Thursday 14 May 2015

Demo ride - Saturday May 23


I first tagged onto the back of the Leeds Motorcycle Action Group's annual demo ride on a little L-plated 125cc. That was some time back but lining up behind hundreds of other bikers and having Plod wave us thru the city centre was a real thrill. Saturday shoppers stood, stared and waved - everyone loves a biker it seems.
This year's event starts at Squires around noon and ends up at one of my favourite ride out pubs.
If you're in Leeds, join in. Freedom still isn't free.

Happy Birthday Harley (Leeds)


Harley's 'new' Leeds dealership celebrated their 3rd birthday at the weekend - so time for a pop-down.

Missed Saturday's shindig due to work but 'Elvis' was still in the house Sunday and the vibe was relaxed and friendly. 

Looking around the parking area and the showroom interior did, however, remind me just how far I now sit from mainstream 'dealer-fresh' Harley buyers (the chap above was one of the few exceptions).

The HOG thing never held interest for me. And those box-fresh ABS equipped, nick-nack strewn new models lack the spirit I'm after.  

I don't have the builder skills to start from a box of bits  - or the wad to import a barn-find or Craigslist original. So I'll plug away, as I have done for the past 5 years, finding the parts I can afford and putting aside the cash bit-by-bit to transform my Twin Cam into something nearer the real deal I could never afford in one go. 

Being able to make the bike my own is the real mojo I've found in MoCo even though The Freaker can never be the whole shebang 

It may not be Rushmore new or Knuck or Pan old - but every ride is that much sweeter.

Monday 4 May 2015