tell them whats wrong with the bike so they can take it back to their "buddy" and have him finish the job without paying the shop a diagnostic fee. Folks I'm not making this shit up, it really happens.

Most shops have good working relationships with their vendor for parts and supplies. Their reputation depends on the parts they use to do the repair. Sometimes they are not the cheapest parts, but they are what the tech feels is necessary for the job. Do not start to debate what parts you want to have installed because you heard such and such spark plugs are cheaper. Or brand "A" oil is just as good and available at Wal-Mart for half of what the techs shop recommends. You are not the expert and if your way of doing things was better then a tech with formal training, or an old crusty mechanic with thirty years of experience then you would have already solved your bikes problem and not have had to seek help from somebody that does this stuff for a living. While we are talking about comparisons, please don't get pissy when faced with an estimate you think is to high because your "buddy" had his bike serviced and he only paid half of what your bike will cost. Unless your "buddy" has exactly the same make and model, and it has exactly the same problem you can't compare apples and oranges. You might have a Honda CBR1000RR and your "buddy" had a Kawasaki KZ750 LTD worked on. The difference in just the price of the spark plugs between those two bikes is over fifty bucks! That doesn't even take in consideration that the KZ750's plugs take 5 minutes to change while the CBR1000RR requires you remove all the lower faring body work to even see the spark plugs!

Most service shops are not your stereotypical sleazy used car lot types of operations. Any business that is legitimately licensed and insured and run out of a commercial building has a reputation to protect and they don't spend all their spare time plotting how to scam unsuspecting motorcyclists. In today's world of better business bureau, consumer reports, credit card insured, small claims court, Internet forum reporting outlets for consumers to get satisfaction or down right revenge, a legitimate service shop would have to be crazy to try to operate in any way other then on the up and up. Some guy working out of his wood shed might be able to pull that sort of thing, he has nothing to loose. But a business that has been around for a while will go out of their war to cultivate a good reputation. Word of mouth has and always will be the best advertising. In most instances a dispute with a service shop today comes more out of miscommunication between the shops service manager ( owner, chief cook and bottle washer guy...around here that means ME. ) and YOU the bikes owner. This is why it is so important for you to be honest and open with us when your requesting service. On the same token service managers and shop owners must never assume a customer would want you to just go ahead and fix something without checking with them first. Every bike that comes in my shop for a rear tire gets it's rear brake pads checked. If there is less then fifty percent of the pad material left i stop what i am doing and call the customer to ask if he wants the pads replaced while it is already apart. Then i save the worn pads to show the customer. Most of the time they actually thank me for taking the time to check them and let them know in advance. I never just go ahead and replace parts. In this economy, and extra fifty or eighty bucks is a big deal to most folks. So my advice to shop owners or service techs out there is to take the extra few minutes and call the customer. In the long run it will make you more money.

Skilled motorcycle mechanics ( which includes experienced shop owners, and service managers ) are like anyone else in most ways. If you want to get on their good side you have to use your head a little. Here are a few tips that will help build a relationship with them. Mutual respect and common sense, goes along way in any relationship. Many of these can be lumped into the same category as "Universal rules of Life"

#1. Don't get know as "that guy". That guy is the guy that comes into your shop every week. He stands there yapping and talking for 45 minutes or longer! He either never buys a thing or he might spend a couple of bucks on a goggle lens if he is an off-road guy. Or a helmet sticker for his novelty helmet he bought at the mall if he is a street guy. All the while he is in your shop he is bragging about all the stuff he got on Ebay for his bike and how much money he saved. He never spends a dime at your shop but then when he is in a bind and needs service has the nerve to want special treatment because he is a regular customer.

#2. Avoid being labeled as the "cry baby". Every shop has a few guys that will stand there and look you in the eye, and cry poverty. Bitch and moan how expensive everything is and how his motorcycle is costing him and arm and a leg. The worst offenders are the ones that cry poverty and yet drive in and get out of their new Porsche 911 sports car wearing their two hundred dollar sunglasses. They spend twenty minutes telling you about their vacation in Tuscany and now wants me to give him a discount on a new tire for his bike. And mount it for free.

#3. Don't be a racer Daddy. Racer Daddies are those guys that walk in your shop with their kids and want to know what you are going to give his son because "he races". This always get the immediate eye roll response. Now racer Daddy goes into his speech about all the amateur races Jason has won. He tells you every sponsors this kid has including the dry cleaners around the corner. Jason ( with his hat on side ways ) never once looks up from his cell phone. Dad looks me straight in the eye and asks how many tires I'll be giving him. When i finally get a word in, i politely reply "we are not sponsoring anyone at this time, but good luck with your season". Daddy gets irate and storms out yelling he is going across town to my competitor because they are a "real shop" and that I'll "never make it in business". I wish i had a dime for every time a racer Daddy has said that to me in the last forty years of being in this business.

#4. Don't be the bridge burner. The bridge burner is the guy that has a motorcycle with a mysterious problem that no one has ever been able to fix. The bridge burner walks in your shop and spends thirty minutes bad mouthing every dealer, repair shop, and every person that has ever touched his motorcycle. Each and every one of them "fucked it up worse" according to the bridge burner. He is the type of consumer that has the Better Business Bureau and his attorney on speed dial. Now he stands before you and actually thinks you want to even look at his bike. "Sorry, we are booked up sir, have a nice day".

#5. Don't be Mr. Argumentative. The service manager or (shop owners) job is to try and asses what might be wrong with a customers bike BEFORE he takes it in. Back in the old days, you would just take it in and deal with what it needs later. Not these days, now we have to try and avoid trouble before it happens! I have a saying around here that goes - "I just saved money by turning that guy away". The quickest way to get turned away at a service shop is to be argumentative with the shops owner/service manager as to what might be wrong with your bike. It's pretty obvious that you can't fix your bike yourself or you would not be standing in front of me. When a customer says "no i checked that" or "no i already tried that" or "no that's not what causes that". This is when i say - "Ok, well , let's see.....looks like the next appointment i have open is five months from now".

It's pretty simple folks. Most of the usual pitfalls of motorcycle service can be avoided with a little common sense, manners and above all honesty. Service shop owners have been doing this allot longer then you have. We have heard it all, seen it all and been down that road a million times. We don't like stress anymore then you do. So next time your bike needs service, face the fact that a professional motorcycle mechanics time is worth money. And that motorcycle parts are more expensice then parts for a 1993 Ford pick up. We realize that your motorcycle is your hobby but you must also realize that it is our way to make a living. You don't work for free at your job, so why would you expect a professional motorcycle tech to give away his knowledge, training, and experience.

Spring is right around the corner!

CT Ramblers MC 57th Annual Snow Run

2011-01-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

Back before the earth cooled, old Crusty raced off-road motorcycles. Back when I started, there was no such thing as an off-road motorcycle, there were just motorcycles. If you wanted to take it off road, you had to strip it down and make it into a racer. Later in my off road racing career, guys like Preston Petty started to make plastic fenders and accessories that made off-road racing allot easier. Eventually you could walk into a dealership and buy a purpose built off-road bike and go racing! My all time favorite race bike was a Husky WR250. That was back when Husky's were made in Sweeden and were the best motorcycles made for Enduro racing. Husky sold out to Cagiva back in the early 1980's and the Italians wrecked a wonderful motorcycle. Now they are owned by BMW. I have never ridden one since BMW took control, but a good friend of mine has and he said they suck.

Ok i'm getting a little off track here. No pun intended! What i wanted to tell you about was on January 30th, 2011 The CT Ramblers MC is hosting their 57th Annual Snow Run Enduro. It is New England's longest running Enduro. A few times over the years, it has had to have been postponed because of a blizzard or two, but it has run every year for almost six decades! Truly remarkable considering how enviromentally restrictive the State of Connecticut is. The only other States more difficult to hold off-road races in are California and the People's Republic Of Massachusetts.

More information on the Snow Run Enduro and The CT Ramblers MC is available at www.ctramblers.org

This years first dumb product-

2011-01-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

You would have to be the worlds dumbest motorcycle dealer to sell this product!

This is what their ad says:

Everybody loves to watch a good wheelie, but what’s it like to actually do one? Your customers can find out with the easy-to-use Wheelie Teach. The wheels bolt on the rear of a sport bike to protect riders and bikes from mishaps during the wheelie learning process.

Sure Sellers:
Aspiring wheelie artists simply need to find a smooth patch of parking lot, bolt it on and go for it. Three adjustable increments to safely move up in height.
Retail Price: $285

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD

2011-01-11T07:49:00.000-05:00

The Yamaha VMax looks like something Hasbro would sell. Japanese moto designers must still wear footie pajamas. NEW FROM YAMATRON! Here to save the planet.

Bike Show Blahs

2011-01-10T07:22:00.001-05:00

This past weekend was the Providence RI bike show. It's been years since they had one at the Civic Center. (That's what i call it, what ever the venue is named now). Maybe it's just me, but i find bike shows like these painfully boring these days. The custom bike building business is dead as a fucking door nail. The public fascination with excess is pretty much over. No body can afford to buy chrome or paint. Its like showng up in Somalia trying to sell gold plated napkin rings to starving orphans. Lets face it, how many times can you stroll by the same old tired tee shirt vendors, tattoo shop booths with skanky old carney chicks for models and beef jerky salesmen. I would be surprised if Vince the Shamwow guy was not there. I guess what I'm trying to say in my grumpy way is that these event promoters need to come up with something new to attract attention. At the Providence RI show this weekend i herd they had a Midget Wrestling exhibition. Midgets?? are you fucking kidding me? UGH!

Come on Spring! save us from the insanity!

Maine Outlaw M/C Raid - This is NOT Hollywood folks.

2011-01-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

This video was recently released by the ATF. It shows in-car video of the raid they conducted on an Old Orchard Beach, ME home on June, 16 2010. The people inside are connected with the Outlaw MC club. This is real shit. Sometimes people get so wrapped up in mistique of the Biker world, they forget that there is a very serious and dangerous element out there that should be respected and avoided if you don't want to get mixed up in their world.

New Years Day Ride Recap

2011-01-03T07:55:00.000-05:00

With temperatures in the low fifty's our New Years Day Ride was wet more than anything. Wet from the melting snow water that was running across the road. However any day you get to ride in fifty degree weather in January is a great day.

Our Winters are unpredictable here in Southern New England. Almost every year we get short breaks in the freezing weather where the temps can get into the forty's or fifty's. That's when you appreciate not taking your bike off the road in the Winter. Maybe it's just me, but i never found the savings all that much so i leave it on year round. In my mind the fewer dealings i have with insurance companies and the MASS RMV the better! But to each his own.

Of course our bikes got filthy. But we're not the chrome polish cowboys, who's bikes are hermetically sealed away in hibernation types. You know your hard core when the smell of steaming, dirty snow melt water coming off your engine brings a smile to your face. Just a few days before the weatherman said we could expect fifty degree weather i mentioned to Mrs Crusty that i was in need of a little mental health ride. So our New Years Day ride was perfect timing. The ride it self was not exciting. We stuck close to home because when the sun goes down around here you never know when black ice can happen. Our plan was to go off for two or three hours without ever being very far away from home. Our hundred mile loop got us back to the parking lot just before the sun went down. It was a much needed run for Old Crusty's Brain and it was good for the bikes. Bikes hate to sit idle for long periods of time.

Sunday's weather was rainy and wet. Although the temperature was still mild, I was not feeling like riding in the rain having just gotten over a bad cold. Yes at my age you have to think of your health first and fun second. Our plan was to hop in the car and scope out one of the loops we have been thinking about for a Spring Run. Hey why not use the Winter's sucky weather to our advantage? It sure beats sitting at home watching TV or taking down the Christmas tree!

Well it's back to work today. It's a new year and a new week. More importantly its one more week closer to Spring.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year folks! Thanks for stopping by from time to time to read my rants. I hope everyone out there is enjoying a safe and Happy New Years Day. I'm hoping to get out on the bike in a couple of hours. It looks like we might hit 50 degrees today! What ever your plans are be safe and thanks again for your kind words. - Crusty

Fucking Toasters!

2010-12-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a good Christmas? It's December 30th today and I'm looking forward to New Years Eve tomorrow night. Not because i have plans to go out and kill off more of my brain cells, but because i get to spend it quietly with Mrs Crusty at home.

Last night i went to make myself toast because i do that sometimes when i want a snack. So i pop two slices of bread in my toaster and NOTHING happens! WHAT THE FUCK!?!? This toaster if you recall from my September 29, 2010 post was a replacement for my cheap, little $7.00 toaster that served me well for many, many years. After all those years it finally died. So Me and the Mrs went to Walmart and purchased a new one. We went for the $14.00 model instead of the $6.59 version that was almost the same at the one i had for years. Fast forward to last night and this new one (purchased in September 2010) died. As you can imaging i was bummed. Three months old and it shits the bed. I KNEW we should have gone with the $6.59 model! We spent double that and got screwed!

Now i have made it my life's mission to find a toaster that can last as long as my old favorite friend (may it rest in peace). Yes it's slow in the M/C biz as you may have guessed by my rant about toasters! Come on Spring! I hate Winter almost as much as a toaster that only lasts 3 fucking months!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Crusty

First BIG snow storm of the season

2010-12-27T02:08:00.002-05:00

It's 1:30am and i just came in from plowing the driveway a second time tonight. The temperature has been right around 30 degrees, so the snow is heavy and wet feeling. The old plow (the truck that is) is feeling the strain of pushing this shit around. Come to think of it, the other old plow (me) is also feeling the strain. I can't complain to much. Compared to many places in the country we have been lucky so far this Winter. We had bare ground up until this storm.

Earlier today Mrs Crusty and me had a few errands to run. It had just started to snow a little this morning. We got to see how folks here in New England panic now-a-days at the possibility of a little snow. Ever since the blizzard of '78, New England'ers turn into lunatics when ever it snows. Hey i lived through it too, but you don't see me loose all sense of reality and go into full panic mode every time the weather man says "snow".

The news and weather man we're doing their best to hype up this storm. So naturally the first thing the Massholes do is make a run on every gas station in the area. They were fighting for spots in line! They were parking out in the street waiting to fill up! What the hell is a guy with a Toyota camry going to do with a full tank of gas if we do get the 18" to 24" of snow they were predicting at 11am this morning? It's not like he will be driving around in the storm. And if we do get that much snow, it will take the highway department a day to clear up the streets enough for non-four wheel drives to get out. Mr Toyota Camry driver gets 30 mpg anyways, so why do they feel the need to make a run on gas stations?

They other bazaar behavior is peoples need to buy bread and milk the minute "snow" is mentioned in the forecast. Bread shelves were picked clean and people were buying 2 or 3 gallons of milk at a time! You would have sworn that the world was coming to an end. Have you taken a look at most of the people around here? They could live a couple of weeks off the fat in their asses. Shoveling snow would actually do them some good.

We fought our way past the gas station and grocery store chaos to do the few things we needed to do. We had fun laughing at the panic stricken whack jobs. It felt good to get home and be safe and sound far away from the pandemonium that seemed to be happening all around us. We settled in and enjoyed watching the snow fall.

So here it is 2:05 am.....a car just slid off the turn in front of my house and is stuck in a snow bank. The blue lights from the police car are lighting up my kitchen as a type. This is my cue to shut down the computer, and go snuggle up next to a very naked Mrs Crusty who is already in bed.

Looks like i'll be plowing more snow in the morning.

G'night

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-24T10:16:00.000-05:00

Pretty much sums it up! Merry Christmas 2010

Hey Bud'e...u wanna buy some gud chit?

2010-12-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

This stuff works great! Buying it these days is like buying morphine or Oxycontin. You have to have 2 forms of ID and sign your life away. I swear they whispered under their breath i was a drug dealer for having the nerve to ask for 2 boxes. I'm hoping tonight I'll be able to get some sleep. Last night was spent sitting up watching TV and dozing on and off for a few minutes at a time. I felt like i was drowning in my own flem.

