Mid-South ride, eat, and meet

[barryg]

If your in the Midsouth area looking for a ride and eat this weekend Saturday Feb 19., this is it. Memphis, Tn. is the center of the midsouth. The BMW RAMS are having a get to gather just north of Memphis in Kerrville. Their meeting at Pig-N-Whistle Restaurant. 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. This is on the north side of Millington on the west side of Hwy 51. About 2 miles, off 51 down to the restaurant. Their tel.# 901 8722455. Be there for lunch at 12:00. The Rams will have their Feb. meeting at 1:30 Time to get your bike out and ride and eat. Temps Saturday are to be in the mid 60's and no rain, sleet or snow in the forecast. This place known for good BBQ.:eat Rams will be out in force showing off their cool scoots.:clap

[barryg]

I'm off to to chow down on some BBQ and see some bikes. Tell ya bout it later. The ride is on.

[barryg]

Just got back. It was just what I needed. Nice easy going ride over. Felt good to be back in the saddle. Road my '94 R1100RS and it purred like a kitten. I think it needed out for spin to stretch it's legs as much as I did. Lots of bikes out every where. Everyone had the same idea, get out and ride. Bikers waving back and forth, it was a never ending meet and greet going down the road. Got to the chow house first, got off and stretched my legs. Then the others started showing up. It was your basic family BMW club monthly reunion. Think we had about 30 in attendence. Got a rib plate, and filled up. Hit the spot. Got thru the meeting, mostly stuff about the RAMS directory and Return to Shiloh Rally. Back outside, every one was taking off in all directions. Got to talking with Paul Witworth, our club sec/trea., he said he was up for a little Ride. Rode over to see the Shake Rag. Recently burned down. It's been the Memphis go to weekend biker hangout for 30 years. Sad to see it like that. We took off for Mayor's Cove about 5 minutes away. Got there and they had a good crowd, due to no Shake Rag. Mayor's Cove has the look of, if you don't have a gun or knife, they issue you one at the door. Had a couple of cold ones, then headed back toward Memphis on the back roads. Took Paul by the Charles Limbergh monument, and had our history moment. After we split up, had a nice put back to the house. Just what I needed,a nice ride. Forgot to mention, at the meeting, I won one of the prize drawings The Ride is On, BMW dvd. Think I'll watch it now.

[barryg]

I noticed that on my ride over to and back from the meeting that my riding skills had diminished somewhat from a 2 month lay off from riding. Hopefully with the coming of some decent weather and some saddle time, I'll get back up to speed, and my riding skills will return to their normal razorsharp ability. :D

[barryg]

Anyone in the Midsouth or more specifically east Arkansas looking for a place to ride this weekend, this is it. The BMW RAMS and the DooDah Sidecar Riders are having their annual April meeting and get togather at Village Creek State Park this weekend. Apr. 15,16,17. Just outside Wynne, Ar. . Casual ride in and meeting. Camping available. Check the BMW RAMS web site for more details. Lots of comraderie with the focus on BMW's and sidecars. Barry :groovy

[barryg]

Just got back from the Rams meeting. Good ride over. Had to stop and put on another layer for warmth. Good to see everyone. Had probably 6 members of the Naturally Beemers show up and camp out. They had a pretty bunch, 25, for the campout and meeting. They survived a pretty tough storm front that came thru Thursday nite. Stopped outside the park and went to an almost unknown Civil War War Site. Wittsburg. The place were about 5000 Ark. Confederate soldiers surrendered at the end of the war. Good easy day of riding.

[barryg]

Since the demise of of Shake Rag. It burned down about a month ago or should I say torched as in arson. I'm headed over to Mayer's Cove. It's north and west of the Rag. in Tipton Co.. Went by a couple of weeks a ago and thet were remodeling it. I heard they were having bands on Sunday. Getting ready to go.

[barryg]

Turned out to be a nice ride. I first rode up to Covington on 51 Hiway, stopped in at a Cigar shop and got a box of my favorite cigars. Backwoods Sweet Aromatic. Then got my ride started. Headed west toward the Mississippi River. Rode to Randolph and stopped at John's Boatdock. Ol Man River was all the way up to the boat dock's back door. John'a ain't a real boat dock, but a real out of the way honky tonk bar and grill. Left there and headed to Mayor's Cove. A lot of real back roads close to the river. Up, down, around up the Chickasaw Bluff and back down to the river. Their's a lot of little 3 and 4 way stops, kinda confusing but that keeps the ride interesting. I carry a map, but I didn't have to look at it very often. Mostly rode by instinct. 20 years ago I rode up here with small groups and was lost the whole time; I'm glad I can now find my own way. Rode into Mayor's Cove and met up with Larry and a couple of his riding buddies . They were on Dual Sport bikes. All they could talk about was the TransAmerica ride across Ar.. Gotta get the KLR running and do that. Went into the Cove and got a cold one, the band was playing. As usual too loud for me. Back out side, Larry and his buddies were gone. I had leisurely ride back to Ar.

[DEACONJONES]

Had to participate in the thread - couldn't see you going it alone any more. :whistle

[barryg]

Thx. Deacon. Just sharing my bike rides and other BMW related stuff. It seems the Mid-South kinda gets looked over as a riding area. I'm relating rides that are about 100-150 radius around Memphis. I live in Marion, Ar. just across the river from Memphis. I'm including east to Crowley's Ridge down to Helena; up to the Boothill of Missouri, western tip of Ky. West Tn., North Miss.. With the price of fuel, I'm having to concentrate on that area. It's what my pocket book can handle. I belong to both the Naturally Beemers of Ar. and the BMW RAMS,and The Old Bike Club. So just going to their activities and meetings it gives me a chance to do a lot of riding in this area. I also do the Wendesday Bike nite at different places. Side Car, Joe's CrabShack, Bikes on Beale. I like the Blue's. I also like tech sessions, I'm getting my garage in shape to have some. I'm a bike nut and their ain't no reforming me. See you on the road or on this thread, everyone is welcome. Barry

[DEACONJONES]

Hey, I know a few of the RAMS and regularly go to Parkers Gro on Sunday mornings. Also, saw on your profile that you work at MMW. Never been there but familiar with the reputation. Always thought in the back of my mind that I might someday enlist their services in building a vintage racer - someday. Good on ya for the ride reports. Much of what you mention is in my backyard. Oh yeah, I've also participated in a couple of the rides put on by the Old Bike Club. I don't really know anybody but they seem to be a great bunch of people.

[barryg]

I'm not at MMW any more, been gone from there for awhile. Need to up date my profile. Where's Parker's Grocery store. Seems I read about in the Rams newsletter some time back. Yea, a little cafe style hot rod would be a nice build, wouldn't mind one for my self. I've got a long term project going on right now. I'm building up a '74 R90/6 into a Classic Bavarian Bagger. Engine pretty much built. Bored out the cylinders installed 1st over pistons, dual plugged the heads. I've been fortunate to accumulate quite a few parts to really dress it up. I'm not up to speed on posting pics and such. If you go to the RAMS web site look into the threads on meetings '07 you can see a pic of the engine and one of me standing behind the engine at the meeting. I'm the tall drink of water, next to my bud Marshall. Will probably be down on Beale tomorrow night.

[barryg]

Been hard at work the last couple of weeks. Getting my garage in shape, gettin ready to bring a couple of my bikes home. Been puttin up shelving, cleaning up, reorganizing, making room. Way past due. The '84 BMW R100 Escort and the Cushman Eagle are coming home. One of my lifts is also coming home, too. Time to start puttin some bikes back on the road.

[barryg]

Got the garage in shape to bring 2 bikes home. Just about wupped me. It's all good though. Spent all three days of the Holiday weekend on that garage. Didn't even ride. I did put pads on the rear brake of the R1100RS. Brakes were acting a little funny on last ride. Hope the new pads cure it. Found the pads during the clean up. Found all kinds of neat things during the clean up. Wished I could have rode to find out if that was the problem. I haul freight in a cargo van and I gotta a run from northwest Ms. to San Antonio tomorrow. So moving the 2 bikes home and test riding the bike will have to wait till I get back home. I may get the chance to visit S.A. BMW and Austin BMW. I'm also bringing my bike lift home, that will make servicing my bikes a lot easier.

[barryg]

Stopped in at Alamo BMW. Had a nice visit. Sid gave me 2 fine cigars. Cool. There is a GoCart shop and track connected to the dealership. A grandfather was there with his 2 grandsons and they all had their own personal machines. They were all fast and smooth on the track. The older grandson was really fast. While I was there watching he set a new track record. Neat. This dealership is diffenently becoming one of my favorites. On the rode with a load to Nogales, Az.; hope to stop in at Iron Horse BMW in Tucson. I havn't been there in a while. Posting this at the N.M. Welcome Center. Just rocking on down the hiway on I-10. I havn't seen one BMW motorcycle on the rode in over 600 miles. What's up with that?:scratch

[barryg]

Gotta load outa Seguin, Tx, to Nogales. Az. ; about a 950 mile run . Pretty easy run, good weather. High plains, mesas, plateaus mountains, tumble weeds, cacti, gulch's. I ain't in Ar. anymore. Rolled into Nogales and delivered the load early, right on the Mexican border. I could walk over and touch the border fence. After a day, I was off to Tucson, to see a Uncle and Aunt. My Uncle Buddy was recuperating from a odd medical malady. Any way he was mending well and ready to get out of Tucson. The heat was getting to him. Got the oppurtunity to go to Iron Horse BMW. I'd been there several times, but it had been a few years back. This is another dealer that I like going to. Good mix of new and used bikes. They hada couple of nice R100GS's that had been freshened up. Jim Richardson, the sales mngr. showed me a nicely restored '77 R100RS to concours condition.. Just sold, and it went for over $20,000. The guy's going to have a really nice RS. I helped restore one just like it about 15 years ago; I allways liked that year RS. Lookin over the bike accessory section, I found a R100GS leather tail bag on the self. On sale no less. Snatched it up, it's going on my R80ST. Almost worthless, but great bling. I dealt with Jon the parts guy. I think everyone there was John or James. Gotta get back there soon. These guys are racing the S1000RR and I think their getting some factory sponcoring from BMW. Good for them. Tucson BMW riders are fortunate to have them as the dealer. Like I said, great dealership, can't wait to go back.

[barryg]

I was looking thru my old BMW literature and brocheres and found an ad on the GS leather bag I bought. Stated the bag as robust in 3 mm cowhide in top quality finish. reinforced aluminum base. Enough space for for a rainsuit or light luggage. A picture was also included. Will be on the shelf for some time, till I get around to putting the ST back together.

[barryg]

Continuing my trip. After the Iron Horse visit, I set in Tucson waiting for another load. Got bored and took off to Phoenix to visit both BMW dealers in the Phoenix area. Got to Eloy and got a load offer. Picking up back in Nogales, load going to Belvidere, Il.. No time to sop at the Phoenix dealers. 1600 mile paid run; had to take it. I need the money. Had 3 days to deliver. Made the run. After delivery, I decided to visit BMW Of Barrington. Wanted to go by and see Dan Kriete the Parts Mngr.. I did a lot of business with Dan back in the 90's. Good guy, know's his stuff. I really like this place, old school. I was talking to Dan Baber the Mngr.. He informed me that the building was built in 1923 as a car dealership. Lots of history, same year for the start of BMW. I really get a kick out of the motorcycle elevator taking the bikes up to the 2nd floor for service. Cool place, I hated to leave. Off to Chicago.

[barryg]

In Memphis, Tn. every Wendesday night is Bike Night. There are several places the bikes seem to congregate. My favorite is Bikes on Beale Street. Downtown Memphis. Motorcycles and moter scooters are invited down to park on Beale St. every Wendesday night. Many restaurants and bars catering to the bikers. Lots of free music. It's a happening. If your traveling thru the Mid South this is a nice stop. Beale Street Merchants Association :: Events Main

[barryg]

this should get you there. www.bealestreetmerchants.comevents.php

[barryg]

I'm meeting up with my Beale St. bud Larry Schally tonight about 7:00. Erik Hughes is playing at Alfreds on Beale. He will be joined by the legendary Leo Goff on bass. The greatest bassist on Beale. Leo of BMW engine building fame. Can't wait to get there.:dance:drink

[barryg]

Made it to Beale Street last Wendesday. Had a beer with Larry at our spot. The street was pretty well packed with bikes. Larry took off for Joe's Crab Shack, the other big bike nite meeting place. I went down to Alfred's to listen to Eric Hughe's band with the legendary Leo Goff on bass. Back 20 years ago Leo and I were on the same vintage car racing team. I had some paperwork from our race at Watkins Glen in '92. Hard to believe it's been 20 years. The band was excellent. Bikes on Beale every Wendesday nite.
I missed the monthly Old Bike Club meeting at Sidecar Cafe. Just to tired from working on my garage. They meet the 1 st Thr. of every month at Side Car Cafe. Check their web site to comfirm this. Hopefully if every thing go's well I'll be bringing home my '84 R100 police bike tomorrow. .

[barryg]

It's home along with my Handy motorcycle lift. Life is good.

[barryg]

Fixin to head over Tennessee, head up 51 highway north. Going to Old Millington Winery. Meeting up with a buddy of mine, Ron Wigginton. I'm taking the R100RS and I'm ready for a ride, then sharing a bottle of Delta Blush. That is if I can get over Wolf River and the Loosahatchie River. Record river depth on the Mississippi River in my life time.

[barryg]

Didn't make it. Highway 51 closed at Watkins av. All the rivers are backed up off the Miss. River. Was running late anyway. Ron made it to the Winery by zigg-zagging around the low spots . He said he made a lot of u turns, but made it. Went over to Side car Cafe and ran into some of the BMW Rams. Ron and I later hooked up at Barbi's in Memphis. I then called it a night and rode home.

[barryg]

Moved my R90 out of the shed and into the garage, up and on the lift. it's a milestone. I'm back in bidness. Hope to make it over to Beale St. for Bikes on Beale. Beale St. is flooded at Riverside Dr. down by the river, will go east down Crump Blvd. and go north up Main St. to my spot on Beale. I know the river flooding is all the news, but Bike Nite is here, I'm home and I'm going.

[barryg]

I've mentioned my buddy Ron in a previous post. We are looking seriously at doing some BMW motorcycle engine work. Ron is a very unique person. He is a 40 year machinist /tool and die journeyman. He has many years in jobshops all over Memphis. I've had the oppurtunity to work with him at several of those machine shops. He was probably the best machinest I've ever had a chance to work with. During all those years, he worked on many automotive and motorcycle projects, building some of the most complex devises and components, I've ever seen. This for a varity of different people with car and motorcycles custom jobs. At the moment he is working downtown in Memphis at a automotive shop building a variety of engines and doing extensive head work on street and racing engines. He has just purchased his first BMW R90 and is the process of getting it running and ridable. I was a 25 year journeyman machist and also have 10 years of experience doing BMW motorcycle heads along with BMW cars, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Rover, etc.. Any way we are going to have some fun doing some head work on our bikes and building some nice custom pieces and bling for our bikes.

