618 Gaffney Rd. Fairbanks, AK 99701
Outpost Web Page – http://www.mosquitonet.com/~harley-d
Fairbanks HOG Web Page – http://puffin.ptialaska.net/~pappert
The weather is really starting to look good. Last Wednesday was real a killer. I wanted to ride, but, alas, I can only get down the driveway. The road is still all hard pack. With the weather warming up, it is time to start thinking about the first big chapter event of the season, the Bentley Mall Bike Show. Mike tells me he has gotten some really nice trophies. This year's show is open only to chapter members. Sounds like it is time to get out the polishing cloth and get the ole iron ready for the show. Entry applications are at the Outpost. Just ask one of the girls for them. They will show you where they are. Let's have a good turn out and put on a really good show.
If you were at the last chapter meeting, you know by now that the bike raffle is underway. If you would like to sell tickets, get with Jerry Culver, 488-1649, or stop by the Outpost. If each chapter member could sell 100 tickets, the raffle would be a sellout. Let's get behind the raffle and see if we can make it happen this year.
The event's schedule is really starting to shape up. May and June are already filling up and are going to be super busy. There is something going on every weekend. Fred is really letting out all of the stops. A tentative schedule for most of the summer is posted on the bulletin board at the Outpost. Check it out and mark your calendars. Check it often, as some of the dates or events could change because of conflicts or weather. We will update it if and when needed. Also, take note of the open weekends, as Fred is still looking for ideas for rides or functions. If you have any ideas, give Fred a call or catch him at a chapter meeting.
Speaking of chapter meetings, there has been a lot of distraction at the last couple of meetings. We are a large group and it is difficult to find a suitable place for us to hold meetings. The room at the Sunset Strip is a little small for our group, so we must keep the curtains open to handle over flow. To help cut down on distractions, we are going to ask that the waitresses not take orders or serve beverages during the actual meeting. I am asking you to come a little early if you plan to eat or want liquid refreshment during the meeting. I will do my part by trying to keep the meetings as short as possible (30 to 45 minutes). If we all cooperate, we can keep the distractions to a minimum and the meetings short.
One more thing, I want to remind anybody who is planning to attend the state rally to pre-register. Pre-registration is the only way to guarantee you will get the complete rally package. If you are not pre-registered, the only way to get a rally shirt is to pay the full registration price, plus paying for the shirt. Also, only H.O.G. members can get a rally shirt. Non-member guests must pay full rally price, however they do not get a shirt. I suggest you consider making sure your guest is a H.O.G. member. If you have any questions about this, please give me a call. I will also explain this in detail at the next chapter meeting. See you next month. Safe Riding Jim
It's almost time to polish up those bikes and get them ready for the Bentley Mall Bike Show. I hope everyone plans on attending and showing Fairbanks what being in the Harley Owners Group really means. It's always been a lot of fun and this year should be the same. Becky, and the girls at the shop, are planning on having a fashion show on Saturday, and still models on both days. We will also be selling raffle tickets and have the raffle bike on display at the mall for everyone to see. We will have trophies for each one of the classes, as well as Best Paint, Best Bagger, and Merchants' Choice (Best of Show). Pick up your entry forms at the shop. Also, if anyone is going to need trailering, please let me know. See everyone there!
Don't forget that we do have raffle tickets for sale this year. We have done very well in the past with sales. Let's all pitch in and see how many we can sell this year.
We have a lot of activities planned for the summer. I look forward to seeing everyone there. There should be something for everyone. See everyone at the bike show. Mike
Temperatures are warming up. Hopefully, the snow will melt away soon, or at least enough so we can start riding soon. There are a lot of activities that are being planned for this riding season. Hope to see all our members there.
Congratulations to Rick Braun! He won the 50/50 pot at our last meeting - $81.00.
The name drawn for the HOG Pot was Charles Grandy. He would have won $20.00. Since he was not present to claim his prize, the HOG Pot is now $30.00. Sorry Charles.
I would like to welcome our new members to the group: Stanley Archer, Agnes & Leonard Beadle III, Kevin Butler, Horance Garrison, Ann & Jeff Ginn, Tim Heyduk, Shawn & Sheldon Jones, Don McSweeny, Carl & Tracy Owens, Samuel Rao, Dawn & Jon Senechek, Antoinette (Toni) & Howard White, Aileen & Richard Witrosky. I hope we get a chance to meet you all.
