I'm back, and now own a Harley too (posted in rec.motercycles.harleys a year ago)

 I had rebooted my computer, then some tragic events happened that left me
not to concerned about newsgroups. Well, finally got em back up. Didn't feel
like retyping this so I just cut and pasted.

ZX11Steve




Never thought I'd be writing on this NG, I've been a riceburner rider on and
off for my entire life. I love the insane pull of a 4 cylinder engine
winding up to 10,000 rpms, hitting 70 mph in first gear. My brother had a
rice burner in the 90's but bought a 94 Fatboy back when he was stationed in
Germany in the 90's. When we both retired, him in 2000, me in 2001, I got my
current bike a Kawasaki ZX-11 and we did several good rides together. But
jobs and wife's keep me away from the roads, and I kept suggesting to my
brother that we do a ironbutt ride together, but he never seemed interested.
In some ways my brother was searching to belong, to be the coolest. Buying
the Harley, he did the entire wardrobe when riding. He only wore Harley
shirts; mostly, that was all he owned. He had a guy in Germany air brush his
custom tanks, Everyone agrees it looks a bit amateurish, but you would tell
him how great it looked. Dad and I agree the stock paint (turquoise) looked
real nice. He has LOUD pipes, I prefer the quiet ones.  I like a full face
helmet, he wore the half shell when with the abate club, but the fullface
when with me.
We were opposites, but we were brothers.

February 11th I found my big brother deceased at his home, and now I own his
94 Fatboy.


I took it out for a 50 mile ride yesterday, As I hit the first set of light
corners on a familiar road between his house and mine, I called out loud to
him, "Lets ride Rick, lets ride".


I wore his 1/2 shell. Found a nice leather jacket in his closet, that
probably hasn't fit him in a while. The roar of the bike is addicting; and
not so bad when you are ahead of the pipes. My feet vibrate numb and the
speed-o jumps in its mounts. The seat very comfortable. I'm not used to the
floorboards and the modified pedals, not the left side and right side turn
signal controls, but  I manage a nice ride on one of the nicest days of the
year so far. The low center of gravity, weight and suspension design mane
this a real stable bike on the road, easy to control. This is the type of
bike I really didn't care about and yet I'm having fun. the low seat makes
it great to get on and off, and easy to back out of a parking spot.
Suddenly, other bikers who wouldn't wave in the past are waving.... hmmm,
I'm the same person.....


If things were different and I needed a bike, I wouldn't go searching for a
Harley for myself, there are others that I do like better. And for all the
things on this bike I didn't care  for, the paint, the pipes, it all stays
as he left it. The original tanks and pipes are in his garage still. I've
worked on Aircraft and an a auto mechanic by trade, but know so little about
this bike. I gotta learn now.
There is something magical about this bike; some may say its because it is a
Harley, but I think it's because "This is my big brothers bike"
I'm gonna miss you bro...


In Memory of:
Richard A. Hansen
SSgt USAF 1980-2000
October 4 1961- February 11 2008


I will see you all on the road, and I will wave at all on 2 wheels.
Stephen (Steve) Hansen


PS: he also left us a "under construction" Chopper, with every part coming
directly from a catalog. about 13 grand so far. A Niece will get it to
complete when she and her boyfriend finally marry. (I have a 1950 F-1 truck
to complete still, I do not need another project......

 
(Snip)


Condolences on the loss of your brother, Steve.  I almost lost my
brother last year to a reckless driver.   I ride a Harley and a
Ducati, and like you, I wave at anyone on 2 wheels.

 

Wonderfully said.

I have a sense your big brother will be riding with you from now on.
--
Don

The NART Pilgrimage 2009
http://www.actualriders.ca/nartPilgrimage.htm

2004 Road King
2000 Yamaha Venture MM Edition

 

If being a Harley made it special to your brother, I'd say the
original reason still applies.

Nice post (although I already read it before on RMH, long ago), but
you seem a bit too excuse-laden about riding that bike.  Feeling the
blow-back now for your past attitude towards riders of Harleys, I
suspect.