[barryg]

I'm gettin ready to head to bike nite on Beale St. In down town Memphis. I'll be in my usual spot in front of Superior BBQ out on the patio side walk. Later I'll move up the street and listen to the legendary Leo Goff, bassist extraordinaire, playing with the Eric Hughes Band.

[barryg]

Got a late start ridng over to Beale St. Got my usual spot sitting in front of Superior BBQ. The street was packed with bikes and people and music was great. Saw my first K1600GTL as it was parked almost in front of me. Walked over and looked it over, very impressive. The owner came back and I thought I would invite him to sit down, but he was having so many people ask about his bike I never got the chance. Went down to Alfred's and caught Leo's band during their last set. Went back to Superior BBQ and my buddies from the BMW RAMS and the Old Bike Club had our spot covered. Had a good time hangin with them, their all good folks. They wanted to ride down and see the Mississippi River at flood stage. I got seperated from them, so I just rode on home.

[barryg]

If all goes well I'll be able to ride over to the Natural State Rally just outaide of Morrilton, Ar. on the Arkansas River this weekend. I think it's Lock and Dam #9 off Highway 9 at Sequoah Campground and Park. Will ride over and spend the day. Nice rally. I'm a charter member and past president of the Naturally Beemers. I havn't been as active with the club for several years. I blame it on my being constantly on the road due to my job. Well hopefully I can make up for some of it Sat. I also havn't been on any kind of ride this year, maybe a little road trip will put me in a better frame of mine. If your looking for a nice ride this could be it. Beautiful Petit Jean Mountain is the back drop to this rally.

[barryg]

Rode over and back yesterday. Felt good to be on as little road trip. Stopped after 5 miles at the I-40 welcome center in West Memphis due to it being cold, overcast, windy; layered up with another longsleeve T, sweatshirt, and winter gloves. I-40 between W. Memphis and N. Little Rock as everone knows is one of the most boring rides in the ol US of A. I've heard it a million times and I've ridden it a million times. I didn't care it was good to be on the rode on my bike. Road into the campground about noon and it was 6 hours of hard good ol fashion BMW motorcyclist family reunion. I've missed the last few of the Naturally Beemers rallies and other meetings and campouts. And when I did show up it was in a four wheeler. I took my share of ribbing over it. I believe there were about 75 in attendence. 6 o'clock came to fast, I was having such a big time. Just at dark, I was heading home. Right at 400 miles of riding and 6 hours of BMW comraderie was just what I needed. Hopefully next year I'm also camping.

[alabeemer]

Hey Barry...that was a good tune up ride for you. Now ride that thing on down to see us at the Chicken Rally in couple weeks! :usa

[barryg]

Thx, Vance; nothing would make me happier. At the Ark. rally was just sittin minding my own bidness. All of a sudden seemed like all the attention was on me and was gettin my picture takin by a couple of camera's. Really kinda perked up and I felt important. Really all the attention was on my black biker vest. I had it dolled up with a bunch Naturally Beemer batches and pins and other Beemer swag. The past president pin really got their attention. The funny part is over half the club members are past presidents. For a moment though, I was a cross between Nate Kern and Brad Pitt. I was a star. :groovy

[barryg]

Was going to deliver some tents to my bud, Marshall to look at. I think he needs one for the Chicken Rally and was going to deliver some old airhead brake master cylinders to my bud Ron. We're looking into resleeving them with stainless inserts. But the President is in downtown Memphis today. Gotta wait till he departs, no getting thru till he leaves.

[barryg]

Had a good day out in my shop, neat to be able to do something out there. Still needed more room, So I pulled the police bike and started stripping some of the police accessories off. Off came the front, then the rear crash crash bars. Then the bags and the bag mounts. Took off the radio box and alot of the extra electrical stuff. The bike started out as a RT, but the fairing was already gone, so off came the fairing mounts. It really thins the bike down in size and weight. Probably 30 lbs. Will make it much easier to move around in and out of garage. The bike really looks in sad shape now, but will be a nice bike for me to restore in the future. I, allways see the potential of the bike.

[barryg]

I've been looking at Kbasa's aka David Swiders '84 R100CS rebuild site. It's very similar to my '84 R100 police bike. I've got the twin disc/rear drum setup. One thing I found on dissasembly was that I had the top handle bar clamp that was cut out(notched) for a BMW windshield set. Good for me. I've got a few of those windshields and most of the time when I buy them used, that part doesn't come with the windshield. Not easy to find and kinda hard to make. I have taken the top clamp and machined it down and installed the top stud. Good to be a machinist as I am. Can' wait to to pull the heads and see the condition of the heads and cylinders. I've never had a big valve head BMW airhead. Back in another life, I specialized in reconditioning BMW motorcycle heads and cylinders. I also specialized in BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Rover, and others. Any way, I can't get to involved with that bike now, I've got a couple of other airheads ahead of it.

[barryg]

I'm getting to be more forgetful than normal. I have had a big valve BMW. I had a '81 R100RT. Nice bike and the only BMW I bought and sold. Wish I was on the road to the Chicken Rally. Maybe tomorrow, still a possibility.

[barryg]

Ain't going to be able to do the ride to the Chicken Rally. Gotta Sunday ride and eat going on. Just gotta e-mail from Bob Osbourne, the Old Bike Club has a ride this Sunday. They will be meeting at Circle K at Summer and Whitten in Memphis. 10:00 start and ride to Atoka, Tn. and have lunch at Casa Mexicana restauraunt. I guess that is my run for the weekend. Any one want to join me for the ride, give me a call. 901 233 7913. I'll just be leaving the house and just joining them at the restaurant.

[leeinmemphis]

Hey Barry,

I am in Memphis. If you want to ride sometime just give me a holler. I met several of the Memphis Ram guys at the European Rider rally last weekend and a couple more while at the Chicken Rally this weekend.

[barryg]

10-4 Lee. Would be glad to ride with you. I'm in and out of the area all the time., as I travel for a living. When I'm in town and when it's possible I ride to Beale St. on Wendesday nite. Bikes on Beale. I uaually park in front of Superior BBQ and sit in front on the side walk patio. I also walk down to Alfred's and listen to my buddy Leo Goff, bassist for the Eric Hughes Band. This week the Old Bike club is having their monthly meeting at Bubba's Ale House and grill at 7041 Hwy 64 between Summer and Appling Av. I think 64 Highway is also Stage Road. This club kinda promotes riding older bikes, but there is no officers or dues and they really don't care what you ride.I think Thursday nite is the nite. Usually about 5:30pm. Everyone is friendly and will be happy you come. I'm usually riding a white '94 R1100RS. I don't consider this thread as mine, it's for any one who wants to text about BMW's, bikes, rides etc. in the Mid South Area. Look forward to meeting and riding with you. PS, I'm also a member of the Rams. Check out their web site. Feel free to call me or post on this site. Barry

[barryg]

The ride over to the Olde Bike Club lunch get together,yesterdsay was a much needed ride. I was the last to arrive, and everyone was upbeat. Had a good visit with my buddy Leo. Leo is going to help me get my R90 back on the road, first a small amount of engine work. More on that later. After the lunch, I took some back roads around Shelby Co. then over to Old Millington Winery. Had a good visit with Perry the owner, purchased 2 bottles of wine and headed to Mugs Bar and Grill in Memphis to meet up with my friend Ron and his German Shepard, Link. Ron and I set out on the patio and enjoyed the wine. First the Blush then the Muscadine. Felt good to be out in the shade sippin that wine. Attitude adjustment time . Ron is in the process of getting his R90 running. Everything building a bike is step by step. After dicussing his progress, we both split for home.

[barryg]

Will be riding over to Bikes on Beale tonight, as it's bike nite. Will try to park in front of Superior BBQ and sit out front on the side walk. Not so easy with the current crowds showing up. I'll probably go down to Alfreds and listen to the Eic Hughes with the world famous Leo goff on bass. :groovy See y'all there. :wave

[barryg]

Had a good time on Beale last nite. Really liked it when my buds showed up. A couple of friends rode down on older brit bikes. Pat on his late 60's Triumph 500 and Peter on his pristeen perfect Vincent Black Shadow. That Vincent allways draws alot of attention. Felt good to go for a little ride and get out a see some bikes. I never got down to Alfreds to here Leo, maybe next week.

[barryg]

Been out haulin freight, work really gets in the way of my bike time. Made a few runs, going up to Chicago and Detroit. Coming home I had the oppurtunity to visit a new BMW dealership in Urbana, Il. . Sportland Motorsports. In the past I got to go to the old dealer Twin City BMW in Savoy. I really liked that dealership, people were very freindly to me. It had an old school feel to it, which I like. It was also a BMW only store. Sportland is the total opposite. A big multi brand dealership. Along with BMW, they had Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Polaris, Victory. So they also had 4 wheelers, watercraft, scooters. They are in a multitide of buildings. People were nice, but it just wasn't the same. Met John Ducey, one of the staff. Good guy. I did buy the latest issue of BMW Motorcycle Magazine, the summer issue. Hope the dealership works out for the BMW riders of central Illinois.

[barryg]

The Rams will do all that tomorrow. Will meet at 9:00 at Performance Plus BMW, 5312 Pleasant View, Memphis. Tony Siano, one of the owners just E-mailed that there will be sausage biscuits, donuts, coffee etc. for the club and the riders. Leave at 9:30. Destination The Holiday Lodge in Como, Ms. 218 County Rd. 517. Off Highway 310 near Sardis Lake. Lunch probably around noon and the meeting to follow. Someone just text me that the ride down was a real favorite. Looks like I gotta ride for tomorrow. :groovy

[barryg]

I got off to a late start so I couldn't do the group ride to the club meet eat and meet. Took off and rode direct down I 55 south toward Como. Stopped at the Ms. Welcome Center in Hernando, gotta a new Ms. map and since the restaurant was in Como, I also got a map of Panola County. Road to Como and clean thru Panola County and hadn't reached the The Holiday Lodge. Stopped at a country gas station and found out the place was in Layfayette County. Just another 10 miles down the road. Got to the restaurant and joined the activities. Chowed down then a short meeting. All good. Nice place for a club get togather, it's just dawned on me that we had a meeting here about 15 years ago. Everyone split for home after it was over. I rode with Marshall Robilio back north toward Memphis to about exit 289 and the traffic came to a stopped . I rode off the interstate, cut across the access road, back up an on ramp across a couple of short fields up a road under construction, crossed back over the median to the other side heading the other way. Marshall just followed competantly. Finally got to a stopping point. I told Marshall that I proud of him. All that goofy riding, was actually dirt bike riding on street bikes. Marshall is only 83 and was riding a '78 R100. Not bad for an old man on a old bike.

[barryg]

We rode back rodes north back into Memphis. We went by a machine shop, where worked back in the '80's. I got my first motorcycle when working there. In '85 I goota '71 R50/5 with only 724 miles on the odometer. Just like new. I was off an riding. I still have it and ride it some every year. Just a block down we pasted a building where I worked in the '90's taking care of a collection of rare exotic cars and motorcycles. We had any where from 15 to 30 cars and over a 100 motorcycles. It was also a vintage car team and we raced all over the country. That's another story.

[DEACONJONES]

I got off to a late start so I couldn't do the group ride to the club meet eat and meet. Took off and rode direct down I 55 south toward Como. Stopped at the Ms. Welcome Center in Hernando, gotta a new Ms. map and since the restaurant was in Como, I also got a map of Panola County. Road to Como and clean thru Panola County and hadn't reached the The Holiday Lodge. Stopped at a country gas station and found out the place was in Layfayette County. Just another 10 miles down the road. Got to the restaurant and joined the activities. Chowed down then a short meeting. All good. Nice place for a club get togather, it's just dawned on me that we had a meeting here about 15 years ago. Everyone split for home after it was over. I rode with Marshall Robilio back north toward Memphis to about exit 289 and the traffic came to a stopped . I rode off the interstate, cut across the access road, back up an on ramp across a couple of short fields up a road under construction, crossed back over the median to the other side heading the other way. Marshall just followed competantly. Finally got to a stopping point. I told Marshall that I proud of him. All that goofy riding, was actually dirt bike riding on street bikes. Marshall is only 83 and was riding a '78 R100. Not bad for an old man on a old bike.

Ran into Marshall at the Chicken Rally...

http://jonesy.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/RocketCityRally2011/i-gVwNSZQ/0/M/IMG3850-M.jpg

[barryg]

Marshall and I split up, he headed home and I rode over to see another buddy of mine, Ron. I had some books and mags to deliver on BMW motorcycles. Ron is getting a '75 R90 running over at Marshal's garage. Got those delivered and stayed long enough to drink a glass of wine. Ron and I both worked togather at that machine shop. He was ridin a Norton Commando, so we obviously rode around quite about back then. Ron was/is probably the greatest machinist I ever worked with. Job shop, tool and die. jigs and fixtures, automotive, head and cylinders, medical implants and tools, cnc. Ron did it all and was good at it. I got the oppurtunity to work with Ron in several different shops, and I hope to again.

[barryg]

Thx for the pic Deacon. Marshall is one of the most truely unique persons I have ever met. Marshall has a long history of building custom cars, drag race and road race cars and hot rods. All the way back to the early fifties. He's allways been into motorcycles as well. Ron, who I had previously mentioned is in his early 60's and he can remember watching Marshall race as a kid.

[barryg]

I wasn't thru with my ride, so leaving Ron's, I rode over to Mug's Bar, not to drink, but to sit on the patio and puff a cigar. Pulled up and parked where I allways do. Went to the patio set down relaxed and ejoyed the cigar. The parking lot was packed, as they were having a battle of the bands. 8 in all. I knew my old ears couldn't hack that, but I couldn't leave as all those bands were backin in unloading gear. I was trapped. Then It clouded up, wind started blowing, thunder lighting, got dark. Sh@#$T! Saw an onening, jumped on my bike hauled butt down the road to Raleigh Tire and Battery. Got under their big overhanging awning and rode out the storm for an hour. The bottom fell out, as the thunder rolled and the lighting striked. Pulled out a cigar set back and enjoyed Mother Nature at her finist. After that mess blew on over, I had a leisurely ride home. 179 miles of riding ecstacy and hell all rolled up in one. Can't wait for the ride today.

[barryg]

Just got the report, Ron and Marshall got Ron's R90 running. Fired up pretty quick and ran at a good cadence at 1000 rpm's. Smoked some, then cleared up. Ron's got some more work to do on it , but looks like the bike going to be a runner pretty soon. :thumb Ron and Marshall have been working on it off and on for about a month. I think getting the brakes working is next.

