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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 11, 2016 0:07:05 GMT -5
Having been a concealed carry licensee for around twenty years, I truly wish to make mention of this for members who carry a weapon...
Our WORDS can REALLY be life or death to us.
The shooting and killing of the fellow in Minnesota was TRAGIC, and AVOIDABLE. While attempting to obey the law, he (a licensed concealed carrier) correctly attempted to INFORM the officer that he was legally armed.
He told the officer "I have a gun". Good practice; bad, DEADLY choice of words.
Decades ago, when I got my first carry license, the FIRST thing taught was to always inform a police officer stopping me of my carry license, appropriately done while producing my drivers license, insurance AND carry-license.
Correct wording: "I have a license to carry". NOT "I have a gun".
The officer will usually then ask if I am armed. I say yes, or no, and everything proceeds in orderly fashion, EVEN IF THE OFFICER POINTS HIS WEAPON AT ME which is not uncommon, and I cannot blame him or her at all.
The caveat applies to never, NEVER EVER tell the officer "I have a gun".
To say THAT supersedes your lawful INTENTIONS and becomes an instant CHALLENGE to the officer, often bringing a barrage of hot lead from the officer... As happened in Minnesota.
When stopped and asked for I.D. you COULD say "I have a carry-license AND I am armed" but even THAT is "jicky". When you inform an officer of your carry-license, he or she will EXPECT you to be LEGALLY armed, and the stop should proceed peacefully.
We stand or fall by our words, and sometimes we live or die by them.
Sincere advice, and food for thought from the Old Chopper Guy...
Leo (still packin' and still breathin') in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 4, 2016 20:28:08 GMT -5
I'd guess "keel hauling" since from what I've heard, the process of dragging the victim along the barnacle-encrusted keel shreds the guy like a cheese grater. Somewhere between bow and stern, he's bound to shriek out in agony, inhaling enough seawater to (mercifully) drown. In old time mariner folklore keel hauling was usually considered an execution, and a particularly grisly one at that... Although SOME victims did survive... but in pretty sorry shape no doubt.
"Forty lashes" is mighty macho-rough too, but many (though certainly not all) victims did survive. It likely depended on the instrument of torture used. A bull-whip is devastating to tissue and muscle (same vicious principle as the classic police "rubber hose" treatment) but the same whip, or a "cat o' nine-tails" with shards of glass, metal or bone at the tips of the flails often rips the victim open, exposing, and tearing out organs, ribs, etc. 40 lashes of this type are not likely to be survivable.
Related subject... Anybody out there ever been kicked HARD by a cretin in biker-boots, then by a snot-nosed twerp in sneakers? The steel-toed boot does a lot of damage, BUT the doggone rubber sneaker tears muscle and tendons deep below the skin and virtually never heals.
Dang! I hate it when THAT happens... LOL!Both are great examples of man's inhumanity to man, and as such, I suppose, pretty macho. Still, keel hauling is probably slightly worse, or, more macho...
The shenanigans going on around the world today DO remind one of just WHY such punishments were devised.Many of my younger friends think we should release balloons... Most of my gray-haired pals think we should release cold steel and hot lead. As an experienced warrior once said: "...Anybody who thinks the pen is mightier than the sword has never come up against a sword...". Food for thought... Any votes for WHO we should keel haul THIS week?... LOL  Leo (still "haulin' keel" on the old mouse) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 3, 2016 23:56:33 GMT -5
"Whew, what HAPPENED here? This is SUPPOSED to be the FRIENDLIEST motor site on the Net."-I think the site IS still friendly. Members on this thread have been arguing like spouses, but I haven't seen anybody resort to name calling. On the other forums that I frequent, this discussion would have degenerated into a hail of insults and f-bombs. -I like thumpers. I don't insult you if you hate them and consider them archaic. -I am ATGATT. I don't insult you if you ride without a helmet. -I'm not here to change anybody. I seem to learn more from people with whom I disagree. What are you going to learn from somebody that agrees with you on everything?
Well said! Have a bone on the Old Chopper Guy!I too like "thumpers" and for me, one of the attractions of today's single-cylinder scooters is that they are little thumpers that will also rev... Good torque AND some speed too... A tad "Ducati-like" in a strange sort of way.And yes, we all SHOULD wear protective gear. We all SHOULD make a living wage for our work too, but that doesn't always happen either... LOL! I just don't want to see a new member discouraged, or leave the site before he or she gets to find out what we're all about. Ride safe, post friendly... Leo in Texas |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 2, 2016 1:09:11 GMT -5
Whew, what HAPPENED here? This is SUPPOSED to be the FRIENDLIEST motor site on the Net.
