Gift Wrapping at Precision H-D

Supporting our Sponsoring Dealership, Precision Harley-Davidson of Pawtucket, RI, Dec. 12, 2009.

Every year, Blackstone Valley HOG's "Ladies of Harley," sponsor a complimentary gift-wrap for the customers at our dealership.  Without Precision, there'd be no Blackstone, so it's a great way to give back.  Pictured:  Shelley Reynolds, myself, and Kathy Cote.

The customers really appreciate the free gift wrapping, and it's a good time just to hang out with everybody.  We also had plenty of hot Dunkin' Donuts coffee on hand, along with donuts and munchkins for all the holiday Harley shoppers.

Susan and I brought our kids along with us.  Here my 3, Matthew, Olivia, and Sean, push Susan's daughter Madison around the store in her stroller.

The Grinch and Santa were also on hand to take pictures and Christmas wishes from all the little kids who came along shopping with their parents.

Now...that's my idea of a sleigh!  Great job by the bull gang setting all that up.  The kids really got a kick out of it.

Susan tried to get Madison to sit with Santa for a pic...but she was having none of it!

Who wouldn't want to find this sharp new ride under the tree?

Ron Hawkins and Ed Blair on the new Road King.  I know that grin...but forget it Ed...you just bought an Ultra Classic, remember???

Kathy, Susan, Madison, and Shelley.

Jackson's wife Michele, Shelley, LOH Officer Charlene Hawkins, and Ed man the gift wrapping station while Susan thinks about maybe going for another cup of coffee...

My son Sean finds a cozy Harley-Davidson doggie bed to hide out on in the corner...

...but there was no way he was going to have the spot to himself for long.  Olivia and Matthew wasted no time in crashing that party!

We had a great time at the gift wrap, and so did the kids.  Not only did we help out our dealer, but we also had a chance to promote our Chapter and recruit some new members.  Even though the bikes are now tucked away and hooked to battery tenders for the winter, the Harley-Davidson mystique doesn't hibernate with them.  To all of us in Blackstone, it's not just about riding, and it's not about vests and patches or boots and biker bars...it's about people.  It's about people who share a common interest in having fun that's outside the box and on the edge, while demonstrating a little old-fashioned good will along the way.

I meant to have this up before Christmas, but I just didn't have the time.  So I hope Santa was good to all of you and your families, and I wish you a very happy New Year!

Ride Safe in 2010

Service winter specials!

Tired of this @*$!%# weather?  Just keep your thoughts warm and think about how cool your ride will be with a few upgrades from Reno Harley-Davidson.  From now until January 31st 2010 we've got these great specials*:

1. $100.00 off parts and labor for any heated grip installation.
2. $200.00 off parts and labor for any custom handlebar kit.  Kit includes custom bars, internal wiring and extended control lines.
3. Free dyno tune with every stage 1 kit installation.  Kit includes pipes of your choice, high flow air cleaner kit and TTS race tuner. $300.00 value!
4. Up to $1500.00 off parts and labor for any 103" or larger engine upgrade.
   
5. $50.00 off any 1k, 5k, or 10k interval service.

Don't let the snow get in the way of these fantastic specials.  Free pickup and delivery in the Reno-Sparks-Carson-Truckee-Susanville area.  You call - we haul!


*All work must be completed in our shop by Jan 31,2010.  Offer subject to change and/or cancellation at any time.

The Snow Ain't So Bad...

I was looking out the window at all the snow in what is soon not to be my backyard anymore.  This is actually a pic from last winter, but it looks exactly the same now.  I was thinking about how much I hate it, and then I had to give myself some pause and try to mellow out.

It is a thing of beauty in its own annoyingly cold way, and it is Christmas time.  I was thinking that we hardly ever have a white Christmas here, so I'm glad for the kid's sake.  Then, today I was driving on the highway for a while, and another thought occurred to me....

