The Veteran's Rock N Roll Rally

(Formerly the Branson Motorcycle Rally)
by Stix Douglas

Do to unfortunate circumstances the Branson Motorcycle Rally was donated and turned over to new Rally directors. They had big plans with a new agenda and only six weeks to get the word out about this “new” Rally taking over where the Branson Motorcycle Rally had left off. With each obstacle encountered those involved worked harder and were determined to make sure it would be a complete success down to the last detail.

The 1st annual Veterans’ Rock N Roll Rally was held on the third weekend of May, traditionally known as “Armed Forces Weekend.” This year’s four-day event ran from Thursday, May 17th through Sunday, May 20th, and was held in its new location, a valley now known as “Area 57”.

While everyone has heard of Area 51, this new “Area” has the potential to become just as well known. It is located on the strip in Branson, MO, right next door to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and its 57 Museum. This is one area with many things to see and do, not only the sights but also everything Branson has to offer. The region around Branson is a motorcyclist paradise and has been a well-kept secret until now.

Each day of the Rally brought new events and attractions including:
Field Games, a Bike Show, two separate Poker Runs, a Cruiser Area Ride, and Three regular motorcycle rides that took bikers into some of the best riding available, for which the Ozarks is well known.

Live music was provided most evenings with the Main Headliners performing on Saturday night. They included Bill Haley’s Comets who opened the show for Paul Revere and the Raiders, and The Righteous Brothers Bill Medley with encore guest appearances by Fabian and Bobby Vee

More than 600 bikes and over 1700 people participated in this years Veterans’ Rock N Roll Rally, which raised $50,000. The money goes to The Ride To The Wall Foundation, which has a government 501(c) 3-charity status, and is a non-profit organization that helps not only homeless but also “at risk” veterans.”.


Paul Revere and the Raiders are very active with Rolling Thunder and their efforts for veterans everywhere are well documented. They have recorded 2 CD’s and a DVD dedicating all of the sales to the “Ride To The Wall Foundation

Paul Revere and several members of The Raiders usually travel by motorcycle each year with Rolling Thunder, making stops to veteran hospitals along the route and perform near the Lincoln Memorial at the Festivities in Washington DC.

Many wonder if it is possible to have the Rolling Thunder crews make Branson and the Veterans’ Rock N Roll Rally become part of the permanent route as the place to be for the weekend prior to the larger events in Washington, DC.


Next year’s Veterans’ Rock N Roll Rally promises to be even better. It is expected to have more venders, events and things to see and do throughout the four days of the Rally. With plans already being made to have more live music with big name entertainment playing each night of next year’s Rally with the added possibly of more surprise guest appearances that is becoming a Branson tradition.

With the success of the first Veterans’ Rock N Roll Rally and the enthusiasm and support of the community, Branson is the ideal place to hold such an event. With its reputation for being the ultimate Veteran Friendly community where all Military personal from every branch of the service have always been welcomed and respected there, regardless of war or military conflict in which they served. Next year there will be Color guards and Flag raising ceremonies put on by different local veterans’ organizations to honor those who have served, and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend next year. The dates for the Veterans Rock N Roll Rally are scheduled for 22-25 May 2008. For more information on the Rally, the Ride to the Wall Foundation, or on Paul Revere and the Raiders go to these websites:
http:/www.veterransrockandrollrally.com
http://www.ridetothewall.org/
http://www.dickclarksabbranson.com/shows/sub_paul.html

I hope to see you at next year’s Veterans’ Rock N Roll Rally.

Full Circle Continued

Nothing hits home as much as when you have a near death experience or the opportunity of meeting your maker and knowing it.



Being dazed and confused is not only a temporary mind set but can be more permanent as it carried over after the accident.


When you wake up, literally I began to realize just how blessed I really was. There is no doubt that this could have been a hell of a lot worse. And although I was in a lot of pain and rightfully shook


I was fortunate to not have any visible broken bones but had a herniated disk in my lower back. There was also the issue of 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my back from the exhaust that kept reminding me from laying too comfortably on my back.


Once I had called my buddy Mike Bertolini. He had gone down and picked up the motorcycle with his enclosed trailer. He brought it home to me and unloaded it without charging me anything.


I was still hurting so bad I couldn’t even get up to go see it or much less to help him with being able to unload it.


For the next several weeks I was in limbo uncertain as to what to do. My mind flashed back to remembering Skip and how badly he had looked the day I went to see what would later become my first Harley. It seemed like so long ago they were different times. I was mirroring the fact that this was my accident


Over the course of the next several weeks, I was looking forward to being able to lie down to just relax and not move, but that wouldn’t be happening.


The Rail Dock Rats from work kept calling. They wanted me to come back immediately before there were any personnel changes could happen on the dock. They offered me the opportunity to just do the checking of visual paperwork of the inventory of the rail cars without having to get up and down or drive my fork-truck.


I was dumbfounded because I didn’t know if I would have been willing to have done the same for someone else. Looking back on it now I went back to work way too early. I was in no shape to be even have been walking around much less working. They kept me active but it was also the end of an era




I had to go through a lot of soul searching then. I had too many unanswered questions and doubts that took a lot of time and consideration to mull over and just sort through.


Why had this happened to me? What was I going to do next? What does all of this mean? What should I be doing now? Where do I go from here? Why am I alive? Why didn’t I die? What’s my purpose? What have I not done? What do I need to do? How do I move on? When will I get over this? But the one that really stuck seemed to be Why am I alive?


