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I've been dealing with Great Lakes winters & motorcycling for almost 50 years, I park 'em in early November.
Because of my family history with the MoCo and Milwaukee motorcycling dating back to 1912 I began in depth research into these areas about 15 years ago. I've amassed over 20,000 historic articles and photos from the very earliest years to the mid-80's. In the winter months I spend a great deal of time at my keyboard going through early mc periodicals and on sites like Ancestry and Newspapersdotcom. I didn't realize that I would become such a history junkie but I've been hooked and enjoy the discovery process a great deal.
Badger, if you were so inclined, I think a lot of us would enjoy a thread with that kind of history. Would you consider posting something like that occasionally ? My "Retirement Dream Gig" thread doesn't have much historical content but I post up the older or interesting bike that come through the shop. It gives us something to look at until winter passes...
Perfect example of why I don't 'store' my bike during the colder months, today was in the mid 30's, sunny, and the roads were clear of snow/ice/salt. I get thru winter doing precisely what I did this afternoon, I rode the bike.
I did NOT buy the bike just to watch it gather dust sitting in the garage for several months out of the year.
I always owned sports bikes and naked bikes. I have heated vest / gloves and heated grips on some of my bikes but it still gets uncomfortable after an hour or so in the cold air. I still manage to ride all winter as long as the road is dry and free from salt. I’m in New England so it does get cold here but I’d never store my bikes over winter just in case there’s a chance to get out. One time on my new Low Rider S I forgot to upgrade the fuse on the cable from the battery line to my heated gear and it blew when I was out in cold weather. My hands became completely immobile and I had to keep stopping every 15 mins to warm them on the engine to get home.
Six months ago I bought my first big Touring bike (Street Glide ST). It’s an absolute game changer for cold weather. The fairing keeps the wind off my body and hands to the point that I can go out without heated gear down to freezing and stay comfortable. The heated grips actually work because there’s not freezing air constantly drawing all the heat away from my hands. Heated vest can actually make me too hot unless I keep it turned way down.
I didn’t think I was a touring bike guy but it’s just so good at what it does, it’s an absolute beast, it’s versatile and has made cold weather riding an absolute pleasure. Well, my toes still get cold but I can deal with that!
Badger, if you were so inclined, I think a lot of us would enjoy a thread with that kind of history. Would you consider posting something like that occasionally ? My "Retirement Dream Gig" thread doesn't have much historical content but I post up the older or interesting bike that come through the shop. It gives us something to look at until winter passes...
Rizzo, I appreciate the comment but the Internet Brands "terms of use" keep me from posting images in this forum. I would encourage members to read the last paragraph in the terms of use content and conduct section 2a. I have learned from past experiences to be very cautious sharing personal/family materials. Only recently have I begun posting again, I keep an eye on history & vintage cycle related postings and contribute occasionally.
Just orderd a basement hopper window
The old wood frame divided window is falling apart
I have 2 old ones to replace, 4th window is already fixed dual pane w/another fixed dual pane as a "storm"
One has 2 broken panes & both need to be totally stripped & repainted to be used
3rd window is in better shape & has the wavy glass, so it will stay
Its the only window out of the 4 that you really see
I will take apart the 2 that are replaced, one has 2 broken panes
I will save the wavy glass & fix up the better of the 2 frames
That will be used inside the basement as an added layer of glass on the 3rd window
Delivery date is Jan 18th
Already removed the inner trim to make sure a wider 32" window will fit
No insulation in the pocket on either side
House dates back to 1910, prior owners blew insulation into the walls, it holds the heat pretty good
Not what I intended to do in the middle of Jan
But the glass is ready to fall out of 1 window
Window has not opened in a LONG time, none of them open
That is ice on the window
I cleaned & painted on both sides, knew I was going to replace the window so left that area
Rizzo, I appreciate the comment but the Internet Brands "terms of use" keep me from posting images in this forum. I would encourage members to read the last paragraph in the terms of use content and conduct section 2a. I have learned from past experiences to be very cautious sharing personal/family materials. Only recently have I begun posting again, I keep an eye on history & vintage cycle related postings and contribute occasionally.
I can appreciate that - I'll have to look at the T&C doc.
I live in central Indiana and just logged a 43,000+ mile year. A major factor in that has been heated gear. You could easily knock off 15k+ miles if I didn't have it. There were many, many days in the 20s and 30s where we'd ride hundreds of miles or even complete some Iron Butt challenges. When roads are clear, there is no temperature threshold now that keeps me from getting out there. Expensive up front, but a great investment to extend the season.
43,000 miles in a year. Thats a lot.
Are you retired?
If not what kind of work do you do that affords you the kind of mileage in a year?
I can appreciate that - I'll have to look at the T&C doc.
Here's the paragraph of concern to me...
You automatically grant and assign to us, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant and assign to us, a perpetual, irrevocable, unlimited, fully paid, fully sub-licensable (through multiple tiers), worldwide license to copy, perform, display, distribute, prepare derivative works from (including, without limitation, incorporating into other works) and otherwise use any content that you post. You also expressly grant and assign to us all rights and causes of action to prohibit and enforce against any unauthorized copying, performance, display, distribution, use or exploitation of, or creation of derivative works from, any content that you post (including but not limited to any unauthorized downloading, extraction, harvesting, collection or aggregation of content that you post).
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
