A day with Hagar and .. Elvis

Written my Jammer, Jan 2003

Hagar&Elvis.jpg (30 KB) Click to Enlarge.

It seems like a long time ago already with the temps outside now lucky to get to 20 but back in January it was 70 one day and jammer called a bro to see if he could go riding playing hooky from work. He had already been home for lunch to get the bike so the plan was cast. Of course work didn't know of the plan and we ended up meeting at a local watering hole only about 30 minutes earlier than normal.

We shot some billiards while discussing the possibilities. It was there I learned his bike, 1992 FLT was about to turn 90,000 miles. This Evo had never been apart, no motor maintenance needing gaskets, not even purported lifters whose life is supposedly 30,000 miles. You'd never know it either, it pulls hard and with the Thunder header pipes it is a strong running bagger.

I also learned it was the Kings birthday this day. Elvis Presley would have been 68 on this day. So we decide to do a shot in his honor while finishing some pool Quarters were lined up so it might be a while, weather not withstanding, we are taking on all comers in a doubles at the table. Loosers are told to put a buck in the CD player and hit any Elvis tunes they please.

But song after song nuthin, nadda, no Elvis. I talk to the proprietor who comes back to tell me "Elvis is dead!" Again I hear those unkind words, seems his CD is not working.

So we decided a shot to toast Elvis and we will hit the road, get those 38 miles, snap a photo with a shot of Jamesons precisely at 90,000.0 miles no mater where we are, and call it a night. After all the sun has long since set behind the Rocky Mountains, temps must be dropping. But alas, the arcade repair man is working on an electronic pistol. Six or ten of us, (not leaving anything to chance) surround this poor kid and tell him to fix Elvis which he gladly complies immediately.

So we shoot some more pool while the likes of "Love Me Tender" and "In the Ghetto" bellar from the juke box. Smiles on our faces now and with the warm glow of Jamesons in our bellies we start to dress for our ensuing ride.

Unbeknownst to us a cold front had come through and it was now probably under 20 deg out. But a mission we are on. We tool out of town noting the wind chill phenomenon does work, even in thin air. There are two schools of riding in bad weather, cold especially. One is to ride slow and hug motor parts keeping some flexibility in the digits for breaking, clutch work and such. The other, which is il-advised but the one I took, was get there fast and get warm inside sooner.

So before you know it I am all alone on a dark lonely cold road and no headlight is behind me. I turn back to find my bro sitting smiling on the side of the road hugging said warm motor parts of his idling bike. "What part of this here ride didn't you get jammer?" I hear as I dismount and get the camera out.

Laughs and accusations are exchanged while a toast is made to Elvis and the black 92 FLT bagger. It was then decided from here to fore, the bagger shall fittingly be called 'Elvis' long live the King!

We remount, and being miles from warm homes, stop at another popular establishment with the two-wheeled crowd to warm ourselves. Noting no bikes in the lot, heads turn as we walk in all bundled in goofy fur lined head gear and such.

More billiards, some peanuts, husks on the floor of course, and the solo multi- instrument playing entertainment blues singer even played us some Elvis.

What a night. Some people will tell you how the first 10,000 miles they had on their bikes were the best. Others will tell you how they trade their rides before they get old. Others store their scoots for fair weather riding only. I find the best miles are those long after factory warranty, extended warranty even are expired. I find the best miles are those shared with bros in the Wind.

The ride home may have been cold, but we were beaming with the warmth of memories of another great day in the USA and in the Wind.

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