WWW = Wacky Winter Weather

2010-12-13T18:54:00.001-05:00

Here it is Monday evening at 6:19PM and it is STILL raining! It's been raining here in New England since late Saturday night. The rest of the country has been dealing with severe snow storms and cold weather, while here in Massachusetts, it has been mild and rainy. I'M NOT COMPLAINING! In fact I'm loving this weather. Anytime we can turn down the heat and we have clear roads with no ice is a GREAT thing! A sign of the Winter to come? I sure hope so but i won't get to excited just yet. It's not even officially Winter yet!
Today i feel like shit to put it bluntly. I'm coming down with a cold. I hate being sick! Mrs Crusty has been sick and i think i caught it from her. Oh well, for better or worse right! It didn't help i spent the weekend crawling under a wet truck doing repairs on one of the Crusty mobiles. The only thing i hate worse then being sick is working on any kind of automobile! They are evil rust buckets that Detroit made specifically to cost the unsuspecting American public tons of money to keep running. If a motorcycle manufacturer made something as poorly designed and badly made, they would be out of business very quickly or have their corporate offices burned to the ground. ( Better watch out Harley Davidson ). I don't feel sorry one bit for any of this countries auto makers. I have had them all, and every one was crap. Considering what they charge for them! They have screwed the public for years. If business ever picks up enough for me to be able to replace one of my rapidly aging vehicles with something new it will be made by a Japanese corporation. Maybe even a Chinese corporation! ( considering it will be years before i can afford something new! ) By that time the Chinese will have started importing cars and I'll give them a try! Hell ,how much worse can they be then a Chrysler!

Ok, I'm off to medicate.....Stay warm and dry!

Crusty

Summer Memories

2010-12-07T14:08:00.000-05:00

I was going through the pocket of my tank bib and found this ticket from one of the many NY State Parks we visited this Summer on our tour of NY State. NY has a fantastic park system. It is a beautiful state for motorcycle touring. We spent seven days riding and only hit rain on the first day. The rest of the week was absolutely beautiful. NY is a very diverse state. Running across this simple, little ticket brought back a flood of memories and emotions. That was the best week of my life i can remember in many years. We did not have reservations. We just looked at the map and picked out interesting places. We explored back roads and got to experience life on the road. By avoiding highways as much as possible, you get to experience so much more of what the countryside is like. Small diners and mom and pop restaurants often is where we met the nicest and most interesting people. There is something about traveing by motorcycle that makes people want to talk to you. Maybe we stired up past memories of their own road trips, or maybe it was just sympathy. In almost fifteen hundred miles we never once came across anyone that pissed us off or we had a problem with. Everyone was open and kind and even smiled at us and our bikes packed with a week's worth of gear.

Winter Blues / This And That

2010-12-06T17:57:00.000-05:00

I have sat down to write something several times this week, but i just can't seem to come up with anything interesting to talk about. I was pissed at the way the TV show "The Sons of Anarchy" ended its season. I think this years writing was lame. The ninety minute season ending episode had sixty minutes of commercials and it was actually painful to watch. What's worse is FX plays the same commercials for its shows OVER and OVER and OVER again. I was ready to throw something at the TV. The much hyped Sonny Barger cameo was much ado about nothing. Sutter put him in there to have a guarantee HA supporter audience. I'm sure all the Little minions had wet spots in there pants after Sonny's one minute appearance.

Business so far the Christmas season has sucked. Motorcycle people are always last minute, but I'm getting the feeling this Holiday season is shaping up to be a bust. Screw those shopping forecasts. The data is mostly compiled by retail associations and of course they will tell you to hurry down to the mall because merchandise is "flying off the shelves!".... Bullshit.

Harley Davidson has been setting up "assembly plants" in India and Brazil. Americans can't afford their bikes because Indians and South Americans have all our jobs. Now they can afford to buy them. It helps that by doing this it circumnavigates the import taxes Indians and Brazilians have to pay on imported motor vehicles. Trust me folks, this is the first step in a foreign made Harley Davidson being sold in this country. All their clothing is made someplace else, so why not their bikes?

Normally New England weather sucks at this time of the year, however seeing whats going on across the country, I'm glad i live here. Buffalo, the Pacific North West, the mid-West, and even Europe are getting slammed by shitty weather. We are having a pretty good early Winter by comparison. Of course Florida is having nice weather too. I have been to Florida a few times.Just the other day i was thinking maybe I should find a way of going back. But until business picks up some i think I'll be sticking close to home. I spent allot of moolah this past Summer on two long distance rides so this coming Summer I'm planning on staying in New England. After i pay off some bills I'll think about another FLA trip.

Anyone out there a TopGear fan? I love the original series from England that's shown on BBC America. I tried to watch the new American TopGear, but I'm sorry, the hosts are a bunch of idiots with no personality. I just can't get into it. I have often thought that the motorcycle world needs a show like TopGear to promote motorcycling and motorcycles to the public. No, not the typical Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week jiggle fest. The last thing we need is another OCC fake-reality show or another bimbo pretending to be an expert on all things motorcycle.

I can't think of anything else to write about. I guess my writers block shows in this post. It's more just random thoughts then anything else. I have never been much of a Holiday person. Maybe after the stress of Holidays is over my brain can relax and I'll have something more meaningful to write about.

A Beautiful Day

2010-11-28T13:55:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a good Turkey Day? I know i did, because I got to go riding! Sorry those of you that took your bikes off the road had to watch TV all day and listen to the same old boring relatives say them same old boring things. "I used to know a guy who had a motorcycle, he was killed doing a hunert miles n hour up on the highway" Yeah yeah. I have heard that a million times already in my life time. But not this year. Me and the Mrs hopped on the bikes...that's BIKES...with an "S" because she rides her own. Damn I'm a lucky S.O.B. I have a smoking hot wife that rides a bike better then allot of men i know and she has the sex drive of a twenty year old college girl. I won't get into how i know what a twenty year old college girls sex drive is like. At least not in this post. But anyways, where was I? We hopped on the bikes and went for a Thanksgiving Day Ride. It is our new tradition. Of course we had to dress warm, but that's part of the fun. The roads were absolutely deserted! It was a blast riding around like we were the only two people in the world. The sun sets early now so we were back home and helping each other out of our 4 layers of clothes by 4pm. Ok, thats the other fun part about riding at this time of the year. We get home early enough to has some fun too!

The Death Of An American Generation

2010-11-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

Take a good look at these pictures. If you are one of those avid video gamers that lined up at 5am to be the first in line to purchase the new Call of Duty-Black Ops video game, this could be you. Grown men took the day out of work to play this crap. It's is another example at how this generation of Americans has lost touch with reality. It's a fucking video game! Look at yourselves. You have no social life (wacking off to cyber porn does not count as a social life). If you do have a girl friend but she lives 3000 miles from you, you had better be a soldier defending this country's security (for real). Between the cell phones that everyone has their noses stuck in, the video games and the computers, we have created a whole generation of "do nothings". They don't do anything, go anywhere or accomplish anything. They can't interact with real people outside a chat room and have no people skills. I see that on a regular basis. Even the ones that do venture outside their caves can't cope with simple tasks. When their problems can't be fixed on a keyboard they freak out. I had a young man in my shop yesterday with a flat ATV tire. I tried to explain to him that a side wall tear, near the bead ,means the tire can not be repaired. The only option other then replace the tire, was to run a tube in it. He looked at me like i was speaking Latin. He said he had to go home and google it. Apparently young people can't understand a guy with over 40 years of motorcycling experience knows what he is talking about. They need almighty Googles input and guidance.

Hail Google, The geeks of the world praise you. There was a time when young men wanted mini bikes or dirtbikes. They learned to work with their hands and fix them up. It taught them skills that would come in handy later in life. Weather you were keeping a car running or fixing a broken washing machine. Going off and riding them taught them other skills. Like interacting with other people. It developed their independent sense of adventure. Wanting to know what was over the next hill, or where that trail led made then curious about the world. Clapped out, old dirt bikes led to street bikes or cars and that led to meeting girls and going off on their own and starting a family. We are in serious trouble in this country. This (pictured) is what we are cultivating. Lazy, fat slobs lacking any values. Unhealthy, drug dependant, and easily taken advantage of young people with no grasp of what its like to work for a living. This is a scary thought.

Well "Gamers" this weekend I'll be off riding my real motorcycle, with my real wife. Out on the real back roads of the real New England. I'll stop for a healthy lunch that i pay for with real money i earned while working with my hands. Then I'll go home and make love to a beautiful woman (actual flesh and blood). I will experienced life the way it was meant to.

And the winner is.....

2010-11-16T07:41:00.000-05:00

Manchester, New Hampshire USA. What is the award your asking? The award for the most over tattooed city in America. Why Manchester gets the award over cities like L.A. or Miami is the fact that the people getting these unnecessary tatts are 18 to 20 something year old, pretty young girls with a Kat Von D wanna-be complex. I happen to be in Manchester last weekend. As i walked around i was shocked at how many of these pasty white complexion young things were all sporting full sleeves ( and most likely more ) tatts. all of them on expensive cell phones giggling like high school girls. Sweetie, what you think looks cool now in 25 years will look positively ridiculous. I can see it now. Years from now there will be a big business in extreme tattoo removal, or more likely then not some sort of grief counseling support organization for victims of stupid decisions.

Manual for indoctrination

2010-11-13T15:19:00.001-05:00

I was surfing around and checking out some of the cool blogs i follow when i came across this on swingindix blog. It appears to be a Harley Davidson dealer guide to the power of test rides and techniques in how to make the sale. Trust me, ALL the manufacturers offer dealer guide books on how to be a better dealer (translation = sell more motorcycles) What you can make out in these pictures talks more about hooking the potential buyer into the Harley Davidson lifestyle more then the merits of the bike itself.

I think this is an old guide. It was most likley written in the 1990's when Harley was trying to market their bikes to yuppies with lots of good credit and were ripe for the picking. Test rides on new motorcycles is almost unheard of now a days. It is to risky and a prime example why happened a few weeks back. A local Victory dealer who had a group "test ride" took a large group of potential customers on a test ride down the highway when one of these new riders lost control and crashed the brand new 2011 bike and was killed! The shit storm to follow that cluster fuck will no doubt make Victory rethink its policy on test rides. I can see it now! Lawyers will have a field day suing not only the dealer for providing an unsafe test ride, but also Victory for providing an unsafe motorcycle, the rider training course the numbskull took that said he was ready to ride a big boys bike. Right down to the shoe lace manufacturer of the boots the guy was wearing , because of course they were also defective, and contributed to his loss of control. Lawyers suck sweaty dog balls!

This is why you should NEVER take your bike off the road!

2010-11-13T13:00:00.000-05:00

Today is BEAUTIFUL for riding! Its sixty degrees out side the shop right now. It feels warmer then that. With such beautiful weather you would think bikes would be out all over the place, but NOOOOOOOOOOO you namby-pamby wusses had to save money by taking your bikes off the road come October. Well to you i say serves you right. I hope your happy carrying your chicks purse at the mall, or cleaning the gutters or raking leaves WOAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! All of us hard core bikers will be laughing at you and enjoying the open road NOT clogged with candy ass posers.

It's Been One of THOSE Weeks!

2010-11-12T18:44:00.000-05:00

Life's been a bit of an uphill battle this week. It started last weekend when my plans got changed at the last minute, which is never a good thing to do to me! Every day this week kept testing my patients. On top of it all, the weather sucked dog ass. The sun did not come out until yesterday and business suffered because of it. Thanks allot Mother nature, your a fucking bitch.

I did manage to get in my private Veteran's Day celebration. It's private so I'm not going to go into detail, but everyone of us should thank a veteran for his or hers service.

On a positive note, I came across one of my favorite documentaries. Long Way Round is playing on Current TV on Dish Network. Its on Tuesdays at 9/8c time. I know Current TV sucks, but hey, its a great show and anytime i can catch good motorcycling on the tube, I'll watch it. I recently read that Charlie Boorman has been treated for testicular cancer. Hey check your nads....and check them often!

Speaking of motorcycles and TV, The current season of Sons Of Anarchy is winding down. This year has been a dud as far as I'm concerned. To complicated, to confusing, and off track . I'm sorry, the whole Irish, IRA bullshit seems outdated. Maybe there is still some violence in Ireland, but for the most part i thought that has been settled and quited down for years. I'm sure the Irish board of tourism is fucking pissed off at Sutter for this years writing. It sure makes me want to go to Ireland and rent a bike...not! Oh and the worst kept secret is Sonny Bargers cameo on the last episode. Sonny is pissed at HBO for the royal screwing he got by them and their "1%" show and i guess this is a little payback. I'm happy they brought in someone from the biker world to lend a little authenticity to the show. Who ever they had for technical advisers was not doing a great job. Some of the interaction between the rival clubs, and the Irish left me scratching my head. I kept poking Mrs Crusty and saying "Are they that stupid?". She kept getting annoyed with me.

Not much else interesting to report. It's always a little sad when the season for many people comes to and end. They take off their leather jackets and blend back into society. For better or worse we are stuck with part time bikers. Even I miss them (and their business). The weatherman is saying we are in store for a nice weekend. I'm hoping to get a couple of hours of saddle time in after some yard work. I hope you can get out and enjoy yourself this weekend.

Ride Safe- Crusty

First Snow of the season and what to do about it...

2010-11-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

We had the first snow of the season on Monday. For the off-road guys or the ATV customers it just means another season to challenge their skills and something different to play in. For the Street customers it means the end of their fun for the next five months. Yeah i know there are some of us that don't take our bikes off the road in the Winter. We will take any day or couple of hours of dry roads when the temperature gets above freezing. That is what separates the real motorcyclists from the pretenders. What many of these posers fail to realize is that letting a motorcycle sit unused for four or five months is the worst possible thing you can do for it. This is especially true today with such high alcohol content in most of our gasoline.

Here are a few tips for keeping you bike working great during the Winter and avoiding big repair bills in the Spring.

The first thing you need to do is NOT listen to your neighbor, buddy, uncle or Grandfather who used to have a "mo-sickle" back in the day. Even though Harley's are based on sixty year old designs, many things have changed and what worked back on the farm can actually do more harm then good today. Metric bikes have to be cared for like the well crafted and manufactured machines they are.

#1 DO NOT DRAIN THE GAS or motor oil. What you should do is to top off the tank before you put it away. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas according to the manufacturers directions. A half empty tank will allow more air space in the gas tank. Air in the tank means more moisture can cause rust and corrosion. Run your bike long enough to circulate the stabilized fuel through your carburetor or fuel injectors. If you were to drain your carburetor float bowls, there is a good chance they would quickly corrode and in the Spring need a complete cleaning. DO NOT use Mystery Oil or FOGGIN Oil added to your gas. Those may have worked in the 1950's and 60's , however in today's engine's they can cause excessive carbon build up on valve seats, ring grooves, spark plugs and fuel injector nozzles. This can lead to very poor performance. TRUST ME, even today's spark plugs are high tech and some plugs can cost over $25 bucks EACH. Modern fuel stabilizers are designed to work with modern engines, ignition systems and fuel systems. Sorry Gramps, that's just the way it is. You never leave an engine sit without motor oil in it. That's just stupid. If you can't change the oil before you put it up for the Winter, leaving dirty oil in it is better then leaving it dry.

#2 Ride it once a week. Ok so you can't because you took it off the road to save money. Or there is seven feet of snow on the ground and the roads are covered in ice until Spring. Then at least start it and let it run for ten or fifteen minutes once a week. ( In a well ventilated area! Yes, i know, but there are stupid people out there that would sit on their bike and run it inside an enclosed small shed and end up killing themselves. ) This will insure that everything stays lubricated. Engine oil seals won't dry out and corrosion won't built up. Speaking of sheds, if your bike is stored in a shed or out building is is a very good idea to put Decon or some other form of mouse/rat poison around it. Mice have a nasty habit of making homes inside air boxes, exhaust pipes and any other cozy spot. Running your bike once a week, and putting out rat poison will help keep Mickey away from gnawing on your air filter. Hey this will just save YOU money in the Spring and it will keep me from having to remove seventeen pounds of acorns from the bowels of your motorcycle.

#3 Use a Battery Tender. You plug it in and forget about it. It keeps the battery at the proper charge state and insures your battery won't freeze in un-heated sheds or garages. Many of today's bikes have alarms, clocks and other gadgets that slowly drain the voltage out of your battery. If your not riding your bike on a weekly basis it won't be to long before the battery is dead. Batteries left dead for weeks or months usually won't re-charge in the Spring. Batteries are very expensive these says.Spend the $30 bucks on a Battery Tender, it will save you allot of money!

#4 Cover your bike, but don't mummify it! NEVER, EVER wrap your bike so tight in plastic that air can't circulate around it. It's a great idea to cover it, but allow air to circulate and dry up any moisture that develops under the cover. If your lucky enough to have a heated garage, your bike will love you. If your fortunate enough to have a secure shed, then your bike will like you. If you have to keep your bike outside, then you better spend some extra time preparing your bike for a long, cold, damp, camp out or your bike will make your life a living hell in the Spring. Remember what they say, "Pay back is a Bitch". We have all seen them. Poor, neglected motorcycles wrapped in blue tarps like a dead body laying on the side of the road. These poor bikes are exposed to the worst mother nature has to offer. If you can't avoid this type if Winter storage, then give every metal surface a heavy coat of wax before putting it under wraps. Spray down your wheels and other metal parts with light lubricant or silicone. EXCEPT your brake rotors. Don't coat them with anything! you will just have to deal with possible rust in the spring. Coating brake rotors is dangerous. Everything else can use a good coat to keep it from rusting. Just make sure in the Spring to give your bike a good bath BEFORE riding it.

