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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 14, 2018 23:50:25 GMT -5
I only lived a couple of months back in the 50s. I sure would like to go back for a night and cruise in a 1957 Bellair. I remember hearing the song, 77 Sunset Strip on the television but I was too young to really watch it. Ironically, I binge-watched a bunch of 77 Sunset Strip episodes one weekend back in the spring. I think it was aired on Decades network.
You missed the greatest days since the roaring twenties... ANY guy or gal could get ANY job and live "OK" and a little extra education could make you downright wealthy... The lost American dream.Some of my favorite memories center on a pal in eighth grade (1959). He and I were 12 and his big brother had a 1953 Corvette... Yeah, the great first-generation with the "Blue Flame Six" and floorshift Hydra-matic tranny. When he'd bring a gal home and "get lucky" wink, wink... He'd get rid of us pesky kids by tossing us the keys to the 'Vette, and a buck for gas. He KNEW that would give him at least 3 kid-free hours alone... Oh, YYYEEEESSSSS!
   
We'd cruise McDonald's and "big boy hangouts" top-down in style, much to the drooling envy of our grade-school buddies... and more than a few teens and adults... HeHeHe... Ya' can't get much happier than a "tweenie" kid and his pal cruisin' in a 'Vette!The local cops all knew us and that we were WAY too young to have licenses, but always gave us a pass since we didn't drive crazy. Some would wave and yell "Ya' better get Skip's 'Vette back in one piece..." We always did... Yup! We knew better than to "kill the goose that laid the golden eggs..."Yeah, those were good days, never to be again.An interesting side-note to the "Kookie car" is that Norm Grabowski initially made a major boo-boo in the steering setup. Either he mounted the steering box upside down, or the pitman arm, or some such goof... So... When the steering wheel was turned left, the car turned right, and vice/versa... He actually got used to driving it that way, but had to correct the little design flaw when other actors began driving it and having numerous "incidents" in TV and movie filming! I once drove a rental Chevy in England... Wrong side of the road, steering wheel on the wrong side, etc. Must have been a little like that! Only WORSE!Yeah, THOSE were the DAYS! |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 14, 2018 23:30:23 GMT -5
Lucy and Ethel for sure!I enjoyed the Laverne and Shirley show's characters, but cheesh… Lucy and Ethel typify the teachers I had in grade school. Macho (or is it macha for women?) who'd smack your knuckles with a ruler for not paying attention, beat you with the dreaded paddle, and mercilessly insult fat kids, non-white kids, etc. and in-general remind ALL kids they were there to suffer: NOT to have fun, but MAYBE to learn something if they're not too stupid to learn... which we all certainly were (all students except for one or two "pet" girls were considered subhuman pond-scum).
The real-life "Lucy and Ethel" crowd could rival a drill sergeant for cruel, demeaning dictatorial meanness... As a little nipper, I always thought Ricky and Fred should have committed "wife-a-cide" and claimed temporary insanity... Would have been a great "final episode"... LOL!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 14, 2018 0:33:50 GMT -5
Any of you boyz n' gurlz old enough to remember the late fifties' detective show "77 Sunset Strip"?
Pretty lame by today's TV standards, but when Ed "Kookie" Burns got hold of Norm Grabowski's "Lightnin' Bug" it became the main draw of the show... "The Kookie Car" as it became known as was the car that started the whole T-Bucket craze. YES! A guy could actually build a super-cool street-rod from something OTHER than a Deuce or Model A...
This rod was ICONIC! The best use of a 331" Caddy mill since the gold-trimmed Eldorados! Even had only SIX exhaust ports, just like a flathead Ford! This car truly was as close to a chopper as one could get on four wheels...
This thing was SO irresistible that "TV Tommy Ivo" actually snuck into Norm's garage to study and take measurements to build his own T-bucket after Norm refused to let him copy it! They did become friends later in their acting careers on TV and in the movies.
Anyway... THOSE were the DAYS... The car eventually ended up in the collection of Jim Street, in a truly hideous Vegas reincarnation with dual rear wheels, and dual blowers, weird headlights and pipes... Norm would turn over in his grave!
Hopefully someone will eventually return it to it's former Kookie-days simple elegance...Machines like this, on four wheels or two are the things my boyhood dreams were made of. Would I go back to the days of no cell-phones, no computers, real employees and vacations while leaving the house unlocked?