[barryg]

Did a little road trip yesterday, parts hunting. Had a little success. Looking for a headlite bucket assembly for a K100 and a rear hub for a R90/6. No luck on the hub. Gotta a partial assembly of a head lite bucket for the K100. I'm going to convert a K100RT to a plain K100. I wanted the assembly of a late model K75. Looks more like a standard headlite bucket. The earlier models had more plastic. anyway, I did get a headlite bucket and the assembly that holds it. Also got the black plastic turn signal housings but not the lens. Now I gotta find the head lite lens, reflecter, bulb holder etc. and hardware. hate stripping a RT down, but I like the bike, but I'm tired of the fairing. Traps all the heat, knees hit the fairing, tired of removing plastic and hardware to service the bike. Plus maybe it's just time for a change. I also gotta find a radiator shroud assembly. The hunt is on.

[barryg]

My brakes are actin up on my R1100RS, I really havn't the time to give it proper attention. Pulled the reservoir cap off, fluid is not as clear as I like. Will do a fluid flush and replacement later. Got the KRT out and fired it up. Went to the insurance agent got insurance, then to DMV and got tags. Ready for bike nite.

[barryg]

Been sittin around the house waitin to get a load, nothin. Bored. Think I'll ride over to Bikes on Beale St.. It's Bike Nite. Time to ride, here some Blues and down a brew. :groovy Might get lucky. :kiss

[barryg]

Just got back. nice little ride. K bike ran good. Beale street was packed. Talked to some bikers, that usually go to Joe's Crab Shack. They said the place was dead. Everyone's going to Beale. It's hard to compete with Beale St.

[barryg]

I'm getting a little momentum going on getting my '74 R90. I'm going to build a new set of wheels for it. I found a good front hub for it in my pile of stuff, but I still needed a rear hub. Called a fellow club member from the RAMS, Spencer Bennett. Known for having old parts. Told me he might have one over at the hanger in West Memphis, Ar. at the airport. Went over last Friday, and hooked up with Spencer and Rick Coffman. They had access to a hanger and in it was a plane and several bikes, a lift, tools, etc.. They were servicing a R75/5. Over in the corner was the derelick doner bike. I recognized the bike, it was Mike Pandolf's old bike. The cast Krauser bag mounts had come off my R90 years ago. I guess what go's around comes around. Anyway, We drug it out and I snatched the wheel off. I was only after the hub, after a little discussion; I asked if they had a whiz wheel, air powered hand grinder. They did and I proceeded to cut the spokes out. In about 10 minutes, I had my final drive. We dragged the heep back to it's position. I then pulled up a chair and watched them service the /5. It's fun to watch two old pro's go about their bidness. They shortly had the bike serviced in good fashion. We had a coffee break at the airport machine shop, then they followed me back to my place to see my man cave/shop. After they left, I started looking for my stainless steel spoke sets and and getting a catalog to see about ordering my rims.

[barryg]

There's a ride, eat, meet going on tomorrow, Saturday July 9th. The Rams are having their lunch and meeting in Mckenzie, Tn. Higg's Restaurant 25185 Highway 22. Lunch at 12:00 meeting 1:30. Bowbby Bowden is the host and is preparing for those who want to camp at his place Saturday night. If I get a chance I hope to ride over tomorrow for the lunch and club meeting. Depends on whether I get a load offer and run. Sad to say, I may have to work. Need the dough.

[barryg]

Oh no, got a load offer. Picks up in Memphis going to Larado, Tx.. Out of the frying pan and into fire. I gotta do it, still have a lot of parts to buy for the R90 resto. Well it's for a worthy cause. Guess I'm off and running, just not on my bike. I think I'll make enough to buy a digital camera. Need one to document the R90's comeback. I even have a title for it. Classic Bavarian Bagger.

[barryg]

Just got back from the run to Larado, Tx.. Also went back to Ft. Worth, then over to Houston.HOT. Pretty much described this run. Saw hundreds of bikes on the road, Can't even remember seeing one BMW on the road. Stopped in at Perry's in Fort Worth. Saw some nice bikes. Perry builds some cool customs. Really liked his '84 R100 "Belgium Police Bike". I've got a '84 R100 escort model. Both have a lot of the same features. Twin disc front brakes, rear drum. Kick start trans. Solo seat, radio box, European police fender. His had the S fairing, mine was a RT, but well get the BMW windshield set. His is low milage and in good overall condition. Mine's kinda rough. One day it'll be as nice. Hated to leave Perry's, but I wanted to stop in at Eurosport Cycle. It's just down from Perry's. They had a nice '77 R100S in there on consignment. Listed at $4,999. Wished I could have seen if $4,000 would take it. Low on funds as usual. Drove on over to BMW of Fort Worth. Looked around, had some nice bikes as usual. Got a load offer and took it on over to Humble, Tx.. Had a nuff of the heat and came home.

[barryg]

Just picked a load up in Memphis. Made a pitstop back at my house before I take off. Reading the local paper the Evening Times, I see where the County Judge Melton Holt, 68 was in the ICU at a Memphis hospital, due to a motorcycle mishap. Struck my a Memphis driver. No further details. Article stated he was an occasional rider and he rode a Harley. County Judge's in Aransas do not hold court , but are the chief executive officer of the county. Our county is Crittenden. Hope he pulls thru. Off to Ft. Smith with my load. ps After delivering my load will make a Civil War stop at the Battle of Massard Prairie, just out side of ft. Smith.

[barryg]

Just rolled in from my run to Ft. Smith, got my load delivered. Went over and found the battle field. Had a pretty large group of volunteers working on the site. Reading the marker, the battle took place July 27, 1864. Those folks were probably getting it ready for the 147 th, aniversary event. July 27 is also my birthday. Didn't see one BMW on the rode and I covered almost 600 miles. Well it's Bike Nite,I'm taking a hour nap and hope to head over to Beale St.

[barryg]

Bad planning on my part. Seems like everyone's out of town, gone to Mid-Ohio for the vintage bike meet or to Bloomberg to the MOA National. I'm home trying to get motivated to study for a CDL hazemat test, I gotta take Monday. Yuk. I think the Old Bike Club out of Memphis has a short run going Sunday. Might hook up with them or go down to Southaven and attend the bikers church down in Southaven Ms..

[barryg]

I'm going to do the Old Bike Club Breakfest ride tomorrow. Their meeting in Memphis at 7:00 at the Circle K at the corner of Austin Peay and Covinton Pike, then riding to the Shelby Store. I'm leaving at 7:00 from my house and will join them at the Shelby Forest Store. Feel free to join them or me for the ride for the ride. I'm leaving from 141 Surrey Trace, Marion, Ar. at 7:00. Or just meet us at the Store around 8:00. I may ride my '71 R50/5. Bring your antique, classic or whatever ya got. Let's Ride, Meet, Eat.

[barryg]

I said tomorrow, more precisely Sunday July 23.

[barryg]

Sorry not to precise. More precise Sunday July 24.

[barryg]

Rode the '71 R50/5 to the Shelby Forest Store. Bike has several things not working. Battery not strong enough to start the bike so I just kick started it. Turn signals due not work, so I just manually flipped them on and off or gave hand signals. Bike runs like a top. Felt good going down the road. Met the guys at the store, probably 15 rode in the group ride. Another 10 to 20 riders there. Lots of cycleists there, may have been more of them. After sausage biscuits and gravy, visited with club riders. Took about 10 kicks to start the bike, I gotta get a new battery. Took a scenic ride home.

[barryg]

On my ride last weekend, I learned the passing of one of our members who posted pretty regularly on this MOA website. James R. Coleman, aka JR or Robin to his friends, died last week. His health had been in decline for some time. I'd only known him for about a year. He went by 'copandengr' on this web site. He got a lot of pleasure out of this club and website. His favorite thing was watching the rebuild sites and seeing members progress with the rebuilding and restoration of their bikes. In his past he had rebuilt and customized a large variety of bikes. He brought out his folders and note books and showed me all the pictures. Quite impressive. We were also almost exactly the same age. He 7-7-53, Me 7-27-53. He wanted me to help find another BMW to restore. I found him a nice restorable R60/6, the owner was going to the Bloomsburg National, then Alaska. We were going to go see the bike after their return. I was looking forward to watching him work on his bike and getting to learn some of his techniques. My regards to his wife Lynn and the rest of his family. Barry

[barryg]

I turn the big 58 today. Donna Sue Clark just texted me a Happy Birthday and wanted me to join her and her husband Steve to celebrate at Joe's Crabshack. Steve play's with The Stunning Cunning Band and their playing at Joe's tonight. I checked my calender and since I have an open date I accepted the invitation. It's Bike Nite at Joe's. It's also Bikes on Beale St. tonight. So I'll probably go by and see Leo Goff, who's playing with The Erik Hughes Band at Alfreds. Gotta full nite ahead, Looking forward to the ride and Blues. Here's one to you JR.

[barryg]

Finally found a new battery in my pile of stuff/junk, a new Yuasa YB18L-A. Went out to the shed and found some acid. Filled her up and let it stand for an hour. Got it on a slow charge. Will be nice to have a electric start and not have to kick start the R50. The temp high today is right at 100' with an index around 105'. Will be nice not to have to ride that hot K100. It's already 90+ out there.

[barryg]

Road the R50 over to Bikes on Beale Wendesday nite. I was parked next to Marshall's R50 and R27. A lot of people stopped and admired them. How old are they was the most asked question. Got the R50 back out Sunday and rode over to SideCar Cafe. I was surrounded by Harley's. Again the #1 question was , how old it is. It was hot so I came back early. With the new battery installed I now have working turn signals. A good battery solves a lot of problems.

[barryg]

Well I'm thinnin the herd. Just sold my '71 Norton Commando. Nice bike, it had been slightly bobberized. Finally decided that I wasn't going to ride the bike. I sent it to a good home. The new owner is a top self mechanic and engine builder and He will give it a good home and proper maintenence. It will allow me to concentrate on the bikes I will ride. :thumb

[barryg]

Went to Bikes on Beale last nite, the usual Wendesday nite Bike nite. Good crowd, we had a bout 6 of the crew who met down at Superior BBQ. Steve Clark was on his '61 R50/2. His bike had a continuous never ending crowd around it. It was definently the most popular bike of the nite. I rode over on the k100RT. Bike runs good and it was past time to get it out. Went down to Alfreds and listened to the Erik Hughes Band, featuring Leo Goff on bass. Forgot tomentionthat Tom Race wasthere and that he had helped Pat pull out my Norton so Pat could buy it. I knew it was a lot of work. I bought Tom a large beer for his yeomen effort. Good man.

[barryg]

Gotta Ride, Eat, and Meet going for tomorrow; the Rams are havin their August lunch and meeting tomorrow the 13th. My Favorite Place at 880 N. Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, Tn. 11:00 lunch then the meeting to follow about 12:00. Really enjoyed the meeting last year. If you can't make this one the Old Bike club has a ride for Sunday mourning . Meet at Circle K 7:00AM 8971 Hwy 64 at Rockcreek Pkwy; then ride to Joe's Diner in Boliver, Tn. for lunch. Got a busy weekend of riding and eating goin in the Mid-South. No excuses not havin a place to ride. Or eat.

[barryg]

Well I made the BMW RAMS lunch and meeting. I even won one of the prizes and I can't even remember what it was. Went over to Leo's after the meeting. I hope to get the R90 movin along to being brought back to life. The Old Bike Club ride today was too early a ride for me, so I skipped it. I talked to some who rode it and appartently it was a great success. Later in the day I took a solo ride north of town,Marion, about 50 miles to a scenic overlook of the Mississippi river. I've known for a long time that it was basicaaly the scene of one of the two great Civil War naval battles on the Mississippi River. The Battle of Plum Bend and it was a Confederate tatical victory. Nice to see markers in place to tell the story for those interested. The area had a local French name early on called Sans Souci. My translation, Don't Worry Be Happy. :brow

[barryg]

I know I can't be the only Civil War buff who likes riding their bikes to visit civil war sites. I know most of the sites in East Ar. North Miss., and West Tenn., All along the Miss. River From Columbus, Ky. to Vicksburg, Ms.. If you need or are looking for sites to visit, feel free to contact me and maybe I can help you find them.

[barryg]

I'm whipped. Just removed the exhaust off my '84 R100, then took the heads off. Tomorrow I'm taking them over to a buddy of mine. We're going to see about getting him set up to do airhead heads. He's been studying a set of R90 heads I did about 10 years ago. I wanted him to see a set of big valve heads. He's been specializing in American small and big block engine building. I went over a year ago to help him with some Porsche heads. He'll do a good job on the BMW's.

[barryg]

Rode to Beale St. last night and had a grand time. The usual crew was on hand. Marshall on his R27 was a big hit as usual. Peter was there on his Vincent Black Shadow, also a big hit. Bike was photographed all night. Pat was there on his '71 Norton. It was mine till a couple of weeks ago, when I turned it over to him. He was havin a great time and is so proud of that bike, I couldn't be happier for him. I really think it takes a special person to own, maintain, and ride those type of bikes. Both Pat and Peter have that type of ability. I'm not in that league. Jeff Hudson, of Cape Giradeau, Mo.. came by with his cousins. Jeff was the owner of Grass Roots BMW for many years and is a avid rider and motorcycle enthusiast. We went down to Alfreds and listened to Leo play with the Erik Hughes Band. :groovy Had a grand time, and if any one is lookin for a for a good time on the cheap. Bikes on Beale every Wendesday night is probably the ticket. I'm still smilin.

[barryg]

Since this is Ride Meet and Eat, needed to mention the eat part. Dined at The Pig on Beale. 167 Beale. Had the BBQ pork plate. $10.50 and a large designer brew, $6.50. All good, really liked their sweet BBQ sause, Yum Yum. Had the dinner out front on the patio so I got to watch all the action. The couple next to me remembered me from Shack Rag, last year. I had brought the the Jack Purtle Chickin for my personal picnic on that paticular ride. Yep it's allways ride, eat, meet, and a cold one to wash it down. A good dose of local Memphis Blues or Rockibilly sets the mood and really put's it over the top. :groovy

[barryg]

All the local news around the Mid-South including East Arkansas has been the freeing/releaseing from prison of the West Memphis Three. They were convicted of killing 3 elementary boys from W. Memphis Ar., back in '93. During the trial quite a bit was made of Damian Echols binging a Satanic/Witchcraft leader and believer. At that time there was quite a bit of satanic/witchcraft graffetti on structures in the W. Memphis/Marion area. One particular spot was an old cotton compress, just a couple miles out of Marion, that had deteriorated into looking like Stonhenge. The press was out there filming it for news in '93. I took my mother out there to see it when all the graffetti was still on it. After the trial. Some local people went out and cleaned it all off, which was also in in the news. A short time after that I led a motorcycle ride for the Old Bike Club called the Motorclassics back then on the Satanic Tour of Ar.. We stopped at a couple of the sites, including the murder scene and the cotton compress. Satanic graffetti was back on the walls at that time. The new graffeti also made the news, so at that time it was bull dosed down to put a stop to it . Nothing more was heard about it, the murders, till the HBO special came out several years ago, which has lead to the release of the 3 convicted killers. During all the recent news coverage, I saw on CNN news that they were showing the old footage of the compress from '93. I also used to ride by that compress bake in the late '70's and early 80's bicycle riding. and walked around and thru it on foot. Never realizing how locally famous it was to become. Any way I just wanted to relay some history and back ground on whats in the news and how I had road my BMW on some what of a ride that had a gruesome back drop. My real feelings go out to the 3 murdered boys and their families. Hopefully, those responsible will be dealt with if not here on earth ,then in the here after.