I want to warn folks about paying someone to store your bike. In today's bad economy, no business is safe. Bike shops are going out of business at an alarming rate. Some people have told me that they have had their bikes get tied up in legal bull shit because the shops creditors came down and padlocked the doors and it took weeks and months to get their bikes back! If you are going to take the chance that they will be in business in the Spring, request to see a copy of their insurance policy that covers possible loss or damage to your motorcycle. Get everything in writing. And go visit your bike from time to time. Many of these shops use your bike as a hostage and it ends up costing you big bucks in storage fees and labor costs because its funny how there is always a "problem" when you want to retrieve your bike.

It's all pretty much common sense, but that's another rant for another cold night. Hopefully this Winter won't be to bad. Here in New England we deserve a break. Try not to ignore your bike or your local dealer. They can both use a little of your attention this Winter.

Your Vote Counts!

2010-11-03T09:27:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone got out and voted yesterday? I know it's a pain in the ass, but it is the only way to send a message to the ones in power that your not happy with how they are running this country, state, or local government. I know i feel like it's time for a change. I piss, moan and complain enough, so yesterday i did something about it. I voted.

Fall Riding

2010-10-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

Why is it that the best time of the year for riding also seems to be the shortest time of the year? Fall weather is fantastic for riding in every part of the country. Especially here in New England as the leaves are changing, the scenery is breathtaking. I have been busy myself getting out on the bike and enjoying every opportunity i get to ride. Even though it doesn't stop me from riding, the cold Winter chill will be here soon. Every day you waste sitting in front of the TV watching sports you will never get back. Hell that's what they invented DVRs for Christ sake!

Some caution is needed when the leaves start to fall. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. Be careful first thing in the morning or if you get caught in the rain. Now get off the couch and get out there and enjoy yourself! Don't make me call you a wuss.

Crusty

Keep It Simple

2010-09-29T16:20:00.000-04:00

My toaster died yesterday. This in itself would not normally be noteworthy enough for me to write about it. However this particular toaster achieved something no other toaster in my life had ever been able to do. This toaster made me smile.

Over the years i have owned many toasters. Two slice models, four slice models, some with bagel settings and some with extra wide slots. Many of those toasters even had "computer controlled settings" or advanced technology to make my toasting experience faster, easier and more enjoyable. A few of them were even designer labeled! They pretty much ALL sucked. Most of them only lasted a couple of years at the most and some even shit the bed within a few months. Now these were NOT cheap toasters. Several of them cost over a hundred bucks! Keep in mind that this was back in the day. "Back in the day" was the 1980's or 1990's when business was great, People had jobs working in factories. Folks with no money down and lots of credit card debt, could buy a $300,000 house with just a signature. Ahhhhh those were the days! It was until it all came crashing down. After 9/11 this country was never the same and that bubble we all enjoyed was about to burst.

Personally my life was about to burst also. For reasons I'll not get into here, my marriage went into a tail spin around 2001-2003 and i ended up divorced. The Ex ended up with the house and the fancy toaster. From what i gather this was pretty common back then. After years of doing well, reality is hard to deal with and many relationships came crashing down also.

So this brings me to my little dead toaster. When the dust settled from my marriage i needed stuff. I also did not have much money so i went to the local K-Mart at the time and bought a few essentials to get back on my feet. One of these was my little $7.00 K-Mart toaster. Now this toaster is as simple of a toaster as you can get. It's just a two slice model with a simple dial timer. All it does is toast, and nothing else. Not having allot of money, old Crusty survived on cereal and toast for along time. That little toaster was used EVERY DAY. Sometimes it was used two and three times a day!

The months and then the years went by and my life started to get better. I used to joke about my little toaster buddy. When its fifth birthday came and went i was amazed it was still going strong. I decided that even though i could afford a better one by now, I was going to stick with this one and see how long it lasted no matter what. It was one of the few reliable things in my life that was always there for me. During that time i had relationships come and go, but that little piece of crap hung in there for me.

So now its 2010 and I'm re-married. My life is going much better and my cereal and toast diet over the last seven years has actually been beneficial to my health. But yesterday my seven year relationship with my reliable, old friend came to an end. That $7.00 little toaster lasted seven years! Can you believe that? I was smiling ear to ear and yet i was sad over the loss of a old friend. But life does go on.

So last night me and Mrs Crusty headed off to Wal-Mart for a new toaster. I talked all the way down the highway about my little toaster. I talked about how i have had more expensive and fancier models in my past life, but that my simple and cheap little friend stuck with me all those years. We get to Wal-Mart and look over the selection and would you believe that they actually have a simple, little toaster that sells for less then $7.00? HOLY SHIT, I paid $7.00 seven years ago and now you can buy one for $6.59! I was shocked but i never let Mrs Crusty know what i was thinking. Anyways, she picked up a pretty simple toaster that looked nice and asked me what i thought. My mind said go with the $6.59 model, but i could tell she wanted to go with the one that sold for $14.00. I just nodded my head and said i like that one too.

Cover up that lip will ya!

2010-09-23T19:30:00.000-04:00

Last nights episode of Sons Of Anarchy had a cameo appearance by Steven King. Ok so the shows writers are doing their best to suck up to a successful writer, this i can understand, however is that the best they could come up with? Granted he is not an actor, but Christ sake how about a little effort in the make up department. He looked even more out of place on a bike or as a biker then Clay does!

I think the idea was right. Having a creepy, mysterious biker guy that specializes in getting rid of bodies, but it seemed so fake and not at all scary. Jemma would never let him dispose of the body in her Fathers basement sink. Come on, shes smarter then that. It would have been better if he tied her up to his sissy bar, stuck some sunglasses on her and rode off in the sunset with a new playmate. That's what i would have done anyways...ahem.

It's pretty obvious that SOA has a relationship with Irish underworld, WTF are they doing wasting time trying to track the baby's kidnapper up in Canada? If it was me, i would have been on a plane to Ireland ready to kick some ass the next day. I really could use a flashback or two to help make some connections between the Irish characters and the SOA. All these little references ( Irish mumbles) are annoying and they make it even harder to follow the story.

Hal Holbrook (Jemma's Dad) is tough to watch. I think they have used that enough. It's time to send him off to the home.

Miss you George

2010-09-23T15:53:00.000-04:00

Happy Wednesday

2010-09-22T12:22:00.003-04:00

I'm sitting here having my lunch and enjoying a great cup of coffee. Yep, today the weather is BEAUTIFUL! It feels more like mid Summer without the humidity. There is no excuse for you not to be riding your bike today. Take it to work, run that errand on it or just hop on it and ride down to your local dealer later and shoot the shit a few minutes...oh and while your there, buy something will ya!

Dealerships are closing up left and right here in New England. We need YOUR help. Hey how many times have we helped YOU? Yeah i know some dealers have been pricks, but most of those are long gone now. The rest of us are struggling to survive and need local bikers, racers and enthusiasts to do the right thing and support the local dealers. We are all in this together folks.

Enough preaching for now because today is to beautiful to get my blood pressure up. Last weekend me and Mrs Crusty did an old school Poker Run and had a blast. I like riding with my own small circle of friends. I don't like big group runs. I have done to many of them and seen enough crashes and near misses to last a life time. I'll do one if the cause is good, but i still don't like them much.

Have i become antisocial? Maybe or maybe I'm just tired. I was thinking about riding down to Cape Cod this weekend. If you know Cape Cod, you know that there are only two ways on and off the cape. In Summer its a traffic nightmare, but off season its a beautiful place. It's made even more beautiful by the fact that nobody is there, except the locals ,in the Fall and Winter! So who knows, that maybe my weekend destination on the bikes this weekend.

I watched Sons Of Anarchy last night with Mrs. Crusty. Normally I'm not much of a TV person except for old movies and the History channel. Its nice to have something special to share with my wife and if its going to be a TV show, it might as well be one about a motorcycle club. I have said it before and again last night i thought the writing of that show sucks. Last year was ok, this year has started out lame. If it was not about a motorcycle club, i would have lost interest already and switched back to watching WWII documentaries on the History Channel.

R. Lee Ermey is fucking cool!

(_|_)

2010-09-15T14:29:00.003-04:00

Is it just me, or does it seem as if the Son's Of Anarchy producers are pandering to the female audience? Two episodes and two ass shots! Geezzzzz Anyways, aside from the butt shots (which by the way would have been funnier if last night Tig got it in the ass and not the shoulder). I'm less them thrilled by how the shows going so far. It just seems to me as if they have to many plot twists going on at the same time. Christ its starting to feel like I'm watching an episode of Lost! PLEASE get back on track Mr TV producer guy. Stick to one unbelievable plot or the other. It feels like your throwing all your ideas out there at once and your hoping one might make sense. Oh and whats with the Irish mumblers? I kept saying to Mrs Crusty "what did he say?" I think she was starting to get pissed at me. I grew up in an Irish household, and believe you me (thats how Mom talked), NOBODY mumbled. If you didn't speak up you got hit on the side of the head and told to speak up! Actually now that i think about it, you got hit in the head even if you spoke up. When i would ask my Father "whats THAT for?" he would say "it was for what your thinking".

Monday mornings suck

2010-09-13T08:39:00.002-04:00

Being middle aged is weird (ok late middle aged...they do say we are living longer these days right?). On one hand any morning you wake up and you don't have some new ache or pain is a good morning, yet I'm still young enough to hate having to get up and go to work on Monday morning. Maybe that feeling will go away if someday I'm lucky enough to retire. But for now after having a GREAT weekend like this one, Monday sucks.

We rode the bikes out to a swap meet Sunday and had a fun time. I did see the very first glimpses of Fall color in the leaves. (this may also be contributing to my slightly funky mood today). Even though Fall is the best time of the year to ride, it still marks the beginning of the end to the riding season. At least for those pussys that put their bikes away in the Winter.

Yesterday's weather was raw, very cloudy and there were a few sprinkles now and then. It was still a great day for riding compared to the 90 degree weather we had just a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it's just me, but i hate having to slather myself with sunscreen and then spend the day trying to keep that shit from dripping in my eyes and having all the road grime stick to me. So I'll take cool and raw any day!

I tried to take some pictures with my new cell phone, but i don't know how to get them onto my computer just yet. God i hate cell phones and i pray every day that they will discover that they are bad for our health and everyone stops using them. I did enjoy watching the poor lady at the swap meet who was in charge if selling coffee. Picture 300 bikers cold and tired from riding to the meet, standing in line to buy a cup of coffee and she only has one little home brew coffee pot and it won't keep up! To every one's defence, no fights or bullshit broke out and everyone was joking and enjoying the day.

After a couple of hundred miles it felt good to get home. Damn Mrs Crusty makes me horny as hell when i watch her riding beside me. We got home and the house was quiet and we spent the evening reminding each other that we are still young at heart.

Compared to Sunday....Mondays suck.

The world as i see it...in no special order.

2010-09-11T16:19:00.003-04:00

#1. Loud pipes don't save lives. If they did, we would have less m/c deaths, not more like we have this year. They are just another hold out of a world that does not exist anymore.

#2. Tattoos are not cool anymore. Much like Harleys, when to many people have them they become nothing special. ( i have tatts and a vintage Harley )

#3. Choppers are dead.... they will be cool again, but it will take another 25 years before they are.

#4. Custom sport bikes are stupid AND they are dead. Except for drug dealers, no twenty something sport bike punk would have the money to keep that fad going anyways.

#5. Rat bikes are cool.

#6. The funniest thing in the world is to watch and listen to a guy try to explain to his wife/girl friend/old lady how a helmet should fit.

#7. There is no D.O.T. approved half helmet that is as small (and cheap)as a novelty helmet. Yes i have seen a couple of high end carbon fiber things out there, but they are bigger then a novelty helmet and VERY VERY expensive......so no, this is a phantom and does not exist.

#8. ICON makes the butt ugliest motorcycle clothing.

#9. Stunt Bike riders are dumb...ok we get it..you can do a wheelie and a stopie and burn out your tire...but your still stupid. Oh and free style motocross is just as stupid...just dirtier.

#10. Webbikeworld website just doesn't get it. They drool all over this expensive shit no normal motorcycle rider could possible afford or need. Like anyone needs a $800 jacket?? If i see another "Blue tooth" anything I'm gonna take out my .45 put one through the computer screen!

My kind of movie!

2010-09-11T14:21:00.000-04:00

Looks like a beautiful weekend...so get out and ride!

2010-09-11T13:42:00.004-04:00

I have decided to make a couple of changes to this Blog. I have changed the background template and i have decided rather then post long, thoughtful and informative posts, I'll just try banging out a thought or two and maybe I'll not get tired of trying to come up with something snazy (is snazy even a word?)

The weather here in New England is BEAUTIFUL this weekend. There is no excuse not to get out there and ride. If you want to show your support for the 9/11 memorials, then what better way then to exercise your American freedom and hop on the old scoot and enjoy yourself. -Crusty

Sad Day Motorcycleville

2010-09-07T09:01:00.003-04:00

I know its been a while since my last post. So many changes have happened in my own life i have not had time or the energy to sit down and write. Most of the personal changes have been positive and down right wonderful. Most of the business changes have been scary, frightning and sad. I have talked at length over the last couple of years about how business has declined and what a difficult challange it is to be in the motorcycle industry. I wont rehash all those now.

What brings old Crusty out of hiding is this mornings sad news that Cycle News has ceased publication. I was shocked and yet not surprised at the same time. While i have had business dealings with the folks at Cycle News over the years and had been lessed then impressed with their way of doing business, i still hate to see one of this countries motorcycle publications go out of business. Yes i know their on-line version is still available, but it's not the same. Not for those of us older the 17. If i have to explain why that is, you wont understand anyways. Earlier this month i got news that Trail Rider Magazine was sold. At one time Trail Rider was the place to turn to for New England off-road news, but over the last 10 years or so it was in decline and the news of its changing hands was no shock. Now with Cycle news gone, a big hole has opened up in my heart.

Crusty

Bye Bye OCC!

2010-02-08T13:13:00.002-05:00

The motorcycle industry is going through some very hard times right now. Most of our problems are not our own fault. The country is suffering on all fronts and most people don’t have that extra spending money right now to indulge themselves on toys. That’s fair enough and I can respect and understand that. I have been around long enough to have weathered many ups and down in this business.

Today when I got the news that OCC, aka American Chopper, is airing their last show this Thursday I was THRILLED! These clowns are only partly a victim of the bad economy. They destroyed themselves in a run of selfishness and excess in a time when the country is hurting. Ok, fine, so they made millions selling their dysfunctional family fights to the cable networks. Who intern made millions selling advertising time to corporations. I know how the world works.

After this week they will be history and us in the motorcycle industry can hold our heads high again and not be ashamed. I can’t stress to you folks enough how the motorcycle industry HATED those ass whipes. Everyone from us local bike shops all the way up to the motorcycle industry top movers and shakers would roll their eyes when ever OCC was mentioned.
They had their 15 minutes for fame ( along with a few others ) but for the most part the "custom" motorcycle business is dead. Right now and for the foreseeable future the motorcycle business is shrinking back to the basic nuts and bolts. Folks that did not sell their bikes are just doing what they can to keep them on the road. Gone are the days of spending 5, 10, 15.....30 grand on chrome crap and paint. Owning a Harley right now is a lot like owning a house. Most are not worth what their owners owe on them! So it doesn’t make much sense to add more junk to them. I had a guy just the other day complaining to me he can’t even afford a new battery for his bike this year and might not put it on the road.. Its THAT bad out there!

Some people are all up in arms, but not me. I look forward to the industry getting back to basics. The days of the Mega-Mart bike shops are very numbered. In tough times they can’t turn the volume of business needed to support the massive overhead they have just to keep the doors open. Most of the shops that are surviving are the small ones that resisted the "up-scaling" that the OEM’s were forcing down our throats.

2009-12-28T16:01:00.005-05:00

I know I’m a little late in my Christmas post. I did not want you all to think I had forgot about you. The truth of the matter is I have been very busy with personal stuff. The upcoming year is shaping up to be a very busy one indeed! When I first thought about it time was on my side, but then as the Holidays approached I realized HOLY SHIT!