...With anywhere from 12 to 20 inches of the white stuff everywhere you look, there is no place for the State cops to hide with their stupid little speed traps!  Ford Crown Victoria's suck in the snow, so not only are these jack-booted do-as-we-say-but-not-as-we-do's unable to screw us with bullshit tickets, they also can't get to their favorite sleeping spots under the overpasses or in the woods either!  Ha ha!  Go have another donut!!  Hahahahahahaha!

Oops!  What do we have here...you don't suppose he was texting while driving do you?  Nah...

What the hell, I can't ride anyway, so bring it on.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Oh yes, and remember...please drive carefully!

Did you know we have a CVO Ultraglide and a Tri Glide Ultra Classic waiting for you to take home?

The 2010 CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide.

This bike pushes the term "fully loaded" to the ultimate edge.  From satellite radio and heated handrips to exclusive custom paint schemes and a 110" Screamin' Eagle V-twin, this ride is truly top of the line.

Features:

• Turn-by-turn navigation, rider/passenger intercom, XM satellite radio, and 40 watts/channel Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio System.
• Genuine leather with adjustable lumbar support passenger backrest.
• A colossal 110 cubic inches provide seemingly enless torque with adrenaline-pumping pull through all six gears.
• Heated handgrips help you ride with comfort in cooler temperatures.
• Luxurious leather seat that allows rider and passenger to separately adjust heating levels.
  
• Custom Paint.
• Additional storage capacity is now available to hold your touring essentials.
• Integrated wraparound brakelight for a clean back end.

There is no more luxurious ride.  Period.  And we've got one sitting on our floor just waiting for you to come in and pick it up.  You know you want to.

The 2010 Tri Glide Ultra Classic

Badass credentials come standard on the three-wheel pioneer designed to be the ultimate touring machine.

Features:

• 103" twin cam powertrain connected to a larger rear sprocket for impressive power and acceleration.  
• 3-Wheel Frame Design built from the frame up to provide maximum comfort and handling.
• Lengthened and raked front forks to reduce turning effort and improve handling.
• Deluxe injection-molded GTX King Tour Pak with woven-nylon soft luggage liners, storage pockets and wrap-around rear tail/brake lights.
• Optional reverse puts complete control at your finger tips. 

 This is Harley-Davidson's factory touring trike.  It's big it's bad it's bold and it' waiting for you.

Nobody to Wave To

Well, I avoided it for as long as possible, but now it's done. Yesterday morning, I took my last ride of 2009.

I guess I really can't complain too much, as we had what I would consider an "indian summer" this fall. October and November's weather was really great - much better than June and July - when it seemed like it'd be cool and rainy forever. The trade-off was that a shorter fall day means a shorter ride, but even so, Susan and I rode 3 out of 4 weekends in November. Jackson and crew rode all 4. I almost put the bike away after the 28th, but I was hoping to squeeze in one more ride on December 6th. It snowed. Seeing my bike un-covered in the driveway with snow all over it was not pleasant at all. It was time to put her away.

By this past Saturday, most of the snow had melted and the roads were dry, but it was pretty chilly out, around 30ish and windy. Between the bitter cold and the busy day we had planned, I held off on the bike for one more day. On Sunday morning it had warmed into the 40s, so I geared up and headed for my ex's place to take advantage of the garage one last time. It was a cold, lonely ride on a gray day, but perfect for the folks (not including me) who hate doing "the wave" to other passing bikes...there was nobody to wave to. I got a few strange, sort of whimsical "that guy has to be crazy to be on a motorcycle in this cold," type of looks from a few people.

Once again I was grateful for my investment in heated grips, and was thinking if I had a heated vest I could probably ride all day in the cold. Unfortunately, rain was on the way and I had things to do, so my last ride was only about a half an hour. I made the most of it though, taking a few backroads faster than usual and leaning for a board scrape or two in the curves. Then on the last mile before the house I slowed way down, barely chugging along in 3rd through a corridor of bare trees and dirty snow by the roadside. But there was no avoiding the driveway, and in a few minutes, my ride was over.