Besides my injury’s mentally I had a chip on my shoulder.


The more I thought about it the more research I done in my own mind.


When I finally felt up to it I called my mechanic buddy Butch. I was still unsure of myself and had to have an open discussion with him. At first there was a lot of uncertainly. But Butch said something rather profound to me and in doing that sparked other thoughts. In so many words he said something to the effect that it was you have to make the decision yourself. Do you quit? Take the insurance check and walk away? No one would think any less of you if you did. This is where you get off the bus, or checkout. Many would walk away and wouldn’t put themselves back in the situation of ever riding again. The choice is yours.


My mind flashed back to Rusty. Having had a Harley at one time and having given it up. Always thinking and reminiscing about those days and in some ways a “has been”. Which in my definition meant would not ride again or it would never be the same again. Rusty's was someone who had gone on to and put away those freedoms and those feelings and had allowed them to become fond memories.


The risks maybe to great to continue. Something this devastating takes time to process. I can’t make that decision for you. No one would think any less. You have to make that choice on your own.










I was mirroring Skip and didn’t realize it.






It just dawned on me I had come full circle.

BLUE COLLAR BIKERS 1991

”You ain’t shit unless you own a Harley“. Those were the words that rattled through the center of my being like an earthquake. The volume of that statement would have echoed if not for the noise. Hammers were being used to beat down metal tabs on the assembly line in metal shop of the Chrysler plant.  It was part of the process as the sides of mini vans were fastened into position during its assembly process.

Of course I didn’t believe a word of it, but with all the over time everyone was working and the amount of physical labor involved; the stress, exhaustion and/or desperation: caused you to want to be thinking of something else other than work. It was said in the same spirit as “Buy American”, it was an attitude of pride, a standard that people were determined to hold up against a society that was slipping. We were in the midst of a time when “Buying American” wasn’t just a slogan, otherwise referred to as “The Good Ol’ Days”. We had good jobs and were living the American dream.
This was before ergonomics when the jobs were very physical and the testosterone and primitive male egos ran exceptionally high.

My job was that of a “Relief Man”. I would take over doing each one of six different jobs.  Giving  each  a 10 up to 15 minute break.  I had to be just as strong and in more cases stronger than any single one of them. To be able to handle the job depended on the amount of effort and pitching the weight correctly so the difficulty could be minimized. It was also somewhat of a bonding and a learning experience.

Even though I was just another “one of the guys” on the team, I still felt a little more like an outsider since I didn’t or hadn't owned a Harley but had always wanted to. These guys were all Shovel Headed Harley Davidson owners.

 It was just natural that the subject of motorcycling would come up and there would be more dialogs and eventually it heightened the intensity within me to want to make that big leap into getting my own Harley. It was if  I was being reintroduced to motorcycling after a hiatus of being away from it for more than ten years. 

I realized that I had the need to be in the wind, once again. All the hype only seemed to make me want my own Harley even more and the need to get back into the wind was growing stronger every day I worked with these guys.

Right after the Sturgis 50th anniversary was when I first heard of some pretty tremendous tales. The stories they told of their adventurous travels were only heightened and intensified by my adrenaline.


I call these guys, the Blue Collar Bikers.  They are not motorcycle enthusiasts. But rather more of your old time traditional or Old School bikers. I had originally thought each owned a shovelhead but at least one of the guys on the toy tab line had an Iron Head Sportster. This was considered a subdivision between the ranks of the other Harley Riders and some of them would snicker saying Sportsters were really not considered a grown up bike.
Another one of the arguments was the fact that these “SUPER Bikes” although faster out of the hole, were also less powerful and less expensive than the Harley Davidson Big Twins. What gave the dispute more bite was the fact that if you ever bought a Sportster chances were you would never graduate up to ever owning a Big Twin.

The theory was by the time you fixed the Sportster up to what you wanted or needed it to be, making it comfortable or fast enough with all the extras; you wouldn’t have enough money to purchase a Big Twin. Not only that, but when you went to sell the bike you couldn’t get what you had spent on it back.
Most would either take the loss for the upgrade of a bigger bike if they traded in and anyone buying it got the benefit of the additional chrome and upgrades as part of the deal in buying a used Harley.
There are so many people that I have talked to since, that claimed they could never afford a Harley. Yet what did these Blue Collar Bikers know or have that I didn’t other than their own Harley? All of these guys rhad owned their Harleys outright. NO one spoke of or had to borrow money to pay for them. That just wasn’t done. You saved your money up and bought one outright or worked up and traded. Paying as you go was the way of life.
The only exception to this was one of the guys had acquired his brothers 1965 customized FL from California. His brother had it willed it to him.

One day he wore in this leather jacket, and begun making comments about it. It wasn’t just a coat but an American Made “Riding Leather”. He explained that Its sleeves were a little longer to allow your arms to reach out for the handlebars and the leather was made with a thicker more road resistance American Cowhide which was of excellent quality. The “Brooks” leather also had its brand name stamped into each of its chrome snaps and was the first I knew of to have the revolutionary zip out 3M lining.
It also had a deep interior breast pocket which I was informed that could easily fit a snub nosed 38 in it. Otherwise the leather looked like a typical or traditional motorcycle styled jacket.