As always I have lots of big plans, ride ideas, product designs, all sorts of things I would like to get to, but I’m sure if I get to half of them it will be a good year. I talk to a lot of folks and everyone seems to be in the same boat. It looks to be another year of watching the budget and hoping things get better. Time will tell and if more people go back to work, the economy will take care of it self. The worst thing people can do is bury their heads in the sand and do nothing. You have to live, so get out there and ride...ride...ride. You don’t have to spend 20 grand on stupid chrome crap that does nothing for your bike. You can get out there and still have fun on a rat bike. So rather then spend your Sundays drinking your life away, hop on the bike and put some miles under your saddle.

If you wasted your money this year on a flat screen TV, then stay at home, drink, eat, get fat and die early. But if you are a real Biker, I’ll see you out on the road this year. We’ll be the ones living and smiling.

Happy Holidays
Crusty

Time flies when your having fun

2009-11-21T13:55:00.015-05:00

I just realized it’s been almost a month since my last post. Having been away on vacation, and then the post vacation madness, has been keeping old Crusty busy. Maybe it’s the credit card statement shock that has my brain fried? Living like a King for 10 days can add up fast! But its all good, Crusty is back from paradise, rested, relaxed and looking forward to next Summer when the future Mrs Crusty will become my wife.

Hey she didn’t get sick of me after being stuck with me 27/7 for eight days on board a cruise ship in the Western Carribean. So I think I passed the test!

She twisted my arm and got me to go on The Hogs On The High Seas Rally. Ok, the truth is she was already booked on the HOHS Rally before I met her. I could not bear to be away from her for 10 days so off on a cruise I go.

Anyone who knows about the HOHS Rally already knows it’s a eight day biker party. Anyone who doesn’t know about it, well all I can say is that you have to experience it at least once in your life. Yes I know, it’s a massive indulgence, and the credit card statement drills a hole in to skull when it arrives, but it’s worth it. The sights, the party, the fun and the craziness is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

I think for me what made it all worthwhile was the fact that I got to share it with the most wonderful woman in the world. After decades of Biker parties and crazy adventures, the last thing I would have guessed I was going to do was spend three grand on another one! But those days and nights on the boat with her is what made this vacation wonderful. Yes the parties, shows, 50/50 raffles, Bingo and Bike Shows were great, but spending that time with the woman I love is what it was really about.

Here are a few pictures from Labadee Haita, Jamaica, Grand Caymen and Mexico. We took to many to post all of them, so I choose a few that I happen to have on my computer at the moment. HHHmmmmm something is odd, I can’t seem to find the pictures of the drunk women taking their tops off as they boarded the ship each evening after visiting the different ports of call. I’ll have to ask the future Mrs Crusty what happened to those.

Just a few thoughts....

2009-10-26T19:44:00.005-04:00

Let’s see, what’s been going on with old Crusty these days? Hhmm lots of things have been happening. Some good, some great, some shitty. I guess that’s just how life is these days. Overall my life is pretty damn good. Even if business continues to be a challenge, having a GREAT personal life (and a very sexy woman) to draw strength from, helps a man get through just about anything.

Business in the motorcycle industry was better this Summer then the year before, however this Fall it dropped off dramatically. My industry reps have told me that it was the case with everyone in my area. I think New England is still suffering badly and it will be some time before the local economy starts to improve.

I know of several shops that have closed up around me. You might think I would be happy to have less competition, however it is not a good thing to have fewer choices for consumers. That is why it is so important to do as much business with your local shops and not give your money to those giant mail order houses. Those operations are very much hurting the local Mom & Pop motorcycle shops that have been the backbone of the industry for generations.

The future Mrs Crusty has convinced me to take a much needed vacation. Something that I have not done in a long time is take a vacation. Maybe it’s just hard letting go control or maybe I’m just not used to allowing myself to have fun. When I have had to maintain control when all around me seems to be in a state of craziness, I just never seem to let my guard down. Even when business is bad, you can’t let this downturn eat yourself alive. What good is saving every penny, if the life your left to enjoy is empty?

My rides this Fall have been GREAT! Fall is the BEST time of the year around here for riding. Most of the panzi ass posers have put their bikes away. I can ride and not be bothered as much by them. The only problem with Fall riding is the season goes by SO fast! We turn the clocks back an hour this weekend. I HATE that...why don’t they just leave the damn time alone! I mean seriously....what good does it really do?

Crusty

“I’m an idiot, my bad, I screwed up, I didn’t know what I was doing, I’m sorry "

2009-10-06T18:30:00.007-04:00

How to buy motorcycle parts 101 or another one of Crusty’s rants about the dumb ass customers that make shop owners and parts managers want to pull the 357 out from under the counter and put one right between their eyes.

ALWAYS take apart the bike (or component of the bike) apart first. Make notes of not only the year, make and model, but check to make sure it’s a stock/OEM part or if its an aftermarket part. Measure the part to make sure its standard or oversized where applicable. If you do not have an accurate measuring device like calipers, bring the part to the dealer and they will be more then happy to check it out for you.

Which brings me to the next rule in buying motorcycle parts. BRING THE OLD PARTS WITH YOU! It is amazing how many people don’t even know what year, make an model bike they own! They believed that guy they bought it from that they were buying one year bike when in fact its two years older! NEVER, EVER assume its what you think it is unless you bought it brand new off the show room yourself. This goes double from those E-bay specials that have one year engine, a different year frame and wheels off of something else! If you want to insure you get the right parts on the first trip, bring the old ones with you. Oh and if this motorcycle is Chinese made....FORGET IT. Its worthless, junk it and buy another one, if that’s the kind of bike you want. (cruel but true)

"Oh but I don’t have the time, I need to buy parts and put them in for the weekend. Can’t you just look it up?" Sure, but that doesn’t mean they will fit. In today’s world, with so many different aftermarket modifications and accessories you just never know. There is no guarantee that what the book says fits, will fit YOUR particular bike. You got to also understand, that it’s NOT like the automotive industry where many, many models cross over and parts fit many different years and applications.

"I knew the last owner, he is my best buddy, he told me it was stock" Yeah right! I have heard that a million times as the guy was returning parts because he claims I sold him the wrong ones. And while we are on THAT subject. WHY IN HELL would I knowingly sell you the wrong parts? Of course you are going to bring them back! Do I REALLY want to get them back? Of course not. Nine times out of ten, it’s a lack of information or wrong information that leads to the wrong parts being sold.

"I put the parts on my bike (or installed them in my bike) then I realized I picked up the wrong ones. You will take them back right?" Ahhh NO! You have USED them kiddo...so know you own them. "But I never started the engine, why cant I return a piston kit I bought from you?" NO, they are USED! Weather or not you started the engine or not. Once the parts are installed they are used. Would YOU want to buy parts somebody else has already installed or mounted for your bike? NO of course not. You want BRAND SPANKING NEW, unused, untouched parts just like everyone else. "Oh so I guess I’m stuck with them then huh?" Yeah, well you fucked up! Because you were to lazy to take the old parts with you, you made the decision to gamble on them fitting and they didn’t. Greasy oil covered, dirty parts = USED. Parts mising the packaging = USED . If I can’t put them back on the shelf and resell them I consider them USED.

"Why is there a 20% re-stocking fee to return a special order part for a refund?" If you fucked up and now want to get a refund, the industry standard is a 20% return fee. If I had to special order it, just for you, then it’s not a part I usually stock. I either have to keep it or return it to my vendor. ALL motorcycle parts distributors have the same basic 20% re-stocking fee to do this. I have to employee a shipping and receiving person and pay the shipping charge to return YOUR mistake. If I made the mistake, then of course there is no fee to exchange or return it.

"That’s not what I call customer service!" You want better customer service? You’ll get that when you go to the mall and return your skirt. This is where men come to buy motorcycle parts. You act like a man, you get treated like a man. Apparently your Dad never took you to the parts store when you were a kid so you could see how men act.

"I’m an idiot, my bad, I screwed up, I didn’t know what I was doing, I’m sorry can I return the used parts now?" Yeah you screwed up, but the answer is still no. Saying you’re an idiot won’t make it all better. I’m not your momma, and I’m not gonna tell you everything is going to be ok.

As John Wayne said - "Sorry don’t get it done Dude"

Culture Clash

2009-09-30T16:19:00.001-04:00

Lets face it, Scooter people are a little weird. I don’t mean that in a negative way. Maybe I should re-phrase that to say, Scooter people are a little "quirky" Yeah that’s better. They belong to a sub-culture of moto enthusiasts that also includes Moped people. Moped people are even stranger, but are fewer in numbers outside tourist areas of the country.

Scooter people don’t follow the normal mode of motorcyclists thinking. They see their choice of transportation as perfectly logical for their budget, their type of riding and the statement they want to make to the rest of the world. They are more geek then gear head. This is the reason they sometimes clash with most main stream Bikers and Motorcyclists intellectually and philosophically. Bikers tend to look upon Scooter pilots as squids. Bikers are not the most tolerant bunch out there, or the smartest.

Just like with everything and everyone else out there, this world has plenty of room for everyone if we would just mind our own business and play nice.

I started to think about this whole Scooter jazz because of a story I saw today about the Vectrix Scooter Company that was started here in New England and just recently filed for bankruptcy. They had offices and Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In concept it was a great idea. An electric scooter that had the performance of a gasoline powered scooter. Sounds wonderful until I saw the MSRP was TEN THOUSAND BUCKS!!!! Holy freaking Mother of God!! I remember saying to myself. What dumb ass, super geek ever thought they had a snow balls chance in Hell of selling them to anyone other then Segway owners!

This is a perfect example of how two different world can clash. I’m sure in the Scooter geeks mind a ten thousand dollar super scooter was no big deal. They are the type that must have the latest and greatest micro chip the moment its released on the market no matter what the cost. And what’s the big deal, Harley Davidson sells motorcycles that cost three times that much. Most Bikers looked at that and like me, thought it was the dumbest thing on the planet at this time and for that price.

Some day electric scooters and motorcycles will be a great idea. The jury is still out on weather or not hybrid cars are really all that green. I doubt very much anyone will develop much of a relationship with an electric motorcycle. Electric anythings don’t have the same type of soul that an old bike has. When was the last time you heard of anyone giving their phone, or computer or toaster a nickname? Except for calling it a piece of shit when its infected by some virus or mysterious gremlin. When that happens we shit can the thing and get a new one. Electronic gadgets are disposable. Motorcycles touch our lives in a special way that sterile electric gadgets never will. Gas powered motorcycles stimulate a very ancient place in our brains. Man was not meant to evolve to far from his beginnings. I think that is why Harley Davidson motorcycle have survived. Lord knows it’s not because they have evolved a whole lot! It’s the same reason the Indian brand won’t RIP.

Random Thoughts & Crap Like That!

2009-09-28T19:11:00.001-04:00

In case anyone was wondering, I have been having a good Fall so far. When you live in New England, you see exactly how quick time passes when the Fall riding season gets here. Mornings and evenings start to get more and more chilly as September turns into October. You dig deeper and deeper into the closet to layer your riding gear. Your fair weather friends are less eager to join you on rides and you hear many of them say stupid things like "I guess its time to put the bike up for Winter".

If your like me you ride year round if the roads are safe to do so. Of course I don’t ride if its dangerously cold, but I don’t take my bike off the road. I have been surprised in every Winter month by warm days now and then. After weeks of not riding, even a 10 mile ride around town is enough to stay sane and keep the bike from developing Winter rot.

Ok, back to me and the last few weeks. I have been busy helping the future Mrs Crusty set up rides on our free weekends. We have developed several great loops of back roads throughout New England for our close friends. Life for me has changed dramatically since I have met her. Not just because we are planning our wedding, but because she has changed my outlook on life and helped me redefine my priorities.

This past year has been one of the happiest years I have had in my life. Business has certainly not been great. Relatives and close friends are dealing with serious medical and aging issues. I myself am dealing with getting older and the challenges associated with that. If this was a few years back, I doubt very much I would have been able to get through some of these problems with my sanity in tact. So why has this year been so happy for me? Its simple really. I found the perfect woman to share the rest of my life with. It took many years, and a lot of trial and error, but she is the one that I dreamed about all those decades ago.

So here I am looking at another October. The traditional last month of the riding season around here. Of course I’ll be doing some riding in November, and even December. But in those months, daylight is short and temperatures are slow to rise and quick to drop. The riding then is kept to "quickies" around the local area.

HHHmmm as you can tell, this post is more of a "ramble" then anything else. I started to write this with no particular plan or theme. I just started to type and think and see what flowed out of my brain. Which is sometimes a very scary place!

There has been a lot of "chatter" or talk about the new season of The Sons Of Anarchy. I’m not a big TV guy as you may have guessed by now. I do like the History Channel and the Discovery Channel. The future Mrs Crusty did get me started watching the "SOA". I really think it’s a little over the top. It’s the same way in which "Cop Shows" are not much like real police officers lives. SOA is not a lot like what real Bikers lives are like. Even those who choose to associate with certain "elements" would not have such things happen to them on a weekly basis! Unfortunately, in this day and age (or "reality" might be a better term) we are already under attack from State and local governments. Having a sensational show like SOA on the air can only hurt us in the long run. Why should we as Bikers/Motorcyclists, support a show about something we are trying to convince the State and local authorities doesn’t exist?

A lot of Bike shops are closing their doors. I read the reports from the Dealer Associations. And I hear what my industry reps are telling me. Volumes are way down and new unit sales are way off. Parts and accessory sales are also suffering across the country. Now is the time you need to help support your local shop more then ever! You know that guy that answers a thousand questions for free. That guy that stays open a little late so you can buy a $5.95 bottle of oil. The little shop owner that has given away products and made donations over the years to all the clubs that have twisted his arm for their particular charity. He is the guy you should be spending the few bucks you have to spend on your bike stuff. Yeah he might be a couple of bucks more on some things, but he was always there for you and will be. That multi-national corporation that owns the big mail order house online won’t help you figure out what’s wrong with your bike or give you a tip about mounting a tire or listen to you tell stories about your last race.

Ok this would not be a Crusty post without at lease one bitch. CELL PHONES! ARRRGGHHH! We all know they distract auto drivers, but they also make it hard for us on the other end when you call up and pick our brains for information. Yeah , yeah I know your i-phone is the latest in technology and can do everything include wipe your ass, but it sounds like shit on the other end when I pick up my land line. I get so tired of having to have people repeat what they said and have them call me 3 times, for one simple question, because your signal fades in and out.

Ok now I feel better. -Crusty

Shhhhhhhh! QUIET PLEASE!

2009-09-10T13:34:00.002-04:00

Hope all you Massachusetts riders saved your stock pipes...you will need them!

Legislation has been filed for the 2009 2010 Legislative Session and a hearing is expected to be scheduled in October 2009 concerning House Bill 3332 filed by Chairman of the JOINT COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE STATE REPRESENTATIVE THEODORE C. SPELIOTIS of Danvers, Massachusettts.

House Bill 3332 provides the following:

AN ACT FURTHER REGULATING MOTORCYCLE SOUND LEVELS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 7U of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- "The use and sale of any exhaust pipe that increases the sound emission of any vehicle including motorcycles shall be prohibited. All motorcycle exhaust pipes must conform to 82dBA maximum noise level measured directly to the rear exhaust outlet at a distance of 12 inches. The angle of measurement shall not exceed 30 degrees. Sound measurements taken beyond 12 inches that exceed the requirements are not acceptable. Violation of said decibel level, or illegal retrofitting, will result in a license suspension for six (6) months and/or a fine not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250)."

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

2009-09-08T13:47:00.001-04:00

The last couple of weekends have been disastrous in Massachusetts for motorcycle relations with the general public. Also this past Monday was deadly for one Cape Cod woman while heading to the 911 run in New York City. I have said it before and I’ll say it again. WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES! We are bringing down on ourselves the attention of the State and local authorities by our actions. It’s not loud pipes, this time its reckless riding. Last week in Taunton MA a group of crotch rocket meat heads held a fund raiser for Pop Warner football. Great cause, but they neglected to tell the local police and proceeded to pull 60mph wheelies and ride reckless. Several people in the run were appalled as to how the event was run and complained to the organizers. Their thug buddies stopped them from voicing their objections. They had no choice but to contact the local police the next day and tell them what went on. The Taunton police are now investigating.

Yesterdays fiasco happened when a group of riders heading from Cape Cod to Hopkington MA to participate in the 911 run to New York City got tangled up on the highway on-ramp leaving town heading to NY. Two bikes went down and one woman was killed. I happen to have been invited to this event and ended up backing out because I was told the group "white knuckles it" down there. If I don’t know someone, there is no way I’ll trust my life to a bunch of yahoos "white knuckling it" anywhere! Well I’m glad I backed out of that disaster also.

