RickkciR

 ....so .. you do whatcha' gotta do!  My personal drill of the day:    practice clutchless up-shifting

Before we lost Jimi two years ago to a heart attack, I spent a lot of time at his shop.  He sold used bikes, mainly HDs, and worked on American made bikes, hence the business name: American Iron.  Interestingly, it also went by Blackland Choppers; I never figured that one out ( two names). Nothing better than rolling in on a Friday lunch and seeing them with the grill going, cooking up some burgers or some other meat for lunch.  They always invited to me stick around for some grub, but seems like every single time, I'd just had lunch or .. was headed somewhere else.  I kept telling myself I needed to stop by 'unexpectedly' for one of them lunches with them, but never did. Whether it be lunch or afternoon, especially on Fridays, Jimi would always give me the 'look' and ask me if I wanted a cold one.  For 4 quarters in the old coke machine, an ice cold bud would pop out.  If it was after 4 or on a Saturday ... Jimi usually had one he was working on beh...

My first several bikes, I don't think I ever hit the rev limiter ......... viewed that as .... 'bad'.. something you don't do. First bike was a LTD440 and I'm not sure I ever even really got on the on the bike hard.  The second one was a LTD1100 (KZ1000); I beat the crap out of that poor thing riding it up around 130mph too often. Still, I'm don't recall hit the rev limiter on it. Third bike was a GL1100 and I putted on that one; I'd calmed down by then and not sure I ever had it over 90mph. Finally, bike number four was a Vulcan Classic 1500 which was a pig in comparison to the previous two; don't remember ever hitting triple digits on it.. In 2009, I picked up my first bike that was ... American Iron.  An '09 Indian Chief Vintage with a Power Plus 105.  I flew into Wichita to pick it up and drove it south to Texas , 400 miles on a hot 95 deg day in July.  Yes, I was dying in the heat.   Yes, I should have had the bike shipped.  Yes, I...

.......... was a Gray Horse kinda' day! Several years ago, I bought a Dark Horse from Gregory Polaris in AR .  This was their first one off the truck and my original plan was to create a "Bomber" out of it, similar to the Kings Mountain model. But, I didn't think we could do it justice so I opted to have them repaint to change it up and keep it stripped down.   They put some beach bars on it, I had a Corbin seat custom built to push me back an extra 2+ inches, and we lowered the boards. A Dirty Bird  2 into 1 exhaust, Stage 2 A/C and eventually, Stage 2 Cams finished it off.   It looks like no other that I've seen and I no longer refer to it as a Dark Horse; I renamed it "Gray Horse!" Today was a windy one, 82 deg and sunny.  I needed to run out to my sisters for a quick visit so I jumped on it and took the long way.   The route I took was similar to the Ninja route I discovered a few days ago.  I spent most of the ride at a high rate o...

A lil over five years ago Lucy and I were sitting on the front porch and I saw a pic of the new 2013 Indian Motorcycle Vintage Chief , Limited Edition of which 35 were to be built and sold.   I was mesmerized and couldn't  take my eyes off of it.  Showed it to her and got a similar reaction.   My B'day was a few days from then when she told me "It's your Birthday ...   get it.  My present to you ......" ... BAM!!! So, a quick phone call and the deal was made that Saturday, with signatures, etc on Monday.  It wouldn't show up on my doorstep for about a month due to shipping, etc.. but Happy B'Day to me! I still remember when it showed up.  Pure Beauty, and piece of artwork.  But ...  noticed the fender tip on the rear had been nicked. Also, noticed on the rear fender a small nick between the saddle bags and seat, which had been touched up ( poorly ).  Still, I was a smiling. So, the next day with my neighbor on hi...

 | Damned that was a good time! I'm still Obsessing over it! :) | | Cozumel Oct 2017 from RickkciR . | | Cozumel Video II from RickkciR . |

I've mentioned I've been riding for over three decades.  Just a part of my life. It didn't define me; just another facet.  Around '06 I attended the ROT Rally down in Austin with a half dozen guys.  Though I'd attended Sturgis back in '86, this one really stirred up my soul.  I felt immersed in the craziness, the fun , the mindset.  So much so that I went back in '07 by myself.  At the time no one else I hung with wanted to go, so I did it myself.  But in '08, we had a 5th wheel we'd gotten for NASCAR so momma joined me.. .. and we did this for the next several years.  This was part of the turning point for me where bikes became more of my life. Still, this was just an annual event.  But, it led me to Bikes Blues and BBQ up in Fayetteville , AR.  And since then, so many others.  Overall , these were just annual events.  Physical locations .. a few days out of my life.  A virtual entity though, would become a life change...

Seems like it is is sometimes though?   I've been riding for about 33 years now, and every year I seem to put more and more miles on them.  One more bike finds it's way into the Man Hangar.  My interest in the motorcycle world continues to diversify .  As my love and passion for Indian Motorcycles grows, so does my interest in all facets of motorcycling.  My biggest concern is I've done this late in life and I'm going to run out of time before I'm able to pursue all my interests in this area....  Hell, my alternative dream is if I find myself alone in this world, to throw a leg over a bike and explore this country as thoroughly as I can , as long as I can ..... But ... life isn't just about bikes.  Those that know me .. know I like Jeeps .. trucks....  classic cars .. fast cars..  boats  .. you name it.  Then other aspects of life.   Working out, SCUBA diving , etc.    Not enough time to enjoy it all.  Tha...