When I dropped the stand and shut her down my head was filled with a slideshow of the season past. Arizona...Laconia...Maine...Sturgis...the Kancamagus Highway...lots of local bar-hops with my friends...one HELL of a riding season! Back on March 1st my odometer read 463; it's now at 8,686. That's 8,223 miles I put on her for the 2009 season, and honestly...I loved every single one of them.

God I hate the winter.

Special Offers!

Performance Machine's Contour Hand Controls are a stunning addition to your handlebar set-up. Complete PM Contour Hand Control Package, includes Brake Master Cylinder (9/16" only), Clutch lever (Cable or Hydraulic), right & left 3 Button Switches, Brake Light Switch, Dual Cable Throttle Housing, Clutch Side Spacer, and even a set of our Contour Grips!

Inspired Cycles Danny Macaskill

The most amazing free ride mountainbike vid ever!
click on the link below to view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o

Our 12 days of Christmas begin this Saturday!

That's right folks this Saturday we'll be bringing you Reno Harley-Davidson's twelve days of christmas. Until December 24^th we'll be offering a different great special every day and we'll also have a few great deals that will last throughout the 12 days. So make sure you click on our little calendar to download your own and keep track of all the savings in our store.

A sample of some of the great deals available during this event:

• This Saturday December 12^th We've got 30% off Ape Hangers and Sweatshirts buy two get one free.
  
• Tuesday the 15^th is T-Shirt Tuesday buy two get one free.
  
• Friday the 18^th get 30% off on battery tenders.
  
• Saturday the 19^th SYN 3 Oil is $6 per quart which is a savings of over $5.
  
• Also on the 19^th you'll receive 20% off your entire purchase at our Silver Legacy location from 5-9pm.
  
• The week of Christmas we've got 50% off Holiday items from the 21^st through the 24^th.
  
• On the 23^rd We've got 30% off bike covers and 30% off H-D detachable backrest kits.
  

Some of the great specials that we've got until Christmas include:

• From now until December 24^th receive $500 Credit towards MotorClothes® and P&A with the purchase of a Pre Owned Motorcycle.* We have over 70 used models in stock to choose from.
  
• We've still got the 2009 Holiday Heritage collection with a qualifying purhcase of $300 or more.  This is the last year of the Heritage Collection so you'd better snap yours up while they last.
  
• Free charm catcher pendant with a $100 purchase of sterling silver MOD jewelry**. Visit www.modjewelry.com/hdgift for more information.
  
• And our local H.O.G.^® Chapter will be providing free gift wrapping on Saturdays and Sundays. They'll be accepting donations which will go to the Evelyn mount community outreach program.
  

So we've got all these great offers and more from now until Christmas Eve so make sure you stop by and pick up a gift for that special someone or perhaps a little something for yourself.

*Offer expires and credit must be used by Dec. 24th.  Certain restrictions may apply. See dealer for details. **While supplies last. Not for individual sale. Limit one gift per person and purchase.

$500 credit toward Motorclothes® or Parts and Accessories with purchase of a used bike from now until Christmas eve.

From now until Christmas Eve if you purchase one of our selected pre-owned motorcycles you'll receive a $500 credit good towards any Motorclothes® or Parts and Accessories purchases that you make until Christmas.

Perhaps you'd like to purchase a used motorcycle for a great price but you'd like the confidence in having a factory backed warranty? Well here at Reno Harley-Davidson we still have bikes from our Rental fleet; which have been serviced here in house by the most technologically advanced and most experienced service department in Northern Nevada, that still fall under the original warranty.

Ever wanted to get that special someone the best gift a motorcycle enthusiast could hope for? Well why not pick up one of our over 70 used bikes for under $12,000 that we have in stock now and use that extra credit for a little something for yourself. Or how about you pick yourself up a great Christmas present and use that $500 to take care of all the other stockings on your mantel?

Whatever you'd like to do you won't find a better selection of used motorcycles in the region. And with this instant store credit here until Christmas there's no reason not to come in and make your best deal today.

