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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: jas67 on December 27, 2014, 07:54:02 AM

Title: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: jas67 on December 27, 2014, 07:54:02 AM
Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing.  Half helmets, t-shirts and America iron. Sobriety optional.   
What could possibly go wrong?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152991939594722 (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152991939594722)



Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: kevdog3019 on December 27, 2014, 08:10:44 AM
Sick trick but funny to watch.  :D
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: biking sailor on December 27, 2014, 08:16:56 AM
Looks like they were having fun!  :bike

But, I wonder how many wake up the next day hurting, look at the damage to their bikes, and asked themselves "what the hell was I thinking?"   :BEER: 
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Caffeineo on December 27, 2014, 08:26:59 AM
After they eliminated all the first corner crashers there were a couple of good riders. But......what were they thinking...flat track the bike you rode there.  ??? Some will need to truck them home.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Bill Hagan on December 27, 2014, 09:23:42 AM

I took a(n authorized) break from cleaning for company to watch that.

Was prepared to mock those folks, but almost cheered for 'em when I saw it all.  God bless 'em for that sort of élan.

Merry Third Day of Christmas!

Bill



Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: jas67 on December 27, 2014, 10:06:54 AM
Looks like they were having fun!  :bike

But, I wonder how many wake up the next day hurting, look at the damage to their bikes, and asked themselves "what the hell was I thinking?"   :BEER: 

 :+1

There were even some baggers out there with the bags still on.   I'd have thought you want to at least remove them before going out so they didn't get damaged in the inevitable crash.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: kckershovel on December 27, 2014, 10:19:35 AM
I like it. I would be into a run what ya brung flat amateur flat track racing. Especially with the lax rules they appeared to have.   
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: GearheadGrrrl on December 27, 2014, 10:39:39 AM
Confirms my suspicions about Harley riders! There were a couple Buells in there and their riders seemed to do a bit better. And WTH, Buell Blasts are pretty much disposable anyway!@
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Johncolleary on December 27, 2014, 10:42:00 AM
That's at Costa Mesa Speedway in Orange County Ca. That is one of the most entertaining events!  Nothing like watching all of the chrome fly.  There's usually one guy with horns on his helmet that cleans up on a big bagger.  I can't believe they still allow this in Ca. but I love it!
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 27, 2014, 11:04:57 AM
Not something one wants their insurance agent to find out  :D

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: bad Chad on December 27, 2014, 11:07:50 AM
Mostly complete dip shits, but you can tell a couple of the riders had some experience of one kind or another, if not a bit of a knack.

I'm sure it is fun to watch, but looks like a very good way to get hurt and spend lots of $$$.


The riders seemto have no problems blowing buy red flags!
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: dilligaf on December 27, 2014, 11:13:44 AM
A tip of the hat to the race track.  The liability has to be out of this world or maybe they just don't understand what liability is.  ::)  Looks like a lot of fun to me.  ;-T 50 years, or so, ago I'd been right in the middle of that. Hold my  :BEER: and look out.   :bike
Matt
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Lannis on December 27, 2014, 11:36:32 AM
A tip of the hat to the race track.  The liability has to be out of this world or maybe they just don't understand what liability is.  ::)  Looks like a lot of fun to me.  ;-T 50 years, or so, ago I'd been right in the middle of that. Hold my  :BEER: and look out.   :bike
Matt

That was my very first thought.  Old-fashioned "run whut ya brung" racing is all very well, and probably went over fine 60 years ago, but what's this business with T-shirts and no protective gear and probably half-lit?   Even the simplest "track day" requires 90% tread tires, full body protection, etc.

If one of those idiots broke his neck and was a quadraplegic for the next 50 years, he'd not only own the track but the assets of everyone who had anything to do with it, probably including the bike manufacturer, doesn't matter what kind of "release" he signed.

I suppose we'll find out for sure some day.   Meanwhile, my judgmental, prejudiced, bigoted impressions of "bad-ass Harley Riders" as incompetent posing morons has just been re-inforced ...

Lannis   ;)
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: mgfan on December 27, 2014, 11:47:58 AM
Testosterone number higher than IQ.    :BEER:
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Rough Edge racing on December 27, 2014, 11:54:26 AM
That was my very first thought.  Old-fashioned "run whut ya brung" racing is all very well, and probably went over fine 60 years ago, but what's this business with T-shirts and no protective gear and probably half-lit?   Even the simplest "track day" requires 90% tread tires, full body protection, etc.