These are just the sorts of things that will force the State to come down on motorcycles like a hammer. You think the loud pipe regulations are a pain in the ass, just you wait and see what happens when every charity run, poker run, or any organized event will require a special permit and license and proof of liability insurance!

Enough is ENOUGH! We MUST control ourselves and act and ride responsible.

Dumb and Dumber

2009-08-27T19:08:00.006-04:00

Every now and then I come out with a list of stupid products, dumb ideas, and bad behavior. I do this to try and help folks not waste money or get themselves in trouble. It’s frustrating to see customers ignore my advise and believe their "buddy" who they claim is an expert, or a racer, or a hard core Biker, or some fucking genius. If that’s the case, why are you in here bothering me?

This list is in no particular order.

On the go, tire pressure monitor-. What numb nuts needs that much information? You should be making a visual inspection of your tires at least once a month anyways. Check your pressure, the tread, look for damage and what not. Some of these things cost as much as $200 bucks! The only riders that need this item are Geek riders. You know the ones, they are the same ones that take 45 minutes to suite up, ride down to their local Borders book store get on their lap top and chat with other Geeks and whine about their BWM motorcycles and talk shit about all the adventure rides they PLAN on taking, but never seem to have the time to do.

The McCuff- It’s device that helps you fill your tank with gas. Apparently there are some people out there that are so dumb, so inept and so uncoordinated that every time they stick the nozzle into their gas tank and pull the lever they splash gas all over their bike or themself. I guess it works like a big, fat condom for the gas nozzle. Then after your finished you take the McCuff and put it into a holster and hang it from your belt loop. Yeah right! I have had people ask me for this item and I can’t resist laughing in their faces. Oh and the fact that it’s indorsed by those OCC whores, is reason enough not to like it!

Any 50cc or larger "pit bike"- I stopped riding mini bikes when I was seven! I see these grown men spending thousands of dollars on pit bikes so they can pretend to be motorcross racers in their back yards and I just shake my head. Real pro racers used to have them as a way of showing off. Now every numb skull that can’t hack riding a real dirt bike builds himself a Chinese rat racer . Hey at least your doing your part in keeping the local ER’s busy!

KTM motorcycles- Ok actually ANY motorcycle that came with White Power suspension SUCKS. KTM continues to drag themselves down by sticking with those horrible forks and shocks. Oh and by the way, the link-less rear suspension design sucks too!

Honda CRF250 motocross bikes- This one motorcycle has done more to hurt amateur motocross racing then any other bike. It’s wicked expensive to maintain, and so unreliable you would think it was an Italian bike! More one year old CRFs are for sale because the bikes blow up within the first six to eight months and the owners are faced with an $1,800 repair bill.

Putting automobile tires on motorcycle wheels- ARRRRRRRRRRRR! Do me a favor, if you are considering this bone head move. PLEASE just kill yourself right now. This way I can avoid the traffic jam when they are scraping your worthless, cheap ass carcase off the highway. You don’t deserve to use up my oxygen.

Harley Davidson "Motor Clothes"- Ummm, read the label...MADE IN CHINA. Your welcome.

Loud Pipes- They have not proven to be safer. They make most bikes run like shit. And now, thanks to the knuckle heads out there, it’s all out war on motorcycles. The non-riding public hates the noise and they draw un-wanted attention to us. In the long run it will only make the feds come up with even stricter regulations that the manufacturers will have to comply with and more expensive motorcycles.

Victory motorcycles with extra fat rear tires- Thank god those bikes did not sell well! The rear tires on those pieces of shit will set you back $300-$400 bucks! The sad thing is that those models will be blown out by discount dealers to el’cheapo riders and they will have a stroke when they need to replace the rear tire. Thus Victory will increase the death rate and drive up all of our insurance rates! Thanks a lot!

Novelty helmets- you know the ones that Hot Leathers sells in the mall. Yes THOSE! Ahuh, like you and I are dumb enough to believe people actually buy those and display them on a shelf as a "novelty" Right. And rolling papers are sold just to roll tobacco! Harley riders think sport bike jockeys are stupid for wearing shorts and flip flops, yet they wear Tupperware on their heads!

Hurricane Season...Bring it on!

2009-08-22T13:15:00.005-04:00

Rain gear....check

Rain boots....check

Rain gloves....check

Rain-X....check

Good to go!

Crusty’s Cheeks - NOT to be confused with crusty cheeks!

2009-08-14T18:14:00.006-04:00

I’m sure the last thing you folks care to read about is my ass, so I’ll make this short, sweet and to the point.

A while back I was contacted by the Anti Monkey Butt Power people. ( I now call them the A.M.B.P.P. for short) They were very nice and asked if I would be so kind as to try their product and let every one know what I thought about it. That can be a dangerous thing! I’m usually not afraid to speak my mind. Because of that very reason, I don’t do allot of product endorsements on here.

I’m not going to go into all the technical details about the product. Their website has plenty of product information. All I can go by is how my ass felt after using it. (I know your dying to know just how my ass felt.)

Well, it felt great.... That’s it you say? Yep, I said I would make it short and sweet and to the point. Why wouldn’t my ass feel great? What did your Mother put on your ass when you were a baby? Powder of course! That makes everybody’s ass feel good. So why use Anti Monkey Butt powder rather then powder you can buy at Wal-Mart? Well I’m sure they (the AMBPP) could point out differences in chemical compounds, superior ingredients, so on and so forth. But I say why not treat your self (or your ass), to something a little special.

I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of having to cut back. For the last two or three years we all have had to make sacrifices. We have given up those little indulgences to save a penny or two here and there. Well folks, my ass is sick and tired of doing without! I might not be able to afford a new car, or a new bike, but god dammit! My ass has suffered long enough!

Sorry, I didn’t mean to go off like that.

Ok the bottom line here is this (hey thats a pun) .....Anti Monkey Butt Powder is great stuff. It does what it claims to do (something rare these days). The company obviously has a sense of humor and they want to help make your ass feel comfy on long rides. Who else in this world is looking out for your ass?

http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/

"All Funked Up" - The way Crusty has been feeling these days...

2009-08-06T17:48:00.002-04:00

All Funked Up - Lynyrd Skynyrd Online Community Audio track

Shared via AddThis

Clusterfuck In Connecticut

2009-08-03T14:01:00.012-04:00

I just want to warn you folks, that this will be one of my longer and nastier rants. Those who might be offended by foul language, or get tired of my rambles, might want to skip this post. But if you are like me and get frustrated by stupid people, dangerous and reckless riders and run organizers that don’t know what the fuck they are doing, you might find this one amusing.

Yesterday ( August 2nd) I went to the 14th annual Christmas in August Toy Run to benefit Children at the Hartford Medical Center. A Nobel cause and one that old Crusty has a special place for in my black as coal heart.

SUNDAY-The day started out WONDERFUL! As always I woke up next to the beautiful and very naked future Mrs Crusty. This in itself makes getting out of bed early, on my only day off, to trudge off to a motorcycle run very difficult. She happens to be more enthusiastic then I am when it comes to these events so she poked and prodded me and got me moving in time for breakfast before we left. Now you older riders out there can appreciate this. After a certain age, being able to get up without feeling sore and having a great, stress free dump in the morning, starts your day off great! So to say my day started out good is an understatement. It quickly went down hill from there.

Anyone who knows me understand that I’m not the most social person in the world. After years of riding, and dealing with idiots, I have withdrawn somewhat into a protective shell. To ride with me on a regular basis you have to earn my respect. I don’t give a rats ass what bike you ride, what job you have, your status in life or who you know. What I respect is your ability to ride and how you conduct yourself in the eyes of the non-riding public.

So off we go to meet up with some people I have never ridden with before. I have heard of them, but never ridden a run with them so I was a little cautious . After arriving at the gas station we were meeting at, I topped off my tank and parked to wait for their arrival. They showed up mostly on time (the first step in earning my respect) and we exchanged pleasantries and usual bull shit. We were not rushed, so they had plenty of time to gas up, but they didn’t. I figured they must have before getting to the meeting spot.

We hit the road heading to Connecticut and the start of the run. We were not on the highway five minutes when I could tell we were going to have a problem ...a BIG problem. The lead asshole (new guy) wicked it up to around ninety miles per hour and put a good half mile lead on the rest of the pack. This jerk was weaving through traffic and putting the rest of the pack in danger because naturally we were trying to keep him insight. There was a good amount of traffic on the highway at the time also. This made for an uncomfortable start to the day that put me in a BAD mood. Something else anyone that knows me understands. You don’t want to put me in a bad mood.

I pulled up next to the future Mrs Crusty and looked over at her and made the universal "what’s that idiots problem?" gesture. She just shrugged and smirked. I pointed to him and made the universal "that guy is a jerk-off" gesture. This made the future Mrs Crusty giggle. We were not on the road 20 minutes when the two lead riders take the exit and pull into a gas station to fill up! I’m like what the fuck? We were just at a gas station! The future Mrs Crusty says to me under her breath "be nice and not say anything". She knows me well and I love her so I kept my mouth shut.

We made it to the start of the run at the Putnam CT Elks Lodge #575. The two lead riders quickly parked with their friends and gestured for the rest of the pack to park down in back with the rest of the second class folks (ok, what ever!). Connecticut is a strange place. It is a "no helmet" state and if you pull into a run wearing a lid your looked at funny and scorned as a traitor ( again, what ever!). The place was full of weekend warriors. You know what I'm talking about....pretend bikers and weekend biker sluts that dress up on weekends and play bad ass. That explains our two lead riders. They are the same type. The minute the weekend comes, they go wild in an effort to prove how "bad" they are. Those two have lost all respect in my eyes and I refuse to ever ride with them again. Crusty never forgets.

The event organizers are The Son’s Of The American Legion Squadron 13. They seem to have the start well organized. I turn in my new, un-wrapped toy, also pay my entry fee (and The Future Mrs Crusty entry fee) and stand around waiting for the event to get under way. After the head guy makes the usual speech about no hot-dogging, aggressive riding , or wheelies, he calls for all blockers to come to the head of the pack and the rest of the bikes get ready to leave. They will be maintaining a 30-35 mph average on the back roads and 65 mph on the highway.

Everything started out normally. The group fired up their bikes and lines up and off we go. The first 5 or 6 miles went smooth. They had plenty of blockers and the pack seemed to stay together ok. It was about the 10 mile point that I started to get the feeling that the organizers had lost control of the run. When I get "that feeling" I’m usually right. First off the blockers were no where to be seen. There were several intersections that were dangerous and should have been blocked. I saw no blockers anywhere. Also ....what the fuck happened to 30-35 mph on back roads? The pack was zipping along at 45-60 mph in some places. I remember thinking to myself this is more like a race or somebody is in a big fucking hurry today! I would soon find out when we got to the first rest stop which was not that far away.

Rest stop # 1 was at a liquor store. It must have been owned by one of the organizers. They put out food and water and allowed the run to use the bathroom. That was fine, what is NOT fine is the shouting match that broke out between the head man (Hitler) and his crew. The screaming back and forth was easily heard outside. The crowd could not believe what was going on. There seemed to be a mutiny going on and the crew that was doing the blocking refused to block. The leader (Hitler) got so pissed off he hopped on his bike and rev’ed his engine, burning out and riding across the parking lot like a mad man! (So much for no hot-dog riding) Mr Hitler refused to let the group go on until he had the blockers lined up. I felt like I was being held hostage!. Several peopled bailed on the run at that point. If I had been alone I would have gotten the hell out of there myself! But I was TRYING to be nice and go along, to get along....NOT easy for me when I feel I’m surrounded by yahoos and morons.

Ok so we looked at each other at this point and decided for the good of the run we would volunteer to be blockers. No big deal, I have blocked at more runs then most of these folks have ever ridden before. The weird part was this bit about sending blockers out ahead of the main group to sit and wait. Why not have them peel off and block as needed? Now there were two big groups heading into downtown Hartford CT... NOT safe at all. All I can say was at least we were far in front of the chaos that was going on in the main group. We hit I-84 and merged into the HOV lane. Ok so far, but now the famous AGGRESSIVE Connecticut drivers were trying to merge into the pack of 25 bikes! I had two cars cut in front of me and cause me to get on the breaks HARD! They realized that being in the middle of 25 bikers was not a smart move (DUH) and moved back out. A minute more and I was getting ready to peg a water bottle at the car in front of me! We take the down town exit and stop at the stop light where I shake my head in disbelief at The Future Mrs Crusty and another friend of mine who could not believe what he just saw.

They position the blockers at intersections leading up to the Hospital and we wait for the group. I was thinking they would be a while in getting to the city, but because they were HAULING ASS, I only waited MAYBE five minutes and they were on top of me. The pack roared buy turned left and were gone! By the time I could mount up and get through the light they were out of sight! Im in downtown Hartford and don’t know where they went! I drove up a few blocks and saw what looked like a Hospital building and shot for there. Luckily it was the right building.

Now the line up the blockers on the MAIN STREET! I was NOT happy about leaving my bike exposed to traffic in down town shit-hole-ville. But we quickly unloaded the truck of toys and brought them up to the area where they would be given out to the children. A few thank you speaches, some bull shitting and then the run was supposed to continue to stop #3. Now this is where the REAL fun started!

The asshole that led our original group from the meeting place decided that because he knew the organizer (Mr Hitler) and they needed more blockers we should take off head of the main group and place ourselves along intersections to block. Like a dummy I went along. I was temporarily out of my mind from doing a good deed for the children. I should have stuck to being an old grump, but it was two late. As we took off, asshole motioned where our group should block. The last two were me and The Future Mrs Crusty to which he says "you take the next two" and motions to go straight. As we are waiting for the group to appraoch, we see them bang a right and zoom off out of sight! Holy shit...he sent us to the wrong intersection! OFF we roar to try and catch up. We do finally catch him standing in the middle of an intersection with traffic TRYING to get by. He says "lets blow by the pack and not bother with the HOV lane leaving Hartford so we can get in front of the pack and block for them again. This IDIOT ROARS through downtown Hartford! Blowing through red lights, weaving in and out of traffic trying to get in front of the pack. I was like ‘WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!" our small group naturally started to follow, but when I saw what happened I backed off and decided to SAFELY make my way onto I-84 North and hopefully catch up. Yeah RIGHT!... nothing about this run was safe!. I was cut off AGAIN by a car and forced way off to the right as the pack veered left onto the HOV lane. All I could do was watch as they disappeared. At this point I sad FUCK THEM! and backed it down to a slow (for Connecticut) 65mph and just get out of Dodge and find my way back to the start. Oh and by the way....this clusterfuck was a "mystery ride" so they did not have the ending point listed on the directions. My natural instinct said to go back to the start. If it ended there, no biggie, but at least they could tell me where it was ending.

I got a call from The Future Mrs Crusty and I said "where the fuck are you" (which I’m sorry I raised my voice....I was pissed at this point) She explained that she was safe and at a pizza joint that was stop #3 and if I could get there quickly they would wait. I punched in the street and town on my GPS (ok... I admit GPS units are useful) and off I went. I almost got clipped by ANOTHER CT driver who took a corner very wide as im heading back. This time I flipped him the finger as I continued. I was about 7 miles away from them so I was able to make it there before the pack left again. I could tell that many riders had already bailed on this disaster ride. There were only a few people left. When I pulled in The Future Mrs Crusty could see by the look on my face that I was royally pissed.

We talked, kissed and hugged and I told her that I was glad she was safe. She could tell I did not want any part of this fucking disaster ride. It took a while for me to calm down. My old blood pressure was boiling. In my younger days there was a good chance SOMEBODY would leave there with a bloody lip, but im older...and wiser now. We waited until the group left. Then the support truck followed them in a cloud of weed smoke!

So after we (or i) calmed down we decided it was 2:30pm, we were fucking starving, and just needed to relax. We plotted a course East and enjoyed some nice Connecticut back roads far away from the yahoos. Subway was the first place we could find that had healthy food and we pulled in and de-stressed. We parted ways with our friend that was heading North and me and The Future Mrs Crusty headed home. I was still all worked up despite her doing her best to calm me down. There is still a fire horse inside this old guy and I do get worked up still. I slept like shit last night. Between my mind wanting to kick the shit out of the ass holes and idiots and the ringing in my ears (caused by Tennitus from loud pipes, loud music and racing motorcycles) and my blood pressure going through the roof, I am only running on one cylinder today.

I just wrote an email to the Sons Of the American Legion in CT telling them what I thought about this event. Maybe the commander will forward it to Mr Hitler. Who knows. I feel bad for the kids mostly. As in every case, the children are the ones that suffer.