One of the guys that I knew and that lived fairly close to me had a ‘84 Harley that he was willing to sell for 4500.dollars. It was the last year for the shovelheads. Although I didn’t have any money or any way of buying it, I did want to see and get a better idea at least of what a Super Glide Harley actually looked like.
He had taken the bike apart and had repainted it and the frame a most grotesque shade imaginable; I referred to as Dickhead Red. There would be no way in hell that I would ever want to be seen on a motorcycle, especially a Harley that was that color. But the benefit of taking a look gave me the idea that perhaps I might find an older model for about the same or nearly the same amount of money. This would be the target amount to aim for.

One morning, while sipping coffee and coughing my head off as I continued smoking a cigarette, one of the guys noticed and said something to me that struck a chord. It sparked my thoughts and caused me to change my entire way of thinking. He said; “With as much as you smoke, if you gave up cigarettes, you could afford a Harley”

It may only have been meant as a sarcastic statement at the time. Maybe a cruel joke; but it struck me in nearly the same way as the “You ain’t shit unless you own a Harley line.” I took it at face value and began to examine the possibilities, literally. It opened my eyes and gave me hope on how I would accomplish what otherwise would have been unthinkable or an impossible task.

The more time I thought about quitting the faster my wheels started turning. I was serious about wanting to make this a positive thing.” If I quit smoking could I improve my health and with the money I saved could I really buy a Harley? “I was a chain smoker, and would light one cigarette right after another, going through at least two packs of cigarettes every day and sometimes even more, every single day.
I knew the habit was bad for me and I had wanted to quit and be healthier but could this be enough of a motivator for me? Could it be a reason to stay focused if it were true? With the way I coughed I thought “Hell I don’t even enjoy smoking anymore.” Which did I want more?

How serious was I and was this wishful thinking or a foolish question? Thinking I could never be able to give up smoking anyway. So I got out a pen and paper and to humor myself I started doing the math. At the time packs of cigarettes were $ 1.65 a pack and by multiplying the packs by 2 since I was smoking at least that, and then by days of the week and then by the month and then the months of the year…. It became a time thing. If I stayed on track, and saved at this rate I could possibly have a Harley in just over three and a half years.
By marking the amounts of money on a desktop calendar I faithfully began filling a cigar box that I kept under my bed with the money each week. Then I would mark it all down in a list, making sure I was contributing in accordance with my figures. This went on for several weeks, months in fact. Until one day I got out the cigar box to straighten out the bills and to cross check my figures.

As I started to count I realized I was short. Yes someone had helped themselves into my cookie jar so to speak.
Oh I was so pissed. I felt violated. All this work when I had been tempted on smoking so many times. I knew that saving the money and buying a motorcycle was going to be a long uphill battle and it was now going to take me even longer.

I wanted to retaliate but I knew I needed to take immediate action so this would never have another chance of ever happening again. Years before I had benefited from having help with a loan on my first financed automobile through the ACU ( Automotive Credit Union). There I could transfer funds from my payroll check directly and make the deposit go into a separate account. A Harley Fund so to speak which was actually a savings account. So, I set it up.

Adding a slice of my overtime pay to the Harley fund was going to get me on that Harley a lot sooner. By not taking from the household budget at all so with a look at my pay week and healthy estimate of my volunteer overtime I managed it so that when the whistle blew and my 8 hours shift was over I considered the money I was making then to be that for the cookie jar, and started putting it into my Harley fund time. What it meant was all the overtime that I was working would shorten the length of time before I could buy my Harley. It wasn’t long before I started looking for other ways to raise even more money. For example by going to work on the night shift I could get an additional 5 % more with a shift premium and decided to go to nights just to do that.

In the mean time my brother Paul was selling his Honda Shadow that he had bought new. It was a 700 or 750cc. It was a Harley look alike but was a reasonably dependable quick and a reliable shaft driven motorcycle. My other brother Gary had ridden it a while and bought and put a new rear tire on it. The decals were off the gas tank and Paul had removed the “foreign” Manufacture Badges. Paul had also had the seat recovered with a fabric. It looked more like a real biker’s motorcycle and less of your typical want-to-be motorcycle. I wasn’t trying to be a “want ta be” Biker. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted. It was just a different approach then most.

I took it out for a test ride and was impressed with it. The price was right, I decided to go ahead and I bought it.

 It had several immediate benefits and I already knew it would save me even more money riding it while I continued to save up for my first Harley. Besides the savings on fuel cost it also satisfied my need to get back into the wind. I did need a few items before I would be able to ride it. A motorcycle isn’t just a vehicle, it’s an extension of the rider, there is always some assembly or adjustment required.

I didn’t want to wear my old Stars & Stripes ¾ helmet from my mini bike days. It is the same that Peter Fonda had in "Easy Rider". Who knows it might have still fit, but I broke down and bought a new white police style DOT approved helmet from a after market motorcycle shop. It was while I was there I tried on and then bought my first Brooks Riding Leather.
I wasn’t riding a Harley yet but at least I was in the wind and was well on my way to start saving up for one.

2019 The Two Day STURGIS

A funny thing happened on the way back from Sturgis in August of 2017.  After my last refueling appoximently 20 miles from home my 2001 Electra Glide Classic started hammering.  I managed to make it home knowing I had some significant damage.