Fifty years ago, I rode a true "animal" (11-second quarter-mile in 1962!!!) Harley chopper. I also toured it all over Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin... Riding with pals aboard Triumph, BSA, Norton, Royal Enfield and other 500-750cc and assorted Harley big-twins and Sportsters... AND a number of Ducatti 250's, BSA 500 thumpers and a few Cushman Eagles, Vespas and Lambrettas. NOBODY EVER looked down on anybody else's ride. We just rode a speed the slowest bikes were safe at.
My ancient and outdated '07 Kymco Grandvista 250 is a stone-age single-cam, carbureted single that was deemed a "touring" scooter when first introduced. Old "Minnie Mouse" can't cruise long-range much faster than 65, but she's still considered a touring ride.
Back when I rode big bikes, I liked plenty of displacement, but I'd have no qualms about a road-trip on a 650 single. In most countries, THAT is a BIG bike.
In my youth, helmets weren't commonly seen except on the track, and then most were used high-school football helmets.
Today, I always wear a helmet, but most Texans refuse to wear them. I try to "live and let live" whenever possible.
How 'bout we all remember the forum is for ALL rides, including ATV's, boats, mini-bikes or whatever, and be careful not to drive anyone away. Forgetting that is what ruined some of the older "scooter" sites.
Ride safe, ride friendly, whatever you ride... and respect your pal's ride, whether you would choose it, or not.
Leo (ridin' friendly with everything from bicycles, 50's, cruisers to crotch-rockets) in Texas
PS: Job, have a bone for riding what you like! Stick with us, we just got off to a shaky start. This IS a marvelous forum for all rides! Lots of members downsizing from big bikes to scoots... Lots of members upsizing from scoots to big bikes and everything in between!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 29, 2016 22:08:21 GMT -5
I've just GOTTA agree with Kat...
THAT is also one of MY favorite movie scenes. The swordsman was "macho" and Indy was "smart"... Anybody wondering just why American citizens believe in exercising his or her Constitutional RIGHT to go armed should watch that scene.
Way to go INDY!
Leo in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 26, 2016 14:27:14 GMT -5
As promised, here is an update on the little 30W LED driving lights, after a fair amount of night-riding...
  No problems at all with battery-drain. And, with them mounted fairly low, no problems with oncoming traffic flashing their brights at me. Finally, I can ride at night with GOOD visibility for a full "football-field" in front. My old Kymco has pretty good lights for a scooter, but these teensy LED's increase night-visibility at LEAST 75%. THAT is AMAZING. Adding an extra 30W to the current used concerned me, but I've ridden quite a bit at night (LED's on all the time) with no noticeable weakening of the battery. I do believe the Kymco charging system IS stronger than the typical Chinese models, which may make a difference. For those wanting to add these type of lights to their scooters or motorcycles, I do recommend mounting them fairly low. This allows them to be more parallel to the road, lighting up much more pavement, AND below eye-level of oncoming drivers. A side-benefit of this is when turning, as you lean, the "inboard" light lowers, lighting the first 50 feet of road super-bright. The "outboard" light raises, shining WAY down the road. This combination provides AMAZING illumination through the turn. This is especially welcome on urban side-streets where wet leaves, sewer-drains, etc. lurk in the dark. These LED's are truly a "fist-sized handful of daylight"! They aren't all that noticeable, and would even look "clean" on a stripped "skelly" scoot, or a crotch-rocket. No telling how they will hold up over time, but they supposedly use "genuine" CREE LED's for long life. They must be impressive, as I've had numerous big-bike jockeys roar up at a redlight wanting to see just WHAT in heck kind of lights are on "that scoot"... LOL. Cool! Ride safe, Leo (seein' the light) in Texas
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Peej update
by: oldchopperguy - Jun 26, 2016 13:54:25 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 26, 2016 13:54:25 GMT -5
Drove Peej on errands this morn. Went great. Still no mirror vibrations. I'M JUST SO SO FREAKIN' EXCITED ABOUT THAT!!!!! Bit hot though. Only 87° (supposedly) but also humid. I was rather sticky taking off my gear. Eww. Meanwhile, I found out that although Hy-Vee has crapanol-free Premium, they also have single-nozzle pumps. So not truly crap-free, is it. Filled up anyways. Stopped at AutoZone and got a new bottle of Star-enzyme. Now I'm all set to drive to work...after this week, because I have stuff every single day right after work. Sigh. >'Kat
Back in the day, if my mirrors weren't a complete blur, I knew my engine had stopped... LOL! 