[barryg]

I've received e-mails all evening on the passing of a dear friend of mine, Danny Crittenden. Danny had gone to Florida and purchased a Triumph Scramler and was riding it home. Was killed riding the bike in Georgia. Danny was a long time member of The Old Bike Club . Our hearts and thoughts go out to his wife and children. Danny had rode BMW's in the past. Sad news all the way around.

[barryg]

Danny Crittendon's obituary was finally in the local paper. Danny was killed riding his new bike home in Fairhope, Al., Aug. 20. Danny leaves his beloved wife Kathy and one son Jonathon and a daughter Jennifer Young. Visitation will be 12:30 pm and service at 2:30 pm. Tues., August 30 at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Park Av. Memphis Tn. 901 767 8930.

[barryg]

Had to mention that Danny had a good funeral. Every one there could tell Danny was loved by his family, respected and liked by his fellow company employees and well liked by his fellow motorcyclists. Sorry about the little rant about the wrung out On's in another thread. Just one look at Little Jack sittin in that sidecar on the front cover put's a smile on your face. Got me some bling comin. I got some BMW spotlamps for my K100 coming off Ebay. Like an early Christmas present. Gonna look good on that K bike. Can't wait to get the tranformation done on this bike. I feel better, now; wish I could go for a little ride and really put a smile on my face.

[barryg]

Well there are all kinds of rides, runs, meets happenin today. The BMW RAMS are on a run to Iuka, Ms. for the monthly club meeting. I couldn't quite pull that off. The Memphis Mummies, a local vintage cafe racer club is puttin on a ride, tour, and bike show. I'm going to make the bike show this afternoon. Sat. the 10th. I'm going about 4:00pm. Wish I could have done the whole tour. Out to the Shelby Forrest Store, HiTone Cafe, Sun Records etc. Their meeting at Kudzu's Bar and Grill around 4ish for the bike show and music fest. Kudzu's is located at 603 Monroe, downtown Memphis. The mummies will be joined by the The Memphis Kings scooter, the Old Bike Club and all other derelick bike and scooter riders. Mods and Rockers. Yea Baby. I'll get my R50/5 out and ride over for the festivities. :dance:drink

[barryg]

Had a good time at the Mummies shindig.there were about 50 bikes and scooters in the patking lot. All types, but cafe style bikes were pretty common, along with the scooters. They said they had a good ride to Shelby Forrest. Kudzu's had several bands lined up and Rockabilly was the theme. It really matched the bike style of the rally. Several BMW's were in attendence and every one was having a good time. The members of the Mummies said they meet here every Wendesday after work, then go down to Bikes on Beale. I'll have to put that on my schedule for Bike Nite. After a couple of cold ones I left early and I glad I went.

[barryg]

Took my '84 R100 heads over to a buddy of mine and bead blasted them . They look better than they were, but not as good as I like. Will have to come up a Plan B. I don't think the heads have ever been worked before. Just went out and checked the mileage on the odometer, 52,000. Exhaust valves shot, due to valve recession. The air injection system along with the wrong combination of valve seats and valves caused this problem. Air cooled engines were not designed to have combustion happening in the exhaust port. That along with this being a factory built escort bike. These bikes get used in funerals, parades etc.; lots of idleing. Bad for the heads. Most of the individuals and companies who bought these bikes were not aware of this problem. But I am and will correct the problem. The problem on this bike was the 'soft' exhaust valves. Exhaust valves shot at 50,000 miles. Will buy 4 new valve guides and 2 new exhaust valves. when I'm done, it'll be better than new. While I'm at it, I'll remove all that emissions garbage from the airbox. The bike will breathe properly for the first time in it's life. Think I'll dual plug it while I'm at it. Nothin like a good combustion flame front to burn that fuel. This bike is coming back from grave and will have a new life. It's on it's way from poor derelick has been to leading man on the red carpet.

[barryg]

I got a call from Spencer Bennet along time member of the BMW RAMS. He was over at the West Memphis, Ar. airport. They have a hanger over there where they work on their bikes as well as planes. They have a pretty good set up there. Spencer was working on his K100/EML sidecar outfit, mainly putting barbacks on at his wife, Rose Ann's request. They were a universal set and they were going to take some engineerin to work . I'm glad those guys are over there, pretty handy to have some other shade tree techs to bounce ideas off of. Rick Coffman is the other tech. Not many resident BMW motorcycles in east Ar. I basically live at the intersection of I 40/I 55 and I see a fair amount of BMW's, but most are just passin thru.

[barryg]

Just got back from haulin some freight up to Chicago and Columbus, In.. I was wanting to visit the new BMW dealership in Countryside, but got the load offer over to Columbus. Needed the money so visiting the Countryside dealer would have to wait. Did a little Civil War sightseein. Stopped in Corydon, In. to visit the little battlefield park and town sqare. All of this was part of John Hunt Morgans raid into Indiana and Ohio. I'd been here several years ago. I think on this trip I saw BMW motorcycles than I have seen all the rest of the year. I have yet to see a airhead on the road this year, during my freight hauling runs.

[barryg]

I havn't been home lately on Wendesday, so I've missed Bikes on Beale. So last nite I was my first chance to go. The Mummies a cafe racer style vintage bike club meet at Kudzu's Bar and Grill on Monroe Av.. Went early and when Ipulled up there were about 10 scooters lined up out front. Mods and Rockers. Cafe bikes and riders started trickling in. The Mummies went out on the patio for their meeting. Mainly talked about the Run to the Sun Rally they had just put on. They deemed it a success; which it was. They then voted in 2 new members. Very casual affair, with both new members roundly applauded. Apparently if you attend 3 meetings and ride a bike they deem worthy enough, you can be up for a vote. Nice laidback casual affair. We then rode the 3 blocks over to Beale St.. Place was packed and our spot in front of Superior BBQ was packed with vintage bikes. Beale st. was hoppin. Cool bikes every where you looked. The high lite in our group was Peter Guldans '41 Indian 4. The bike was covered up with lookers and picture takers all nite. That bike is over the top, as are all of Peter's bikes. I've been seein a Moto Guzzi El Dorado all summer on Beale, and last nite we finally hooked up. Denis DiAngelo and his really a nice '73 Eldo. I related to him that I was building my version of a BMW eldo using a '74 r90/6. After exchangeing pertinent info, the street was clearin out, we took off for home.

[barryg]

I mentioned Peter Guldan and his Indian 4 in the previous post. I have known Peter for 25 years or all of my motorcycle life. Peter has restored or refurbished a variety bikes and scooters over his carrer. All to a rather exquisite level that I have not seen in an individual who doesn't make his living restoring bikes. His list includes Harley's, Indians, Vincents, Nortons, BMW's, Vellocettes, Vespas, etc. A couple of his bikes were featured in Classic bike magazine back in the 90's, a Norton Commando and BMW R50/2. One of the headlines was 'Is this the World's Fusiest Restorer'. The level of his work was astounding. Anyway, Peter has mellowed over the years and he has his little web site which he details and discusses some of those restorations. I think you will find it under a search for A Red Rapide or www.patwilliamsracing.com/vincent/ This really covers a lot of what all of us go through finding a bike, the restoration problems and hurdles, and getting to the finished project. Peter tells his story in own rather unique way.

[barryg]

Just got back from freight run to Joplin, Mo.. Driving west on I-40 and north on I-540 I was constantly surrounded with bikes headed to Bikes Blues and BBQ Bike Rally in Fayettville, Ar. Running thru the Fayettville, Springdale, Bentonville area was hundreds of bikes showing up for the rally. Stopped in BMW of Bentonville for a quick visit. Bought a MotoMan pin for my cap. Told them I would stop back in on my return trip Thursday. I was informed that they were shutting down for the entire weekend. I was incredulous. 100,000's of bikes in town and the BMW dealer was closed for the weekend. Strange. I've attended 15 Daytona bike weeks and the BMW dealer there is covered up with business. It's got to be their biggest money week. Am I missin something here.

[barryg]

After the run to Joplin, Mo., I got up yesterday , did a quick service on the K100RT and road over to the Return to Shiloh Rally. This was to be a one day affair for me, 140 mile rideover, enjoy the rally and comraderie of the Rams. The 140 mile ride over was good, the old K100 has a charming kinda old school buzz/growl sound out the pipe. I've had the bike over 20 years and I can make the perfect K75/100 sound at speed, reving up and down thru my mouth. Kindof a buzz/whistle. The day was perfect for a ride, got to the rally at about noon. I was# 259 signed in. Had a great time seeing friends and bikes. Walk, talk, eat, stand, sit, look, then start over and do it again. The $1 pancake and 2 sausages were fabulous, I ponied up for 2 plates at $2. The band was pure southern early rockabilly. Steve Clark a RAMS member played standup bass. He does a mean Johnny Cash. Renditions of Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis were played in abundance. After the rally meeting was over, I headed home. I hope I get to come next year and camp out. My hats off to the BMW RAMS who sponser the rally, good job Guys.

[barryg]

I make my share of dumb mistakes. Tim Hendrickson cooks the BarBQ dinner for the rally, and it's quite good. As soon as the meeting was over I headed over and got in line. My mistake was not having my food ticket in hand. Left the line, went to the bike and got my ticket. Started back to the line, took a good look and realized I was going to be 200 back in the line. I figured an hour to get the food and at least 1/2 to eat. I'd be getting home about midnite; so I missed out on Tim's excellent BarBQ. Took off for home, but I stopped in at Brad's BarBQ in Oakland, Tn. and had a plate. Excellent BBQ, I've been eating at Brads for over 20 years. Had a short visit with his son Tracy, then headed home. Yep, a lack of planning cost me my BarBQ dinner at the rally.

[barryg]

Any one interested in hooking up with or joining the Naturally Beemers of Ar., they are having their Fall Campout Oct.22-23 at the Ozark Campground about 6 miles north of Jasper on Highway 7. FyI there is a 2 miles of hardpacked gravel to the campground. Nice time and area to get out and ride the Ozarks and see some fall foliage color change. I hope to get the chance to ride over myself.

[barryg]

Bikes on Beale the downtown Memphis Wendesday Night bike nite is over for the year. Last Wed. was the last nite. It kept me going all year when I couldn't take those longer rides due to time and money constraints. Can't wait till next year.

[barryg]

Bored just sittin here waitin on a load offer. The Olde Bike Club is havin their Oct. meeting tonight at Bubba's Bar and Grill. 6:00 at 7041 Hwy 64, Bartlett next to Memphis. Will probably ride over in few hours. Come on and join me. Time for a burger and a beer. Some cool bikes usually show up.

[barryg]

I didn't have the funds to pull off a run to Barbers's vintage weekend or the Falling Leaf Rally this weekend so I guess what's left is an afternoon ride out to the country to Old Millington Winery, and getting a bottle of Delta Blush. Time to get the old K100 out and head her toward Memphis then north to the winery. Time to ride.

[barryg]

Excellent ride over the the winery. Riding in the country is good for what ails ya. There was agood crowd when I arrived. Got my bottle and headed outside, a group that had a table invited me to join them. Weather was perfect. The band for the day was Nancy Apple and Her Whole Damn Band. The folks who invited me over were from West Memphis, Ar.. Home of the I-40/I-55 intersection where the road construction never ends. Left the winery and took a ride further up the Chickasaw Bluff close to the Mississippi River. I call it my little slice of motorcycle riding heaven. A lot of motorcycle riders from Memphis don't know these roads out here, which is good. Just more road for me to enjoy in peaceful solitude. I found myself imitating the sound of the K bike drone, I call it the buzz/whistle. :whistle. I do it for my buds ocassionaly, which allways gets a laugh, then I start laughin and can't do it. Well now it's back to work.

[barryg]

Old Millington Vineyard & Winery
6748 Old Millington Rd.
Millington, Tn. 38053
901 873 4114
Perry and Carrie Welch
www.oldmillingtonwinery.com
Thought I would add this if anyone is interested in getting to the winery. And general info.

[barryg]

Gotta ride planned this mourning. I'm heading over to Batesville, Ar. to attend my 40 year class reunion. I'm going over to see how the old folks are looking. I skipped the 10th, went to the 20th, skipped the 30th. Like allways people and places change, I left Batesville in 1973, but I've rode thru there many times on my many journies around the state. Looking forward to the ride over and the gettagather.

[barryg]

Rode over and back for a long day trip. Met the classmates at the lunch at the Comfort Inn and Suites. Walked in to the room to meet my classmates. Did not recognise a single one. There were about 40 there. None of them recognised me. I walked over to the table with the '71 annual and put my finger on my class picture. OMG's were the most often used phaseology. Goodtime was had by all. That was all I was going to attend, but pictures were going to be taken at the evening party, so I stayed over. Rode around the town for a couple of hours. 40 years does bring alot of changes. I found myself wantng it be '71 again in my home town. Old buildings gone, new ones in their place. Roads changed and rerouted. Still there was enough of the old to satisfy my taste for the past. Back over to the Class dinner and dance for the pictures. I learned that 14 had passed away from a class 119. The band was made up of 2 of the class mates and a couple of guys from the class 1year before and 1 year after. they were excellent. They could play on Beale St. in Memphis. Left the party early and headed the K100 home. The bike ran great all day long. PS A Pioneer Never Quits

[barryg]

My little trip over to the class reunion was a 300 mile one day round trip over and back. 2 class events , a trip out to the county to see my cousin, and about a 2 hour ride around Batesville to see what was old and what's new. I was more wore out than I thought, as I didn't even get out and ride yesterday. I guess having a 40 year class reunion is telling me something. Looking over the 20/25 guys there, I thought only 2 or 3 at most looked in better shape than me. I was the only one on a motorcycle.:thumb

[barryg]

Since I didn't ride yesterday, I took the time to do a work on my R100 heads. I had allready degreased them and bead blasted them. I didn't like their look so I gave them to my friend Ron to glass bead them in a different media in another machine. When I got them back, I still didn't like the look, they were better but still not good enough. I had one more process in line any way. I had an old stainless steel pan, so one at a time I boiled them to get the media out of the pores, then rinsed them off and blow dried them. Better, the heads were clean but still not to my liking. Plan B has now been put in place. :whistle

[barryg]

My little trip over to the class reunion was a 300 mile one day round trip over and back. 2 class events , a trip out to the county to see my cousin, and about a 2 hour ride around Batesville to see what was old and what's new. I was more wore out than I thought, as I didn't even get out and ride yesterday. I guess having a 40 year class reunion is telling me something. Looking over the 20/25 guys there, I thought only 4 or 5 at most looked in better shape than me. I was the only one on a motorcycle.:thumb

[barryg]

Saddened me to see that Dan Weldon was killed racing this last weekend. I have a little connction to this, kinda. I was on a vintage car racing team back in the '90's. Our team finished the 1955 Keck Streamliner built for Bill Vukovitch for the '55 Indianapolis 500. The car was not finish in time and he raced another Indy car. He was killed in that race. I believe he had won the Indy 500 '53 and '54. We raced this car twice back in the '90's at Road America and Road Atlanta. Bill Vukovitch also raced Lincoln's inthe early 50's in the Mexican Panamerica Road Race. Those cars where also highly successful. Our team (Leo Goff) built a Lincoln Capri replica of those cars. This car sctually won it's class back in the late 90's in modern enactment of the Panamerican Road Race. Many racers killed in these races. I think you can get to the Indy site of the streamliner with this. 1955-Year of the Streamliner. Red #4 car.