I had limited funds and it would be nearly two years of it sitting collecting dust while parked inside in a corner of my pole barn covered with a couple sheets while I brewed over what to do about it.

In the short term I didn't want my riding season to be over, or to have to loose out and I had already  been shopping for my next Harley.  Luckily for me I had another ride, a 2006 Night Rod but I had lost interest in it. I didn't like it .  It was water cooled and  I never quite felt right about a water cooled Harley's and I still don't.

I happened to see a advertisement for the 2018  Harley Davidson line up and that there were
Demo rides available.  Just in case I grabbed the title to the 'O6 and a few items and headed for the Dealership looking for the new Road Glides. When I got there I immediately signed up and took one out for a Demo ride.

A 2018 Road Glide Special CVO

The motor on the CVO had a Stage III performance set up.  When you twisted the throttle it virtually would snap your head back . It had the Stage 2 Boom Sound System on it with the saddle bag speakers. Being a musician  I was more impressed with the incredible sound it produced then its performance. It was nice but still lacked the types of things I would require.
 Next thing I know I am buying a 2017 Road Glide Special and we're discussing the long list of accessories I want it to have.

My 2017 Road Glide Special  (before its transformation)

I ended up taking it home, so I could put the first thousand miles on it .  All the while My 'O1 Eagle sat in the pole barn. Covered in a sheet in the dark corner awaiting its turn to be repaired.  It kept eating at me.

Within a period of about two weeks, I had already put the first 1,000 miles on the Road Glide Special . I then had it trailered to the dealership to have it's First servicing  as well as to have  nearly 10 Grand worth of goodies added to it.

As time went on it became crystal clear that things would be more expensive then I had originally planned. I had also goofed up and had not figured on the taxes that would be added on with all the accessories. By the time I realized it, it was already too late to get it added in the payment. I finally  ended up having to take out a separate loan for all of the added expenses.  The bikes first servicing,
its first payment, and now an added payment on the second loan for all those taxes.

It had also dawned on me and had became very apparent that things were "different" and I am not talking just a few things. I am talking about EVERYTHING on the Road Glide Special was different. In the 17 or so years all the improvements were a bit overwhelming.

In 2018 I get busy with my music performing every Saturday at a Mexican restaurant called the El Mariachi and wasn't able to go to Sturgis.  I really didn't want to be using the Dream Machine for "Touring" and did NOT want to be putting those kind of miles on it. So I saved my money and figured to use what I saved on getting the "O1 repaired and perhaps then go to Sturgis maybe sometime in the future.

My Dream Machine shortly after it's transformation.

My mechanic buddy Butch had several other motorcycles he was still working on that was  ahead of mine and I knew it would be a while before he could get to it. So the  "O1 Eagle" would continue to collect dust. All the while I am cranking miles on the new "Dream Machine".

As 2019 rolled around  Butch kept asking about going to Sturgis. I had started planning and had blocked out the week on my calendar so I could be able to go, but my only condition was
that I would only go if it was on the "O1 since after all it was my Touring Weapon.

Butch had been the soul care taker of not one, but both of his parents for quite some period of time.  Plus It had been several years since he had gone.    I knew he was in need of a good vacation the kind that only a trip to Sturgis could provide.  He had gotten my hopes up earlier in the spring that perhaps he would finally finish up on these other bikes and could get to the "O1 of mine
and get it fixed in time.  But that was not in the cards and would not happen.

Butch's mother passed away and it put the skids on any thoughts of getting it repaired in time which also  meant it would be squashing my hopes of taking the "O1 or even going to this year.
.
I had frustrated myself over the possibilities for nearly two years now.  I wasn't ready to let the bike sit and rot. Knowing the 'O1 inside and out I really wanted to be able to continue riding it.  Sure the Dream Machine was nice. But it just wasn't the same.  It could never replace the "O1 Eagle and be the  "Touring Weapon" that it was made to be.
Besides, I had given this a lot of thought before I had even bought the Road Glide Special and had it turned into the Dream Machine.  I was bound and determined to see the 'O1 back up running and on the road handling the Touring duties.

I pondered over the possibilities
1. Do the repair work myself?  Highly unlikely too big of a job and chances are would not be able to put it back together but make things worse.
2. Find someone else that could do the work but then they wouldn't know much more than I about it or
 3. Talk to a Harley Davidson Dealership and have them do the repairs.

It was June 27th when I finally broke down and made the decision and called the St Charles Harley Davidson Dealership.  I  talked with the Service Manager Dewayne about my situation and what he could do about it. He told me he would use his top mechanic Steve to work on it.  He then assured me that once started on it that it would be about two weeks  before it could be completed.

Talk about your major heart surgery the crank had to come out.

On Tuesday they came and picked up the "O1 Eagle and by that Friday they suggested I come take a look at the progress and the damages.
This wasn't my first time seeing  the "O1 torn down this far.  Steve knew his stuff but this was a bit of a different challenge for him.  Somewhat excited and perhaps a bit optimistic working on a "older Twin-cam"  with a historic amount of miles already on it . This would be an "experience" that very few dealership mechanics would rarely ever see much less get a chance to work on. So there was a bit of "clout" and a feather in his cap if this turned out well.

"This was not my first Rodeo" is what I said to Steve.