In a heartbeat! Cant' go back to the fifties, but the thought is mighty sweet!
Ride safe little feather-merchants...Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 10, 2018 23:14:43 GMT -5
Leo, Ali and George did fight, Ali was a little past his prime but George was still in his prime, Ali knocked him out in the eighth round. . I don't even remember that one! No argument Ali could kick butt and take names!  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 9, 2018 23:10:09 GMT -5
Personally, I am more in-tune with George, but this is a "most macho" pole. Macho definitely includes an over-the-top arrogance, and self-centered, self-confidence as in obnoxious bragging with the ability to actually back it up. Considering both boxers in that light, Ali definitely has the edge in spades. I was a fan but really liked his persona and attitude much better when he was Cassius Clay. If these two super boxers could have been in the same age group and competitors, it would have been the fight of the century between them! BOTH guys could put the pucker on most other fighters...  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Aug 9, 2018 0:30:33 GMT -5
THAT is FANTASTIC!
Have a bone on The Old Chopper Guy!
Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 31, 2018 20:14:46 GMT -5
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 31, 2018 20:07:07 GMT -5
The "Custom" sho'nuff looks a lot like an Indian creation, right down to the trailing arm. Cool bikes though.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 31, 2018 20:04:17 GMT -5
I'm old school so I don't see a 500 as entry level. Harley needs a Rebel sized 300 in cruiser style to draw in new riders. Polaris doesn't seem to lean in that direction. Absolutely. I see it the same way. Back in the day, we considered a 500cc bike suitable for touring. Harley needs a bike to compete with the Rebel... So does Indian! |
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Great Finds
by: oldchopperguy - Jul 28, 2018 20:30:32 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 28, 2018 20:30:32 GMT -5
I work with a dude who has had Airborne wings on the back window of his pickup for 10+ years. My brother has had a USMC plate frame since he bought his truck...never a problem. Airborne dude is a lifelong Democrat (he ADMITS he voted for Dukakis) who supported Trump last year.
I understand your pal well... I'm a Republican, but had I been old enough to vote, I'd have voted for Kennedy in the sixties. I must admit, I actually voted for Ross Perot! We all mess up once in a while.    I'm glad your Airborne friend has had no problems. Where you live makes some difference. Around here, it's a left-wing stomping-ground, and a "designated dumping ground" for illegals flown in. This area "thinks" it's a "sanctuary city" but it's NOT. Still, those black Suburbans with green Government plates slither through at night, and the "passengers" exit and run like cockroaches when the light's turned on... LOL!
I must qualify that, since I've NOT seen the dumping of illegals since the 2016 election! Still, not prudent to promote anything pro-America, pro right-wing, pro-Christian etc. Like I said, no more targets on my back. I have no problem with an honest gunfight face-to-face, but I don't relish buying it by surprise from an SUV from behind. Ride safe! And, watch yer' six.Leo (NOT planning to invest in any pot-farms any time soon) in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 28, 2018 20:10:09 GMT -5
Love those kitties!
Over the past half-century I've had as many as 20 indoor pals... Down to only ONE now. I wish they could live so much longer.
Enjoy them while you have them, they are precious...
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 28, 2018 12:05:33 GMT -5
Leo, I thought Camelot was smack in the midst of the Cuban crisis. >'Kat
Yeah, "Camelot" was around that time during the Kennedy administration... Jack and Jackie, Marilyn Monroe, Teddy and the never-ending parade of "sexcapades"... And the birth of the Camelot ideal of outlawing guns, outlawing war, wide-open borders where everyone comes in to enjoy free lunch and "good karma"...  Free love, abortion on demand, legalized dope, nobody has to work (except the rich) since they have to pay everyone's way...
The crew in Washington went through dope and women like an eight-year-old going through Disneyland. Still do today.That movement is still alive and well in the "Deep State" or so-called "Shadow Government" and it simply won't work. Never has, never will... Not any time, not anywhere. Socialism is a self-destructing act.Even though I was in my teens, I could see where it was heading and figured voters would grow up and shut it down. Didn't happen. Now, America is paying the awful price. I'm Donald Trump's age, and I wouldn't have his job for a trillion bucks. Thank God HE is willing to do it.
