DAMN INDIANS!

They are absolutely unreliable, undependable, no matter how much folks talk about their heritage! Especially those from Gilroy, California.

The real problems seemed to start in the early 1950's...

But I'm sitting here staring at the open guts of one right now. the connections under the tank console have vibrated apart! I am now experiencing the same electrical problems that another Indian owner that I know had a few years back. The closest mechanic (who is excellent) lives in the South Sound Area and the idea driving through Tacoma traffic with a trailered bike sucks! No one closer than him will even touch an Indian.

The local Harley shop won't even talk about working on them. The only thing worse is trying to find parts. A few years ago when I blew up the guts in my crankcase, I had to have the engine shipped all the way to florida for a rebuild. 4th corner to 2nd corner and back. One of my riding buddies laughed that my Engine has travelled farther than I have. I made a few disparaging comments about Harleys being bastard children of bowling alleys and golf carts and about his Marine Corp heritage... (oops, Once again I was outnumbered, and forgot that you insult one of 'em and they all gang up on you...) After the beating was over and they were picking me up, they did try to make me feel better by telling me that yes, Indians are the sexiest bike on the road, and they would all love to own one, but that they're not good enough mechanics.

Thanks, I think...?

Anyway, back to the present, I am contemplating trying to cobble together my wires and whether to try to find an aftermarket coil on the internet or find a way to put a 'harley' coil on it. I don't mind twisting wrenches and even enjoy it under the right conditions, but electronics are for folks who have much more patience than I can muster. I've noticed that the new era harley shops are way too much into OEM parts and have run into a couple of Harley shops who won't work on REAL Harleys. They only seem to work on Evo's and newer.

Don't tell me about OEM parts, either. I could no longer care less.

One fellow who stopped by yesterday has an old chopped 45 with welded rebar for footpegs and forward controls, mousetrap clutch, and suicide shift, a set of Chevy points, and other various dodge and ford parts. it is a scary death machine, only a crazy vietnam vet would ride. In other words, my favorite kind of bike! But he wasn't too much help as his bike is 6 volt with a positive ground. I've seen farmers' tractors that were less cobbled together.

So, while I'm contemplating solving my electrical dilemma, I'll visit a couple other blogs, then go ride this itty bitty one lung hard tail suicide shift (no Mousetrap) around the block a few times. ( my block is about 13 miles) Maybe later I'll go to one of the local Harley shops and tell 'em I need a coil for an S and S motor. If I take mine in, they'll know it's for an Indian, and not be very helpful. I think they prefer checkbook cowboys over us backstreet skum, these days...

...anyway, pray for global warming to continue and keep the shiny side up!

(p.s. check out THE HORSE on my sidebar, those guys showcase some incredible home built bikes and none of that theme-bike nonsense)

YES, HE IS MY PRESIDENT.

Over at Eye On Whatcom, There is a great column in the Treehouse threads about not just ettiquette, but the Code pertaining to our flag of our country. I realized that I should know better for the times that I have violated etiquette and the code by wearing an American Flag headwrap. In the back of my mind I knew it, because I learned it in civics class in grade school. It was driven home to me by a friend of mine who served in both theatres during WWII. Boy, did he scold me and deservedly so.

Maybe only slightly related is how we address our elected officials. Bearing in mind that I can't be encumbered by facts, if I remember correctly it is wrong to call our presidents things like Dubya, Obama, Klinton, etc. (I'll bet I have been guilty more than once.)

Unless I'm mistaken, The only proper way to address our elected officials is by title of position and their last name. (correct me if I remeber incorrectly, ya won't hurt my feelin's.)

examples for dummies like me:
President Bush, President Obama, Governor Gregoire, Congressman Larsen, Councilman Nelson, etc.

But what is downright disrespectful of the officeholder and the office, is statements like "He's not my president!" as was stated by many of my progressive buddies or "She's not my governor!" as stated by many of my conservative buddies. To me that's just being a sore loser, and the only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner... (I'll discuss that some other time.)

Anyway, even though I disagree with with probably 80% of President Obama's Agenda, and I voted for Senator McCain, President Obama is my president, and Governor Gregoire is my governor. That goes for all of us Citizens.

Again, unless I'm mistaken we address former officeholders by their former titles out of respect for the office and the office holder no matter how much we disagree with them. The same goes for affectionate familiar nicknames, too. i.e. "Dubya" for those whom we may identify with.

