So it's a new year... most everyone makes New Years Resolutions that cover the gamete from cutting back on cigarettes to watching the caffeine intake to spending a little more time at the gym. Most of these resolutions start out with good intentions but most inevitably fail.
Why? I'm not sure. I think a lot of it has to do with guilty pleasures. I think everybody has at least one, whether its good or bad, but I think that's why so many new years resolutions are broken. There is a feeling of something missing.
Right now I am missing my time in the saddle. I made a resolution to my family to tone it down in the winter months because of the chance of slipping on ice or getting salt on the bike. For me riding my Harley is so much more than transportation. It's my sanity. It's my pride. It's what helps define who I am. I mean it's not "who" I am, but it's part of what makes up "Rocky."
There is the phrase out there "If you have to ask, you don't understand." It's true. Only motorcyclists can understand what I'm going through right now. My identity is caught between forecasts. Just when a nice rain comes through to wash the salt off the road, another front moves in.
Since I made the promise to take it easy over the next three months, I'm going to do something constructive. I'm going to do some research. I'm going to look at some weekend trips. I'm going to coordinate with my wife's calendar and put at least one weekend getaway on the bike a month during the summer months.
I'm also going to get more involved with our local Harley Owner's Group. The Mon Valley HOG chapter is filled with great people who love to ride whether its out to Sturgis, or down to the South Side for some ice cream.
I think if I can put a calendar together now, figure out my vacation days and work around events at the shop, I can really maximize my time on the bike for riding in 2011. It isn't exactly the same (and gratifying) as being "The Crazy Guy" cruising down Grant Street in 15 degrees with people pointing at me, but I think it will keep me occupied so that I can ease back into my 'guilty pleasure' come Spring.
This is Rocky's Blog! It's amazing what crosses his mind. Welcome...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 11, 2010
RIDING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH BOOKS AND MOVIES
By Rocky Marks
Western Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful riding terrain in the world. It is also home to some of the most fickle weather conditions in the world. Last January, we were able to sneak out for a quick ride here and there. I don’t think that’s going to be the case this year. I’m afraid we’re stuck until it warms up and some of this salt is washed off of the road.
That being said, there are many ways to get your motorcycling fix in during the winter months.
I’m an advocate of reading about motorcycling. I’m looking at the shelf in my office right now where I have carefully cataloged subscriptions to over 25 magazines. I also have a special box of vintage 70’s Easy Rider magazines that I’m saving for my boys—when they are old enough.
Next to my collection of magazines, is a book shelf loaded with some great stories and how-to advice. The book that I’m currently reading is called “The old Man and The Harley”. It was a Christmas present that I haven’t been able to put down yet.
It’s about a son who takes his aging father on a last ride across America—and discovers a riveting national history. The father originally took the ride in 1939 on an old Harley-Davidson from the New York World’s Fair and San Francisco’s Glittering Golden Gate International Exposition.
It is a truly amazing book. If you’re into American History it’s a good read. If you’re into American History and motorcycles, then this is a must read. When I finish the book, I’ll be sure to share my reflections in a forthcoming article.
There are other books that are less nostalgic but very helpful. There is the updated and expanded “Proficient Motorcycling” book by David L. Hough which is very informational and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles” now in it’s fourth edition and endorsed by Jay Leno.
If reading isn’t your thing, motorcycles are no stranger to the silver screen. There have been many great movies over the years about motorcycling. You can go all the way back to the 50’s and check out The Wild One (1953): Starring Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy and Lee Marvin. Brando rides a Triumph into town, and thousands of guys buy black leather jackets the next week.
Easy Rider (1969): The greatest motorcycling movie ever made, despite some weird, incoherent sequences in New Orleans. Peter Fonda was never cooler. Dennis Hopper writes, directs and stars alongside him as they ride in search of America.
On Any Sunday (1971): Bruce Brown's Oscar-nominated documentary about motorcycle racing across the world, featuring Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawwill and the great Steve McQueen.
Mask (1985): Cher stars as a motorcycle enthusiast with a deformed son in this Peter Bogdanovich film. Sam Elliott as Gar is the leader of a biker gang - but the good kind of biker gang, the kind with a heart. Some great motorcycles, and a kinder, gentler look at motorcycle culture.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991): Is James Cameron's second Terminator film. It is memorable for the scene where Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator walks naked into a biker bar, and announces, "I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle." Beautiful!
The World's Fastest Indian (2005): Roger Donaldson's dramatic version of Burt Munro's attempt to set the land speed record on a 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. Anthony Hopkins gives a great performance as Munro, a man whose obsession led him to risk everything to reach his goal.
It is my hope that some of those books or movies get you warmed up to thinking about your motorcycle all snug and cozy in the corner of your garage.
If you have a favorite book or movie, I’d love for you to share it with me by sending me an e-mail. My e-mail address is rocky@hotmetalharley.com.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley Davidson in West Mifflin and Host of the weekly radio show “On the Road with Rocky” on 1250 AM WEAE.
Western Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful riding terrain in the world. It is also home to some of the most fickle weather conditions in the world. Last January, we were able to sneak out for a quick ride here and there. I don’t think that’s going to be the case this year. I’m afraid we’re stuck until it warms up and some of this salt is washed off of the road.
That being said, there are many ways to get your motorcycling fix in during the winter months.
I’m an advocate of reading about motorcycling. I’m looking at the shelf in my office right now where I have carefully cataloged subscriptions to over 25 magazines. I also have a special box of vintage 70’s Easy Rider magazines that I’m saving for my boys—when they are old enough.
Next to my collection of magazines, is a book shelf loaded with some great stories and how-to advice. The book that I’m currently reading is called “The old Man and The Harley”. It was a Christmas present that I haven’t been able to put down yet.
It’s about a son who takes his aging father on a last ride across America—and discovers a riveting national history. The father originally took the ride in 1939 on an old Harley-Davidson from the New York World’s Fair and San Francisco’s Glittering Golden Gate International Exposition.
It is a truly amazing book. If you’re into American History it’s a good read. If you’re into American History and motorcycles, then this is a must read. When I finish the book, I’ll be sure to share my reflections in a forthcoming article.
There are other books that are less nostalgic but very helpful. There is the updated and expanded “Proficient Motorcycling” book by David L. Hough which is very informational and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles” now in it’s fourth edition and endorsed by Jay Leno.
If reading isn’t your thing, motorcycles are no stranger to the silver screen. There have been many great movies over the years about motorcycling. You can go all the way back to the 50’s and check out The Wild One (1953): Starring Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy and Lee Marvin. Brando rides a Triumph into town, and thousands of guys buy black leather jackets the next week.
Easy Rider (1969): The greatest motorcycling movie ever made, despite some weird, incoherent sequences in New Orleans. Peter Fonda was never cooler. Dennis Hopper writes, directs and stars alongside him as they ride in search of America.
On Any Sunday (1971): Bruce Brown's Oscar-nominated documentary about motorcycle racing across the world, featuring Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawwill and the great Steve McQueen.
Mask (1985): Cher stars as a motorcycle enthusiast with a deformed son in this Peter Bogdanovich film. Sam Elliott as Gar is the leader of a biker gang - but the good kind of biker gang, the kind with a heart. Some great motorcycles, and a kinder, gentler look at motorcycle culture.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991): Is James Cameron's second Terminator film. It is memorable for the scene where Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator walks naked into a biker bar, and announces, "I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle." Beautiful!
The World's Fastest Indian (2005): Roger Donaldson's dramatic version of Burt Munro's attempt to set the land speed record on a 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. Anthony Hopkins gives a great performance as Munro, a man whose obsession led him to risk everything to reach his goal.
It is my hope that some of those books or movies get you warmed up to thinking about your motorcycle all snug and cozy in the corner of your garage.