[barryg]

Car/motorcycle racing can/is dangerous business. We were racing back in the '90's at Moroso race track in SVRA. We took 2 cars. I believe The Lincoln and 'Ol Yaller #7. We raced a lot of different cars. We raced several Allards and were very familiar with with, their good and bad points. Cars were sports cars of the '50 and a lot of rich guys of that era would buy and race them . They would buy the car hop it up a little and race the factory teams. Then the professionals would get them and a do little more hop up on them and they had some success. Any way we knew thewekness of trhe cars. Limited brakes and weak handling. They mostly ran 50's America V8's engones. Back then most of those engines were 100 to 200 HP. May a little more. Like I said limited brakes , suspension, tires. Most vintage race organizations try to keep the cars kinda original, mandating period brakes, wheel size., and period race tires. A racer brought a Allard J2X to race. He had built up the period engine where it was now 300/400 HP. during the practice session we watched him loose control of the car several times and run off the track. It was to much car for him. We saw him after the practice session when he walked past our pit. We told him that we seen him run off the track and cautioned him that it was best that he slow down. He kinda laughed and curtly told us he could handle it. We told our driver to stay away from him. In the afternoon practice session he lost control and hit the wall at at over 100 mph. Killed on impact. We were probably the only people who cautioned him. Racing is dangerous business even for professional racers.

[barryg]

Our race team raced a lot of different vintage cars, some real some replicas. If your interested youcan do a web search on these people and cars. Max Balchowsky, as a racer , car builder and movie filmography. His cars were known as Ol' Yallers. I think he had 12 he built. 01-12. He was also fairly famous in setting up race scenes for movies. Herbie, Lovebug, Elvis Viva Los Vegas. Bullit, with Steve McQueen. Many more. I knew him personally. Sydney Allard, Allard race cars, J2X's. We had a J2X that was powered by a Arden V8 designed by Zora Arkas Duntov. Corvette fame. Bill Stroppe, Carrera Panamericana 50's car rally. Lincolns 50's race cars. We raced a repica, built by Leo Goff. Stroppe was the Lincoln race team manager back in the early 50's. Bill was also the team manager for the desert race teams with Ford trucks and Bronco's. Our driver was one of the team members with the trucks back in the early '70's. We found his truck he raced back in the '80's, bought and restored back to close to what it was from his era as the driver. Stroppe was also Bill Vukovith's team manager in Mexico. all these's people make good riding for vintage racing. Our Ol Yaller was #7, and the Lincoln we raced was a '53. We raced and rallied many times. Road America, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Moroso, Laguna Seca, Copper State 1000, Colorado Grand, New England 1000, The modern LaCarrea Americana, some of these multiple times.

[barryg]

I mispoke when I said Max had 12 race cars built. More precisely, what I should have said was Max built all these cars himself in his garage, helped mainly by his wife. Most were pretty rough as he built them out of his limited pocket book. They were all different as he used what was available. That's where the Ol' Yaller name came in. They were a mongrel of a car, but were competitors on the track and won their fair share of races. Max was probably the most successful home built road race car builder of all time. I felt it was an honour to have got to know him; he was one fine gentleman.

[barryg]

I see the 'Ol Yaller VII is up for sell at auction. I could barely recognize it as the car we raced. It's now a overrestored beauty queen of a race car. How can it be 'Ol Yaller, the mongrel. Times change.

[barryg]

I'm not up to postin pics. I think these 2 sites will get you to 2 of the cars we raced in the '90's. Do a web search for Balchowsky 4 and 1955-The Year of the Streamliner The Official Blog. We raced 'Ol Yaller #7 and the red #4 Keck Streamliner. We raced and rallied probably 20 different cars back in the 1990's.

[barryg]

I pick up a lot of Arkansas brocheres here and there in ar. There are several brocheres out on motorcycle riding in the Ozarks. One of them is Ride Eureka Cruise the Ozarks. Issue #2 Autumn 2011. Gotta a cool Ducati on the front. Mag is geared to motorcyclist and bikers. On page 4 their is an add for Pancakes Family Restaurant. Great restaurant to try while your in Eureka Springs. Owned and operated by Otto and Gail Ising charter member and past president of the Naturally Beemers of Ar. Highly recommend it for a good meal. Hwy 62/East Van Buran 479 253 6015 you might want to call first some time in Dec they shut down for the winter. Good stop for breakfast, lunch dinner.

[barryg]

Just got back from a freight run. Marion to Dexter, Mo.; Paducah, Ky.; Nashville, Tn.; Smithville,Tn.; back to Nashville then home. Going into Paducah I saw the biggest buck I've seen in a long time cross the road in front of me. Looked more like an elk than a deer. Saw one BMW on the road for the whole trip, at least 100 of everything else. Mostly Harley's. I hope to get to ride this weekend. I need some ride and barley therapy.

[barryg]

A very good friend of mine, Larry Chaille passed away a few days ago. Larry was an active member of the BMW RAMS and The Old Bike Club. Larry's passion was motorcycles and motorcycle riding. Larry rode to the BMW national this year in Pa. He wanted me to ride with him, but due to work and money issues it wasn't possible for me to go. I had talked to him about the possibility of us riding together to the '12 national in Sedalia. Larry and I were regulars in attending the Bikes on Beale on Wendesday Nights in Memphis, the last few years. We allways met at Superior BBQ, and this weekly event was life saver for me. This Sunday 11/13/11 a memorial service will be held at Sheby Forrest entrance at the Ranger Station. Meet at 12:30 then move to an available day site for the service. This will last 1/2 to 1 hour. The plan is to finish the service at the Shelby Forrest Store. My good friend is gone and it hasn't really hit me yet. Gone but not forgotten. My regards to his beautiful daughter, Kelly. God Bless, Barry.

[barryg]

I was on the road working and missed the memorial service, for Larry. I did receive some pictures that were taken. About 30 bikes and 50 people made it. Looks like it was a very good and fitting service. About 1:00 Sunday I was in Birmingham, Al. I stopped an had my own service for Larry in concert with the real memorial servise. My last act was to remove Larry's cell number from my cell phone and say goodbye. Hopefully, I'll get to do a toast to Larry in Sedalia at the National.

[barryg]

Made a run from the house down to Larado, Tx.. On the way back home,stopped in at the Half Price Book Stores in Mesquite and Rockwall. I'm a old school book guy. Bought a book on the early history of Suzuki, 'Suzuki Production Motorcycles 1952-1980' by Mick Walker. Back in the early '70's my brother had a T500 then a GT750. The old pots and pans Water Buffalo. He rode it home from Florida to Arkansas back in '73. He rode me around and it was quite exhilerating. It would be 15 years before I bought my first bike a '71 R50/5. I've been looking for a front tire for my R1100RS. My buddy Don Quales, said Al's Cycle Shop in North Little Rock had good read cheaper prices on tires. Called from Texarkana, Ar., did a deal on a Michelin V-Pilot. Pick it up about 4:00 yeaterday. Got a quality tire for under $100. I thought it was a good deal. Now I gotta mount and balance it.

[barryg]

Since I mentioned Al's Cycle Center in North Little Rock, I thought I should also give the tel number. 501 758 4800 4801 MacArthur Dr. North Little Rock 72118 This place is definently old school and my kinda place.

[barryg]

Arkansas is limited on BMW motorcycle service, Central Arkansas lost it's BMW dealer a couple of years ago. If you have a problem with your bike one place you can probably get help is Jett Cycle Sports. 4008 Macaurthur Dr. North little Rock. 72118 501 753 9448. They are down the road from Al's Cycle Center. Anthony Jett was the assistant manager at the old BMW dealer. He has experience with BMW's.

[barryg]

Gotta little off track; now back to ride, eat, meet. BMW RAMS are having their Christmas party Sat., Dec.10, 2011. Spencer and Rose-Ann Bennentt have graciously made their home available for the meeting and party. 4201 Windermere Dr. Nesbitt, Ms.. Party starts at 6:00, dinner, 7:00, short meeting to follow. Rams supply the entre and feel free to to bring a side dish to share. If your looking for comraderie to be a part of a BMW motorcycle club, now is the time to join. More info on this on the BMW RAMS web site, look under the newsletters, Nov. 2011 issue. Spencer and Rose-Ann have opened their home many times for RAMS events.

[barryg]

Gotta ride eat and meet tonight. Ye Old Bike Club is havin their monthly getogather. 6:30 pm at Bubba's Ale House & Grill. 7041 Stage Rd. Barlett. Everyone is invited to come. This club is also havin their Christmass party Dec. 17 6:30 pm Coletta's Restaurant 2850 Appling Rd. So if your lookin for a place to ride and socialize this is it. All riders welcome. :groovy

[barryg]

Just got back from a freight run over to South Carolina, Georgia, Tennesse. After I got the load delivered, did a little siteseeing. Since I delivered in Gaffney, I drove on up to the North Carolina on I-85 to the N.C. welcome center and got some Civil War broushures,then back to the S.C. welcome center and did the same there. After all things motorcycling, history and the Civil War are a hobby of mine. Spent the night back in Gaffney, then it was off to Spartanburg to the BMW automobile and the Zentrum. This was probably my 3rd or 4th visit. The history of BMW has allways facinated me. Ed Culbersons bike, Amigo, was still there. A women was there looking at it rather intently. I told her, that I got the chance to meet him and had bought his book 20 years ago. It was at Bulow campground during bike week. She said she was going to get the book for her husband. Ed autographed mine and the book is a prized possesion. It's allways neat for me to stop here and see all these great bikes and cars.
Next it was off to TouringSport Bmw in Greenville. Had a nice visit. I wanted to buy something, CHEAP. Finally found a newer style BMW Police Motors cap, that I could afford. I've only got about 20 ball caps, I guess I got room for one more.
Picked up a load in Cleveland, Ga. at 4:00 in the mourning headed to Dechard, Tn. Driving thru them rugged mountains, I had deer on my mind. About 30 miles into the run I T-boned a big buck. I think it was a 8 point and he was big. The truck shuddered when I hit him. Pulled over as soon as I found a good spot. I hit him square on the middle of the front bumper. The center plastic grill was demolished and that was it. No radiator damage, no damage to the headlites,very little, I mean miniscule body damage . 400,000+ miles not bad. Thank you Lord.

[barryg]

I needed to get my new tire mounted and balanced. I did not want to muscle it on like a side of the road have to job, I called Spencer to see if he was going to be over at the West Memphis Airport. They have a combo plane and motorcycle work shop and hanger. They have a Coats tire machine. Yep, he was on his way over. I went out and got all the tire tools I could find, the old tire and wheel and the new tire. Met Spenser at the hanger and in about 45 minutes we had the new tire on, mounted and balanced. :clap In all the excitement, I forget to install a new valve stem I had brought over. Old age is creeping up on me.:nono Helped Spencer load his /2 on a trailer so he could take it home.

[barryg]

Mid South Ride Eat and Meet. Spencer and Rose Ann are hosting the BMW Rams Christmas party and club meeting. 6:00 pm tomorrow, Sat evening. Rams are supplying the entre, everyone else bring a dish. 4201 Windermere Dr. Nesbit Ms.Come and join the comraderie, and dinner. ps Thx Spencer for helping me with the tire.

[barryg]

Took my buddy Ron Wigington, Machinist Par Excellance, to the club Christmas party. Got to Bennent home, it was lit up, but few cars or bikes in around the house. My first thought was I had come on the wrong date. Turns out we were the first to arrive. My Check mix snack was a pre dinner favorite untill the shrimp cocktail arrived. I'm sure we had over 50 attendee's. Lot's of excellent food, spirits, and much club festive atmosphere. Ron joined the club and I reupped. We left early and it looks like good times ahead for our club in 2012.

[barryg]

Another eat and meet. the Old Bike Club is having it's Christmas Party and dinner tomorrow evening Sat. Dec. 17. It's at Coletta's Restaurant 2850 Appling Road. That's in Memphis, Tn. 6:30 PM Everyoone invited . Dutch treat. Every one is invited. Looks like the weather will cooperate and a bike ride is possible. If your into older bikes, vintage bikes, cool bikes, or just any bike feel free to come. Good bunch of folks with neat old bikes. If I don't get a good freight run today, I'm going. May skip a freight run and go anyway.

[barryg]

Gotta freight run for today, Southaven ,Ms. to Pell City. Al.. If all goes well I'll be back in time for the Christmas party.

[barryg]

Coming back from my freight run stopped in at the Civil war battle field in Tupelo, Ms. and Parkers Crossroads Battlefield in Baldwyn, Ms. In Holly Springs I stopped in the town museum and Gave the curater Lois Swanee some Civil War broushures. Got back to Memphis in time to watch my Memphis Tigers lose the Louisville Cards. wake up Tigers and start playing like a team. Left SideCar Cafe and went down the street to Coletta's Italian Restaurnt. Met up withthe Olde Bike Club members for our Christmas party and dinner, we had about 30 show up. Good food and comraderie. Good time was had by all. When it was over headed home; exhausted ,but happy. What a day.

[barryg]

Gotta freight run going, Olive Branch Ms. to west of AbileneTx. So if I don't get back in time. Merry Christmas everyone. :wave:groovy:usa:german

[barryg]

Got back from my run to Texas, out west past Abilene. Stopped in at a cross roads cafe, I think it was called Corondo's Cafe. Stopped in and had a breakfast burrito. Had a nice crowd of folks sittin around having coffe. Oil and gas wild catters, windmill workers, cowboys and cowgirls; everyone was happy and upbeat rustic and out of the way. Out side it had wild and windy desolute beautiful. Yea, gotta get one of my bikes out here and do some riding.

[barryg]

On my last run to Texas, I came back thru Houston and stopped in at Perry's Sidecar. Caught the pre christmas party with Perry, Carrie and all their buds. The spice rum was a real favorite and both Perry and Carrie were in quite the festive spirit. The bike that got my attention was a R bike that Perry has built for the 2nd time. The last rendition was cool, but the new version is even better, Perry has added a english style cafe fairing and has repainted the bike. If your in that area, it's worth the stop just to see and check out that bike. This bike has a lot of performance bling and upgrades. Take your time and give it a close study; Perry does some nice work.