Members who have grown up after the WWII Truman/Eisenhower era (Yes, one a Republican regime and one a Democrat) have seen precious little real leadership in the last half-century. There has been some, on both sides of the fence, but only sporadically. As I mentioned, just put any kind of pro-America or pro-military decoration on your scoot, and see how fast our "tolerant" citizens try to remove you from the planet. Put it on your car or truck and it will need to "see MAACO" in short order thanks to a sledgehammer. And TEXAS is a "RED STATE".  Most people under 50 have NO idea what I'm talking about, and have been taught to love the status-quo. I'm sorry, but the term "Camelot" applied to my beloved country makes my blood boil. Our military men and women didn't fight and die to establish or preserve Camelot. They sacrificed to preserve the God-ordained, CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC of the United Sates of America. That's my belated July Fourth message. Love it or hate it, I'm still free to say it. Leo (standing up for the National Anthem) in Texas, USA. |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 26, 2018 22:47:04 GMT -5
Ditto everybody else!
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Great Finds
by: oldchopperguy - Jul 23, 2018 10:30:30 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 23, 2018 10:30:30 GMT -5
It says "If you can read this, you're too close"
"Messages" on the back of a bike can lead to the "Easy Rider syndrome"... Sad but true! Put any sticker on your ride promoting our President, or, "Make America Great Again" and some cretin is VERY likely to send you to your eternal reward. Seriously! It's just TOO easy to run over a scooter from behind.
I used to have both U.S. Army and Air Force enameled badges on the back fender of "Minnie Mouse" honoring my Wife's and my service. BAD IDEA! I drew SO much hatred from those who crave a Socialist "Camelot" dictatorship, and abhor what America stands for that I had to remove them or end up a statistic. You're just TOO vulnerable from attack from the rear on a bike, and with any message/sticker that ticks off the "other side" "deep-state" or whatever they may call themselves, you'll never see it coming. Even the innocuous "Too Close" message INFURIATES bullies. "You think I'm too close? EAT MY BUMPER, BUBBA!" And you end up road-kill. 
Do not put a target on your back... It's just too mean out there today.Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 23, 2018 10:00:00 GMT -5
The beauty of big wheels. I have never understood the affinity for tiny wheeled Vespas when the same engine comes in a more practical Piaggio scooter package. Now way I would spend five grand for a 155cc Vespa when a Fly 150cc with 12 inch wheels goes for two grand less.
You touched on one of my favorite curiosities... LOL! Just WHAT is it that's so appealing about small wheels on scooters? I must admit, I'm addicted. Although 10-inchers ARE really small for any serious speed, I still like the "look" of them. You are certainly right about the Fly vs. Vespa practicality debate.OK, yeah, I am the kid who ran 100+ on 5-inch rims (11" O.D. tires) on a McCulloch-powered mini-bike... But THAT was at a brain-dead 16years old... LOL! I guess it's the same phenomenon as why guys often love the looks of gals who look like they're near starvation... No real explanation, just "is what it is"...My old Kymco has 12-inch wheels which are still WAY smaller than the "big-wheel" scoots; just an inch bigger radius than 10" wheels. Since I wanted to run 65+ I did have some concerns, but fortunately they were not valid... I've been over 80 on a perfect "no-wind" day and the old Mouse handles as well as a big motorcycle... small wheels and all. HOWEVER... ONLY when running on speed-rated tires and PERFECTLY balanced wheels. Anything less, and handling is a nightmare. Hint here: If you currently ride a scoot with small wheels, get it shod with GOOD tires rated for speeds higher than you plan to ride, and have them professionally balanced. It makes a BIG difference! ________________________________________________________ Concerning WHY riders would choose a small-wheel scoot? I can see no reason other than preferring the cosmetics... Some small-wheel rides ARE shorter and exhibit more nimble handling in tight traffic, so that might be one factor, but mostly it's just the look.. . "SCOOTER" as opposed to "MOTORCYCLE".Back in the day, when I rode nothing but big bikes, I wanted BIG wheels and tires... Fits the image LOL! Now, I'm riding scooters exclusively, and do like a touch of old-school look from early Cushman/Vespa/Lambretta "roller-skate" wheels... Just me.
Whatever size wheels you ride on, RIDE SAFE!Leo (runnin' those 12-inchers for all they're worth) in Texas |
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