If you have a favorite book or movie, I’d love for you to share it with me by sending me an e-mail. My e-mail address is rocky@hotmetalharley.com.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley Davidson in West Mifflin and Host of the weekly radio show “On the Road with Rocky” on 1250 AM WEAE.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Sir, May I see your license?
To this day it simply amazes me how many riders do not have a valid motorcycle license in the state of Pennsylvania. Motorcyclists often talk about the dangers of riding on the road and topping their list of concerns is "the other guy" on the road.
We get it. I understand and agree that you have to be a defensive rider. But before you practice defense, you have to learn how to play the game. In order to play the game, you must be a licensed rider. In the state of Pennsylvania that means that you must have a Class "M" certification.
I've heard all of the excuses before. Everything from "I'm too busy" to "I've been riding for 30 years! Why do I need one now?" Why? Because its the law. If not only for that reason, you'll be doing yourself, your family and everyone else on the road a favor by getting your skills tested.
I mean, if you have been riding for years, then you don't have anything to worry about, right? Or do you? Is that why you've been putting it off? I also understand the time issue. Time is a luxury that few people have these days.
That's why now would be a perfect time of the year to go and get that motorcycle license that you've been putting off. If you get the ball rolling now, you can easily be licensed by spring.
The process is quite simple, actually. It will only take about 20 minutes of time to get the ball rolling.
A Motorcycle Learner’s Permit Application (Form DL-5) will first need to be completed. You'll need to grab ten bucks and head to a PennDOT Driver License Center for processing. You will be given a vision screening and a motorcycle knowledge test on the spot.
The test is really easy. There is a book (more like a pamphlet) that contains all of the answers to the test and it can be found at the center or at most motorcycle dealerships. It’s called the “Motorcycle Operator Manual.” It’s a whopping 40 pages with illustrations and a sample test.
We're not talking the SAT's here. This is just a simple 20 question multiple choice test to get your permit. I will give you some advice though. Some questions have two answers that could be right. You’ll have to go through and pick the better answer. You don’t even need a perfect score to pass, so if you miss one or two, you’ll still pass.
Once you pass the knowledge test, the application will be processed and a motorcycle (Class M) learner’s permit issued. The learner’s permit allows you to practice safe operating skills and is valid for one year.
When you’re ready to take your skills test, you can either schedule an appointment at one of PennDOT’s Driver License Centers or schedule training through the motorcycle safety program. This can be done on-line by going to www.pamsp.com.
I highly recommend the motorcycle safety program. They give you motorcycles to ride, it can be done on weekends, and you get your Class M endorsement right there on the spot upon completion of the program. It’s very simple.
Over the next few months, the weather isn’t going to be the best for riding anyway. So why don’t you do yourself, your family and fellow motorcyclists a favor and get started on getting your license!
We get it. I understand and agree that you have to be a defensive rider. But before you practice defense, you have to learn how to play the game. In order to play the game, you must be a licensed rider. In the state of Pennsylvania that means that you must have a Class "M" certification.
I've heard all of the excuses before. Everything from "I'm too busy" to "I've been riding for 30 years! Why do I need one now?" Why? Because its the law. If not only for that reason, you'll be doing yourself, your family and everyone else on the road a favor by getting your skills tested.
I mean, if you have been riding for years, then you don't have anything to worry about, right? Or do you? Is that why you've been putting it off? I also understand the time issue. Time is a luxury that few people have these days.
That's why now would be a perfect time of the year to go and get that motorcycle license that you've been putting off. If you get the ball rolling now, you can easily be licensed by spring.
The process is quite simple, actually. It will only take about 20 minutes of time to get the ball rolling.
A Motorcycle Learner’s Permit Application (Form DL-5) will first need to be completed. You'll need to grab ten bucks and head to a PennDOT Driver License Center for processing. You will be given a vision screening and a motorcycle knowledge test on the spot.
The test is really easy. There is a book (more like a pamphlet) that contains all of the answers to the test and it can be found at the center or at most motorcycle dealerships. It’s called the “Motorcycle Operator Manual.” It’s a whopping 40 pages with illustrations and a sample test.
We're not talking the SAT's here. This is just a simple 20 question multiple choice test to get your permit. I will give you some advice though. Some questions have two answers that could be right. You’ll have to go through and pick the better answer. You don’t even need a perfect score to pass, so if you miss one or two, you’ll still pass.
Once you pass the knowledge test, the application will be processed and a motorcycle (Class M) learner’s permit issued. The learner’s permit allows you to practice safe operating skills and is valid for one year.
When you’re ready to take your skills test, you can either schedule an appointment at one of PennDOT’s Driver License Centers or schedule training through the motorcycle safety program. This can be done on-line by going to www.pamsp.com.
I highly recommend the motorcycle safety program. They give you motorcycles to ride, it can be done on weekends, and you get your Class M endorsement right there on the spot upon completion of the program. It’s very simple.
Over the next few months, the weather isn’t going to be the best for riding anyway. So why don’t you do yourself, your family and fellow motorcyclists a favor and get started on getting your license!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Are you prepared for I.C.E. (Incase of Emergency)
Are you prepared for I.C.E. (Incase of Emergency)
Accidents, they happen. What happens if you are involved in an accident and aren’t able to speak. How will your loved ones be notified? How will you be able to communicate your allergies and the medications you take to the Paramedics? Who will pick up your bike? That’s why you have to be ready with “I.C.E.” (incase of emergency).
You never know when an emergency situation will pop up while you’re on the road, so you should always be prepared. Sounds simple, right? But are you really prepared for a true emergency while riding your motorcycle? There are some really simple things that you can do to help you get swift medical treatment with very little guessing.
I’m going to start with my wallet. I don’t wear a chained wallet because I think it looks cool, or because it’s a rebellious fashion statement. I wear it because it’s practical for a motorcyclist. I make sure my wallet is attached to my body so I know where it is at all times. My drivers license, debit card, credit card, medical cards, AAA card, and a few business cards easily fit into my full sized wallet.
The chained wallet also comes with a clip for my keys so they are handy and it has a pouch for loose change. I’m going to stop short of calling it a “man purse” but that’s pretty much what it is. Everything I need is within easy reach.
I carry my “ICE Card” in my wallet at all times. Emergency personnel often look for this abbreviation so that they can quickly notify family members of someone who has been involved in an accident. Most commonly, “I.C.E.” information is found in cell phone contact lists. I wanted to take it a step further just incase something happens to the phone during the spill.
The card is really simple. It’s a laminated florescent pink piece of paper that sticks our just beyond my drivers license. Rescue crews can learn just about everything they need to know to treat me safely. I have the medications that I take as well as my allergies to bees and penicillin listed right below the contact numbers for my wife and my mom. I even have a number to call to arrange for the pick up the motorcycle.
I carry two phones with me. One is a regular flip phone and the other is my beloved Blackberry. The Blackberry is great for sneaking a few e-mails into work when the wife isn’t looking. If you are lost you can look your location up on your mobile map to get you going in the right direction. I’ve also used the weather application to outrun the weather and successfully skirted quite a few storms.
While the Blackberry is perfect for taking care of business road side, it’s not as user friendly as a traditional cellular phone. I chose the flip phone because the screen and number pad is protected by the outer shell of the phone. This type of phone will come in handy in the event that it should go flying across the highway.
Under the contacts on that phone, I have my wife listed as _ICE-Wife and my mom is listed as _ICE-Mom. I choose to put the underscore before their name so that those two numbers are listed at the top of my contact list. When an emergency responder looks at my phone, there is no question as to who to call or to get a medical history from.
In addition to the wallet and two cell phones, I always make sure I have my Epi-Pen on board because of my bee allergies. I also carry a variety of bandages and alcohol wipes in a baggie. I’m a huge fan of sunscreen. I carry the spray on in my tour pack. It’s not as messy and seems to apply evenly.