If one of those idiots broke his neck and was a quadraplegic for the next 50 years, he'd not only own the track but the assets of everyone who had anything to do with it, probably including the bike manufacturer, doesn't matter what kind of "release" he signed.

I suppose we'll find out for sure some day.   Meanwhile, my judgmental, prejudiced, bigoted impressions of "bad-ass Harley Riders" as incompetent posing morons has just been re-inforced ...

Lannis   ;)

 I don't know if you can really sue the track after signing the wavers all tracks have. Riders/drivers get banged up and occasionally dead on race tracks everywhere.If it was easy to sue there would be no race tracks. But if there's gross negligence on the part of the track, like equipment regulations that aren't what's accepted as safe....might be different.
 But it's fun to watch and I would do that no problem but not on a heavy expensive street bike.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: GearheadGrrrl on December 27, 2014, 12:23:36 PM
Looked like the very definition of "gross negligence"!
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: sib on December 27, 2014, 12:50:56 PM
:+1

There were even some baggers out there with the bags still on.   I'd have thought you want to at least remove them before going out so they didn't get damaged in the inevitable crash.


Bags are protection in a low-sider.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Lannis on December 27, 2014, 01:41:41 PM
Looked like the very definition of "gross negligence"!

I'm not a lawyer, don't even play one on TV.   But if I was, I'd take the hurt or killed rider's case on, on a contingency basis, in a second.

I don't know.  Maybe it's like a local rodeo, where any drunk redneck who thinks he can ride a bull is welcome to go out and give it a try?   That seems to be pretty popular, maybe this is the same kind of thing.   I just hate to see one more thing that indicates to the non-motorcycling world that we motorcyclists are just feckless idiots ....  :BEER:

Lannis
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Aaron D. on December 27, 2014, 03:14:29 PM
Frankly I'm glad to see some people with the attachments needed to do this, organizers and participants.

And the poor bugger with the tshirt and coal-scuttle helmet gets my applause for getting up so many times.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Lannis on December 27, 2014, 03:28:55 PM
Frankly I'm glad to see some people with the attachments needed to do this, organizers and participants.

And the poor bugger with the tshirt and coal-scuttle helmet gets my applause for getting up so many times.

Nah.   Reminds me of "Porky's" 

"I'll make a man out of you yet, boy!"
"If being a man means being what you are, I'd rather be queer!" .....

I don't consider any of this a sign of bravery and manliness .... but that's just me.

Lannis
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Aaron D. on December 27, 2014, 03:37:43 PM
Not about bravery or manliness. Certainly not manliness with the young lady out there.  Well, maybe it is about bravery. It's hard to get on the fast side of the fence. Most find excuses to stay on the couch.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: johnr on December 27, 2014, 04:01:44 PM
Great fun to watch, and probably to do. I would have been a watcher.
They kept stopping it though, for no apparent reason...
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: segesta on December 27, 2014, 04:12:00 PM
My son rides offroad, and wears about $1200 worth of top-notch safety gear while tearing around on his crappy $500 dirt bike.

The knuckleheads in the video are the inverse: maybe a $100 helmet while crashing a $35,000 bike. It's entertaining to watch, but in a 'watch the monkeys throw their feces' sort of way. Maybe I'm just no fun.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Stephen on December 27, 2014, 04:21:31 PM
Remember Joe Namath in CC and Company...Choppers on the MX course and then Choppers on flat track?

Classic
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: steven c on December 27, 2014, 04:48:24 PM
 Good ole boy fun! In the comments someone mention that Roland Sands was the winner. 
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Doppelgaenger on December 27, 2014, 05:46:53 PM
I never understand when people drive their personal vehicles into situations where they could get smashed up.

Friend of mine decided to take his truck to huckfest on the pismo dunes, he rolled it and smashed it up good, he'd just paid it off too...

then you got these guys demolishing some of their bikes. Stupid is as stupid does...
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: johnr on December 27, 2014, 06:15:57 PM
I must confess to having driven a bus, full of passengers, round a speedway track (1/4 mile dirt) once. I wasn't racing anyone though, it was just a spur of the moment thing.  ;D
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 27, 2014, 06:49:46 PM
I must confess to having driven a bus, full of passengers, round a speedway track (1/4 mile dirt) once. I wasn't racing anyone though, it was just a spur of the moment thing.  ;D

We are a strange lot  ;D Did you "back 'er in" to the corners John ? ;D

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: kirb on December 27, 2014, 06:49:58 PM
Listen to the audio at 5:00 mark...race winner was Roland Sands. Watch how he is riding and it doesn't surprise me how well he did. I was surprised the Buell rider did that well.