By the time I had got there, Steve had made some rather surprising discoveries. There had been some
other things inside the motor that were damaged.  He had been looking at it from the stance as to what do you want to do with it, and how far do you want to take it ?
My first thoughts were to get a quarter million miles on it before retiring  it to just local rides.  But after speaking with Steve I was more inclined to go ahead with paying more on the expenses and get the quality and have the security to take the motorcycle closer to a 300,000 mile mark before  I would call it quits.

Steve suggested that I give him time to work up two different estimates. One that would get it back on the road with a minimal of costs.  The other with more of a long term and doing it right.
There was more back and forth an offer to send the cases to Milwaukee and have all the new motor with all the upgrades added to it. Stuff like the Screaming Eagle improvements including a double oil pump and it would have my engines numbers stamped into a new set of cases. All at an expense a bit cheaper than my higher estimate.
When push came to shove  there were several other items included that drove up the cost another two grand making the total on the repairs to  $ 7,100. before it was all over.

The clock was clicking down and it would have taken roughly another six weeks and I would be missing out on Sturgis otherwise.  With the motor work finished I would only have
 roughly  two weeks to get the thousand miles on it before  another service and oil change before heading off to Sturgis, SD.

Many may not have gone the route that I did,  and that's fine. But then again I am more stubborn and determined that most.  Perhaps I am becoming more of the "Old Biker" and more traditional when I tell everyone:  " Its cheaper to keep her. "  Perhaps I am just alone in that way of thinking.

Butch and I had talked briefly about our departure. He had not wanted to leave until Wednesday morning at the earliest. Even though I was more in favor of Tuesday.
As I waited, I got the "O1 Eagle  ready for its Tour.  Gathering the things I normally put together for the trip and spent time looking for other items. I had trouble remembering where they got stored.  It was a good thing I started early.

 I would only be in Sturgis for a couple days.  I wouldn't be needing as many clothes.
 One of the reasons for the short stay was I needed to be back by Tuesday.  I needed to be back for  my Fathers 90th birthday. I would also be playing music in Londell, MO. I ended up over packing anyway.

It always takes a good while to get packed and finding those things you don't use any other time of the year. Bungies, spare sunglasses, and etc. It had been two years and some of the items were harder to find then others. I had bought a new sheepskin but for some reason the old one just seem more appropriate and worked out easier to use for the trip.

All packed and ready for another Touring Duty, to Sturgis 2019

I had just finished getting the "O1 serviced, washed and cleaned up in time to load it for the trip. When I called Butch to touch base with him about  heading out.  I had seen the weather report and knew there was a chance that we might run into a sever Thunderstorm near Kansas City on the way but then it had been played down on the next forecast.  Butch was still not completely ready and still had to service his bike.  He had not packed yet and it was the night before we were to leave.
He had instructed me to call him at 4:00 AM, either way .

When I called the next morning he said he had not been to bed yet.  He was packed but wanted to leave later, and for me to go on ahead . That he would catch up .

It was a little after 5:30 AM when I left.  After topping off on fuel at the BP station in  Gray Summit , I headed out while it was still dark.
It felt a rather nostalgic and the engine still sounded rather "tight" as I went on alone getting on the Interstate.  At first I was doing 65mph, but by the time I had reached I-70 in Warrenton I kicked it up to 75 mph . I went on past Columbia, MO and looked to refuel in Boonville, MO.

I stopped into Mc Donald's after I had refueled.  I  pealed off a few things, got myself some
breakfast  and more coffee.  Having seen the weather and now with the sun up I could make out the thick storm clouds up ahead.  They first  looked as if they might be moving south of my route by the time I would get there.

Once back on the highway it looked more like I would be heading directly into the tail end of the Thundershowers. I begun watching for traffic coming the other direction with their wipers on.  That would be the time for me to pull off, perhaps under a overpass, to put on my rain gear.

Roughly 14 miles before Kansas City the clouds unloaded. I pulled over and under the highway just as I heard the Thunder cracking. Once under the overpass I took my time getting out my rain gear.
 Hoping the whole time that it would pass and be over with in a few more minutes. However it didn't.
Instead it poured even harder as I got back out on the interstate.

It was just my luck that I was in a ton of west bound traffic all moving at 30, to 40 mph.  The brake lights and tail gating drivers made it nearly impossible to stay at a consistent speed.  My hands were cramping as I held tight onto the grips and had to keep working the clutch.  I finally made it to the 429 by pass and eventually the traffic thinned. It continued raining the whole time until I had connected onto I -29 as I headed north.


Once I had made it onto I-29, I had hit reserve and knew I would need fuel but had already passed the first gas exit. Watching the odometer I nearly had enough to make it to St. Joseph .  I pulled into the next exit that had a gas stop.

A few other bikes had pulled in shortly after me. The pumps were "Pre-Pay Only" and it just set me
off with the stress of riding in such a heavy downpour and the worry of running out of fuel. 
 So when I went inside I let my frustration out when I shouldn't have.

"I had wanted to fill up, but I don't know how much its gonna take."  That was my statement.  "Why pre pay?" The two women behind the registers were quick with their response. " Just leave us what you think it will take."
With that I said, " oh okay! Here's five dollars, that should get me down the road far enough to another station where I can fill up there.  Oh and  I'll need a cash receipt."  Once I had the receipt I stormed out to the pumps. I hadn't realize it then, but I believe the Almighty must have certainly been listening.