The following members are due to renew: Joan Fisher, Karan Bilyeu, Larianne Ball, Fred Atkinson, Randy Bealer, Martin Branville, Bea & James Coey, Nathan Collin, Kathleen Comeau, Paul & Tammy Corkrean, Clayton Darr, Nelda Deleon, Tommy Glass, Crystal & David Gotthardt, Bill Hamaker, Christine & Darren Johnson, Ken Kaltschnee, Jack & Susan Kauffman, Kenneth Laing, Joe Larranaga, Dianna (Trudy) & Frank Martin, Gina Morrison, Gayle & Richard Moore, Charley & Margie Myers, Ken See, B. Fae Shepard, David Stevenson, Kevin & Tamera Tennant, Kelly Warren, Larry Webe. Don't forget your membership cards when you renew. We need your national number and expiration date. Evelyn Wood
We have experienced tremendous growth over the last year. Because of this growth, we need some guidance for our group rides. There are several changes here in how we have been doing things, and some new things. We will have new people, and a large number of beginning riders attending this year. We want to make group rides fun, safe for everyone, and get more folks out for the rides.
Group riding can be one of more fun aspects of owning a motorcycle. Regardless if you and a handful of your friends want to ride for pie on a sunny Saturday afternoon, or a mass ride for some special event, you will eventually find yourself in a "pack of bikes." Now, for a beginner, this can be a scary situation, or just unpleasant for a veteran. Usually, this is a result of a lack of communication before the ride. Every group comes up with its own rules concerning group-riding manners. Some are very formal, complex and inflexible. Others are loose, informal, and seem to change with every twist in the road. Personally, I advocate less is more. The fewer the rules, the more the fun. However, we do need a few rules to keep the confusion to a minimum.
First: Stagger and Interval. Very important for safety. We ride in a staggered formation with few exceptions. Maintain a two-second following distance between you and the bike directly ahead of you. To do this, when the bike ahead of you passes a fixed object (a light pole, sign, crack in the road, etc.), count 'thousand one, thousand two'. If before you finish 'two'you get to the point where the other bike was, you're too close, back off a touch. If you get there after 'two', close up a little bit. A lot to think about at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it. Simultaneously, you need to keep one second between you and the next bike in the stagger. This will let that bike slide in front of you if necessary. If that happens, back off, get your two seconds, and then pull up when they get back over to where they were. This will happen frequently in hills and curvy sections of road. Don't get upset, just reform the pack when you get clear of that section of road. No one expects you to ride beyond your abilities.
Try to stay in your third of the lane, unless avoiding obstacles. When someone in front of you falls out, you should pull straight up to take his or her place, and fill the rank. Leave it up to the last couple of bikes to correct the stager. Most of the time there will be a couple of experienced riders in the rear. Let them worry about the stager.
Hand signals: Almost every group depends on hand signals to communicate while riding. I would like to keep the list short and sweet. The fewer to remember, the better.
1. Left hand raised, palm open = Right turn 2.Left hand out, palm open = Left turn 3.Left hand down, palm open = Slow down 4. Either hand pointing at road = Hazard (pot holes, gravel, dead animals, etc.) Anything else will be explained by the road captain or ride leader before the ride. NEW! To increase everyone's enjoyment and safety, we will divide rides into three groups: for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. The road captains or ride leaders will be wearing colored armbands. Red for advanced, blue for intermediate, and yellow for beginners. This will allow everyone to ride at their own comfort level. It is TOTALLY up to you which group you ride with. Please pick the one with which you will be most comfortable.
If you are a new rider, or don't have much experience riding in a group, PLEASE let the Road Captain, Safety Officer, or the ride leader know. We will try to pair you up with an experienced rider. They will show you how everything is done, and you won't be under pressure to ride faster than your abilities. We want everybody to have fun, and you can't have fun if you're under pressure.
Finally: Do not follow a group through a yellow or red light. If the group gets separated, the leaders will slow to allow you to catch up. The leader will also establish a pullout to gather, out of town. We'll reassemble the group at that place if we need to. If for any reason you have to pull over and then catch back up with the group, don't try to pass the pack. Just fall back in at the rear of the pack.
With these simple rules, we should all understand what is expected. I hope to see you at one of our special events or Thursday night dinner rides. Remember: Eat to ride, Ride to eat!