For the uninformed- what he used to do-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Sands

What he does now (father owns Performance Machine) and sells a TON of HD parts-
http://www.rolandsands.com/
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: johnr on December 27, 2014, 09:33:18 PM
We are a strange lot  ;D Did you "back 'er in" to the corners John ? ;D

  Dusty

 ;D  I took it pretty easy actually. I was in an oldish fluid drive Leyland that weighed 11 tons on it's own, and the track was as rough as hell!
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: krglorioso on December 27, 2014, 11:31:25 PM
I am speechless...

Ralph
American Motorcycle Association Expert flat track license holder, 1965-68.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 27, 2014, 11:47:31 PM
I am speechless...

Ralph
American Motorcycle Association Expert flat track license holder, 1965-68.

A member of the "White Plates" , cool  ;-T

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: bad Chad on December 28, 2014, 12:17:52 AM
A member of the "White Plates" , cool  ;-T

  Dusty

I don't know what "White Plates" refers to, but I did notice the entire audience seemed to be white as a bed sheet.   Looks like a very Red Neck party. 
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 28, 2014, 12:23:31 AM
I don't know what "White Plates" refers to, but I did notice the entire audience seemed to be white as a bed sheet.   Looks like a very Red Neck party. 

Our boy Ralph was a "white plate" flat tracker , raced with the big boys  ;-T

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Tobit on December 28, 2014, 10:51:33 AM
Hmm,

Rent a Harley, with their full coverage insurance and go flat trackin'.

Tobit
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: krglorioso on December 29, 2014, 08:28:32 PM
A member of the "White Plates" , cool  ;-T

  Dusty

Right on, Dusty.  I am a Charter Member, White Plate Flat Trackers Association.  (Pre-1970 White Plate holders.)  There was very little money in professional motorcycle racing and we lived a somewhat hardscrabble existence. After 1970, the Japanese factories poured wall-to-wall money into racing and racers no longer traveled in old delivery vans or sedans pulling trailers or slept at the track. I had to end racing after several months in hospital on two occasions.  I still miss it almost 50 years later.  It really gets to you at that level.

There's a monument to us at Sturgis, in front of the Chamber of Commerce.  My name's on it.  One year, about 1990, I told my wife we were coming back to California (after visiting her family in Wisconsin) via South Dakota, to see a monument to famous men.  She expected Mount Rushmore.  I took her to Sturgis and showed her my name on the monument.  True story.  We are still married, by the way.

Ralph
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: krglorioso on December 29, 2014, 08:35:32 PM
Pro racing was very strictly regulated.  One had to have "sportsman" (non-professional) experience prior to applying for a Novice (green number plates) license.  If the rider won or placed high enough to amass 20 points (a win was 5 points, 2d 3, 3d 2 and 4th1) he would advance to "Amateur" (actually a journeyman professional) status (Yellow number plates).  If the rider then won or placed high enough to amass 40 points, the following year and thereafter he was classified an Expert and rode with white number plates.  Novices got 15% of the purse; Amateurs got 25% and Experts competed for 60% of the purse.  Some purses were for as little as $300 back in the early-mid 1960s so it was a good thing gas was cheap or we'd never have gotten home!

Ralph
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 29, 2014, 10:12:44 PM
Ralph ,
Your name always rang a bell with me , just couldn't quite figure out why , then yesterday it all came clear . Have followed flat track and the old class C racing since the mid 60's , yeah , was just a pup , but even then it stirred my blood . Nixon , Romero , Mann , were heroes to me , and now so are you . Well met and kudos to you Sir  ;-T

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: krglorioso on December 30, 2014, 10:56:27 PM
Ralph ,
Your name always rang a bell with me , just couldn't quite figure out why , then yesterday it all came clear . Have followed flat track and the old class C racing since the mid 60's , yeah , was just a pup , but even then it stirred my blood . Nixon , Romero , Mann , were heroes to me , and now so are you . Well met and kudos to you Sir  ;-T

  Dusty

I rode out of the same Triumph shop with Gary in 1965.  He was a factory rider, top of the heap.  I was a Junior at that time, set to advance to Expert in 1966.  I was always in awe of him, for good reason.  Gary did not suffer fools easily.  I remained silent and out of his way.  The top Experts were from another planet.  The things they could do with a motorcycle....and make it look so easy!
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 30, 2014, 11:12:30 PM
I rode out of the same Triumph shop with Gary in 1965.  He was a factory rider, top of the heap.  I was a Junior at that time, set to advance to Expert in 1966.  I was always in awe of him, for good reason.  Gary did not suffer fools easily.  I remained silent and out of his way.  The top Experts were from another planet.  The things they could do with a motorcycle....and make it look so easy!

