|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 13, 2018 11:43:26 GMT -5
The Vitpilen looks more like a bike you create yourself than a new bike from the showroom floor. It looks like the owner took a standard bike and removed parts until only the essentials remain (similar to a bobber).
-An owner could do something similar with a KLR, DR650 or a Savage/S40, but it will not be as fast as a Vitpilen.
-I did think of a Japanese bike that is priced similarly to the 701 Vitpilen. I think the Suzuki Burgman 650 was priced around $12,000.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 12, 2018 20:27:53 GMT -5
Great stories, Leo. I had heard of such chivalrous acts among WWI German pilots. I did not realize that some of that chivalry continued into WWII.
The are some good examples in the movie The Blue Max. Starring George Peppard about WWI GERMAN pilots.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 12, 2018 12:53:41 GMT -5
I read about a road test of the new Husqvarna Vitpilen 701. It is a big thumper and the price out the door is around $12,000.
-I feel like that kind of pricing will make a company go out of business. Many others who commented about the road test thought Husky would have no problem selling them.
-For me, that is too much dinero for a thumper (very fast thumper) with with no wind protection, very little range and no storage. Time will tell.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 12, 2018 7:34:46 GMT -5
That is a great looking motorized bike. It would be street legal with a bigger engine, like 212cc in Michigan. In most states, a motorized bike must be 48cc or less to be street legal.
-I prefer a motorized bicycle to a 50cc scooter, because the bike is much lighter and I enjoy assembling them.
-Reliability was the disadvantage of a motorized bike. I had to retighten bolts a lot and fiddle with the wiring on my lights. Engines are mounted with big clamps, so loose engine mounts can cause the engine to fall of of the bike. A loose or misaligned chain can quickly mangle your back wheel.
-I was fun making light brackets, faux oil tanks, Springer seats and other such sundries for it. I was always experimenting with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 9, 2018 21:23:06 GMT -5
"A while back, I saw a video of a home-built "moped" that was REALLY neat... Built from a 15-speed mountain-bike, it used a small 2-stroke chainsaw motor with centrifugal-clutch chained to the largest pedal chainwheel..."
While 30 mph feels leisurely on a 180 lbs motor scooter, it feels very fast on a 50 lbs motorized bicycle. The bicycle feels fragile at that speed.
-I would not want to go 50 mph on either of the motorized bicycles that I have built. (The Worksman front drum brake looked cool, but would not be up to the job). However, on a much heavier downhill bicycle, like OldChopperGuy mentioned, I would be willing to give it a try.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 9, 2018 21:05:35 GMT -5
"I totally agree about the Nazis. But not all Nazis were Nazis."
Rommel supported Hitler's rise to power. However, he later regretted it. There is no evidence of him being an anti-semite. He even participated in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
"He and Patton would have been quite a pair. Come to think of it, comparing Rommel and Patton would be a good contest!"
That reminds me of the early structure of Rome. Before the time of Emporers, the Roman Empire (west) was ruled by two proconsuls at one time. Both were usually Roman Generals.
-Had Rommel not been forced to commit suicide by the Nazis, he may have been in some position of power after the war. Allied commanders considered Rommel to be a German patriot and a professional soldier, who sought no involvement with the Nazi party.
-A Rommel/Patton team may have been unstoppable. Patton was outspoken, dramatic and bombastic, while Rommel quietly and efficiently planned the annihilation of his adversary.
-Somebody should write an alternate history novel about a Rommel/Patton team.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 9, 2018 20:34:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 7, 2018 8:29:57 GMT -5
I think that static electricity in the air is what causes the white screen, Kat. The static electricity could mean lightening or a tornado is very close.
-Once, while working security, a bolt of lightening struck a chain link fence that was a few feet from me. I didn't realize how long the hair was on my arm until that lightening strike made all my hair stand up straight.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 7, 2018 7:44:15 GMT -5
The Desert Fox. If he didn't have enough battle tanks to win, he would turn his 88mm anti-aircraft guns on you and ruin your day.
Bringing up Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox was very astute of you, Kat.
Fox Mulder would get some votes if we had more lady members.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 6, 2018 20:17:09 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 6, 2018 9:16:13 GMT -5
I saw it with the wife yesterday (she never misses a Chris Hemsworth movie). The style of the movie was more like a Guardians of the Galaxy flick than a Marvel movie.
-I would rather see the Avengers and the Guardians OTG in separate movies.
-Deadpool will be released in two weeks!
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 6, 2018 9:11:11 GMT -5
My house is in an area that gets wiped clean by a hurricane every few decades We watch broadcast TV through an antenna on my porch. It's kind of fun watching old scifi movies, old westerns and sitcoms like Petticoat Junction.
We recently got a Roku stick so we have been watching some movies from the internet.
During the work week, I get direct TV at my RV. Sattelite TV is free at the RV park.
Back into the good old days, before weather radar, we had a way to warn of an approaching tornado on our antenna tv. We turned our TV to an unoccupied channel. Which displayed a dark screen. If the screen began to appear bright white, a tornado is near and it's time to go to the basement.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 6, 2018 8:54:46 GMT -5
Same here. I have only dropped my scoot when moving it around the garage. Makes you feel real smart.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 3, 2018 13:03:28 GMT -5
"The Sawfish is also a Shark (Carpenter Shark)"
I never knew that. Cool.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelbender6 on May 1, 2018 7:25:15 GMT -5
I'll say sawfish, since my granddad caught one.
|
|