Ol' Joe Says: If the ride stops being fun and starts being work, it's time for a break. Stop and get some coffee and pie, wait for the traffic to thin out, or just take a break. If the riding is still work after the break, it's time to stop for the night, even if it's three in the afternoon. Richard Barlow
April 7th Chapter Meeting. 7:00 p.m. at the Sunset Inn on Old Rich April 14-16th Bike Show at Bentley Mall April 22nd Egg Hunt 12:00 p.m. at Chena Lakes May 2nd LOH Ride Night 7:00 p.m. at the Outpost May 4th Dinner Ride (Thursday night ride) 7:00 p.m. at the Outpost May 5th MFS Beginners Riders Course 6:00 p.m. Sign up at the Outpost May 5th Chapter meeting 7:00 p.m. at the Sunset Inn on Old Rich. May 6th Road Rally 1:00 p.m. starting at the Outpost (see editor's desk for info) This is a brief listing of events planned for the near future. More to follow next month. An expanded list will be available on the web page in about a week.
Couldn't stand it any longer. I went for a short ride today. It wasn't what you would refer to as relaxing, with the patches of black ice still to be found, but still served as a "fix".
What in the world is a Road Rally? There are numerous different types and many variations on a particular theme. What we are planning is a time/distance event. The basic game plan is as follows:
A team consists of a single rider/bike, a 2-up rider(s)/bike, or 2 riders/2 bikes. It is a time/distance event with each leg recorded for elapsed time/distance. The information for finding each leg will be in the form of clues, with longitude/latitude listed Point system is like Golf. The lowest score wins. The shortest distance between two points gets a perfect score of 0 (yes, you have to stay on the roads). For every additional 1/10 mile the penalty is one point. Established time between two points is based on average driving time, with the speed limit being the target speed. Time will be recorded on a Saturday, in an attempt to take into account normal traffic load. For every 10 seconds early or late, the penalty is one point. Rally will start at the Outpost. Teams will leave at 5-minute intervals. A maximum of ten-minute intervals will be allowed at each leg for pit stops and deciphering the next clue. Final destination will allow a place to gather, eat, receive status results, and pass out trophies.
Come out and give it a try, but come early. The first team should leave shortly after 1:00 p.m.
As everyone hopefully is aware, this is your newsletter. Any member that would like to submit an article for publication is welcome to do so. Articles for submission need to be placed in my drop at the Outpost or e-mailed to the address below no later than the 20th of the month.
To make sure you continue to receive your copy of the Swine-Line, I need to have a current e-mail, or snail mail address in the mailing database. Make sure you update your address with the chapter when necessary!
As always, if there is a problem or you wish to change the way you receive your copy of The Swine-Line, call 458-7116 in the evening or e-mail: fbkhog@eagle.ptialaska.net Bi11
Sales:
The update on the bike business, at this time, is that I have a few Sportsters still open coming in this spring into the summer. I have already placed the first order for the 2001 models, delivery window is August through October on those. There is still availability on that first 2001 order. The word, so far, from the Motor Company is that the Dyna Convertible will be discontinued and not available in 2001 and there will be a new Dyna model coming out. I will automatically get one, so we can all check it out later this year. I don't have anymore information on it yet. They are also planning on the 4.4-gallon fuel tank to be stock on all XL1200 Customs for 2001. Hopefully, that will really happen this time!
Motorclothes:
Its that time of year again. The girls are running their spring promotion. From April 1st to May 15th, if you spend over $250 dollars on genuine motorclothes, motor accessories, or licensed products, we will give you a "Take Us for a Guide" package. The last few years it has only applied to Harley-Davidson products, but they have extended it throughout most of the store. Jessie and Autumn will let you know what doesn't pertain to the promotion. They have some great new items for spring coming in for men and women. New T-shirt and tank top styles are on the way, along with great new leather halter tops and leather vests. We have ordered summer logo items-shot glasses, coffee mugs, and ashtrays, with the Northern Most Outpost name.
Service:
Clark wanted everyone to know that with the snow melting fast and spring fever in the air, if you have plans to have any work done to your bike, he is a good three to four weeks out. So get with Clark and make an appointment now! If you purchased a new Harley this winter season, don't forget to swing by the Harley Shop on one of your first rides so the guys can take it on a test ride.
Parts:
Thomas wants you all to stop by and check out the new accessory table he has on display. Also, a reminder that Custom Chrome has just put out the new 2000 product book if you haven't had a chance to flip through it. A reminder; with spring on the way, if you need to order any accessories from the motor company you may want to get them on an order because backordered parts are starting to show up. We want you all to have accessories put on before August!
Well boys and girls, looks like riding season is upon you. I am really glad you can get out in the sun, let your hair down, and ride, ride, ride. I made my way to Daytona Bike Week again. Interesting, to say the least. Lot of ugly folks in speedo's. Could you imagine me in one? Won't happen! Also, a lot of those folks hugging and kissing each other were same sex. Spent a couple of hours there and figured I wore out my welcome. Could not handle all them boys holding hands and bottoms. Had to move on. Made my way back through the Everglades. It was hot, 89 degrees. Seemed to be just the liking for the alligators. Had to dodge them as I rode down the road. I made it back to Texas with only one rain shower and no breakdowns, so all in all it was a great trip.
