Shriner Bikes
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 7
From: MN
Shriner Bikes
An earlier post here got me thinking...are there as many Shriner motorcycle riders as there used to be? I haven't seen any in a few years...not that I see a lot of parades, but I have been to a few over the years. I remember when I was a kid in Minneapolis in the 60s, I loved seeing those fez-wearing guys on those big FLHs with lights around the spokes going through their paces in the Aquatennial parade. Plus, in those days, seeing a full dressed H-D was not a common every day sight, unlike today. Not only could those Shriners ride those things, they also had some cool cool go-carts and could play a mean glockenspiel.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 3
The Shriners, who do many good things (and for whom I have the greatest respect, having a grandchild who has directly benefited from the efforts of Shriner's Childrens' Hospital treatment), are suffering from the end of 'fraternal lodge activity'...the same problem that afflicts the Elks, Eagles, Moose, Sons of Norway, and all sorts of other fraternal organizations now dying a slow death. The world has changed. Who has time for that stuff when we're all involved in an economic rat-race to survive (and I do not mean the statement in a derogatory sense to the Shriners or any other group).
We've come to rely upon government, rather than each other. And sometimes government has its own best interests at heart, rather than the interests of its citizens. Maybe it's time for me to wear the Shriner's fez.
We've come to rely upon government, rather than each other. And sometimes government has its own best interests at heart, rather than the interests of its citizens. Maybe it's time for me to wear the Shriner's fez.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 2
From: scurry, TX
The Shriners, who do many good things (and for whom I have the greatest respect, having a grandchild who has directly benefited from the efforts of Shriner's Childrens' Hospital treatment), are suffering from the end of 'fraternal lodge activity'...the same problem that afflicts the Elks, Eagles, Moose, Sons of Norway, and all sorts of other fraternal organizations now dying a slow death. The world has changed. Who has time for that stuff when we're all involved in an economic rat-race to survive (and I do not mean the statement in a derogatory sense to the Shriners or any other group).
We've come to rely upon government, rather than each other. And sometimes government has its own best interests at heart, rather than the interests of its citizens. Maybe it's time for me to wear the Shriner's fez.
We've come to rely upon government, rather than each other. And sometimes government has its own best interests at heart, rather than the interests of its citizens. Maybe it's time for me to wear the Shriner's fez.
To be a Shriner, you must first become a Mason. I am a Mason, but not a Shriner. I have not stepped up to that degree as of yet...but do my part as a Mason to assist in Shriner charities.
Folks - I highly recommend joining any one of the fraternal groups out there that fits what you believe. If we don't do it, the gov't will continue to step up and insert themselves. If that happens, everyone loses.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
I was brought into Elks at an early age of 24 y/o in 1981, shamefully more for the golf course membership at the time.
I now live in a much smaller town and have been considering investigating a) am I still an Elk just needing to re-sign and b) checking into the lodge here a little more thoroughly.
For reasons above and from what I read they (Elks) seem fairly active charity-wise here. I know the Oatman, AZ gunfighters that give a show twice a day in season are collecting to keep Oatman viable and mostly for the Shriners/children charity.
I now live in a much smaller town and have been considering investigating a) am I still an Elk just needing to re-sign and b) checking into the lodge here a little more thoroughly.
For reasons above and from what I read they (Elks) seem fairly active charity-wise here. I know the Oatman, AZ gunfighters that give a show twice a day in season are collecting to keep Oatman viable and mostly for the Shriners/children charity.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
One of the other factors facing them is that they rarely let outsiders in, thus shutting out some who may have wanted to be part of the organizations.
Simialr to Eagles, VFW's and other similar orgs, there haven't been world wars like WW1, WW2, Korea, Veitnam, and just in the last 20 years the Gulf war, Iraq and so forth.
These recent ones are a whole different breed of people with not much in common other than the fights on the battle field. Age differences keep many away from the older groups.
I too always enjoyed seeing the Shriners and there go carts and motocades of cars and Full Dressers. But then again how many parades are there any more as well?
Simialr to Eagles, VFW's and other similar orgs, there haven't been world wars like WW1, WW2, Korea, Veitnam, and just in the last 20 years the Gulf war, Iraq and so forth.
These recent ones are a whole different breed of people with not much in common other than the fights on the battle field. Age differences keep many away from the older groups.
I too always enjoyed seeing the Shriners and there go carts and motocades of cars and Full Dressers. But then again how many parades are there any more as well?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 907
Likes: 8
From: Greeneville, TN
There are still some Shriners out there.
I have a 2008 special edition shrine ultra classic, I ride it too. The only stipulation when I bought it was that I had to keep it for one year. I was looking on the HD site and it looks like they are not offering Shrine special editions in 2011. They still offer police and firefighter editions. Keep in mind that you don't have to ride a Shrine editon in an event. The only difference in them, unless you have a "Jester" bike, is the serial number. Mine is Crimson Red / Candy Sunglo, I was allowed to select from the entire color palet. It used to be that the entire unit would buy new HDs at the same time, same color, via competitive bids at the area HD dealerships. Some units have just faded away, many reasons for this besides fading interest is insurance costs.
Last edited by Noble Jim; Nov 18, 2010 at 09:34 AM. Reason: add comment
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The days of mom staying home and cooking for the family are long gone. With that goes the mens clubs. Now mom gets home as late as dad and both are worrying about dinner, kids homework and who will still have a job tomorrow.
By the way I am also open to Mom making enough money so I can stay home and cook. Then she can join the Shriners. Either way would be nice.
By the way I am also open to Mom making enough money so I can stay home and cook. Then she can join the Shriners. Either way would be nice.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, UT
That's a sad state of affairs. My son has also benefited from the Shriner's hospital in Salt Lake. He was born with a club foot (luckily not too severe) and a friend of mine who is a Shriner sponsored him in. When he was born we still lived in Wisconsin and he was initially seen at Mayo Clinic where they did a great job on starting his treatment but after we moved we started taking him to the Shriner's Hospital. They have been absolutely great to work with and my boy is now four years old, with the only sign of the club foot being that his right calf is slightly skinnier than the left. Any of you who are Shriners have my heartfelt thanks for your contributions of time, money and effort.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
An earlier post here got me thinking...are there as many Shriner motorcycle riders as there used to be? I haven't seen any in a few years...not that I see a lot of parades, but I have been to a few over the years. I remember when I was a kid in Minneapolis in the 60s, I loved seeing those fez-wearing guys on those big FLHs with lights around the spokes going through their paces in the Aquatennial parade. Plus, in those days, seeing a full dressed H-D was not a common every day sight, unlike today. Not only could those Shriners ride those things, they also had some cool cool go-carts and could play a mean glockenspiel.