[barryg]

Gotta a couple of ride, meet and eats coming up. The Old Bike Club has a New Years Day Polar Bear Ride this Sunday. 10:00 meet at Circle K station 640 German Pkwy. Then a country back road ride to Grand Pacific Restaurant for lunch. 6105 Stage Rd. in Bartlett. Ride is held regardless of the temp, but will cancel for rain or snow. Rams have their Jan. eat and meet. Jan. 14 Fox Ridge Pizza in Cordova. 1769 N. Germantown Rd. Lunch at noon and the meeting to follow about 1:30. I'm going to ride to the Polor Bear Run and just meet them at the Pacific restaurant. See Yall there. I plan to ride my R50/5, it needs to stretch it's legs.

[barryg]

Well I missed the Old Bike Club ride Sunday.:dunno Ain't got a good excuse for not ridin. Just gotta report that they had a nice run with 50 participents and a tasty lunch. The OBC is having their Jan. meeting this Thurs. the 5th at Bubba's Ale House and Grill. 7041 Hwy. 70 in Bartlett, Tn.. 6:30pm. All riders or want to be riders welcome. Come one come all. Get the 2012 ridin season going.

[barryg]

Bob and Janet Kelly are again sponsoring their annual Superbowl party. Sunday Feb. 5 4:00 Kickoff 5:30. 9469 Plantation Way Lane, Germantown, Tn. 38139 in Dogwood Grove near Houston High School. 901 212 4632. The BMW RAMS and Ye Olde Bike Club members I know are invited as well as pertinent friends and bikers. Pot luck dinner. Feel free to bring a dish. This party/dinner has been a big hit with us the last few years. Thx Bob and Janet. :dance:thumb:wave

[barryg]

RAMS Jan. lunch and meeting is tomorrow Sat. Jan.14 at Fox Ridge Pizza 1769 N. Germantown Pkwy. Cordova, Tn. 901 758 6500 Lunch at noon and the meeting to follow about 1:30. This place is a favorite of mine due to the extremely good, mouth watering, tasty, yummy, lip smackin pizza. :bow:heart:eat

[barryg]

Had a good Rams meeting. It's really just my extended riding family, and I enjoyed my pizza very much. We have coupons handed out to all who attend to win little prizes. I feel like I hit the jackpot as I got the 'BMWMOA The First 35 Years'; in hardback. It's a nice addition to my BMW motorcycle library. I may have tio start using the dewey decimal system to keep them sorted. :)

[barryg]

Got another ride eat and meet. We started the Winter blues Relief last winter. It seemed that after Fall everone was hibernating and waiting for Spring. So we started this activity to keep everyone connected and supported thru Winter. Tom Race is having the meet at his garage. 12540 Coburn Rd. Eads, Tn. 901 606 6908 Tom hosted one last year, he usually has a cool restoration going, so I'm sure there will be something cool to see. It's kinda a pot luck event, so bring something to munch on and your own adult beverage. If your tryin to find Tom's place and end up in Fayette County, you've gone to far. Wendesday 1-18-12 6:30 pm.

[barryg]

If you are fasinated with the Italian cruise ship disaster, you might be interested in this. My hometown, Marion and Arkansas State University are hosting a dispay and exhibit on the Sultana maritime disaster. The Sultana was a steampowered paddlewheel ship, transporting over 2400 Union ex prisoners of war home at the end of the Civil War. Her boilers blew up north of Marion on the Mississippi River the night of April 28, 1965. Over 1800 were killed in the expolsion, fire, and drownings after the ship sank. There were more deaths on the Sultana than own the Titanic, 47 years later. The Sultana was a almost unknown disaster. The exhibit will run for the month of March, 30 days, this year at 2895 Highway 77 at Bella Commons. I would consider this a Civil War exhibit. More info at Marion CofC. 870 739 6041 Or contact me here.

[barryg]

Any of yall riden in to see the exhibit and got time and are interested in more Civil War sites in the Mid South and along the Miss. River. Let me know and I can help you find more sites close by. I have a lot of free brousheres and maps I can give to help you find them.

[barryg]

Heck, if I'm home and got time I'll ride with you and take you to some civil War sites. Maybe hit some blues gigs down on Beale St.

[barryg]

Took a load up to Madison, Wisconsin. Got lucky that it was between blizzards. After delivery, I went on up to Beaver Dam to visit Mischler's BMW. Hard to believe that it's been almost 5 years since the Westbend National, back in 2007. Looked around for about an hour. I wanted to give them some business, finally decided that their coffee cup would go nicely with my BMW dealership coffee cup collection. To cold for me up there, so I headed south to warmer climes. Forecast for southern Wi. was 8 inches of snow, I got out of there. Headed south to St. Louis. Next day, I stopped in at Gateway BMW. Had a nice visit with Honz and Markland. Picked up a new Gateway BMW ballcap and got it in Orange. It is now my favorite BMW cap. Bought a Motoman pin and pinned it on the cap; makes me feel 10 years younger. My Ford van was giving me some trouble, it's only got 410,000 miles on it. Most likely one of the injectors, I'll get fixxed back at the house. Drove by Grassroots BMW, kinda wanted to stop in, but with the van running a little lame, thought it best to get on home. I'll stop in and see Herb and Reno another day. Kinda neat to get around and see alot of the different dealers and see what's happening ouside of my little world down in Ar..

[barryg]

The exhibit will run March 5 through March 25. At Bella Commons next to First Delta Realty. 2895 Hwy 77, Marion, Ar. . At the corner of Judge Smith Dr. Exhibit wiil run every day 10 am to 5 pm Monday thru Sat. and 1-5pm on Sunday. Admission is FREE. This is in cooperation with Arkansas State University and Gene Salecker, Sultana scholar. If your a history , Mississippi River, or Civil War buff this should be is a good stop. Exhibit is close to I-40 & I-55 so it's a quick easy stop. Probably 15 minute max drive off either interstate. Plez feel free to contact me here for more info.

[barryg]

Got one this evening. Feb 1 6:30pm Ye Old Bike Club monthly meetin at Bubba's Ale House and Grill. 7041 Hwy64 Bartlett, Tn. Really just a casual eat and visit. Club has no dues or officers. No drama, just good friendship. All welcome. :bikes is this clubs motto.:groovy ps Bring some bike stories to share.

[barryg]

Sittin here at the house waitin to get a load, saw the local newspaper, Times, on the lawn. Front page leadin news article was Wayne Jackson on his trumpet. Will receive Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award Feb. 11. Who's Wayne Jackson? Along with Andrew Love, they were the Memphis Horns. Part of the house band for Stax Records in Memphis, Tn.. Wayne recorded, toured, played with Elvis, Issac Hays, the Dobbie Brothers, Neil Diamond, U2, dozens of others. No telling how much music we've grown up with that we heard him and Andrew, on sax, the sound of their horn section was a part of our life. Not to shabby, they will now be apart of a very select and small group to get a Lifetime Grammy. Wayne was a '59 graduate of West Memphis High School. West Memphis is the sister city to my town of Marion. Probabably after our BMW motorcycles, American music is one of the great things that bind us together. Congratulations Wayne on a life time of achievement. Barry

[barryg]

Bob and Janet Kelly are again sponsoring their annual Superbowl party. Sunday Feb. 5 4:00 Kickoff 5:30. 9469 Plantation Way Lane, Germantown, Tn. 38139 in Dogwood Grove near Houston High School. 901 212 4632. The BMW RAMS and Ye Olde Bike Club members I know are invited as well as pertinent friends and bikers. Pot luck dinner. Feel free to bring a dish. This party/dinner has been a big hit with us the last few years. Thx Bob and Janet. :dance:thumb:wave

Comin up this Sunday. Looking forward to seein all my Buds in the OBC and RAMS at the party, football, adult beverages, food, good comraderie. Feel free to come and join us. :eat:drink:lurk:hug

[barryg]

Just got a call, looks like we're havin our usual impromtu tech session at the airport hanger in West Memphis. Guess I'll go over and see what 's on the shop menu today. There's just about nothin this group wont take on as a challenge. :brow

[barryg]

Had great time at the tech session. Nothin better than watchin two guys workin in unison to acheive a goal. Servicing a Kawa. KLR 650; big job was rebuilding the front forks. When I got there, the forks had been disasembled and the reassembly was in process. Bike was put back together with some more service points attended to, then a quick ride to check everything out. All good. Afternoon well spent. Thx guys for the chance to set in. :thumb

[hungstart]

Had great time at the tech session. Nothin better than watchin two guys workin in unison to acheive a goal. Servicing a Kawa. KLR 650; big job was rebuilding the front forks. When I got there, the forks had been disasembled and the reassembly was in process. Bike was put back together with some more service points attended to, then a quick ride to check everything out. All good. Afternoon well spent. Thx guys for the chance to set in. :thumb

Next weeks tentative schedule is Friday again. The R75/5 is on the schedule this week. Need to finish up the annual service and reinstall the overhauled speedo. One member of the group thinks we will go sans fairing this year and turn it back into a bare bike, as it only gets ridden during the good weather times of the year. Also need to pull the forward support bracket for the skid plate off of the GS so we can machine a titanium replacement with clearance for a longer oil filter (Mobil M1-102).

[barryg]

Yes by all means /5's are best bare and naked. One of the most beautiful and unique parts of that model is the cool head lite bucket. Needs to be seen and not hidden. I hope I'm home and can make the tech session.

[barryg]

Super Bowl Party was super. Much food, football and friendship. Couldn't have been better. At halftime Bob took us back to the garage and fired up his '61 Buick with 425 CI Nailhead. Had that very authoritative nice V8 sound. We were probably the only Super Bowl party to get the Nailhead halftime treatment.

[barryg]

Rams meeting this Saturday, Feb. 11. Pig N Whistle Restaurant. 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. just north of Millington, Tn. 12:00 lunch and 1:00 meeting. Tab and Lisa Gilliham are the hosts. P&W is about 1/4 of a mile east off Hwy 51. Excellent BBQ. Elvis liked their Q, that's good enough for me. :dance

[barryg]

Just picked up the flyer for the exhibit. I saw one big error from what I noted earlier. Dates on flyer is March 6- March25. More info at 870 739 6041. I'm hoping that some BMW riders who frequently ride through West Memphis/Marion on I40/55 will stop in for visit. Short quick stop and get some American history. :usa

[barryg]

Had lunch at Pancho's Mexican restaurant yesterday. Pancho's is a long time West Memphis eatery , been there over 40 years. 3600 E. Broadway. at the corner of N. Club Rd./MLK. Any way, on that corner is a historical marker about The Plantation Inn, which occupied the site Pancho's is on now. It tells the history of Music at the Plantation Inn , early Blues and Rock n Roll niteclub and the connection to American music in the Mid South, to Beale St. and Stax Records in Memphis. I know a lot of riders stop in at the truck stops and fuel up on the I 40/55 connection there and ride on. Just thought that some of you music history buffs might want to add to your knowlege of the history of American music. Pancho's is also a pretty good Mex restaurant to have a bite to eat. It's less than 5 minutes off I 40/55.

[barryg]

Well I won' be able to make the Rams meetin tomorrow at P&W. Gotta run to Denton,Tx. Maybe next month.

[barryg]

Rolled in last nite from my run to Denton. Cold down in Tejas, saw very few bikes on the rode. Skirted around the north side of Dallas, rolled thru downtown Greenville. Stopped in at the downtown City Bristo/Landon Winery for lunch. Had a scumcious meal, lasagna and a salad. Wanted to try some of their endless selection of wine.:drink Nope, I couldn't, I was driven. Beautiful lady behind the bar, beautiful ladies sitten on both sides of me at the bar. Yep, My kinda place. Walked past the bust of Audy Murphy in the courthouse square, and tipped my hat. He allways got the gal in them westerns, I never do. Sure hated to leave, but I had to ramble north back to Ark..

[barryg]

The Naturally Beemers have lost their rally site. The Corps of Engineers is closing Sequoya Park. The decision has been made to move the rally across the river to Cherokee Park. This park is on the north side of Arkansas River next to the city of Morrilton. South of 64 Hwy to Route 113 (Church St.) South on Old Cherokee Rd. to Cherokee Park. Rally date is May 18, 19, 20.. See Yall at the rally.

[barryg]

NBA is having it's annual meeting Sat. March 17 at 12:00 noon in Morrilton Ar. at Yesterday's Restaurant. Lunch and a meeting. South off I 40, Hiway 95/ Oak St. About 4 blocks south on the east side of Oak St. . All riders welcome to come and visit or join and be a part of a great club.

[barryg]

Next weeks tentative schedule is Friday again. The R75/5 is on the schedule this week. Need to finish up the annual service and reinstall the overhauled speedo. One member of the group thinks we will go sans fairing this year and turn it back into a bare bike, as it only gets ridden during the good weather times of the year. Also need to pull the forward support bracket for the skid plate off of the GS so we can machine a titanium replacement with clearance for a longer oil filter (Mobil M1-102).

I got over to the hanger a little late last Friday, as they allready had the fairing off the bike. They were working on turn signals and wiring the headlight bucket. The wiring in the bucket was a total rats nest. I'm no electricion, they have their hands full with that job. They will get it sorted out; I'm just a spectator on that. The speedo intrument is absolutely georgous, was done by Palo Alto. They made good progress on the turn signals.

[barryg]

No tech session at the hanger today, one of the main members of the tech group is out of commission today. The tech group has a membership of two, that does not include me. I'm kind of a semi working, helper, observer, supporter, cheerleader. If I don't get a freight load today, tomorrow I'll have my own at the house tech session and mount my front wheel and and new tire on my R1100RS. Then probably a complete brake fluid bleed. Gotta run down a semi working, helper, observer, supporter, cheerleader to give me a hand. :thumb

[barryg]

BMW RAMS tech session is currently in progress at the Spencer Bennet estate down in Nesbit, Ms. Rose Ann just sent a e mail alert for all to come and join the session. 30 cup coffee pot is brewing at top speed. More refreshments on hand. Address 4201 Windermere Dr. Nesbit, Ms. Spencer's cell # 901 626 2831 for more info. This is a hard working bunch of tech's, they will give you a hand in working on your bike.

[barryg]

My buddy Ron repoerted on the RAMS tech session. He got there in time for the lunch dinner break. Had his picture made for RAMs directory. He was praised for bringing his '75 R90 in the back of his old El Camino. The old Chevy got as much attention as the bike. He learned how to adjust his clutch. Ron says he had a big time with his new fellow club members, He reported that is was the largest attended tech session ever. Wish I could have gone, just wasn't doable. I did have my own tech session in my shop. On the '94 R1100RS tire/wheel was mounted back to the bike. Battery was rermoved and put on a low charge. I had dated the battery with a Sharpie. 3-8-03, maybe gettin close to time to get a new battery. It's a sealed Westco.
I'm determined to get my '74 R90 back on the road this year. Taking a break fom the RS, I turned my attention to the '74. The engine is on display in my kitchen mounted in a engine stand. I have the Breil oil cast spacer attached above the oil pan. Got some wreches from the shop and removed it. Just like I remembered. the top mating surface has some slight deterioration and needs some attention. Gotta make the decision about either patching it or machining it out, welding it up and remachining. Also need to check the true flatness of the insert. Time to get the precision straight edge out for the check.