Battistinis open weekend 2009

back in the summer....... remember that? myself and Jon went down to bournemouth for the Battistinis open weekend, and what a weekend it was. Beer bikes and half naked girls all good!

how to wheelie your sportie (ish)

cross bones special

our latest project is a cross bones which is looking like it should be a good one...... so far we have removed the original parts and that are not required and fitted a sweet RSD fender which has now gone of to the painters and have a RSD sprung saddle on order for it with a retro tail light and license plate holder.
We have some beach bars and braided hoses on the way so it should look sweeeeet!

Iceni Iron

My Dealer Principal Mel allowed me to modify a Iron 883, Now the theme of this bike....... Black!! we used all H-D parts on this bike and a little splash of orange for good measure. We think the heavy breather air cleaner, forward controls, and side mount license plate really give this bike a mean and aggresive look. We also gave it some Screamin Eagle mufflers and buckshot heatshields all of this with the wheel rim tape and custom decals (thanks Nick) makes this one special Iron.

Project FXDB

we had the amazing task of modyfying a 2009 Dyna Street Bob for our MD Russ Dacre.
We wanted to keep the bike dark and mean and with almost no budget we could choose the very best in aftermarket and H-D parts. The highlights of this bike is the Arlen Ness "Bones" Wheels, RSD velocity stack, Drag bars, Modyfied rear fender with a bespoke nightster indicators conversion. And a 1690 big bore with cams. This bike is now sold with the customer adding another part.... A very sexy PM open primary.

open primary is on and looks sweet! it is an amazing piece of kit with show stopping looks and is super light weight!

Receive up to $5000 off any remaining Buell on our showroom floor.

Right now you can get the best deal on America's premier sport motorcycle that has been or ever will be. Right now Reno Harley-Davidson is offering up to $5000 off any remaining Buell motorcycle that we have on our showroom floor.

Buell® motorcycles are different because they take any path necessary to find more performance for the rider, even if it means walking all over current engineering doctrine along the way. Buell motorcycles provide a style and ride that is unsurpassed on the market and they have paved the way with some truly groundbreaking motorcycle design over the history of the line.

Reno Harley-Davidson/Buell home of Northern Nevada's most technologically advanced service department will continue to be an authorized Buell service provider and we've been proud to carry the Buell line and we still feel that Buell offers a truly quality product. So make sure that you stop by the dealership and check out our inventory and perhaps score yourself one of the few Buells we have left on our floor.

Austrailia's Kain Saul and America's Chuck Carothers backflip an XR1200.

Now kids we'd rather not see you try this at home in fact to put it simply don't. But do look at this amazing video of Kain Saul taking this piece of American muscle and flips it like it were an enduro. I don't think anyone out there can say that the XR1200 isn't a sporty brute.





Not to be outdone Chuck Carothers decides that while he's in Prague at the FMX Gladiator Games he'd try a flip of his own. Carothers decides not only would he attempt Kain's badassery but he'd do it on a completely stock bike. Who says Sportsters are ladies bikes?

Do You See The Motorcycle?

Crotch Rocket versus Volkswagen...reportedly at about 150 miles an hour.

Now do you see the motorcycle?

This graphic demonstration was placed at the Stockholm Motorcycle Fair by the Swedish Police and Road Safety Department. A sign above the display supposedly noted that the motorcycle rider had only recently obtained his license. At 250 KM (155 mph) the motorcycle was traveling at 227 feet per second. With a normal reaction time of 1.6 seconds to "SEE - DECIDE - REACT,"  the bike would have traveled over 363 feet while making a decision on what actions to take. That is an entire football field, plus another 21 yards.  Swedish police indicated that no actions were taken due to the extreme high rate of speed.

Police estimated the bike hit the slow moving car broadside at an intersection without the rider even applying the brakes.  The Volkswagen flipped over from the force of impact and landed 10 feet from where the collision took place.  The bike rider was found INSIDE the car with the two people who were riding in it.. All three reportedly were killed instantly.  Ya think??

