Rainy day blues and a beast

OK, here's a report on the Luckenback Harvest Classic show from last month; SWMBO and myself went to Fredricksburg on Friday and played tourist while most of the tourists weren't there and it was nice without the crowded stores and sidewalks. After spending the night there, we got up to find it was raining. We went to eat to form a game plan just in case and then headed out to Luckenback. There's a large field behind the dance hall for parking and there weren't that many vehicles of the four wheeled variety parked there so that was a clue for things to come. While SWMBO was changing from sandals to sneakers, I trudged across the field to the entrance to see if it was a go or not. Trudged was appropriate as there was straw covering some of the ruts and holes where puddles had formed. Asked one guy the status and he says its still on, vendors and other things had been moved inside the dance hall out of the weather. Went back to the truck to let the other half know and we decided that it was pretty much a wash out. And in case you're wondering, yes I did say truck. SWMBO doesn't ride on MCs and tolerates mine, plus we had plans to do a little more travelling that day, which we did. So, we headed out to our other destination which when we arrived was in progress, but due to the weather wasn't as active as the organizers had wanted. Admittance to this event, a wine and food thing, was $40/head! yeas that's right $4)/head to sample wine, nibble on food and whatever in cold damp conditions, in a small country town. Ugh, that's OK, maybe next year if it's dry. So no pictures were taken I'm afraid as a wet empty event isn't too photogenic but we still had a good time. But there are some pictures of the beast as requested by Harry Larry:

Has it been that long???

Wowsers!!!! Can't believe it's been over a year since any postings on here. Time flies and all that. The OIF A65T came in and a fine beast it is too! Had to get used to right-hand shifting, left foot braking again and using the leg to start instead of a button but it's been worth it. Tomorrow, SWMBO and myself will be heading out of town to one of our favorite places to play tourist BEFORE the tourist get there and then to Luckenbach on Saturday for the annual MC show there. Pics will be taken and posted. And the big news from the hot box that is south Tex-ass is that it's finally cooled down....now if it'll get into the 40s-50s I'll be even happier. Well, enough drivel for tonight, things need to be done before tomorrow so time to toodle off.

A newish addition

Due to receiving an inheritance it was decided to add another fine machine to the stable at Casa Bodger. This was something that has been wanted for quite a while and seeing how the readies were there, it was a case of getting while it was there. A rather promising lead came up in the form of a BSA B44SS located up cheese country, Wisconsin and was going for a good price. But due to some needed repairs on SWMBOs domicile that Bodger also resides in, the folding stuff was earmarked for that instead. Along with having to replace the trusty, and that word is used loosely, chariot to it coming close to being knackered, it was decided to hold on until later to purchase the newish steed. That and a planned trip to Ye Olde Europe which had been planned and already paid for months back. Anyhows, after finding out the needed repairs were going to be less than expected and a quick check of the coffers, the hunt was on again and the new steed was purchased.

Yep, a 71 OIF BSA A65 Thunderbolt. It should arrive in about a week from Baxter Cycles in Marne, Iowa after they service it with fresh oil, tires, etc. before shipping it down. But there is some space required in the garage so things will have to be rearranged to fit. Can't wait :D

2014 BMOA Rallye at Lake Somerville not New Ulm

This year was the 30th Annual BMOA Rallye held at Lake Somerville instead of New Ulm as in the past. The day was pretty nice weather-wise, cool and breezy. Being next to a lake helped too! Instead of jabbering away about this, a few pictures will show some of the talent there:

As can be seen there were some pretty nice examples of various motorcycle industries from the world to include a classic car that would make a nice bike hauler for these events along with a trailer owned by the North Texas NOC. There was one rarity that muggings ehre forgot to get a picture of but did talk with the owner for a bit. He, Rick, lives a few miles away and would let any and all ride his pride and joy if they cared to. This machine was a rare and utilitarian Rokon.