Oh and one word of advice for Mr Asshole who led us on that crazy ride to the event and through downtown Hartford. There are bold riders...and there are old riders. But there are VERY VERY few old- bold riders. If you keep riding like an idiot, you will end up dead. Just another statistic. Its riders like you that put all motorcyclists in a bad light with the non riding public. GROW UP!

Ride safe, Crusty

Bruce Rossmeyer... Dead in Wyoming

2009-08-01T10:22:00.001-04:00

Bruce Rossmeyer, Used car king and Harley Davidson Super dealer was killed last Thursday in Wyoming while on his way to Sturgis, SD. Accounts of the accident vary, however the end results are the same. This sort of thing happens with fairly inexperienced riders heading off to party. It’s sad , but a fact of life.

I never met the man, but depending on who you talk with, he was either a wonderful man, or the biggest prick you ever had the misfortune to come across. I do know for a fact that he erected a HUGE road side billboard directly across from Sheldon’s Harley on Rt20. Talk about no love lost between Harley dealers! Considering Rossmeyer came to the motorcycle world from the automobile industry in the 1990's to make money, its not surprising how he conducted his businesses.

Ride Safe out there.....

Giddy Up

2009-07-27T10:51:00.002-04:00

John Wayne would scout location shots on a motorcycle...a HONDA

Entry Fee $15......Seeing a Honda Win “Peoples Choice”....PRICELESS!

2009-07-20T10:13:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I attended the Metro West HOG Chapters 5th Annual Charity Poker Run to benefit the Therapeutic Riding Center at the Breezy Hill Farm. I’m a sucker when it comes to charity Runs. Yeah yeah...big, bad, old Crusty actually has a soft spot. Don’t let that get around will ya?

The run started at Paramount HD in Framingham and ended at the Boggestowe Fish and Game Club in Millis MA. Metro West HOG did a great job of organizing the event as always. You got to say one thing about most HOG chapters, they have their shit together as far as putting on events goes.
It was a good, old, fashion Poker Run which I prefer over giant parade runs. I’m not comfortable riding in a pack of a hundred or more bikes that are piloted by wanna-be bikers, and soccer moms during the week and biker chicks on the weekends. They are scary! Although it is amusing to watch them dump their pretty, shiny, expensive toys in the dirt at the Farm they stopped at for one of th card draws.

The run wrapped up at the Fish and Game Club with a BBQ and some excellent food and music. The best part of the finish was the ride in bike show. In a sea of expensive Harley’s a dirty old Honda 750 won the "People Choice Award"! The looks on some of their faces was priceless.
It was a beautiful weekend. After the poker run I joined some friends that were pre-running another run that is scheduled for August. I’ll rolled in and hit the sack around 10pm last night. It was a good day.

Sound Testing Is On The Way

2009-07-15T13:35:00.003-04:00

A local Police office is a good friend of mine. He dishes the dirt on what’s happening around town and I keep his bike running in tip top shape. He was telling me about the New training course that is being offered to departments state wide. It is on the new certification requirements for Police officers who will be sound testing motorcycles here in Massachusetts. Yes folks, they will be stopping you and sound testing your bikes if they feel your to loud. And just like radar guns, they must be trained and certified in their use so that tickets will stand up in court. He said most departments are thrilled about this! (I’m sure they are licking their chops and seeing dollar signs $$$) They see it as a public service. Now they can show the public that they are doing something about the public menace that we caused ourselves.

HOLY CRAP!

2009-07-09T13:01:00.003-04:00

Mother Nature is a bitch! Tuesday she tried to flood us out and yesterday she sent a super cell thunderstorm after me! This storm came barreling down the Rt 495 corridor. I knew the shit was going to hit the fan. The sky was churning and everything got real quiet and still.

Framingham and Hopkington MA got hit the hardest. Parts of Rt9 had to be shut down. The first thing I though of was that I hoped there were no bikes caught out in this!

Its been a long time since I saw rain being blown side ways with hail the size of marbles! They call it a "Micro Burst" when the wind explodes in a massive down draft. What ever you call it, I am glad I was not out on my bike when this thing hit our area!

June was shitty because of the rain. July is starting out on the weird side. I do have to say that the 4th of July weekend was FANTASTIC! We spent time in Worcester, MA. Every year the city of Worcester ( it's pronounced "wor-ster"...NOT "wor-chest-er") pretty much turns the city over to the gear-head auto clubs. It reminds me of what Laconia was back in the 70s and 80s. The best way to describe it is "organized chaos". The local city officials MUST be car nuts. If we as bikers ever tried to pull something like that off, they would call in the National Guard!

The lack of safety procedures was amazing! I was walking around with my jaw open in disbelief most of the day on Saturday. To be honest, I was in heaven! It took me back to the old days when us Bikers could actually have fun. Its to bad life has changed so much for us.

Today the sun is out and I can see patches of blue sky . Thank you Mother Nature for a beautiful day.......but your still a bitch!

Banned In Boston

2009-07-01T13:22:00.004-04:00

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of motorcyclists crying. Why are they crying you ask? It’s because of the latest crack down on noisy motorcycles in Massachusetts. Last night on the news they had a report about the city of Boston cracking down on loud motorcycle in the North End area of the city. City officials and now checking for “EPA/DOT STAMP” on all motorcycle exhaust systems in the city. If your bike does not have said stamp, your handed a $300 ticket and told to have a nice day!

I told you folks this was heading our way months ago. The MMA can file all the law suites it wants but they will not be able to stop this and what’s sure to be a much more restrictive noise law for next year. All the MMA is doing is forcing the hand of the state to adopt the Federal standards. This will require us inspection dealers to sound test ALL motorcycles. Yes, once again I’ll be put in the wonderful position of being the bad guy.

The argument that motorcyclists bring money into the city won’t fly either. Look what Myrtle Beach, Laconia, Daytona and several other areas have done. They have made it clear that we are not welcome no matter how much money we bing into town. Why are we so unwelcome you ask? NOISE, LOUD BIKES, and ASSHOLES that act like teenagers and can’t control their right hands (insert your own bad joke).

PLEASE take my advice and dig out your stock and quiet exhaust systems. YOU WILL NEED THEM. Hey I’m only trying to save you a $300 ticket AND higher insurance costs...on EVERY vehicle you have on the road!

The MMA will NEVER get the State to repeal the helmet law...and they will NEVER win this battle over loud pipes.

Faded Tattoos

2009-06-30T14:34:00.004-04:00

The other weekend I was sitting on a picnic table at a charity run put on by a local club. I was minding my own business as always do. I listening to the entertainment and looked up at the sky thinking to myself that the clouds were looking mean and nasty and I should think about heading back to the barn.

I’m not sure why I tend to be an asshole magnet. I don’t go out of my way to meet strangers when at these types of events. If anything I tend to keep to myself. I meet enough people during the course of my normal work week at the motorcycle shop to satisfy any need I might have to feel social.

So this "dude" strolls up to my picnic table and makes some sarcastic comment about the entertainment or the crowd or something stupid. I was not really paying attention at that point. I look up over my glasses and just give him a half ass smirk and a nod hoping he would keep walking and leave me in peace. But no such luck. He sits down on the other side of the table and starts to talk. You would think that after a few nods, and a couple of grunts from me he would get the idea I really did not want to be social and he would get up and leave. But no, he keeps talking at me. I was not even looking at him and he was continuing to yammer on. I started to feel like Charlie Brown when the teacher was talking. All I was hearing was WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH.

Then I hear something that ALWAYS pisses me off. It came though crystal clear. This "dude" says to me....."so what’s that tattoo mean?" as he points to my arm.

My tattoos are not the typical tatts you see on a lot of so called Bikers these days. I got mine years ago, one at a time for specific reasons. Each one represents a special event in my life. Some events were great and some were horrible. But each one was important enough to me to carve them into my own flesh. At most runs today you see the usual array of tattoos out there. Harley Davidson logos, flames, dice, an occasional grim reaper or naked lady. Hey that’s fine, if you want that sort of flash to fit in and make yourself feel like one of the crowd then more power to you. Those are the "dudes" that stand around comparing tatts and bragging about how great "their guy" ( the tattoo artist) is and how much money they spent. It’s the same thing they do about their bikes. Almost none of them actually work on their own bikes, they have "their guy" build it and just write him a check. Which is fine to, after all, I make a lot of money in the motorcycle business from "dudes". But trust me when I tell you that the guy with the biggest bank account will never have the same respect as the guy who built it himself.

ANYWAYS, back to my original point. Those people who have the usual tattoos you see out there want attention and don’t mind answering the same old tired questions. That’s why they got their tatts to begin with. They crave attention and want to fit in with all the other "dudes" with the same tatts.

When you see an old Biker with faded tatts that don’t make sense to you, PLEASE don’t go up to him and ask him what they mean! For him each one represents a life changing moment worthy of the pain and discomfort and sometimes not very nice environment he got that tattoo in. True most of his tatts wont win any tattoo contest. But rarely will a road hardened Biker be strutting around showing off his ink like a Hollywood gay boy. His tatts mean something to HIM and that is all that matters. Like the old saying goes.....If you have to ask, you would not understand.

JUNE GLOOM

2009-06-18T13:42:00.004-04:00

I know it’s been a while since I last posted. The late Spring was busy with charity runs, and rides that I finally got to do with Crusty’s new love. Life has been wonderful sharing the day to day stuff, but especially the weekends with a woman that has the same passion for motorcycling as I do. Many of my weekends were spent helping prep her for her long distance motorcycle road trip this year. This was a ride she had been working on long before I even met her. Because of business and personal reasons I was not able to go, but I am happy she has been able to fulfill a dream. For a relative new comer, to the motorcycle world, she has quickly become very hard core and can out ride most of the male riders in our circle of friends!

I find myself missing her VERY much when she is not home. Who would have thought that at my age I would be feeling this way? In my past relationships, I could not wait for a little alone time. Now I count the days until she rides up the driveway.

So here we are, June is almost over and the first day of Summer is this weekend. Its been a pretty normal New England June...RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, GLOOM, GLOOM, AND yesterday morning I work up to 44 degrees out! Laconia is looking like a wash out except for a couple of mid-week days that were nice. Im VERY happy I did not step up this year and spend a ton of moolah on a Laconia trip. Crusty has been around long enough to know that Americade and Laconia = RAIN.

Ok, it’s time to Bitch....Hey I have to listen to you folks bitch, moan and complain when you walk in my shop, so its only fair that I get to spew a few complaints about shit that’s aggravated old Crusty.
I happen to be up at Bentley’s Saloon in Maine a few weeks back. Me and the lovely future Mrs Crusty had a fun time and enjoyed some fine people watching. We made a few observations and thought I would pass them along to you as a public service. Someday this information may come in handy and keep you from embarrassing yourself.

#1 For you ladies out there that fancy yourselves "Biker Babes". Trust us when we say "tighter is NOT better" when your picking out the clothes you wear. Muffin tops are cute on chubby high school girls, But NOT...and I repeat NOT on a "fifty something"woman. This is ESPECIALLY true when the "muffin" looks like its made out of cottage cheese!

#2 White people can’t and should not, dance and drink at the same time.

#3 Maine grows some HUGE human beings!

#4 Maine’s Police departments take themselves VERY ,VERY serious. Could be the fact that EVERY pickup truck on the road has a gun-rack with 3 rifles on it.

#5 Maine needs more dentists.

Those are just a few observations made during a great long weekend ride. I do plan to go back again later this year or next year.

I hope everyone is having a good year so far? I’ll try to post more often.

Till then, Ride Safe!

The Peoples Republic Of Massachusetts

2009-05-15T10:29:00.009-04:00

I received this email from the MMA ( Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) this morning. They are warning their members of police harassment. Well they might call it harassment, but the police will call it enforcement. As always, the definition depends on which side of the ticket your standing on.

A few motorcyclists, some members of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA), have reported incidents of being stopped in the Northeastern part of the Commonwealth by a Massachusetts State Police Officer, most often seen in a semi-marked patrol SUV. The officer is reported to be citing a violation of “title 41” with regard to a lack of an OEM stamp on Exhaust Systems and other infractions such as Motorcycle License Plate Mounting and Helmet Markings. Thus far, no motorcyclists have been cited for an infraction which is why we are concerned that this is a case of possible rogue behavior aimed towards harassing motorcyclists in the Commonwealth.

Reports have included improper sound testing, threats of arrest and towing of the motorcycle, and verbal abuse. Motorcyclists being stopped have included MMA members who seemingly were within the speed limit and not creating excessive noise at the time of being pulled over.

The facts concerning the law in Massachusetts:...

Regarding License Plates, in Massachusetts, it’s illegal to obscure or otherwise render a License Plate unreadable. This would include rotating the plate to a vertical orientation, bending the plate to a contour, covering it, or riding with a plate on which the numbers are no longer readable. Many states including Massachusetts have begun enforcing the readability of license plates for a variety of reasons; these actions are NOT specific to Motorcycles.

Helmets are required in Massachusetts. While the MMA supports Choice for experienced adults, we continue to pursue those changes by legal means, including legislation passed allowing helmet-less riding during permitted parades. The MMA has a sponsored bill in this year’s legislative session which was accepted by the Joint Transportation Committee in last year’s session.

Massachusetts Law states, “Every person operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle shall wear protective head gear conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe.” In Massachusetts, the existing General Law does not require a DOT approved helmet by writ and there is no published list of approved helmets from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Further, while a “DOT Sticker” does raise the presumption of “good faith” relative to testing, Federal Standards do not mandate application of a “DOT Sticker” on the helmet, and the lack of a DOT sticker on the helmet is not an indication of lack of compliance, nor one that is “illegal”.

As for Exhaust Modification, the officer has been quoted on at least 2 occasions citing “Title 41”. There is no such law in the Massachusetts General Law. Calls to the Registry also confirmed no such requirement for an OEM stamp on their exhaust in Massachusetts. Further research identified the following reference to federal emissions requirements for Manufacturers:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=21a06f85064082d32e62f7f683355e63&rgn=div8&view=text&node=40:24.0.1.2.11.5.17.8&idno=40

This reference to “Title 40: Protection of Environment” is close to “Title 41” and is a standard for Motor Vehicle Manufacturers to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Noise Emission Standards at the time of manufacture. This does NOT apply to Motorcycles after sale.

So, what do you do if you’re stopped?

Without question, you want to be respectful and cooperative. While perhaps ill informed, this is still a duly authorized Law Enforcement Officer.

Obtain the officer’s name – he should be wearing and/or carrying identification. You have every right to it. If the officer refuses to provide any, you have the right to call 911 and inform them you’ve been stopped by someone who has refused to identify themselves.

If possible, identify the vehicle. State vehicles will be marked on the bumper and/or license plate.

Make notes (and if possible take pictures – many cell phones have cameras today) of the procedures being used to inspect and test your motorcycle. You are NOT legally required to assist in those tests.

You are NOT legally required to answer any unreasonable questions.

Contact the MMA with the name and description of the officer and any other details you can provide regarding the incident. If you are issued a warning or citation, we would like a copy of that document and will work with you to fight it in a Massachusetts court of law.

For additional information, please contact legislativedirector@massmotorcycle.org or chairman@massmotorcycle.org

Crusty was warning you folks along time ago that this was going to happen. The MMA did not want to hear it and old Crusty was shot down as being full of crap-o-la. The MMA is famous for telling their members what they want to hear and making them think they are getting their moneys worth. Well folks, this is the start of a VERY interesting riding season here in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.

Look, you know it, and I know it, and the MMA knows it.....aftermarket exhaust systems are a violation of the law. You can mince words all you like, but they put out more noise then the federal standards allow and are MUCH louder then the stock systems. Weather they are stamped or not makes no difference. If you drill out your stock muffler ,which has the stamping on it, you are in violation of not only noise regulations, but also you have tampered with your emissions. Weather or not we test for emissions does not matter, your still not supposed to modify them. Technically, just replacing the exhaust system changes the emission system. Of course it only matters when your caught. If you do happen to get bagged by a registry officer the hammer will come down on you HARD. Unlike in years past the registry is stepping up enforcement and those are the guys that will make your life a living hell if your bike does not comply. You can say "piftt" all you want, but when you get caught, don't say i did not warn you. ALSO don’t forget, ANY town or city can impose their own noise regulations. We are not just dealing with State regulations now. Every police chief and every board of selectman and mayor can make life difficult for us if they want.