I did some snooping around online to see if this is all a bullshit story, but I couldn't find anything to prove or disprove it.  In the background of the top photo, there is a word on the backwall that looks to me like it's not English.  On one motorcycle forum, it was suggested this was staged, but how likely is it that a test facility could accurately stuff a bike inside a car so perfectly under controlled conditions without it being cost-prohibitive?  I'd say it's probably genuine, and the wreck was cleaned of the gore for display and educational purposes.

Another suggestion I saw attempting to "debunk" these photos was one guy who commented that "there's NO WAY a car would flip over" after being struck by a motorcycle.  Well, I think Ann and Big Daddy Nelson would be the first to tell you that not only will a car flip in such a crash, but a truck will too.  As bikers we all tend to think about how dangerous the cagers are to us.  In this case, it was two people riding in a cage that lost their lives to an idiot on two wheels.

Well, it's December now and Susan and I rode for a while last Saturday.  It was a little chilly but really not bad, especially for this time of year.  The week before that, I was with Jackson and crew coming back from Rhode Island after dark when I hit a tire in the street.  I never saw it, but I sure as hell felt it.  It was very weird.  For the quickest flash of maybe a second, I thought I was going down.  There was that panic-pang in the pit of my stomach caused by my brain transmitting the fact that I was no longer in control of my motorcycle.  Then, just like that, I had gone over it and regained control.  At the next light, my question to Dave Thompson who was on my wing was, "What THE FUCK did I just hit???"

Luckily for me, the tire had no rim, or I might be pushing the button for more morphine right now.  It just wasn't my time.  But it was an example of how the reaper can come for you even when you're riding safe and doing everything right.  That's why when I see shit like in these photos I just don't get it.  There was simply no need of it.  If Death is out there looking for you, he'll find you.  I don't see any need to seek him out on your own.  Ride Safe....

Thanks to my friend and Blackstone brother Kevin "Fatboy" Morris for contributing the photos.

Art sale at RenoHD

Hey everyone we've decided that it's time to change some of the decor around the dealership and in the next few months you'll be seeing a lot of changes. The first step; however, is that the fine art prints that you've seen hanging on our walls, in our offices, and at our Silver Legacy location are all on sale immediately. These are prints and paintings done by some of the motorcycling world's finest artists such as Scott Jacobs. Some of these works were originally valued as high as $2000 and are on sale for as little as $300-400. All sales will be final and due to the nature of the sale we will only be accepting cash or check for these great pieces of art. So come by and take a look around for a painting that either suits your fancy or that of someone special on your Christmas list.

Let's "Face" It...

...I made a big mistake letting certain people know I write a blog.  Now, since I filed for divorce it's become a window into my private life for people I want nothing to do with.  There's one guy and his wife in particular who check my blog more often than they pee I think; it's just unreal.  I've been thinking for a while about how I can shut these jackhole voyeurs out - which isn't easy to do when you're posting on the Internet.  Then, I noticed when I said I'd have more on Susan's daughter's wedding in a later post, these nosebags have been checking back fanatically for it to appear.  Well guess what folks...you ain't gonna get to see a Goddamned thing.

I've had a Facebook page for a while that I've never used, and I think it's past time I did.  At least I can restrict it so only those I add as friends can view what I post.  So, that's where I'm going to put the wedding photos, and from now on, anything else I don't want these online stalkers to know about.  I'm also going to restrict this blog to listed readers only soon.  So, if you want to stay in the loop, send me a friend request on Facebook HERE.  I know many of you already have your own pages, so this shouldn't be a big deal.  Anyone who I don't recognize or cannot 100% verify will not be added.

So, here's my final shout-out to Haverhill, Norwell, Braintree (and Boston when you're at work), Rockland, etc, you know who you are.....   

                                    ......Pucker UP!!!!

Disclaimer: This is NOT my ass. Susan would be really mad with me if I put a photo of my own bare ass online. It's a random "moon shot" I found in a Google search. There was no intent to mislead...sorry KT DID!!!