A visit to Brum

Recently Bodger made a trip back to the home country due a passing on in the family. While there, it was decided to use the opportunity to pay a visit to the Birmingham area or as called in the Midlands, Brum, the ports of call being the National Motorcycle Museum in the Solihull area and to Small Heath. First to Solihull and the National Motorcycle Museum of NMM. This is a very impressive collection of British made motorcycles from the start of the last century to up into the 80s-90s. There are makes were in existence for a few years and makes that lasted for decades. Here's a few examples(unfortunately no notes were made of what was what, so it's quiz time): After spending a while there at the NMM, and getting a copy of Rupert Ratios newest book on BSA Singles, covering all the other stuff, it was time to venture off to Small Heath to see where Bodgers two fine examples of British motorcycling came from. First it should be mentioned that an attempt was made to go there prior to the NMM in the morning but after getting slightly lost due (nearly in Meriden at that other makes place of manufacture)to not having a map and doing something rather silly such as relying on memory of looking at a map, it was decided to ask directions at the NMM. Got going in the right direction and after 10-20 minutes of driving, was beginning to wonder if had missed it completely. When the signs for Birmingham City center were seen as well as for Birmingham City FC stadium came to view, it was decided that something was wrong. So after going around a roundabout and heading back in the opposite direction, things came back to normal while a sign for Small heath Industrial area came into view. After making a right turn this came into view

And then a left at this one

Bodger had arrived!!!! However, due to local city government and other reasons, the following was no longer in existence

What was there were small warehouses and businesses. However, there was a small remnant of the great works left that now manufactures BSA guns, air rifles and rifle scopes

After getting back in the local area, a stop was made at the place of employment of Bodgers bestest friend of over 40 years, Willum. However there was sad news there as he had passed on back in December from the Big C it appears. RIP mate.

An update

Holy crap Batman, it's been donkeys years, well OK a couple of months, since any scribbling has been scribbled on ye olde Blogge. A lot of doings have been going on since the last posting, in no particular order: -The better halves old chap left us due to Mr. C which is never pleasant. -Got Vickies tank plus a spare for Amelia soda blasted down to bare metal for a repaint.

-A trip back home due to the Bodgers Old Girl leaving this mortal coil -A trip to the birthplace of Vicky and Amelia

Now for those of you NOT keeping up with current events, the first picture above, the premises were tore down in the 1970s AFTER BSA were defunct and no more even. -There was also another trip to the NMM in the Brum area that coincided with thee trip to Armoury Road. Well, that's it for the update, vittles is being prepared and about to be scoffed. So until the next time..........

A Norton Commando is the star of a movie

Yes, that's right, an 850 Norton Commando Interstate is the star of sorts of this piece of cinematic work:

This movie is one of those that is so stupid it's actually funny, perhaps it intentionally by the makers. In a nod to another classic motorcycle movie, there's a cameo appearance on a moped no less by Colin Campbell who played "Reggie" in the 60s cult classic "The Leather Boys."

Vintage 1960s Scrambling (hopefully)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY2jvzAWR2k

News flash.....that got your attention!!!!!!

It's been all go 'round here............first off down at ye Olde Postal Salt Mines, we got "new, improved routes" which means that we got bigger routes to deal with. And in keeping with our contract, due to vast changes in the way our "new, improved routes" came aboot, Bodger got onto a route that still has a good portion of his old routes associated with it. This is NOT to say that Bodger will be staying on it, nos sirree Bob!!! Bodger has put forth the mechanizations to leave and got to another station, away from the tomfoolery at the present station. Also, for the past fortnight, Bodger and lass Teri have been cavorting around up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area visiting the sites and wineries and a good time we had too! Just to show what we saw:

The Texas School Book Depository.....tops marks for those who know what happened there Next:

Two guesses where this is......the pic on the right will give a clue After leaving the concrete jungle of Dallas/Fort Worth, it was off to the East to take a thirty mile ride on this:

Yep, it's a real working steam locomotive and there's two of them that do this thirty mile run daily between two small towns for tourists to experience what it was like in the old days. While driving about these were seen in a small town named after Davy Crockett, tributes to Blues musicians:

The one on the left is a mural to honor some of the legends of the Blues such as BB King and Lightnin' Hopkins and the one on the right is a statue of Lightnin' Hopkins Luckily our trip was near an end. While in Wacko, I mean Waco, the A/C in Teri's car decided to give up the ghost and a drive that should've taken about 2 1/2 hours took about four due to having to stop and rest a spell in the cool confines of Mickey D's or some other fast food establishment. We did see a few other things that were cool.....in Fort Worth there was a place selling Royal Enfields so a visit was made. They all looked pretty nice and were all under $7000. Also, at one winery not to far from the rail line we travelled, there was a pet lying on a seat on the front porch. But this was no ordinary pet. Nope, it was a pet goat which seemed to act like it was a dog. Other than finding a place here in town that sells Scottish Belhaven ales, which I won't torment you with, that was a very fun and relaxing two weeks off from the Postal Salt Mines.