[barryg]

I've been getting some e mails all about the Rams tech session. Everyone is expressing that is was a great success and were impressed with how well it was run. Quite a few bikes were worked on with much success. I wasn't able to attend. I just know that if Spencer and Rick are involved, it was going to be a success. I only wish I could have been there; well there's allways the next one.

[barryg]

Had my share of success on my one man tech session. I'm going to run Wixom saddle bags on my R90 bagger project. I've got a set of nerf bars for the bags and will probably run a solo springer seat. One of the mount points for the bars is the rear foot peg mount. Will probably not run the reat pegs to clean up the look. That leaves the mount point as a serrated tang, which is not easy to attach to. I've got several old frames in my pile of junk; ones been wreaked. Pulled it out and decided that the serrated rear peg mounts were the solution. Found the proper round hole saw, and with my whole saw I had those serrated tangs out in short order. Just have to chuck those peices up in a lathe and face of the back side. Mount the serrated ends together and now I have a smooth surfave to mount my bars.
Next I fliipped the engine up side down and inspected the 14 tapped holes on the bottom of the engine block. Ran a new 6m x1 tap into all of them and cleaned them out. All looked good, I won't have to Tme Sert em. Next I addressed the Brieloil cooler, which had some cavities in the mating surface. Found some epoxy putty at my auto parts house. Good up to 500 degrees. Went through the prep process and applied it. Let it set for a couple of hours to harden. Took a fine file and worked it down flush. Checked all surfaces with my straight edge. I'm good to go. Ready for my next project on my Classic Bavarian Bagger.

[barryg]

I plan to run my bagger mainly as a solo ride, but I'm also planning to be able to to run a pillion seat to accomodate a passenger as needed. I have a 2nd Teutontic QSL or a /2 style passenger Pagusa springer for the passenger. I want to be able to change up the looks of this bike as needed. I have the large Wixom touring trunk and a smaller nameless trunk I wil l also be able to run to fit the ride situation. Mix and match as it were. I'm also running the OEM airhead windshield set, which is attach by just 2 crown nuts. This also lends the bike to a quick change in looks. That in the wind look. Having said that, with all the bugs we have in the flat farm land of east Arkansas, Ya know that bugs in your teeth biker look. I may not remove the windshield that much.

[barryg]

Club is having it's monthly meeting tonight. They meet the 1st Thur. of every month. The geto gather usually starts about 5:30 to 6:00. Casual meeting among members and friends. Bubba's Ale House & Grille. 7041 Hiway 64, Bartlett, Tn. Time to ride.

[barryg]

The Old Bike Club meeting was it's usual success; about 25 at the meeting. Lots of biker fellowship; good to see the parking lot full of bikes. Someone rode a old Vespa the other nite. I was admiring it and then went back into Bubba's. Looked out the window and they were ridden off; never knew who rode it. I have an old Vespa and was wanting to talk to him. Maybe next month.

[barryg]

Danny Crittendon's obituary was finally in the local paper. Danny was killed riding his new bike home in Fairhope, Al., Aug. 20. Danny leaves his beloved wife Kathy and one son Jonathon and a daughter Jennifer Young. Visitation will be 12:30 pm and service at 2:30 pm. Tues., August 30 at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Park Av. Memphis Tn. 901 767 8930.

Just received a couple of E-mails. Fairhope Al. Police Department have recently arrested Anthony Christopher Doss for DWI manslaughter in the death of my good friend Danny Crittenden Aug. 20, 2011. It's a class B felony. If convicted he faces 2-20 years incarceration. It won't being Danny back, but at least his family will probabbly get some small satifaction that that person is at least off the streets and can't kill some one else.

[barryg]

If your in the Memphis/ Midsouth area the Sultana Exhibit starts today in Marion, Arkansas. 2895 Highway 77. At the corner of Judge Smith Dr. , by the railroad tracks. I got the oppurtunity to look in at the exhibit yesterday. If your a Civil War , history in general, or horrific disaster buff ; this stop is for you. Easy 5 minutes off I 55 and 10 minutes if you get lost. The exhibit will run 10- 5 Monday- Sat. 1-5 on Sunday. From today thru March 25. More info 870 739 6041

[barryg]

Was on my to the exhibit and the mail lady stopped. I had talked to her previosly about my wrinkled mangled MOA News. She handed me March's copy. It was bent and mangled. But readable. She was embarressed to hand it to me. She had mentioned to her supervisors. Just the way it is. Well that's the new norm and I accept it for what it is. Went on to the exhibit and had a enjoyable look see. The exhibit is kinda small, but I think worth it to see. Back home waitin for a freight load for a new adventure on the road.

[barryg]

The BMW RAMS are having their March metting at the Pickwick Lake TVA Campground Sat. March 17. This is the site of their Return to Shiloh Rally in the Fall. Lunch at noon and the meeting about 1:30. They are planning a camp cookout and have made plans for an alternate eating site at the Botel in case of rain. If your starting to get cabin fever, this could be a good time to get out and ride. The RAMS are havin quite a group discussion with emails on all the updates on camping equipment and old stories about their long ago camping experiences. Very insightful and funny. Feel free to get out and join the RAMS at the cookout meeting and campout. The '12 riding season is here.

[barryg]

NBA is having it's annual meeting Sat. March 17 at 12:00 noon in Morrilton Ar. at Yesterday's Restaurant. Lunch and a meeting. South off I 40, Hiway 95/ Oak St. About 4 blocks south on the east side of Oak St. . All riders welcome to come and visit or join and be a part of a great club.

The NBA is having it's March meeting Sat. the 17th. Time to get those plans worked out for the rally at it's new site across the river. I've come up with a rally slogan. Since 'Best Rally by a Dam Site' is taken, how about 'Best Dam by a Rally Site'. Probably not. :stick

[barryg]

Well it's off to Mesquite, Tx. for a freight run tonight and what ever adventure that brings. :brow

[barryg]

Just got back home from Mesquite, Tx. trip. Yea, I'm gettin older. For adventure I spent my time in two bookstores. Half Price Books in Mesquite and Rockwall. I usually pruse the Civil War history and automotive/motorcycle sections. Picked up 2 Civil War books. 'Thunder Along The Mississippi' The River Battles that Split the Confederacy by Jack D. Coombe; which I purchased at the Mesquite store and 'Sultana' The Worst Maritime Disaster in American History by Alan Huffman purchased at the Rockwall branch. Since my hometown of Marion is having the Sultana The Exhibit, I thought I would get more familiar with it. I've also been interested in the Mississippi River campaign and I hope the Coombe book fills in some of the less discussed aspects of that campaign. I didn't find any books on motorcycles that I wanted. Most were overview books on Harley's or all motorcycles in general. Got plenty of those, allready.

[barryg]

My buddy Ron bought a used R90/6 and has spent a year getting it running and he's pretty close to riding it. A few days ago he talked about riding it to Ms. to a RAMS getogather. I asked him if he had a BMW tool kit, No. Replacement tubes, No. BMW owners's manual, No. Air pump, No. Tool box, no. He wasn't ready to ride. I explained that you really needed all those things to be ready to ride and be self sufficiant and take care of your own problems on the rode. I fixxed him up a loaner tool kit. He's now aware of it and has plans to rectify the situation. I learned all those things the hard way and have my own game plan to take care of common riding poblems.

[barryg]

:cry:(:mad My basketball team lost last night in the NCAA tournament, my AR. BMW club is havin a meeting today only 175 miles to the west and my local BMW club is having a meeting and campout this weekend 150 miles to the east. I can't go to either. Guess I'll go out to the garage and try to do something constructive.

[barryg]

Made a freight run up to Mt. Pleasant in Izard County. Then back down to my home town of Batesville. Did a little Civil War looking and site seein. Got my Ar. Civil War passbook stamped at Jacksonport. Plckedup a few city and county maps along the way. Will try to find some better back roads to ride my bike. Not easy as I've just about traveled all those roads in east Ar.. Good weather, saw lots of bikes, but no Beemers.

[barryg]

Finally got to ride yesterday. Got home from church and put the bike battery on charge. Aired up tires, checked the oil, had lunch. Pushed the '71 R50 out the garage door. Pushed the button and she fired up. Felt good out riding. Gotta freashen this bike up when I got some time. Some of the instrument lights don't work. One of the center stand springs is broken and gone. One of the throttle cables excelerates the engine when turned to far. Twist grip needs lubed. Some more things need addressing. Got my mind back to enjoying the ride. Running about 60-65mph down the I-40/I-55 corridor in West Memphis, I was all smiles. All the bikes were passing me; Harley's, crotch rockets, Gold Wings. I had the best bike on the rode, in my mind. Got passed by a big dresser then the traffic kind of tighten up, a little nefty handling and riding skills and I moved throught the traffic tieup and darted ahead of the big bike. In downtown Memphis the big bike caught back up and passed me. They were smiling as they passed, the passenger gave me a thumbs up. I'm sure they were impressed with my deft handling and rider skills. Went to a local biker bar and had a cold one. Seen some old friends. Sitten on the patio I just kept lookin at my bike, in total satisfaction. Time to give the bike some much needed attention; get the list started.

[barryg]

Just got back from a freight run to and from Monroe, La.. Did a little Civil War site seein. Went to a battle field in Searcy, Ar., Whitney's Lane battlefield. Lake Village Ar. Ditch Bayou battlefield. St. Charles Ar. land and naval battlefield. Arkansas Post battlefield. Got my Ar. Civil War passbook stamped at 2 sites in Lake Village, Ar. Arkansas Post. and Helena,Ar.. The weather was perfect for bike riding. Saw hundreds of bikes on the rode, no BMW's. Just got a call from Spencer over at the hanger, their working on the KLR. Will go over, observe and learn.

[barryg]

Had a good working visit over at the hanger. Rick and Spencer were hard at it on the KLR. They changed the sproket ratio to get more top end at lower rpm. Sproket has bigger diam. than stock and I thought BMW was the only bike that had clearance problems with changing out aftermarket parts and upgrades. They found out the hard way that they needed a rotor holder wrench. Special tool offset to fit. West Memphis has a new Kawasaki dealer for 6 months. Went down and found out that they hadn't got any special tools from Kaw. as of yet. I thought only BMW dealers got such treatment. They got the special tool ordered aftermarket for way less than the factory tool. Will receive it Monday. Since they were at a stopping point on the Kawasaki, they moved on to Rick's '07 1200GS. They removed the headlight housing and installed a new housing cover that was designed to hold the protective headlight cover. Kindoff a complex changeout to get the new cover installed. They made quick work of it and it was a nifty upgrade. The lens protecter is a pop in pop out affair. Neat. They are making good progress on their bikes. Felt good to be around a process where good things get done and progress is made.

[barryg]

The Olde Bike Club is having a ride tomorrow mourning. Meet at Circle K at the corner of Austin Peay and Covington Pike in Memphis. Ride is to Shelby Forrest to the General Store for lunch. 7729 Benjestown Rd., which is at the corner of Bluff Rd.; all riders welcome. I will do my own ride and meet them there. Any one who wants to ride with me, give me a call. I'm going to ride my R50/5. Hyabusa's need not apply. :nono :D Weather forecast for Sunday clear with a high of 87'. Time to ride. Just teasin about the Hyabusa. I will slow down as not to embarrass you. :groovy

[barryg]

I forgot to give the meeting time to start the ride. 10:30am at the Circle K.

[barryg]

Just got back. Had a great time/ride. Totally whipped. Easy relaxed ride over, perfect day for a ride. A group, read young, wanted to do some more riding after the General Store stop, but wern't familiar with the area. That left me leading those cafe racer kids. I kicked it up a notch to try to keep it interesting for them. They loved the ride I took them on. At the Haystack Bar and Grill, we finally got a break. Fianally gave my rear tire thread a close look, yep time for a new tire, thread is squaring off. My riding was off all day. I believe some of it was that was my first really good ride of the season and I hate to say it, but I think my age is starting to show. They took off , so I able to resume my relaxed ride. Stopped in Memphis to see a couple of buddies, bike related. Glad to get home, like I said I'm whipped but smiling.

[barryg]

Few weeks ago during the Sultana Exhibit, ran into an old BMWRAMS member. John Shelton and his wife. They are Civil War reenactors. Totally decked out in Rebel uniform and hoop skirts. Had a nice visit. This mourning in the Memphis Commercial Appeal another old ridin buddy, Earl Davidson, popped up in a newspaper article, Healthy Living. He had been an active member of the old Motorcycle Classics Bike Club. Earl was allways tall, slim, and handsome like me. Earl stated he looked in the mirror and saw a 230 pound pear shaped 62 year old man. Says he hit the gym, got a personal trainer, and started eating healthy. Lost 40 lbs. After ridin with those kids yeaterday, I think I need to hit the gym.

[barryg]

I forgot to mention that there were some neat bikes that made the ride. Peter Guldan on his Vincent Black Shadow and Snowdan Todd on a lightly modified R80ST. 100GS tank, PD seat, low exhaust with Supertrap muffler. I've got a R80ST and I've some of those same parts to modify mine. Peter is allways off the chart with his Vincents, Indians, Harley's, and all his other toys. Sometimes it good to be me. Now for a nap to get over ridding with them kids.

[barryg]

I've received several e-mails about Bobby Petrino head football coach at Ark. , runnin off the rode on his Harley. Says he was prettry banged up. Saw the picture of the bike over in the ditch surrounded by a bunch of log/trees. Some people just don't belong on a motorcycle; might be the case here. Hope he pulls through with no long term problems. We need Ar. in a BCS bowl next year.

[barryg]

The Rams are havin their Apr. meetin at Village Creek State Park, just ouside of Wynne, Ar. Apr. 14. Meal at 12:00 meeting 1:30. Clue to meal. Must be cooked in foil. Sounds like if your eaten with the RAMS, A good idea would be to bring baked potato, corn the cob, steak. shish ka bob. Most likely they will have campers, I'm sure Friday and Sat. night. This is about as close as any little rally meeting is close to me so I hope I can attend. I hope what ever bike I ride can take the thin air of the high altitudes of Crowley's Ridge. I think some of the peaks reach 200 ft. .:D

[barryg]

Meet tomorrow night at Bubba's Alehouse & Grill 7041 Hwy 64 Bartlett. 6:30pm All riders welcome. I'm sure all those cafe racer kids will be telling all those in attendence about my great riding skills from last weeks ride. Not. :nono

[barryg]

Bike nite has started at Robilio's Sidecar Cafe. Wendesday Nites, 7-10pm. 2194 Whitten Rd. next to Bumpass H/D. It's about 2 blocks north of I-40 on the east side of Memphis. Happy hour from 3-7. Usually has bands playing out on the patio. I rate the food here as really good. Any time you see Robilio is the name it's usually synonomous with good food. Good selection of adult beverages.