Extended Warranty Offer on new Harley-Davidsons®

For a limited time, customers will receive an extended warranty on new, previously untitled 2009MY and 2010MY Harley-Davidson^® motorcycles purchased and delivered November 20, 2009 through March 16, 2010 at no additional cost. Eligible motorcycles sold during this timeframe will have the manufacturer’s limited warranty coverage extended through April 2, 2012. The extended manufacturer’s warranty will also apply to street legal Genuine Motor Parts™ and Genuine Motor Accessories™ installed by the dealer on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle prior to retail delivery.

A "Scary" Night at the BY

I just got back from Aruba where Susan's oldest daughter was married in a lovely ceremony on the beach.  More on that to come in another post.

For now I'm going back for a look at our evening celebrating Halloween at the Boneyard's costume party.

Here's Justine with a ghoulishly good make-up job behind the bar.

Krazy Karl as Spongebob in his Fruit of the Looms.

Jackson is not your average box of Kleenex....

Jackson and Wingman with Tina, aka the "Head Nurse"

Deb doing her Sister Act.

Linda had the night off from behind the bar and was able to join the party.  Shirley Temple never looked like this!

"Get thee to a Nunnery...."

Michele and Susan as Police Women...Susan opted to leave the hat behind.

I've never been arrested in my life, but I'll be her prisoner anytime.  Although our store-bought costumes didn't earn us Best Costumes, we did get a $20 gift card!

Somebody tell Dr. Andy Wingman you're supposed to use the stethoscope to check for a heartbeat...

"...just close your eyes and I'll tell you a story...it has a very happy ending..."

I guess Jax just has a thing for lady cops...

I keep trying to tell him he looks much better with his tongue IN!

"...Walk-like-an-E-gyp-tian..."

Susan and Shelly - as the Red Devil.  It must be noted that Shelly is the real deal.  On many a damp, cold afternoon or evening at the BY, the only bike out front is hers.  Nothing bothers her; she just puts her leathers on and goes.

Karl's wife Amy and Officer Michele.

"Adam and Eve"...actually I have no idea who these two are, but I do believe they won one of the prizes for best costumes.

Dave and Wendy.  "Bless me Father, for I have sinned..."

I wish he still had the mask on, but a few of the evening's funnier moments involved Mark, the guy on the right.  He doesn't ride, but he hangs at the bar frequently, and is actually an excellent Karaoke singer.  When I first got there he still had the mask on, so you couldn't see his face at all, but it's not like there's anyone else around who's that big.  He says to me, "Hey...Joker!  It's me...Mark!"  I was like, "No shit?  I never would've recognized you!"  I guess he'd done the same with a bunch of the others, so it was sort of a running joke.

Mark also won a Best Costume prize, at which time Jackson, in his own inimitable style yelled out, "Hey...give me back my bike cover, will ya!"  Luckily, Mark has a good sense of humor, and is well-used to Jackson's particular brand of wit.

Jackson's daughter Kate, her boyfriend Josh, and Linda. Josh's father is New England Patriots Running Back Coach Ivan Fears. Note the tags on his costume..."Porn Star Hugh G. Rection" and "I do all my own stunts." I point that out only because for some strange reason, people don't seem to notice much else when Linda is in the picture...

Yes, of course we did some shots!

Maybe Tina did too many...Anybody in here feel a draft???

It was a really fun evening.  I haven't dressed up for Halloween in years, so it was pretty cool.  It was nearly a disaster though.  I had ordered my costume online and paid an extra 10 bucks for rush shipping to get it on time, but when Saturday the 31st came, it hadn't shown up.  When I called, they apologized and said it had never been shipped.  Thinking I was screwed, I told Susan my plan to 'surprise' her by dressing up as an inmate to compliment her cop outfit was ruined.  That's when she went down cellar and produced the very costume I had tried to buy!  I got a full refund on my credit card, and it was all good.

Next time, I think I'll check with her FIRST....