Source and image: Bike EXIF

Posted by Sam Kanish

Posted by Sam Kanish

Source: Departure Bike Works

Posted by Sam Kanish

Jackie and George had finally decided to get hitched but didn’t want to do it the traditional style. They had planned on riding to Sturgis so they just rerouted the trip to Las Vegas. Jackie rode her “Rocker” while George rode beside her on his “Cross Bones”.

The wedding was a private affair, well as private as one can be when Elvis walks the bride down the aisle in the Elvis Wedding Chapel. Of course the real honeymoon started after the vows were exchanged. The newly weds headed up through Utah to their original destination Sturgis. All in all the happy couple (they were both still smiling like a butchers dog) rode 5400 miles on their path to marital bliss.

Congratulations to Jackie and George!

Image: New Castle H-D

Posted by Sam Kanish

I rode out of Johnson City, Tennessee on I-26 to Weber City, Virginia where I-26 ends and the road becomes US-23. I stopped at a gas station with 32 miles on my gas tank, not to fuel up, but rather to assess the oil spew problem I had noticed. I just cleaned the bike and I figured I would be able to detect where the oil was coming from. I had my suspicions. Common sense tells me it can’t be from the crankcase breathers; way too much oil collecting at the base of the lifter blocks and not enough oil soaked road grime collecting around the carb.

oil collecting

looking up at the carb

Now with the right side of the engine and cases clean, I figured I’d be able to see what’s going on. The oil is coming from the rear push-rod seal at the bottom. That sucks. Just this spring they were in there and these seals are new, remember when they replaced the rollers? I do.  Slow burn, cuz I know the shop won’t recognize their culpability in this mess. I decide to keep an eye on the oil level and continue the ride. I’ve ridden that bike with the lifters bleeding so badly by the time I got from Dothan, Alabama to Vero Beach, Florida. I had oil spray from my shoulders to my ankles. I kept the T-shirt as a reminder. I did have to put 1/3 of a quart in before the ride was over.

My 1st sightseeing stop was at Benge’s Gap in Virginia, very close to the Kentucky state line. The gap was formed by an ancient creek flowing southward which cut through the land being pushed up to form the mountains. The gap was used by Native Americans and migrating animal herds. Later when the white men came it was a highly contested area that was eventually named by the whites after a Native American chief who fought diligently to defend it.

Benge's Gap Overlook

Benge's Gap

My next stop was in Norton, Virginia. I needed a quart of oil. It’s a quaint town, but the most interesting object for my camera I came across was the Cocoa Cola sign and clock.

old Coke sign & clock

I think the next little town I passed through was Jenkins. Its downtown was busy and very vibrant. I think they once heavily depended on coal, perhaps they still do. I saw homes that reminded me of the “company store” homes I’ve seen in coal towns all across West Virginia.

clock in Jenkins

In Jenkins I realize the time is almost 1 PM.  It’s time to figure out what to do. I look at the map and realize I’m in Kentucky. As I scan about for possible roads of interest, I find I’m very near The Breaks State Park in Virginia. I’ve wanted to see this area for a couple of years. No time like the present. I map my way to Breaks, Virginia. It’s a good day and a better ride. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything about the ride so far. I have stopped at a few places along the way to The Breaks, but when I saw this sign I was relieved. I was hungry as hell. Here I got good food at reasonable prices. You will too.

good food, good prices at the Snack Shack

Leaving the Snack Shack, I scared the piss outta myself. I checked the roadway for oncoming traffic, I checked it three times as I always do. When I started to pull onto the road to join the lane opposite of the place I was sitting at I discovered I was riding out into oncoming traffic. I did the only thing I could do. I corrected my steering to put me riding the outside of the lane, riding in the same lane as the oncoming car (I was facing him). But at least I was safe, he had room to swerve from my stupidity and I could move onto the berm if need be.  All was good. He adjusted and didn’t kill me, how sweet.

I arrived in good order at an overlook of the gorge. It’s wonderful. You must stop here!

looking into the gorge

stream going through the gorge

Leaving the overlook, I feel something that reminds me of my rear wheel being tugged at or bouncing over something. I’m wondering for a bit what the hell it was. I decided I must of rolled over wild life. It happened once more as I was turning into The Breaks State Park in Virginia. This time, I was thinking it felt like a tug. I then got a mental picture of one of the leather thongs I use to tie my bags on. I remember the rear set looked a bit loose at my last stop. I neglected to attend to the knots. When I got off to pay the attendant at the park entrance, I knew what it was. I felt very lucky for the second time that day. Man, any more stupidity will surely kill me, right?  Whew.

I didn’t have time to fully explore the huge park. I only stopped at one easily accessible overlook and I’m telling you: You MUST plan a full day there. If you’re a hiker, well what’s to say? So many great trails leading down to the gorge. There is camping or cabins and the park also offers wonderful lodging accommodations. There is horseback riding, a swimming pool and so much more! Be sure to come prepared for a weekend of fun!

state line at the Breaks

the route in from Kentucky

mountain gorge

After leaving the park, I headed for a little town on the map called Haysi.  This is a very small town whose downtown deserves more than just rolling through. But that’s all the time I had. I did stop to photograph this mural covering the side of the local food market.

Haysi mural

Ah Oh, I found myself on a road that I wasn’t supposed to be on. As I rolled down it directly in front of me about 50 feet away a full grown deer jumps out of the bushes on my left bounding to the other side and up an embankment to the woods. He was handsome. Lucky again.

I’m about 90 minutes from home when I stopped to capture this old abandoned house. When I see these huge homes, I wonder how in the world they managed to heat a home like this.  YIKES! I know there was some mighty cold spots in that house in winter.

abandoned farm house

I’m almost home now. I’m riding East toward home on I-26 when I notice my shadow is out racing me home.

shadow racing

That’s it girls and boys. I’m home and this is what I got. You Like?

By MARILYN ELMORE BRAGG (CHESSIE)

The charges of Criminal Recklessness were filed after multiple charges of DUI were dropped even though the police officer’s blood alcohol level was reportedly more than twice the legal limit. The alcohol related charges had to be dropped due to a technicality. The technician that drew the blood was not certified to perform the test.

More developments in the case include the revelation that the officer has a history of aggressive driving with 5 on-the-job vehicle accidents in his 9 year tenure. Also 3 high ranking officers in the department have been disciplined for their involvement in the handling of the crash investigation. Mean while the FBI has been called in to investigate.

Source: AMA
Posted by Sam Kanish

Posted by Sam Kanish

Also featured in the movie is a set of custom painted guitars by famous motorcycle artist Lory Lockwood. In the movie Bruce Willis is shown painting them in his tattoo shop but it was actually Lory. Here’s some exclusive shots from behind the scenes of “The Expendables”.

Source and images: anonymous IronWorker

Posted by Sam Kanish

Source and image: Beirut Nightlife

Posted By Sam Kanish

Source: Zippers Performance Products

Posted by Sam Kanish

Source: Associated Press

Image: Peter Lenz .Com

Posted by Sam Kanish

But there is a rumor that there may be an assembly plant built sometime in the future in India for that and Asian markets. If that happens it would be a solely owned venture and not a partnership with any existing company in the region.

Source: Milwaukee  Journal Sentinel

Posted by Sam Kanish

http://rcpt.yousendit.com/932141467/4e5a782de36f2aacdd0cd5ca3bf7a1d5

Source: Anonymous

Posted by Sam Kanish

Source and images: SuperTrapp/Kerker

Posted by Sam Kanish