[barryg]

Wed. Bike Nite. Joe's Crabshack has started.7990 Horizon Blvd. North of I-40 X16 off Germantown Pkwy. Across from Wolfchase Galleria. Nice outdoor parking. Anyway these are a couple of places that if you find yourself in Memphis and the Mid South and want a place to ride and eat and see some bikes, these might feel the bill. Also there are a lot of other restaurants close to Joe's if seafood ain't your thing. The last few years Joe's has had a band outside for entertainment. Beale St. opens later this month for Bikes on Beale.

[barryg]

Got the call yesterday mourning that the guys were having the friday tech session at the West Memphis Airport hanger. Got my errands done and headed over. The center of focus was the KLR. Spencer is riding it out West with Rick,who will be on a 1200GS. This bike is getting a lot of upgrades. This go round was the doohicky , and front disc upgrade. Can't believe all the work needed to do the Doohicky upgrade, but it was done. The special wrench was a must have tool to complete this job. Then the big disc change out. Again a lot of work. It really wasn't a turn key swap as the carrier needed modifications to work properly. Rick did a lot of filing on the disc carrier to fit. Spencer ran the new braided brake lines. Final decision, was a larger brake reservoir is needed to deal with the twin pot calipers. This is going to be one fine outfitted KLR when completed. Very informative tech session, I learned a lot.

[barryg]

Got it today in the bag. THANKS. The first one I've received in almost a year that hasn't been mangled and shredded. :thumb My Arkansas club got the rally listed in When and Where. The Natural State Rally, now across the river from our long time rally site. May 18-20. This is a great rally if your on a tight budget, no rally fee; just pay camping fee. Excellent riding in the area. I'm looking forward to seeing all my club comrades; I can allready smell the coffee.

[barryg]

Yep, got my Anon. book this week. I'm planning to ride my '71 R50/5 to the RAMS campout and monthly meeting at Village Creek State Park at Wynne, Ar. I will carry the A book. If I have a problem on the rode I will call the closest member in the book, which is me. I hope I'll be home to come and give me assistance. :laugh I'm lookin forward to the ride over as it's the closest BMW event that I have a chance to attend. I know quite a few of the Ram membership is riding down to Mississippi to the Dogwood Trail Rally. It's sad to have a conflick of interest.

[barryg]

Starts this Wednesday April 18 in Memphis. This is truely a one of a kind weekly bike nite. Many fine restaurants and many bands playing. Most of the clubs with bands have free admission. Ride eastbound only on Beale St. Park your bike out front on Beale in any open spot. Parking is free. Beale St is the historical home of much of real American music. Blues, Rock&Roll, Rockabilly, Southern Rock, all of it. The endless parade of bikes going down Beale and those parked on Beale is still the hi light of the night. 5pm-12 mid- night So this is truely a Mid- South ride, eat, meet, event.:eat:drink:groovy:dance:beer

[barryg]

Got off to a late start, the R50 ran flawlessly on the 40 mile trip over. I think there were about 40 in attendance. Cooking and eating was the centerpiece of this campout, and these folks know how to do both. I took corn on the cob and baked potatoes, all consumed. All sorts of concoctions were baked and grilled. All tasty. The peach cobbler dessert was over the top. This is definately an epicurean riding club. My R50 was the oldest bike and only airhead. I remember when /5's were winning oldest bike awards at large rallies and being booed for not being /2's. I rode back after dark killing thousands of rice bugs, just like the old days when I rode all over Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennesse at night to make a rally. Riding my R50 has rekindled my love affair with airheads. :thumb

[barryg]

I mentioned Peter Guldan and his Indian 4 in the previous post. I have known Peter for 25 years or all of my motorcycle life. Peter has restored or refurbished a variety bikes and scooters over his carrer. All to a rather exquisite level that I have not seen in an individual who doesn't make his living restoring bikes. His list includes Harley's, Indians, Vincents, Nortons, BMW's, Vellocettes, Vespas, etc. A couple of his bikes were featured in Classic bike magazine back in the 90's, a Norton Commando and BMW R50/2. One of the headlines was 'Is this the World's Fusiest Restorer'. The level of his work was astounding. Anyway, Peter has mellowed over the years and he has his little web site which he details and discusses some of those restorations. I think you will find it under a search for A Red Rapide or www.patwilliamsracing.com/vincent/ This really covers a lot of what all of us go through finding a bike, the restoration problems and hurdles, and getting to the finished project. Peter tells his story in own rather unique way.

Bikes on Beale inaugural Bike Nite 2012 was a total success. Perfect evening weather to kick it off. Pulled into my spot of the last 8 years in front of Superior BBQ, and the Really Big $5 Beer. Just as last year Emily was there to serve us. Street was packed with the just rite amount of bikes. It wasn't long before Peter on a '48 Chief and Pat on a '71 Commando showed up and parked on either side of me. Memphis Kings scooter club rode in. Then the Mummies rode thru on their cool derelict Jap bobbers. Yep is all right in the world. If your interested in some of Peter's cool bikes go to the site listed above. Some really over the top vintage bikes.

[barryg]

Spencer is headed over to the hanger to work on the KLR. I'm fixin to go out to my garage and get the rear wheel off the R50. It's getting a new tire mounted and balanced over at the hanger. Hope to ride over to the winery tomorrow and meet up with the Memphis Kings Scooter club. The scooter club is havin a scooter rally this weekend in Memphis. Today their riding down to the Tunica casinos. Hope I'm able to ride tomorrow and meet them at the Old Millington Winery. On their website they had a message to the riders headin gown to Tunica. Must be able to maintain a 50mph average. Different types of clubs deal with different challenges.

[barryg]

Well Spencer finished his over the top KLR, with Rick's help. Spencer and Rick helped me change the tire on the R50 rear wheel. For some reason easier said than done. I have a line on a complete Nomar machine, will get more active pursueing it.

[barryg]

Just received the Apr./May issue of the Beemer Bulletin. The newsletter of the Naturally Beemers of Ar. Had an article on the Arkansas Grand Tours. The first one announced, 1988, was the County Seat tour of Ar. Go to all 75 county seats in Ar. Funny thing is 10 counties had dual county seats, 85 in total. I luved it, I was off an riding. Took me almost a year and half. Turned my info in and was just proud that I got to ride all over Ar.. A couple of months later I got a package in the mail, in it was a commenerative coffe cup and congratulatory letter. Barry Phillips First Finisher The Great Arkansas Tour 1990. It really wasn't a contest to be first, but I was proud to get it. The one and only time I was first at anything in my whole life. :groovy:dance:thumb

[barryg]

Another Grand tour we started back in the day was The Six Corners Tour of Ar. Again, I was off an riding. This grand tour I road as a single trip. My plan was to ride the 6 corners in a clock wise motion, with the first stop being the Southeast corner. It was well over 100 degrees when I left and arrived in Southeast Ar.. Rode across south Ar. in one of the hottest rides I've ever been on. The temps were in the 103-106 degree range. Got the 2 corners done south and west of Texarkana. Headed north to to the northwest corner. Got it , then crossed the Missouri border and went to the BMW Hillbilly Rally. Had a good time, what I remember most was sitting waist deep in the Big Elk River, gulping down cold beer and cooling off from the heat. Sittin in that river was heaven after the hell of riden in Ar.. After the rally headed east and got the 2 northeast corners and then rode home. At a Naturally Beemer Fall campout I was given a plaque for completing that ride, Nice. I think I was the 3rd or 4th to complete that grand tour. Can't believe it's been over 20 years ago. Back then I had a head full of beautiful reddish brown hair. Now I have , well lets just say I still have hair. :ha

[barryg]

Back in the late 80's, early 90's I was running those tours and endless other rides, rallies, and runs on an old rag of a '74 R90/6. Those rides were allways done on a wing and a prayer. Got that bike apart now and slowly and I mean slowly gettin it back together. When done it will be the bike as I allways envisioned as a class act. Hope to have it done for the 25 year anniversary of our Naturally Beemer club, 2013.

[barryg]

Rode the R50 over to Bikes on Beale last night. New rear tire inspired a more confident ride. Got there a little late. The usual gang out in front of Superior BBQ and the Big $5 Beer Stand. Emily poured me a big Bud , I pulled out a Backwoods cigar and I was good to go. I was parked next to Pat's Norton and Peter's Indian Four. Marshall and Chris were there on a couple of /2's. Bikes coming, bikes going, bikes sittin, bikes a showin. As usual Pat's Norton and Peter's Four were gettin all the attention. That Four was gettin it's picture taken every time some one walked by it. The usual gang just stood around impromto conversin, catchin up and soakin up the whole ambiance of the evening. Dennis DeAngelo, rode up on a '73 Eldorado; my personal favorite bike of the night. Just reminds me so much of the style I'm workin toward on my '74 R90. Hopefully I'll get the chance to show Dennis all the back roads north of Memphis along the river. Maybe a visit to the Winery is in order. My little R50 pured like a kitten all the way back to the house. :dance

[barryg]

Gotta freight run over to Ft Smith, Ar.. After I got the load delivered, I went site seein. Downtown to Ft. Smith to Miss Laurie's Ft. Smith Welcome center. Rode my R90/6 here for my first Naturally Beemer event back in 1988. A little 580 mile day ride just to meet some of the other new members for lunch. Can't believe it's been 24 years ago. Went over and toured old Fort Smith the pioneer history of the area. Got my Civil War passbook stamped. Saw the movie posters of True Grit and Hangem High. Both movie's used Ft. Smith as a backdrop. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, I've watched both movie's many times. Ft. Smith was known as Hell on The Border and the Gallows at the historic site is a true testament to that.

[barryg]

Don Qualls called and wanted me to come to North Little Rock to be at a vintage race bike and vintage racers event, Sunday. Drove over Sunday to Spectators bar and grill. They had about 20 vintage race bikes on display and somewhat more old vintage ex bike racers. Most of the people their were local people to the area and were aquainted with each other. Nice bikes and people. Went out several times to see the street bikes people rode in on. A couple of airheads and a K75. A good variety of bikes, the day was perfect for riding. the whole weekend was perfect for riding and I saw 100's of bikes out and about.

[barryg]

Well I missed Bikes on Beale last Wendesday night. Storming all around, didn't want to get soaked on a 20 mile ride. Missed the Old Bike Club meeting Thursday night, couldn't seem to get going. Seems like most of the Rams have ridden over to the Georgia Mountain Rally and I'll be home this weekend. Maybe I'll ride over to the Winery this weekend, a good bottle of wine to change the attitude. :drink

[barryg]

Well, everyone's out of town on bike runs. Quite a few went to Corinth, Ms. to Lakehill motors. The Honda an Yamaha dealer is having a 50 year celebration for several weekends. This weekend is vintage bikes and vintage race bikes. They have a nice museum there. Check out their web site to see it. www.lakehillmotors.com. Pretty collection of bikes. The other group went to the RAMS monthly meeting up on the Buffalo River in Harriet, Ar. And here I sit. What's wrong with this picture, pretty much poor planning on my part. And a lack of funds. :stick

[barryg]

Gotta freight run, Tuesday night and run it over to Smyrna, Tn. . Wendesday mourning went back to Nashville and went to Bloodworth BMW. Looked around at the nice new bikes. Nothing I could afford. Bought 4 screws to hold down the brake fluid resorvoir top, my '94 R1100Rs. Parts guy, got my name and saw I was from Marion, Ar.. Kinda far to get 4 little screws? Yep, I replied, Gotta do what I gotta do; smiled and left. I'd missed the last couple of Beale Street Bike Nites , so I headed home. Got several calls headin back, are ya gonna be at Bike Nite? Yes. Are you Coming? Yes. Got home, got the R50 out and headed to bike night. Usual big cool crowd. Got my usual spot in front of Superior BBQ. We allways have the coolest collection of bikes. The Coolest of the Cool last nite was a early 80's Honda 450 twin. Met the owner. He had heavily modified the bike into a cafe bobber. Hand made aluminum tank, tail section, seat. endless neat little custom touches all fabricated by him. It was over the top and was stopping passersby who came over to check it out. I heard more than a few people say that this little section of Beale allways had the neatest stretch of best bikes to see. I totally agree.

[barryg]

I need to work. I need a freight run. Just sittin here waitin for a load offer. I want to ride over to Morrilton, Ar. To the Natural State Rally. Just low on funds. :violin
Well If I don't get a load offer, maybe I can do the scooter ride tomorrow in Shelby County. It's allways a hoot. Gotta enough dough to ride local. :thumb

[barryg]

Gotta a load offer to Dayton, Tn. No Ar.. Rally or even the scooter ride this weekend. Maybe ride over to the BMW dealer in Chattanooga, Pandora's after I deliver the load. Don Quales just called and said he was in Morrilton at the rally. Said about 40 had signed in, sure hate to miss it. Maybe next year.

[barryg]

Just got in and I did go by Pandora's BMW in Chattanooga. Really enjoyed my visit. Seemed like a happy place to hang around. They had a lunch buffet going on. They had the K1600GTL they accessorized for the BMW MOA rally give a way this summer on display. Somebodies going to win a heck of a bike. Saw thousands of bike on the road. Need to get something out and ride right now.

[barryg]

Here is a video of the scooter ride I missed. Recorded by the Real Deal Lin Deal. Lin spends more time on one wheel than two. Watch and enjoy, it's a hoot. www.youtube.com/watch?v=btaiT8K2cOk :thumb:dance

[barryg]

When your on that site you can see the 2nd video. I think there will be a 3rd video. If you scholl down you can see a video of Lin Neal riding dirt bike at Loretta Lynn's.

[barryg]

Just got thru watching the 3rd installment of the scooter ride. Sure hated that I missed the run. Fixin to get the R50 out and ride over to Beale St. for the weekly Bikes on Beale. Will get to talk to some of those that were on the scooter ride.

[barryg]

Spencer called and they were at the hanger with a Beemer project.
I was at a good stopping point in yard work and jumped on the R50 and headed over. The project was a '94 K1100RS that had been sitting for some time. Spencer's son had bought it cheap. The resurrection was in process. The usual problems were in the process of being addressed. Fuel and tank problems. Leaking fork seal, Im sure more will appear as the process progresses. He'll have a nice bike when it's all over.

[barryg]

Phillips's in holly springs, ms.

[barryg]

Sorry about that. Two rides planned to day in the area. The Old Bike Club rode this mourning to Holly Springs, Ms. for lunch at Phillips's Grocery.. I couldn't make that ride, sure wanted to. Holly Springs is such a beautiful antebellum town. I stayed home and fixed a lunch for my mother. Grilled out hamburger steaks, backed beans, corn on the cobb, etc., all good. Going for the 2nd ride. The Memphis Mummies are meeting at Young Av. Deli. for the Memphis in May Poker Run 2:30. I think 5 stops. Marion Barry's my name and pokers's my game. :dance Yea Right.