Before you head out for a ride, whether it’s on the open road or around the block, you should always be prepared just in case of an emergency. It’s really simple to do. Start putting things together now so that by the time Spring rolls around, you’ll be ready to go!
Accidents, they happen. What happens if you are involved in an accident and aren’t able to speak. How will your loved ones be notified? How will you be able to communicate your allergies and the medications you take to the Paramedics? Who will pick up your bike? That’s why you have to be ready with “I.C.E.” (incase of emergency).
You never know when an emergency situation will pop up while you’re on the road, so you should always be prepared. Sounds simple, right? But are you really prepared for a true emergency while riding your motorcycle? There are some really simple things that you can do to help you get swift medical treatment with very little guessing.
I’m going to start with my wallet. I don’t wear a chained wallet because I think it looks cool, or because it’s a rebellious fashion statement. I wear it because it’s practical for a motorcyclist. I make sure my wallet is attached to my body so I know where it is at all times. My drivers license, debit card, credit card, medical cards, AAA card, and a few business cards easily fit into my full sized wallet.
The chained wallet also comes with a clip for my keys so they are handy and it has a pouch for loose change. I’m going to stop short of calling it a “man purse” but that’s pretty much what it is. Everything I need is within easy reach.
I carry my “ICE Card” in my wallet at all times. Emergency personnel often look for this abbreviation so that they can quickly notify family members of someone who has been involved in an accident. Most commonly, “I.C.E.” information is found in cell phone contact lists. I wanted to take it a step further just incase something happens to the phone during the spill.
The card is really simple. It’s a laminated florescent pink piece of paper that sticks our just beyond my drivers license. Rescue crews can learn just about everything they need to know to treat me safely. I have the medications that I take as well as my allergies to bees and penicillin listed right below the contact numbers for my wife and my mom. I even have a number to call to arrange for the pick up the motorcycle.
I carry two phones with me. One is a regular flip phone and the other is my beloved Blackberry. The Blackberry is great for sneaking a few e-mails into work when the wife isn’t looking. If you are lost you can look your location up on your mobile map to get you going in the right direction. I’ve also used the weather application to outrun the weather and successfully skirted quite a few storms.
While the Blackberry is perfect for taking care of business road side, it’s not as user friendly as a traditional cellular phone. I chose the flip phone because the screen and number pad is protected by the outer shell of the phone. This type of phone will come in handy in the event that it should go flying across the highway.
Under the contacts on that phone, I have my wife listed as _ICE-Wife and my mom is listed as _ICE-Mom. I choose to put the underscore before their name so that those two numbers are listed at the top of my contact list. When an emergency responder looks at my phone, there is no question as to who to call or to get a medical history from.
In addition to the wallet and two cell phones, I always make sure I have my Epi-Pen on board because of my bee allergies. I also carry a variety of bandages and alcohol wipes in a baggie. I’m a huge fan of sunscreen. I carry the spray on in my tour pack. It’s not as messy and seems to apply evenly.
Before you head out for a ride, whether it’s on the open road or around the block, you should always be prepared just in case of an emergency. It’s really simple to do. Start putting things together now so that by the time Spring rolls around, you’ll be ready to go!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Bringing a Panhead (and youth) back to life
Bringing a Panhead (and youth) back to life
Thursday, December 03, 2009
By Rocky Marks
After years of restoration and rebuilding, Dan Decker is back on his Harley Panhead, the bike he rode in his youth, right.
My father-in-law, Dan Decker, used to ride his 1956 Harley-Davidson Panhead around the Cambria County town of Ebensburg in the '60s and '70s. He didn't do it because he thought he was "cool" or it was "the thing to do." He did it out of necessity. It was his only mode of transportation. It didn't matter if it was raining, sleeting or snowing, that was his ride.
Ride and write
Welcome to Pittsburgh Rides, our regular feature on motorcycling. Here we bring you the latest in rides, trends and events, but we need your input. We're looking for voices from the local biking community willing to share (in roughly 500 words) your experiences on the road and what you think is hot on wheels.
Send your story or pitch to Weekend editor Scott Mervis at smervis@post-gazette.com.
Not only did that old Harley take him to and from work, but it safely delivered him to and from trade school in Quincy, Ill., where he became a certified gemologist. When he married my mother-in-law, they were able to put enough money together to purchase a car. It was a green Volkswagen Beetle, which was pretty inexpensive at the time and allowed him to hang on to that old Panhead.
My in-laws moved back to the Johnstown area in the '70s and it served as a second vehicle up until the late '70s when their family began to expand. In 1981, he parked it, put it under a cover with a promise to one day bring it back to life again.
That day came in 1998 around the time his oldest daughter and I were about to get married. His thought was now that the kids were moving out of the house, getting married and starting their own families, it would be a good time to bring it out of storage and put it front and center in the garage to start the restoration.
He started dissembling the motorcycle piece by piece. He neatly labeled the parts and put the bolts in their own little baggies. As he moved from one area of the bike to the next he discovered two very important things. His eyes weren't what they used to be and neither was his patience.
Determined to get his bike back on the road, he enlisted a local bike builder and the project was on. That was 1998. Less than a month ago, the project was completed. What started out as a two-year project, turned into just shy of 11 years.
It wasn't because of laziness that the project took so long. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Dan and Tom, the bike builder, sat down and mapped out the entire project vowing to only use original parts. Everything was to be exactly how it would have rolled off the showroom floor in 1956.
Of course, they don't make original replacement parts for motorcycles that are more than 50 years old, so a lot of time and dedication was put into researching what needed to go on to the motorcycle and then trying to find the original pieces.
This project took them from the Internet, to swap meets, to old Harley dealerships trying to find the exact part they needed. If a part could not be located, it was fabricated, chromed and mounted onto the motorcycle.
Over that 10-year period, Dan and Tom got to know each other well. They were two enthusiasts, each on their own mission to restore not only a piece of history, but part of Dan's younger days.
My in-laws are regular riders. They have taken their Harley-Davidson Ultra to each corner of the United States on four separate trips. Each trip brought them closer together and restored their youth and enthusiasm for riding.
After this last trip to California, Dan received the news that he had been waiting for almost 11 years to hear. The bike was finally finished and it looked exactly like it did when he was almost 40 years younger. Dan wanted to be there when the bike came back to life, so the builder didn't start the bike until my father-in-law was present.
After a few minutes of getting the fluids through the engine and a couple swift kicks, the old Harley fired back to life along with the memories of Dan's youth. After a few adjustments of the carburetor, the old Panhead was on its way home.
Even though the bike was finished late in the riding season, Dan managed to get some miles on his bike before the snow started to fly. When I went home for Thanksgiving, he proudly unveiled his motorcycle and started it up for the family to enjoy.
It was very hard not to share in the excitement of the moment. The journey to restoration was long. The parts list and time involved added up, but the trip back to Dan's youth was priceless.
I can't wait for spring to get on the bike and feel firsthand what he experienced almost 40 years ago.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09337/1017928-475.stm#ixzz0ZdF9fqDH
Thursday, December 03, 2009
By Rocky Marks
After years of restoration and rebuilding, Dan Decker is back on his Harley Panhead, the bike he rode in his youth, right.
My father-in-law, Dan Decker, used to ride his 1956 Harley-Davidson Panhead around the Cambria County town of Ebensburg in the '60s and '70s. He didn't do it because he thought he was "cool" or it was "the thing to do." He did it out of necessity. It was his only mode of transportation. It didn't matter if it was raining, sleeting or snowing, that was his ride.
Ride and write
Welcome to Pittsburgh Rides, our regular feature on motorcycling. Here we bring you the latest in rides, trends and events, but we need your input. We're looking for voices from the local biking community willing to share (in roughly 500 words) your experiences on the road and what you think is hot on wheels.
