I have been thinking of converting to a trike for a while now. I just don’t know if I can give up the feel of two wheels and what I think of as a “real” motorcycle. However, it was only a couple of months ago when I dropped my bike in the worst possible place—my own driveway. It took only seconds for my brain to quit screaming, “Gotta get up before someone sees me!” to, “What the Hell? My right foot is pinned under the bike! Can anybody see me? Help!” A teenaged boy from across the street came to the rescue, and I was soon set free. The problem is that my ankle is still sore from the abuse it took. So, as I think again about converting, I see that Lehman Trikes out of Spearfish, South Dakota, is offering a newly redesigned kit for Harleys. It is the Renegade LLS (Limited Lean Suspension). This conversion kit features independent suspension with standard parking brake and optional adjustable lean control and triple tree. While I am not sure what a triple tree is, I like the idea of an optional adjustable lean control. This allows the rider to choose their desired level of cornering performance. Well, as anyone who has ever ridden with me in the twisties knows, my cornering performance could use some improvement. Not included in the base price, but certainly available are installation services and color-match paint. Yep. I want both of these options. As far as I can tell, there are only three authorized Harley-Davidson Lehman Trike dealers in California. In the south there is El Cajon Harley-Davidson in El Cajon and the So Cal Trike Center in San Marcos, and in the north, Freedom Rides in Lincoln. I would appreciate it if some of you trike riders will take the time to let me know how you like riding on three wheels… On April 24, Marvin Elliott was riding to Laughlin. Sadly, Marvin was killed when his Harley-Davidson trike struck a guardrail. A fellow biker and co-worker of Jan and Mike Landers of Vacaville, Marvin was from Pittsburg and he had retired only three months prior to the accident. Jan said, “He was a wonderful, caring person, and he will be sorely missed.” Heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends… Happy birthday to all Harley riders who celebrate in July. Happy birthday to Sammy Kain, owner of Sammy Kain’s Tattooz in Scotts Valley. Happy birthday to that snowbird Jeannie Atwater and to Wende Fletcher from Santa Cruz, James “Ole” Olson in Texas, Jenny McDonald of Iron Steed H.O.G., John Holm of Mt Diablo H.O.G., and in Modesto H.O.G., happy birthday to Mike Rampoldi and Sue Chimerofsky. Happy birthday to celebrity riders Charlie Brechtel, Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Toby Keith and Harrison Ford… Of all the H.O.G. chapters in the entire state of California, none do more riding or have more fun than the group in Modesto. Take, for example, their recent ride to Pismo Beach. Dave Ensley forgot to take shorts for walking on the beach, so he bought one pair of ugly plaid britches in colors to match all of his Harley shirts. Then he wore these horrid things for three days. Bad enough you say? Nope. Dave did not bring or buy any skivvies, either! This group is not going to let it go unnoticed or unrewarded—especially Roxe Brown. Roxe nominated Dave for a Butler Award. Modesto’s Butler Award is like a Broken Spoke Award, but guess what they use as a symbol? A toilet seat. Very appropriate for this particular faux pas, don’t you think! The high jinx of this group is a direct reflection of the spirit of Art Mitchell, owner of Mitchell’s Harley-Davidson dealership. Art is always in the center of the mix when cool things are happening. I once witnessed members of Modesto H.O.G. trying for distance with a pickle-spitting contest. Each contestant put a whole dill pickle in his mouth, took a deep breath and shot it out. I believe the winner of the contest I saw was Ken “Papa Bear” Allen with an impressive 303 inches, and wouldn’t you know that Art invented this game. Another example of Art’s fun-loving nature was when the Modesto group hosted the 2005 California State H.O.G. Rally. They put out a chapter challenge for a lip-synching contest. Art donned a black leather brassiere, short black skirt and a large feathered hat to lip synch to Trashy Women and brought the house down… It is not too early to get tickets to Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary Celebration held in Milwaukee over Labor Day weekend. Tickets are available at www.h-d.com/110tickets. Entertainment will include over 60 bands, and headliners include Toby Keith, Aerosmith and Kid Rock. But, do you know that this is a double celebration? In addition to the 110th Anniversary for The Motor Company, it is also the 30th Anniversary for the Harley Owners Group. While the celebration will run from August 29 through September 1, if you are a card-carrying member of H.O.G. you will want to be at the Summerfest Grounds from noon until 5:00 on the 29th. The 110th Anniversary Celebration ticket includes a H.O.G. member-only 30th Anniversary Party featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd… Don’t forget July 20 at Jamestown H-D for their 13th annual Run to the Pines. Jamestown really knows how to throw a party, and you are sure to have an awesome time. Tickets are available at the dealership. For more information, give them a call at 209.984.4888.