Enough of my 'Miss Manners' etiquette soap box, but maybe if we all try to use a little decorum, we may be able to avoid certain public or printed 'fox passes'...

...standing by for corrections...and reminders of my printed fox passes of the past present and future...

SUPER TIMMY BOBBLEHEADS ON SALE NOW!!!

SPECIAL GUEST: TIMMY!!!



( for those who don't know I have known Tim for quite a few years now, and he has given me permission to post his news releases on my blog. he keeps promising me an exclusive article, but it ain't happenned yet. I keep telling him I want to 'scoop' Sam over at the B-ham herald...)

June 15, 2009To: Our thousands of supporters throughout the state (cc'd to the media, house & senate members, and Governor)From: Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, co-sponsors of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/, (go to our website to do a secure donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information)RE: A few more "Super Eyman" bobbleheads on the way -- 100% of the proceeds go to I-1033

Because of the popularity and success of the recent "Super Eyman" bobblehead auction, we've ordered a few more -- they're due to arrive soon. This time, we're not doing eBay ... if you want one or more "Super Eyman" bobbleheads (for yourself or as a gift to a friend or your favorite liberal legislator or as an auction item for your club), please send me an email at tim_eyman@comcast.net.

There's no set price ... make a generous donation offer to the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033 and we'll work something out on a case-by-case basis. WE ABSOLUTELY MUST RECEIVE ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN JUNE TO QUALIFY OUR PROPERTY TAX CUTTING INITIATIVE FOR THE BALLOT ... PLEASE HELP. Check out all 3 photos to see what it looks like (it's 4 1/2" tall): http://cgi.ebay.com/TIM-EYMAN-AUTOGRAPHED-SUPER-EYMAN-BOBBLEHEAD_W0QQitemZ270400605822QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef521ce7e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:120566:265:1239:1240:1318301:0293:1294:50#ebayphotohosting

This is a super fun way to boost I-1033's fundraising so we can get over the finish line. Again, send me an email (tim_eyman@comcast.net) if you're interested in getting one or more of the "Super Eyman" bobbleheads. As far as I-1033's signature drive is concerned, we're over the hump and in the homestretch. We've got just 18 days left before the Thursday, July 2nd deadline. Now more than ever, your donations are absolutely needed -- now more than ever, your volunteer signatures are essential.

Getting 300,000 voter signatures in 150 days is a huge undertaking. We're making good progress, we're not there yet, we've all just got to keep our heads down and keep working hard all the way until the end. I implore each and every one of you: Please hit 'reply' to this email and ask for more I-1033 petitions (tell me the quantity and where you want them sent). I urgently ask that each of you contribute generously to I-1033: fill out the form below and send us a donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on the amount that can be given) to our offices in Spokane. Or, you can do a SECURE online donation by going to our website: http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ -- we accept VISA AND MASTERCARD and PAYPAL (if you have difficulty, let me know immediately). Either way, please send in your most generous donation RIGHT NOW. The Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033 tackles the hyper-hated property tax at a crucial time when taxpayers are struggling, property taxes are skyrocketing, and politicians continue to ignore the growing property tax crisis, instead focusing on imposing a state income tax and other family-budget-draining tax hikes. And I-1033 addresses that problem in a very smart way by making sure politicians can't shift the tax burden someplace else. By capping our overall tax burden, we make sure that I-1033 will provide "net" property tax savings. Remember, the Lower Property Taxes Initiative I-1033 says that the growth rate of state, county, and city general fund revenue cannot exceed the growth of the private sector. Tax revenues collected in excess of I-1033's revenue limits will reduce property taxes. It's a bold, brilliant initiative that substantially lowers our property tax burden by gaining control of government's growth. Jack, Mike, and I are really counting on you. Please help. FULL STEAM AHEAD!Regards, Tim Eyman, Jack Fagan, & Mike Fagan, Lower Property Taxes Initiative co-sponsors, ph: 425-493-9127, email: tim_eyman@comcast.net, http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ (go to our website to do a SECURE donation by VISA/Mastercard/PayPal or print out the form below, fill it out, and return it with a check or money order or credit card information).Lower Property Taxes Initiative . PO Box 18250 . Spokane . WA . 99228 . PH: 425-493-8707 . FAX: 425-493-1027 . http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ . email: jakatak@comcast.net