Send your story or pitch to Weekend editor Scott Mervis at smervis@post-gazette.com.
Not only did that old Harley take him to and from work, but it safely delivered him to and from trade school in Quincy, Ill., where he became a certified gemologist. When he married my mother-in-law, they were able to put enough money together to purchase a car. It was a green Volkswagen Beetle, which was pretty inexpensive at the time and allowed him to hang on to that old Panhead.
My in-laws moved back to the Johnstown area in the '70s and it served as a second vehicle up until the late '70s when their family began to expand. In 1981, he parked it, put it under a cover with a promise to one day bring it back to life again.
That day came in 1998 around the time his oldest daughter and I were about to get married. His thought was now that the kids were moving out of the house, getting married and starting their own families, it would be a good time to bring it out of storage and put it front and center in the garage to start the restoration.
He started dissembling the motorcycle piece by piece. He neatly labeled the parts and put the bolts in their own little baggies. As he moved from one area of the bike to the next he discovered two very important things. His eyes weren't what they used to be and neither was his patience.
Determined to get his bike back on the road, he enlisted a local bike builder and the project was on. That was 1998. Less than a month ago, the project was completed. What started out as a two-year project, turned into just shy of 11 years.
It wasn't because of laziness that the project took so long. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Dan and Tom, the bike builder, sat down and mapped out the entire project vowing to only use original parts. Everything was to be exactly how it would have rolled off the showroom floor in 1956.
Of course, they don't make original replacement parts for motorcycles that are more than 50 years old, so a lot of time and dedication was put into researching what needed to go on to the motorcycle and then trying to find the original pieces.
This project took them from the Internet, to swap meets, to old Harley dealerships trying to find the exact part they needed. If a part could not be located, it was fabricated, chromed and mounted onto the motorcycle.
Over that 10-year period, Dan and Tom got to know each other well. They were two enthusiasts, each on their own mission to restore not only a piece of history, but part of Dan's younger days.
My in-laws are regular riders. They have taken their Harley-Davidson Ultra to each corner of the United States on four separate trips. Each trip brought them closer together and restored their youth and enthusiasm for riding.
After this last trip to California, Dan received the news that he had been waiting for almost 11 years to hear. The bike was finally finished and it looked exactly like it did when he was almost 40 years younger. Dan wanted to be there when the bike came back to life, so the builder didn't start the bike until my father-in-law was present.
After a few minutes of getting the fluids through the engine and a couple swift kicks, the old Harley fired back to life along with the memories of Dan's youth. After a few adjustments of the carburetor, the old Panhead was on its way home.
Even though the bike was finished late in the riding season, Dan managed to get some miles on his bike before the snow started to fly. When I went home for Thanksgiving, he proudly unveiled his motorcycle and started it up for the family to enjoy.
It was very hard not to share in the excitement of the moment. The journey to restoration was long. The parts list and time involved added up, but the trip back to Dan's youth was priceless.
I can't wait for spring to get on the bike and feel firsthand what he experienced almost 40 years ago.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09337/1017928-475.stm#ixzz0ZdF9fqDH
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Cafe Society" documentary traces history of motorcycle racers
"Cafe Society" documentary traces history of motorcycle racers
Thursday, November 05, 2009
By Rocky Marks
I love motorcycles. I love getting on my bike and riding whenever and wherever I can as long as my schedule permits. I've known only one brand of motorcycle all of my life. It doesn't make me a bad person. It may simply mean that I'm a little sheltered or just brand loyal.
It seems that I'm not alone. Many motorcycle enthusiasts get comfortable with a brand of a motorcycle or a style of riding and they are content. With complacency comes ignorance. It may not even be intentional ignorance, but it happens.
That's what makes "Cafe Society," an hour-long documentary being screened at the Three Rivers Film Festival on Saturday, all the more eye-opening.
The history of the cafe racer in Europe parallels the history of choppers and motorcycle clubs in the United States after World War II.
United States vets coming back from the war turned to motorcycles as a way to blow off some steam by being weekend warriors with their pals. Not to mention, owning and servicing motorcycles in the '50s was rather inexpensive. In fact, many were do-it-yourselfers, which led to a phenomenon of taking stock Harley-Davidson motorcycles and turning them into bobbers and choppers.
Motorcycles in the United States in the '50s were more like a hobby for most. In England they were a necessity. A tough battle was fought, leaving infrastructure heavily damaged and fuel a precious commodity. For Europeans, a motorcycle was the perfect mode of transportation during this difficult time.
Eventually customization came on to the scene as youngsters formed their own groups and gathered at cafes to listen to rock 'n' roll and display their latest creations from stock Nortons, BSAs and Triumphs. Instead of going for the laid-back stance the Americans favored, they made their bikes lighter, pushed their riding position forward and focused on performance, rather than looks.
As London was being rebuilt, new highways were created, which made conditions perfect for the motorcyclists to test their new highly tuned machines. Eventually, this led to competitions -- races from a cafe to a predetermined destination and then back again. They did these races during one song on the jukebox, which at the time typically lasted approximately three minutes.
I spoke to the director of "Cafe Society," Mike Seate, on his way to the New York premiere last Thursday and he said the project took about two years to complete and he did it out of his own love for cafe racers. He vacations in Europe every year and is constantly going to events in the States. Mike has eight motorcycles that his wife knows about.
Americans have a passion for choppers because it's "what they know." Fortunately, thanks to the Three Rivers Film Festival, you'll be able to see this amazing documentary at the Harris Theater Downtown at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $8 and are available online at www.proartsticket.org or at the box office.
You can also see clips and order this movie by going to www.cafesocietyfilm.com.
As far as me, while I have a brand that I am very loyal to, I think there is room in the garage for more than one bike, and it just may be a cafe racer.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09309/1010814-475.stm#ixzz0ZdFbYyLt
Thursday, November 05, 2009
By Rocky Marks
I love motorcycles. I love getting on my bike and riding whenever and wherever I can as long as my schedule permits. I've known only one brand of motorcycle all of my life. It doesn't make me a bad person. It may simply mean that I'm a little sheltered or just brand loyal.
It seems that I'm not alone. Many motorcycle enthusiasts get comfortable with a brand of a motorcycle or a style of riding and they are content. With complacency comes ignorance. It may not even be intentional ignorance, but it happens.
That's what makes "Cafe Society," an hour-long documentary being screened at the Three Rivers Film Festival on Saturday, all the more eye-opening.
The history of the cafe racer in Europe parallels the history of choppers and motorcycle clubs in the United States after World War II.
United States vets coming back from the war turned to motorcycles as a way to blow off some steam by being weekend warriors with their pals. Not to mention, owning and servicing motorcycles in the '50s was rather inexpensive. In fact, many were do-it-yourselfers, which led to a phenomenon of taking stock Harley-Davidson motorcycles and turning them into bobbers and choppers.
Motorcycles in the United States in the '50s were more like a hobby for most. In England they were a necessity. A tough battle was fought, leaving infrastructure heavily damaged and fuel a precious commodity. For Europeans, a motorcycle was the perfect mode of transportation during this difficult time.
Eventually customization came on to the scene as youngsters formed their own groups and gathered at cafes to listen to rock 'n' roll and display their latest creations from stock Nortons, BSAs and Triumphs. Instead of going for the laid-back stance the Americans favored, they made their bikes lighter, pushed their riding position forward and focused on performance, rather than looks.
As London was being rebuilt, new highways were created, which made conditions perfect for the motorcyclists to test their new highly tuned machines. Eventually, this led to competitions -- races from a cafe to a predetermined destination and then back again. They did these races during one song on the jukebox, which at the time typically lasted approximately three minutes.