Sounds like Peej is in his prime! The older I get, the more I appreciate simple pleasures like just using the scoot for errands. My old Mercury wagon finally and terminally died last week after 27 years and 420K happy miles. The computer went and a fix would cost way more than the car was worth. So I gave it to the guys in the park. Her old 5.0 motor (still strong and didn't use a drop of oil) and tranny will surely find their way into some old boy's Ford pickup, along with the factory Italian alloy wheels, good whitewall tires, stereo, leather seats, etc. The old car will live on for decades through donated parts for other old cars and trucks, but I'm really going to miss that old tank. You really DO get attached to a faithful old friend like that.
My '  Honda Accord is like a sardine compared to the old Merc, so I can't haul furniture and stuff like I used to. It's been staying right near 100 degrees here for a couple of weeks and I found it is much more enjoyable to use the scooter at night. Down to low 80's, no wind and absolutely great riding!
On that note, the LED driving lights I added are real "life-savers" and make night riding far safer and more enjoyable. No problems yet with them using too much juice and running down the battery... and, mounted low, they don't seem to bother oncoming traffic, yet light up the road for a football-field! I think I'm safe in recommending them for any rider who rides much at night.
Ride safe, stay cool!Leo |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 23, 2016 23:03:47 GMT -5
Kat,
Ah... I watched them when they first ran... Must have been mid-fifties on a "GIANT SCREEN" 17-inch black and white Sentinel console TV! George and Gracie were such a hilariously "stereotyped" adorable Jewish couple, you couldn't help but love 'em. "Stereotyping" races, genders, religions, etc. was commonly done back then, with absolutely NO offense intended. America today has made a fine art of being offended, and it's sad.
I still chuckle when I remember George finally saying: "Say goodnight, Gracie" and she'd smile and say: "Goodnight, Gracie"... They were MASTERS of clean, family comedy. We could use some of that today!
Ride safe! And laugh hard!
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 22, 2016 10:44:51 GMT -5
Kat,
I do believe WE are DATING ourselves to a long-gone era... LOLOL!
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 21, 2016 22:17:46 GMT -5
Big George Burns fan... What Kat said!
Say goodnight, Gracie...
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Peej update
by: oldchopperguy - Jun 21, 2016 22:08:34 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 21, 2016 22:08:34 GMT -5
Kat,
Sorry about calling Peej a "she"... All this gender stuff is confusing... LOL! My chopper, "Old Blue" was definitely a big old "boy-bike" but "Minnie Mouse" is surely a demure little girly-scooter... But I love her like a mousey little daughter.
Anyway, I do understand this hot weather and our own nasty selves having trouble with it. Minnie's fan runs a LOT. At long red-lights, I just shut her down until green. Sometimes it IS good to just use the cage and luxuriate in that ice-cold AC... My old Honda car actually has a "cabin air filter"... Cheesh, I suppose most newer cars have them, but it's new to the Old Chopper Guy...
Makes the whole car smell fresh... Mighty sweet when my crew of feral cats wee-wee and deposit their "signs" down the windshield, into the "fresh air intake"... EEEEEWWWWWWWWWW! Even on a hot day, I can hit the old AC and PRESTO... After a short blast of eye-watering ammonia and "eau de kitty" comes that daisy-fresh ice-cold air! A few of the homeless felines live on Minnie's floor when she's parked under the tarp; especially during the winter. I adore all those old cats and they love me, but they ARE "dirty"... LOL!Riding in -degrees isn't usually too bad, BUT... Lately it's been 96-99 with high humidity. THAT is like riding with a hot, wet towel around your face. Ride safe!Leo
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Peej update
by: oldchopperguy - Jun 20, 2016 21:24:41 GMT -5
Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 20, 2016 21:24:41 GMT -5
Kat,
Sounds like you're good to go for the season! It's great to have a dealer you can trust... I have the same situation here with MOXIE SCOOTERS. Great to deal with, and a tech from Italy who is a mechanical guru... I'm just TOO old, too stiff to pull my own wheels, etc. I think I can still creak and groan my way onto the driveway to pull the variator/belt setup and stick in a new set of sliders but that's about the limit of my old bones these days... LOL! 