The other bikers were hanging around and when I had come out, they asked which way I was headed.
They were seeing the storm as they were on their way south.  The clouds were massively thick going through several layers of the atmosphere.  They were amazed I had rode through it.

 I explained to them the longer that they waited the better because it would be heading more south. They had started putting on their rain gear as I got ready to leave.

 The motor POPPED, and acted up a bit like it was vapor locked.  It took several attempts before it did start.  I got on the highway I kicked up the speed and was doing 85 mph for the first time.  I pulled  off into the St Joseph exit that I remembered had a BP station and a Denny's Restaurant.  Butch and I had stopped at it many times years before.

After refueling , I  decided to pull off the rain gear I was wearing.  It had warmed up and the sun was now out.  I thought it would also give the motor a chance to cool down before I headed out again. But I soon found out that it had other ideas.


When I finally got ready to leave,  the bike didn't start.  I needed to move it.  So I pushed off and moved it where  I could work on  it,  that was clear and away from the pumps. With the sun out I went ahead and removed my coat and had to repack it into the bike as I waited and started assessing the situation . I was thinking it just needed to cool down more as I  gathered my thoughts.

An old gentleman in a truck pulled over by me about this time,  just as I got the tool bag out. I made several attempts to start without any luck.  He was very helpful, and knew the owner of the St Joseph Harley Davidson Dealership there in town.  He even called and had him on the phone for me.  He put it on speaker and we had a conversation while I pulled both spark plugs out and checked them. Both looked good and were dry. When I tested I got zapped so I knew I had FIRE.  It just would not start and I knew there was a problem. I thanked the gentlemen and told them I would have to make some calls next, and that I would be in touch.

I got my cell phone out and my first call was to Butch's house .  I spoke with his brother Jesse, who informed me that he had left roughly at 7:30 about 2 and a half hours behind me.  The next call was to  St Charles Harley Davidson to Dewayne to see what warrantee I had on the motor work.

D

I then called Butch's cell and left a voice mail and telling him I would be at the St Joe Harley Dealer.  I then talked with Harley Owner Group about Road Side Assistance. Before returning a call to St Joseph H-D that I would need to be towed.  They informed me the truck was out on another pick up. It would be coming but that it would be awhile.

It was close to 10:30 to 10:45 AM when I had first got into St Joseph.  It was sometime closer to 2 PM when they unloaded the bike and I had sat down at the dealership. Butch rolled in about 2:30 having got the voice mail, so he had to double back about 12 miles.

Around 3 PM the service manager came to get me. They needed me to take off the gear from off the bike, so they could start working on it. At the time it was parked on the floor near one of the work stations. As I removed some of the gear and placed it on a table close by I noticed all of the work stations were full.  We waited until they came again to show me what the problem was.

The rear cylinder had stuck an Exhaust Value.  The same head and exhaust valve it had originally back in 2017. It was upsetting because I had spent so much time and money to get the bike fixed .  Here it was happening again, how could that be?

Well the old mechanic there knew.  When they replaced the valve guide on my head, they replaced it with a brand new one. The motor had more than 200,000 miles on it and it should have been oversize to allow for wear.  It had been sent out to a vendor.

It wasn't too much longer after that the guys came out to give me more unexpected bad news. The bike would NOT be done that evening, and that I would need to spend the night . It would be finished the next day. The mechanic had other family commitments for that evening.

It was disappointing to say the least but shit happens. Butch had said I owed him a motel night when he had broke down back in 2015 on the way to Sturgis that year. So it wasn't what I had planned on, but to make it on to Sturgis  we really could use a good nights sleep.  The guys at St. Joe Harley knew of a cheap motel just down the road , and called ahead to make sure they had a room.  They even gave me a lift .
Butch met me there and I ordered  a pizza, and soda and had it delivered. We relaxed the rest of the evening. The motel had a continental breakfast the next morning.

I called about 9 AM and asked if I could also get a lift back . Before I could get my gear to the front office my ride was already waiting. Once at the dealership,I went in to ask if I could get a picture of the bike being worked on.    Not only was it finished, but was already sitting outside from it's test ride, already to go.

I stepped outside and they told me to fire it up . When I did it sounded right . Firing right up as if it had been finely tuned to perfection.  I immediately called Butch who was still in bed back at the motel and told him the bike was already to go. He had thought it wouldn't be ready till maybe noon.

I went ahead and took care of the bill but then went back to purchase a T-shirt of the dealership.  After all they had done everything they could to help make this as pain free as possible .
Once everything was paid for I headed back to the motel to see what was holding up Butch.

It was sometime around 10:30 by the time Butch got all of his gear strapped back on the bike and before we headed out. Almost exactly 24 hours  from when I had broke down.

It was now Thursday the sun was shining and we were twisting the throttle at 70-75 mph with an occasional 80 mph. Racing our way as we watched hundreds of motorcycles heading the other direction heading home.  It was shortly after getting back on the highway that I noticed that the bike no longer had that "tight" feel to it. That it was smoother more like it's old self.  Almost like it had amnesia and had just remembered who I was.

We were making good time, only stopping to refuel until we got to Rapid City.
It was there I had to stop in for a replacement "Throttle Lock". Mine had back out along the way.  Without it I was at the mercy of keeping my right hand on it constantly.  I couldn't  even reach down
to grasp anything like my coffee mug without slowing down and having to speed back up. Making it more difficult  to catch up with  Butch. Oh sure they got cruise controls now, yeah I know...