I spoke to the director of "Cafe Society," Mike Seate, on his way to the New York premiere last Thursday and he said the project took about two years to complete and he did it out of his own love for cafe racers. He vacations in Europe every year and is constantly going to events in the States. Mike has eight motorcycles that his wife knows about.
Americans have a passion for choppers because it's "what they know." Fortunately, thanks to the Three Rivers Film Festival, you'll be able to see this amazing documentary at the Harris Theater Downtown at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $8 and are available online at www.proartsticket.org or at the box office.
You can also see clips and order this movie by going to www.cafesocietyfilm.com.
As far as me, while I have a brand that I am very loyal to, I think there is room in the garage for more than one bike, and it just may be a cafe racer.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09309/1010814-475.stm#ixzz0ZdFbYyLt
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Do your homework before buying online
Do your homework before buying online
Thursday, October 29, 2009
By Rocky Marks
Anita Dufalla
Recently, I was perusing the motorcycle section of the popular free classified Web site craigslist. I've heard many stories from people that have used craigslist with both positive and negative feedback. I've had friends walk away with furniture, others find apartments to rent, and even friends who have claimed to have found "true love" on craigslist.
From time to time, I'll check out the motorcycle section to see what the market is doing, and once in a while I'll find an ad that will catch my attention. What you are about to read is an ad that made me shake my head. I won't give the poster's name or location, but I will share the majority of the ad with you. This is a classic example of how not to post an ad to sell your motorcycle and probably a red flag for someone who is looking to purchase a pre-owned motorcycle.
"Selling a Brand New Harley VRSC V-Rod Night Edition with only 5 Miles!! I bought this bike brand new with 0 Miles off the showroom floor and NEVER have time to ride it since my work promotion takes away a lot of my free time. 2009 was the last year they made the V-Rod so this is a bike that will most likely hold its value! I bought the bike for $18,000 and I am asking $16,000/BO. I am also including a New NEVER worn black full face helmet and a nearly new Hydraulic Pump Bike Stand ($500 value) great for cleaning and oil changes. This bike was inspected till 2010 and title is clean."
OK, let's break this down. The first thing that you want to make sure the ad has is the correct year, make and model of the motorcycle that's for sale. If you look at the example above, the seller doesn't have a "brand new" motorcycle, he has a "used" motorcycle that he's trying to sell. There is no such thing as a "Night Edition." The picture of this motorcycle was of a VRSCDXA "Night Rod Special." So right off, we have a person selling a motorcycle that he isn't really familiar with. This is when research really pays off.
The poster claims he purchased the motorcycle with zero miles off the showroom floor. Harley-Davidson does a minimum one-mile roll test at the factory on a Dynamometer, and for legal reasons, the dealership is required to make sure there is a minimum number of miles put on the motorcycle locally for a test ride before it can be sold to a consumer. This is why pictures of odometers should be posted with ads. Personally, if I saw the reading of only five miles, then it would lend more credibility to the poster and I wouldn't be second guessing the mileage.
Whether you're posting or purchasing, never take a claim like "it was the last year they made it, so it will hold its value" for granted. It's important that you do some research. I went to the manufacturer's Web site and found that Harley-Davidson still makes the Night Rod Special Model in 2010, and the base price is $16,699. I also went to both Kelley Blue Book and NADA's (National Automobile Dealers Association) Web site and found that the stock 2008 motorcycle isn't bringing in the $16,000 as the seller is hoping it will.
Unless you have a large down payment, most banks will lend on only the NADA value of a motorcycle. (Yes, there are some exceptions, but in this economy, it is very rare.) There are people out there with cash who are willing to spend it, but the average consumer has to rely on banks, and in order for that bike to move out of your garage (or into your garage if you're purchasing) is by sticking close to the NADA value.
Another point about this post I would like to discourage is the fact the seller is offering a helmet with the motorcycle. There is absolutely no way to know if the helmet was worn, dropped, left out in the sun or damaged in any way that could cause it to weaken and not fully absorb the shock of an impact during a crash.
Helmets should be purchased carefully, and you need to shop around where you can look at different styles, weights and designs. They do not fall into the "one size fits all" category, and you should select a helmet that properly fits you before taking to the open road.
I don't know the circumstances around this particular ad. Maybe the seller of the motorcycle was misinformed. Maybe he didn't do the proper research when purchasing the motorcycle, but it is still his responsibility to get the facts right before putting it up for sale. Don't get me wrong, the Internet is a great starting point for research and it can help you narrow the search for your dream bike, as long as you are looking on the proper Web sites.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1008961-475.stm#ixzz0ZdGHNjKG
Thursday, October 29, 2009
By Rocky Marks
Anita Dufalla
Recently, I was perusing the motorcycle section of the popular free classified Web site craigslist. I've heard many stories from people that have used craigslist with both positive and negative feedback. I've had friends walk away with furniture, others find apartments to rent, and even friends who have claimed to have found "true love" on craigslist.
From time to time, I'll check out the motorcycle section to see what the market is doing, and once in a while I'll find an ad that will catch my attention. What you are about to read is an ad that made me shake my head. I won't give the poster's name or location, but I will share the majority of the ad with you. This is a classic example of how not to post an ad to sell your motorcycle and probably a red flag for someone who is looking to purchase a pre-owned motorcycle.
"Selling a Brand New Harley VRSC V-Rod Night Edition with only 5 Miles!! I bought this bike brand new with 0 Miles off the showroom floor and NEVER have time to ride it since my work promotion takes away a lot of my free time. 2009 was the last year they made the V-Rod so this is a bike that will most likely hold its value! I bought the bike for $18,000 and I am asking $16,000/BO. I am also including a New NEVER worn black full face helmet and a nearly new Hydraulic Pump Bike Stand ($500 value) great for cleaning and oil changes. This bike was inspected till 2010 and title is clean."
OK, let's break this down. The first thing that you want to make sure the ad has is the correct year, make and model of the motorcycle that's for sale. If you look at the example above, the seller doesn't have a "brand new" motorcycle, he has a "used" motorcycle that he's trying to sell. There is no such thing as a "Night Edition." The picture of this motorcycle was of a VRSCDXA "Night Rod Special." So right off, we have a person selling a motorcycle that he isn't really familiar with. This is when research really pays off.
The poster claims he purchased the motorcycle with zero miles off the showroom floor. Harley-Davidson does a minimum one-mile roll test at the factory on a Dynamometer, and for legal reasons, the dealership is required to make sure there is a minimum number of miles put on the motorcycle locally for a test ride before it can be sold to a consumer. This is why pictures of odometers should be posted with ads. Personally, if I saw the reading of only five miles, then it would lend more credibility to the poster and I wouldn't be second guessing the mileage.
Whether you're posting or purchasing, never take a claim like "it was the last year they made it, so it will hold its value" for granted. It's important that you do some research. I went to the manufacturer's Web site and found that Harley-Davidson still makes the Night Rod Special Model in 2010, and the base price is $16,699. I also went to both Kelley Blue Book and NADA's (National Automobile Dealers Association) Web site and found that the stock 2008 motorcycle isn't bringing in the $16,000 as the seller is hoping it will.
Unless you have a large down payment, most banks will lend on only the NADA value of a motorcycle. (Yes, there are some exceptions, but in this economy, it is very rare.) There are people out there with cash who are willing to spend it, but the average consumer has to rely on banks, and in order for that bike to move out of your garage (or into your garage if you're purchasing) is by sticking close to the NADA value.
Another point about this post I would like to discourage is the fact the seller is offering a helmet with the motorcycle. There is absolutely no way to know if the helmet was worn, dropped, left out in the sun or damaged in any way that could cause it to weaken and not fully absorb the shock of an impact during a crash.
Helmets should be purchased carefully, and you need to shop around where you can look at different styles, weights and designs. They do not fall into the "one size fits all" category, and you should select a helmet that properly fits you before taking to the open road.