True about the other planet thing . However if you qualified for an expert plate , that tells me that you were no slouch . Kind of like being in the NBA , the guy sitting at the end of the bench is still one hell of a basketball player.
Us mere mortals never get the chance to even sit on the bench . A friend of mine , John Jeffries , rode the national circuit as a Junior in the late 60's early 70's , and recently won a couple of VDTRA 500 CC national titles . Tells some funny stories about Gary .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: mtiberio on December 31, 2014, 06:50:58 AM
I believe that Roland Sands used to run AMA 250 GP back in the day when I was running Pro-Twins...

I love this video, I'd love to do it if my left ankle wasn't junk. However I wouldn't take my 2013 Harley Road King. But the risk is huge, early in the video, that one fellow heads straight for the unprotected wall. All that said, everyone has the right to do stupid sh*t... Only question is, is this a worthy cause? Who are we to speak for another? Short of war to protect ones family, is any endeavor that gets you off the couch worth the risk? Is risk a fair trade for entertainment. Look around you. Don't all of us here ride motorcycles? You do know how it can turn to total poop in a nano-second despite your best attempts, no?

Teddy Roosevelt -
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

and

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Crusty on December 31, 2014, 07:14:18 AM
I believe that Roland Sands used to run AMA 250 GP back in the day when I was running Pro-Twins...

I love this video, I'd love to do it if my left ankle wasn't junk. However I wouldn't take my 2013 Harley Road King. But the risk is huge, early in the video, that one fellow heads straight for the unprotected wall. All that said, everyone has the right to do stupid sh*t... Only question is, is this a worthy cause? Who are we to speak for another? Short of war to protect ones family, is any endeavor that gets you off the couch worth the risk? Is risk a fair trade for entertainment. Look around you. Don't all of us here ride motorcycles? You do know how it can turn to total poop in a nano-second despite your best attempts, no?

Teddy Roosevelt -
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

and

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

 :+1   ;-T
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Aaron D. on December 31, 2014, 08:00:34 AM
I believe that Roland Sands used to run AMA 250 GP back in the day when I was running Pro-Twins...

I love this video, I'd love to do it if my left ankle wasn't junk. However I wouldn't take my 2013 Harley Road King. But the risk is huge, early in the video, that one fellow heads straight for the unprotected wall. All that said, everyone has the right to do stupid sh*t... Only question is, is this a worthy cause? Who are we to speak for another? Short of war to protect ones family, is any endeavor that gets you off the couch worth the risk? Is risk a fair trade for entertainment. Look around you. Don't all of us here ride motorcycles? You do know how it can turn to total poop in a nano-second despite your best attempts, no?

Teddy Roosevelt -
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

and

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
+2
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 31, 2014, 09:12:45 AM
Yeah , but you have to admit some of these guys are just silly  :D

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: mtiberio on December 31, 2014, 09:52:03 AM
Yeah , but you have to admit some of these guys are just silly  :D

  Dusty

they are silly, however it is their right.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 31, 2014, 12:39:53 PM
they are silly, however it is their right.

As it is for all of us , which is fortunate for me  :D

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: rdbandkab on December 31, 2014, 12:46:23 PM
What scares me is that they ride the roads also.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: rocker59 on December 31, 2014, 12:50:18 PM
After they eliminated all the first corner crashers there were a couple of good riders. But......what were they thinking...flat track the bike you rode there.  ??? Some will need to truck them home.

Not really a problem, since they were all probably trailered there anyway!   ~;
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Sheepdog on December 31, 2014, 12:52:46 PM
Reminds me of one of my Granny's favorite sayings, "Fun for the feeble-minded..."
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Rotten Ralph on December 31, 2014, 03:01:25 PM
I rode out of the same Triumph shop with Gary in 1965.  He was a factory rider, top of the heap.  I was a Junior at that time, set to advance to Expert in 1966.  I was always in awe of him, for good reason.  Gary did not suffer fools easily.  I remained silent and out of his way.  The top Experts were from another planet.  The things they could do with a motorcycle....and make it look so easy!

Did you ride in the East Ralph? I worked for a BSA dealer in the late 50s early 60s. Davy Jones tuned my Triumph (a road bike) since he was friends with the dealer (Joe DiSimone). I'm fairly certain that he tuned for Gary.