We had made it to Mitchel in South Dakota where we talked about getting something to eat and  decided to go on to Al's Oasis in Chamberlin instead.

When we got inside to Al's Oasis we were seated and found it odd to have had a black waiter with a very British  accent. We both made several trips to the soup and salad buffet.

While we were there I also called Larry Vissia our Sturgis buddy who's apartment that we stay at.  But I  had to leave him a Voice Mail message.  I thought we would of been there close to his 10 o'clock but Butch disagreed .

 On the way out of the Oasis we were stopped by an older couple that had the gift of gab, delaying our departure and our arrival time to meet up with Larry by at least another fifteen minutes.

We topped off our fuel and I was ready to refuel in Kadoka, but Butch blew through it and I came in on vapors to Wall Drug.
It was a bit after 11PM St. Louis time when we pulled into Sturgis and a bit later once we had awoke Larry.

You see all kinds of things at Sturgis I just wish I could of seen the inside.

The next morning when Larry got up he made me breakfast. A large Egg Omelet toast and pork bacon that was to die for along with a glass of orange juice.

He was very adamant that both Butch and I needed to meet up with a Christine Steel for some sort of interview at the Civic Center at 1 PM which was not far from Larry's. I assured him that we would be there.
Butch had slept in and Larry was already out the door and heading to work at Headquarters before Butch had even gotten up.
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For the past several trips to Sturgis I had gone alone.  I had made a habit of going down early in the morning  to McDonald's to use their Wi-Fi and to score few free refills of coffee .   Just across from it is one of the Sturgis Signs.  It's become a rather popular place to have a photo taken.  It's a must do while in town to have one taken with their bike in front of it to show they have been here to Sturgis.

Even though it was already Friday the rally already looked nearly empty.  From every thing I seen including in town and the camp grounds it was as if it were one of the smallest of the rally's. For it to be considered to be the fourth largest rally would of had to of meant most left out much earlier.


I had gone back to Larry's and Butch was ready to get started on taking in the rally. I figured we  needed to stop in at the Harley Davidson HOG Hospitality room before it closed.   Harley had relocated the HOG portion of the rally out near the new Full Throttle Saloon.  We'd have to ride out past Bear Butte to where it was.

Bear Butte

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I had wanted to take  a few pictures  and I couldn't help myself when Butch mention he wanted a picture next to one of the Harley Davidson Proto types.

A modern day " Old Skool" ?

Butch was rather impressed with it because of its design.  He had noticed something I hadn't.  It had the a new Milwaukee Eight engine that was disguised as a Shovel head chopper . It was on displays in the HOG hospitality area.

You really got to wonder what Harley is thinking sometimes when they buy into a company that produces Battery Operated Bi-cycles 

Thinking ahead for one to grow into?

My first view of the New Full Thro

The old Broken Spoke Saloon near the HOG Hospitality Center

Iron Sculptors of what I believe is Ghost Rider and Indian Larry

Since Butch had missed breakfast and once we had gotten or HOG event pins, he wanted to get something to eat.  So after we'd seen what they had left the HOG tent we took a different route  to get on I-90. It was a gravel road, but it saved us time and aggravation without having to double back through all the traffic in Sturgis.

Larry had volunteered us for this interview with the Sturgis Rally Chamber of Commerce so
I knew we had to be back to the Civic Center by 1 PM. I was thinking we had plenty of time.

We went on to the Windmill Restaurant outside of Rapid City known for it breakfast and supper buffets. The place is usually packed and parking sometimes is difficult as it was on this day. We had gone in and had been there awhile eating .  Butch had asked if I would get his tablet/cell phone from off his bike outside.
As I went out to bring it in, I noticed my head light was on and turned it off.  I had forgotten and left the key on when I shut the bike off using the kill switch.  Sure enough, when we had finished our meal and were ready to leave, my battery was dead. It didn't have enough juice to turn over.

What happened next still amazes me. Butch reaches in his saddlebag and pulls out this Power Pak. It's inside a real nice hard shell case that has two rather large jumper cable clamps that connected to it.  He places them on to my terminals for the battery and with the flip of a switch . POOF the bike starts.
 It was simply spectacular you had to be there. One of those moments you never wish on anyone and a solution I would never had dreamed of.  Looking at the time,  I realize we were going to be late and that we had better hustle if we were going to be back in time for the interview. One problem obstacle removed, check.

You would think that would of been the only delay. But it only gets better. Once back out on the Interstate my bike dies and I pull it off onto the shoulder  as I flip the reserve petcock.   It nearly comes to a stop before it catches and then restarts. It rattles me a bit cause now I'll need to stop for fuel before we can make it back. Just one more delay.

 I couldn't believe I was that low on fuel and in the confusion must have turned the reserve back because the bike dies a second time.  The bike slows and I have to move over and out of traffic and back onto the shoulder once again.  It nearly comes to a full stop before it catches a second time.

At the first station we come to we pull up to a pump and I go to use my credit card.  At first the pump would not come on and stops at like 37 cents.  We shut the pump off and try it again .  Still nothing. A third time we chose the lower grade fuel and I put in a few dollars to get us back to town.