I don't know the circumstances around this particular ad. Maybe the seller of the motorcycle was misinformed. Maybe he didn't do the proper research when purchasing the motorcycle, but it is still his responsibility to get the facts right before putting it up for sale. Don't get me wrong, the Internet is a great starting point for research and it can help you narrow the search for your dream bike, as long as you are looking on the proper Web sites.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1008961-475.stm#ixzz0ZdGHNjKG
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Warming up to winter riding
Warming up to winter riding
Pittsburgh Rides
Thursday, October 15, 2009
By Rocky Marks
A heated suit is a one-layer warm-up for the cold season.
Out of all of the women I met in my entire life, Mother Nature is probably the biggest tease of them all.
Over the past several weeks we've had temperatures from the 30s all the way up to the mid-70s. We've had everything from partly sunny skies to rain, and before you know it, we'll see flurries. On a good fall day in Pittsburgh, we can experience all of these in a 24-hour period and do it all over again the next day. It's very hard to predict what is going to happen later in the day let alone what's going on for the next five.
I'm a year-round rider. Riding in the fall and winter months is a little more complicated than riding in the summertime.
Living in Pittsburgh and riding in the fall means I have to carry clothing to support the cold, the rain and eventually the snow. My Tour Pack and saddlebags are filled with extra layers of clothes, several styles of gloves, a rain suit, rain boots, a pair of chaps for the slush, a pair of chaps for the cold, a face mask, a scarf, etc.
Even though my mom would be proud of how prepared I am for the elements, it is getting increasingly harder to keep a full wardrobe of outerwear in my bike.
This year I made the leap and traded in the outerwear that fills every square inch of storage that I have on my bike for something that is more sensible and takes up much less room. I picked up a heated suit that I can plug into my bike.
I remember being a little kid coming in for a cup of soup to warm up after riding my sled all morning. When it came time to make the decision on whether or not I wanted to go back outside, I would look at the layers of wet clothes, the hand-me-down snowmobile suit, and bread bags for my feet piled up and then I would look at the warm couch and TV. Back then, the choice was obvious.
Now that I'm older with kids of my own, I look back on those days, and I wish I could go back in time and get in those cold damp clothes and ride that sled until the streetlights came on just in time for another cup of mom's hot chocolate. Unfortunately, those days are gone.
There also will come a time in my life where I will be unable to ride. I don't want to reflect on my life and regret that I passed up riding time in my 30s because I was too cold or burdened by the amount of time and clothing that it takes to dress and undress so that I could ride in this weather.
That is why I picked up a heated suit. I want to make the most out of life every day, and if that means buying heated gear this winter instead of some chrome goodies, then it's worth it to keep me on the road and live life without regrets.
A heated suit also will give me more room in my saddlebags and it will give me a little extra time as I will only have to put one layer over my regular clothes.
I'm also toying with the idea of heated hand grips and a heated leather seat. Very tempting, but I think that's something I can put on my wish list for another holiday or birthday.
Right now, I want to get suited up and get out there and flirt with Mother Nature, and not give in to her cold temperatures while making memories with each extra mile that I can squeeze out of what life has to offer.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09288/1005588-475.stm#ixzz0ZdGf00I9
Pittsburgh Rides
Thursday, October 15, 2009
By Rocky Marks
A heated suit is a one-layer warm-up for the cold season.
Out of all of the women I met in my entire life, Mother Nature is probably the biggest tease of them all.
Over the past several weeks we've had temperatures from the 30s all the way up to the mid-70s. We've had everything from partly sunny skies to rain, and before you know it, we'll see flurries. On a good fall day in Pittsburgh, we can experience all of these in a 24-hour period and do it all over again the next day. It's very hard to predict what is going to happen later in the day let alone what's going on for the next five.
I'm a year-round rider. Riding in the fall and winter months is a little more complicated than riding in the summertime.
Living in Pittsburgh and riding in the fall means I have to carry clothing to support the cold, the rain and eventually the snow. My Tour Pack and saddlebags are filled with extra layers of clothes, several styles of gloves, a rain suit, rain boots, a pair of chaps for the slush, a pair of chaps for the cold, a face mask, a scarf, etc.
Even though my mom would be proud of how prepared I am for the elements, it is getting increasingly harder to keep a full wardrobe of outerwear in my bike.
This year I made the leap and traded in the outerwear that fills every square inch of storage that I have on my bike for something that is more sensible and takes up much less room. I picked up a heated suit that I can plug into my bike.
I remember being a little kid coming in for a cup of soup to warm up after riding my sled all morning. When it came time to make the decision on whether or not I wanted to go back outside, I would look at the layers of wet clothes, the hand-me-down snowmobile suit, and bread bags for my feet piled up and then I would look at the warm couch and TV. Back then, the choice was obvious.
Now that I'm older with kids of my own, I look back on those days, and I wish I could go back in time and get in those cold damp clothes and ride that sled until the streetlights came on just in time for another cup of mom's hot chocolate. Unfortunately, those days are gone.
There also will come a time in my life where I will be unable to ride. I don't want to reflect on my life and regret that I passed up riding time in my 30s because I was too cold or burdened by the amount of time and clothing that it takes to dress and undress so that I could ride in this weather.
That is why I picked up a heated suit. I want to make the most out of life every day, and if that means buying heated gear this winter instead of some chrome goodies, then it's worth it to keep me on the road and live life without regrets.
A heated suit also will give me more room in my saddlebags and it will give me a little extra time as I will only have to put one layer over my regular clothes.
I'm also toying with the idea of heated hand grips and a heated leather seat. Very tempting, but I think that's something I can put on my wish list for another holiday or birthday.
Right now, I want to get suited up and get out there and flirt with Mother Nature, and not give in to her cold temperatures while making memories with each extra mile that I can squeeze out of what life has to offer.
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on 1250 AM WEAE.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09288/1005588-475.stm#ixzz0ZdGf00I9
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Cyclists Ride for Flight 93 Memorial
Cyclists Ride for Flight 93 Memorial
Thursday, September 17, 2009
By Rocky Marks
Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
A sign with part of Psalm 91 near the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Somerset County.
As a motorcyclist, I've always been asked to participate in charity rides, fundraisers and poker runs. As long as my schedule permits, I'm along for the ride. If it doesn't, then I'll usually try to make a donation or help promote the cause in some fashion.
In general, I knew many charities embraced motorcyclists and looked to men and women riders to champion a cause and help raise funds, but I didn't realize to what degree until I got a phone call in mid-August.
Jim Lauteri, a representative for the Flight 93 Memorial Capital Campaign, called me on behalf of Rocky Bleier. He asked if Mr. Bleier could be on my weekly radio show on WEAE 1250 AM to talk about some of the events surrounding this year's fundraising efforts.
I told Jim that I would love to have Rocky Bleier on the show, but I wasn't sure what the tie-in to the motorcycle community would be considering that Rocky doesn't ride. Jim asked me if I have ever been to the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville. I replied that I had been there many times. In fact, I told him, I always stop by if I am in the area on my bike.
Ride and Write
Welcome to Pittsburgh Rides, our regular feature on motorcycling. Here we bring you the latest in rides, trends and events, but we need your input. We're looking for voices from the local biking community willing to share (in roughly 500 words) your experiences on the road and what you think is hot on wheels.
Send your story or pitch to Weekend editor Scott Mervis at smervis@post-gazette.com.
What do you ride? Where is your favorite riding place and hang-out? What is your favorite biker song, book, event or gear? Do you wear a helmet? Send the answers to Burning Questions at smervis@post-gazette.com and include your name and neighborhood.
That's when it hit me. One of the largest groups that visit the memorial are motorcyclists, second only to our country's veterans. We exchanged contact information and the Bleier interview was set. I was really excited about this opportunity. I spent a few hours preparing questions about everything from the memorial to his amazing catch that sealed the victory for Super Bowl XIII.