Well, I am preparing to hit the road again. I will do the Louisiana HOG Rally on March 24 & 25. Then, by the 28th, I will head west until I hit the ocean. Then turn right and go straight until I get to North Pole. I will not make it for the bike show, but I know it will be great. Always has been in the past.
Oh, by the way, rumors are that Nancy Barlow's scooter is ready. You guys better be careful when that woman gets on the road. If she rides like she talks, welllllll.... Just kidding Nancy, enjoy! Have fun riding. It will be good to see you guys. Nothing like Alaska bikers.
God Bless
Chicken Joe
Hey all! The weather is super, and yes we miss you nuts! I'll write again after I get a copy of the last swine line - I hear Chicken Joe's been up to no good AGAIN!! Gotta love the guy though! Well, Take care! Hope to see lots of you at Sturgis this year!! Amber & Dave If you want to drop an email you can send them to me at work - ajordan@fcbs.com or my yahoo account - relaxnsun@yahoo.com Gotta go! Miss ya!
BELOW IS OLD STUFF - BUT NECESSARY NONE THE LESS! HOPE YOU GET A LAUGH OR LAUGH!! KEEP IN TOUCH! AMBER & DAVE
Hello from Sunny Arizona! Original Date Written: 4 Jan, 2000 Today's Date: 10 March, 2000
Hey everyone, man has it been a long time since we've talked to most of you. I hope you're all surviving the winter without any major incidents! And your Holidays were a wonderful time full of good times & good friends! As for us? Our adventure that began with the trip down the highway has been never-ending and full of many surprises. The holidays were fantastic; we spent it early with family in Arizona, then hit the road & got Dave home to Kansas City for Christmas! He hadn't been there for the occasion in about 30 years!! It did make for nearly a 3000 mile trip in the end, but to see his folks light up when we pulled up was worth every mile of it and then some!! It was just soooo cool!! Now, I would like to state my perspective on the confusion of getting disoriented at a motel on the trip from Alaska! I suppose from Chicken Joe and Dave's viewpoint it was a simple case of female navigational inadequacies, but I'm sure any person that had traveled with two men for some 4000 miles would have tried to mask a botched "escape" attempt as a simple wrong turn in hopes of disguising the true nature of the situation in order allow for future escape possibilities!! Believe me folks, I love my Dave & dear friend Chicken Joe, but 4000 miles of two against one could drive any women to wander the hallways in shear desperation hoping some miracle will come along and whisk her away! I know that all three of us learned things about each other along the way that we would never have known if not for the fate that put us on the road together in the first place. Part of what I have learned has strengthened my faith, my love for Dave & my affection for a true friend; Chicken Joe. And it's with much affection that I say these next words: I realize that any man who can snore loud enough to wake the "deaf" is possibly a gift from God, sent so that we too may "enjoy" this wonder of nature as well!! But we all know there can be too much of a good thing at times, and good ol' Chicken Joe helped me realize that snoring is one of wonders of the world that this "deaf" person could have done without experiencing!! Ha! Anyway, don't tell Joe that I know he exposed my little adventure through the stairways of that motel, even though he assured me he would tell no one!! And I'll stick with my getting lost story next time I see him - I wouldn't want him to think I would expose any of his little secrets either!! So, as you all know, we made it safely to Arizona! And it truly was a godsend that Joe was able to help us like he did! When we got here we spent some wonderful times with all the Fairbanks folks that have migrated south for good or for temporary enjoyment! Now, that we're back from our holiday adventure, we can settle into this sunshine and warmth again! I continue to wonder one thing though; what the hell took us so long to move here? This place is just incredible!!! Well, I guess I'll close for now. Hopefully I can keep in touch a little better now that we should be a bit more grounded for a little while!! That is, till the next road trip - but the next one's on two wheels or it's not happenin'!! Take care! Stay warm, we'll be thinking of you as we drink our coffee on the porch every morning in the sunshine! We do miss all of our good friends & the good times we had up north, so if you're heading this way, let us know, we'd love to hear from you!! We'll be in the wind thinking of you!! Amber & Dave
FAIRBANKS HOG CHAPTER H-D FARTHEST NORTH OUTPOST 618 GAFFNEY FAIRBANKS, AK 99701