Janel & Gary's Photos, Music, and News...: Project.....

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Project.....

As many of you are aware, there was a decade and a half of my life when I did a whole lot of motorcycle touring. After owning numerous motorcycles during my time in the Air Force and several more after discharge, I built my touring machine in my living room (which overlooked Nantasket Beach) over a very cold winter (1981 I think). The bike in the photo was not mine, but it is very close to what I rode.

I must have done a good job on that BMW, as I logged over 80,000 miles on it over the next six or seven years with no break downs or mishaps. It was pretty (to my eyes anyway) , fast, and dependable.

It's funny to think back on all the people who then thought BMW stood for British Motor Works. BMW autos didn't have much name recognition back then.

It was common for me to pack my bike on a Thursday night for a Friday after work departure for parts unknown. Often my destination was Front Royal, Va. which was the north portal to Skyline Drive. Arriving late Friday meant a nights sleep in a motel and an early Saturday start on “The Drive”. Those of you who have been there know the beauty of the 105 miles of the twisty road.

Other times I have to admit 3 day weekends sometimes got stretched to 4 or 5 days. Funny how sick days at work in the shipyard always fell on Fridays or Mondays, and never seem to occur in the cold winter months.

I have about a thousand stories I could tell about rides, destinations, people I met, and events which I experienced on those rides, but I will spare you....

The point of this long story is that I want to build another machine not far from what I had before, and I need to pull together the components to do it. I need to do another bike ride on the Skyline or somewhere else while I am still able. The worst fate I can imagine is to live to where I think “I wish I had” and maybe not be able anymore.

So here is what I need:

An affordable 1971-1985 BMW R series motorcycle. Running is best but a basket case is fine as long as title is clear. I will be doing a total tear-down and rebuild anyway...

Rabid Transit fairing

Lester Wheels

Krauser Bags and their mounts

Leads on any of the above or other useful parts.

Got a feeling that somewhere out there is a suitable bike sitting idle in someones barn or cellar waiting to see the open roads again..

Please ask around for me.... never know what may turn up...

Thanks Folks - GDW

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The Rat Cat Story - by Janel

Rat cat came to us in a strange way. I was looking out at the greening of sping taking place when I heard a strange sound under the shrubs. I walked around to the front of the bushes and there underneath was what looked like an injured rat or squirrel. Upon further investigation it turned out to be a 5 month old kitten with an abscess so large that he looked like Quasimodo. He was so sick that he allowed me to pick him up and wrap him in a towel. I immediately took him to the vet where he stayed for a couple of days. Apparently he was bit by either another cat or rodent - therefore his name is rat cat. He has been a member of our family for 9 years. He is really a character and very loyal to me. He actually sleeps on my pillow every night and is very aware of any little hurts that we may have. He lays his body on the injured place and seems to think he is healing you. he is a joy and tribulation all in one.

Alexander's History.... Gary

Alexander came into this world, as do many kitties - homeless, very small and not so sure to survive. Cowering in a small and cold steel cage in a bleak shelter, he pulled at my heart strings and I happily added him to my life. He started out tiny, so I thought he needed a big name, thus Alexander the Great. He has since grown to meet his name. He is a big lug but very sweet and affectionate. He can meow up a storm when he wants his chow, which is so often he's on a diet now.

He is an American Short hair tabby cat who has many cute tricks....

He rubs noses and taps on my shoulder when he wants my attention and at meal times'

One cute gesture he taught himself was giving a high five. That was his first trick and it still cracks me up after 10 years.

At night he waits for me to pull back the covers and say, "let's settle in", and thats just what he does. He snuggles into his spot by my side and there he sleeps comfy and cozy all night.

He is a great cat, that Alexander... Whoops.. have to go, Alex is calling me for chow. Time to go , dont want to keep the big guy waiting.

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