A few days later, I found myself in my studio sitting across from the former Steeler, discussing the golf outing, the dinner and all the events that took place in support of the Flight 93 memorial.
Before he left, he gave me the name of another person who he thought I may be interested in talking with -- Kenny Nacke. He is the brother of Joey Nacke, one of the passengers who was aboard Flight 93.
I gave Kenny a call and it was the most sobering interview I've had. I've been in radio for 15 years, but never have I had an interview that left me in tears like the one with Kenny.
We talked about what it was like for him on Sept. 11, 2001. He is a K-9 police officer in Baltimore and was put to work right after the second plane hit the World Trade Center. A bomb threat was called in to one of the buildings in his jurisdiction and he had to respond.
While he was in the building, he had to turn his cell phone off as a safety precaution in the event there was a bomb. After a few hours searching and not finding anything, he retreated to his police car and found that he had more than a dozen frantic voicemail messages from his wife.
It was at that time he learned about the third hijacked plane and that there was a possibility that his brother Joey was on board. Although he had what he described as a "weird feeling" in his stomach, he held out hope until his parents received a phone call around 6 that night.
Every three months, Kenny makes the trip to visit the makeshift memorial in Shanksville, usually riding his motorcycle. He told me that it is somber, yet comforting. The landscape is beautiful and he even saw two bear cubs playing in the field right over the spot where the plane crashed. He said that it made him chuckle and he would like to think that Joey had something to do with that.
Kenny is proud of the memorial because, in his words, "This is where the first battle was won against terrorism." He went on to say that there is no such thing as closure, but having a memorial keeps his brother's name alive.
Kenny decided to do something to raise money for the Flight 93 memorial. He put together The Ride with the Forty, which had five core riders who took eight days to honor 40 heroes -- the passengers and crew of Flight 93. They traveled the country as close as they could along the intended flight path of Flight 93. They left from the gate that Flight 93 pulled out from at Newark Airport on Sept. 3 and arrived in San Francisco at the airport to complete the path of US Airways Flight 93 at 11 a.m. Sept. 11.
This year marked the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The groundbreaking for the permanent memorial is set for November. Even if you aren't in a position to donate to the fund, please consider taking a ride through the beautiful mountains of Western Pennsylvania to visit the Flight 93 memorial and remember the passengers and crew who "won the first battle against terrorism."
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on WEAE 1250 AM.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09260/998586-475.stm#ixzz0ZdGyJuFz
Thursday, September 17, 2009
By Rocky Marks
Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
A sign with part of Psalm 91 near the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 in Somerset County.
As a motorcyclist, I've always been asked to participate in charity rides, fundraisers and poker runs. As long as my schedule permits, I'm along for the ride. If it doesn't, then I'll usually try to make a donation or help promote the cause in some fashion.
In general, I knew many charities embraced motorcyclists and looked to men and women riders to champion a cause and help raise funds, but I didn't realize to what degree until I got a phone call in mid-August.
Jim Lauteri, a representative for the Flight 93 Memorial Capital Campaign, called me on behalf of Rocky Bleier. He asked if Mr. Bleier could be on my weekly radio show on WEAE 1250 AM to talk about some of the events surrounding this year's fundraising efforts.
I told Jim that I would love to have Rocky Bleier on the show, but I wasn't sure what the tie-in to the motorcycle community would be considering that Rocky doesn't ride. Jim asked me if I have ever been to the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville. I replied that I had been there many times. In fact, I told him, I always stop by if I am in the area on my bike.
Ride and Write
Welcome to Pittsburgh Rides, our regular feature on motorcycling. Here we bring you the latest in rides, trends and events, but we need your input. We're looking for voices from the local biking community willing to share (in roughly 500 words) your experiences on the road and what you think is hot on wheels.
Send your story or pitch to Weekend editor Scott Mervis at smervis@post-gazette.com.
What do you ride? Where is your favorite riding place and hang-out? What is your favorite biker song, book, event or gear? Do you wear a helmet? Send the answers to Burning Questions at smervis@post-gazette.com and include your name and neighborhood.
That's when it hit me. One of the largest groups that visit the memorial are motorcyclists, second only to our country's veterans. We exchanged contact information and the Bleier interview was set. I was really excited about this opportunity. I spent a few hours preparing questions about everything from the memorial to his amazing catch that sealed the victory for Super Bowl XIII.
A few days later, I found myself in my studio sitting across from the former Steeler, discussing the golf outing, the dinner and all the events that took place in support of the Flight 93 memorial.
Before he left, he gave me the name of another person who he thought I may be interested in talking with -- Kenny Nacke. He is the brother of Joey Nacke, one of the passengers who was aboard Flight 93.
I gave Kenny a call and it was the most sobering interview I've had. I've been in radio for 15 years, but never have I had an interview that left me in tears like the one with Kenny.
We talked about what it was like for him on Sept. 11, 2001. He is a K-9 police officer in Baltimore and was put to work right after the second plane hit the World Trade Center. A bomb threat was called in to one of the buildings in his jurisdiction and he had to respond.
While he was in the building, he had to turn his cell phone off as a safety precaution in the event there was a bomb. After a few hours searching and not finding anything, he retreated to his police car and found that he had more than a dozen frantic voicemail messages from his wife.
It was at that time he learned about the third hijacked plane and that there was a possibility that his brother Joey was on board. Although he had what he described as a "weird feeling" in his stomach, he held out hope until his parents received a phone call around 6 that night.
Every three months, Kenny makes the trip to visit the makeshift memorial in Shanksville, usually riding his motorcycle. He told me that it is somber, yet comforting. The landscape is beautiful and he even saw two bear cubs playing in the field right over the spot where the plane crashed. He said that it made him chuckle and he would like to think that Joey had something to do with that.
Kenny is proud of the memorial because, in his words, "This is where the first battle was won against terrorism." He went on to say that there is no such thing as closure, but having a memorial keeps his brother's name alive.
Kenny decided to do something to raise money for the Flight 93 memorial. He put together The Ride with the Forty, which had five core riders who took eight days to honor 40 heroes -- the passengers and crew of Flight 93. They traveled the country as close as they could along the intended flight path of Flight 93. They left from the gate that Flight 93 pulled out from at Newark Airport on Sept. 3 and arrived in San Francisco at the airport to complete the path of US Airways Flight 93 at 11 a.m. Sept. 11.
This year marked the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The groundbreaking for the permanent memorial is set for November. Even if you aren't in a position to donate to the fund, please consider taking a ride through the beautiful mountains of Western Pennsylvania to visit the Flight 93 memorial and remember the passengers and crew who "won the first battle against terrorism."
Rocky Marks is the operations manager for Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the weekly radio show "On the Road With Rocky" on WEAE 1250 AM.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09260/998586-475.stm#ixzz0ZdGyJuFz
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A blessing in disguise
A blessing in disguise
Thursday, August 13, 2009
By Rocky Marks
Carl Durocher
An unsafe motorcycle is better off put in park.
Summertime and my motorcycle have been really good to me. I have been racking up the miles, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of Pittsburgh and having the time of my life. In fact, my schedule was booked solid with rides all the way through the end of September.
I planned on riding down the East Coast to meet my family at Hilton Head, S.C., for a week of fun in the sun. I had a few runs to go on with my dad, and my wife and I were going to take an extended weekend trip. I even planned on taking my Harley to my 15-year class reunion to give some of my friends' kids a ride.
That all changed a few weeks ago when I injured my shoulder. At first I didn't think anything of it. It felt as if I had pulled a muscle, as I've done before with other muscles, and they have all since healed. This injury was different. About two weeks ago, I went for a ride on my bike, and by the time I reached my destination I was almost in tears. My shoulder was throbbing. In addition to the shooting pain in my shoulder, my arm became numb and tingly. I thought to myself, "This can't be good."