Don't shun the  -degree weather... Once you get moving, it's all good... Heck, I've lost 10 pounds in the last month riding in -degree H-U-M-I-D tropical weather (not all that common here).Good that you got your mirror-shaking cured. Probably just the tad faster idle did the trick. And YES, these scoots DO shake a bit more at idle with both brakes applied. The brakes lock the suspended parts to the frame, and engine/drive-train and transfer more engine vibration that way. However, modern scooters, even the Chinese 150's are EXTREMELY smooth for single-cylinder bikes. I'm used to single-thumpers from England like the old BSA 440cc Victor, and Ducati 250... My FIRST bike was a Brit HOREX 500 single and IT would rattle your teeth at ANY rpm... Even though our single-cylinder scoots shake a little at idle, they usually smooth right out as soon as they get underway. A genuine pleasure compared to the oldies. I'd go so far as to say our new scoots are much smoother than the old-school twins from Harley, Indian, Triumph, Norton, BSA and Royal Enfield. Those bikes were a LOT of fun, but good grief did they SHAKE! My BSA Hornet 650, at high rpm, would turn the mirrors and gauges into a total unusable blur. That was considered NORMAL...
Of course, I also had a 1985 4-cylinder Buick that did the same... LOL!How times have changed!Get out there and get some sun and sweat on Peej... She's liquid-cooled, she can take it! Ride safe,Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 18, 2016 19:24:57 GMT -5
Kat... AB-SO-FREAKIN'-LOOT-LEE!THAT jump is definitely MACHO, regardless of gender.  I don't suppose the Hispanic culture would recognize "macho" with a female, but "cajones" are more attitude than actual " equipment". Plenty of GALS out there with 'em! Witness the feminine 20-something gal in Daisy Dukes (and not much else) on a crotch-rocket who leaped over Minnie Mouse and me on an entrance ramp last summer, continuing at somewhere around 150 mph on the rear wheel clear over the horizon!  More macho than I EVER wuz, even as a brain-dead kid on "Old Blue"... LOL!
Just HOW much GIDDYUP does it TAKE to wrap up the suspension and LAUNCH a 600 lb bike and featherweight gal OVER the vehicle in front of it, already going 65, anyway?  They don't call 'em "crotch-rockets" for nothing! Ride safe, if not macho!Leo (happily wussin' out on the old Kymco) in Texas
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 18, 2016 13:09:45 GMT -5
Yes Leo, but was DeeDee in any movies? No? Then doesn't count. 'bender was talking about movies not real life. Heck, real life, I betcha' you can find a macho example for almost any job.
Deedee was a featured character in "The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre" staring Jason Robards as Al Capone... Many "Roaring Twenties" movies centered in Chicago have O'Banion as a character since he was a "major" impediment to Torio and Capone. I believe his character also appeared in other Roaring Twenties films, and the TV "Untouchables" series...
He simply had to end up pushing up daisies... LOL! Ya jus' can't tell the story of Al Capone, without including the Irish "petal-pusher"... Then came "Bugs Moran"... The intended prime-target on Valentine's Day. Cheesh, the ITALIAN wise-guys REALLY were hard on the IRISH mobsters! Must be more macho in spaghetti than in potatoes!Of course, in Deedee's case, "macho" definitely didn't mean "good"... That phenomenon happens all too often.
I'm not so sure I could find macho examples for ANY job... For example: "Figure Skating"... Although a few of the burly women skaters are sorta macho... Or would THAT be "macha"? EEEEWWWWW! |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jun 17, 2016 2:08:00 GMT -5
Warren Beatty was macho in "Shampoo". I am not awareof any macho florists on the silver screen.
Dean (Dion/Deedee) O'Banion...Dean O'Banion
"Charles Dean O'Banion was an Irish-American mobster who was the main rival of Johnny Torrio and Al Capone during the brutal Chicago bootlegging wars of the 1920s. The newspapers of his day made him better known as Dion O'Banion, although he never went by that first name. He led the North Side Gang until 1924, when he was murdered, reportedly by Frankie Yale, John Scalise and Albert Anselmi."Dean was one MAJOR badazz Irish mob-boss. And a high-end Chicago florist. It was reported that Scalise and Anselmi shook hands with Deedee, grabbing both hands before emptying their guns into him... Because Deedee was SO good with a handgun with either hand, they couldn't risk him getting to his own "Roscoe".
These are THE wise-guys that made the "Roaring Twenties" roar...Leo (still able to pick a daisy with either hand!) in Texas... |
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Honda Accord is like a sardine compared to the old Merc, so I can't haul furniture and stuff like I used to.
-degree weather... Once you get moving, it's all good... Heck, I've lost 10 pounds in the last month riding in