Drop me a PM if that stuff sounds familiar.
Rotten Ralph

 
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 31, 2014, 03:33:33 PM
Nixon was another Okie that left for a better opportunity , he lived and raced out of Baltimore . Never met the man , but Dick Mann spoke highly of him , enough for me .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Cam3512 on December 31, 2014, 08:30:02 PM
Teddy Roosevelt -
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

and

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

Pretty sure Teddy Roosevelt wasn't speaking to a bunch of bozo's with sleeveless T-shirts and skid-lids.

Darwin, maybe...

“An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men.”
― Charles Darwin
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Stormtruck2 on December 31, 2014, 08:44:33 PM
I believe that Roland Sands used to run AMA 250 GP back in the day when I was running Pro-Twins...

I love this video, I'd love to do it if my left ankle wasn't junk. However I wouldn't take my 2013 Harley Road King. But the risk is huge, early in the video, that one fellow heads straight for the unprotected wall. All that said, everyone has the right to do stupid sh*t... Only question is, is this a worthy cause? Who are we to speak for another? Short of war to protect ones family, is any endeavor that gets you off the couch worth the risk? Is risk a fair trade for entertainment. Look around you. Don't all of us here ride motorcycles? You do know how it can turn to total poop in a nano-second despite your best attempts, no?

Teddy Roosevelt -
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

and

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

Amen. :bow :bow :bow  TR is one of my favorite men.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Stormtruck2 on December 31, 2014, 08:51:39 PM
I cannot please everyone,
nor can I live anothers life.
What would bring one to their knees,
is mine to do as I please.
If my foolish foil,
leads me off this mortal coil,
then I give my soul to God,
for he gave me life,
to live as I choose.
Not to judge those that do not as I,
only to do what is right,
and what I please,
as I see as cool.
To some I'm a fool,
to others a tool.
To those that  I love,
those that love me,
let me be,
simply to be me.  
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Daniel Kalal on December 31, 2014, 10:06:26 PM
Nixon was another Okie that left for a better opportunity , he lived and raced out of Baltimore . Never met the man , but Dick Mann spoke highly of him , enough for me .

  Dusty

the closest I'll come to being fast (the really fast guys always seem so short)...
(http://www.dankalal.net/2008trip1/gil1.jpg)
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: drums4money on December 31, 2014, 10:08:22 PM
That's entertainment!  If they'd only play that Bennie Hill -Yakety'sax - it would be as good as a monkey in a cowboy costume riding a border collie at the rodeo.

(http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/monkeyridingdog.jpg)

Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: oldbike54 on December 31, 2014, 10:21:18 PM
the closest I'll come to being fast (the really fast guys always seem so short)...
(http://www.dankalal.net/2008trip1/gil1.jpg)

 :D :D :D :D :D :D

 Deke , the only fast big guy that I have ever met is Dave Roper  :D Yeah , Dick Mann , KR , even Jeff Smith, are vertically challenged , not to mention some of the 5 ft nothing guys in MX  :o
 Great pic  ;-T
 
  Dusty
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: HDGoose on December 31, 2014, 10:22:21 PM
I really pity most of the old guys who are now regretting not living when they were young. Some I do not pity.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: krglorioso on January 01, 2015, 01:09:41 AM
Did you ride in the East Ralph? I worked for a BSA dealer in the late 50s early 60s. Davy Jones tuned my Triumph (a road bike) since he was friends with the dealer (Joe DiSimone). I'm fairly certain that he tuned for Gary.

Drop me a PM if that stuff sounds familiar.
Rotten Ralph

 

Done

the other Ralph
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Cam3512 on January 01, 2015, 06:36:13 AM
That's entertainment!  If they'd only play that Bennie Hill -Yakety'sax - it would be as good as a monkey in a cowboy costume riding a border collie at the rodeo.

(http://laughingsquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/monkeyridingdog.jpg)



Are you kidding me?   Look at the face of determination on that monkey!   Now that I'd watch.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: Lannis on January 01, 2015, 08:18:17 AM
I really pity most of the old guys who are now regretting not living when they were young. Some I do not pity.

But how could you possibly know whether an old guy regrets "not living when they were young"?    What does "living" mean in that context?

Lannis
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: blackcat on January 01, 2015, 08:44:12 AM
I thought it was very entertaining.
Title: Re: Harley (Cruiser) Flat Track Racing, What could possibly go wrong? (NGC)
Post by: rocker59 on January 01, 2015, 08:49:50 AM
The Sportsters did well.  Looked like a fun diversion.