I went to see my primary care physician and he gave me some news that no motorcyclist wants to hear. He told me that I had to put my bike away. What? Dr. Mark is an avid Pittsburgh Rides reader, and he knows how important riding my bike is to me. Was he not aware of the fact that we are in peak riding season? Did he not know that I was trying to set a new record for how many days I could ride my motorcycle into work while leaving my car at home?
All of that didn't matter to him. He was concerned about my health and my recovery time. He looked me in the eye and said that my time in the saddle was over for a few weeks if not months. He told me that pending the outcome of my MRI, it could be at the very least six weeks.
Six weeks? It's as if I'm a child all over again and grounded by my parents. I can remember having to give up my bicycle for a day or two but never for six weeks. That's a long time. In six weeks, my vacation will have come and gone, my kids will be back in school, and the leaves will be starting to change colors.
My bike was due for service, so our driver at the shop came to my house pick up my bike. I figured I may as well get it done while I'm on the sidelines, right?
He tried to start my bike, but it wouldn't even turn over. The battery was fine. The security lights kept flashing, and he and my wife tried everything to get it disarmed while talking to me over the phone. Finally, he decided to just coast it down the driveway and into the back of the trailer.
When he arrived at the shop, I went up to the trailer and took my set of keys over to the bike. The security disengaged, and it started up with no problems at all.
Meanwhile, a very good friend of mine wanted to try a bigger bike, so I offered him my bike once it was fixed. Upon completion of the service, the tech found a problem with the front wheel bearings that I hadn't noticed. The service manager also took it for a ride, and he reached the same conclusion. It turns out that my front wheel bearings were bad, and my bike isn't rideable until it can be repaired.
For those who don't know, a malfunctioning wheel bearing can cause one of two things to happen, and neither scenario is pretty. The first is a severe wobble that could throw a bike out of line around a corner and send the driver straight into a tree or, worse yet, into the oncoming lane. The second scenario is the result product of metal on metal grinding inside the axle, which could eventually lead to the front wheel seizing. Can you imagine locking up your front wheel at 65 mph?
As I sit back and reflect on the past few weeks of my life, obviously I have mixed feelings. In a way I'm thankful that I hurt my shoulder because I might have avoided serious injury through a potential problem with my front wheel bearings.
In another way, I look back at the security issue, and the discovery of the wheel bearings, and I can't help but wonder that because I'm so close to my bike that it didn't want anyone else to ride it while I was recovering.
Yes, I know that it's a silly thought, but motorcyclists are funny that way. It has been said that our bikes are an extension of our personalities. Until recent events, I didn't realize how true that statement really was.
Ride and write
Welcome to Pittsburgh Rides, our regular feature on motorcycling. Here we bring you the latest in rides, trends and events, but we need your input. We're looking for voices from the local biking community willing to share (in roughly 500 words) your experiences on the road and what you think is hot on wheels.
? Send your story or pitch to Weekend editor Scott Mervis at smervis@post-gazette.com.
? What and where do you ride? What's your favorite biker song, book, event or gear? Do you wear a helmet? Send the answers to our Burning Questions to the same address and include your name and neighborhood.
The writer is operations manager at Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the radio show "On the Road With Rocky," which airs Saturdays at 7 a.m. on WEAE 1250 AM.
First published on August 13, 2009 at 12:00 am
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09225/990491-475.stm#ixzz0ZdHQ5XIw
Thursday, August 13, 2009
By Rocky Marks
Carl Durocher
An unsafe motorcycle is better off put in park.
Summertime and my motorcycle have been really good to me. I have been racking up the miles, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of Pittsburgh and having the time of my life. In fact, my schedule was booked solid with rides all the way through the end of September.
I planned on riding down the East Coast to meet my family at Hilton Head, S.C., for a week of fun in the sun. I had a few runs to go on with my dad, and my wife and I were going to take an extended weekend trip. I even planned on taking my Harley to my 15-year class reunion to give some of my friends' kids a ride.
That all changed a few weeks ago when I injured my shoulder. At first I didn't think anything of it. It felt as if I had pulled a muscle, as I've done before with other muscles, and they have all since healed. This injury was different. About two weeks ago, I went for a ride on my bike, and by the time I reached my destination I was almost in tears. My shoulder was throbbing. In addition to the shooting pain in my shoulder, my arm became numb and tingly. I thought to myself, "This can't be good."
I went to see my primary care physician and he gave me some news that no motorcyclist wants to hear. He told me that I had to put my bike away. What? Dr. Mark is an avid Pittsburgh Rides reader, and he knows how important riding my bike is to me. Was he not aware of the fact that we are in peak riding season? Did he not know that I was trying to set a new record for how many days I could ride my motorcycle into work while leaving my car at home?
All of that didn't matter to him. He was concerned about my health and my recovery time. He looked me in the eye and said that my time in the saddle was over for a few weeks if not months. He told me that pending the outcome of my MRI, it could be at the very least six weeks.
Six weeks? It's as if I'm a child all over again and grounded by my parents. I can remember having to give up my bicycle for a day or two but never for six weeks. That's a long time. In six weeks, my vacation will have come and gone, my kids will be back in school, and the leaves will be starting to change colors.
My bike was due for service, so our driver at the shop came to my house pick up my bike. I figured I may as well get it done while I'm on the sidelines, right?
He tried to start my bike, but it wouldn't even turn over. The battery was fine. The security lights kept flashing, and he and my wife tried everything to get it disarmed while talking to me over the phone. Finally, he decided to just coast it down the driveway and into the back of the trailer.
When he arrived at the shop, I went up to the trailer and took my set of keys over to the bike. The security disengaged, and it started up with no problems at all.
Meanwhile, a very good friend of mine wanted to try a bigger bike, so I offered him my bike once it was fixed. Upon completion of the service, the tech found a problem with the front wheel bearings that I hadn't noticed. The service manager also took it for a ride, and he reached the same conclusion. It turns out that my front wheel bearings were bad, and my bike isn't rideable until it can be repaired.
For those who don't know, a malfunctioning wheel bearing can cause one of two things to happen, and neither scenario is pretty. The first is a severe wobble that could throw a bike out of line around a corner and send the driver straight into a tree or, worse yet, into the oncoming lane. The second scenario is the result product of metal on metal grinding inside the axle, which could eventually lead to the front wheel seizing. Can you imagine locking up your front wheel at 65 mph?
As I sit back and reflect on the past few weeks of my life, obviously I have mixed feelings. In a way I'm thankful that I hurt my shoulder because I might have avoided serious injury through a potential problem with my front wheel bearings.
In another way, I look back at the security issue, and the discovery of the wheel bearings, and I can't help but wonder that because I'm so close to my bike that it didn't want anyone else to ride it while I was recovering.
Yes, I know that it's a silly thought, but motorcyclists are funny that way. It has been said that our bikes are an extension of our personalities. Until recent events, I didn't realize how true that statement really was.
Ride and write
Welcome to Pittsburgh Rides, our regular feature on motorcycling. Here we bring you the latest in rides, trends and events, but we need your input. We're looking for voices from the local biking community willing to share (in roughly 500 words) your experiences on the road and what you think is hot on wheels.
? Send your story or pitch to Weekend editor Scott Mervis at smervis@post-gazette.com.
? What and where do you ride? What's your favorite biker song, book, event or gear? Do you wear a helmet? Send the answers to our Burning Questions to the same address and include your name and neighborhood.
The writer is operations manager at Hot Metal Harley-Davidson in West Mifflin and host of the radio show "On the Road With Rocky," which airs Saturdays at 7 a.m. on WEAE 1250 AM.
First published on August 13, 2009 at 12:00 am
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09225/990491-475.stm#ixzz0ZdHQ5XIw
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