 We made it to the meeting although it had already started. There were several cameras, and what looked like a media event . There were several police officers,  behind a set of tables, that were discussing the success of the 79th Sturgis Rally. Once they were finished,  there was a short break when Christine Steer introduced herself. She briefly explained what we would be doing and had us sit down up front behind the table.

She then introduced us to the crowd who then asked us questions.    It was sort of a work shop of sorts.  They wanted us to tell them a little about how long we had been coming to the Rally. They wanted our thoughts on how the rally had changed , and what we thought about the rally including what we would like to see done. There was more to it, but it gave them a different perspective , a different view from those of us that ride and have been coming there for a number of years.

Butch and I being interviewed in Sturgis

It was a valuable experience for everyone involved.  Made me think I was more important too.  That I was involved in something bigger. I enjoyed the whole thing, it was fun and a great opportunity.

Saturday Butch left out to met up with Wayne and to ride in the Black Hills.  I made another trip down to the Sign and then on to Main Street.   And visited Larry at headquarters.

The know it all man at Head Quarters in Sturgis, is none other than Mr Information Larry Vissia seen here with co worker Mary at the Information booth 

It had been a long tradition that while at Sturgis to "Register" at Headquarters. Although I believe many this year had either failed to do that or might not have known of the tradition.

Now I am not saying that this was the least amount I had ever seen on a United States map while I have been in the Black Hills, but if it wasn't it was a very close second. For whatever reasons the event just seemed smaller than the norm.  But that was a good thing, because it made it easier to get around, less traffic, less stops, easier access, and more room both to find a parking spot and to walk around.
I made a trip up to Newell, South Dakota and was back early enough when Larry had finished with the last bit of work at Headquarters.  He had let us know he was taking us out for Dinner.

Years earlier I had treated Larry to a place that I believe I had eaten the finest Steak in my life. He took us to the same place.  It was Lodge Deadwood. One of the more expensive in Deadwood and also very sheik.

What a way to cap off a stay with a visit to Lodge Deadwood. Larry treated us to the Finest in Dining  and told me they were excepting overnight reservations for next years rally starting at only $ 1,000.00 a night.

But Larry wasn't done with us yet. Although the Sturgis rally was over and they were breaking down all the tents and loading up in town, he treated us also to a trip back out to Deadwood.

He took us to a museum called  Days of "76  in Deadwood.

There was just too much to see and every kind of wagon from 1835 to 1910 in the newly finished lower level.  Just one of the many things you can't do with just one visit.  Their Old Rifle collection was extravagant .

Just one of Dozens of different wagons and other types of horse drawn equipment on display.

As if that wasn't enough Larry took us to Fort Meade the oldest Calvary Fort in existence just outside the city limits of Sturgis, in South Dakota. Although I didn't take any photos  it was one major educational visit that I wouldn't of known about otherwise.

It done my heart good to come out from the grocery store and see a pair of "Old School Putts" There was a  50's pan head parked next to this stone stock Knucklehead.

When we got in Sunday evening I started getting my gear packed up. Butch had gone to do some more shopping. I had my shower and finished what packing I could when everyone else had gone on to bed.
The next morning when Larry got up I got up with him got dressed and started loading my gear back onto the "O1 Eagle for the trip home. I thanked Larry for his hospitality returned his key to the apartment and left out before Butch had even gotten out of bed.

I stopped down at McDonald's for one last refill of coffee before going on and refueling in Rapid City. When I stopped in Chamberlin I took off my leathers and several layers of the heavier clothing and got comfortable.  I also removed my modular helmet.  Being able to enjoy the freedom of riding lidless is a pleasure that I think is under rated. The sun was out and the sky's were clear and sunny.

I had tried to match the refueling stops Butch and I  had made on the way up, on my way back.  I  failed at it miserably.  I had pushed harder doing 85 mph most of the way back, until I had gotten to Council Buffs.  From that point on, I slowed my pace back to between 70 to 75mph and got much better mileage .  Stuff I should of remembered.

As I passed St Joseph it was like fate.  I had to hit reserve and ended up pulling into that same gas station with the Subway connected to it. After I had refueled, I pulled the bike away from the pumps and parked it. Then I went back inside. I made amends and explained what had happened to me after I had left there on my way up. I apologized for my rudeness  and hateful remarks. I then went over, waited in line, and ordered a foot long. Striking up a conversation, I begun telling of my adventure to all those also waiting in line.  They say confession is good for the Soul.

When I got back out on I-29 it was getting dark, the sun was starting to set, but I could still make out the thick multiple layers of storm clouds up ahead . As I got closer to Kansas City it was as if the Thunderstorm and showers I had gone through on the way up, had never left. ahead.

Lucky for me I missed most of the heavier rain and was relived once I was out passed the city limits. But by then it looked as if I was chasing behind another Thunderstorm. It was a lighting show nearly the entire time until I got to Warrenton.  I had caught up to it. The pavement was wet from that point on the rest of the way in.

I don't remember what time it was when I finally made it home.  I had just survived one of the most expensive and perhaps also the shortest of my Sturgis excursions. I was glad to be back and to see my Dad for his 90th Birthday.

Dad and I at the Finish Line on his 90th Birthday

Word has it that I beat Butch back. But then Butch didn't come home for awhile.  He returned from his vacation some time in early September.

They really like me here !!!

There is always next year. Perhaps I will go earlier especially since it will the 80th.

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The Year 2018 with Stix