As far as helmets goes, DUH! You should be cracked up side the head if your wearing a $20 novelty helmet anyways. Police are not stupid folks, they know the difference between a DOT helmet and a cheap novelty piece of junk. Yes its your right to be stupid and risk your own life, but the law is specific about APPROVED, DOT helmets, A dumb little sticker will not upset the "look" of your ride. Larger profiles of a DOT approved helmet is not what makes you look funny. If your that concerned with how you look out there on the road...sell that chrome phallic symbol you ride and take up modeling.

License plates that lay forward, non-approved turn signals and a number of other popular modifications are pushing the envelope of the laws in this state. If you want to poke the beast, don’t cry if you get bit! I personally know several police officers. Trust me, they are not out to harass bikers. They have a tough job and are doing their best to protect you from the real shit heads out there.

I laugh out loud when I read the part of the email that states you can call 911 if a police officer refuses to identify himself. SURE YOU DO! First off any of us who has had "dealings" with state police officers knows that’s not gonna happen. The moment you start to give the officer any lip, or question his actions or if your actually stupid enough to pull out anything from your pocket like a phone (which might look like a gun to a cop), you will be tazered, cuffed and stuffed in the back of his car faster then you can hit speed dial. If this does happen you had better pray to god that your bike and you are spotless. I get a kick out of the people that write these emails. They might like spending hours and days mulling around court houses (usually on your dime) but the rest of us hard working folks would rather not be looking out from the wrong side of the cell bars.

The old days are gone my friends. Yes there are still those 1%’ers out there that will flip the bird to authority and do what they want, where they want, and when they want, but I doubt very much most of you fall into that category. Chances are you ride from your quiet subdivision where your bike is garaged under lock and key, polished and kept under a dust tarp, down to your local Dunkin Donuts where you spend 3 hours sipping coffee and pretending to be tough while wearing your village people half finger leather gloves while dressed all in black on an 80 degree day. I’m sorry if the law infringes on your fantasy life, but these days the state is strapped for cash and are doing what ever they can to raise funds. This will mean aggressively enforcing the law. Why make their job easy? Making sure your bike and you comply with the law will guarantee they won’t bother you and mess up your afternoon of standing around pretending to be a biker.

Motorcyclist injured in accident on Rt.20 Worcester, MA

2009-04-29T10:23:00.003-04:00

Everyone one of us who rides gets that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you see or read about a car or truck turning left into the path of a bike. Tuesday that happened AGAIN in Worcester. A pick up driver made an illegal left into a gas station and a bike hit the truck, bounced into a car leaving the rider seriously injured and fighting for his life.

Usually in cases like this there is blame enough to go around. We know the truck made an illegal turn, maybe the bike was moving faster then the speed limit, maybe the car driver was on the phone? Who knows??? All we know is something BAD happened.

As motorcyclists we can’t just get pissed and stomp our feet and say that its wrong. That won’t fix the problem. We must take safety into our own hands. There are no guarantees in life. Bad things do happen. One of the appeals of riding a bike is the freedom of the open road, and the risk of riding a vehicle that is capable of extreme acceleration and speed. We are not surrounded by two thousand pounds of steel. We have to ride as if every car on the road is out to get us. We must slow down and realize that older drivers have a very hard time judging relative speed to distance of a small object like a motorcycle. More studies need to be done to make motorcycles more visible to drivers. We must make ourselves as visible as possible. Driving lights, bright colors and some of the things we can do. But the number one thing you can do is slow down and drive as if your life depends on it.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20090429/NEWS/904290391/1101/LOCAL

Up....Up....And AWAY!

2009-04-28T10:49:00.010-04:00

This Sunday was absolutely PERFECT for riding! After a long, hard Winter, New Englanders go a little nutty on the first Summer like Sunday. You could almost feel it in the air last Friday. Everyone was talking about the weekend and what their plans were. I think every motorcyclist was up early Sunday morning and off for the day. My plans were no different. I was up early and on the road by 7am (ish) . A quick breakfast and West I headed!

One of the cool places I stopped at was the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. If you’re a fan of aircraft, engines, jets and antique cars and motorcycles , this place has a bit of everything!

Harley Davidson made jet fighters????

Gods Country

2009-04-22T09:30:00.001-04:00

Nick Butler Ride, Marlborough, Massachusetts

2009-04-19T18:37:00.011-04:00

We did the Nick Butler Run today. It was to benefit the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivors Fund. I had my son on the back of my bike, and Crusty's gal was riding her own bike. I was amazed that my son would even ride with me at his age! Teenagers, some days they are ALMOST human!

I posted the pictures from yesterdays run quickly and did not get to talk much about the ride itself. The weather was just about perfect for riding. After a cool start it warmed up nicely but never got to warm even when clad in black, dead cow skin. The run started out of the Marlborough Moose Lodge. The XR guys (Extreme Riders) did a great job of laying out a beautiful ride. It lasted about an hour and a half and given the conditions here in New England that was a nice little run to start off the Spring events. The Marlborough area has some great roads! Everything from tight and twisty country lanes to wide open and smooth two lanes. Word of caution to Harley Davidson riders. You might want to go over your bikes BEFORE the first run of the season and tighten up anything loose. I cant tell you how much fun it was playing dodge’em with chrome bits and pieces falling off motorcycles. To be fair, one Honda riders GPS went bouncing down the road just inches from my front tire! Awwwwww...group rides, they do keep you on your toes.

Live, Love, Laugh and Ride.

2009-04-14T14:15:00.002-04:00

Writers block? Hhmmm, maybe. As of late I have not had much to say here in the wonderful world of Blogging. I have often thought about putting posts together, but something usually more pressing in my professional or personal life would come up and I would put that idea on the back burner for a another day. I have several ideas in my head right now. I want to write about "motorcycle clubs" (mc's) vs "riding clubs" Recently that whole world of political BS surfaced in my life again and I feel compelled to write about it. However it is a sensitive and somewhat touchy subject and needs careful thought, and even more careful choosing of words so as not to piss off those who take themselves WAY to serious.

Business in the motorcycle world is also reeling from the ban on childrens mini bikes and ATVs. As if our industry is not struggling enough, the Feds have banned the sale of mini bikes because they were not certified "lead free". Again that’s a subject I want to write about, but just cant find the time or energy to write about in detail right now.

Maybe it’s the fact that for the first time in many, many years my personal life is going great. I have been going out and having fun. I have started to enjoy riding more (except for the above mentioned motorcycle club and politics BS), listening to some kick ass bands, and spending more and more time with the woman who has changed my life. When you have a fantastic personal life, all the other stuff just seems less important.

As I sit here now its sunny, but not all that warm. This Spring is slow in getting here (and staying here). I am looking forward to riding and enjoying myself a lot more this year. Hopefully I’ll hit as many of the runs as I can for our own enjoyment and get back to living life, and loving bikes the way it all started out back in the late 60's for me.

APRIL ALREADY?

2009-04-04T21:07:00.001-04:00

I just realized its been about a month since my last post! Wow, how time fly's when your having fun. The weather has not warmed up much yet here in Eastern Massachusetts. We have had a few teaser days, but it has been cold, raw and damp for the most part. The hardy Bikers have been out and about, but the poser- pansies are still shivering and waiting for that first 70 degree day before venturing out.

Business has picked up a little. Its nice to see some folks luckily enough to get a tax refund, out spending it. I'm cautiously optimistic that the economy is improving, if for only psychological reasons. Until massive jobs are created, nothing will improve dramatically.

Until the bike runs start happening, I wont have to much interesting to talk about. This year is looking to be a GREAT one for riding. I have big plans with my "Old Lady" (She will kill me for that one) and lots of big changes in my life are heading my way fast.

Something For The Ladies

2009-03-04T14:50:00.002-05:00

No! it's not me....I don't wear hats :)

WHAT THE HELL....SNOW?

2009-03-02T14:59:00.001-05:00

Mother Nature had to take one last (let’s hope) swipe at us this morning. The bitch dumped another eight inches or so of snow on the Eastern Massachusetts area. It was starting to feel a little like Spring until this crap fell. Oh well, what’s another couple of weeks of Winter. It’s not like business or the economy is going to be booming anytime soon.

One thing I have noticed this morning, is prices of motorcycle parts and accessories have started to climb dramatically. Tires took a major jump and batteries are also up a lot! Sticker shock will be common this Spring as folks dig out their bikes and want to put them on the road. Last Spring I warned people about the same subject, but this year it really looks bad.

I wish I had some good news to report. Or for that matter talk about! The weather sucks, prices are up, and the Massachusetts motorcycle inspection program is STILL all f’ed up! As of last Friday their system went live, HOWEVER until a "field rep" visits the shop, we still can’t use the new system. TYPICAL Massachusetts. They are going to make this as complex as possible, and drag this out to justify their existence.

Motorcycle Inspection Sticker Nightmare

2009-02-21T15:12:00.002-05:00

Ummmm....No. Don't even ask.

Crusty's Sick Sense Of Humor

2009-02-19T17:59:00.006-05:00

If I were king of the universe, this would be the penalty for crotch rocket riders who over use the word "Dude".

Awwww aint that sweet....

2009-02-18T13:24:00.005-05:00

Police motor officers are a sensitive bunch. These two locker room buds are besides themselves. I wonder what made him cry more, the fact that he scuffed his boots or the wonderful handling of his Harley police bike just before he bit the dust?

Notice the radar gun lying on the ground? I bet they just dusted it off and stuck it back in the saddle bags. Calibration??? We don’t need no stinking calibration!

The Problem With "Let Those Who Ride Decide"

2009-02-16T13:57:00.003-05:00

Motorcycle rights organizations continue to beat a dead horse by trying to repeal the helmet law. The reason that will never happen is "people" (including some motorcyclists) are basically stupid. Be it a third world country, or right here in the good old USA. There will always be a few morons that need protection from themselves.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T11:35:00.000-05:00

Wicked Bad Timing

2009-02-13T18:36:00.002-05:00

Harley Davidson is struggling and looking to Washington for a hand out. Honda is pulling the plug on most of their racing efforts. Just about ever motorcycle manufacturer is struggling. Motorcycle dealers are having some of the worst months since the disastrous early 1980's. And in the middle of all the economic doom and gloom Indian Motorcycles have resurfaced. Five years in the planning and hundreds of million in investments and this January they released their "New & Improved" Indian Chief. I would not want to take on an Indian Motorcycle franchise in this economy. God, I have trouble sleeping as it is. I have trimmed down my operation to the bare minimum in order to make it through these difficult times. My dealer friends are telling me horror stories and the motorcycle industry reps I talk to are painting a bleak picture.

I feel bad for Indian. Talk about wicked bad luck and bad timing. It has the worlds most recognizable logo. Some of the most beautiful designs ever to grace two wheels and over a hundred years later it still commands respect among die hard bikers. Unfortunately I would not bet two cents on them surviving again. They blew it with their last try. You might get away with burning the American public once, but twice? Nope...their done. Husqvarna did that in the off-road world. Cagiva of Italy bought them from the Swedish company and tried to revive the brand only to burn dealers and the public in two failed attempts to reintroduce the brand to the American off-road market. Now NOBODY will trust them again. I’m afraid Indian has made the same fatal mistake.

Burn me once, shame on you...burn me twice, shame on me. They will most likely make more money from t-shirt sales and licensing their logo then from bike sales given the state of the world today.

Ghost Wheels?

2009-02-12T10:53:00.003-05:00

You can call them anything you want, but they are training wheels. Now Crusty is getting up there in years, but i just can'tsee myself showing up to a run sporting a set of these puppies. Now a full blown trike...MAYBE. But i think in a few years when i get to the point i can't balance a bike , i doubt very much i would be able to deal with the cold or rain either. I'll be one of those old bikers driving my warm and comfortable car to Biker events. These will set you back six grand!

Oh,this is just FABOO!

2009-02-10T13:18:00.004-05:00

THAT’S IT! I’m officially going on record as saying this has got to be the butt ugliest helmet ever produced. I don’t know what mental moron at Biker’s Choice came up with this idea, but all I can say is he must have the worlds largest collection of Elton John records. It’s no surprise then to find out it was designed by one of Holywoods top designers to the stars, Christian Audigier. Part of his famous Ed Hardy collection. WHAT? You don’t know who Christian Audigier or Ed Hardy is? Don’t feel bad, neither did I until I looked into it. I can only imagine how many hundreds of thousands of dollars were wasted designing this cross dressers piss pot! Ok your saying to your self, "Crusty you are just old and behind the times." Ahuh, well I asked my younger, hipper, bike riding, girlfriend what she thought of this helmet. She just looked at me and said..."your kidding right?" Enough said.

In this economic crisis you would think the helmet producers would put their efforts and money into a slimmer, lighter, DOT approved helmet that real bikers would purchase. Something that looks as close to a novelty helmet as possible while still being legal. NOT this piece of shit that has a suggested retail price of $164.99!!

As The Inspection Sticker Turns Part Deux

2009-02-09T17:56:00.001-05:00

I can sure get myself in a mess’o trouble! I started out just trying to warn folks about upcoming changes to the Massachusetts motorcycle safety inspections. Little did I realize people would get so up in arms! Earlier today I got a email from the MMA (and they were not happy with me), and just now as I was enjoying a cup of coffee and surfing my favorite Blogs and my buddy Joker from http://harley-davidson-mystique.blogspot.com cranks up the heat even higher LOL.

Old Crusty just never seems to learn. I should have kept my mouth shut and gone about my business as usual. When the inevitable whining starts I could have just shrugged and pretended to care. Oh well. I came back to Bloging after taking a much needed break. Now I remember why I got tired of this place.

This is the last time I’m going to remind myself lol. Keep it simple, don’t bother to help anyone out. Just enjoy life and the heck with anyone else. I’m at a point in my life where retirement is what I really want most and I should be putting all my efforts into.

I need to think up some non-controversial topics to Blog about that are still motorcycle related!

As The Inspection Sticker Turns

2009-02-09T13:08:00.004-05:00

This morning I received an email that the MMA (Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) has sent out to all its members concerning the new MA State inspections. Basically the gist of the email is to try and calm the fears of the MMA members in regards to exhaust pipes and the new 2009 Massachusetts Inspection Laws.

Again old Crusty seems to be caught in the middle of controversy. Apparently the MMA did not like what I had to say about motorcycle safety inspections in regards to exhaust systems. What they did was nothing more then print the full regulation instead of just the part I printed. It really doesn’t matter, because the part I printed is what will get motorcyclists in trouble.

The MMA can interpret the law how ever they wish or they can put a positive spin on it if that makes their members feel better. In reality, the only persons interpretation that matters is the one of the officer writing you the ticket. MORE IMPORTANTLY from my perspective, there is no interpreting of the law. The fine and penalties are just to strict to risk getting stung by the state. I am not alone, many inspection stations/inspectors/dealers I know of are not going to risk getting caught.

Hey you can all do what ever you want. My intention was to inform, and hopefully help some folks not get in trouble come May when their inspection stickers run out. Don’t be fooled, this year will be a tough year on motorcyclists. Stricter inspections, stepped up enforcement by the police and Registry will make our lives very interesting.

The MMA might not like it, but old Crusty told you so!

Another One Bites The Dust

2009-02-04T16:18:00.003-05:00

Honda canceled the Hoot. Yep, one of the largest, most well managed and lucrative corporations in the world is also feeling the pinch. They decided to cancel the famous Honda Hoot this year. Unfortunately I think this trend will continue throughout this coming season. I think this season will be one of smaller events and more private journeys. Maybe this is not such a bad thing. When you think about it, the quintessential motorcycle journey is one of the solo rider going where ever adventure takes him (or her). Anyone of who grew up watching theTV series Then Came Bronson knows exactly what I mean. Only in the excess driven decade of the yuppies, did motorcycle rallies grow to monstrous proportions. In many ways we have become victims of our own success or maybe excess! Maybe it is time motorcyclists learn how to enjoy an adventure without prepackaged tours and activities all laid out for them. Just my opinion. The latest report:

American Honda has cancelled the 2009 Honda Hoot due to the current economic crisis. Coming on the heels of its withdrawal from AMA road racing, also for economic reasons, American Honda will bring an end to the Hoot’s 15-year run. According to American Honda, nearly a quarter million guests have attended the Honda Hoot over the years, first at its original location in the hills of Ashville, N.C. and from 2001 to 2008 in Knoxville, Tenn. Over 1,300 volunteers help to organize events. The 16th annual Honda Hoot was originally scheduled for June 17-20, 2009 with online registration set to open in January. American Honda says it will seek new ways to engage customers during the current economic climate.

Things Could Be Worse

2009-01-31T16:17:00.002-05:00

There hasn’t been a hell of a lot going on with me the last couple of weeks. January is almost over now and Spring is still seven weeks away. Everyone around me is either sick, or getting over something that they either caught or had scheduled to have done. I thank god every day for my relative good health and health habits when I see what some of my family and friends are going through.