......   you can dance with anyone, if you are prepared? Yesterday, was a good day!  A Ninja Warrior day!   Well today, I backed out a dusty fat mess.  Tags were WAY over due, just got the insurance back on it.. and it starts.   Ever heard  someone say "This ain't fat.. it's all muscle!" ?  Well..  it's true in this case.  The Triumph Rocket III is a Muscle Cruiser that lives up to its name! At 140CI ( 2300cc) its a monster.  Sort of small version of a Boss Hoss.  But the boss has an Auto's V8 stuff in chassis.  This has a proprietary Inline 3, smooth as silk but loaded with HP and Torque. After airing up the tires I'm off via 2 lanes to get it inspected and tagged. It's been way too long since I've ridden this sucka and my legs feel like they are up a notch too high.  They aren't, but that's the initial sensation compared to my Indians.  However, for a cruiser it's an aggressive position since my feet aren'...

 ...........tells a story. Let's be honest.  I love to post shit. I enjoy sharing.   I just do.  I'm sure there are deep down reasons for that, but .. it's just a fact.  When you step back and analyze it all .. or .. something like that ...   what a person does or does not do, can tell a lot about them.   I'm actually a simple one to figure out.  I love my life.  I'm happy, but not 100% content with myself.  I'm proud of who I am, but always striving to improve.  Crap that reminds me... need to get back into the gym .. again (broken record).  Anyways, back to the pic taking. Ever notice some people never post pics of themselves?  I mean ...  NEVER.  Why is that?  Are they so secure in their manhood or womanhood they see zero value in it?  Or, are they that unhappy with themselves and their life?  Other people, seem to post nothing but selfie after selfie of themselves.   We all assume...

Ever take some Dance Lessons and finally ...  "figure it out?"   I remember it was back around '83 time frame in San Angelo, TX back in my single days.  I'd bought me some new Cowboy boots and Jeans.. but ...   rarely wore them.  Then one night at one of our local joints, a gal asked me to dance.  I had no clue, with this country music .. and told her so.  I was in Jeans, Tee Shirt and Tennis shoes; my normal attire.   She didn't care, drug me out there.. and .. gave me lessons.   With a lot of patience on her part, and a few return trips....  I figured it out.  The icing on the cake was slipping on the Cowboy boots and Jeans .. .. then back to that joint and hit the dance floor and sliding around confidently and knowing I'd figured it out.  I never truly mastered Two Stepping , but damned I could pull it off back then...... ___________________________________________ Couple of years ago, I purchased a Ninj...

UPDATE DEC/2020 :   I did this post on a whim.  Since then, I've posted dozens and dozens of times on this subject in my alternative BLOG .  Head over there and search NARCISSIST / NARCISSISM ...  crazy amount of data on it. This single post below has the most hits of all on my BLOG .. approximately 5%... which I've found interesting. It wasn't pointed at anyone specifically, though..... could easily pertain to three different individuals I've come across in my lifetime.  The more one understands Narcissism, the crazier it all is how certain individuals fit the mold?  Have to admit .... what kicked this off .. someone called me a Narcissist.  I didn't truly understand the meaning.  I thought they were saying I was 'self centered'.  I'll be the first to admit I've got a big ego.  That I've got high self-esteem.  My biggest fault is I like to get in the 'last word.'   But Narcissist?  Nope _______________________ ...

Bike Shows .. Car Shows..   I enjoy checking them out, I've entered a few but yet.......   for the hard core entrants, I don't get it.  Case in point. Rolled into Caddo Mills today for a local car club show out at one of the Caddo Mills school parking lots.   Half dozen rows of cars (several dozen all together), a single vendor, an auction table and a group grill up some eats.  I didn't expect much since this is a small town, a local car club.. but yet.. reinforces some of my beliefs.  A lot of folks roll in with their pride and joy, pop out the folding chairs, and ..... sit for the hours and hours.. sometimes.. all damned day.  Hey, to each their own.   But to compound the issue, only a half dozen vehicles there were the 'quality' I'd expect to be entered in a show.   I only took pics of the nice ones that tripped my trigger.  There were another 1/2 dozen newer/modern vehicles entered, but I didn't go there t...

Took off for a quick ride this morning into the Dallas area, with dark skies SW of me, Blue skies NW of me.. .and .. I'm headed .. West!  I wanted to ride the Gray Horse Chief, but the potential of rain had me opting instead, for the Chieftain with Rain suit in the bags, and lots of protection from mother nature.   Wasn't out on the road for five minutes before the sprinkles began. Then a small downpour.  To be fair, it rained on me for maybe several minutes, max.. then... a few sprinkles here and there .. with some blazing sunshine a few times breaking through..... and .. it got me to thinking. Baby girl, out for a ride My last time out with the Vulcan Over my first few decades of riding I managed to stay dry for the most part.  Hell, my third bike which was a Kawi' Vulcan Classic 1500, NEVER saw the rain over a 7 year period.  I washed it often , waxed a few times, but with only 5k miles on it over that period..... it was 100% immaculate. Looked bran...