One of the most important things is to have a positive attitude. I know the Winter can be a drag for any motorcyclists. Also this economy and the state of the world in general can weigh heavy on all of us. But it’s very important to your survival to keep looking on the bright side. TRUST ME, no matter how bad you might think you have it, there is always some poor bastard that got it a hell of a lot worse!

I often think about my parents when I start to feel sorry for myself. My Mother (God rest her soul) grew up in a house that did not have indoor plumbing or central heat. Can you imaging three teenage sisters today having to use an outhouse and stoke the coal stove before heading off to highschool? Their parents would be arrested for child abuse! My Dad, who was one of seven kids had to quit school and go to work at fourteen, because his Father died of Polio. My parents, met, got married , raised a family, as a matter of survival as well as love, that lasted forty years.

The great depression, World War II, starting out with nothing and building a life, those were REAL tough times. Those are the kinds of hardship that builds strong people that can survive anything. There is no doubt that we are in the middle of tough times, but compared to what our parents generation was faced with, we still have it better off then they did.

I'm Lost

2009-01-22T10:31:00.002-05:00

My girlfriend is a Lost nut. She can't get enough of it! Last night was the new season premier. Not being a big TV guy myself i decided to keep an open mind and give the show a look see. HHmmmmm well all i can say is that unless you watched this show the season before, you would be as "lost" as i was trying to follow along. Time shifts, dead people visable to some but not others. Plot twists and turns and rather bad acting made watching this show a challange. But then again, my choice was to watch the History Channel or Discovery Channel myself in the living room, OR watch Lost with her in bed. Hhhhhmmm i think i'll learn to like Lost!

Massachusetts Motorcycle Safety Inspections

2009-01-21T13:23:00.009-05:00

Last night I attended the certification class for Massachusetts motorcycle inspectors. This year we are required to be approved and certified by the Commonwealth before we can conduct motorcycle safety inspections. There has been a lot of bullshit and misinformation floating around out there about this years motorcycle safety inspection procedures and data acquisition. I just wanted to pass along to you folks what I know now that I have attended the official class.

As with the automotive inspections, much more emphasis has been placed on accountability. This means that the inspector will be held responsible for his or her actions. If you pass a bike and its caught somewhere down the line. Its YOUR (the person that did the inspection) ass that’s on the line. Because of this, the instructor basically said that if your in doubt fail the bike. It’s always better to be safe then sorry. This is true not only for motorcycle safety, but for your own ass! The inspectors name is linked to the inspection sticker so that if a police officer or registry officer pulls a bike over and runs the plate, the inspectors name will be displayed as having passed that bike and certified it road worthy.

I can see this will create an atmosphere of inspectors being much more critical of the bikes they inspect. Who wants to be dragged into court because you passed a tire that was right on the verge or being worn out and that customer gets in an accident? Or because some smart ass lawyer is trying to make a insurance case out of a cracked turn signal lens after an accident.

The new online data gathering system will slow down the inspection process BIG TIME! We will have to enter redundant information several times. Now I’ll be required to enter the same VIN number two times! Talk about big brother watching. If your headlight was out of adjustment and had to be fixed before it would pass, that info will be logged in as "repaired" and this informaton is made available to anyone with access to the system (police/registry officers). If you have outstanding parking tickets the computer rejects your bike. Once your bike is rejected, it is logged in as being rejected and stays that way until you bring the bike back to that same station after repair. There is also no more "sticker shopping" If you get rejected at one shop you cant just find another dealer that might pass it. Your bike is already in the system as being failed. Ahhhhh the wonders of modern technology.

One of the hotly talked about topics among the dealers was EXHAUST systems. The criteria for failing a bike due to loud pipes was re-written to say:

"Check if the motorcycle’s muffler minimizes noise and is functioning properly. Accelerate motor to half throttle position to test for unnecessary noise and emissions of any unreasonable amount of smoke. NOTE- Unnecessary noise is any noise which is louder that that emitted by the motorcycle with original manufacturer muffler and exhaust system equipment."

Who’s to say that the customer did not go home and put on a set of loud pipes after he gets his bike inspected? Well that can and does happen. But what if that motorcyclist is stopped 2 blocks from your shop and he just received a inspection sticker with his loud pipes? As a dealer who is being held much more accountable for his actions by the RMV, I don’t think it is worth the risk of being caught and fined heavily. The RMV is stepping up enforcement of not only the general public, but also inspection stations.

Bottom line starting in February (when this new systen goes live) will be to plan to spend much more time at your local dealer when your bike is being inspected. My suggestion would be to make an appointment rather then just riding in at 9am Saturday morning expecting a quick sticker. Expect dealers to be more critical of your motorcycle. It won’t matter how much money you have dumped into your pride and joy, if it’s questionable, it won’t pass. Don’t take out your frustrations on the guy inspecting your bike. This is NOT his fault. Complain to the RMV!

We Are Not Getting Older...We Are Getting Better!

2009-01-17T10:41:00.004-05:00

Today is my Lady's Birthday. Yep, our Birthdays are only five days apart. It's amazing how much alike we are. We have both been dreaming of Spring, when we can hop on our bikes and go riding again. She is a great rider on her own, yet she also loves to ride on the back of my bike too! This year we are planning on doing as much riding together as possible. This is going to be a GREAT year. Tonight we plan to go out with a group of friends and celebrate.

Happy Birthday To Me

2009-01-12T09:29:00.008-05:00

I woke up this morning with a cold. I knew it was coming. Last night I tossed and turned choking some heavy duty post nasal drip. I stacked up four pillows so I was almost sitting straight up. This made it easier to breathe and doze on and off, but by five in the morning my ass was killing me from sitting up all night. My girlfriend fussed over me constantly saying she was sorry I was sick. Her grand daughter has a cold so everyone that came in contact with the little one now has a cold too. Yep, one of the many joys of kids. It's not like I'm not used to it. My son, who is now taller then me, was a little germ factory back in the day. Every time she would wake up, because of my tossing and turning, she would say she was sorry i got sick too. I would whisper back that it was ok baby, I'll be ok.

The alarm went off at 6am but I was already staring out the window when it did. She rolled over and snuggled into me asking me how I was feeling and to wish me a happy birthday. Over the years I have had many, many colds. I was plagued by sinus problems as a kid so I'm kind of used to it when I get sick. What I'm not used to is getting old. Having one parent die, and watching another slowly fade away is not something I have had an easy time with. My Mother's birthday was three days ago. She has been gone six years now but I still go to her grave every year on her birthday with flowers.

After our good morning kiss, she clicks on the TV to check the news and weather. I was not really paying attention because I was feeling like shit for lack of a better term. They were talking about an awards show which rarely gets my attention, but they mentioned something about Mickey Rourke winning for The Wrestler. I opened my eyes and started to pay attention. She was still snuggled naked and warm against me and my arm was wrapped around her shoulder. In that very moment as I watched TV I felt very much at peace.

I have always liked Mickey Rourke. Maybe because he seems to be a regular guy stuck in the middle of all that Hollywood bullshit. He looks like a Biker, acts like a Biker and maybe thats one of the reasons a identify with him on some strange level. I have followed his career for years but with all the crazy shit going on in my own life this past six months or so I must have missed the news about him doing a movie called "The Wrestler" so it took me by surprise.

I decided I needed to find out more about the movie so I Goggled it and found the official movie website and trailer to the movie. Any of you out there that are in the second half of your life will identify with this movie. Although I have only seen the trailer, I was stopped in my tracks by the images of this broken down old wrestler. The haunting music by Bruce Springsteen ads to the emotions that came over me. Images from my own life flashed through my mind as I watched the trailer. As I am typing this I am choking back the tears. I can only imaging what effect seeing the movie will have on me. I can't wait to see it.

I don't feel old in my mind. I mentioned to my girlfriend this morning that some days I still wake up and wonder what I'll do when I grow up. She laughed and said that I don't look my age. I might not look my age on the outside, but some days like today when I'm not feeling well, or when the old racing injuries hurt because of the bad weather, I do feel very old.

http://www.thewrestlermovie.com/

Confessions Of A Coffee Addict

2009-01-09T10:38:00.006-05:00

I freely admit it. My name is Crusty, and I am a coffee addict. I’m not talking about those six dollar a cup designer coffee’s either. I am talking about good old fashion, Dunkin Donuts, or Honey Dew coffee. In my opinion there is no such thing as a bad cup of coffee. Sure some are better then others, but your talking about a guy that even drinks instant coffee. Or as my girlfriend calls it, "swill". Ok so I have a problem. I have even been known to drink coffee that was left in my truck over night in the winter, frozen solid and then thawed out by the defroster. Hey it would be wasting it if I just tossed it out....right?

For Christmas my girlfriend gave me one of those fancy Keurig coffee makers that use those little k-cups. Not only does it make a GREAT cup of coffee, but it makes it in only a few seconds!! No longer do I have to wait to get my fix. When I wake up I turn that sucker on and anytime during the day when I start feeling my caffeine levels dropping, I can take a hit without having to deal with foreigners who come from a country that produces coffee, yet can’t seem to take my order and give me what I want. Apparently on the other end of an intercom NO SUGAR always comes out as EXTRA SUGAR. Not to mention having to drive there.... But that’s another rant for another day.

So here I sit, banging away at this keyboard. Its 10am and I am working on my third cup of coffee so far today. Most small business owners work long hours. My days usually start around 9am and I don’t leave here until 8pm. Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhh mmmmmmm this is a GREAT cup of coffee.

Ok, so what was that little problem you wanted to talk to me about???

Ok ENOUGH ALREADY...We get it!

2009-01-08T16:00:00.003-05:00

It’s a tough world out there we all know that. But apparently new ideas are also far and few between. Maybe its me? But I’m a little sick and tired of custom bike builders that hop on the latest trend and then beat it to death. WE GET IT! It’s supposed to look like a early 1900's board track racer. BIG YAWN....nope, it doesn’t matter that it has a single cylinder dirt bike engine or a Harley/clone engine or even a Japanese cruiser engine. Bicycle styled frame, maybe some sort of miniature suspension components wedged in there. Yep, got it! Ok what else do ya got? Hmmmm?

I mean come on builders, lets see something new. How about a motorcycle that can ACTUALLY BE RIDEN ON THE ROAD..... LEGALLY that is! Show us some new and innovative designs that we might actually attempt a version of ourselves. How about this novel idea. Don’t try to reinvent the motorcycle, just make it more comfortable to ride on a weekend road trip! And NO I don’t mean by adding every electronic communication and entertainment gadget known to man on your handlebars! Personally when I hop on my motorcycle its with the specific intent to escape from the rest of the world.

2008...You Sucked!

2009-01-02T15:55:00.002-05:00

Well I survived another one! Here it is 2009 already and I am not sorry to leave ‘08 in the dust. For better or for worse changes are heading our way. All I know is things could not keep going the way they had been. This country (and the world) has been speeding down the road like a clapped out, old Sportster with a stuck throttle cable. You just know bad things are gonna happen when this pig crashes and burns.

As for old Crusty, I’ll be doing my best to stay positive from now on. I have pretty much tried everything else short of pagan sacrifices and ritual blood letting! My New Years resolution this year is to reduce stress, continue to work out my body and my mind and hope to hell that life for all of us improves soon.

Back In The Saddle Again......Sort Of

2008-12-30T13:01:00.000-05:00

The last six months of my life has been interesting to say the least. Back in July I decided to pull the plug on Crusty The Biker. I had reached a point in my life where changes were inevitable.

My personal life was about to reach the melting point, My business was (and still is) struggling to survive like most small businesses in this country these days. The last thing I needed was more shit to deal with. So I made the decision to take a break and re-group.

I decided to concentrate more on riding, enjoying life, and attending events not as a business man, but as just another old biker. I did find out a few interesting facts and came to some conclusions about myself, life, and the state of motorcycling here in New England.

The most dramatic change in my life was the ending of a long term relationship I was in. Back in August I broke up with my girlfriend of seven years. Things had not been going well for some time. At least in my mind that is. The details are to long and drawn out, however I realized one afternoon that another Summer was half over and I’m not happy with how my life was going.

I attended more rides/runs and events in the past six months then I had in some time. I was amazed at how few people were coming out for these runs. The tough economy is taking its toll on everyone and riders are picking and choosing their rides much more carefully. Another thing I have noticed is people seem to be getting burnt out on the same old ride format. To many runs that are all the same with nothing new, exciting or fun makes it an easy choice to stay home or just ride with a buddy or two and save money. We need to develop a new ride format or event. Constantly asking riders to pony up cash for charities these days is getting old fast with the general riding public.

The upside to the down economy is that fewer yuppy squids are out there annoying us old timers. You know who I’m talking about. The contractor guy, or urban professional who would normally have a Harley parked next to his Escalade or Hummer. He would show up to a run acting like Mr Bad Ass and never shut his mouth. It’s nice not to hear as much of their bullshit, lip flapping. I really never cared how much money you put into your Road Glide, Fat Boy or Dyna Wide Glide or your trophy wife’s boobs for that matter!

I came to the conclusion that choppers are dead....THANK GOD! I wonder where all those ill-handling, rattle traps will end up? Although it was a source of amusement to count the number of parts that fell off along the side of the road at numerous runs then listen to their owners lame excuses as to why their thirty thousand dollar customs were puking parts up like baby spittle. Along the same lines, it also appears that the motorcycle industries attempts to shove "custom sport bikes" down our throats is also dying. It’s one thing to let slide a Harley that comes in for an inspection sticker if its equipped with less then approved equipment, but very few snot nosed, custom crotch rocket pilots get much sympathy when they show up for inspection stickers!

Massachusetts motorcycle inspections...UGH! The Mass RMV is dropping the ball big time and it’s a disaster in the making. It’s almost January 1st and as of today they STILL don’t have 2009 laws, rules, and procedures finalized. My certification class was canceled once and has yet to be rescheduled. This is turning out to be a major cluster fuck.

Along my travels the last six months I met someone new. She is unlike anyone I have ever been involved with before. To start with she actually owns and rides her own motorcycle. And she rides it very well! In past relationships the women in my life were always from outside the motorcycle community. This may seem strange, but that is how it always worked out. Because of this, riding and motorcycles were always some source of conflict. I can’t tell you how great it is to have someone in my life that shares the same passion for motorcycles as I do. In fact she might be even more passionate about riding due to the fact that she came into motorcycling only a few years ago and can’t get enough of it! Unlike myself who has been riding my whole life and tend to take it for granted at times.

She is also the leader of a recently formed women’s riding group. I have had a blast helping her with that. Years ago I had my fill of Biker clubs and have always stayed away from that sort of thing. I don’t have the time or energy for the politics, drama, or testosterone charged bullshit that goes on in most male dominated clubs. Watching how women interact is somewhat eye opening and refreshing. Of course there are some unique problems and issues to deal with, but I have had a great time being a small part of the process of getting a group of enthusiastic women organized. Women riders are more easy going in my opinion.

So that brings us to today. Some folks might be surprised that I resurfaced. I have been reading some of my favorite motorcycle blogs the last six months. I have noticed a few fellow bloggers have taken time off and some have even come back. Blogger burn out is nothing unique apparently! These are stressful times we are living in for sure. I’m not sure how often I will post. I’ll take it day by day and see where it goes. My life is less stressful then it was six months ago and I find myself smiling more then I have in a long time.

Ok now all I need is some good weather! -Crusty

If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon. -W.C.Fields

2008-07-10T17:14:00.000-04:00

I had decided to revamp my Blog and make some changes that would allow me to be more creative with my posts. A few deferent attempts did not turn out the way I had hoped. I don’t like doing anything half ass. Now I really don’t have the time or the drive to fight technology. I’ll always be an old school guy.

Ultimately after a few years of doing this, I find myself burnt out. At first it was a way of venting when I had something on my mind. After a while I was trying to help other people avoid some pitfalls specifically in the motorcycle world. Then I decided to share my rides and observations of life here in New England from an old Bikers perspective.

As the stresses of life and business continue to chip away at my free time, I have decided, for the time being, to concentrate on riding and enjoying the few hours a week I have to myself. Who knows, maybe I’ll miss this more then I think and start again, but at the moment I am looking forward to having one less thing in my life to worry about.

I do want to thank all the regular readers who have left comments. Some of you are hilarious and had me laughing out loud...I mean LOL. Others are just great folks and good friends that share a love for motorcycles. Even those of you who pissed me off helped me try to understand that motorcycling is changing. I have not decided if its for better or worse just yet! I guess time will tell.

Ride On- Crusty

Changes on the way!

2008-07-01T08:47:00.001-04:00